Mei Li already harbored a bit of preconception over what he was like—there were many legends and stories she’d read of him—but facing him in reality, she found herself respecting him. He was not high-handed. Mei Li preferred this version of reality over the fanciful hero stories’ portrayal.
They walked as quickly as they dared into the city. The traffic was not sparse, and sometimes one party or another had to pause to allow people to pass. Mei Li noted that most humans who passed them made startled jerks and double-takes. Shunlei didn’t even bat an eye, so he was apparently used to such reactions. Black dragons were rare, after all. He paid it no attention, keeping his eyes straight ahead as he moved into the city proper.
Tri-River City didn’t have any exterior walls or fortifications. Without those walls, it spread willy-nilly in every direction. The streets were wide, meant for traveling caravans and wagons to pass through. Even in his large dragon form, Shunlei had no trouble navigating his way in, his head at roof height. Mei Li stayed just ahead of him and under his neck to avoid being separated from him, as the traffic through here was no joke. It helped that with his size, Shunlei acted as a trail blazer.
Rone led them confidently to their chosen accommodations. The inn in question had a new sign out, recently painted in bright red lettering with an illustrative crane in the corner: Crane’s Nest Inn. The inn seemed a popular one, three stories tall and neatly kept. In deference to the weather, all the sliding doors and windows were latched shut, but warm light and the sounds of conversation drifted out regardless.
A small courtyard opened in front of the building, a place for guests to unload without stopping up traffic on the street. It was already occupied with a family, the mother wrestling with an unhappy toddler, the father struggling to assist both wife and child down from the carriage. The strain on both parents’ face was quite clear. It had already been a tiring trip, apparently. Even the mules pulling the cart drooped where they stood.
Shunlei stopped half into the courtyard. There was no room for him to fully enter without crowding everyone. The father noticed him first and froze, dismay written all over his face.
“I’m so sorry, Master,” the man said with a quick deferential bow. “I’ll move the carriage quickly.”
“Do not fuss,” Shunlei corrected him gently, responding in kind, using the universal trader’s language. “Your child is tired and cold, your wife as well. Take them inside. I can wait.”
The man was startled at this patience, which made Mei Li wonder what strange rumors he’d heard of dragons. She’d found dragons to be welcoming and kind, for the most part. But then, considering who she was…were there dragons who were not kind to humanity? Or was it just that the man expected to be treated differently by a dragon who was so clearly an elder and above him in station?
The toddler turned in his mother’s arms, drawn to the deep voice, and his dark eyes went wide with wonder. He threw out both hands, squirming, clearly wanting to touch.
Shunlei gave a low thrum of amusement and humored the child by stretching out his neck enough to push his nose into the child’s hands. The boy pushed his hands eagerly against the scales of Shunlei’s nose, tracing them and giggling in delight.
“Who knew. Dragons cure a child’s screaming.” Mei Li’s hand found his elbow and she smiled behind a raised hand. “Shunlei, let me take off the luggage. That way you can take human form, and no one needs to rush.”
Shunlei immediately agreed with a “Please.”
Mei Li tackled the straps, grunting in frustration as the cold leather proved difficult to manipulate. Still, she was stubborn as she worked on them, and the first one made way.
“I’ll get us a room,” Rone announced before ascending the three stairs and crossing the porch inside.
The mother gave Shunlei a bow, more than overwhelmed at his presence, and took her child with her inside, following in Rone’s footsteps. Her son was not happy about this and resumed his crying as he was hauled away.
Mei Li made quick work of the other straps and soon had the luggage off. Shunlei shook himself once, a low sigh of relief easing from his throat. He switched forms into that of a human male smoothly, the transition only taking a few seconds. The pearl drop on his head activated as he did so, his robes and clothing resuming their place.
He turned to take up the luggage once more but Mei Li lifted a hand, staying him. He looked so windblown, rather as if he’d faced down a typhoon, that her fingers twitched with the urge to straighten him out. Mei Li just wasn’t sure how he’d take such a hands-on approach. She was rather surprised with herself for the impulse, really. It felt borderline in her mind, something that might be inappropriate? Mei Li just couldn’t seem to resist the urge.
