by Forthright
She had a strong mental image of a purring feline nosing his way through a flowerbed full of poppies. “What are we supposed to do? Put out the good towels and guest soaps … and hope they like borscht?”
“That is very much what we must do.” Sansa gave a solemn wink and recited, “For hospitality toward the Amaranthine is every reaver’s duty and delight.”
. . .
They came. Not with any pomp or circumstance, but in a chattering knot, like a group of high schoolers on a field trip. Tsumiko lurked on the balcony level of the formal receiving hall, looking down on the most famous Amaranthine in the world. To her relief, only four of the Five had come. Lady Nona was notably missing.
Equally calming was their obvious ignorance of her presence. Argent was keeping her safely hidden away. It was possible they didn’t know she was a beacon. Michael and Argent agreed that Nona would have kept that little detail to herself. So there was a chance the main reason for today’s visit was curiosity surrounding Gingko’s parentage.
Michael and Sansa warmly welcomed the guests to Stately House, setting an appropriate tone and observing the complexities of Amaranthine courtesy. Tsumiko was a long way from learning the basics, let alone the traditions unique to each clan.
Argent touched her shoulder and whispered, “Your turn.”
Taking a deep breath, Tsumiko descended the stairs. At their foot, she was met by an Amaranthine dressed in drab grays. His was a familiar face, but his presence was another matter altogether. Powerful undercurrents made her cautious as she offered her hands. “Spokesperson Twineshaft?”
“Yes, Miss Hajime,” he said, meeting her outstretched palms. “But you may call me Hisoka. Or even Sensei, if you prefer. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Of course. You’re more than welcome. Sansa and Michael speak of you with great fondness. And I understand you’ve been kind to Gingko.” Courtesies flowed easily. They were true enough, but she doubted they’d hold up under cross-examination. Why did he rattle her so?
“Yet I know so little about you. We must remedy that.” Hisoka tucked her arm through his. “But first, allow me to introduce you to the other members of our little cabal.”
She wondered at his choice of words. Cabals meant secrets. “Thank you, Sensei. I would be honored.”
He only escorted her a few steps before they were met by a towering figure. Broad of shoulder and rather burly, the leader of the dog clans radiated strength, confidence, and affability.
“Is she the one?” Harmonious Starmark gallantly bowed over Tsumiko’s hand and remained hunched over, grinning into her face. “You’re a quiet little thing! Interesting, don’t you think, Hisoka?”
“Don’t overwhelm the lady,” he chided.
“Might not be such a bad thing.” Copper eyes roamed the vicinity. “Best way I know to flush a fox.”
Hisoka said, “I’m equally eager to meet Gingko’s father, but we must take things as they come.”
Tsumiko didn’t miss the broad smirk the dog sent toward the upper story where Argent lurked. But he presented himself politely enough. “Lovely place you have here. Maybe later we can have a bit of a run through your patch of wilderness?” He raised his voice. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Adoona?”
An imposing female stepped forward. She was a trifle shorter than Harmonious, with a strong jaw and a thick brown braid coiled around her head. The resemblance to Naroo-soh was striking; he definitely took after his mother. And Tsumiko noted a similar fashion sense—leather, fur, beaded accessories, and bare feet.
“A challenge, Starmark?” The lady’s tail swung in tight arcs. “Are you so fond of defeat that you would embrace it here and now? Hardly the most flattering of first impression to give these good people.”
“Not every passing remark is a challenge, Elderbough.” In mellower tones, Harmonious addressed Tsumiko. “Untouched lands are not as easy to come by as they once were, so your forest stirs my instincts against my better judgment. Forgive my impulsive nature. If Anna were here, she would scold.”
This fellow didn’t come across in a threatening manner, but he had a little too much charisma for her tastes. And up close, the metallic sheen to his copper eyes was uncommonly beautiful. She floundered for an appropriate response. “Anna is your wife?”
Harmonious’s whole face lit up. “My bondmate, yes. Anna will want to meet you, my dear. Pester your fox to bring you around.” With a decided twinkle, he added, “By the front gate this time.”
