by JC Kang
Their final plan ensured the princess’ safety. Whether she heeded their counsel or not was another story.
After tossing and turning through the night, Tian rose well before dawn. He donned simple training robes and slipped out into the courtyard to practice a meditative martial form. Jie was already there, swimming through the very set of slow, deliberate motions that he planned on doing himself. No longer made-up as a handmaiden, nor face-painted for espionage, she was simply Jie.
What did that mean anymore? For so long, she’d been just a clan sister. A best friend.
She didn’t pause in her form, even as she greeted him with a smile. Her long dark hair was tied back in a pony tail, fastened with a pink ribbon that dangled over her own plain white robes. As her hand stretched out to Part the Wild Horse’s Mane, he approached and paralleled her position, his wrist crossing hers. She pressed her body structure into his stance, and he twisted his hips to redirect her force. He then turned to push his own energy back into her.
In this partner exercise of sensing intention, Jie had always surpassed him at harmonizing energy, even if he was better at planning attacks. Yet on this morning, their interchange was perfect, her Yin intermingling with his Yang. At a neutral position, with hands crossed between them, their gaze met for what must have been the ten thousandth time in their lives.
In that second, he saw her. For the first time. His image reflected in her half-lidded eyes, as if their lucidity had ensnared a part of him. She was more than just a skilled fighter and spy. More than a little sister. Perhaps—
Her other hand slapped down on his crossed hand as her first came forward. It landed with light force, though enough to knock him back half a step. A maelstrom of fluid strikes in the span of a second followed, and none of the set responses in the form prevented him from getting hit. Her leg slipped behind his as she twisted his torso, sending him tumbling to the ground.
He looked up. Where had that come from?
Her grin might have reached her ears. “It works, even on you!”
“Huh?”
“The princess gains the upper hand in her interactions because she knows how to use her body language. Everything from the tilt of her neck to the way she looks at you. You fell for it.”
“Well, you cheated. You didn’t use the motions. From the form.”
“When did I ever play fair?” Jie raised an eyebrow, yet it was her eyes beneath that were captivating. “I bribed one of the princess’ cousins to teach me their Praise Spring style, the one that all the noblewomen learn. It’s simple and practical for those who don’t have time to train anything in depth.”
“Bribed her with what? You don’t own anything. Nothing an aristocrat would want.” Not that it mattered where she learned a new trick. He just continued gazing at her.
“Information. She’s a gossip-monger, who would make a great Moquan if she didn’t talk more than she listened. Stop looking at me like that, it’s distracting.”
From his spot on the ground, Tian threw out his legs and caught up Jie’s in a scissor kick. She stumbled on top of him. They pitched into the gravel, neither gaining the upper hand for a few seconds until Tian finally ended up on top, pinning her hands on the ground beside her head.
Their faces were no more than a breath away. Their gazes met again, her playful look melting into one of longing. She closed her eyes and parted her lips, inviting him. They’d walked the path that had been expected of them, brother and sister in a clan of warrior-spies. But a new path lay ahead, determined not by where they had taken the first step of the journey, but rather from where they chose to walk now. Tian leaned in.
“Minister Zheng, Ms. Yan.” A male voice from the residence door called.
Tian’s head jerked up before his lips met Jie’s.
Standing next to the main entrance was the ambassador’s young aide, his face red. “The princess will be ready to receive your briefing in a fifth of a phase of Zhuyue.”
Tian pushed himself off of Jie and stood, brushing himself off. He extended a hand to help her up. When hers met his, something felt...different.
Standing in Ambassador Wu’s office, Jie wistfully tugged out the wrinkles in her training robe. What had that been about? It couldn’t be happening. Years of affection, never destined to go anywhere, now becoming something more? And just before she would be returning to Hua. She reached over to give Tian’s hand a squeeze.
Then Princess Kaiya glided in with nonchalant grace, wearing a light-blue, long-sleeved silk inner gown. A fur shawl covered her shoulders, and her hair hung in a ponytail. Even without make-up, she looked stunning. Jerking her hand back, Jie suppressed a jealous pout. All bowed low, holding that position until the princess ordered them to rise.
