THE LIGHT WITHIN THE DARKNESS
THE VAJRA AND THE MIND
TO SEE BEYOND
THE MANNER OF KILLING CROWS
THE LAST MISSION
OVER THE WALL
THE WHORE AND THE CRONE
FIRE AND STRAW
CHANGES
A BARGAIN REFUSED
ON TWO WINGS
BOW AND SHIELD
THE BEGGAR’S BOWL
REACHING FOR THE RAIN
CIRCLES OF WOOD AND STEEL
DRAGONS
A FATHER’S GIFT
THE SHAPING OF STEEL
SELAH
THE BOW
THE BLADE OF MAH LIN
LOTUS AND SWORD
FULL CIRCLE
THE IMPERIAL COURT
THE POX
FATHERS AND SONS
THE GUEST
THE PATTERN IN THE THREADS
DEPARTURE
FROM THE EYE
THE AWAKENING
THE CAPITAL CITY
THE GRAND INNER
EVIL GROWS
THE TASK AT HAND
THE MANTIS KING
A CHALLENGE IN THE SAND
THE FACE OF THE ENEMY
A DARK VISITATION
THE SUNG
URBAN NIGHT
THE MORNING LOOMS
THE POEM OF LI BAI
THE EMPEROR
THE TIME DRAWS NEAR
TWO FAVORS
THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY
THE TRUSTED MINISTER
THE PREY
THE CAVERN’S BOUNTY
DRAGON FIRE
SAGES AND KINGS
THE HORDE APPROACHES
ANSWERS
GATHERING POWER
THE DIE IS CAST
AWAY
THE MEASURE TAKEN
THE HARE AND THE HOUNDS
THE APOCALYPSE
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
SOUTHERN WINDS
THE BEGINNING
EPILOGUE
HISTORICAL NOTE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I soar in effortless circles around the plodding caravan far below me, gently riding the desert winds. It is not the glitter of sunlight on jewels that attracts me, for I do not covet the spoils of war, but crave only my humble share of war’s terrible outcome. The hot rising air is cradled beneath the feathers of my outstretched wings, and carries with it the tantalizing odor of sand and blood. I fly on, driven by primordial hunger and beckoned by the smell of death. Drawn closer now, I am intrigued, for I have found its source.
I can see him clearly. He is chained behind the cart laden with plunder and pulled by great horned oxen. He jerks and stumbles forward at every tug of the cattle’s methodical steps. Blood is the clothing that covers his body. Wounded and tortured, decay did not wait politely for death’s cue, and the flies have already joined the feast.
My spirit knows that this cruelty is the work of men, nature is much more merciful. I can see that the dying captive is mad. He raves with agony and fever at every near fall. Nature mercifully has removed mind from body, so his mind knows nothing of its body’s plight or pain, and by nature’s mercy I sense his journey will soon be over.
But that time has not yet come, and I fly upwards towards the heavens to banish my gloom. As clouds part and early stars move slowly before my eyes, I bite and savor simple concepts, tasting the timeless comfort of universal truths. With pain and blood they are born, they live, create life and take life, and then with blood and pain they leave through Death’s cold gateway. It is Death’s black finger that puts the final punctuation at the end of every man’s life sentence.
It was then that I heard Death laughing, and when he had finished his chuckle he began to speak. “I have heard the delirious ramblings of countless dying minds. I am amused by yours. Heavy philosophy to hapless metaphor, ‘my black finger puts the final punctuation at the end of every man’s life sentence?’ That is very funny given your circumstance. Fly down with me to see the wretch again.” As we flew lower Death continued to speak.
“Many times in many battles I came to take him, but he was elusive and agile. Even though I couldn’t reach him, he did my work well and sent me many. Did you know I have whispered to him every step of his journey and still he will not come? Yet even if he does not die along the way, he knows I wait to embrace him at the executioner’s block. Why does he resist?”
We angled closer to the man as he continued. “I know this unreasonable tenacity is testimony to the power of life and creation, and to feel life’s pulsing strength