She went cold. They knew.
And suddenly Argent was at her side.
At his low growl, the other three Amaranthine stepped back, heads bowed. Hisoka gently intervened. “Please forgive Harmonious’ odd sense of humor. He means no harm. None of us do.”
“So you say,” Argent replied, tone smooth, gaze sharp.
“May I ask your name?” Hisoka inquired.
Argent drew himself up, not that he gained much in height. He was the smallest person in the room, save Tsumiko herself. But he made his presence felt. “I am Argent Mettlebright of the winter fox clans. Welcome to Stately House; you grace our den. May you find it sufficient to your needs and abundant in comforts.”
“Well said.” To Tsumiko’s surprise, Adoona stepped forward and kissed Argent’s forehead. “I am Adoona-soh of the Elderbough pack, and I speak for the wolves. My son has been running with yours for some time. Gingko is second only to the moon in Farook-kel’s eyes.”
“You have been his second home, and for that, I am grateful.”
Her answering smile flashed with fangs, and Tsumiko found she liked her breezy confidence.
The she-wolf next bestowed a kiss on Tsumiko. “My son speaks highly of you.”
“Naroo-soh.” Oh, of course. They’d learned of her from him. “He has my regard as well.”
“You do not quite match his description. Harmonious was right. You are a quiet one.” With a pointed look at Argent, Adoona-soh added, “Too quiet.”
Argent calmly asked, “What were you expecting?”
Her tail swayed slowly, and she made a gesture for peace. “I expected nothing, but I hoped for trust. Let us help you, Kindred.”
Michael hurried over, hands upraised. “There seems to be some confusion. Gingko only told us to expect guests. Did you come with some purpose in mind?”
A diplomatic enough demand, but its essence was clear—state your business.
Harmonious Starmark threw his arms wide. “Do you think we came to while away an afternoon? Of course there’s a purpose!”
Stepping forward, Hisoka said, “I take full responsibility for this assemblage. And though our reasons are manifold, the most pressing is a gap in our ranks. The representative for the fox clans recently stepped down. We are here to assess Argent’s qualifications.”
“Impossible.” Argent looked from face to face. “I am nobody. And I have nothing to offer.”
“I’ll admit, the details I’ve gathered are largely unconfirmed, but they create an appealing profile.” Hisoka asked, “Will you hear me out?”
“Go on, then. What do you presume to know?”
“You are familiar with human customs, expressions, and assumptions. And you are fluent in several of their languages.” Hisoka paused, but when Argent offered no response, he continued. “You have stayed informed regarding news from the In-between, in large part because of the strong ties you’ve formed with Michael, First of Wards, and Sansa, a daughter of the Order of Spomenka. And you cherish a son of mixed heritage.”
Argent’s eyes narrowed. “One poster child is not enough?”
“Not if we expect to protect others like them.” Hisoka kept right on going. “You and your lady saved the life of a human woman during the delivery of a hybrid child, using a technique that has since saved the lives of two other women.”
“Really?” Tsumiko asked
. “In so short a time?”
Michael spoke up. “Rilka and her attendants left us almost immediately after Lilya’s birth, claiming an emergency. Was it related?”
Hisoka inclined his head. “Mare Withershanks had been in contact with her former apprentice—Brynn Fallowfield. Afterward, she wished to try some new techniques with two women who had been under observation for some months.”
Tsumiko leaned forward. “And …?”
“Both women survived delivery.”
She dared to ask, “The babies?”
Hisoka’s lips thinned, but he nodded. “Alive.”
Adoona-soh stepped in. “While the official report from England states that the Smythe infant was stillborn, my son let it be known that he considers your son to be under his protection.”
“Subtle,” muttered Argent.
“He shared the truth in the strictest confidence, as do I.” Adoona-soh arched her brows at Tsumiko. “May we see him?”
She hesitated, glancing toward the dragon spokesperson. Hadn’t there been something said about dragons putting down children with mixed bloodlines?
