Early Draft: The Devil's Dictionary Two - Whatcom County Edition

Red Herring At Cherry Point As Described By An Activist

 Abnormal, adj.  1.  A Whatcom County business owner operating a “for profit” firm when he or she could file as a non-profit, ask the City of Bellingham for a grant and make some real money; 2.  The condition of examining the facts and thinking about them before blindly accepting the precepts of an activist organization; especially an organization allegedly dedicated to environmental causes.

Usage:  Ann’s insistence on proof that the red herring of Cherry Point actually are an endangered species was seen as abnormal by fundraisers for the cause; after all, activist jobs would be lost if the fundraising effort were to fail and it's unfair and inappropriate to suggest a group dedicated to environmental activism should be required to demonstrate something so mundane as a factual basis for their beliefs.  

Absurdity, n.  1. In Whatcom County, the concept of property rights; 2. A statement of belief manifestly inconsistent with one’s own opinion  (After Bierce).

Usage:  Roger insisted on retaining the notion that traditional concepts of property rights should be part of the Growth Management discussion, a notion considered an absurdity by Futurewise and its proponents. 

Accountability, n.  1. An obscure term used in the early days of Bellingham and Whatcom County to describe an important virtue required of those wishing to hold positions of responsibility.  2. In politics, a term applied to an opponent; but not to be misconstrued as having any personal applicability. 

Usage:  Growth Management Act?  What’s that!  Sure, it’s the law but I don’t see where we have any accountability just because it's the law!

Activist, n. 1.  A citizen willing to do what he or she is told without question or hesitation. 

  

Usage:  When Joe, long a reliable, progressive activist willing to parrot the party line, suggested in idle conversation that it could be possible new, and clean, uses for coal might someday make the mineral acceptable, he was instantly labeled a Right Wing Tea Party Republican; forbidden to pass through doors of Whatcom Wins until he either recanted publicly or, made a large, and untraceable, donation.

Modern Train As Described By A Bellingham Activist

Agricultural Land, n.  1.  Land intended to assure the viewscape enjoyed by passing bicyclists out on holiday from the city are never offended by the intrusion of homes, animals pooping, or poorly dressed farmers on the natural canvas the mother earth goddess, the Lady Whatcom, so generously provided for the exclusive use of salmon.

Usage:  Joe notified the Department of Ecology about an emissions violation when he noticed a horse peeing within 300 yards of a drainage ditch, demanding the animal be destroyed.  Dismayed officials explained that in our unenlightened age agricultural land entailed a right to farm thus, the only possible remedy would a $3,000 fine accompanied by a requirement the horse be sternly instructed not to repeat the offense.

Whatcom County Farm As Envisioned By Local Activists

Anarchy, n.  Conditions pertaining to the period of time when the opposing party has gained power. 

Usage:  The elections of 2013 led to anarchy in Whatcom County.  The citizens of Whatcom County never noticed.

Atheist, n. 1. One who worships his or her god in the mirror each time opportunity presents.   2. One who believes that some things are right and some things are wrong but no thing, save the individual, has the authority to establish which is which therefore, no thing is right and no thing is wrong.  

  

Usage:  As an atheist believed in nothing nevertheless worked ceaselessly to assure others lived in strict adherence to the atheist's own creed as codified by the atheist in both his own mind and in the strictures of county plans and code requirements. 

Bell Curve, n.  1.  A graphic representation of an individual’s standing in relationship to peers in terms of intelligence, accomplishment or ability.  2.  In sociology, an unfair characterization of an individual’s standing in relationship to peers in terms of intelligence, accomplishment or ability.

Usage:  In failing to assure 100% of  students attending public schools are in the top 50% of their class as represented on a bell curve, the Bellingham School District is not living up to expectations of the District's helicopter parents.  

Environmentally, Culturally, And Economically Important Barn Restoration

Most of the work I do is for national magazines and it's not often I get to write about Whatcom County.

