Bai apparently shared Xiao’s concerns. “You should not trust someone so readily,” he scolded Jin. “You must make sure Nanami is worthy of such trust.”
Jin blinked. “But you like Nanami,” she protested.
“But why would you trust me?” he said.
Jin laughed. “Perhaps because you are arguing with me about this?”
Xiao enjoyed Bai’s loss of words.
“Jin – Nanami and I may both be able to enter the Sun Palace through your residence,” Xiao said, “but won’t it look odd if we are at the Sun Palace without you? I thought perhaps Nanami could pose as your disciple...”
“Can you shapeshift, Nanami?” Bai asked.
“Shapeshift?” she echoed, clearly surprised.
“Shapeshifting is a myth,” objected Xiao.
Bai shrugged. “Nanami’s father can shapeshift – at least he used to.”
“I’ve never seen it,” Nanami said. “And I don’t know how.”
“Well,” broke in Jin, “it wouldn’t be too hard to arrange for you to be my disciple, but my disciples spend most of their time in my residence polishing their arts. You’d be better off as a servant. Or one of Salaana’s disciples, come to think of it.”
Xiao stiffened in alarm. It was true that Salaana was a prime suspect, but... “Are you crazy? The Goddess of Justice will cut Nanami’s hands off!”
“Only if she knew who I am.” Xiao didn’t like the look on Nanami’s face, that of a thrill seeker who knew that death was possible. “How does one become her disciple?” asked Nanami. Xiao glared at her, but she just smirked back.
“Well, I really mean aspirant,” said Jin. “Salaana expects immortals to serve her for a thousand years or so before she’ll elevate them to full disciples, but she accepts aspirants regularly. You must go to the East Gate and prostrate yourself before her statue for two days. You cannot eat or drink during that time. Then you will be allowed into her residence and put into training.”
“That sounds awful,” Nanami said.
“It is,” Xiao assured her. “You don’t want to do it.”
“But I’m going to anyway,” Nanami declared. “Now we just need to figure out why Xiao would be at the Sun Court without Jin.”
Jin considered. “Someone already knows where we are, and possibly what we are doing. If your story is too far from the truth, you will immediately draw suspicion to yourself. What you really need is an explanation for why I am travelling like a mortal.”
“Pilgrims,” suggested Bai.
Jin nodded. “Yes, what better reason to undertake a pilgrimage than an ill father?”
“But most people travel up the Kuanbai to the White Mountain, not the other way around,” objected Nanami.
“Most people – but not the most important,” said Xiao. “When the Sun Emperor sought his divinity, he started at the White Mountain and travelled to the Korikami’s Tomb.”
Bai choked, and Xiao frowned at him as he coughed. “I suppose you’re going to say that’s not really what happened.”
“He did travel from the White Mountain to the Land of Winter,” said Bai, “and it culminated with him becoming a god. But to call it a pilgrimage–” Bai shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. If that is how it is seen, it would be a good explanation. Jin is following her father’s route in hopes of finding a cure.”
“And why isn’t Xiao travelling with her? Unless we want to advertise that Bai is?”
“No, I don’t think so,” said Bai. “The man barely looked at me; he might have even thought I was mortal. If he comes again, the element of surprise is not to be underrated.”
Xiao nodded. “As to why I’m not protecting her, it’s easy – we play up my incompetency.”
“You’ll tell people you failed?” Nanami frowned.
“No, I will brag to them that Jin trusts no one else to keep vigil over her father and asked me to stay at the Sun Court while she completes her pilgrimage – all while acting like a drunken sot and flirting with everything that breathes.”
Jin nodded. “And they’ll all assume I really asked you to stay at the Sun Court so I didn’t have to deal with you.”
“How can you say that?” exclaimed Nanami, glaring at Jin. “Xiao is more than a drunk!”
Her offense on his behalf surprised him – but it also gave him a warm feeling in his belly. Until she said something, he hadn’t even realized it that Jin’s quick agreement had hurt just a little bit.