“One matter at a time,” begged Hisoka. “If I may continue?”
Adoona waved a hand at him. “You know how much we love the sound of your voice.”
Hisoka smiled serenely. “If I seem to drone on, it is only because our host is eminently qualified for the post I am offering.”
Argent huffed.
“There is, of course, the matter of Miss Hajime. The international community loves the idea of a bond that transcends species. Your choice will endear you to the public.”
The fox’s expression soured further. “So this truly is a publicity stunt.”
Tsumiko was grateful when Sansa slipped to her other side. The battler’s presence was steadying, especially when all the attention suddenly shifted her way.
Hisoka said, “Miss Hajime, while you show no signs at the moment, you impressed one of our best trackers. And Naroo-soh is not given to exaggeration. I take it you are an unregistered reaver?”
Put on the spot, Tsumiko couldn’t lie. “Yes.”
“And not your garden variety reaver. Otherwise you wouldn’t need Michael’s ward at your wrist.”
“Tsk.” Argent stole the beads, tossing them to Michael. “She does not need the trinket.”
“Only because you have sufficient strength to contain her.” Hisoka looked around the circle. “Could any of you manage such a feat?”
“I would like to try,” declared the remaining committee member.
They turned to the spokesperson for the dragon clans. Lean and long-waisted, his style of dress was subtly different than the others. Tsumiko decided he looked like a desert-dweller with his swagged robes and pointed slippers. And he looked normal, or as normal as anyone could look with blue hair. Straight and fine, it was dark as a midnight sky, a strange counterpoint to the deep brown of his skin. But the full dragon lacked Kyrie’s freckled scales and subtle ridges. Tsumiko had hoped for some hint as to whether or not her son was truly sprouting horns. Clearly, crossers displayed more animalistic features then their Amaranthine parents.
“My name is Lapis Mossberne, and I speak for the dragons.” His voice was deep and dark, and his slow smile could only be called sultry. “Lovely one, if this rascal of a fox kit cannot handle the starry grandeur of your soul, hasten to one who can appreciate your quality.”
Tsumiko wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or insulted, but she was blushing badly.
And somehow, Argent decided that the best response was to blindside them all. Withdrawing his hold, he let them feel the full force of a beacon’s brilliance.
Lapis Mossberne sank to his knees, gazing at Tsumiko with raw devastation.
Harmonious grunted and bent to grip his shoulders, hauling him backward. “Pull yourself together, Lapis.”
Although he spoke softly, Hisoka’s voice carried weight. “Enough, Argent. He is one of the Broken and cannot defend himself.”
Instantly, Tsumiko felt Argent reassert himself. Michael knelt before the stunned dragon and took his wrists. He spoke to him in an undertone, and Tsumiko noticed Spokesperson Mossberne’s heavy stone bracelets. Could they be a ward against reavers?
Harmonious helped the shaky dragon to his feet. Lapis was certainly in the worst shape, but the others showed subtle signs of having been affected. Hisoka’s pupils were blown wide, and Adoona-soh’s tail puffed. Harmonious kept rubbing at his forearms, as if trying to dispel gooseflesh. All avoided looking at her.
Argent arched his brows as if daring them to question his superiority. “I will thank the lot of you to refrain from propositioning my lady.”
Lapis brushed a shoulder. “Acquisition was not my goal. My caste is celibate.”
“I will say it again, fox,” said Adoona-soh. “We are here to help. Trust us.”
“And I will ask again. What do you presume to know?”
Hisoka ran his hand over the top of his head. “While I have the highest hopes for my newest protégé, she has more enthusiasm than subtlety. And a strong desire to outshine her very talented elder sister.”
Michael groaned. “Isla?”
With a faint smile, the cat said, “She is a tribute to your den, but her sudden—and very specific—interest in sigil formation was telling. I pieced together enough to grasp the import of Darya’s recent questions in class.”
