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Chapter 29: "Nobody Expects a Sudden Imposition."

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While walking through Flame Well, Shae's disappointment at missing her friend Yun was interrupted by a thought: How would you cut four coins with one strike, a flat plane only intersects three points, unless you're really lucky.

The distracting thought was enough to make her stop walking and turn to reading through her practice manual again. She needed something else to think about and starting the next practice seemed easy enough.

She had been expecting it to focus on physical exercise again as they had been alternating. Instead it was more philosophical like Controlled Descent had been. It was called Painful Landing and its questions were focused on the nature of violence and when it was appropriate to use the power that cultivators gained. It was clear the subject matter was intended to be impactful to someone who hadn't considered the details, someone young and naive.

Shae didn't engage with the ideas as much, simply because she was too busy being smug. Some of the concepts were exactly what she had been brow-beating Long with the other day. Such as how power does not grant authority. It recommended sitting with the first half in cultivation for a time before moving on. She had places to be, however, so instead she cycled the qi exercise and made her way through the city to the northern exit.

She frowned as the line to leave through the North Gate was longer than yesterday.

She spent the time reviewing the last few practices, and trying to consider her current practice. She felt many of the answers were obvious, but hadn't sensed the practice click into place yet.

"Ahem." A deep voice sounded at her side. Outside the lineup. "Miss Cultivator, I'm surprised to see you in line. Surely you of all people could use your privileges to skip it?"

She looked over to see a guardsman that she had never seen before, she was certain. "Guardsman? I don't believe we've been introduced."

"No, we haven't. But I'd recognize the marks of your station anywhere, and I must say that's an excellent choice of weapon at your hip."

Her hand shifted from her bound pages to land on her peace-bound sword. "Thank you, it was a recent gift." She tilted her head quizzically.

He inhaled suddenly then nodded. "Still, come, please. Surely you are owed that much."

She took the hint and followed. After a few steps she whispered. "Is this just because of the sword?"

He didn't whisper, but did lower his voice. "More the binding. But not just that. Cultivators rarely wait in line, I'm surprised you did."

"I did yesterday."

"And you got through fine?"

"Yes, after a few questions, and a display ... Oh!"

"Heh, yeah, thought so. Most cultivators feel their time is too valuable for a peasant's queue. Though, I think that might mean your sword truly does belong to you."

"Of course it does. And thank you for recognizing it. Most seem to ignore it."

"The lowest ranks forget the lesson easily. Partly because hard peace-bindings are rarely seen. I wonder if our dear inspector will see it." He said the title with vitriol, and pointed towards the gates with his chin.

"He's not as capable as some, I take it?"

"To the point of being a thorn. Did your benefactor explain the expectations associated with that sword?"

"No... But he mentioned responsibility. I thought he just meant not betraying its ideals."

"Ideals... Yes, there is that, I suppose. I won't impose, nor direct you. But in the past, peace bearers have done more than just carry a useless blade around."

She thought about that as they approached the gates.

It was a different sight to yesterday. The guards were being more aggressive, yet their aggression clearly stemmed from the influence of their supervisor. A slightly pompous figure watched and listened carefully, occasionally making a subtle gesture that the guards caught, leading to more aggression.

"Inspector Choun. Look who I found waiting in line. This is Cultivator... Ah, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name."

"There was nothing to forget, Guardsman. We skipped introductions. Inspector Choun, nice day to meet you. I am Wise Zhi. Though I prefer Miss Shae."

The inspector had a sour look on his face up until she said Wise. His smile wasn't much better as it was clearly strained. He wore formal gray robes trimmed with gold. Too much jewelry weighed him down, and too few badges marked his station.

Shae was used to the many sect badges and Sergeant Xiang's large collection, however, so she assumed she was biased. Though, a quick glance at the Guardsman's chest made her reconsider.

"Wise Zhi. Excellent day indeed! Shame we must pursue assailants instead of enjoying it, no?"

"I'm not aware of your obligations. But yes, a day without is always a better one."

He seemed to take that as an invitation. "Ah, well, surely the Guardsman filled you in on the smuggler situation? Is that not why he brought you?"

Shae smiled and used her intent to gently flick the Guardsman's ear. He managed not to flinch. "I hoped he simply wished to speed me past the gate."

