Ame rests outside in the open pavilion. It’s been weeks since her return and though she can walk properly by herself now, she can’t do much of anything due to the state of her body.

 Incidentally, Ame’s perception of medical practitioners did not change, but only worsened. Not a single doctor had appeared before her to give her a proper diagnosis or a prescription for painkillers, and although this can be blamed on the mistreatment of her family, she quickly understood that it is “common sense” for people to rub some weird salve or eat a weird pellet made from unknown plants onto people with her kind of injuries.

 Sada tried to feed her some weird pellet at first, but when asked, she couldn’t even tell her what the ingredients were or the possible risks from taking them. She almost knew nothing about. It didn’t list the ingredients, and no one seemed to know about any possible long term side effects.

There was no way Ame could accept eating something so suspicious. If it didn’t do anything, that would be still fine, but if it was poison, it may be too late. Because of this, she convinced Sada to rub a natural plant salve onto her instead and decided to hope for the best.

  As long as the salve can relieve the pain, she can bear waiting for her injuries to naturally recover. However, the fact remains that the professional medical practitioner never came to diagnose her or prescribe proper prescriptions, rather allowed sketchy medicines to take the place of medical practice. A such her hopes for the medical practices of this land were dashed to pieces.

   Only after several weeks was a medical practitioner sent for. To Ame’s unease, the fellow was an obvious charlatan who attempted to poke her with needles. Now, Ame knew the benefits of acupuncture, but per her rudimentary knowledge of the subject the charlatan was going to place them in the incorrect arrangement. She could have been killed or worse injured! She already had to force him to sterilize the needles in hot water, but now, he was about to stab deeply into a dangerous artery. She could have been killed or worse, seriously injured!

  Firmly protesting, Ame refused the techniques and at least was offered a new medical salve. At the least, whoever made these medical salves had some medical knowledge as it helped ease some of the pain. Though, the salve was a trifle too sticky for her liking.

  Sada as usual chats with maids as Ame stares grumpily at the flowering trees. Since her return, Ame has not seen a hair of the so call parents. It is not a bother, but it is a saddening realization. For once, Ame found herself glad that her previous child-self had perished on the streets, rather than return to such a cold home.

Ame’s mood was not aided by the fact that Sada was an avid hunter. Any excuse that could be found, Sada would return to the jungle of the closet and hunt for unwary prey. It was Ame’s misfortune to be the one wearing said prey.

 Ame rises slowly to her feet as Sada immediately notices her movement. Ame motions for Sada to remain sitting. “I just want to walk a bit, Sada. I promise I won’t go far,” Ame firmly said.

Sada is suddenly wrecked with conflicting emotions. But at seeing the pleading expression on Ame’s face, Sada relents. “Very well, Lady Ame. But please remain within shouting distance,” Sada softly said.

 With relief, Ame nods in acceptance and calmly walks away. With trepidation, she walks past the trees as her nose wrinkles unhappily. Knowing so of the lay out of the manor now, Ame walks further away, but not too far away. After all, it never serves a purpose to anger the prison warden. Besides, Ame is not in favor with her father nor the household, all it would take is a slip in the dark to get her.

Keeping to the open path and not too far away, Ame spots an older, small stone cottage. With cautious steps, she slowly approaches the cottage and pushes open the worn wooden door. A cloud of dust swirls a bit, but swiftly settles back down.

 With watering eyes Ame studies the interior of the cottage. Ignoring the dust and trash, the interior still holds tubes and strange bowls. Given the content, the stone cottage was once a laboratory of sorts.

  Ame looks with interest at the area for a moment, but swiftly dismisses any ideas. Not only is she incapable of trusting any of the manor servants including Sada, but she certainly can’t trust her family as well. No, it is better to wait until she is far gone from this place.

With bitterness, Ame walks back to the pavilion. As she emerges from the trees, Sada smiles with relief at her appearance. Ame smiles blankly at Sada as she approaches her.

 Sada then excuses herself from the maids and approaches Ame. She solemnly studies Ame for as she contemplates a matter of some importance. She suddenly says, “My Lady, if ye are not yet tired, let us visit the library.”

 A small thankful smile appears on Ame’s face at Sada’s words. Sada still remembered the previous child self of Ame. Even then, her previous-self had always been fond of stories brimming with curiosity at the world of Sen. Sada would frequently read new books to her or allow her child-self to read them herself. However, the sudden chance to go directly to the library seems a bit odd. Either Sada really wants to cheer her up and further her education, or someone ordered her to do so.

“Thank you, Sada. I would like that,” Ame sincerely said. It was dangerous to accept unknown gifts, but truly lacked the knowledge needed to survive. She couldn’t let this opportunity go even if it was a trap.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

 Sada nods with satisfaction as they stroll the area and leads Ame towards the library. With great care, Ame carefully memorizes the pathway to the library. The importance of said information could not be bought and paid for.

   Soon they arrive at a rather large, imposing wooden building. A familiar old man stands guard at the entrance guarding against any intruders. A slow, cheerful grin appears on his face as he expectantly looks at hem and gruffly says, "With great pleasure and honor, may I ask, why has the little Mistress of the House come to visit this old man?"

    A charming sweet smile appears on Sada’s face as she replies, “Greetings Dara, My Lady, would like to explore the library.”

