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Chapter 33: "Queue up Roundabout."
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"Aye, they left at first light. Mistress Ping sure keeps to her schedule. But don-a' worry, we always find a group for a late catch up run. Good for late couriers and sleepy 'eds." A lithe old runner spoke to them in the tavern of the Cockatrice Roost Inn. There were a few others, including Don Flatao. They had either missed the caravan or were waiting for someone, like Don and the runner.
"Oooh! That accent! Where's that from?" Shae leaned in and asked.
"Ho-ho! Yer peppy this mornin'! Tongue's from the coast, up north. Ain't been back home in a dog's age. But hoping the words will take me back o'er the hills."
"The words?"
He pointed to the stack of letters on the table. "We runners go where the words drag us. So long as there's coin to eat too." He smiled wide showing a couple silver teeth.
"Haha! The words! I like that!" She smiled back.
"When do you expect the group will leave?" Yungfan asked. She had stuck around, but Staff Sergeant Xiang had left them when they reached the inn. He only managed to escape after Shae had forced the two to make plans for a dinner date.
The runner scratched his chin. "Hmm, depends on the group. Were it just me, I'd leave 'round lunch and catch them setting camp. 'ow fast could you move? Cultivator, right?"
"Yes-sir, pretty fast, I think. Was keeping up with the troops doing laps around town, no problem. But I've not tested the new leg much on straight roads."
"Eh? New leg?" He asked and leaned forwards for a better look at her calves.
She obliged and pulled her robes up to flex her right calf muscle. The lines of it stood out clearly even with her white-jade skin obscuring the shadows.
"Ayyo, now that's a sight!" He exclaimed quietly.
"Uh, sir!" Don Flatao spoke sharply.
The runner looked up to find a blushing Don and a glowering Yungfan. "Eh? Oh calm down, 'tis not like that. Good muscle definition. How's the other one?"
Shae swapped her legs to show off the other less-impressive leg.
"Dang, that really is a different leg. Who'd you pinch that from? I'd like a pair of my own."
Don cleared his throat loudly. His face was blushing dark red, and he was trying to look angry. Yungfan had noticed his reaction and was quietly giggling into her sleeve.
The old runner smirked at him.
Shae had a smug grin for the man. "It's a cultivation technique, though not one I would advise, it's quite painful. I've already switched to something less drastic."
"Ah! That's quite the change. You gon-a' be all jade beaut' soon?"
Don coughed loudly to the side, but everyone ignored him except Yungfan who set off into louder giggles.
"No!" Shae said sternly and crossed her arms. "I like the muscles but I much prefer my tan."
"Aye! Tan is good." The runner said and reached back to scratch over his shoulders. His complexion was pale with liver spots in place of freckles all over his face, arms, and exposed shoulders. He didn't wear travel robes, going with a vest and trousers, which were clearly much easier to run in. His hair was a dark red with traces of silver at the temples. "Wish I could get a tan like yours. Best I can get after a day in the sun is about as red as this fellow is now." He pointed at a blushing Don.
That broke Yungfan completely as she burst into a proper laugh. Don was also having a hard time staying angry, his face twitching between emotions.
Shae chuckled too, then laughed harder when she realized why Don was so flustered.
"So, the real question is can you run with a heavy pack? Oh, and is the beet-boy running too?"
"Ah good question! Mister Don, have you decided which future-path you are pursuing?"
"Ah, uh, I-" He was still quite flustered and the serious question caught him off guard.
Yungfan was no help as she was still laughing, but she had moved off to the side to be less of a distraction.
"Close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. And don't try to defend cultivators that are at a higher stage than you. They can handle themselves." Shae said and patted his elbow. She would have patted his shoulder but she could barely reach.
After a few breaths of following her advice, he said."Err, sorry, Miss Shae."
She swiped at his arm, clipping his bicep with the tip of her fingers, and eliciting a flinch. "Titles are important to cultivators, Mister Don. Wise Shae is my preferred title. You'll get much worse than that from others if you don't learn them."
"Ah, was wondering tha'. We heard a load a' rumors about a 'eavenly Shae and wasn't sure." He tried a bit harder but still clipped the 'h' off her title.
"Heavenly is acceptable if you must be more formal, but I've grown to like the monk's title." She waited another breath to ask again. "So, Don? Did you talk to anyone, as I suggested?"
"Uh, a bit. Only the corporal. The sect was a bit, um, intimidating. He said pretty much the same as you. Well, that and they are here all winter, training the recruits, if I can keep up I'm pretty much guaranteed a spot."
