Claddings of Light : Book 12 of Painting the Mists

by Patrick Laplante

  No, Mi Fei thought. Not me. That had been another life. Another person who’d died. But was it him? Could it be him?

  Xiao Bai woke up beside her. She yawned and stretched in an exaggerated manner. “You okay?” she asked, though Mi Fei knew she was only pretending. She’d likely been up long ago, having woken from her screams. She did that from time to time, if only to give the appearance of normality.

  Mi Fei looked to the clock and saw it was four after four, still early. No, she thought. The clock is broken. An ominous sign, and ominous numbers. The sun had risen long ago. “I’m fine,” Mi Fei lied. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for threats. Training with Daoist Burning Sword and Xiao Bai had made her edgy. The increased frequency of nightmares hadn’t helped, of course. The visions of darkness and the cage and tightening ropes.

  “You don’t look fine,” Xiao Bai said. “We should go do something. Get out. You’ve been training too hard.”

  “We need to be ready for it,” Mi Fei said. Besides, she didn’t really want to go outside. Not today.

  “Life is supposed to be fun,” Xiao Bai said. “Why spend all your time chasing shadows?”

  “I dreamed of him again,” Mi Fei said softly. “The man with the double scythe. Is that who’s chasing me, Xiao Bai? Is he the shadow?”

  “He’s not here,” Xiao Bai her expression darkening. “I would know it if he was.”

  Mi Fei shut her eyes and let herself sink into her plush bed. She didn’t want to wake up. She didn’t want to face the day. But then her communication device buzzed, and she got up with a sigh. “Wei Longshen, you idiot,” she muttered. She hastily typed out a scathing reply but stopped short of sending it.

  “Breakfast?” Xiao Bai said, peeking at the device. “Breakfast sounds good.”

  “He invited me, not you,” Mi Fei said. She sighed. “Fine. I’ll play along. But don’t expect me to be happy about it.”

  Mi Fei forced herself out of bed. She changed her sweaty nightgown for relaxed cultivation robes, because why not? Why should she dress up for a date? It was his problem if others judged him for it, not hers.

  “You look even more tired now than when you woke up,” Xiao Bai said.

  “I’m just angry and frustrated,” Mi Fei said. Then she saw a flash of black, and she dove, grabbing Xiao Bai and tossing her to the ground. Only to hear a loud meow from one of the family cats that had entered through the partly open doorway. She trotted around, begging for food, then, seeing what she was looking for, grabbed a thigh of chicken off a plate that had been left for her when she woke. “Stupid cat.”

  “You know, I’m starting to think all this training was counterproductive,” Xiao Bai said.

  “Really?” Mi Fei said. “I don’t think so. You can’t surprise me half as often as you used to, and you can’t spy on me so easily. It’s also done wonders for my self-esteem.” Still, she looked around warily. The shadow had gone, but the feeling hadn’t. She felt dread slowly fermenting inside her.

  “You need to relax, girl,” Xiao Bai said. “I’ve been watching, and I haven’t seen anything.”

  “Then that just means that whoever it is, he’s stronger than you and me,” Mi Fei said.

  “Or,” Xiao Bai said.

  “Or it’s all in my head,” Mi Fei admitted. “I know. And you’re probably right. I just can’t shake the feeling.”

  “What you really need is a holiday,” Xiao Bai said. “A permanent one. Somewhere far away from this hellhole.”

  “I already told you, I’m not skipping town,” Mi Fei said.

  “I’m just saying it’s an option,” Xiao Bai said. “Things change.”

  “I’ll consider it if and when they do,” Mi Fei said. “What time is it?”

  “Ten after nine,” Xiao Bai said.

  Mi Fei closed her eyes and sighed. “I missed tea with my mother,” she said.

  “You could skip,” Xiao Bai said.

  “I promised,” Mi Fei said. It was just one of those days where she wished she hadn’t woken up.

  Mi Fei skipped her morning training. She was late, and she wasn’t in the mood. Xiao Bai ran off to do whatever demons did, and Mi Fei went ahead to the family manor. “Might as well get this over with,” she muttered, making her way to a small but secluded guest room. She pushed the door open and sat down for all of five minutes before her mother arrived.

