Chapter 15APLEASING HIS MAJESTY THE KING The Barcalon prided himself in having direct access to the king, but that didn’t mean he felt comfortable in His Majesty’s presence. He didn’t mind it so much when the king was alone, but
Read More
Chapter 14THE NEW ASSISTANT TREASURER Phaulkon’s first duty as Assistant Treasurer, and one that he didn’t mind at all, was to change his attire. It would not have been proper for him to wear the uniform of an officer in
Read More
Chapter 13THE TRIAL For the swelling crowd of Siamese, the monks and the masses, the aristocrats, the boat people, the noblemen, the Hindus and the Muslims and Moors, the Malays, the Burmese, the Laotians, the Chinese and the multitude of
Read More
Chapter 12A SHORT TALE OF SAMUT KOTE When the get-together at Phaulkon’s house ended, Burnaby and White retired to their own quarters. Phaulkon saw them to the door. The guard outside, who had been dozing, jumped to his feet and
Read More
Chapter 11BCounter-Defense While they were still in custody in Ligor, word reached Abu Umar in Ayutthaya about the shipwreck and the capture of Phaulkon and his crew. Abu was certain they would be beheaded and when he learned to the
Read More
Chapter 11AARMS FOR THE REBELS Among the documents given to Phaulkon by Abu Umar was a navigation chart-Golfe de Siam, by French engineer M. La Mare. Someone, perhaps George White, had drawn the course which they were to follow. Phaulkon
Read More
Chapter 10BResistance Fanique exploded in a rage of fury. In two short leaps he closed the distance between him and Phaulkon, and with his sword raised above his head, he brought it down in a sweeping cut. At the same
Read More
Chapter 10THE NECKLACE Through the patience and understanding of his mandarin teacher, Phaulkon was able to learn the extremely refined and hierarchic court language of Siamese royalty. It was fair to say that he enjoyed his time spent with his
Read More
Chapter 9THE MAKING OF A MANDARIN Thamnon was a mandarin. He came to Ayutthaya from China as an envoy from the Emperor of the Middle Kingdom. Like all mandarins, he was a scholar, one of the educated elite, a man
Read More
Chapter 8BGetting Closer At the Fanique residence, Marie was with her father in the courtyard with her maid when they heard someone at the back entrance. She knew who it might be for she had heard a messenger earlier in
Read More