Symphony of Fates: A Legends of Tivara Story (The Dragon Songs Saga Book 4)

by JC Kang

  He stared at his next arrow, its head glittering in a ray of sun. Other than the sparkles, it seemed like ordinary stone. Though perfectly smooth and razor sharp, it still shouldn’t have been able to penetrate metal.

  Several Teleri shouted, Kiri yelled, Jie screamed.

  Ming turned to see yet another altivorc ready to decapitate Jie, whose arm hung limply at her side. He nocked and loosed two arrows in quick succession. Both found their mark, knocking the brute on his back. The half-elf owed him her life one more time, for saving her from the orcs yet again.

  He raked his gaze across the clearing. Tian lay on his back, breathing but unconscious. Kiri was sprawled on top of him, and Jie over her. A virtual threesome with identical twins! One of Ming’s daydreams—albeit with statuesque beauties in place of a homicidal smart-mouth and her taciturn sister.

  Several more able-bodied Teleri looked up from the half-elf heap and met his eyes.

  He only had two arrows left. He nocked and loosed both, dropping the closest and slowing the next. Behind them, an amorphous gaggle of enemies charged. In the back, the elves ventured into the clearing and pulled Tian and the half-elves into the trees.

  Someone tugged at his arm. He looked down to find little Kala, her gaze intense.

  “Run!” she said.

  Not daring a glance back, he took off down some random path. There was no way they could outrun the long-legged Bovyans, especially not his diminutive guide. Who’d just spoken in the Hua tongue.

  Twigs and needles crunched under Teleri boots behind them, yet the sound grew distant. They burst out into another clearing, where tall boulders rose out of the forest floor. Somewhere, water tumbled over stones. Kala pulled him along the edge of the rocks, then turned sharply back into a crevice.

  Where had that come from? Rounded steps rolled up the rock formation, blending in seamlessly with the surroundings. Another cleft opened into a small basin with a pool, whose waters glowed a luminous blue. Just like Guanyin’s Teardrop in Fenggu Province, which he’d visited several times as a youth. Its waters supposedly had healing powers.

  Kala covered Ming’s gasp before it escaped. She pointed down, where the Teleri soldiers jogged by. Nine in all.

  One stopped right near the crevice. He looked left, looked right… But never up. Another voice called from the distance. “We’ve lost them!”

  “Go find one of the native trackers,” another voice said. “Bring them here.”

  The man at the base of the boulders turned around and jogged back the way he came.

  Ming let out a long sigh and faced Kala. Something was wrong here; things didn’t quite add up on a broken abacus. “How do you speak our language?”

  Kala’s eyes rounded, but then she cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. Unintelligible syllables spilled out of her mouth, replacing her broken Hua.

  Chapter 23:

  Indecent Proposals

  Thank the Heavens for the Tiger’s Eye. Without it, none of Kaiya’s discipline could’ve kept her from recoiling from Chief Minister Hong’s attempted kiss. He was old enough to be her father, maybe even grandfather.

  Still, his literal proposal might be a viable option if no others presented themselves. She maintained the shy girl façade, drawing back before he kissed her neck, and pulling her sleeping robe tighter to completely cover her breasts. “I…I appreciate your willingness to make such a sacrifice. Please, it has been a long day. Let me consider it over sleep.” She bowed low, like a potential bride at the matchmaker’s.

  Still kneeling, Hong waddled back and bowed. “Dian-xia, no matter what you choose, I will do everything I can to protect you.”

  “Thank you, Chief Minister.” She bowed again. Undoubtedly, he was squinting at her cleavage again. Jie had said something about him obsessing over her. Perhaps there was quite a bit of truth to that.

  His knees and spine creaked as he rose to his feet. Retrieving a lantern, he held a bow as he tottered backward to the entrance. He knocked on the doors, which opened, and backed out.

  When the door closed, plunging the room in darkness, Kaiya snorted. Hong was old, and marriage to him would likely not last long. It couldn’t be any worse than what Geros had done to her, and as long as the Tiger’s Eye pent up her emotions, it wouldn’t matter anyway. Though if Hong couldn’t perform in that ministry, then her babies would still not find legitimacy. Unless he died before their births.

  None of it would matter if Geros captured her, and as of yet, nothing stood between the enemy army and the capital.