"Oh, I suppose he could have." He grew an honest grin on his face. "But we must still ask our questions. Though, why not do it comfortably? Come inside, please, I have some tea brewing."

"Certainly. I am feeling parched." She replied flatly with a nod then followed the man. As he passed through the doorway she turned back and once more flicked at the guard with her intent, but stronger this time. The Guardsman and half a dozen people around him flinched. Oops! She swiftly ducked through the doorway, her sleeve covering her embarrassed face.

Her embarrassment quickly passed as the inspector led her to the guard's break room, but her annoyance only grew.

"You'll have to excuse the mess." Were the first words the inspector said when she walked into the cluttered room.

I'll do no such thing, especially if you don't ask for forgiveness. "I suppose your men are quite busy harassing the townsfolk."

"Oh, those aren't townsfolk. They are passing peasants and con-men with old vegetables. Ah-ha! I knew there was enough for two left!" He triumphantly raised the teapot out of a mess of clay cups. "Still hot even."

She eyed the teapot suspiciously and touched the side of it when he turned away. Hot is generous, warm would be a bargain.

"As for cups... yes! You are in luck, one fine bone china teacup for just this occasion. It is mine, however, and still has my morning leaves in it." He frowned into it, then shrugged.

She spotted a clean looking glass cup in one of the low cabinets, and fished it out.

"Ah, well spotted. It seems we are set."

"If you insist, is the tea blend any good? How does it manage this neglect and abuse?"

"Hah! Quite funny, dear- Wise Shae. I personally prefer the strong blend of an old pot. It really wakes one up from the tedium, no?"

"I wouldn't mind waking up right about now." She mumbled.

He quickly rinsed his own cup then poured their tea. It did not steam.

She tried it and did her best to only grimace. "Well. Had I questioned reality, that would bring it into focus."

"Yes! Quite the eye opener." He smiled broadly.

She really couldn't tell if he was stressed out and doing his best, or just that much of a poser. She feared the latter. In the dim light, his gold jewelry now had hints of brass, which did not help her fears.

While struggling through her second sip, she tried to count how many ear flicks she owed the guardsman. Oh, just cutting his ear off will save us both so much trouble. She smiled, which was the wrong thing to do.

"Ah, it's growing on you, I see!"

She remembered an old line her mother once used. "So much so I feel smothered. Soon, I will need to grow out of it."

The man nodded along without any spark of humor in his eyes.

She'd need to be more blunt. "I could finish the glass, but my preferences lie elsewhere." She set it down on the table.

"Mhm. I do find that strong flavors are a necessity in life." He smiled and took another sip.

Thick as the town walls. Could change the subject, I suppose? "So, this investigation seems rather intense?"

A flash of something unpleasant crossed his face. Then his eyes locked onto something beside Shae. "What a strange glass bottle. Say, it is open?"

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"Yes, I just bought it and had a taste."

"Say," he regrew that honest grin, which looked more sinister in the poor light, "I've shared a drink, there is custom for this, yes?"

Shae resisted a frown, the custom he spoke of did exist. It was usually for travelers sharing a meal, each would contribute and share what they had. Shae thought he was blatantly taking advantage of it. Suppose I walked into that one, could have said it was sealed. Maybe the idiocy is partly an act? He might also have noble ties, and their customs might be similar.

She looked into her tea and decided she could give up the whole bottle to not finish this drink. She sighed and unhooked the bottle. "I guess a splash could be spared. Hmm, and I only tried it once. A second opinion couldn't hurt."

The splash into his cup had an interesting effect, it cut into the dark tea and swirled between the black and the clear brown of a lighter tea. Her own cup did similar, but the brown was lighter, the black closer to dark green. Proves there's something to be said for using a clean glass cup, I suppose.

She was pleasantly surprised by the change in flavor, and hummed an appreciative note. The harsh over-steeped edge was cut away, and a fresher grassy flavor replaced it. Probably not the original blend, but something new. She thought. More like a strong green tea.

Seeing that, Inspector Choun smiled and raised his cup. It was immediately clear that his experience was quite different. Shae put his reaction closer to drinking hard alcohol for the first time, though he handled it a bit better than a true novice. So, maybe the second or third shot.

"Hwa-! That has an edge to it! Can't say it's my cup of tea."

"Really? I think it quite literally is." She raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm? Oh, haha! Yes, I see." He forced a chuckle and lifted his teacup to her.