The old man looks her way and caringly says, "Very well, little Mistress, I will personally guide you." He whistles shrilly in the air and another man appears next to him. Ame blinks in surprise at not having noticed the figure. She frowns slightly and wonders if her senses have begun to fail her.

 With great relish, Dara leads the pair into the library. A large room filled with books and scrolls climbing all the way to the ceiling appears before her very eyes. Ame’s eyes flicker with eagerness at the beautiful sight.

 Dara leads the pair to a corner of the room, where a small table with two soft cushioned chairs are at, before disappearing among the shelves. Sada motions for Ame to seat herself, while she remains standing behind Ame. Soon the footsteps announce the return of Dara as he emerges from the shelves with a large, heavy bound book.

    Dara gently places the book onto the table and opens it up. Thankfully, before her child-self was taken, the child learned to read. In her memories, her caretaker, Sada was the one who taught her to read. Her biological mother was noticeably absent during those lessons.

It was one of the memories, that Ame had been reviewing for the last few weeks.

  Ame waits for the older man to hand her the back. But instead, Dara benevolently says, “Little Mistress, I shall read to you for a bit. Some of the words may be a little hard for you to read, and we can only spend a bit of time in the library today. Given the problem, I thought it best, but please feel free to return tomorrow morning to the library.”

 Ame reluctantly nods her head and waits for Dara to begin reading.

  “Little Mistress, I do not know how much you can recall or learned in your lessons, but allow me to begin from the beginning…. Cough, cough, at the beginning of the universe, there existed nothing but the primordial chaos…. Then, the Heavens were created and during their conception, the great and powerful five mythical beasts came into existence: The Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird, Yellow Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise...

The Yellow Dragon, became the Father of the Great Emperors and Lord of Man.

 The Azure Dragon, became the Father of the Dragons and Lord of all scaled creatures.

 The Vermillion Bird, became the Father of the Phoenixes and Lord of all the flying beings in the sky.

  The White Tiger, became the Father of the Tigers and Lord of all the creatures that walk on four legs.

    The Black Tortoise, became the Father of the Turtles and Lord of all armored beings.

 In time the Gods returned to the Heavens and the Mythical creatures returned to the earth to rest. Even now they sleep waiting for the day when once more they will awaken."

Ame hides the frosty look on her face, but nods at the words. She had expected it and would just have to deal with the subject as quickly as possible. Hiding her annoyance, Ame continued to listen patiently to Dara’s words.

 “The world of Sen holds five continents: In the center of all the continents is the middle continent our home, Hua, to the North West is Deva, to the North East is Moon, to the South West is Khan, to the South East is Ito, and to the island empire between Hua, Moon, Ito and Khan, lays the Le Islands," Dara said as he points to the illustrations of the people shown from each continent.

Ame leans over to glance at the book and notices the similarity of the continent names matching the predominate culture. Deva resembles India, Hua more Chinese, Moon more Korean, Ito more Japanese, Khan more Turkish and the Le Islands, a combination of various cultures. Though there is more of a current culture mix, those are still the predominate cultures on each continent.

Dara abruptly halts and glances far away. Awkwardly coughing, Dara rises to his feet and reluctantly says, "My deepest apologizes, my little Mistress. But I must return to my post."

Ame nods in understanding as she rises to her feet and follows Dara out. Dara waves goodbye to the pair as the two return to Ame’s quarters for the evening.

*

As soon as the Sada and the little Mistress safely left Dara swiftly flew away to face the intruder. The intruder a man wearing servant clothing rapidly searches the scrolls intently. Soundlessly Dara approaches the unsuspecting spy.

   Sensing danger the spy attempts to flee much too late. Dara easily kicks the fake manor servant into the air and catches hold of him by the neck. He then holds the spy up by the neck as the fake servant frantically claws at Dara’s hands attempting to breathe.

 In response, he ruthlessly glares at the fake servant and frostily says, “Who sent you?” With that single sentence, the killing intent was palpable as the pressure grew heavier and heavier.

The spy gasps for breath, but still manages to faintly utter the word, “Never.”

  That was all he needed to hear as the resolve was evident in the spy’s voice. Dara narrows his eyes at the spy’s words. “Then die,” He coldly said as he effortlessly crushed the fake servants’ windpipe. A loud crack is heard, and the spy ceases to struggle as the fake servant’s body hangs limply in the air.

  Still holding the fake servant by the neck much like a chicken, Dara races away. A minute later Dara appears in the quarters of Lord Min with the corpse of the fake servant.

 Dara carefully places the corpse onto the floor and bows to Lord Min causing him to turn his gaze from the scenery and stare at the corpse on the floor. Dara then quietly says, “Lord Hee, that is the second spy I have caught. I believe that man has begun his next move. What will you have me do?”

 Lord Min Hee does not say a word as Dara raises his gaze full of questions. Lord Min Hee turns away from Dara and says, “Continue as you have been. We cannot act yet.”

  Dara opens his mouth to disagree but thinks better of it. Dara silently shuts his mouth in frustration and turns away.

 Lord Min Hee turns his attention back the scenery as lips are pressed together in a faint line as his hands clench tightly together in hidden fury and frustration. His eyes display a streak of murderous light accompanied by a familiar heavy murderous intent, that all but disappears as quickly as it ever existed.