  “You look sick,” Madame Mi said as she poured them tea.

  “I feel sick,” Mi Fei said. “I also have this feeling I just can’t shake.”

  “Then I’ll pour you something for your throat,” her mother said. “Something relaxing.” She poured a minty tea that had hints of lemon and licorice. No sugar, obviously. Proper tea didn’t have sweeteners. “And what are your plans for the day?”

  “Breakfast with Longshen, whenever he gets here,” Mi Fei said. Her mother pursed her lips. “What?”

  “Well, he hasn’t exactly been popular of late, and you haven’t been mentioning him or seeing him,” her mother said. “I’d just assumed...”

  “Spit it out,” Mi Fei grumbled. “What have you been hearing?”

  “More of the same,” her mother said. “But I don’t want to speak ill of a boy you’re seeing.”

  “Just get it over with,” Mi Fei said. She might not be well connected, but her mother talked. Information was her weapon.

  “Well,” Madame Mi said hesitantly. “The latest rumor is that he’s been spending extra time at the Yin Clan, whose ancient matriarch has recently risen from the grave,” her mother said. “It’s all quite sketchy, but people insinuate things…”

  “You’ve got to be joking,” Mi Fei said.

  “I didn’t say the things they said were reasonable,” Madame Mi said. “You know as well as I do that it’s easy to kick people when they’re down. The Wei Clan has taken quite the beating lately.”

  “But no more deaths?” Mi Fei asked.

  “None I’ve heard of,” her mother replied.

  Mi Fei relaxed. “No one stays popular forever, Mother.”

  Her mother nodded and took a sip from her porcelain teacup. She’d taken out her plain white set today. It was one of nine sets she kept handy in case guests were here. Still, given the broken clock and the numbers shown, white was an ominous color.

  “You would definitely know him better than anyone else,” Madame Mi said. “I apologize.”

  “You’re not the one saying these things, are you?” Mi Fei asked.

  “No, but—”

  “Then there’s no need,” Mi Fei said.

  To which her mother forced a smile. “I’ve just done much to hurt you in recent memory,” she said. “I’d like to avoid a repeat.”

  “Anything else I should be aware of?” Mi Fei asked.

  Her mother hesitated. “I heard Cao Wenluan won a decisive battle in the demon lands recently. A half dozen rune-gathering elders from middling clans and sects died, but demonic forces have been crippled.”

  “He always seems to make the news,” Mi Fei said.

  “Cao Wenji was here again,” her mother continued. “She insisted that I tell you her offer was still on the table.”

  Mi Fei put her cup down slowly and pressed each of her ten fingers together. “Mother, I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again: I won’t consider anything to do with Cao Wenluan.”

  “But—”

  “I don’t care how aggressively Cao Wenji and her friends try to convince you,” Mi Fei said.

  “Do you think I don’t know that, dearest?” her mother asked, putting her cup down. “I mention it because you should consider it, daughter. Things are changing in the capital.”

  “How so?” Mi Fei asked. Her mother had never reacted so strongly before.

  “Before, Cao Wenji’s jokes and suggestions were casual,” Madame Mi said. “Now, even the slightest comment she makes affects our business relationships.”

  “Like they did with the Wei Clan?” Mi Fei asked.

 
“Yes, just not as badly,” her mother replied. “I hope you see the difficult position our clan is in. For now, it’s mostly the Wei Clan being targeted. Who knows if we’ll be next?”

  Mi Fei frowned. “Surely they can’t pressure everyone this way.”

  “The amount of collusion and pressure I’ve seen lately is unprecedented,” Madame Mi said. “You might not know this, but three of the five great sects have joined the war effort.”

  She did know that but feigned ignorance. “But they hate the army and the prefectural government!”

  “Each sect is sending ten elders and several of their most elite inner disciples,” her mother continued. “Many outer disciples will be joining the army as auxiliary forces as well. Not only that, the Xia Clan has sent many of its own elders to the front line. It’s only a matter of time before our family does so as well.”

  “What’s convinced them all to unite?” Mi Fei asked probingly.

