by Rin Chupeco
“I don’t know. He has a habit of leaving when it suits him,” Khalad lied glibly. “He hasn’t returned from Santiang, and I was worried.”
“I am sorry we are meeting again under these circumstances.” Baoyi thawed considerably. “The situation has been complicated further by your…princess’s…arrival. I shall send out search parties of my own in the city.”
“I hope you don’t mind if we still conduct our own search?”
“Of course not. I wish us both all the success.” His clerk hurried forward, looking harried with a clipboard tucked under his arm. He murmured something in Baoyi’s ear, and the other man nodded. “I must go. Let me know if I can be of more assistance.”
“We will. Thanks.”
Shadi lowered her voice as we left the room. “What are your thoughts on the emperor and this Baoyi, you two?”
“It’s difficult to say for sure without a heartsglass,” Khalad said. “But Baoyi does sound genuinely concerned about Master.”
“It might be good to keep communications with him open,” Zoya decided. “He might find information we may not have access to. The emperor’s an admirer of asha, without a doubt, but it doesn’t seem likely that it was he who engineered these palace wards. It must have been someone of great skill, and I don’t see a Daanorian having that ability.”
“Have you ever considered that the elder asha might have a hand in this?” I asked quietly.
Zoya’s mouth fell open. “That’s crazy, Tea. Whatever their mistakes, they would never sink so low as to betray Kion.”
“They possess a False book much like I had.”
Shadi frowned. “They might have confiscated it from someone else in the past. Do you have any other proof?”
“No,” I was forced to admit. That Aenah had told me didn’t mean much either. But…
The pretty asha patted me reassuringly on the shoulder. “Let’s keep an open mind. I would say the duke is a far more viable suspect in this, with more evidence stacked against him.”
“I take it magic isn’t something they can easily get at in Daanoris?” Fox asked.
“Daanorian emperors of old have banned the practice of magic. Some nobles once dabbled in them or at least paid those skilled in the runes, with horrific results. The Daanorians imposed little restrictions on their magic, and twenty years of war soon decimated their population. It took Odalia, Kion, and the Yadosha city-states to put an end to the fighting, and every Daanorian ruler since then has pledged to never use runes. Even heartsglass was prohibited. That they have wards in place is suspicious in itself. Using magic to prevent other people from using magic sounds a little hypocritical to me.”
“But Emperor Shifang himself is keen on magic?”
“Not quite. His interest lies in the azi for the most part, given its similarity to his royal crest.” Shadi shrugged. “Hopefully, Emperor Shifang’s fascination with Princess Inessa shall work in our favor. In the meantime, Fox, try not to get yourself stabbed. You’re a little harder to explain.”
“I’ll try, milady.”
Khalad shut the door behind us, briefly pressing his ear against the door. Then he prowled the room, carefully tapping at the walls.
“Why all the secrecy, Khalad?”
“We need to go into the city,” the forger said quietly, pitching his voice lower. “I tried to earlier, but the guards stopped me under Tansoong’s orders.”
“The old man might not be as accommodating as we thought,” Kalen growled. “Didn’t they promise to allow us to search?”
“Sure—eventually, once the savul has been neutralized. Sorry, Tea, but the sooner we can get to that daeva, the sooner we can search.”
“I’d have done it already if I knew where it was,” I said. “Or if I could control the azi to search for it. But how certain are you that the Heartforger is in the city?”
“Master keeps a small house in Santiang.”
Zoya stared at him. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“It slipped my mind,” Khalad admitted. “He treats patients as a regular physician would, without using any magic, so he’s never gotten into trouble.”
“Do you know where this house is?”
“No, but I can find it.”
“Let’s give ourselves a few days to assess the politics in the palace first,” Zoya suggested. “I do not want to have to fight my way out of another kingdom so soon. We’ll need to ferret out more information about this Shaoyun fellow. It’s a long shot, but at least it’s a lead. Besides, I was never one to do things halfway.”
“No, you don’t,” Shadi said serenely, and Zoya blushed again.
• • •
It was difficult to find answers from the servants using only gestures and the most basic Daanorian I knew, but I finally found the gardens where Emperor Shifang was giving Princess Inessa the royal tour. It was an immense field, with each bush carefully clipped and tailored so none were out of place, and much of the shrubbery was shaped into different variations of dragons. The emperors of Daanoris, I thought, had a particular and peculiar fetish.
I felt Fox’s irritation. My brother leaned against a tree, glowering. Princess Inessa’s heartsglass told me she was bored, though she sent enthusiastic nods and wide smiles her fiancé’s way. She maintained a death grip on her collar and frequently snuck glances back at Fox to reassure herself she was not alone with the emperor.
I could understand his impatience. Every day we lingered, the chance of Prince Kance dying increased. Not for the first time, I cursed the barriers. Without them, we might have found the old forger by now, broken Inessa’s engagement under the threat of the azi, and left.
“Tell me more about Daanorian empresses,” Inessa said sweetly. “Were they brave fighters? Did they take command of armies?”
