"Find a way to punishyou." Li Sung smiled coldly. "We Chinese are very good at causingpain. Do you think because I am a cripple I am less than a man?"
"I would never make thatmistake again." Ruel grimaced. "I was once in a barroom brawl inSydney and a sailor named Hollow Jack kicked me with his pegleg and nearlyemasculated me. Then once he had me down he took the damn thing off and clubbedme on the head with it."
"How interesting."Li Sung's face was expressionless. "Perhaps I should trade this crushedlimb for a more practical appendage. What did you do to the sailor?"
"What could I do? When Iwoke up he had already hopped a ship for New Zealand."
Li Sung studied him. "Youare lying to me," he said flatly.
"Why should I dothat?"
"You seek to win me overand think by glorifying this crippled sailor you will make me feel better aboutmy own infirmity."
Ruel threw back his head andstarted to laugh. ] "You're a clever lad."
"It will do you no moregood to flatter my mind than my body. Though that last statement held far moretruth than the tale about the sailor."
Ruel shook his head, his facestill alive with laughter. "But that story was true."
Li Sung raised his brows.
"Well, most of it,"Ruel amended. "I was a trifle irritated, so I followed the sailor to NewZealand."
"And?"
"It's enough to say thathe won't be using that pegleg to rob any other man of his virility."
"Yes, quite enough tosay." Li Sung's lips twitched. "I believe you and Kartauk may getalong very well."
"Why do you saythat?"
"You will see." Heincreased his pace and a moment later they emerged from the jungle.
Across the clearing Ruelglimpsed the ruins of a large, weather-stained stone temple. A tide of greenvegetation flowed around the building, creeping halfway up the broken steps asif the jungle were trying to devour the square, columned structure. At the apexof the steps was a statue of Buddha whose serenity was seriously compromised bya shattered head and a missing foot.
"Quite a splendiddomicile," Ruel murmured.
"It keeps the weatherout," Li Sung said. "Or it did before we were afflicted by themonsoons. Now these stones seem to breathe in the damp." He shrugged."But Kartauk likes it here. He says if he cannot live in a palace, atemple is almost as fitting an abode for him."
"Indeed."
"Watch your step. Thisplace is teeming with snakes. There is a poisonous tree snake that is almostthe color of the vegetation and moss growing on the steps."
Ruel stiffened."Snakes?"
Li Sung smiled. "You donot like them?"
"I hate them."
"Kartauk!" Li Sungcalled as he negotiated the high temple steps with difficulty. "We have avisitor."
"Tell him to go away...unless it's Abdar," a deep voice boomed from within the temple.
A ripple of shock went throughRuel. He called, "Youwantto see Abdar?"
"Of course, it is mydearest wish. I want to see Abdar... dead." Laughter boomed again. "Isuppose you may come in. You've disturbed my concentration anyway. Who is he,Li Sung?"
"Ruel MacClaren. Janesays he is going to help you leave Kasanpore," Li Sung said as theyentered the temple.