"Any particular flavor that stands out? The seller and I disagreed on its specific profile."

"Ah, well." He frowned and took a second sip. Trying to show he was spending more time tasting it by smacking his mouth open and closed after swallowing. "Pungent, certainly. Cuts away the tea, quite considerably. I may have to pass on the rest, shouldn't be drinking while on duty."

"Oh, it's not wine." He looked up, confused. "Not any other alcohol either. I'm not convinced it's as strong as the seller claimed." She took another pleasant sip. More pleasant when I can watch him squirm.

"Really?" He swirled his cup. "Well perhaps it just hasn't mixed well." He took another sip, larger this time. "Ahk." He slapped his thigh.

Shae smiled and drank more of her own. She was reminded of seaweed. A surprising flavor from a tea, especially this far inland.

"Definitely strong. A bit sour, I'd say. Not like a lemon, no sweetness." He considered while grimacing. "You're sure there's no alcohol in it."

"Quite sure, it's diluted spiritual water. With a few things for flavor. Quite the rarity among mortals, I'd think. And what did you say earlier? Strong flavors are a necessity in life?"

He straightened up and considered his cup with more appreciation. "Well. You don't say?" He swallowed nothing and stared down into his cup.

"I'd recommend finishing it. It's quite good for one's health, I understand. Unless you'd like to save it for later and focus on something else?"

He gladly took the provided out. "Ah, yes! The investigation, you did ask about that." He set the cup on the counter behind him, burying it among the clay cups. Not that he could lose the only bone china teacup.

Shae wondered if the bone would hold up to the diluted spiritual water. She covered her smirk with another sip.

"I'm not sure what you've heard already. Word does get around."

"Almost nothing, start from scratch, but keep it brief, please."

"Of course, we have been trying to limit information leaks. So do keep this to yourself." He nodded. "Theft and smuggling has always been a- small issue in the city, but late this summer it became a real problem. Large shipments of metals, tools, and weapons being strategically picked clean, only to show up outside the city in the hands of rebels and criminals."

Considering he had called the farmers and merchants conmen. She wasn't sure to trust his assessment.

"Then we received a tip. They were using a spatial storage ring." He paused to let her gasp. She did not, so he continued, "Yes, I was speechless as well. The tip-off wasn't proof, however. Dutiful investigators spent weeks tracking and infiltrating their operation to narrow down suspects and discover the facts." He paused again, turned to look for his cup, then flinched away when he realized what was in it.

"Were they using storage rings?"

"Right! Yes. Well. Just the one, so far as we could tell. And that brings us to this drama." He gestured out the door. "Almost a week ago, the delivery of that ring was interrupted by our hard working Inspectors. The ring-leader was caught red handed with the thing and chased through the slums."

Shae couldn't resist leaning forward.

"He was a fast one, however. Got out of sight for just a few heartbeats and then they caught him. But surprise-surprise. No ring. Even though they had just spotted him with it."

The pause lingered before Shae realized she needed to say something. "No sign of it at all? No chance it got pocketed in the scuffle? Those things are quite valuable, yes?"

"Of course not. Our city's Inspectors are all highly trusted individuals. And they were all searched thoroughly by each other afterwards. They wouldn't let something like that slip."

"Were you there? Did you see the ring?"

"No-no. My involvement was specifically requested after the fact. To aid in the search for the ring. We believe it is still in the city somewhere. Several known accomplices were found scouring the slums where their leader was caught. And even some outside the slums, on the opposite side of the town wall, even!"

"So, you are managing the search of all peasants leaving the city?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Ah, I see. And I suppose they don't like that. Are they blaming the guard?"

"Well, I'm pushing the guard as much as is reasonable, the city can hardly blame them for not finding the ring. We don't even know if it's passed through yet."

Shae tilted her head. "I mean, are the peasants angry with the guard for this unpleasantness."

"Unpleasantness! Hardly. It is a necessity! But yes, the rabble are rather upset, I suppose."

I hope I've distracted this lout for long enough. She finished her glass of tea. "Well, I wish you good luck in your endeavor, Inspector Choun."

"Thank You, Wise Zhi. Hmm, say. That title, they don't just give those out, do they?"

"Hmm, I didn't ask. Though, I did receive mine for providing a unique bit of insight to one of the Monkery's own. I've grown to quite like it."

