On the evening Ayai and Miss Xiong arranged the voyage to Shikot, members of Izato were summoned again to meet. In the Jade Palace, Ayai headed towards the Hall of Saharic Cultivation. Enclosed by golden gabled fences it enshrined the palace’s technological board, along with various files in pursuit of the saharic sciences. Millenia’s worth of the Laoyuang’s knowledge about the Guizu Arcana were stored within.

Ayai still couldn’t quite grasp the concept of the Guizu Arcana. It was the ability to materialize weapons out of thin air. Not only that, but the Laoyuangs could modify the type of weapon they could make, although it was limited to melee weapons with a blade. If she recalled, the Al-Qarakh House managed to change the type of weapon to firearms. This hereditary power that was tweaked by saharic scientists… Ayai wondered about how the research process went into changing the entire structure of the Al-Qarakhs’ Guizu Arcana.

Ayai pulled the massive doors open to be greeted by many people of Izato. Gathered around a circular table, Zhen had his hand on a map. The Izato Liason, Seung-Hyeok stood beside him along with the logistician, Karam al-Murata. They wore their respective blue armlets, as they glanced across documents and papers, conversing with each other.

“Ah, Gong Dongye. Please come in.” Zhen noticed her first, and urged her in Khoit. Ayai gave a bow and closed the doors behind her. “How’s the child?”

“Sleeping in the Guesthouse.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “The ship has been arranged. A Bangkaño named Yuerhtutzu Yulduz. He’s staying at the Al-Bashwa Hôtel for the night.”

“I see. I’m grateful to thee for finding someone. I shall check on him later. For now, let us inform thee on our plan to the Peninsula.”

Ayai neared the round table, while Seung-Hyeok and Karam offered their respects.

Karam kowtowed first. “Long time no see, Ms. Toya. As Izato’s Logistician, It has been an honor to serve you.”

Seung-Hyeok went to his knees second. “I also offer my gratitude for my role as Izato Liaison, Gong Dongye.”

“Please lift up your heads. I just want to be briefed on the plan to the Twintail Peninsula.”

They both got up from the ground, and looked towards the map. The map was disecrated with hundreds of ink strokes and lines, an absolute disgrace to the cartographer. They all pointed to numerous locations in the Peninsula, which happened to be shaped like two twintails arching over the sea.

“You see,” Karam began to explain, “We are taking a one way trip to Shikot, being the closest settlement to Lāoyuàng ‘Aimag. However, the region is in no ways safe to us as it is for the Khoitan tribes. Twintail Peninsula is unregulated by neither of the three nations, meaning the Bangkaño pirates are present.”

“That is why we must go to Shikot, to obtain a Thủy Visa.” Seung-Hyeok followed in.

“Visa?”

“It’s a special flag that non-Bangkaño ships put on their masts. It allows them to pass through the waters safely. Any pirate vessel that sees the visa will not attack that respective ship. But there is a catch; Thủy Visas can only be obtained in Shikot.”

Ayai now understood the significance of Shikot. From what she had heard of, Shikot was one of the only prosperous settlements in the region. But any information regarding the Twintail Peninsula was limited since not many ships flying any Azu, Buhang, or Žongren would have access to the area.

“What is your plan as Liaison and Logistician for this expedition? I understand there is a need to obtain a visa in Shikot, but there is simply not enough time to search the entire Peninsula for Thiệu as one group.”

“I suggested this, Ms. Toya.” Karam pointed at two settlements with two fingers; Shikot and Shakkotan. “Izato doesn’t need to stay together. As soon as we arrive in Shikot and get a visa, we’ll send a vanguard out preëmptively to Shakkotan. The other group in Shikot can act as the ‘backlines’, as you may call it.”

Ayai crossed her arms. “Hoh? Even when we obtain a visa, the vanguard will require that one visa to sail the Bay of Tig. How will the ‘backlines’ move to catch up with the team in Shakkotan?”

“Thủy Visas can be obtained a limited number of times by the same organization. Once the vanguard searches the Huranu-i Plains and reaches Shakkotan, the ‘backlines’ must group up with them in Shakkotan as well.”

Ayai nodded, and focused on the tiny dot on the map. The only thing separating the settlement between Shikot was the Bay of Tig and the Huranu-i Plains. The journey would be at least fifty li across.

Zhen also chimed in. “As for the teams, there shall be three.”

“Three?”

“Yes. Excluding the ‘backlines’ and the vanguard, another group will stay behind. Her Royal Highness Hojun al-Qarakh will stay behind to deal with the unfolding situation with Silla,” Seung-Hyeok filled in, “Suruj Zundui, Tvuj Hosyi, and a number of Kamaos will form the vanguard, while Zhen will lead the ‘backlines’ with us. Ms. Toya, you’re free to go with whichever you think you should be the most.”

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The three of them looked at her, as if expecting an immediate response. In reality, Ayai had to think. Finding Thiệu would be faster if she went with the vanguard, but Suruj was already capable of handling himself. Albeit, he was a bit rash. Hojun would deal with Silla, since her father Gyeongsun al-Qarakh was already flaming the Laoyuang House. But she didn’t know why there needed to be a ‘backline’ in the first place. Suruj and Hojun had their respective purposes, and Zhen was in the center of it. For some reason, there was something odd about the lack of purpose on Zhen’s part.

“What will you be doing? As the rear echelon.” Ayai faced Zhen and asked him straight on. Her eyes narrowed, while his expression did not change.

