Three Koi and an Orchid

In truth, getting the token and official acceptance did derail all her questions. It was a sly move, but Pia couldn’t hold a grudge. Ever since she’d gotten the token, Pia couldn’t keep her hands from wandering to it, rubbing the cool surface. Officially an apprentice. Despite having spent months with Ruwe and his men training, last night had soothed a part of her that longed for official recognition.

Ruwe had sent her to sleep right after that, and while she’d wanted to protest, Pia had seen the tired lines near his eyes, the tightness of his shoulders. She’d bowed deeply in gratitude, the first real bow she’d given him, and left.

Noni, standing just outside the door waiting for her, had followed her back to Lunar Haven. At first, Pia had planned on laying on her bed, reveling in the luxurious feel of a real bed. Yet, as soon as her head rested on the pillow, exhaustion stole her away.

She’d slept deeply without waking till the late morning hours of the next day. When she woke, the sun streamed through the lattice frame of the windows, casting beautiful curling shadows across the room. Seeing how no one had rushed to wake her, Pia assumed she’d been given a day of rest.

Pia got out of bed and stretched, letting out a loud sigh. It seemed that Noni had been waiting for her to wake because at the first sound Pia made she peeked around the corner of the doorway holding a tray of food.

“Miss, I’ve brought a midday meal,” Noni said in a low voice. “Shall I bring it in?”

“No, I’ll eat it in the main room. Put it on the table,” Pia said, then forced herself to add, “please.”

Irritation still bubbled within her, but Pia felt it wasn’t fair to take it out on Noni.

She straightened her robes, tightened her belt, and tossed her braids behind her before leaving her bedroom. Her eyes first saw the steaming food sitting enticingly on the tray, then, Pia’s eyes landed on the boxes stacked beside the table.

Taking a seat, Pia looked to Noni, asking, “What’s all that?”

“Master Zhi sent them for you this morning.”

Pia ate her food as she opened the boxes. True to his word, Ruwe indeed sent a full wardrobe of appropriate clothing and boots for her. Not only did he send training robes, but also daywear, formal wear, and casual clothing to fill her wardrobe. All of them were martial artists’ robes, tailored to her body. Her fingers trailed over the top robe. It was a dark blue, almost black, and the edge of the robe was embroidered with white cranes. It was a fine piece of clothing. The fabric was soft and delicate, almost like silk, yet seemed a more durable fiber.

As she looked through the next box, Pia was touched to discover that he had sent her hairpins, ribbons, leather ties, hair crowns, and headdresses. All of them were in neutral colors, in jade, stone, wood, and silver. Not frilly or ornate, but simply functional pieces a Master might give an apprentice. Smiling, her fingers traced over a green jade hairpin.

Since she was a child, Pia had kept her hair braided in two, but she’d always liked the style of a hairpin or hair crown. Fingering a silver hair crown, she wondered if there was a way to adapt her hair style. She liked her braids, and Ruwe himself wore his hair in one long, loose braid, tied with a ribbon. Pia closed the box and finished her meal. No sense in worrying about it now.

After her meal, Pia carried the boxes of clothes to her bedroom, to the dismay of Noni, who grabbed the other two boxes before Pia could try to carry them too. Pia gave her a smile, which wasn’t returned. Rooting through the box, Pia found a simple black training robe and a set of under robes. She quickly changed, hooked her sect tassel to her belt, and pulled on a new pair of boots. Hair braided, dressed, and wearing her sect tassel, Pia was ready.

Her eyes flicked to the servant girl standing just out of reach, quiet and still, head lowered so her bangs covered her eyes. Noni’s silent lingering was going to be hard to get used to. Pia didn’t take it personally. While she’d never had a servant, she’d heard plenty of tales from Conch and Fewl about how servants could be. Even worse, how many servants were treated. From what she’d seen so far, Pia suspected that the servants were treated too well here.

“Noni,” Pia called out, knowing the girl was still waiting. When the girl peeked up at her through her bangs Pia smiled at her. A blank stare was her reward.

“I’m going out. Can you bring a supply of paper and ink for my desk?”

Pia had a feeling she’d need it soon and wanted to give her servant an easy task to fulfill. Better to give her something to do before the servant girl got herself into trouble again.

Noni nodded, gave her a little bow and scurried away. One day, Pia thought she’d at least get the girl to smile.