This piece is about the restoration of a Whatcom County Heritage Barn by a forward thinking company - Acme Valley Foods - accomplished by an equally forward thinking company - Pearson Construction - using environmentally sensitive production techniques.

The Lynden Tribune published a story on the reconstruction this summer and a national magazine, Small Farm America will publish an expanded version (see below) in an upcoming issue.

Article for Small Farm America

Even as concepts like “slow food,” “artisan foods,” “sustainable foods,” and other similar concepts gain in popularity, the lack of processing and production facilities for specialty foods, mostly from crops and animals produced on small farms, is increasingly seen as a national agricultural crisis.

Also bemoaned by many is the ever-increasing loss of heritage structures; the great old homes and barns that, in days gone by, dotted the American landscape.

In the small village of Acme, located in rural Whatcom County, Washington, Acme Valley Foods, a company dedicated to locally grown foods processed locally has addressed both the lack of processing facilities for the specialty products it brings to the market and the issue of preserving heritage structures.

Recognized as a “Centennial Farm” By Washington State in 1989, the Stephens/Dickey Farm at Acme was founded in 1884.  In 1927 a barn complex was constructed to support dairy and other farming operations on the 150 plus acres just north of town. 

When the founders of Acme Valley Foods acquired the Stephens/Dickey farm in 2011, the old barn was fast approaching the day when the historic structure would either come crashing down or, have to be taken down for safety.  Acme Valley management decided neither option was acceptable.  According to Dave Green, president of the firm, “People just don’t build these types of barns anymore.  We felt the barn represented a heritage that really shouldn’t be lost.”

Saving the barn and all the history the structure represents was a concept that fits into Acme Valley’s approach to doing business.  According to Green, “Acme Valley Foods feels very strongly about the importance of locally grown and processed food.  We have made significant investments in building production capability locally that allows us to provide real local jobs and great local food.”  Combining the need for production facilities with the opportunity to preserve a heritage barn seemed a logical approach to the company’s management team.

As a company, Acme Valley Farms is relatively new to Whatcom County.  Established in 2013, the company is already making its mark on the rural economy.  Employing 25 people the firm represents, Dave says, “A group of artisan food producers working together to provide great local food.  We currently produce alpine style soft cheeses, under the Acme Farms label, fresh, cured and smoked meats under the Jack Mountain Meats label, Ice Cream under the Acme Ice Cream label, and Granola under the Chuckanut Crunch label. We are in the planning stages of building out a local Bakery operation that will also be located in Acme.”

According to Dave, his firm purchases milk for both the company’s cheese and its ice cream business from Edaleen Dairy, an independent dairy operation located in Lynden, Washington, just a few miles north of Acme.”

Work on the renovation necessary to preserve, recycle and reuse the Stephen’s/Dickey dairy buildings began with a reconstruction of the farm’s creamery building.  Sticking to an environmental ethic, Pearson Construction of Bellingham, Washington, Whatcom County’s county seat, was selected to do the work, in part because the company owns a Wood-Mizer thin kerf portable band sawmill.

Thin kerf, portable band sawmills are widely recognized for the environmental enhancements they bring to the forest industry as well as the opportunities they provide firms like Pearson Construction to offer a superior product to customers.

“Our Wood-Mizer allows us to use construction techniques almost identical to those used when the barn was built nearly 90 years ago,” Larry Pederson, president and owner of the firm explains.  “We can support our local loggers by milling our own wood, be environmentally sensitive, and end up with a final product that is nearly identical to the original barn.”

Thin kerf sawmills provide for environmental enhancements because the very thin blade they utilize means less sawdust so up to 30% more lumber results when a log is milled meaning more carbon is sequestered for the life of the lumber.  Also, just as was the case when the Stephen’s barn was built, “waste” wood can be cut up and used for battens. 

Cost reductions come because the sawmill can, at the touch of a button, be set to mill specialty sizes.