"A bit of insight? Surely you are playing coy!"

"I'm no fish, but I am understating the facts."

"Ha-hah! You know, you might have the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we need for this investigation. How much of an imposition would it be to take some of your time?"

Shae swallowed. "Will I get it back later?" She'd rather not get pulled into this, but she was also annoyed as she did have a few ideas she wanted to follow up on. He didn't respond to her joke, so she continued with an answer, "It's still early, I could make up an hour or two on the road if strictly necessary."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impact your travels. But you must admit the mystery is enticing? How about a tour of the slums- err, well, that might sound unpleasant. Just the spot we lost track of the ringleader. Cultivator senses are said to be much better than a mortal's."

Shae squirmed and tried to bite her tongue. "I must admit one area of curiosity. Do you have a map of the city? I'd like to get a better mental image of the slums in relation to the wall. I take it they are close?"

"Yes, directly adjacent. I've been asking for a wall-sized map since I began. However, best I can do is my pocket notes." He produced a small notebook with a very rough sketch of the city. Districts and neighborhoods were blocks, the wall a thicker line. Crosses at the gates and a few notable streets were marked. The richer districts had far more notes on them, mostly obscure symbols.

"I suppose you can't clearly point out the crime scene, then?"

"Hm? Crime scene?"

"The place where the ringleader was caught? Where he likely ditched the ring?"

"Ah! Well, that would be... about here?" He seemed uncertain. As he pointed out a spot in the slums nearer to the wall.

"Few tall buildings in the slums, then?"

"Oh yes, several illegal constructions, actually. Very unsafe building practices. My cousin is constantly roaring about how a collapse or a fire will kill half the occupants, but no one really pays him much mind."

"Because it will only kill peasants?" She frowned.

"No, because he's a lunatic. Hasn't ever been to the slums, I don't think."

"Oh."

The awkward silence was interrupted by a guard entering the room. "Inspector, Miss." He walked to the kitchenette and rummaged through the cups and seemed to be intent on making a fresh pot of tea.

He turned back when they hadn't stopped staring at him. "Oh. Uh, shift change on the wall, sir."

"Ah, of course." Choun nodded.

"On the wall?" Shae asked. "You patrol along the top of it? Right, of course you would. How's the city look from up there?"

"It's quite the sight, Miss. Even at night. It feels kind of wasted on us sometimes." The guard supplied.

They exchanged a friendly smile at the sentiment. "Inspector, what's your opinion on the sight of the city from the wall?" She asked.

He looked at the floor, then back up. "Can't say I've been up there long enough to appreciate it. My preferences lie elsewhere."

"Really? But the overhead view would be a wonderful substitute for a large city map."

He shook his head, "Well, you can't bring it with you, or set pins in it to track criminal activity."

"I suppose, but if you just want to show someone a specific area, let's say, the slums, without actually going into the place. It would be effective, no?"

"It's dangerous up there." He claimed. The Guardsman beside him disagreed by dramatically rolling his eyes.

"Oh? How high is it?"

The inspector hesitated.

"The wall is twenty paces up on the interior, twenty five outside, because of the ditch, Miss." The Guardsman tilted his head respectfully, likely as an apology for the interruption.

"Is that all? I've fallen off a cliff at least twice as tall."

"Fallen off?" The inspector paled.

"Well, it was an accident." She admitted. "And a tree caught my fall."

Inspector Choun looked into the distance in stunned silence.

The Guardsman smirked while washing out cups.

Shae smirked, "Please hand the inspector his cup. He looks like he could use a drink."

The Guardsman did, and the inspector nodded in thanks while taking a sip. When the liquid hit his mouth, his eyes went wide. "Hmmgh." He pursed his lips and forced a swallow. "Still. Quite strong." He coughed out.

Shae smiled wide. That was too much fun.

"Well." The inspector said, after dumping out the last sip of his cup and having some water instead. "I've some work to get to. I'll have Second Captain Lou escort you along the wall. Let you see the sights, since you insist."

Ah, right. That is the problem with teasing. It often backfires. "Alright." She stalled. "And is the second captain as familiar with the case as you?"

"Hmm? The case?"

"The investigation? The search for the ring?"

"Oh, yes, of course, that. Yes, yes. He is up to speed on the details."

Guess I'm stuck in it now.

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