  Feng Mi, forgotten in the drama, cleared her throat from up in the eaves. “You should rest, Dian-xia. There is a lot to think about.” Her voice couldn’t be much more disdainful.

  Kaiya smiled at her, even if she probably couldn’t see it. “I always insisted Jie speak freely. Tell me, what do you think?”

  “The Chief Minister keeps a half-Ayuri concubine in the Floating World. He is unfailingly careless whenever he visits.” That explained the disdain, though her tone now hinted at something more.

  “There is something else you want to say.”

  “That would not be appropriate.” Feng’s voice sounded like a raging torrent behind a dam. It wouldn’t take much to get her to speak.

  “I command you to speak your mind.”

  Feng harrumphed. “I cannot believe you are actually considering marrying Hong. Especially after you ruined things between Young Master Yan and Zheng Tian.”

  Kaiya sighed. It couldn’t be safe to have so many Moquan resentful of her. Yet how could she explain it? She remembered what love felt like, but her logical mind still wondered what she ever saw in Tian. Handsome and sweet, to be sure, but still a banished fourth son.

  It didn’t matter. Tian was dead, only rarely visiting in her dreams.

  Kaiya stood at the edge of Huajing’s largest market, usually noisy and vibrant during the daylight hours. Not today. Flags and paper lanterns hung lifelessly over deserted city streets.

  She was utterly alone. Where was everyone?

  A distant chorus of yells and shouts broke out behind her. She turned around to find herself on an abandoned river dock, looking out over the angry waters tumbling by. Dark clouds gathered above, sending streaks of lightning across the sky. Sunlight bathed the opposite bank, where crowds of her people beckoned. Some pointed at her.

  Or maybe behind her, where war drums pounded and boots clomped on Huajing’s paved city streets.

  She whirled back around. A sea of Teleri heavy infantry, with Geros at the fore, marched in perfect ranks through the marketplace. His eyes locked with hers, and a grin formed on his lips.

  That cruel smirk, the one he wore each time he… Kaiya’s heart seized. Her chest constricted, denying her even a single breath. She had to flee—right, left, back, anywhere—but her legs seemed made out of lead, her feet fused to the ground.

  Several of the advancing soldiers fell, breaking the Teleri’s perfect formation. They collapsed, driving an approaching crevice through their ordered lines, each time punctuated by grunts and groans. The gap opened up in the front phalanx, and a lithe figure spilled out.

  Jie! The half-elf spy, bloodied dao held in two hands, studied Geros for a split second, then turned and ran toward Kaiya. A rescue! If anyone could help her, it would be Jie. Their gazes met. Or did it? Jie looked past her, at…

  Kaiya twisted around, as best as her heavy legs would allow.

  Tian. He stood just a few feet away, looking...past her.

  Kaiya turned back around to find Jie closing. Behind her, the Teleri marched at double time, the holes in their ranks now closed. Geros sheathed a sword and loped over. Kaiya watched as Jie sprinted by and into Tian’s outstretched arms.

  Tears blurred Kaiya’s sight. He should be embracing her. Protecting her. She raised a hand to wipe her eyes.

  A huge gauntleted hand seized her wrist. Geros.

  Not again. Kaiya screamed.

  ***

  Kaiya jerked up in her bed, her
body wracking with sobs. Tian had abandoned her, in favor of Jie. Her sleeping robe was soaked.

  The Tiger’s Eye took hold, scattering all the unpleasant thoughts. It was only a dream. Tian was dead.

  Kaiya wiped away her tears just as the doors swished open. Squinting through the light of dawn, she brushed out the creases in her robe. Shadows at the door began to take shape.

  The weight and length of the footsteps sounded familiar. Her sister-in-law, Zhao Xiulan, knelt beside her. Her beautiful hair, gone. Extravagant gowns exchanged for the robes of a Praise Spring Temple nun. No longer was she the paragon of beauty and grace whom Kaiya’s younger self had idolized. More concerning was how thin her face looked.

  “Eldest Sister.” Kaiya bowed.

  Xiulan shook her head, expression serene. “I have taken the temple name An-Guo to represent my hopes while I pray for Kai-Guo’s repose.”