Zhen simply tilted his head and gave a light smile. “I shall be receiving input from Her Royal Highness Hojun al-Qarakh and Suruj Zundui. Ms. Al-Murata and Mr. Seung-Hyeok shall be my advisors. Are there any concerns with my role? If thou needst a recommendation, then how about joining Zundui’s platoon?”

“No…” She looked downwards. Ayai couldn’t get a read on him at all. She didn’t want to second-guess herself. She wouldn’t. She decided to go with her instincts, as she brushed her hair to the side. “I will join yours.”

The three went silent, before Zhen picked the conversation back up. “That is fine with me. Since thou hast been given carte blanche, thou canst make thy own decisions.”

“Then it’s settled. For now, let’s assign the three teams group names, shall we?” Karam picked up an ink brush from the corner of the table and slid a papyrus sheet towards her. As she began writing, ‘Mister’ Xiong pushed open the doors.

“Excuse me, esteemed guests.” He bowed and closed the doors behind him. “I have a question.”

Zhen turned to him. “Mister Xiong, come, come. What thou art inquiring about?”

‘Mister’ Xiong paused for a bit, and pulled his cap downward. “May I accompany m’lord and Gong Dongye to Shikot?”

“... I apologize, Mister Xiong. I am unable to support thee in that decision.”

“M’lord… Why?” Zhen’s bodyguard neared him, while Zhen kept his stance straight. “I want to go to Shikot.”

“Thou shalt not go. Throughout the course of recent events, several bodyguards to the Laoyuang and Al-Qarakh House have perished to people related to Al-Wa. Gyeong Sukja of Her Royal Highness, Yeow Khouw of my late brother… “ The Crown Prince’s voice hinted of tension in his lip, yet his face remained stern. “Besides, thou art scared of Shikot, the birthplace of thy father?”

“Well…” ‘Mister’ Xiong almost went into a feminine falsetto, as her voice petered out. “I simply want to go.”

Ayai knew that three bodyguards from As-Z̆onghu̐a had been killed over the past two years. Kwazhak… hadn’t told her directly but Yeow Khouw was killed during their escape plan on the drive to Dineh Kazaàd ‘Autónoma. That Tayang al-Qarakh shot him.

And so, she decided to step forward.

Ayai placed her hand on ‘Mister’ Xiong’s shoulder. “I request that you let her.”

“Gong Dongye…”

“It is not like ‘he’ is a young boy.” Ayai went around the table, the word ‘she’ almost slipping from her mouth. “Mister Xiong is fulfilling his duty as your escort. Are you perhaps doubting his capabilities?”

“Then please consider it a personal worriment. I treasure the safety of everyone’s lives, and I’m aware that thy father would wish thy well-being.”

Ayai picked up another cue from Zhen. It was the same with his explanation previously. An oddity between his words. She wanted him to say what he wanted crisp and clear, but the Crown Prince never elaborated.

“Your Royal Highness, we have gathered the strongest fighters of this era. So I back both Toya and Mister Xiong.” Karam stood next to them. Seung-Hyeok, letting out a sigh, went to Zhen’s side.

“As a bodyguard of Her Royal Highness, Mister Gyeong was someone dear to me. I understand the risks, but I agree with His Royal Highness. Silla and As-Z̆onghu̐a are both getting hurt by this implication. Mister Xiong, do you understand?”

“I understand completely. But I want to go with Izato. I want to go to Shikot, where my father once was.” ‘Mister’ Xiong glanced back at Ayai, then back at Zhen and Seung-Hyeok. “Please allow me to travel with you all.”

The day turned into night, and Ayai, Zhen, Karam, Seung-Hyeok, and ‘Mister’ Xiong walked out of the Hall of Saharic Cultivation. Karam and Seung-Hyeok went down the flight of stairs, while Zhen slowed his pace.

“Gong Dongye, I don’t understand what reason thou hast for Mister Xiong, however I shall trust thee.” The Crown Prince’s face curled into a worrying expression. A new face that Ayai had never seen before.

“And I don’t understand what reason you have for creating a rear echelon, but I will trust you.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, before retracting it back quickly. “I apologize, I shouldn’t have done that.”

Zhen brushed her arm off as he gave a heavy smile. “It’s alright. Mister Xiong appears to take a liking to thee, and I wouldn’t want to interfere with thy friendship.”

Then as if he had never talked to them all, continued to head down the steps. Ayai and ‘Mister’ Xiong stood and watched him disappear into a sharp turn. The sky exploded with stars streaked across the vast blue, and artificial lights scattered across the city skyline. Ayai sighed.

“Miss Xiong, let me ask you one thing; Are you sure you want to go to Shikot with Izato?”

“I’m sure of it…” Miss Xiong clasped her hands together, before finding her sword hilt. “My dad is from Shikot, and I was born there. But I’m actually quite afraid…”

“Then why do you want to go now?”

The bodyguard turned her head to the sky. “Because everyone in Izato, gave me courage. Gong Dongye, you’re the strongest person I’ve seen, and I’ve always had this image of you being this stone-cold, perfect person. But now I know that even you have a softer side.”

Ayai’s gaze went to the floor, as she began to think about her own father who once said a similar thing. But she denied it with all her heart, since that part of her already grew cold. She just needed to benefit herself, and now she formed Izato for her own satisfaction of defeating Thiệu Addja.

Ayai didn’t want to lose sight of that goal, for the people she was now with.