Despite being exhausted the day before, Pia felt she had a decent understanding of the basic layout for Ruwe’s home. She pushed a few hanging lanterns as she went, enjoying the way the tassels swung in the breeze.

The air was cold, and she shivered, wishing she’d remembered to grab her coat. Still, the sun was warm and on a full belly and refreshing rest, Pia was feeling good.

Peeking inside the room she’d eaten in the night before, Pia saw it was empty, so she wandered through, heading for the main entrance. If Ruwe wanted her to stay locked up in her room, he would’ve told her. Without running into anyone, Pia slipped out of the home, back onto the street.

The cold wind nipped at her as Pia took off jogging, wanting to move her muscles and explore the area. Pia grabbed at the wind yi, pulling it around her playfully as she ran, laughing as it vibrated with excitement. Wind yi had always been her favorite to work with. It was contrary and stubborn but it had a wildness about it that invigorated her. She ran down the corridor, turning left at the dragon statue. Remembering the way they came in the night before, Pia trotted back toward the main entrance, and then went past it, looking for the stable.

It didn’t take her long to find, and soon Pia was ducking inside, panting slightly from her run. The long doubled-sided barn was filled with horses. Many stood snoozing, heads hanging low over the bars that kept them in their stalls. Letting out a little whistle, Pia craned her head looking for Tudou. A familiar nicker from further down the aisle beckoned her.

Tudou, Wine, Yamo, and Ransa were stalled beside one another. Greeting them all with head rubs and a kiss on the nose, no one was around to see her sneak those, Pia checked them over. Their coats were brushed clean, manes combed, and they were covered in thick warm blankets. Reassured, Pia gave Tudou a hug around the neck. It wasn’t until she felt Tudou’s soft coat against her cheek that Pia truly felt right. The quiet warmth of the barn, the familiar smell of the horses soothed her. Having spent all day every day with Tudou for months, she’d felt lost without having seen him first thing in the morning. He’d been her constant over the last few months. In her heart, Pia knew he was filling a fraction of the void Fewl and Conch had left in her.

Tudou patiently stayed in place, letting her lean against him, and take comfort in his presence. She wanted to whisper to him, tell him all she’d learned. Before she could, Pia heard footsteps behind her. A heavy sigh left her.

A moment later, “Yijun owes me five dol.”

Looking over her shoulder, Pia saw Haojie coming up behind her. Giving Tudou’s neck one last squeeze she let go and turned toward Haojie.

“What was the bet?”

“Whether you’d find the stable or the barracks first.”

“Why’d he bet on the barracks?”

Coming up beside her, Haojie playfully tugged a braid.

“Because our darling apprentice is always trying to wheedle information out of us.”

Staring blankly at him, Pia was stunned. She hadn’t even thought about asking around for information. Now that the idea was presented, her mind churned with ways she might be able to get answers to her questions.

“Our apprentice?” she asked pointedly, giving him an unamused look.

“Ah, ah,” Haojie tsked. He put his hands on her shoulders, turned her around, and began pushing her from the stable. “No time for such thoughts. Time for a complete tour of Cangzhi Manor. You’re just in luck to have the best tour guide available.”

Cangzhi Manor, Pia ran the name over in her mind, liking the sound.

Indeed, Haojie gave her a complete tour, even to every public restroom, of which there were many. After the sixth one, Pia almost stormed away, but he relented and got serious once more. She retained the most important parts—the barracks, armory, and dining hall were given especially close care.

She was surprised to learn that while Cangzhi Manor was Ruwe’s family home, it was also the base for the entire Xieya sect. Haojie explained that many of the courtyard homes were now used for disciples, apprentices, and allies of the sect, though he was tight lipped about slipping too much information about the sect, which frustrated her. There were times Pia felt she’d burst into a million pieces trying to contain her escaping curiosity.

The last place he took her to was a large training area at the far end of the complex. Multiple archery targets were scattered across the training area and Haojie pointed each one out as they walked.

“Don’t wander through there unannounced,” he warned.

The training area intrigued her. It seemed to have various apparatuses that were set up for physical training. Some seemed to be standing towers, ropes hanging off one side, ladder rungs on another side. Another spot had tall poles with slats between the two far sides. Wooden boxes were propped at odd shapes and sizes, some tall, some short, some narrow, and some seemed to be out of balance. She grinned. It seemed even better than the natural training course she’d had on Divine Ascent.

