“So it is tomorrow,” he said.
I nodded, keeping my eyes fixed on the desk.
“You are prepared.” It was a statement, not a question, but I nodded again. An image of old Armsmaster Hian flashed through my mind. Now was the time to ask my master about the Reverse Horse Dragon Second.
“I went to a ghost maker today,” my master said softly.
I was so startled I looked up and met his eyes. A ghost maker dealt in herbs and potions and, it was said, in the spirits of the unborn.
“She gave me this.” He pushed the pouch toward me. “If it is taken as a tea every morning, it will stop the moon energy. But it can only be taken for three months. Then it becomes poison to the body.”
I hunched down in the chair.
“Your moon cycle must be stopped for these ceremonies,” he continued. “And if you succeed tomorrow, then—”
“I am about to bleed,” I whispered.
“What?”
“I have all the signs.” I ducked my head lower. “It’s early. I don’t know why.”
I saw my master’s hands clench the edge of the table. It was as though his anger weighted the air between us.
“Have you started?”
“No, but I have the—”
He held up his hand. “Quiet.” I watched his long fingers tap the wood. “If it has not started, then all is not lost. She said it was to be taken before your next cycle starts.” He picked up the pouch. “You must take a cup now.”
He leaned back and pulled on the bell cord hanging behind the desk. Almost immediately, the far door opened. Rilla stepped in and bowed.
“Tea,” he said. Rilla bowed again and stepped out, closing the door.
“I’m sorry, Master,” I said.
“It would be most unfortunate if the whims of your body undid four years of planning.” He steepled his fingers. “I don’t know why you have the gift of full dragon-sight, Eon. It must be some plan of the gods. How else can I explain my impulse to test a girl on my candidate search? It goes against all that is natural.” He shook his head.
I knew he was right; a woman could not have power. Or if she did, it was from the shapeliness of her body. Not from her spirit. And certainly not from her mind.
“But you have more raw power than all of the Dragoneyes combined,” he continued. “And tomorrow that power will attract the Rat Dragon.”
I looked away, trying to hide a sudden rising of doubt. What if my master was wrong?
He leaned closer. “When he chooses you, there is a bargain that must be made. There is no advice I can give you—the bargain is different between every dragon and his new apprentice. However, I can tell you that the dragon will seek an energy in you that he wants, and when he takes it, you will be united.”
“What kind of energy, Master?”
“As I said, it is different for everyone. But it will be linked to one of the seven points of power in the body.”
My master had taught me about the points of power: seven balls of invisible energy positioned in a line from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. They regulated the flow of Hua, the life force, through the physical and emotional body. It seemed that the whispers around the candidate school were true—a Dragoneye did give up some of his life force. No wonder they aged so fast.
“When I was chosen by the Tiger Dragon,” my master continued, “the bargain I made was the energy that no man gives up lightly.” His gaze met mine, then slid away. “So be prepared—it will not be easy. You cannot gain the dragon’s power without giving something valuable in return.”
I nodded, although I did not truly understand.
“And then when your bargain is made and you are the Rat Dragoneye apprentice, we must be even more careful. You cannot place a foot wrong, Eon, or we will both die.”
There was fear and hope in his eyes, and I knew he saw the same in mine. The far door opened again. My master sat back as Rilla entered, carrying a black-lacquered tray laid with tea implements. She placed the tray on the desk.
“Only Eon will be taking a bowl,” my master said.
Rilla bowed, unrolled a round gold mat, and arranged it in front of me. It was a representation of the Dragoneye compass, intricately painted with the twenty-four circles of energy manipulation. As a candidate, I had been drilled in the first and second circles of the compass—the cardinal points and the dragon animal signs—but only apprentices studied how to use the other circles. I leaned closer and touched the painted Rat near the top of the second circle, sending out another silent plea to the Rat Dragon: choose me. Then, to complete my private petition, I swept my fingers around the twelve painted animals in the direction of their yearly rising. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon . . .
Rat turns, Dragon learns, Empire burns—
The harsh words echoed through my mind, twisting into my gut. I gasped and jerked back my hand as Rilla set a red drinking bowl in the center of the mat. Her eyes flicked to mine, wide with concern.
“What are you doing, Eon?” my master snapped.
“Nothing, Master.” I ducked my head in apology, pressing my hand against my belly. That rhyme must have been something I’d read in one of the Dragoneye texts; they were full of strange sayings and bad verse.
“Well, sit still.”
“Yes, Master.” I took a careful breath. Only an echo of the stabbing pain remained. These cramps were the worst I’d ever had—maybe the ghost maker’s tea would ease them. Rilla lifted a small brazier of hot coals from the tray and placed it on the desk, setting a pot of steaming water over the heat.