Heaven's Golden Finger - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Everything was familiar.
Warm.
Safe.
Protected.
Shun opened his eyes slowly. Blinked at the rafters, dark brown struts holding up a roof of green and brown bamboo. Walls covered in smooth plaster. A window, open to let fresh air in, hanging slightly off angle because he hadn't gotten around to fixing it.
He turned to look at the room, moving slowly because somehow everything ached. Yes. This was his room. The room he'd grown up in. The little painting his grandfather had given him hanging on the wall over his desk. Only now he understood how significant it was; silverleaf and gold bamboo, a tiny snake curled in their branches.
The last thing he'd been studying - an herb from the Khai region - lay on his desk. A bamboo scroll, readied for notes, waiting for him to return to the task he'd set himself. It'd been part of his effort to prove his value, a compendium of all the plants of the Four Kingdoms. He'd barely touched on the things, of course, but he'd also barely started.
"I'll need to get back to that," he muttered and was startled by sudden motion near the head of his bed. "Shirong?"
"You're awake." His Shidi had been sitting on the floor beside him, leaning against the wall and clearly waiting anxiously. He tried to stand, only to stumble and nearly land on the bed with Shun. "Oh, damn. I'm sorry. I'm so clumsy."
Shun set his hand on Shirong's head, tugging at the top knot that marked him as still a child. "Don't tell me you've been sitting there the whole time I was out," he grumbled.
By Shirong's embarrassed smile and muttered, "All right, I won't tell you," it was obvious he had done that very thing. Such a fool his Shidi could be. But, thinking about it, Shun suspected he would have waited too. They'd come to depend on each other in the last few days. Depend and possibly more.
He tried to sit up. Failed. "Ouch."
"Master Long says you've been shapeshifting too much too fast lately. That you need to rest and take it slow for a while."
Shun had to admit Master Long was right. He didn't like it, though. "How long have I been out?"
"A few days, that's all." Shirong grinned, "You've missed the fun."
The fun? Shun thought about it. "The cleanup after the battle, you mean?"
A disappointed look crossed Shirong's face. Obviously he'd hoped to have the answer teased out of him. "Yes. That."
Guessing his Shidi was hoping to be asked, Shirong indulged him. "What sort of fun was it?"
"Every one of your subjects have been hunting down Qiong Lou's soldiers and kicking them out. Well those that won't agree to swear fealty to you, that is."
Now that was going to be a headache. "They're all waiting for me to wake up so they can do so, aren't they?" Please, not on Sect Grounds. He had enough troubles as it was, being King of Demons, the Adversary and a disciple of Leifeng.
"No. They're waiting in the Demon Realm. Liang Ren... Sorry, Great General Liang Ren, has been keeping them in line, making them help clean up the mess Qiong Lou made of the place." Shirong grinned. "You'd be amazed at the difference from the last time we were there."
The old Shun wouldn't have cared. But since it seemed he was King and since he had responsibilities, he'd have to care. "We'll look at that as soon as possible. The sect?"
"Master Quan's been kept busy, resettling everyone. Luckily, Revered Predecessor Zhan Kui and his wife are helping. I don't think we'll need to worry about that."
Of course they were going to worry about that. They were Master Quan's disciples. Unless, "Are we still...."
"His disciples?" Shirong squeezed Shun's fingers. "Of course. But he wants us to focus on our studies, not expect to repair damage we didn't create."
Though part of Shun wanted to protest that it was his and Shirong's duty, another part was grateful to accept the respite. "Just as well," he admitted. "I don't know how well I'd handle that." He'd used up most of his resentment for his upbringing on Qiong Lou, but there'd always be a little ugly part of him that hated how others had treated him. Best not spill it on his fellow sect members.
"Oh, and you should see the mountainside right now." Shirong went to the window, limping a little from how long he'd sat, and opened it. "Look!"
Shun's rooms were along the wall surrounding the sect grounds, in his Grandfather's courtyard. The window overlooked the mountainside, a view that'd once shown only trees and a bit of sky. It still did, really, but those trees were now silverleaf and gold bamboo. Their branches waved in the mountain breeze, carrying their sweet scent into Shun's room.
"What... what happened?" Up until now, the only silverleaf and gold bamboo nearby had been the ones Shun's grandfather kept in his garden.
"Your father's forest grew."
"Tell me something a little less obvious, Shirong. Snakes may not have the best eyesight, but even I can tell that much."
A laugh. "You saw how your father had spread his forest around the four kingdoms. Having fought and defeated so many demons, he was able to absorb enough qi to increase his territory. It's about ten times larger than it was before and covers every mountain in the Four Kingdoms now."