  “Not what, but who,” her mother replied. “Cao Wenluan, commander of the allied forces, is now a half step into the rune-gathering and muscle-empowering realms. It is said that he could break through at any time. And he is young. With unlimited potential.”

  “But he’s just one man,” Mi Fei said.

  “One man who can defeat half the elders in the prefecture,” her mother corrected. “Now do you see why I push you so? Why he so often becomes the focal point of our conversations?”

  Mi Fei sat back and slumped in her chair. Her calming tea lay cold and forgotten. She felt a surge of panic, only to realize it was a pulse in her mind alerting her that she’d just received a message. She checked her communication device and saw that Wei Longshen would be arriving soon. “I need to go,” Mi Fei said.

  “Go have your fun,” her mother said. “I’ll clean up.”

  “Mother,” Mi Fei said. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “It’s nothing for you to worry about,” her mother said. “Go. Enjoy your youth. I’ll fight off Cao Wenji while you’re gone. She was going to try ambushing you for breakfast, but I suppose Wei Longshen had good timing.”

  “But I—”

  “Go,” her mother said wearily. It was only now that Mi Fei realized it wasn’t only her who was tired, but her mother as well.

  “How unlucky,” Wei Longshen said to the driver as they waited, the funeral procession up ahead in full swing. Four pale caskets carried by four pallbearers each flew slowly through the multileveled streets.

  “Nasty thing, wars,” his driver said.

  “And rarely ever worthwhile,” Wei Longshen said. “See how they parade them? The foolish dead?” These pale caskets contained the corpses of elders who had died in a fierce battle in the demon lands, facilitating the death of a dozen demon elders and the conquest of several major inky wells.

  “It’s not good to speak ill of the dead,” the driver replied. “You of all people should know better.”

  In fact, Wei Longshen knew exactly how little the dead could do, though he said nothing to the contrary. Instead, he worried himself about Mi Fei’s obvious irritation. Which was understandable—he hadn’t been very communicative of late. But what else could he do? He’d been busy scooping water out of a sinking ship. They’d survived, and now he could finally see to more personal things.

  Four weeks. No new assassinations. There had been no major accidents save for a group of young clansmen who’d gotten themselves killed after joining the war. Unfortunately, the unseen stalker still haunted their balance sheets. Over the past four weeks, many faithful business partners had decided to leave for better shores. Workers had defected en masse to other clans or sects. It had crippled their production capacity and made it difficult to stay afloat.

  She’s reasonable, Wei Longshen thought. She’ll understand. She wasn’t clueless like those outside that proudly waved white flags in support of their supposed heroes.

  “I think things are clearing up,” his driver said.

  “Finally,” Wei Longshen said. A path opened. They eased their way onto the high road out of the city.

  The flight to the Mi Clan estate didn’t take much time at all. He sent a message as they approached. Mi Fei flew onto the ship before they could even lower the ramp. “I’m happy to see you too,” Wei Longshen said, noting her frustration.

  “Let’s just go,” Mi Fei said. She looked tired. Even more than usual.

  Wei Longshen nodded, and the driver took off. “Nightmares again?”

  “Oh, so you suddenly care about my well-being?” Mi Fei said. “Given your lack of communication and messages, I’d resigned myself to being an afterthought.” Then her expression softened. “You look dreadful.”

  Wei Longshen laughed. “I haven’t slept in weeks or changed my clothes in days.”

  “Where are we headed?” Mi Fei asked.

  “I didn’t even have time to plan,” Wei Longshen said. “Do you know any good places?”

  “I’ve heard of one,” she replied, a hint of a smile tugging at a corner of her scowl, “but it’s going to cost you.”

  “How exactly do I eat these silly things?” Wei Longshen asked as he awkwardly handled a fork and knife. “And why exactly do we have to order our own personal dishes?”

  “Apparently it’s a thing in Mendin,” Mi Fei said with a sniff. Naturally, she’d suggested the place she’d used to bully Cha Ming last time. It was extortionately expensive, and a nice change from the savory dishes her family served. “You pour some of the syrups over these pancakes, along with some of that fluffy sweet white stuff, and cut pieces with your fork and knife.” He followed her directions dubiously, and she only needed to correct him a few times. She was still very angry at Wei Longshen, despite how pitiful he looked.