In a world where food security based on locally grown and processed foods is coming to be seen as an important sustainability issue for the small farm, Acme Valley Foods has set a high standard others might look to.  The firm’s barn restoration in Acme demonstrates that sustainability is more than just a buzzword.  Sustainability is a heritage barn restored, recycled, and reused utilizing environmentally sensitive lumber production techniques to house a rapidly growing, farm based, company providing local jobs based on locally grown and processed foods. 

One Of My First Stories Published In A Pulp Fiction Magazine

Thought you might like this.  It is the either the first or second story I ever sold to a major pulp magazine; 1986.

A PENNY SAVED

OR

HOW INFLATION SAVED THE NATION

The complex was located in the frozen northland under a hundred feet of stone and permafrost.  The great scientist who labored there had won the Nobel before entering the complex to begin what he considered to be his life’s work; the creation of the perfect weapon.

The scientist invested fifteen years in the creation of X-Gamma Nine.

For each of those years a thousand lives were spent proving the weapon effective.  Finally, all was ready and “Uncle” Ivan, iron-fisted leader of the Motherland’s people was called in to witness the final test.

The test went perfectly.  Not one of the test subjects had the discourtesy to live and ruin “Uncle’s” work.

Ivan was elated.  Finally, the enemy of the motherland would be brought to its proud knees.  Ivan was so happy, in fact, that he allowed the scientist to live out the short remainder of his life in a forced labor camp.  As a hero of the people the scientist was given one end of a crosscut saw.  He didn’t even have to work up to the position.  Those in the know were encouraged by the evidence of a softening attitude on the part of “Uncle.”

Ivan smiled, happy he could gladden the hearts of his people so.  Then he laid plans for the destruction of the enemy.

…..

The fifty sealed packets were stacked neatly on the table at the front of the room.  Ivan himself addressed the fifty agents.

“Comrades,” Ivan began.  “You have been chosen to participate in the greatest mission ever undertaken on behalf of the Motherland.  You will be directly responsible for the elimination of our principle enemy from the face of the earth.”

“Each of these packets contains a penny.  In the land of the enemy each is a collector’s item of moderate value.  That is your excuse for having such an item. Collector’s coins are routinely sealed in this manner.  At the conclusion of this meeting each of you will take one of these packets and board the submarine waiting at the dock outside. The vessel will take you to various rendezvous off the enemy coast. You will be briefed as to your targets once on board. Each of you will see to it that you reach your target by August sixth.  At precisely 10:05 AM on August sixth you will go to a busy area in the target city and spill the penny onto the ground.  choose an area where it is certain to be found.”

Uncle paused for effect.  “Each of these pennies, gentlemen, is coated with a substance containing infected with a germ developed by our greatest scientific mind. The germ dies after an hour’s exposure to air but during that hour, anyone who picks the penny up will absorb the germ into the bloodstream. That person will die seventy-six hours later. Anyone who comes into physical contact with the victim during that time will die also. The victim feels nothing until the last hours so the disease will spread through the population like wildfire. Estimates are for a 70% kill in the target areas. Targets have been picked to maximize the effect of the kill on the enemy political and military structure.  Go and do your duty well.”

The leader raised his fist to the sky.  “TO THE REVOLUTION!"

"TO THE REVOLUTION!" the fifty shouted back.

………

Timmy Bensen and his friend John walked across the street.  It was a busystreet so they hurried.

Timmy was poor by American standards. John's father owned Franklin's. He numbered a Senator as one of his customers.

As the boys hurried along, Timmy's eye caught the bright flash of sunlight on polished copper. On another day Timmy might have picked up the penny but John was with him today and John's dad was rich. Timmy gave the penny a contemptuous kick. The coin rolled along the curb and down a storm sewer.

Without a human host X-Gamma Nine existed for but an hour. Timmy's town,and the nearby missle base, never knew that they were targets.

Joe needed a drink.  Already he was beginning to shake. Suddenly his eye was drawn to the shiny object on the sidewalk. Joe stooped and reached then drew his hand back.  “So bright and only a penny?”

