Guarding the gates of the golden city of Constantinople, Gallienus notices a merchant from the Silk Road. This young man, Misahuen, returns his interest and the two later chat over drinks in the inn. The tongue they have in common is Greek. A relationship between men is not unusual in Misahuen's culture, but the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople forbids such liaisons so they need to be careful. Shipments contain herbs, spices, silks, kaolin and the smuggled opium. The men consider that the only way they can live together freely is to travel to the CITY OF JADE.

Alexandretta is the port city the two reach while escorting a trade caravan. They hear rumours of tensions in Antioch; another crusade may be approaching. Bandits attack in the desert, and in Baghdad, Saracens stride through the streets. Nishapur is a city decorated with turquoise, and Byzantine glass and ivory-bound prayer books are sold. The world is large, but all nations meet on the Silk Road.

I found that this is not so much a series of adventures, as a travelogue in ancient times, full of detail and atmosphere. The two men learn and grow and become ever more supportive of each other and of their hidden relationship, with Misahuen becoming stronger in lands nearer his own culture and Galienus becoming self-conscious of his fairer skin and hair. Shaoxing the CITY OF JADE is just one of the major Chinese cities at this time, and although the two friends want to live in peace, they find that unsettled times mean there is work for warriors wherever they go.

LJ Labarthe has filled CITY OF JADE with research and the excitement of the times and rich cultures, as well as a lasting romance between two fine strong men. She also writes paranormal stories and urban fantasy, and contemporary Australian stories.

Book Summary

1131, The Silk Road.

Gallienus of Constantinople, a scarred soldier who used to work the city gates, enters a new phase of his life when he meets and falls in love with Misahuen of Gyeongju. But prejudice against same-sex relationships dominates Byzantine society, and both the Emperor and the Church denounce such love. Should Misahuen and Gallienus be discovered, the punishment is castration or death. Fearing he’ll lose Misahuen, Gallienus decides to go with Misahuen when he leaves the city forever.

A former farmer, Misahuen fled war-torn Korea and journeyed to Constantinople with a merchant caravan. He didn’t expect to take such an interest in a wounded soldier at journey’s end. But he understands the danger, so he and Gallienus join another caravan as guardsmen and begin a two-thousand-mile trip along the Silk Road. Now all they have to do is persevere to their final destination without the truth of their relationship being discovered and being killed because of it… or by the other dangers along the Road.

Read an Excerpt