Jin’s eyes widened. “I know that. But that is how he’s viewed at the Sun Court.”
“Jin is right,” Xiao told Nanami.
“Well, you shouldn’t have to act like a layabout if you don’t want to. Why don’t you masquerade as a servant or a soldier?”
Xiao shook his head. “This way I don’t have to worry about a disguise being uncovered, and I know how to be a drunk.”
Nanami’s lips compressed angrily; Jin looked at him uncertainly. He winked back at her and she smiled. He slightly resented the exchange – why did he always feel the need to reassure Jin, make sure nothing upset her? Even when he was upset?
“I suppose there is no reason to delay our departure,” Nanami finally said, “unless you need help selecting a boat?”
“No,” Jin shook her head, “I can haggle with the best.” Then she blushed to Xiao’s amusement. “I mean, I think–”
“It’s fine, Jin,” he interrupted. “You are allowed to describe your own skills accurately without fear of boasting.”
Jin bit her lip, but Xiao pretended not to see. He stood. “Nanami, there are a few preparations we should make before leaving.”
She nodded, also rising.
“I’ll help,” Jin said, but she paused when she was only half-risen.
“What’s wrong?” asked Xiao.
“Oh – my leg is just a bit stiff. I guess dancing after all that walking was too much.”
“Then you should just rest. There isn’t much for us to do,” he told her.
“But I can help Nanami look like an aspirant that will win Salaana’s favor–”
“Simple, pretty, and conservative? I know Salaana and the Sun Court as well as you,” Xiao said.
“And you have a lot more walking ahead of you, if you are really traveling as a mortal. You should enjoy your rest,” Nanami assured her.
Jin’s brow knit, but all she said was, “May fate smile on you.”
“Good fortune,” Nanami and Xiao echoed back.
As they walked toward the inn to fetch Nanami’s belongings, Xiao told Nanami, “You had better leave your tools of the trade with me, if you are serious about trying to join Salaana’s household.”
Nanami’s brow knit.
“Now who doesn’t trust who?” Xiao teased.
“I didn’t question you before a diviner – so of course I can’t trust you.”
Xiao chuckled, and after a moment Nanami grinned.
“You’re right, though,” Nanami conceded, “But if I find out you’ve used my powders without me...”
“Make myself a tiny lover, hmm? I don’t know, I think I prefer the full-size version.”
She blushed, as he intended.
“We’ll go our separate ways when we leave, won’t we? I’ll teleport to the East Gate, and you to Jin’s residence?”
“I suppose.”
“So how will we meet again?” As she asked, they entered a door on one of the inn’s wings and made their way down the dim hallway.
Xiao looked down at her; was his daring thief nervous? Not yours, he reminded himself. “It is better if I do not see you during the petition.” He hesitated, then held up his left hand, showing her the small dark ring on his pinky finger. “With this, I will always be able to find you.”
Nanami frowned in puzzlement and reached out a hand to touch the ring. She focused on it briefly, then gaped. “Is this made from my hair? When did you...”
Xiao grinned. “
When Jin refused to keep you captive, I cut a lock of your hair. I’ve had it since before the betrothal ceremony.”
Her brows knit. “You shouldn’t have done that without my permission.”
He shrugged. “You shouldn’t have kept me in a cage for five days.”
She pouted, but then relented. “Fine, then we’re even.”
“Not yet, dear thief,” he told her, “but we’re getting there.”
“Hmph.” She stopped at a door and opened it. Xiao slipped inside behind her.
“I’m going to change,” she objected.
“And I’d love to watch,” Xiao returned, “but I need to advise you on your clothes first. Nothing you have now is suitable.” He turned her toward a warped metal mirror. “But this kimono is a good start. Salaana favors Jeevantian immortals, like her mother, but anything is better than Zhongtuese. However, you need to raise the back. In fact, do a high collar, so that it touches here,” his finger stroked the middle of her nape, “and wraps tightly in the front.”
“Only children wear it that way,” Nanami objected.