  An, for peace; Guo for nation, the same character as Kai-Guo’s. A beautiful double entendre, but nonetheless, the kind and thoughtful sister-in-law would always be Xiulan, Extraordinary Orchid, in Kaiya’s heart.

  If she could ever find her heart under the blanket of the Tiger’s Eye. Kaiya leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Xiulan. “I am so sorry for your loss. I so wanted to come back as soon as I got your letter.”

  Xiulan nodded. “Chief Minister Hong asked that I write it.”

  Hong again. Apparently, this unlikely suitor had been thinking of her for a while. “Thank you for visiting me, though it might not be wise to call on a potential traitor.”

  Xiulan beamed and shook her head. “I asked to be your attendant.”

  Again, the Tiger’s Eye didn’t block Kaiya’s surprise, even if it prevented her from feeling mortified by the proposition. She waved her hand. “I could never face Kai-Guo in the afterlife if I allowed you to do that.”

  “I could never face him if I didn’t.” Xiulan squeezed Kaiya’s hand, then turned and waved toward the door. “And you will never live down the embarrassment of presenting yourself to the regent dressed in a sleeping robe or travelling rags.”

  A servant shuffled in, holding a low bow. She extended a blue court gown in two hands.

  “Leave us,” Xiulan said, receiving the dress.

  The servant backed out and closed the door, leaving the room illuminated with a light bauble lamp.

  Clambering to her feet, Kaiya straightened the covers on the makeshift bed.

  Xiulan sucked in a sudden breath. “Since when do you make your own bed?”

  “The testy half-elf handmaiden never helped in my travels.”

  Xiulan nodded. “She was poorly trained.”

  At least as a handmaiden and in court etiquette. In other ways… Kaiya smiled. “Hopefully, I will come back to a bed and not to the executioner’s block.”

  “I will pray for your exoneration.” Xiulan bowed. Apparently, Liu’s intentions were no secret, at least in the court. “If Heaven fails you, I will slit my own throat.” She reached for the sash’s knot at Kaiya’s waist.

  Fighting off her hands, Kaiya undid the binding herself and shrugged out of the robe. Exposing herself might be out of character, or at least from what Xiulan knew from their past, but it wasn’t like they hadn’t soaked in hot springs together before.

  Nonetheless, Xiulan coughed. “You have lost weight, except…” She shook her head and presented the inner gown.

  Kaiya received it in two hands. She slipped it on and wrapped a white sash around her waist. It squeezed around her pregnancy-swollen bust.

  “I thought I knew your size.” Eyes narrowed, Xiulan cocked her head. “Perhaps I was wrong, and unfortunately, your wardrobe is in the sealed-off castle.”

  Those dresses likely wouldn’t fit, either. Kaiya stretched an arm into the hanging sleeve of the outer gown. Perhaps it’d been a bad idea to undress in front of Xiulan. She’d tried to conceive for so long. If she deduced—

  A wave of morning sickness rolled through her. Covering her mouth, she heaved, but luckily, nothing came up. She glanced up.

  Xiulan’s eyebrow rose, though her lips squeezed tight. “Come, the regent awaits.”

  Kaiya nodded and followed Xiulan out of the hall. Outside by the steps knelt a dozen imperial guards, and several familiar faces. Among them, Chief Minister Hong’s gaze met hers, perhaps searching for an answer to his question. Doctor Wu, as well, looked at her through her unique blue eyes. Or maybe not so unique; the luminous color seemed familiar somehow. Where—

  “Dian-xia.” One voice out of the chorus stood out. Fang Weiyong’s. How had he gotten here? The bright robes of Yang-Di and meticulously coiffed hair felt strange after all these months of seeing him dress like a Kanin tribesman.

  “Fang Weiyong,” Kaiya said. “I am glad to see you safe. Your hair.”

  He bowed. “Yes, Dian-xia. I came straight away from…but yes, there was no time to shave my head.”

  It might have been faster to shave it than to put the effort into coiffing it. In fact, Weiyong never appeared so gentlemanly. And he was somehow here, out of Fu’s clutches.

  “You did not find time to keep it cut during your time in the wilderness?” Eyes slitted, Xiulan looked from Kaiya to Weiyong and back.

  He bowed. “Unfortunately, my razor dulled, and we also tried to blend in with the natives.”