"Oh? Thinkin' a takin' the Empresses Taels? I've seen their training, 'tis tough stuff."
"It's also the path with the most violence, if the sect isn't an option. Do you want that?" The serious girl asked.
"Um." He shrugged. "There's no big wars right now."
"But there could be."
"And- and I want to learn to fight."
Shae frowned. "Martial arts are always a part of cultivation. You need to exercise and learn about your body on all paths. Wise Kaiun." She turned to the monk.
Yungfan snapped out of her giggles at hearing Shae use her family name. "Ah-em. Yes, Wise Shae?"
"Mister Don here is uncertain about his options for cultivation. Could you do me a favor and give him a consultation?"
"Hmm, normally I'd send him to the others, but for you?" She smirked at Shae who had half a frown on her face. "Ah, I'm just teasing. Mister Don, nice to meet you. I'm Wise Kaiun Yungfan. Core stage member of the Golden Orchard Monkery."
"Uh, hi." He said, some red returning to his cheeks. "Uhm, what's in the orchard?"
"Oranges, mostly. Now, let's discuss your future." She began to lead him to the side.
"Oh!" Shae stopped them. "Can I get my stuff? I should make sure I can carry it comfortably."
They spent a few minutes depositing Shae's possessions on a table. They mostly consisted of the papers the monks had given her and her new bows. Don had managed to find her a bit more food for the road as well.
When the monk and the boy had split off, Shae kept half an eye on them. They had started with Don doing a lot of talking and Yungfan listening, which Shae thought was a good sign.
As she re-packed her things she realized she didn't get a new travel pack. The old one still worked but she would need to use her rope to act as a second shoulder strap, again.
"Hmm, ya could use a runners pack."
She jumped a little at the old runner's sudden comment. "Ah. Well yes a new pack would be good. But I don't expect to need it once I'm in the sect."
"Hmm? Getting one of them fancy storage rings? Heh, heh. They still do trips out, won't be trapped there for years or nothing."
"Oh, Hmm, good point. And no storage ring. That'd get me killed, I hear."
"Ah, maimed at least. Unless yer a good fighter. Got a few weapons, at least. Not sure the peace-bond will help 'gainst much, though. Bow looks good, an' is that a staff? Really following the monk path, eh?"
"Not really. It's a bow blank. I'm going to carve it out while on the road and after. Should be a heavier draw than this one, and it's already above average."
"Oh? Gon-a' have some good stopping power then? Where'd ya learn bow carving'? Ya do this one too?"
"I did, but while learning, and recently. I was just following the master bowyer's instructions."
"The master? Which one? Only one around here is old Cheng."
"Yes, it was Master Cheng. I helped him rough out a few of these hardwood bows."
"Aye? Rumor was 'is apprentice ran off a month or two back. Talk moves a bit slow for us runners, but not tha' bad."
"True as far as I know. I'm not his apprentice. Just helped him out for a day and a half."
"A bow in a day and a 'alf? That seems quick, guess the cultivation 'ad to 'elp, yea?"
"Heh. Faster than that. We got three this far just yesterday."
"Three? Dang, girl. Musta 'ad you sweatin'."
"It was a good workout. I'm not even sure I had time to learn enough to finish this new one."
"Well, 'm sure 'e didn't think you'd finish it right away. Hah, you'll have to spend time thinkin' on what 'e taught you."
"Yea, he even said I shouldn't finish it before we get to the sect." She paused to think. "Hah, guess I will have to meditate on what he showed me, just like cultivation."
"Haha! In any case if you've got one Cheng bow, even 'alf finished, that's a fortunate find."
"Half? It's at least eight-tenths, maybe nine."
"Ahh! Well, you really 'aven't spent much time around crafters then. Ma pa' always said. Eight tenths done only means there's eight tenths left to do."
"What!" She looked at the bow again, trying to clear her mind of bias.
Running both her hands over the carved wood she noticed something new. To her mortal hand, the wood was smooth, if a bit uneven. To her divine flesh, it was coarse. The edges of the cuts were sharp like the blade that made them. I can see there's work left, sanding and smoothing, balancing the shape of the two arms, and maybe sanding finger grooves into the grip. She noted that just carving the intricate details of Master Cheng's showroom work could take days, though she didn't plan on trying that.
"Ahh, that's good yer seeing it. I'll go ask around if someone's got a spare pack. You'll need it to protect all that paper from the rain."
"Eh? Rain? Oh, I should have thought of that!" She silently reprimanded herself. Then sighed and went back to packing.
As she packed, she occasionally glanced over at Don and Yungfan. Eventually she noticed their talk had shifted. It became clear that Yungfan was doing most of the talking, with Don nodding along. That's good, he's listening.