“And Salaana’s would-be disciples. Although you’ll be given a sari if you’re accepted as an aspirant.”
Nanami's mouth twisted petulantly, then she shrugged. Her hands swept over the collar, fixing it so that it hugged her neck closely.
Xiao stepped back to examine her from a distance. “Get rid of the embroidery. And your obi – it’s too elaborate. Can you get rid of the bow in back?”
Nanami rolled her eyes. “Not without it falling off, but I know what you want.”
She shook her skirts once; the embroidery was gone, the only trace it left behind were some water droplets on the floor. Xiao wiped them up while Nanami fiddled with her elaborate bow. He saw what she meant when she finished; the obi was still tied, but now instead of several feet of loops it was one tight knot.
“Good – your hair – will you let me style it?”
Nanami tossed up her hands and took a seat on a barrel that had been left in the room for that purpose. Xiao rifled through Jin’s bag and took two carved wooden combs. “Jin won’t mind,” he told Nanami.
She snorted. “Did you forget who you’re talking to? As long as the former owner won’t suffer undeservedly, theft doesn’t bother me at all. People are too attached to their possessions anyway – losing them is a reminder that everything is ephemeral.”
Xiao paused, much struck by her attitude. But he did not wish to engage in philosophy, so he simply started untying her hair knot and said, “Taking the Infinite Jug caused me to suffer a great deal.”
“Undeservedly,” she repeated. “You must have missed that when I said it earlier.”
He stuck his tongue out at the warped mirror; Nanami saw it, just as he intended. She smiled, then half-closed her eyes as he began combing her hair.
Xiao wanted to ask how long it had been since another person had done this, but her expression in the mirror was too vulnerable, her tongue nervously touching her plump bottom lip and her lashes forming dark crescents against her cheeks, hiding her eyes. Only when Xiao finished brushing and began to braid her hair did she look up again.
“How did you learn to do this?”
He gave her a lascivious smile and said, “Surely you can imagine.” She immediately dropped her eyes, and her shoulders stiffened.
“I’ve been doing my own hair most of my life, of course,” he told her, pulling forward the long plait he had chosen for travel. “Mostly trial and error though I picked up a lesson here and there.”
“Oh!” And he saw her small smile before she hid it. So his experience bothered her a little. Because she was jealous? Or insecure? Surely not prudish – he still remembered that desperate prayer she had sent him. No, not prudish, though perhaps shy.
“Salaana doesn’t like men much. She has almost no male disciples, and she only takes women as lovers. Daddy issues, I’ve always thought.”
“I’ve heard Aka’s wives have a convenient way of dying when he tires of them, so that’s understandable.”
Xiao’s hands stilled in her hair and he met her eyes in the mirror. “You must never, never say that at the Sun Court. Do not criticize or scorn the emperor in any way.”
“Not even to please Salaana?”
“She’ll think that’s why you said it and despise you for it.” Xiao resumed braiding. “Salaana assumes the worst of everyone.” He hesitated. “Jin wouldn’t like that I am telling you this, but I remember – it was before her mother died, so I suppose we must have been about seven hundred years old. For some reason, we were having tea with Salaana. I think our mothers were there, and I know Neela was, because years later I asked her if it really happened and she confirmed it, but all I remember was that there were these absolutely delicious honey sesame cookies. Jin and I each ate ours – we had only been given one – and I noticed that Salaana’s was untouched on her plate. I wanted it, and Jin told me that Salaana didn’t like sweets and said she’d get it for me. She stood next to Salaana’s side and looked cute. I mean, she and I both knew that was what she was doing, and she asked for the cookie. Salaana turned to her – and this I can’t forget – said, ‘Look at you, already mastered the skills of a whore.’ And then she burned the cookie.” Xiao blinked. “I don’t think I could have known what whore meant then, but Salaana’s face was so scary and it seems like I have always known. The point is, Salaana is the type of person who calls a little girl a whore.”