Of course his hair would be blowing about—it imitated his dragon form. Maybe braids would be a better option in the future, but as for now….
Shunlei faced her with a welcoming lift of the eyebrows. “Is there something?”
“Um, you’ve got…you look like you went three rounds with a windmill and lost,” she explained with a gesture towards his hair.
“Will you be my comb, then?”
“Oh. Sure.” She lifted her hands more confidently at his invitation, fingers deft as she picked up the individual locks and tiny braids, rearranging them. “No, this is a hopeless tangle. I’d need a proper comb and more than a few minutes to fix it. How about a loose braid for now?”
“I’ve no objections.”
Her hands divided his hair into three sections and worked them into a workman’s plait without any fuss. Mei Li tried to be gentle, as she wasn’t sure how sensitive his head was. And his hair was very, very tangled. It was waist-length, and it made her wonder if that was by choice. It was a wonder his hair wasn’t a constant knot from being regularly whipped about in the wind. His hair texture was coarse, crinkling audibly in her hands as she manipulated the locks. It made her want to do an oil treatment on it. This man clearly did not take care of his hair properly.
She took a pin from her own hair without thought, twisting his braid up and into a low bun, using the stick to secure it. Humans put great store on hairpins, with emotional significance attached. These were usually the gifts of family and lovers. Mei Li didn’t actually mean it that way, and he fortunately didn’t take it that way. She was just letting him borrow the hairpin. He did seem pleased that she’d do this for him, which in turn made Mei Li wonder: had she not adequately expressed how much she appreciated his help?
Mei Li was so focused on him she missed the cart’s exit entirely and would have missed Rone’s return to them if she hadn’t made a loud clatter as she descended the steps.
“You two could have done that inside,” she commented. “I’ve got us two rooms. They’re almost full up. Mei Li, you don’t mind sharing, do you?”
“No, that’s fine,” she answered as her hands dropped. “There, Shunlei. You look well enough for company. Rone, does dinner come with the rooms, or do we need to find a restaurant?”
Shunlei allowed the two of them to make arrangements as they saw fit. Mei Li hoped the rest of the trip would go as smoothly as its beginning. She was pessimistic enough to not expect their luck to hold, however. Her luck was never that good.
“Master Shunlei?”
Shunlei paused in place, turning to see who had hailed them in the dining room. He’d been in the act of pulling out a chair for Mei Li, and he kept her within the cradle of his arm as a precaution as he looked behind him.
Mei Li looked about as well, curious who this man was. She didn’t know him, but he clearly knew Shunlei, and that made him an ally, right?
Seeing who it was, Shunlei relaxed his guard and smiled at the newcomer. “Dolan. I didn’t expect our paths to cross here.”
“Me neither, but I’m relieved.” Dolan stepped lightly between the other tables, making his way to them. The mage looked travel-worn, his knee-high boots scuffed with ice and mud, the thick fur belted
around his waist still carrying bits of frost. He hadn’t been inside for long. “What pretty company you have.”
Graciously, Shunlei handled the introductions. “Mage Dolan is a friend I’ve had the pleasure of working with before, many times. I consider him an expert in barrier magic. Dolan, this is Rone the Purple, an elder with the dragons. She has kindly offered her aid as we set the world back to rights.”
Rone and Dolan exchanged bows even as they took measure of each other. Dolan, at first glance, didn’t inspire confidence. Mei Li had to judge by appearance, but the way he dressed said this man hailed from the wildlands of Bader, as he bore the multiple braids, furs, and nomadic habits of his homeland. Under that mountain man appearance lay a healthy store of magical power, though. Mei Li could feel it clearly. A sharp mind must lay underneath that rough exterior.
“And this,” Shunlei said smugly, “is Mei Li of Tomes.”
Dolan almost lost his footing, his green eyes flaring so wide they nearly left his head altogether. “You found her!”