“They were as able as men,” came the proud response, translated through Tansoong. “Emperors are selective when it comes to wives. Should a ruler become incapacitated, they take over in his stead and command the same obedience. When Emperor Hansun fell dangerously ill, it was Empress Kalka who led the army to victory against Tresea, with only six hundred men against their thousand. And Queen Meili successfully conquered Arhen-Kosho when she married the sickly Emperor Jien, losing that kingdom only after her death. All young, blushing innocents before their marriage—as is required of them, naturally—yet with the courage of the gods in their blood. And with you by my side, my love, we shall lead Daanoris into further greatness.” He took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. Chagrin surged out at me from Fox’s end.
Where’s Likh? I asked quietly.
I think Inessa took pity on him and sent him to his room was the terse response.
You know, if you’re really bothered by this, you should speak up.
Who said it was bothering me?
You’re not as good at hiding your emotions as you were before I first drew the Veiling, Fox.
He scowled at me. That’s none of your business.
That’s never stopped you before.
I don’t like it, all right? It’s one thing to be engaged to Prince Kance, and it’s another to be betrothed to an emperor from another kingdom she knows nothing about! I saw the way he eyes her. She isn’t a person to him—she’s just another expensive ornament to display! I’d like to strangle that royal neck!
We’ve been in the Daanorian palace for barely a day, Fox. Let’s not set the fastest world record for bad manners.
I’m not going to lose my temper in front of her. I’m just…I’m just…
You’re what?
I don’t know. Nothing. It was not like Fox to sound so helpless, and my heart went out to him.
I could have told Fox to forget her, that Inessa was capable of handling herself or, failing that, her choices were her own to bear. But living inside his head and being more susceptible to his emotion
s changes one’s perspective.
Talk to her. She’s as scared about this as you are. You can’t be this dense.
He didn’t try to deny it. Not when the emperor is glued to her side all day, drooling like a little lapdog.
Do I have to do everything myself? I didn’t know if I was breaking Daanorian protocol by approaching the emperor, but I did it anyway. “Your Majesty?” My Daanorian was terrible, so I directed the words to Tansoong. “I’m sure you must have questions about the azi. Perhaps if you have time today…”
The emperor brightened at the mention of the azi. “But of course,” Tansoong said with some reluctance. “Perhaps after his majesty has shown Princess Inessa around the rest of the gardens—”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Princess Inessa broke in cheerfully. “I’ve taken up far too much of His Majesty’s time today, and I’m quite tired. I think I shall retire to my rooms. I would appreciate it if he can keep Lady Tea company.”
Tansoong relayed this to the emperor, who nodded. “If you say so, Princess. Some of the other concubines shall accompany you back to—”
“That won’t be necessary either,” Princess Inessa said, shying away from the suggestion. “I—I…”
“I’ll escort her back,” Fox interrupted.
Tansoong looked scandalized, and Princess Inessa hurriedly added, “He’s my personal guard after all. I’m used to having him near.”
A muscle ticked in Fox’s jaw, but he said nothing else.
Emperor Shifang looked puzzled but nodded once her request was translated. He took Inessa’s hands in his and kissed them again. “Until we meet again, qin’ai,” he said in the common tongue, with only the slightest accent.
“Qin’ai, my ass,” Fox growled as he stomped after the Kion princess.
The emperor was inquisitive and not as oblivious or as simple as he first appeared. With Tansoong acting as translator, he asked me several questions about the azi, and I told him how instead of killing the daeva, I had found myself bonded to it, leaving Aenah’s role out of the tale.
“I am glad you did not,” he said. “Dragons have always been a symbol of prosperity in Daanoris. We have always considered the azi a noble beast. And you control it?”
“My influence is absolute, Your Majesty,” I lied, not wanting any suggestions of weakness. “It is a good companion to me.”
“I understand that Kion is quite different from the true kingdom. I have only been to Ankyo twice, and your customs are perplexing.”
“I can understand why. In Kion, for example, the practice of concubinage has fallen out of use.”
Emperor Shifang looked startled and laughed. “I thought asha were something of concubines themselves. Now I understand your surprise when I asked for Lady Likh. We did not mean to offend you.”
“Does this mean His Majesty will no longer pursue…ah, Lady Likh?”
The man shook his head. “As I have decreed, so it must be done. Lady Likh will be treated well. Royal concubines are highly respected here. Many would consider this an honor.”
So much for extricating Likh. “We are accustomed to taking only one wife or husband in Kion.”
The emperor shrugged. “I come from an unbroken line descended from gods and can take as many to wife as I wish. Some of my councilors do not like my choice of a Kion princess, but Inessa is different. Empress Alyx is wise to accede to my wish.”
“This is my first time in Daanoris, and everything is new to me,” I apologized, retreating from dangerous ground. “Our healer has finished his assessment of the princess, and he wants to know if anything unusual happened before her collapse.”
The emperor frowned, worried. “I do not think so. My cousin was quite the typical Daanorian noblewoman—quiet and refined for her age, though keen on attending parties, as girls are wont to do.”
I sensed his impatience and soon begged my leave. I caught up to Tansoong as he too left the king. “Our healer has questions about Princess Yansheo. Did anyone visit her in the days leading up to the party?”