She alighted on the edge of a chair. “What plans have you considered, Ambassador?”
The ambassador bowed. “First of all, a messenger from Rotuvi arrived, insisting we move your meeting with King Gunvydas to Iksuvi’s royal palace. He suggested it was a more appropriate venue for royalty than the Iksuvi Trade Ministry.”
“Do you see any reason to deny the request?” The princess swept her gaze to each person.
“It’s more heavily defended,” Tian said. “If we needed to escape, it would be difficult.” He then gave Jie a meaningful stare, his unspoken message clear. The princess would likely ignore the potential for danger, so it would be best to prepare.
Jie nodded at him. She’d take another look at the palace’s schematics after the meeting adjourned.
“I understand your concern, Young Lord Zheng,” the princess said. “However, in this foreign land, we are never completely safe, even here in our own embassy. Furthermore, this is our one chance to demand Lord Peng’s extradition. Ambassador: relay a message to Rotuvi that we will meet at the palace. Now, what is your advice regarding negotiations with the Teleri?”
The ambassador bowed again. “With the Teleri Empire’s intended power grab in the Northwest, the region will be embroiled in chaos. They will not pose a threat to us for the time being. We have no reason to meet with them.”
“We should call off the meeting,” Jie said, wondering if the princess would disagree. “It is safer that way, especially after the way the First Consul treated you last night.”
Ambassador Wu raised a hand. “Little Jie speaks from her standpoint as head of your personal security. However, from my position as a diplomat, I must also consider Hua’s interest. Whatever else we may think of the Teleri, they take their treaties very seriously. Our mission here stems from our agreement with Iksuvi.”
Jie peered at the ambassador. He’d made no mention of this the night before.
He continued. “In two days, this will be Teleri-occupied land. Since we do not have any formal relations with them, there is nothing to prevent the Bovyans from seizing this embassy. However, if you successfully negotiate a treaty with them, you will ensure our trade and information mission in the North continues unhampered. You bear the Tianzi’s plaque. It is your decision to make.”
Trade Minister Zhang nodded. “We must ensure that trade continues. If we anger the Teleri, they may pressure their allies and tributaries to restrict our exports. Also, this may be a good opportunity to sell our first-generation muskets. In times of conflict, there is profit to be made.”
This, too, was a deviation from the script. Jie stared back and forth between Zhang and Wu.
“We should not be profiting from the misery of war.” The princess’ withering scowl caused Zhang to lower his head. “If anything, my meeting at the Iksuvi palace will be a chance for us to pass on the message about their imminent danger.”
“Respectfully,” the ambassador said, “we should not meddle in these affairs. We are neutral in these matters, and will only make enemies if our interference is discovered.”
The princess shook her head. “Ambassador, Iksuvi will fall to a surprise attack, and Lietuvi will be weakened as well by underhanded scheming. The Five Classics—which you an
d your ministers studied to join the ranks of the civil service—implore the ruler to act morally, even at risk to himself.”
“We are far away from home,” Tian said. “Among uncivilized people. They have never heard of the Five Classics. Would you put yourself at risk?”
It wouldn’t be the first time. Jie sucked on her lower lip.
The princess’ stare bore down on him, and poor Tian lowered his gaze. “Ambassador, during our visit to the Iksuvi palace, you will warn King Evydas of the impending invasion. Offer him and his family safe haven on the Golden Phoenix.”
The ambassador bowed his head. “As the princess commands.”
A slight smile formed on her lips. “Young Lord Zheng, your concerns are duly noted. Therefore, I will not meet with the First Consul.” Though she kept her back straight, her hands trembled. “I will depart for Hua as soon as the Golden Phoenix is ready to sail. It must be provisioned before the Teleri lock down the city. I am told that you are an unparalleled planner, so you and Jie will make preparations for our early departure.”
“As the princess commands,” they said in unison, bowing.