  “These are good,” Wei Longshen said, taking a bite. “Surprisingly good. But way too sweet.”

  “There’s no such thing as too sweet,” Mi Fei said. She turned to her own plate of food. Something called waffles. The checkered things were larger than pancakes, but they weren’t stacked. And this one had roast chicken on the side. What a strange combination.

  She slathered both waffle and chicken with chocolate and strawberry syrups and added cream for good measure. The waffle was good, though it tasted strange since her blocked nose and sniffle skewed her tastebuds. And the chicken was strange too. Should she have used another sauce on it instead of chocolate and strawberry?

  “This tea is terrible,” Wei Longshen said, putting his cup down with a frown. “Why did you even suggest I order this?”

  “Apparently you need to add sugar and milk,” Mi Fei said smugly. She took a sip of frothy hot chocolate she’d discovered on the menu. It was much better than the bitter black tea and only added to the sweet taste of revenge.

  Then she frowned. Her bubbling feeling of anxiety was creeping up on her again. She saw no shadow, or even the hint of it, but she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. There’s nothing there, she reminded herself. I’m safe.

  “Are you all right? Wei Longshen asked.

  “I’m fine,” Mi Fei lied.

  “I’m sorry for not sending messages more often,” Wei Longshen said. “I was really busy.”

  Mi Fei sighed. “It’s not just about the messages. You could have made time to actually see me.”

  “I was busy,” Wei Longshen said. “Truly busy. When people’s livelihoods are at stake, you can’t just throw it all up and go on a date.”

  “I understand that,” Mi Fei said. “But you do realize that I’ve literally been training my entire life to be of assistance to someone running a great clan, do you not?”

  Wei Longshen paused. “I hadn’t considered that.”

  “And you do realize that if our relationship continues in the future, I will need to fill such a role, do you not?” Mi Fei continued.

  “It seems I’ve been a fool,” Wei Longshen said.

  “I can help you if you’re in trouble, Longshen,” Mi Fei said, placing her hand on his. “You obviously can’t share all
your clan secrets with me, but I can take care of some things if you just give me temporary authority and point me in the right direction.”

  “So you’re telling me… that you’re not just an overpowered cultivator?” Wei Longshen said, aghast. “You’ve been hiding it this whole time?”

  Mi Fei slapped his hand indignantly. “The saying is that I’m not just a pretty face. No need to make me sound like a brute.”

  He chuckled at her reaction, and she glared. You want to fight? Fine. She grabbed the menu aggressively and began to plot her revenge. Chocolate muffins. Yes. That was overpriced revenge if she ever saw it. She placed an order immediately and was rewarded with a half-melted piece of heavenly bliss.

  Wei Longshen glanced at the cake-like item. “Mind if I…” He reached over with his fork.

  She slapped his hand. “Back off. Get your own muffin.”

  He shook his head. “No need. I just thought that—”

  “Well, it’s considered rude in Mendin,” Mi Fei said, cutting a piece of the muffin and sticking it in her mouth. She was only fifty percent sure of that, but the muffin was good. She didn’t want to share it. “So? Say it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Wei Longshen said. “Again.”

  “And?”

  “And I’ll ask you to help me next time,” Wei Longshen said. “Will you please forgive me?”

  She took her time, hemming and hawing, before finally nodding. “Fine. I’ll consider it.” Wei Longshen relaxed visibly. “I was speaking to my mother recently. Seems Cao Wenluan is all the rage.”

  “Tell me about it,” Wei Longshen said. “I had no idea what kind of pull he had until now.”

  “You mentioned a sinking ship,” Mi Fei said. “What exactly happened?”

  “At first, a few of the new clans and sects defected,” Wei Longshen said. “And then, some long-time allies abandoned us. To make matters worse, old business partners began renegotiating ancient contracts. On top of that, a large group of professionals in our family decided it was a great time to form something called a union. The temporary increase in costs and the halt in production forced us to liquidate assets just to keep the family business afloat. Oh, and some of our magisters and two of our ministers got fired. And then there was drama with three of the great sects, which we totally botched but somehow managed to salvage. I suppose someone else had it in for them.”