Chapter 42: The Register of Substitutes

"Before the drums stop," said Ling. She pulled Mei behind a red pillar and into a side corridor, wedding skirts whispering over the white stone. Fish came with them because the lamp was still in Mei's arms and he had to stay inside its light. Behind them, the drums continued. Boom. A pause long enough to spend regretting your life. Boom. "How many?" Mei asked. "The wedding drums beat a thousand strokes," said Ling. "At the end, the bride and groom bow to the King. That's the wedding." "And now?" "About four hundred." "About?" "I wasn't counting before you walked into the hall." "Start." Ling shut her eyes as the next stroke sounded. "Four hundred and something." "Useful." "We'll lose another ten while you complain." Fish leaned close to the pillar and glanced toward the hall. The whole court could see the place where he ought to be standing, and…