Captain Juzo’s smugness didn’t disappear even after Taoru relented. He ordered the sergeant to restrain Lian, which sparked a whole new argument that would surely have come to blows if, once again, Taoru hadn’t backed down. He swore to himself this would be the last time. Seeing his daughter chained in irons made him furious. It took all his self-control not to start a fight, though he wanted nothing more than to wipe the grin off the captain’s arrogant face.

The walk into town was not a long one, though today, it certainly felt that way. Taoru wanted to get this over with, to do whatever he must to clear Lian’s name. When that was finished, they would return straight home, pack their things, and head north. At least until the feuding was over. Perhaps someday they’d be able to come back, though the growing dread he felt told him otherwise.

It wasn’t until they set foot in the courtyard that Taoru really feared there was no hope for Lian. To his trained eye, he could see the signs of a tussle, of a fire Zosara unleashing her power to the fullest. The echo of her outburst made his heart ache all over again.

This is my fault… He fought the urge to hang his head. If he had not shouted at Lian, they wouldn’t be in this mess now. She had obviously come here to prove herself to him, and it was all because he had mishandled the situation.

Juzo finally dismounted, passed the reins off to a subordinate, and then took control of Lian’s bonds. Taoru flashed him a warning glare but held his tongue. This would be over soon, he reminded himself. He would make the warlord see reason by any means necessary!

The palace was cold and sparsely decorated. Taoru imagined any finery had been sold off and the gold yuun stockpiled to prepare for the impending war. That would make it a little more difficult to navigate, but did not deter him. He counted every soldier and guard they passed, noting the route they took through the hallways, counting his footsteps. If Nagisa would not be reasoned with, then Taoru would take Lian out of here by force.

Finally, they made it to the audience chamber, where a large, wooden throne sat on a dais at the back of the room. Beside it was a second chair, this one much smaller and less ornate. Sitting upon them were two women who could not have been more unlike each other.

The first was older than even Taoru, her once dark hair now heavily streaked with white and gray. Her visage was severe, scars marring once beautiful features, and her black eyes gleaming like coal that had never known the warmth of a fire. The other was younger than her counterpart, only a few years older than Lian, if he had to guess. Everything about her was softer as well, from the gloss of her umber hair to the smooth features of her narrow face. Though he had never met them before, he could guess at their identities. The first was Warlord Nagisa, and the other was her daughter, Lady Kiatsu.

As they neared the front, Lian let out a gasp. Taoru followed her gaze to where a young man stood, likewise shackled, except his wrists were red and irritated from where the iron rested against his skin. The reason for that became clear a second later when a sense of magic tugged at Taoru. He and the young man exchanged a glance, but then the stranger turned his focus to Lian and gave her an apologetic half-smile.

More questions filled Taoru, who had no way of getting answers just yet. Lian hung her head, unable to meet the other Zosara’s eyes. The guilt radiating from her gave him some clue that whatever had happened she felt responsible for.

To his more experienced perspective, he felt for sure there was foul play involved here. Why else would Juzo be downright gleeful as he saluted the warlord and then turned to present Lian as though she were a magnificent prize?

“I’ve apprehended the fire Zosara, warlord,” he boasted, indicating Lian.

Juzo tried to pull her forward by the chain attached to the manacles, but Taoru stepped forward, catching it and tugging back. The captain staggered a step and flashed an angry glower the older man met resolutely.

“My daughter has been paraded around enough!” he snapped. He fixed his gaze on Nagisa, letting her see his resolve. “I demand she be released; she is not a criminal!”

Warlord Nagisa frowned at him, then flicked her dark eyes to Lian. “I’ve heard you took on at least five male recruits by yourself,” she said, ignoring Taoru completely. “Tell me, why did you pick a fight with them?”

Uncertain, Lian looked to Taoru, searching him for answers or permission he wasn’t sure. Was she afraid to speak the reason in front of him?

“Your father can’t help you here, girl.” Nagisa’s voice was biting. “You’re speaking to me. Now, answer my question.”

“Because they…” Lian wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. “They insulted my father’s honor,” she finally confessed, her words barely audible. Speaking it out loud must have filled her with a measure of courage, for she continued passionately. “They called him a coward, and it made me furious! So I taught them a lesson.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Taoru blinked in surprise. She’d nearly done the same just the day before; was that why it had bothered her so much? Or had she thought they were right and fought them to keep others from learning what she believed to be the truth?

“And because…” Lian went on, tears glittering at the edge of her eyes. “I’m a bad daughter! I doubted my father’s wisdom, and…” She choked on the words. “I meant to dishonor him, to go against his wishes, and join your military.” Now she turned to Taoru, her bottom lip trembling. “Please forgive me, Dad… I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

Reflexively, he put his hand on her shoulder, quieting her with that simple touch. Now was not the time to delve into their personal matters, but he wanted her to see he was not angry with her. They would work it out later. Right now, their focus had to be on escaping. He knew well that they were standing in the middle of a trap, and he refused to be caught in it for long.

