Chapter Fourteen

The next day Sir didn't stir until late morning. Wishbone had been listening. He waited outside the door until Sir called for him, then entered and dropped to the floor at Sir's feet in his best approximation of the bow he'd seen Sir perform yesterday and waited for Sir to beat him.

Sir got to one knee next to him and stroked his hair. "Where did you learn the profound abasement, anshan?"

"Watching you," said Wishbone.

"You lack polish," said Sir, "but I'm still impressed. Did you dose my wine?"

"I did," said Wishbone, and tried not to tense up. It would only hurt worse when Sir struck him.

Sir sighed. "You are wiser than I. I would not have slept without it." He took Wishbone's hand. "Rise," he said.

Wishbone got to his feet and accepted an embrace and a kiss from Sir and allowed himself a sigh of relief.

"Now we've got another long day ahead of us," said Sir. "Let us begin."

Wishbone again oversaw the watered wine and towels for the two sparring shih-aan. It was hard to watch Ah Jiniráo keep just outside of Sir's reach as they moved across the parlor floor, slapping him, cutting him, and occasionally knocking him down. But Ah Jiniráo spoke mostly to offer instruction. He helped Sir to rise after a fall.

"None of this means he is not angry," said Senjian, when Wishbone sat astride him and worked horse liniment into his ribs. Bruises were...