Page 21 of A Forgery of Fate

Usually I asked Nomi to help me write the inscriptions for my paintings, but tonight I already had one in mind. In the corner of the scroll, I wrote:

Should you chance upon a dragon, be on your guard.

Keep your distance, and his luck will be with you for ninety-nine years,

But venture too close, and he will whisk you away into his watery kingdom,

Where all your fortunes will be his.

Cramps shot up my wrist, but the tingle in my fingers was gone. Finally my hands were at peace.

What had I painted? There were no dragons in A’landi anymore. How was this a vision of the future? How would this help me save Falina?

I blew out the last of my candles. Like it or not, I would soon find out.

Chapter Six

The next morning, I found Gaari at Luk’s taking breakfast, slurping noodles so long he’d choke if he didn’t bite into them. Shimmering globs of oil skimmed the soup, bobbing like dragon eyes. I blinked the sight away, trying to hide my desperation as I settled onto the stool across from him.

“Straight to the noodles,” I said by way of greeting. “I didn’t even know that this place opened so early.”

Gaari looked up. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“I can see the future.”

He laughed, as he always did when I said that.

“Tangyor let me up the stairs,” I confessed. “I hounded him first thing in the morning for your address, and he said you were here. Must be my lucky day.” I poured myself a cup of tea. “How are the noodles?”

“Springy. You want some?”

Tempting, but I’d already eaten, wolfing down an entire chicken and three pears first thing when I’d awoken.

“I’m not here to eat,” I replied. “I’m here on business.”

“Business?” Gaari said with his mouth full. He picked atiny round of onion off his beard. “Shouldn’t the haul from yesterday have tided you over?”

It should have,I thought bitterly. “My mother has debts to pay.”

“Still gambling, I see.”

“One of the four vices,” I quipped. “Thinking she can see the future runs in the family.”

Gaari’s cheek twitched. He wasn’t in his usually snappy mood. “What do you have to sell?”

Ever so carefully, I lifted the scroll from my knapsack. The ink was barely dry; Nomi and Fal had spent almost an hour fanning it this morning while I’d obsessed over the last details. I held the scroll up, tugging at the ribbon bit by bit. I’d watched plenty of art auctions. I knew how important it was to tantalize the buyer. To pique his interest.

“I’ve heard that the emperor’s birthday is coming up,” I started, “and that all the lords in the Fengming Hills are vying to outdo each other with their gifts. I might have something that can help one of them.”

Gaari raised a white eyebrow. “What is it?”

I waited an extra beat for showmanship. Then, dropping my voice to a whisper, I spoke, “A dragon.”

“A dragon.” Gaari puffed up with surprise. “Why, Saigas. You actually listened to me.”

“Only for the money. How much can you get?”

“I’ll need to see it first.”

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