All bowed as she rose to her feet. “I will be in my quarters preparing for the meeting with King Gunvydas.”
Tian watched her drift out of the room, then shook his head. “She has a kind and just heart, but that is not an asset so far from home.”
“Don’t worry so much.” Jie laughed. “She masterfully cornered the Maduran prince in her negotiations there. She is much sharper than you give her credit for.” If only she felt as confident as she pretended.
CHAPTER 15:
Bait and Switch
Jie looked back towards the embassy as she followed the princess’ procession of a hundred imperial guards towards the Iksuvi palace. Tian, who was staying behind to plan the princess’ escape, offered her a farewell smile from the gates. She returned it with the tilt of a head a Hua wife might use to send her husband off.
What had passed between them earlier that morning? As she walked at the palanquin’s side, Jie thought back to the warmth of his body, the closeness of his lips. She’d let down her guard and surrendered to him. Then, duty interrupted. Whatever had budded between them was left unresolved.
How unsurprising. She frowned. Years of unrequited affection, about to be returned. Only to have responsibilities get in the way. And now, she might be leaving as early as tonight. The gods sure had a cruel sense of hu—
She looked up to see a palace of white stone and stained glass, looming high above the squat buildings surrounding it.
Several weeks before, Tian had shown her the floor plans and brought her here. Despite the aesthetic modifications made over the centuries, the original architect had intended it to function as a fortress. Even if elegant white stone walls and graceful towers now replaced battlements and anti-siege defenses, the interior layout of the main keep included bottlenecks, murder holes, and long halls with arrow slits. The defenses not only kept invaders out, but could also prevent guests from leaving.
Outside the entrance stood dozens of officials and armed soldiers in precise formation, all dressed in the light-blue and yellow livery of Iksuvi. Porters set the palanquin down, and Jie moved forward to open its doors. A distinguished-looking Nothori man of middle years, dressed in a long formal coat, stepped forward and took the princess’ hand.
She wafted out of the palanquin with the grace of a dancer. A dark-blue silk outer gown, open in front to reveal a light-blue inner dress, trailed behind her. Held up with silver pins, her hair was wrapped upward and to the left into a coil, with the last feet of straight hair cascading to her shoulder. A dark-blue qinghua flower nestled on the left side. No matter how pretty Jie felt today, she could never compare to the princess.
“Princess Kaiya,” the man said with a sweeping Arkothi bow. “I am Lord Jonyas, steward for the Iksuvi royal family. I bid you welcome to the palace. Please follow me to the throne room to meet with King Evydas.”
She cast him a demure smile. “My thanks.”
“You may bring two of your guards, while the rest wait outside in the palace courtyard.” Jonyas licked his lips.
A telltale sign of nervousness. Jie shot a glance at young Cheng, disguised as the flag-bearer. The boy gave a near-imperceptible shrug.
“Of course.” The princess motioned toward her two personal guards, Chen Xin and Zhao Yue. Excellent choices. Both were exceptional swordsmen who could best Jie in a fight. Or at least, in a fair fight. With confident strides, the pair fell in behind the two other handmaidens and the ambassador. The princess then nodded towards the steward.
With a flourishing bow, he turned and walked through the nine-foot-high, silver-gilt double doors. On either side of the entrance, two large guards in light-blue dress uniforms held stiff bows as the princess’ entourage passed.
They were too big, their movements too awkward. Jie tugged the princess’ sleeve. “We should—”
“Princess Kaiya!” Queen Ausra met them in the airy foyer, taking the princess’ hands in her own. “I am so glad to see you! Come, come!”
Sweat glistened on the queen’s forehead despite her broad smile. Behind her enthusiasm, her tone sounded forced. Jie pulled on the princess’ sleeve again, and looked back towards the doors just in time to see them close.
The princess ignored the tug, and instead nodded. “Queen Ausra, thank you for personally greeting me.”
“Oh. As we say in the Northwest: a lady who greets her guests adds warmth to the house,” Ausra said with a giggle. “It applies to the queen in the palace just as much as to a peasant in her hovel. Come, come!”