He refocused on Nanami’s face; it was nearly expressionless. “What did Jin’s mother do?”
“I don’t remember. Actually, I remember Aashchary as being soft and warm and singing the most beautiful songs, but I can’t even recall her face or any specific interaction.”
Nanami smiled tightly. “Memory is funny like that.” She sighed. “Salaana always assumes the worst. I knew that already, from the legends that I’ve heard. But she’s also far from infallible.”
Xiao twisted the braids up and secured them with the two carved combs. “This’ll do. You must win her approval by appearing humble, demure, and hard-working.”
Nanami’s lips curled into a smile – not quite bitter, but not happy either. “I know just who to emulate.”
“Good,” said Xiao. “I'll wait outside while you finish packing.”
She looked down. “There’s no reason to wait for me to change, if you wish to go now.”
It was obvious that she wanted him to wait. “Yes, there is – you have to give me your powders and tools, remember?”
“Oh – right.”
Outside the room, Xiao leaned against the lintel. He could barely hear Nanami inside – even when she wasn’t sneaking, she moved quietly and deliberately. Xiao rubbed his mouth and thought about the wine Jin had offered earlier. His mouth was dry. He should have taken it. After all, a little bottle like that wouldn’t even impair him.
He closed his eyes. No, he had better not drink, even though he would be playing a drunk for the Sun Court. It wasn’t just himself he had to worry about now – his thief was going to live in justice’s house.
Chapter 7: Power and Poison
BAI didn’t understand why Jin trusted him so fully. Even though she had heard of his accomplishments, she didn’t know his character. He wished that she would be more wary, even though her faith was in his own favor. It made it easy enough to persuade her to stay longer at the inn while he accustomed himself to the modern world. But why was she willing to travel alone with him?
“Because you are nice. Even when Xiao had your sword, your priority was to reclaim it without hurting him. And because you worry about things like me trusting you too much.”
Bai froze, his spoon of rice only halfway to his mouth.
The two of them were eating an early dinner, provided by the innkeeper, so that they might play as soon as the paying guests came down to eat. He had agreed to give them room and board for two more nights, and let them keep the tips they
earned, in exchange for their performances. The food was a bit lacking though – Bai enjoyed the rice, not having had it since he lived alone, but the side dishes were made up of odds and ends, things the nobles would scorn to eat.
But they are good enough for a goddess, mused Bai.
“How much of my thoughts do you hear?” he asked aloud. He kept forgetting that she was a mystery to him, but the reverse was not true. “As much as Neela?”
Jin wrinkled her nose – it was ridiculously adorable. “No. NeeNee always seems to hear everything. With me, I can tell when you lie or if you aren’t speaking but thinking about something very hard, like you were now, then I usually hear it.” She grinned. “Why? Do you have secrets?”
“More than you have years,” he told her.
“No, that was a lie. Or at least an exaggeration,” she told him. “You’re like me – you don’t like to keep secrets. Xiao says people don’t tell me things to protect me, but I think it’s because they know I will tell everyone.”
“But you learned secrets recently?”
“Two. My father confessed that he trapped my mother into marriage with a pregnancy she didn’t want, and Gang told me that the baby, who died shortly after his birth, was murdered. And I have always known that my mother was murdered shortly before she was to give birth again.
“Do you think I must bring bad luck, to be surrounded by such unfortunate events?”
“No. If anything, you must bring good luck, to have escaped that fate.”
“But why should I share it? Why would anyone want me or my brothers dead?”
“Power,” said Bai. “The reason for most heinous acts in the world.”
“I’m not very powerful,” she argued.
“I heard you say that before, as we travelled down the mountain. You and Xiao called yourselves useless. And yet I saw you transmute many things, regardless of color. You even made my hair black! I can’t change it back you know – I tried. I think you have more raw power than even Gang.”
Jin’s brows knit, and Bai felt the urge to comfort her. “Because I changed your hair? I don’t understand.”
Vows of Gold and Laughter (The Immortal Beings Book 1) Page 15