“I found myself,” Mei Li corrected tartly, her grin softening it. “I found a dragon four days ago and had him take me to Dragon’s Peak.”
“Bless you, Lady Mei Li.” Dolan took up both of her hands in his and kissed the back, a blessing of well-wishing from his own country automatically falling from his lips. “Blessings upon your head. We’ve been desperate to find you and your master. You’ve no word of Abe of Tomes?”
Sadness fell like a curtain and she shook her head.
“We’ll find him yet,” Dolan reassured her, his cheer somewhat forced. “You’re back, after all, and many said that was a lost cause.”
“This is true,” Shunlei allowed. “Sit, Dolan, join us. You’ve just arrived?”
“I have. I wanted a room here, but there’s none to be had. I almost left but heard of a black dragon arriving earlier. I thought it might be you, so I checked. Good thing I did.”
“Share a room with me tonight,” Shunlei invited without a second thought. “There’s not many good inns with rooms available, not this close to Snow Festival.”
Dolan ducked his head, his teeth white in his tan skin. “You’re kind to offer, Master Shunlei. I accept, thank you.”
“What are you doing here?” Rone inquired as they settled around the table. A teapot and cups already sat in the center, and she and Mei Li set about pouring everyone a cup while they waited for someone to take their order.
“We’ve been trying to settle the minor troubles if we can,” Dolan answered and then back-tracked as he explained to Mei Li, “By ‘we’ I mean a loose confederate of mages and the Warrior-Prince of Horvath. He funds us and helps us personally, sometimes. The man loves a good fight. There’s about a dozen of us altogether.”
Mei Li sat up eagerly. This was news Shunlei had hinted at, but not elaborated on. She was beyond delighted to hear it. “You’ve found a way to renew the minor seals, then?”
“No, no, don’t let me give you the wrong impression. With such ancient magic, we wouldn’t know where to begin. They did things so differently back then, it hurts my head just looking at an old seal. But we put up barriers around them, to keep the influence down in the regions. And with one of them—the water ghouls in Crimson Lake—we were able to subdue them entirely. That was a fight, let me tell you.”
She put a hand to her heart and breathed deeply. “Your words are a balm to my heart. I’ve been quite anxious about things spiraling out of control.”
“They’re not—at least not yet—but we’ve managed it as best we can. I’ll give you a full list of what I’ve personally been involved with after dinner, as well as what plans I know of.”
She nodded without hesitation. “Please.”
“I’m actually on my way to deal with Acala’s Flute,” Dolan informed the table generally. “Some idiot not only broke the seal, but sold it to a young lady with more greed than sense. It’s on its way to Tanguay, according to my last informant.”
Shunlei’s attention sharpened, ears perking. “Where in Tanguay?”
“Tanguay Harbor, I believe. It’s going up for auction as a powerful magical artifact. Because of course they lost the provenance and can’t tell you what it actually is, but the magic pouring off that thing is unmistakable.”
“I just hope no one plays it,” Mei Li fretted. “In a city of that size, it can put thousands to sleep. And depending on what they’re doing, that’s potentially quite dangerous.”
“Indeed so.” Rone grimaced into her teacup. “What if they’re cooking? In a bath? Operating a kiln? All of that’s potentially life-threatening.”
Dolan licked his lips, expression hopeful. “Where are you heading?”
“Tanguay,” Mei Li answered. “The Sea Walls need to be dealt with. Mage Dolan, how close are you on this trail?”
“About three days behind,” he lamented. “It’s why I’m so glad to see all of you. You can beat me there, stop it. Lady Mei Li, do you know how to seal the flute?”
“I do, fortunately. I do not have the confidence I have enough magic to do it alone. Acala’s Flute was first sealed by two mages, and I don’t have quite enough magic in me to qualify as a mage. I’d like your assistance, Mage Dolan, and perhaps one of your confederates? I can tell you precisely what to do.”
“That is, after all, your job.” Dolan didn’t quite wink at her, but his expression was a near thing. “Of course, I’ll render all aid. I’m very glad for your instructions.”
