Earlier That Same Morning
Guankaran was certain it was going to rain today. The sky was bleak and the air heavy with moisture. He stood on his porch, hot tea cup in one hand, a tabloid in the opposite, perusing the news as he did every morning while sipping his favorite blend.
Only when the cup was empty did he return inside to continue the rest of his routine. His life was made up of simple tasks, some might call it boring, but to Guankaran each one was a joy.
First, he checked his bonsai projects. He had a plethora of tress and styles already, but he couldn’t stop himself from adding new ones every so often. Soon he’d have a forest of them and that thought brought a smile to his lips. As he passed through what he called the green room where most of his plants resided, he spoke softly to them. His fingers would gently caress a leaf or branch as he made his watering rounds. If anyone asked, not that there was ever anyone present, he would attest that the conversations were just as good as any he’d had with people.
“Isn’t that right?” He stopped next to his favorite bonsai, his eyes wandering over the twists and turns of its branches with admiration. The tree did not reply, but the young carpenter smiled as if it had.
Then he moved on, pacing around the pots and tables until he reached the one that held all of his saplings. He leaned close to the green shoots, whispering this time in draconic as if he were telling them a secret. Still, there was no answer, but he knew that the smattering of magic was enough to keep them healthy and growing. Afterward, he gave them a sprinkling of water and with a gentle, “goodbye for now,” he carried on.
When he had completed his rounds, he took the time to empty the watering can and returned it to its proper place before leaving the room behind to head out back to the wood shed that served as his workshop.
The first thing he always did was double check the orders for the month to see what he needed to work on first. He had them all memorized, but he performed this ritual just to be certain mistakes weren’t made. He had inherited the business from his grandfather and he wasn’t about to lower his standards even if he was the one in charge of operations now. Quality meant even more to him in this case, because there was nobody else to hold him accountable except himself.
Rustling rice paper was the only sound that filled the shop for several minutes, until the task was completed and Guankaran flowed easily into the next. Today was the day he normally picked up lumber from the yard and that meant rather than start work on projects, he would have to leave to fetch the supplies first. He was in no danger of running out, but it was better to take care of this task before he ended up dirty and sweaty.
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Unrushed, Guankaran closed up the shop and headed through the house to the front porch. He had just stepped onto the path when she fell from the sky and into his lap, altering the course of his day for better or worse.
image [https://i.imgur.com/wtWYX96.png]
Guankaran found himself rooted in place as he watched the young woman run away, a slight frown furrowing his otherwise smooth brow. He could easily see she was in some sort of trouble, just from the fear that wafted off her. He’d also sensed the magic within her, raw and unchecked, and only momentarily spent. It felt like the embers of a bonfire, hot and smoldering.
The appearance of the guardsmen hadn’t surprised him one bit either. It was the missing piece that put her situation into better perspective for him. They must disapprove of something she set on fire, he concluded.
As the guards gave chase, Guankaran let out a little sigh. It wasn’t every day a pretty girl fell out of the sky and into his lap. He could also sympathize with her predicament. Being a Zosara as well, he had learned at a young age to keep his own abilities a secret from others.
It would be a shame if they caught her, I suppose…
There were a few roots growing near the base of the house that he’d been meaning to deal with at some point. Now was as good a time as any, and so, with a subtle motion of his hand, Guankaran coaxed them up from the ground. The knobby roots obeyed, breaking through moist dirt and stone, sprawling into the street to impede the guards’ path.
The first wave of men didn’t see them until it was too late. By then, they were tumbling over the roots and one another. One guard thought he could jump the pile of vegetation and soldiers, but he wasn’t quite agile enough and just made the situation worse for everyone who got caught beneath him.
Guankaran allowed himself a small smirk before turning to meander off in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, he came face to face with a soldier whose sour expression said he’d clearly seen the whole thing.
The carpenter sighed again, this time through his nose. No good deed, so they say…
“Two Zosara in one day.” The markings on his uniform indicated the man was a captain. “The warlord will be most pleased. Sergeant, take this man into custody, then send a runner for my horse; I know where the girl is heading…”
As ordered, the sergeant, a wispy, lanky man, produced a pair of iron shackles and roughly began locking them around Guankaran’s wrists. The feel of the crude metal made his skin itch, but the carpenter didn’t resist, not when the place was swarming with soldiers. He’d play along, at least for a little while.
“Do you want me to call the men back?” The sergeant’s inquiry piqued Guankaran’s interest.
“No,” the captain answered. “Let Lian think we’re closing in; that will ensure she runs straight home to daddy.”
The soldier’s icy grin and the tone of his voice made Guankaran uneasy. He turned to look again in the direction this Lian had run and wondered if his efforts had been wasted. In the end, he’d done all he could to help her; whatever came next, she’d have to sort out on her own.