Joe straightened, standing taller than before. "Hey mister.^1I he said to a passerby. "Got half a buck? I could sure use a cup of coffee."

As Joe pocketed the two quarters the man had given him he gave the penny a kick. The penny rolled under a building.  Joe walked away whistling. He felt great. After all, a man has his pride. 

...........

The re-call message arrived at 9:30 the morning of August sixth. Boris had been ambassador for an unusually long time so he was used to impossible demands but this last was an outrage. "Be clear of the country by 10:00 AM or don't come home," the message read.”

Fear clutched at the ulcer nested in the ambassador's stomach. Orders are orders, especially when "Uncle" gives them, Boris thought as he headed for the airport, not bothering to pack.

The trip to the airport took thirty minutes and the clock on the dash read 9:40. It seemed hopeless but Boris knew that there was still a chance.  If Boris didn't make the airport on time he would become, in the eyes of the leader, a non-person; someone incapable of following orders.

That the orders could not be followed was no excuse.  The pilot of the plane had associated with Boris so if Boris was a non-person, the pilot was a non-person as well. Siberia was cold. The pilot would wait.

The limo screeched to a halt.

"Not bad," Boris muttered. The clock on the dash read 10:03.

Boris hurried toward the gate where his plane waited. Boris knew that according to the pilot's log the plane was already airborne. He began to run.

Because of his speed Boris was a step past the object before it registered on his mind as a coin. He almost didn't stop but as a comrade had remarked some years ago, "A kopek saved is a kopek earned."

Boris stopped, grabbed the penny and ran toward the plane. The agent who had carefully placed the penny smiled as he saw the fat "capitalist" stop and grab the prize.

An ebullient Ivan met the plane carrying Boris. As a gesture of friendship, and for long service, and because Ivan anticipated with glee the demise of the enemy, Boris was greeted with a personal handshake from the great leader.

Sometimes Work Just Gets In The Way!

Well, I thought You're Next! The Assault On Traditional Rural Lifestyles would be ready in July... 
Whoops!  Someone commissioned a book on another topic (more about that one soon) so... I'm hoping the 1'st of October.

So here, just for fun, is the expanded temporary, draft, preliminary, etc. introduction to You're Next.  A shorter version of this was contained in the last post.

This photo or something similar will have the large red circle with a slash through it representing the wishes of the urban centrics that this kind of farm be restricted or eliminated

INTRODUCTION

It’s Not Paranoia When They Really Are Out To End Your Lifestyle Choices

It is ironic that in America, at a time when more and more people want to trade in the treadmill of urban life to return to the nation’s rural roots, the right to choose to live a traditional rural lifestyle is under assault by powerful political forces dedicated to ending traditional rural lifestyles in favor of the purported benefits of life in the high rise city.

Not so long ago a Super Bowl commercial extolling the virtues of “the farmer” touched the emotions of Americans.  Today words like “local food,” “sustainability,” “food security” and “buy local” permeate the conversations of the very people working hard to end the very lifestyle they profess admiration for; a cadre of people passionately committed to the end of significant use of rural lands in traditional ways.

The assault comes on many fronts, not all of them as visible as recent Bureau of Land Management attempts to expand its already huge empire in the Southwestern United States.  In fact, the most effective attacks on traditional uses of the land are hidden, often deliberately, from public view.  Those militantly demanding the land be cleared of residents work to restrict the use of water, work to consolidate small acreages into “factory farm” sized parcels, oppose allowing small acreages to be made available to families desiring to live the traditional rural lifestyle, seek to end the ability to own and operate rural businesses capable of serving rural residents and, in a hundred other ways, swarm onto the landscape looking for ways to end meaningful use of the nation’s farm and forest lands as they seek to achieve a long term goal of pushing landowners off the land and into the city.

Posing as supporters, those opposed to the living of traditional rural lifestyles speak in glowing terms about farmland preservation, sustainability, food security and, environmental protections while actually bringing forward an agenda aimed at eliminating small scale farming by passing legislation designed to crush rural businesses, removing or denying water rights necessary to grow crops, and seizing control of huge acreages under the guise of preserving the land for “future generations,” or the promise of environmental enhancement.