“No, our women do not interact with foreigners beyond our social functions.”
“What about Princess Yansheo’s admirers?”
“Minor nobles, no one she should’ve treated seriously. Prince Mailen and Prince Feiwong come from good enough houses. And there was the young Shaoyun, an impulsive young man, prone to speaking before thinking. His family is of some minor importance in the outer provinces, and to set his sights on someone like the princess displays arrogance on his part. I have not seen him since she fell sick, and good riddance to that.”
I hid my distaste. “Did you invite foreign visitors to her party?”
“Yes, mostly from Tresea. Of course, we extended an invitation to the Kion express and the Odalian king, but they were unable to attend. But I do recall Odalia sending a representative.”
“A representative?”
“Yes. It came as a surprise, for we did not know he was coming until he was already at Miekong.” The official’s beard bristled. “But we learned he was a relative of the king’s, and he was quite contrite. Perhaps his messengers had gotten lost, and his missive failed to reach us.”
“Who was this relative?”
“The Duke of Holsrath, milady. Brother to the king himself. He was quite cordial to the young princess at her party, as I remember. We rarely have people from Odalia at important functions, and she was quite pleased that he had come all the way to make her acquaintance.”
The head cook of the Daanorian palace’s kitchens, while understandably frightened, displayed that brand of courage common in those who take immense pride in their work and refused to leave his domain for something so trite as a hostile takeover. The Dark asha had chosen not to impinge on his territory, asking for very little in her choice of viands during our stay, but it was difficult to scale back on banquets when you had spent most of your life serving as an emperor’s chef.
Today was a different story. Word of Princess Inessa’s visit was quick to spread, and at the bone witch’s command, a table was wheeled into the throne room, sideboards groaning with many Daanorian delicacies: sweet and sour pork in a delicate plum sauce topped with coriander, diced chicken in simmered dried chili and fried peanuts, strips of roasted duck wrapped in celery and served in a sweet-potato-and-vinegar soybean sauce. Fried wonton and lamb dumplings rounded out the sides of the silver plates. This was a banquet fit for kings, and my mouth watered from the savory smells as each tray was uncovered.
Not even the princess remained unaffected for long. She eyed several of the dishes with longing and appeared to be summoning every measure of willpower not to reach for the nearest plate.
“These aren’t just for display,” the asha reminded her. “They’re all quite edible.”
“I’m not that hungry.” A small growl issued from her stomach, amplified by the silence.
“If you’ve been traveling with the army, then you’ve had little to eat the last few weeks. The food is not poisoned if that’s what you’re concerned about.” To prove it, the asha selected a small strip of chicken and bit into it. “Bard, you are more than welcome to join us.”
I confess that my hunger was quick to overpower my good manners. I reached for a piece of lamb dumpling; it tasted like heaven.
“Bard?” The princess stared at me, then back at her. “He is here to tell your story because you have no intentions of surviving this, do you?”
“Why are you here, Inessa? Judging from the lack of guards in your wake, you told no one you were coming. Not even Fox.”
“I’m good at sneaking in and out of palaces. And I’ve had ample time to explore the Daanorian palace, as you know. You stationed no guards.”
“Your entrance did not escape my daeva’s attention. It takes great courage to walk past them, knowing full well what they can do.”
The prin
cess gulped. “I was terrified. But I know you could not possibly be the monster they are making you out to be. Please, Tea. Stop this madness. Kalen would not have approved of you seeking revenge on his behalf.”
The bone witch ladled out tea into three porcelain cups. “I am not doing this for revenge on Kalen’s behalf, Inessa.”
“Prove me wrong!”
“Kalen, the princess is asking for you.”
The princess froze, mouth agape, when Lord Kalen and Khalad stepped into the room. She rose to her feet and fought to maintain her composure, though her voice still trembled. “The elders told me that… It’s not possible…”
“The elders told you many things that are not possible,” the bone witch said.
20
“He swore the duke was there?” Khalad asked as he examined Prince Kance’s heartsglass. For the last couple of days, the forger had shut himself in his room, only leaving to examine Princess Yansheo. While we were treated like honored guests, we still could not leave the palace compound to explore the city. Both Kalen and Fox had been keen to defy the orders, but Inessa and Zoya convinced them otherwise, arguing it was too big of a risk to attempt at the moment. The hunt for the savul was still under way, but without our help, it was a slow process.
Princess Inessa frowned. Today she was dressed in riding breeches and a plain shirt, much to my surprise. “That’s impossible, isn’t it? How can the duke be in two places at once? Is there a rune for something like this, Tea?”
“I know of an Illusion rune that might be feasible.”
“Whoever did it could draw Heartsrune.” Khalad turned Prince Kance’s heartsglass, as if the glint from it could unlock secrets from within. “I’ve seen Holsrath’s heartsglass, and he has no inclination for it. What about the other Daanorian suitor?”
“Yuanshao? Nobody’s seen him since the party. His family lives in the Mekong province, so it’s going to take a while to reach out to them for questions about his whereabouts. From what Zoya’s gathered, the boy is something of the family’s black sheep. He hasn’t been home in months.”