He turned back to Nagisa, his face impassive. “This was a petty squabble between youths, nothing more. Certainly not a matter to bother the warlord herself with!”

“A petty squabble?” Juzo was indignant. “One of those boys will be lucky if he can ever use his hands again after the burns she gave him!”

“By the warlord’s own admission, it was five on one!” Taoru growled back. “Five men against one girl sounds more like self-defense!”

“Except she threw the first blow!” Juzo shot back.

Nagisa cut across the retort as Taoru opened his mouth to deliver it. “Quiet!” She glared from one to the other until they showed signs of backing off, then she settled onto her throne again. “Now, where does this one come in…” She waved her hand lazily at the young man, who until now had been largely forgotten.

The captain cleared his throat before answering. “He aided in the girl’s escape by utilizing wood magic. I witnessed this myself, warlord.”

“Interesting…” She did look interested like she was appraising livestock. “What’s your name, young man?”

“Oh, me?” He glanced around, checking to see if perhaps somebody else was being spoken to. Even though she nodded irritably to confirm he was who she meant, his expression remained dubious. “I’m Guankaran, a carpenter. I, uh, have a business card just here…” Despite his manacled hands, he reached up into his robe, fumbling about for a moment before withdrawing a scrap of paper. “Mostly cabinets and furniture. But, uh, once I made a goose. It was quite lovely, actually.”

Juzo snatched the paper, read it, and immediately frowned. At her signal, he brought it to Nagisa, who likewise read it and frowned.

“You’re… a carpenter?” It was her turn to look doubtful.

“Yes, that’s it.” Guankaran smiled. “I noticed on my way in you could do with some new furnishings. I would be happy to discuss a quote—” He stopped talking the second she crumpled the paper in her hand. “Ah yes, apologies, this isn’t the best time, is it?”

The warlord shook her head, caught somewhere between amusement and irritation. She took her time from there, straightening out the sleeve of her robes before finally speaking again. “I believe the solution here is clear,” she started, her gaze flicking from Lian to Guankaran. “Since you have cost me five strong recruits, you will serve as replacements—”

“No!” Taoru shouted, drowning out whatever Nagisa said next. Panic raced through his blood, followed by despair. He’d known the warlord was desperate for troops, but there was no way she could seriously think a young woman and a carpenter were satisfactory replacements. Even if they did possess magical aptitude!

“This is ridiculous! She’s barely more than a child!” he protested, shifting so he was blocking Lian from Nagisa. “I will not allow you to take my daughter!”

The warlord glowered down at him, clearly not used to being ordered around by one of her subjects. “Captain, get this man out of my sight; I’ve had enough of his outbursts…”

Juzo moved to obey, not realizing until he put his hand on Taoru’s arm the mistake he was making. The older man reacted so quickly the captain was on his feet one second and sprawled out on his back before his brain could register that he was falling. The other soldiers in the chamber hesitated only a second after seeing their superior officer laid out so easily. Once they realized Taoru was not about to go quietly, they flew into action.

Unlike his spar with Lian, Taoru did not hold back. Every strike landed with the full force of a father’s rage behind it. The more guards who threw themselves at him, the more piled up. Once Juzo recovered, even he tried to subdue the sculptor and was once again shown how absolutely inept he was at accomplishing this task.

The fight didn’t last long. Nagisa put an end to it with a single, barked order.

When he looked up at her, Taoru saw she was grinning, that same smug, self-satisfied grin that had been on Juzo’s face earlier. The faintest movement drew his eye as a new figure strode through the door and walked by them to stand at Nagisa’s side.

Her! The woman from the Peak!

Taoru’s mind raced as he began connecting all the dots. The ploy yesterday hadn’t worked; even though Lian had put herself in the perfect position to draw Taoru out, he had been careful not to reveal his magic. Today had been more of the same, a trap not meant to lure Lian, but her more experienced father!

But why? Why me?

“Men can be so aggravating,” Nagisa was saying. “Your daughter gave up her freedom when she attacked my men and fled. I demand recompense.”

“Then I will pay it.” Taoru spoke the words without hesitation. “That’s what you wanted all along, isn’t it? You know as well as I do a seasoned fighter is worth more than an unproven recruit. Take me and allow Lian to leave—”

Lian let out a strangled cry from behind him and fell against his back. “No, please! Don’t do this, Dad. I’m sorry, I should have listened…” Her voice broke.

Nagisa ignored Lian’s pleas. “Your words hold merit, but you’ve forgotten one thing…” A cruel glint reflected in her eyes. “She’s a Zosara; my men have seen her sorcery. That makes her far, far more valuable to me than even ten seasoned warriors!”

There was the truth of the matter. The warlord had somehow come to suspect Taoru and had done all of this to put him in this very position. She didn’t want him, she wanted his magic, and if she couldn’t get it, then she would rip from him the one thing he cared for above all else. It might have seemed to those watching that he had a decision to make, but for him, there was no question at all.