He led her through a grove of gnarled, towering trees. Their trunks were thick, and the rustling of the branches overhead whispered as the swirling wind whipped through the air. The soft crunch of snow underfoot gave off a pleasing sound as they walked out into a wide meadow. Pia paused for a moment, breathing in the crisp air. The sight of the natural track circling the meadow filled her with excitement.

“I can already picture galloping Tudou along this,” she said with a grin, her hands unconsciously reaching out as though she could grasp the image of her and Tudou racing across the open meadow. Haojie smiled, enjoying her unabashed excitement.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow that was a stark contrast to the bite of the chilly wind. She took in everything with bright eyes, the manor’s scale slowly dawning on her. It was like a small city all on its own, not just a house—far bigger than she’d ever imagined. From there, he began showing her shortcuts to all the places she’d likely go. Haojie pointed out narrow paths winding between, around, and even through some courtyards, all hidden in plain sight like secret passageways. Would she remember it all? Pia doubted it, though she tried her best to fix the routes in her mind. As soon as she got back to Lunar Haven, Pia was going to draw a map.

Haojie’s official tour ended back at Cangzhi Manor, the main house.

“Everyone calls this Cangzhi, even though everything is technically Cangzhi Manor,” Haojie explained. “It’s good to familiarize yourself with the layout. It’ll get easier the more you go place to place.”

Pia nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

“Are you staying?” she asked, standing on the steps of Cangzhi.

Haojie shook his head.

“No, Yijun should be there though.”

They bid farewell and then Pia entered, heading for the left wing.

Ruwe and Yijun were already there, their backs turned toward her as they worked. They stood around a table, looking through different papers spread across the top. Yijun had an abacus in front of him and was flipping the beads up and down as he scanned a piece of paper in front of him. He paused to write something, before continuing to count. A bit of her good mood drifted away as her discomfort returned. She still didn’t know how to find the right footing around Ruwe.

As if sensing her thoughts, Ruwe looked up and met her gaze. “Ah, Pia, you’re back. How was the tour?”

Yijun added, “How was Tudou?”

A grin cracked her lips. Was she so predictable?

“Good and good,” she said, trying to sneak close to the table and peek at the papers. “What’s all this?”

“This,” Yijun said, “is n—”

Hearing that, Pia sighed, interrupting him, “None of my business. Yeah, yeah.”

“New information we just received,” Ruwe said, finishing Yijun’s sentence.

The two men shared a look before turning to look at her again. Pia’s eyes narrowed. That secret communication skill they had drove her crazy.

Suspicious of the surprisingly forthcoming response, Pia tried to keep from feeling hopeful.

“New information?”

“Take a look at this,” Ruwe said, passing her a blue covered book.

Anticipating something interesting, some secret unfolding, Pia felt excitement bubbling up. Her hands shook a little as she opened the book.

The inside cover read, “Pia’s Training Schedule.”

She scowled fiercely, tempted to launch the book at him. Yijun laughed at her expression and went back to counting.

“Read through it. You’ll start in two days,” Ruwe told her, watching her face as she read through the pages.

“Rise at dawn, run sixteen li, break for morning meal. Training with the staff, archery, break for midday meal, formation training, sparring, and then studying…Oh no,” Pia paused with a dramatic gasp.

Both men looked as she turned the book around toward them so they could see and when she had their attention Pia pointed at the words.

“I think I have time to relieve myself here. I think there was a mistake…”

Shaking his head, Yijun smirked, once more returning to his work.

Reaching out, Ruwe went to take the book saying, “If you think it’s lacking, I’ll add more.”

“No, no. This is fine just as it is,” Pia said, clutching the book to her chest.

Inwardly, she was pleased. It was a lot of training, but as she’d flipped the page, she’d seen sword practice ahead in the schedule. That meant that in no time at all, she’d finally get a chance to wield a sword! She grinned and re-opened the book.

As she read through the pages more carefully, her grin faded. The schedule continued, and on, and on, and on…until the book ended as if the writer had run out of paper, not training. Her eyes scanned across the table, landing on a stack of books, similar to the one she held. Going to the pile, she peeked under the top cover: “Pia’s Training Schedule, second edition.”

A bit of dread broke through her excitement. It was a very detailed schedule. She sighed heavily and hugged the book to her chest. Still, the promise of using a sword was worth it.