Shun hoped his father wasn't in trouble with the Gods for claiming so much power. But then, if he hadn't, he wouldn't have been able to keep Qiong Lou's army from invading. Shun had no doubt his old enemy would have kept pushing until he driven the Gods out, as well as the demons. He was just that sort of person.
A low growl drew Shun's attention. Shirong's belly, complaining loudly. He laughed at his Shidi's embarrassed expression, telling him, "Go fetch food. For both of us. The sooner I recover, the sooner I can get back to work."
And he had a great deal to do. As Shirong hurried off, Shun lay back and considered all his many tasks.
"Long live! Long live! Long live! Your Majesty!"
Shun managed not to blush or react at all to the chorus of recognition. He'd had no choice but to agree to a enthronement ceremony, even though the thought of facing so many people - demons, spirits, small gods, royalty, and others - left him quaking.
Balancing the crown, an elaborate filigree of gold and silver, atop his head, he gazed at the crowd quietly, waiting for the last shout of congratulations to echo into silence. Only when he was sure he'd be heard did he say, "This King greets his subjects and his guests. Offers thanks for their consideration."
Another round of applause and congratulations, leaving Shun wondering if he'd ever get through the ceremony with all these interruptions. "This King has been well favored by all present. Hopes to live up to the expectations of those he rules, of his peers and of the Gods who rule these lands."
More noises of approval. Shun sighed, noting his Shidi standing off to the side, fighting back a broad grin and acting more like a proud parent than a dutiful younger sect brother. Brat.
Focusing his attention, Shun finished his speech as quickly as he was allowed to. It wasn't fast. Not when everyone seemed determined to make him stand there waiting for silence; foolishly over-dressed in gold and silver brocade and far too much of it. He felt such a fool.
Nor was his ordeal over once he'd finished accepting his throne. First he had to make assurances to all his fellow rulers that he would maintain the treaties and agreements his people had made with them before. He'd made sure to go over those with his mother beforehand, to be sure no one would attempt to sneak some new and restrictive rule past him.
Fortunately, aside from the expected word games testing Shun's abilities, the four rulers of the Four Kingdoms behaved themselves. Shun wasn't sure if it was because of his position as Adversary, or his being the Forest King's son, but he was deeply grateful not to have to face a challenge to his rule so soon after taking it.
"I make my General, Liang Ren, my heir," he told them as they finished, much to the nuisance's shock and amazement. He kept pointing at his chest, eyes wide, while the others chuckled at his reaction. Only when Shirong smacked him lightly atop the head did he finally stop pretending to be surprised.
"You proved yourself in the battle against Qiong Lou," Shun told him. "And I'm not expecting an heir myself."
That made Liang Ren glance at Shirong and mutter something about pregnancy pills. Then run as fast as he could to avoid both Shun and Shirong's response. His laughter echoed through the palace, creating more confusion and noise for quite some time.
At last, alliances and heir settled, Shun turned his attention on the many, many, far too many, demons awaiting his attention. Now he had to acknowledge the fealty of all his subjects, both old and new, a task he didn't look forward to at all.
It would have been easier if they all could just make their oath together. That, however, had been quickly denied by his mother, who'd reminded him that he needed to connect with each of his subjects separately, so he could learn just how loyal they actually were.
That was a skill given to the King of Demons and how they kept their subjects honest. There was no perfect guarantee, of course. A powerful and skilled demon could hide their treachery. But a powerful and skilled demon wouldn't need to treachery; they'd just take power directly from the one who held it.
Some of the demons' loyalties were weaker than others, but throughout the hour or so of bowing, scraping and promising, Shun was fairly sure he wouldn't have to worry too soon. He'd watch the more questionable ones, but he hopefully wouldn't have to watch his back all the time.
Among the last of the demons swearing fealty was Auntie Green, who'd shown up at Leifeng a week after Shun had woken, furious and practically incoherent. Dropped to the deepest part of the Demon Realm and imprisoned there until Liang Ren found and released her, she'd been particularly irritated to learn that the one who'd caught her was gone.
"I don't plan on sticking around long," she noted, once she'd finished accepting Shun's blessing. "That Shidi of yours needs to free me."
"Of course. But why?"
"Going to go out of the kingdoms and find out just where those two came from. Make sure there's no more coming."
Admitting that was a good idea, even while slightly sorry to be losing a potential advisor, Shun agreed. Shirong had said most of the monsters and demons Qiong Lou had used during that last fight looked like ancestors of some outlander beings he'd read about.
It'd be one thing if Qiong Lou had acted on his own, dragging those beings into the Four Kingdoms. It'd be quite another if the man had been acting on some other power's orders. They needed to know, in case that other power tried again.
