The dark, dusty room was a ramshackle dining hall. Ten small tables were randomly positioned around the space, paired with broken, mismatched chairs. The place was a mess.
“I am so glad you all made it back here in one piece, and that you've brought friends,” the woman said as she straightened up. “The war bells are ringing and … oh, sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Yuen. Welcome to the Jade Phoenix.” She bowed to Hok.
Hok bowed back.
“We don't have time for formalities,” Mong said. “I am sorry. May we take shelter here? I must warn you, though, there is a chance we are being followed. Hung and Sanfu may have left a bit of a blood trail.”
Yuen glanced quickly at Sanfu clutching his face and Hung gripping one arm. “Oh, dear!” she said. “Let's get you upstairs. All of you. The room above the kitchen is the safest place. It will be cramped, but you can come down after nightfall. I'll see what I can do about the blood trail once you're safely hidden.”
“Thank you,” Mong said. He headed for a tattered curtain at the back of the room, and the group followed.
Hok found herself pushed into a small kitchen with the others. Yuen pointed to the far corner, and Hok saw a rope ladder leading up into a hole in the wood-paneled ceiling. “Up you go,” Yuen said.
Hok watched Bing climb the rope ladder first with GongJee, followed by Charles. Fu and Seh went next. As each one grabbed the sections of rope, Hok couldn't help but think of Malao tied up somewhere.
Mong was standing next to Hok. She tapped him on the arm.
“Excuse me,” Hok said. “Shouldn't we do something about our brother Malao as soon as possible? I mean, wouldn't our chances of helping him be better if we acted quickly?”
“Perhaps,” Mong said. “But we must put the safety of the group first. We will develop a plan to help Malao as soon as possible. In the meantime, I don't think you should worry too much. I saw what happened, and I suspect the kidnappers intend to trade him for something Seh carries. The woman who knocked Malao unconscious—AnGangseh—could have easily killed him. Believe me, they will contact us.”
“But how are they going to contact us if we are hiding?” Hok asked. “Maybe a few of us should try and rescue him. I'll volunteer.”
Mong folded his enormous arms. “Tonglong will figure out a way to get a message to us. As for a rescue attempt, we have no way of knowing where they are taking Malao. Tonglong has no relationships with anyone outside of his own circle that we can exploit.”
NgGung cleared his throat. “Um, Boss? What about Ying?”
“What about him?” Mong asked. “He's in prison.”
“That's right,” NgGung said. “The prison is only a few streets due east of here. Perhaps we could go see him and find out if he has any idea where Tonglong might have taken Malao. We'd have to make it worth his while, of course. Maybe we could offer him something?”
“From what I know about Ying,” Mong said, “the only thing he would accept in exchange for helping anybody is his freedom, or possibly Tonglong's head. Unless you are prepared to offer him one of those, I doubt he'd comply.”
“Can't we try?” Hok asked. She looked at NgGung. “Do you think I could sneak in there?”
NgGung stroked his long, thin mustache. “You'd have to break in, and the prison is heavily fortified with the Emperor's personal guard. Hmmm … If you were going to attempt it, tonight would be the night to do it. The Emperor is scheduled to lead the dragon boat festivities this evening, and he is sure to bring most of his protectors with him after this incident at the riverfront. Plus, there will be fireworks, which are always a great distraction. I've never seen a guard who didn't leave his post to watch fireworks.”
“No one is breaking in anywhere,” Mong said. “The risk is not worth the payoff, assuming there would even be a payoff. We will wait for word from Tonglong about Malao. That is all. Everyone, upstairs. We need to disappear.”
NgGung looked at Hok and shrugged. “I tried.”
Hok nodded her thanks.
The men began to climb the rope ladder, and Hok shifted from foot to foot. She still couldn't see herself hiding at a time like this.
Yuen looked at her. “Are you okay? You seem anxious.”
“I'm fine,” Hok replied. “I just don't want to climb up there just yet.”
“I understand,” Yuen said. “I don't like tight spaces, either. If you don't mind hiding alone, I can show you a different place.”
Hok thought about it a moment. “Yes, that would be nice. Thank you.”
Mong was on his way up the rope ladder, and he turned to Hok. “I'll let your mother know where you're going. We'll see you in a few hours.”