On Sun and Moon Mountain — William F. Wu

DESCRIPTION: In A.D. 641, the captain of Princess Wen Cheng's bodyguard, Lin Wei, devotes every moment of his life to keeping her safe. The princess is traveling in a huge caravan from the Chinese Empire to Tibet, where she will become the bride of the Tibetan king. However, she has just given birth on the journey after a liaison with the Tibetan minister who leads the caravan. Captain Lin finds a magic mirror that can help him serve the princess but what can a mere bodyguard do, caught between a princess and a minister, an emperor and a king?EXCERPT: Again, Lin expected the princess to request her bearers. Instead, she lowered her gaze and sighed deeply. "Captain Lin, do you think me evil?"Lin, too startled to respond, fumbled for words."You know what I have done. Tell me what you think."His heart pounded, but he could think of nothing to say. In all the years he had protected her, she had never asked for his opinion of her personal concerns. He had never spoken across the bounds of proper behavior as her chief bodyguard."Speak, Captain."I…." Anxiously, he searched for words, but years of thinking only of protecting her now failed him."You must have some opinion of me."Nearly panicked, Lin fell to his knees in front of her and touched his forehead to the cold ground. Holding that position, sweating even in the cold mountain air, he spoke earnestly. "I live only to serve you."You served a shamed mistress. You know it."I shall do anything for you. We have all sworn this."You swore when you joined my service, when I was young in my father's palace. My life has changed since then."I live only to serve you."For a long moment, the princess said nothing. Lin held his posture, staring at the dust in front of her feet, waiting."Stand, Captain Lin. I will return to my pavilion."Relieved to have familiar orders, Lin quickly got to his feet and gave Yang a subtle hand gesture. The ring of guards parted and her bearers jogged forward. Lin stepped out of their way. The bearers g