  “Dian-xia.” Doctor Wu’s voice silenced everyone. “I came to the palace as soon as I heard you had arrived. Everyone in the streets is talking about it. Luckily, I was able to get Weiyong in. Now come along, we mustn’t try the regent’s patience.” Without waiting, she turned and walked down the steps with the speed and grace of someone a quarter her age. However old that was.

  Kaiya followed her and the rest of the entourage fell in behind. Despite the hour, when the palace grounds would normally be awash with ministers and servants, the walkways and courtyards were nearly deserted.

  At the foot of the one hundred and sixty-eight steps to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Kaiya looked up. Sleep had done little to refresh her. After the climb, she’d be exhausted again.

  Weiyong’s eyes followed the steps up as well. “Allow me to help you, Dian-xia.”

  Minister Hong bowed. “I will assist you, as well.”

  Kaiya nodded, and they proceeded up the marble steps. Weiyong kept his firm hand in hers, pulling her with encouragement when she slowed. Minister Hong offered a tentative hand on her elbow as well. Behind them, imperial guards and other officials muttered at the breach of decorum.

  At last, they arrived at the top. Her legs protested as she stepped over the ghost-tripping threshold, but with Weiyong’s help, she made it across without an embarrassing tumble to the ground. The room quieted as soon as she stepped in.

  How could there be so few people? Whereas the ministers, officials, and hereditary lords used to cover almost every chi of the floor, today there couldn’t be more than sixty. The Jade Throne at the front of the hall stood empty, though Regent Liu sat at its right hand. Beside him knelt an old man…Treasury Minister Geng.

  Kaiya took a deep breath and straightened her carriage. Murmurs surfaced again as she glided down the central row between the thin ranks of men. Just before the throne, she stopped, stretched out her arms to straighten her sleeves, and knelt. How low to bow? Maybe if her baby nephew sat on the throne, recognized as Tianzi, it would warrant her forehead to the floor. A regent…no one had held that position since the Founder’s consort, over two centuries ago; and in any case, an imperial princess’ rank stood only a rung lower than a prince.

  Whether Liu Yong considered her an imperial princess or not was another story. Either way, playing the role of demure woman would more likely win him over. Waiting until Chief Minister Hong took his place on the dais, she set her hands in front of her knees and bowed low. Whispers rumbled through the assembled men.

  “Rise.” The regent waved a dismissive hand. Behind him, Minister Geng whispered something in his ear.

  She raised her head. “Jie-x
ia, I—”

  “—are trying to incite a revolt against my grandson’s rule, I hear.” He scowled.

  At least Chief Minister Hong had warned her, so it didn’t come as a surprise. “No, Jie-xia. I have come with dire news of a Teleri invasion.”

  The lords and ministers broke out in a low murmur of confusion. Minister Geng leaned in and whispered something to Liu again. Chief Minister Hong tried to approach the regent, only to have Minster Geng box him out. Perhaps Hong had less influence than he thought.

  The regent slapped his hand down on the armrest. “A distraction, making use of the light towers to scare the populace and rally the troops to you. You cannot fool me. No army can breach the Great Wall.”

  Kaiya shook her head. “I assure you—”

  “What you say does not agree with what you did.” Minister Geng wagged his finger at her. “The way station claimed you approached with a ragtag militia of insurgents and imperial soldiers. I think you were raising an army of your own.”

  It was clear who was in charge. A baby might act as Tianzi, a fool might be regent, but ultimately, it was an ambitious minister who pulled more than purse strings. Kaiya placed a hand on her chest and faced Liu Yong, whose bewildered expression did not bode well for Hua. “Jie-xia, I only wanted to warn the capital as quickly as possible.”

  Brows furrowed, the regent looked at Minister Geng, who in turn stared at her as if she were a commoner.

  Chief Minister Hong cleared his throat. “Princess Kaiya has always had the realm’s best interests at heart.”

  Minister Geng counted on his fingers. “Misappropriation of imperial resources. Fomenting rebellion. Jie-xia, you must ascertain her loyalty to your grandson, the Tianzi. Allow me some time with her, alone, for questioning.” A lurid smile formed. No surprise, given his lecherous reputation.

  Hong’s complexion blanched. “Jie-xia, I have always been loyal to you. I will retire. Please allow me to marry Princess Kaiya, and I will ensure she does not meddle in your affairs.”