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chapter 42
“Is that so….”
Arghana let out an involuntary, pitying sigh, then corrected her posture and asked the next question.
“Anything similar?”
“There were a few things with similar effects, but they all have their own characteristic smell and taste. There were also some with a distinct golden hue.”
“Did the military diagnostician say anything else?”
“He said, ‘There are several kinds of fast-acting poisons, but they all have their own smell, color, or texture. Could it be an unknown godoek (compound poison)?’”
“Godoek….”
Godoek referred to compound poisons made from toads, snakes, insects, and the like. But those intended for harming humans — even ones brought into a royal palace — were not simple toxins in the ordinary sense.
The maker would coat the inside of a fired ceramic vessel with glaze to prevent moisture absorption, then pack it full of poisonous insects, venomous snakes, poisonous toads, and such. Inside, they kill one another; during that process, the one survivor endures by gnawing on the corpses. Once that last survivor had consumed all the dead, it was taken out and its venom used — that was called godoek.
“There are many types of godoek. Since you never know which creature will survive, the effects vary widely. I know of a few that are commonly used, but an unknown godoek… hmm, that’s possible. But even if it were godoek, producing a ‘three-death’ poison that acts instantly, like Tuha said, would be difficult.”
Lost in thought, Arghana looked back at Tu Hua.
“Any other information?”
“There was, but I’m ashamed to speak it. It’s not really substantive information.”
“Don’t worry — tell me.”
Tu Hua, surprising for his size, hesitated with an expression that looked strangely bashful, then answered cautiously.
“He said that a three-death poison with instant effect… if it were the poison of a ‘Jim bird’, that might be possible.”
“Jim bird? Do you mean jimdok?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tu Hua bowed his head as if mortified. Arghana burst out a short, incredulous laugh.
The jim bird, or jimdok, is a tale that goes back to antiquity, but whether it actually exists no one knew. Rumor had it that jimdok’s poison was so strong that if one merely dipped a single feather in liquor or brushed against it, the drinker’s internal organs would burn and they would promptly die. Yet no one who claimed to have seen jimdok had ever produced one.
Because the jimdok itself was widely treated as mere legend, the story carried almost no credibility.
“A jim bird… Even if it’s only a legend, if it really exists it would be nearly impossible to obtain. They say the living bird is more poisonous — even brushing against a feather causes a rash all over and your throat to burn.”
“If it exists, this Tu Hua would risk his life to catch it.”
Tu Hua sounded completely sincere, and Arghana waved a hand with a smile.
“That’s enough. I can’t let someone like you be lost chasing after a single bird.”
“I am ashamed that I cannot fully serve Your Highness.”
“If you can’t find it this time, there will be another opportunity. Look into it quietly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Joy flitted across Tu Hua’s face. It wasn’t the smugness of gaining a trustworthy patron or a complacent sense of safety. It was the joy of having someone to whom he could pledge his loyalty, of being trusted. If ordered to leap into a pit of fire, he would have done so bare-handed.
His reaction pleased Arghana. She gestured for Barta and had him bring the things she had prepared.
“…?”
Tu Hua froze. The servants and handmaids carried box after box — easily a dozen or more. Small and large: Tu Hua stared in bewilderment at boxes being set down at his feet and asked,
“Your Highness, what is all this…?”
“You were promoted, so you deserve a celebration. But you’ve already been congratulated by His Majesty, haven’t you…?”
At Arghana’s signal, Barta quickly opened a small box. Tu Hua’s eyes widened at what was inside.
On a lacquered stand lined with top-quality silk that shone as if oiled, lay a pair of luxurious chibok (jeweled hairpins), two matched sets. The bodies were carved from white jade, and tiny colorful gems were neatly inlaid on the small, slightly-angled plates.
The next box Barta opened contained more hairpins: mother-of-pearl, high-grade black lacquer, red coral — things that a commoner like Tu Hua would never dare to touch.
“Th-This is… Your Highness, how could you…?”
“I heard you live with your parents, and that you have a younger sister of marriageable age. You’ll be serving as my eyes, ears, hands, and feet from now on; isn’t it only proper to give your parents some token of thanks.”
“……”
“These black-lacquer and coral hairpins and the pearl hairpin are a gift for your godmother. Inside that big chest are warm clothes and silks. The rest is your sister’s dowry. If she already has a match and a place is fixed, I cannot interfere, but if not, I’ll find her a good match.”
Arghana teased the stunned and moved Tu Hua.
“You’ll never have to worry about civil service exams while I send you to the front. I’ll find you someone well-mannered.”
Tu Hua seemed to come back to himself. He dropped from his chair and knelt on the cold floor, full prostration.
“Your Highness’s grace is too great to comprehend. Please, take me in your service.”
“You’re embarrassing me. Get up — the floor is cold.”
When Arghana reached out, Tu Hua humbly could not refuse. His rough, rugged face flushed and tears welled in his eyes; Arghana gave a small laugh.
“You care for your family dearly?”
In a choked voice Tu Hua replied.
“In truth, I had two older brothers, but both died on the battlefield. My parents were deeply wounded by that and their health declined. I have a young sister of the age Your Highness mentioned, and two younger brothers. I also have a sister-in-law who was widowed; my mother wishes to see her married again.”
“I see.”
“But… our circumstances are poor and shabby, and we had no hope. That you would show us such grace….”
Tu Hua finally wiped his tears with his rough hand. Arghana, moved, handed him a handkerchief.
“Don’t say you’ll wash it and return it.”
“I-I am most grateful!”
“I’ll send people to deliver these things to your house. I know that your role in capturing Tatulai alive was the greatest. I also know you worked hard to bend General Orchai’s stubbornness. It may take some time, but I will not forget to reward you, so wait.”
“Your Highness, I, Tu Hua, am ready to give my life for Your Highness!”
“Good.”
Satisfied, Arghana told her attendants to see Tu Hua out and to bring the gifts to his home. Then she called Barta aside and gave him private instructions.
“Find out about his circumstances in detail and report back. And look for a house not far from the palace — something sturdy but not too conspicuous. If a noble’s old mansion is available, that would be fine too.”