This book is about a national assault on traditional rural lifestyles and productive natural resource lands being played out in hundreds of communities in all 50 of these disunited states.   Whatcom County, a sparsely populated county located at the northwest corner of the continental United States is pointed to as indicative of those hundreds of communities because the on-going assault seen throughout the country began in Whatcom County decades ago.  The county is seen as a leader by many in the anti-rural movement; as a template transferrable to other regions, for techniques designed to take away the choice millions of Americans have made, or hope to make someday, to experience a traditional rural lifestyle in America.   

In Whatcom County the assault on traditional rural lifestyles is led by a small cadre of “Urban Centric” activists with close connections to state and national activist groups.  The group has had the assistance of one of America’s top legal firms at their beck and call.  The public story put forward is that the assistance is provided at no cost.  The activists have a firm grip on the local political system and work hard to “repel all boarders” when threatened with political change.  The anti-rural clique is firmly entrenched in well-funded local groups purporting to support local farms and farmers but putting forward regulatory changes harmful to those same local farms and farmers.

In short, Whatcom County is racing down the same roads hundreds of other jurisdictions in America are exploring but, because anti rural activists have been at work in the county for so long and because they are better organized than their kindred souls elsewhere, the county can be looked to as an example of how and why the anti-rural movement is having growing success across the landscape of America.

The message to the rest of America being broadcast by those seeking to end traditional rural lifestyles from sea to shining sea is:

YOU’RE NEXT!

You're Next! The Assault On Traditional Rural Lifestyles

Recent news from Nevada, Texas and, other parts of the king's realm led me to believe a book I've been working on, or rather, off and on, for two plus years needs to be finished.  Based on an article I wrote for Acres Magazine a couple of years ago, the book examines the tensions between rural America and urban activists we've seen highlighted in recent months.
So, the book will be finished and available at Amazon and on Kindle by about July of this year.

Here's a potential illustration:

 
 Here's a few sentences from the book's forward:
  

It’s Not Paranoia If They Really Are Out To End Your Lifestyle Choices

It is ironic that in America, at a time when more and more people want to trade in the treadmill of urban life to return to the nation’s rural roots, the right to choose to live a traditional rural lifestyle is under assault by powerful political forces dedicated to ending traditional rural lifestyles in favor of the purported benefits of life in the high rise city.

Not so long ago a Super Bowl commercial extolling the virtues of “the farmer” touched the emotions of Americans.  Today words like “local food,” “sustainability,” “food security” and “buy local” permeate the conversations of the very people working hard to end the very lifestyle they profess admiration for; a cadre of people passionately committed to the end of significant use of rural lands in traditional ways.

The assault comes on many fronts, not all of them as visible as recent Bureau of Land Management attempts to expand its already huge empire.  In fact, the most effective attacks on traditional uses of the land are hidden, often deliberately, from public view.  Those militantly demanding the land be cleared of residents work to restrict the use of water, work to consolidate small acreages into “factory farm” sized parcels, oppose allowing small acreages to be made available to families desiring to live the traditional rural lifestyle, seek to end the ability to own and operate rural businesses capable of serving rural residents and, in a hundred other ways, swarm onto the landscape looking for ways to end meaningful use of the nation’s farm and forest lands as a way to achieve a long term goal of pushing landowners off the land and into the city.

Posing as supporters, those opposed to the living of traditional rural lifestyles speak in glowing terms about farmland preservation, sustainability, food security and, environmental protections while actually bringing forward an agenda aimed at eliminating small scale farming by passing legislation designed to crush rural businesses, removing or denying water rights necessary to grow crops, and seizing control of huge acreages under the guise of preserving the land for “future generations,” or the promise of environmental enhancement.

Well, now I've gone and said I'd do it... guess I'd better get to it!