“You’ve taken on Isla?” Michael was beaming despite the slip-up. “She never said. We’re honored by her apprenticeship.”
“And I count myself privileged, but back to the matter at hand.” Hisoka held Argent’s gaze. “I do not like to boast, but I have a firm grasp on sigil-craftsmanship. And Lapis understands wards, anchors, barriers, and the like. Especially those based upon blood.”
Argent’s gaze slanted toward the wolf and dog. “And those two?”
Harmonious folded his arms over his chest. “Raw power.”
“We can and will protect your lady,” said Adoona-soh.
Hisoka smiled. “On the rare occasion that they do decide to cooperate, the earth itself trembles.”
“How …” began Argent, his voice low. “How much do you need to know?”
“Nothing more than the challenge set before us,” he replied. “Allow us to attend to your need, and then you will be free to consider my need.”
Tsumiko kept her mouth firmly shut, not wanting to influence Argent’s decision.
Finally, he bowed his head. “Let it be to me as you say.”
SIXTY THREE
All Knowing
Tsumiko found it difficult to reconcile the lofty personages who regularly made the evening news with the people currently making themselves at home in Stately House. They smiled less but laughed more. Jibed and jostled instead of politely waiting their turn. And deftly inserted themselves into the day-to-day running of the household. It was surreal, seeing Harmonious Starmark emptying trash bins while Hisoka Twineshaft pared apples for pies.
But these were good signs. Probably.
At the very least, Tsumiko felt that these eminent world leaders were serious about helping Argent. But despite their solemn promise, the Five—or more accurately, the Four—hadn’t really accomplished anything. Except to accept their hospitality for an unforeseeable future.
“Is this really okay?” Tsumiko whispered to Sansa.
The woman passed along Kyrie and lifted Lilya from her bassinette. “How do you mean?” she asked, also in an undertone.
They were all the way upstairs, but Tsumiko wasn’t entirely certain they couldn’t be overheard. She gently jostled her little one, coaxing a burp. “It’s been two days already. Don’t these people have more important things to do?”
Sansa smiled and shook her head. “Sensei would not be here if we were not important to him.”
&n
bsp; That wasn’t quite what she meant. “Spokesman Twineshaft obviously cares about you and Michael, but Argent and I are virtual strangers. Why is he dedicating all his resources to our problem?”
“Sensei sees backward and forward. A clear, vast picture.” Sansa stroked her daughter’s cheek. “No one else dreamed of an Emergence, yet all the world now shares his hope. If Sensei is here, you have become part of his dream. This is good, yes?”
Tsumiko shifted uncomfortably. “So he’s helping us because he wants to use us?”
“Our teacher is both diplomat and strategist. He will smile and he will scheme, but his ambitions are not for himself.” Sansa calmly repeated, “This is good, yes?”
“Maybe,” she conceded. “But how does Spokesman Twineshaft decide what’s good?”
“Sensei has always welcomed questions.” Sansa’s eyebrows rose. “Ask him.”
. . .
Tsumiko couldn’t bring herself to question Hisoka Twineshaft. Her questions all tasted too much like doubt, so she kept them to herself. Or tried to.
Argent had once told her that Amaranthine could smell a lie. Was it any wonder they could also sniff out suspicions and secrets? Hisoka found her in Michael’s study, which wasn’t as impenetrable as she’d hoped, since he strolled through the wards as if they didn’t exist. Tsumiko wanted to call for Argent. She wanted to run and hide. She wanted to avoid this conversation, and she wasn’t even sure why.
“I apologize,” he said, backing up a step. “Is this a bad time?”
Tsumiko stared fixedly at the book she’d been indexing, the latest volume in the vast pile of research into the various forms of Amaranthine bonds. Pulling it closer, as if to shield herself, she waited to see what he might say. But when she finally dared to glance up, Hisoka was gone. And she was relieved.
But also ashamed. And unable to focus. Tsumiko migrated to the shelves, pushing books into neater arrangement like a fussing phoenix. When a hand settled lightly on her shoulder, she flinched.