As they passed through the halls, the queen’s excitement bubbled into her stories about the palace décor. But while she was busy telling them that the colorful carpets had been imported from Ayuri lands aboard Cathayi trade ships, Jie’s pulse quickened.
There were deep footprints spaced far apart in the plush wool rugs. Even though famous painters had rendered the Arkothi-style oil paintings of Iksuvi’s past monarchs, two hung off-balance on the walls. They concealed interior arrow slits, if her memory of the castle floor plans served her well. And the musky scent of Levanthi incense? It almost covered the metallic smell of well-oiled weapons.
Even more concerning were the palace guards—all too large for their uniforms—who occupied strategic bottlenecks. Sweat gathered on Ambassador Wu’s forehead, and both Zhao Yue and Chen Xin sized up potential enemies. Only the princess, still chatting with Queen Ausra, seemed oblivious to the warning signs.
Jie leaned in and whispered in the Hua tongue. “Dian-xia, this is a trap.”
Not breaking stride, the princess turned. “I know. I assumed you were coming up with an escape plan.” She turned back to Queen Ausra and smiled. “My handmaiden was complimenting your taste in carpets. It helps muffle the sounds of soldiers’ footsteps.”
The queen blanched. Her smile looked forced. “It helps, but not when there are two hundred and thirty-seven inside clanking around in their chainmail. Thank the gods the other thousand outside didn’t insist on coming in.”
Jie sucked on her lip. There was no escaping. Now, was Queen Ausra threatening them? Or warning them?
They passed through heavy wooden double doors and into a windowless antechamber. Sunlight flooded in from the throne room, which lay directly across the chamber, through another set of double doors. Copper lamps with Aksumi light beads were shuttered in the corners. Antique tapestries of scenes from the Nothori Empire’s storied past hung on the walls, and a light-blue carpet covered the stone floors.
Why was King Evydas here in the antechamber, and not in the throne room? He glared daggers at young King Arvydas of Lietuvi, who sat at the opposite end of the room. Around them, ministers and soldiers of Rotuvi, Lietuvi, and Iksuvi stood, wearing the bright court colors of their respective countries. Hands squeezed sword hilts, eyes darted back and forth, and the air reeked of male sweat.
The voice of Rotuvi’s amb
assador echoed in from the throne room. He was pledging a long list of tribute: ten thousand bales of red wheat, a hundred barrels of red wheat liquor, a thousand pounds of salted fish, a thousand pieces of gold—the list went on.
Ambassador Wu’s jaw dropped. He leaned over and whispered to the princess. “This is the Northwest Summit! The tribute list from Rotuvi is almost twice normal.” Probably since they would be the last Nothori kingdom left standing.
The princess shot a glance back at him. “Ambassador, you were supposed to arrange our meeting before the summit.”
Sounds of struggle erupted at the entrance. Jie turned around. One of the large palace guards seized Queen Ausra’s shoulders and pulled her away.
The steward remained there, his attention first following his queen, then turning back to the princess. With a trembling hand, he motioned towards one of the velvet-upholstered chairs. He stuttered over his words. “Please be seated.”
“Lord Steward,” Ambassador Wu said, “what is happening? We came today to meet with King Gunvydas of Rotuvi. We understood that the summit would be held tomorrow.”
“Ambassador, please forgive the misunderstanding.” The young Bovyan General Marius stepped forward with an unapologetic smile. “The First Consul had an urgent change in plans, and moved the summit up to today.”
Jie sucked on her lower lip. No doubt those plans were nefarious; probably involving this trap.
Kaiya bowed her head. “Then we would not deign to interpose on these important proceedings.” She turned to her retinue. “We shall be leaving now.”
“It is but a small matter,” General Marius said. “We hope you will stay.” With one hand, he motioned the princess toward a cushioned arm chair, while with the other he made a not-so-subtle gesture. Behind them, chainmail clinked as half a dozen Teleri soldiers moved to block the exit.
The princess scowled. “General, are you detaining me?”