It's A Mystery, It's A History, It's A Good Read And, You Can Buy It On Amazon Or Kindle Now

The kinks (not the singing group) are worked out and you can now buy The Mystery Of The Shaman's Secret!

The book is available in both paperback and kindle versions at http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Petree/e/B0074BCEV6,  Dangerous Game, Jack's first novel is also available.

Suspense Fiction Set In Washington Received Great Reviews

Kindle also has a lending library allowing you to read books for free.  You might think I'd not like that but the innovative thing about kindle's lending library is that I get a bit of spare change as well.

So go out and buy, buy, buy like you've never bought before or, at least read the free one for crying out loud.

And thanks for all the support over the years, 

Jack

The Mystery of The Shaman's Secret To Be Published Next Week: See Sample Chapters Below

Finally... "The Mystery Of The Shaman's Secret should be available on Amazon, Kindle and other platforms in both paperback and electronic versions by mid-next week.

Since this is an announcement about what is going to happen I thought you'd enjoy seeing the cover as it was pre-proof and, if you're kind enough to buy the book, you'll see the adjustment made to make the cover a bit less crowded.

Below, you'll find chapters one and two.  Don't worry about the unfamiliar names, the cast of characters is not very large and you'll soon find yourself swinging along...

The chapters are also pre-final proof so, if you notice a typo it should be fixed in the final version but, again, I thought it might be fun to see pre-proof.  It's astonishing how much work goes into a book after the "work" is done! 

The setting is Han China, in the first century B.C., and, to begin the book, you will find a brief discussion about the historical figures the story is about.  Most of the major characters actually lived and, the fiction is woven through some actual events in the court of the time.

So, enjoy.  I'll post a Facebook notice when the book actually comes available.

Chapter 1

Crime And Punishment

Jyang Choong sat quietly watching the scene below. From time to time his eyes focused on the shaman but mostly Jyang studied the face of Emperor Wu.

The temple had been especially constructed for this occasion. Looking more barbarian than Chinese, it was shaped like a shallow drinking bowl. The floor of the bowl was bare save for a slightly raised platform in the middle. This platform was small, less than a pace across.

A man stood on the platform. At his feet lay two objects: a small oil lamp and a misshapen lump that had apparently once been molded into the shape of a human being and then buried.

The man stood as erectly and proudly as his wrecked body allowed. The effects of three days at the hands of the prosecutor’s staff of torturers were obvious. The man would never walk properly again even should he survive the ordeal before him and horrible scars would mark him for life; but for now these were the least of the man’s considerations. He stood silently, but gazed at his sovereign with a look of sorrow.

“Are you certain of the charges?” Emperor Wu asked as he watched the shaman perform the chants.

“There can be no doubt, my Emperor,” Jyang Choong answered.

“He was one of my oldest and most trusted advisors,” the Emperor mused. “I find it difficult to believe that he would practice wu-gu. Why would he be attracted to the evil magic?”

“There can be no doubt,” Jyang repeated.

The Emperor’s throne was located at the north rim of the bowl. Various functionaries of the court were seated at different points around the depression. All looked down intently at the man below.

The shaman continued his chants for a time and then suddenly stopped. He walked to a point in front of the Emperor, then prostrated himself. “The man has not practiced wu-gu,” the shaman proclaimed.

The Emperor glared at Jyang.

“You find no fault with the man?” Jyang called out.

“There is an emanation of evil,” the shaman answered, “but my efforts fail to detect what the man has done.”

“What of chu-tsu shang?” Jyang asked.

A muffled gasp from the crowd followed the question; Chu-tsu shang, cursing the Emperor, calling down spirits to do harm to the exalted body, was as heinous a crime as a man could commit.

“NO!” The shout echoed through the temple. “My Lord Ruler knows of my faithful service. Do not dishonor my life and my death by such a charge.” These were the first words the proud man on the platform had spoken in three days.

The Emperor turned to Jyang.

“You go too far,” the Emperor hissed, fire flashing in his eyes. “He has been my faithful servant since his birth. I cannot believe that of him.”