Mei Li only saw one sensible course of action to be had, but she didn’t want to pressure Shunlei into it. It would mean him carrying double the load, after all, and for another day’s flight. She didn’t mind sharing the tight constraints of the carrier, but it didn’t seem fair to him to make him even more of a mule than he already was. She turned to ask only to find him already looking at her, eyebrows lifted in question. She didn’t know him well enough to read him, so wasn’t quite sure what he was asking or if her own question had come across.
Leaning into his side, she murmured, “I don’t mind sharing the carrier. If you’re willing?”
“I am.” Shunlei gave her an approving nod before turning back to Dolan. “Fly with us. I have a carrier that can take two at a squeeze.”
“You’re flying passengers?” Dolan blurted out incredulously.
Shunlei gave him a flat, unamused look. “I’m aware of my reputation but really, it’s ridiculous. I’m just old. Not all-powerful. Or even all-knowing. I do not consider any task beneath me, Mage.”
Dolan lifted both hands in apology. “I’d be very grateful for the lift. I’ll make arrangements to have my horse shipped home. You’ve no idea how happy I am to meet up with all of you. And of course, Lady Mei Li, I’ll help you with the Sea Walls too.”
“I was about to ask.” Mei Li’s dimples peeked out as she gave him a seated half-bow. “We’re lucky to have crossed paths. As a warning, I’ll need at least eight mages to help with this—four to hold down each corner of the two walls. I have no way of sending word out to anyone.”
“That I can help you with. I’ll send out messages tonight. I’ve got air sprites as carriers; I can get the word out quickly.” Dolan sat back with a sigh of perfect relief. “With you found again, the world isn’t spiraling towards disaster anymore. I can finally sleep well tonight.”
Mei Li wouldn’t go that far. They still had the potential for eighty disasters, unless Abe of Tomes miraculously appeared in the next year or so. Or somehow, someone else had a copy of the eighty missing records.
Mei Li didn’t have high hopes of either happening. In fact, she harbored a deep suspicion that neither would. It was a depressing thought because this wasn’t something she could ignore. It demanded resolution. But what could she possibly do?
The conversation was interrupted as a waitress came and took their order. Shunlei was generous with the portions. Dragons didn’t have a delicate appetite and Dolan looked like a man who could
clear a table without help. Shunlei was entirely prudent to order quantity.
As they passed plates around, Dolan innocently inquired, “Where will you settle after the most immediate problems are dealt with? I know the rulers of both Horvath and Laborde were making noises about keeping you—”
“She stays with me.” Shunlei stared at the man coolly, daring the mage to argue the point.
Dolan’s jaw dropped and he regarded the two of them, eyes bouncing back and forth. “Ah…really?”
Mei Li dimpled again, shooting Shunlei an evilly amused smile. She found Shunlei’s exasperation funny, although she didn’t understand why he reacted so strongly. Why did he look like he was already out of patience with this turn of the conversation? Come to think of it, she wasn’t sure how much groundwork he had laid on her behalf. He’d not said if he’d voiced his plans to anyone else to keep her with him once she was found. Rone had been surprised by it, so likely he hadn’t. Just envisioning all the future arguments they’d have on this point threatened a headache.
“He’s quite firm on this point. I argued it at first as well, but really, can you think of a safer place for me to be? He’s taken me under his wing. I’m quite content to stay there.”
The mage made a choking sound, as if surprise had rendered him unable to breathe properly for a moment. If someone had come over and poked him in the shoulder, Dolan would have fallen straight to the floor.
Shunlei really didn’t appreciate this reaction. One glance at his expression told the story on that. He looked stone-faced in the extreme, a visible tic at the corner of his mouth. This stirred Mei Li’s curiosity, as the past three days he had been patience itself. What was it about Dolan’s reaction that had set him off so?
“Well, I can hardly argue.” Dolan pulled himself together enough to give them both a shrug. “And she’ll certainly be well protected with you. Lady Mei Li, would you be willing to explain to me how to handle Acala’s Flute tomorrow on the flight?”
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