"I will see to it he does," Shun agreed.
Having finished accepting all the fealty he could handle, Shun turned his attention to the most important part of his enthronement. Or, rather, the part he felt most important. "This King's first act is to grant a reward to a loyal martial brother. One who has been at his side as a trusted ally all this time."
Shirong flushed. Opened his mouth as if to object. But Shun's glare silenced him before he got a word out. A gesture brought his Shidi close and on his knees, biting at his lip nervously as Shirong continued, "Either this King's Shidi has forgotten the date or has chosen not to mention it, thinking it was chosen by chance. It was not."
By Shirong's expression it'd been the latter. His eyes widened as Shun set his hand on the ties maintaining his simple hairstyle, the single bound tail of hair held up by plain cord. Shun undid the ties. Pulled Shirong's hair upwards and wrapped it in a proper bun. "This King requested our Master permit him to perform this rite for his Shidi. Permission was granted."
Shirong's eyes met Shun's, full of emotion. It would have been horribly embarrassing in the past. Now it just gave Shun a deep feeling of contentment. He drew the hair piece he'd made for his Shidi from his sleeve; silverleaf and gold bamboo, carved with a lake and a tree. Setting it onto Shirong's head, he pinned it down carefully, then set his lips to Shirong's forehead.
"My Shidi is an adult this day," he said. "With all an adult's responsibilities. With all an adult's rights."
In the tiniest of voices, Shirong whispered, "Thank you, Shixiong. Thank you, your majesty. This Shidi will endeavor to do well."
Shun leaned closer. Whispered in Shirong's ear, "Shidi's other gift will have to wait for a more private moment."
Sudden delight filled Shirong's face. "This Shidi eagerly anticipates whatever his Shixiong is willing to give him." Mischief flickered in his eyes as he added, even more softly, "And hopes Shixiong will appreciate the private gift Shidi has prepared as well."
Though he had to wonder just what Shirong might be up to, Shun had no doubt it'd be well worth the wait.
It was late into the night before Shun was able to escape all the well-wishers and would-be hangers-on at the celebration banquet. Once he did, however, he found and dragged Shirong into their shared space without bothering to discuss it.
"Hey! Give me a warning first, Shun!"
"I'm tired of waiting," Shun told him. "You've been so busy talking to everyone and making sure they're enjoying themselves. What about me?" He hoped he didn't sound too spoiled or arrogant. Hoped, too, that Shirong knew he was mostly teasing. Mostly.
Really, he shouldn't have let Shirong take the job of planning his enthronement ceremony, along with Auntie Green. He couldn't have done it himself, of course. That would have looked terribly strange. But Auntie Green could have handled the matter all by herself if he'd required it.
When he said so, Shirong snickered, leading him towards the great tree at the center of their shared space. "You wouldn't say that if you knew just what she'd have done on her own."
"How bad could it be?"
"Fireworks."
Noisy and a bit irritating, but, "Livable."
"Gold fittings on everything."
"A bit expensive, I admit."
"With silk everywhere in every color of the rainbow."
"Even more expensive."
"And on everyone, provided by us."
Oh. Oh dear. "I'm glad you stopped her, then. Anything else?"
"I had to make her send the naked dancing girls, boys and I'm not sure what they were back. After paying them out of her pocket. In case you were wondering why she was pouting the other day."
Shun couldn't help laughing. "All right. I suppose having Auntie Green do it on her own would have been a bad idea." He slowed to a halt, spotting something new ahead of them. "This...."
"I said I had a gift for you. I commissioned it from Craft Master Feng." Shirong paused, gazing at the elegant pavilion right beneath the great tree. Built of white and black stone, its walls were sheer and delicate hangings embroidered with flowers and other plants. They flowed and rippled in the slight breeze from the lake, shimmering in the soft light. "Do... do you like it?"
Shun stepped forward, gazing at the interior. A small table, set with drinks and some of Shun's favorite foods. A silent puppet, playing a familiar song. And towards the back, hidden behind more drapery, a bed much like the one in the Demon King's palace. "It's beautiful."
Relief flooded Shirong's face. "I hoped you'd appreciate it. I... I hope I didn't make the wrong assumptions...."
Shun stepped up onto the platform. Turned to face Shirong. Took his face in his hands. Looked into his eyes to make sure, absolutely sure, this was what was wanted, before leaning forward to press his lips to Shirong's. Then, gently, but with almost as much impatience as his Shidi's, he drew him inside.
They'd fought to reach this place and this moment. Argued and fought each other. Been parted and endangered. Found each other and learned each other's fears and hopes and desires. And now, at long last, they were together.
Heaven and Earth their witness, their fates were one.