“Let the shaman test him then,” Jyang Choong answered, loudly enough for all to hear. “If he passes the test, there is no dishonor, for he will have been proven loyal. The dishonor will then be mine and I will take his place on the platform and his place in death.”

“You are so sure?” the Emperor asked.

“I am,” Jyang answered.

“Let it be done.” The Emperor nodded to the shaman who quickly re­sumed his place in front of the prisoner. The chants began.

The Emperor turned back to Jyang. “You risk everything?” he asked.

“I risk nothing,” Jyang replied. “I exist to serve the Emperor. If I serve well, I live. If not, I die.” The Emperor, inured to empty flattery, gazed quizzi­cally at Jyang, but said nothing. Both men turned to watch the scene below.

The shaman was from north of the Great Wall, in the eyes of most of the Emperor’s retinue, a foreigner. His clothing was dirty, barbaric in cut, and covered with strange designs. He whirled and twirled, here and there, mouthing strange words never before heard in the capital city of the Han. No one noticed him motion to a serving boy stationed at the top of the stairway leading from the bottom of the bowl shaped temple to the top. The serving boy signaled back, then nodded to his master below. The shaman embarked on a particularly vigorous series of moves, then froze in place, a wild, keening cry coming from his lips. His hands pointed to the prisoner in the center of the cleared space. All eyes focused on the shaman and on the object of his cry.

The shaman’s keening wail seemed to go on forever. The watchers won­dered to themselves how a man could utter such a noise and keep doing it for so long. Soon, all in the audience found themselves almost involuntarily leaning forward, hypnotized by the awful sound. Suddenly, when it appeared that the cry could go on no longer without something snapping in the old man’s throat, there came a loud “WOOMP” and the entire floor of the temple seemed to have ignited in an explosive rush of heat and fire.

Instinctively the crowd drew back. Then, as individuals within it gathered their wits, the crowd surged forward towards what appeared to be a magical flame remaining after the initial explosion.

The Emperor was among the startled onlookers straining towards the platform. Only Jyang Choong remained seated, a slight smile playing on his lips. After a short time the prisoner ceased to scream.

Chapter 2

An Emperor Under Threat

The braver members of the crowd edged toward but then quickly fell back from the charred corpse, covering dainty noses with kerchiefs, sleeves or whatever was close at hand. A peculiar, bitter-sour smell could be detected in the air. It mixed with the disconcertingly pleasant roast pork- like odor of burning human flesh. The shaman and the prosecutor exchanged glances as the latter at last rose from his seat and moved forward to the Emperor’s side.

“So,” the Emperor muttered, “he was indeed guilty. The conspirators multiply as I grow older.” The Emperor Wu, Lord of all that was Civilized Under Heaven, the literal representative of Heaven on earth, seemed to age as he spoke these bitter words. His cheeks sank inward and his skin paled beneath the sheen of sweat evoked by the mysterious holy fire.

The chief prosecutor took this in. Jyang was a large, fleshy man, still in the vigor of middle age. Taking care to mask from his voice the contempt of the still young for the ineffectually old, the chief prosecutor sought to soothe his sovereign.

“Such is the price of success, Your Majesty,” he said. “Always there are those who would plot the fall of the One who sustains us. But happily there are weapons against those men of evil. Your Majesty’s enemies will continue to be confounded, for I have found a means of detecting the black magic men of darkness would use against the royal person. So long as I stand by the side of the Emperor, no man may practice such evil against him.”

“Most impressive,” Emperor Wu replied, regaining his emotional balance and directing a sharp glance at his chief prosecutor. The demands of power had long since taught the Emperor to mistrust even those closest to him. The just concluded lesson had only reinforced this mistrust. The chief prosecutor’s methods were indeed powerful but such power brought with it threats to the Emperor.

“You and your agents have done well. I suppose you are right. This sort of thing is inevitable. That damnable Chen woman tried the wu-gu magic on me when I was little more than a boy. That was nearly forty years ago, but my…