The runner was taking his time doing the rounds of the inn, chatting and talking up the other couriers. Shae couldn't fault him, being unprepared was her mistake. Same as yesterday when Don was helping her get food, she had to let him have first pick.
She looked at the bow again. She had a weapon that could hunt food, but not the training to use it. She sighed, she wanted another week to prepare. Though, in a week I could be at the sect, maybe.
She thought about the whole summer and couldn't help but laugh at herself. Crazy events had been rushing at her and now she was complaining about not having time to prepare for a routine caravan journey. She sat down at the table and put her head down into her arms and just laughed silently at herself.
"Wise Shae, are you alright?" Yungfan had snuck up on her.
"Ah, Yungfan. I'm alright, just made myself laugh at myself."
"Hmm." She leaned in and looked at her eyes, moving the girl's chin around to get different angles. "Have you been drinking and eating? That wake up tea might be fading."
"Oh. Right, I should do that." She grabbed the waterskin of juice and sipped at it.
"Drink the whole thing." Yungfan insisted.
She opened her mouth to complain that she wasn't thirsty, then stopped and drank.
"And now more water." The monk said and withdrew another waterskin, swapping it out of Shae's hand. Then she walked off with the waterskin, giving Don a little push forwards as she left.
"Uh, Wise Shae."
"Mhm, Mister Don. I hope that chat was helpful?"
"Ah, yes, it was very helpful, Wise Shae." He glanced over his shoulder towards the monk, who was at the bar refilling the waterskin. "Wise Kaiun made me realize I don't need to rush. I was rushing to the sect to escape the trouble I had created here, but my future doesn't need to be decided today. I've already waited ten years since I awakened. I can explore my options and go to the sect next year."
"Hmm, you sound different too. Much more relaxed."
"Er, yea. I guess I am." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
The runner made it back to them. "Sorry boss. None available. You'll have to buy new 'round town."
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"New?" Don asked.
"Runner's pack. Or something waterproof for my paperwork." She pointed at the stack.
"Oh, I'd give you mine but-" He stopped. "Hah, I guess I could since I'm not going. Don't think it's water-proof, though." He quickly grabbed his pack from a nearby table and brought it over.
"Oh, right, and you wanted more travel food, yea? You should take all mine, don't need it now."
"Ah, yes, I'll buy it off you."
"No, no, you've really helped me, you can have it."
"No, yourself, Mister Don. I can pay you for it, so I will. I'll be a wealthy cultivator soon, a few silver is no burden."
"Ah, um, a couple silver is fine then."
"Too vague." She pointed. "I'm giving you... three silver taels. If you can prove it was less than that, you can give it back. Or better yet, donate it to the Monkery, Yungfan deserves something for her effort."
"Oh, you are planning on paying me for all the work I've put in? I was wondering." Yungfan teased.
"Uh, um, I can? Maybe? What would you charge?" Shae asked cautiously.
"He-he!" She giggled into her sleeve. "A cultivator at my stage would charge far more than you can pay, even for a short consultation." She explained to Shae.
Don paled.
"Oh, don't you worry, Mister Don. The monks do this as charity for mortals all the time."
"Uh, Wise Kaiun, I'm not needing the generos-"
"Yes, you are. Now take the girl's coin for your pack and thank her."
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, Wise Shae." He bowed.
"Ah, this ain't too bad. Boy probably overpaid for this food pack, looks protected enough to stop rain." The runner said, having dug through Don's pack while they talked. He pulled out the smaller pack from the larger.
"Um, well, yes, needs to be protected from the elements, or the food will spoil."
"Not these travel rations you have, they're already wax wrapped." Yungfan pointed out.
"Ah, good, so I can pay you another silver for the food pack then?"
"Heh, that'd be a deal." The runner said. "Good runner's pack'll run you 'alf dozen taels."
"This one was cheaper." Don quickly rattled off. "Got it for cheap without the arm straps."
"How much?" Shae asked.
"Uh, um, just two taels?"
"Hah, na' likely."
"Oh, and speaking of straps, can I swap for your pack too? Mine's a bit broken."
"Ye were planning on runnin' with that. Girl, thing'll fall off your back 'bout two li out."
"It's not that bad." She defended.
He picked it up and stuck his fingers through the holes the wolf made while rummaging through it.
"Ah, right, um. Might need to buy your pack outright. Not sure this is worth the trade."
The runner shrugged. "Leather is leather. Unless it's fer shoes."
She looked at her own feet and looked her footwraps over. The right one was quite worn from the more intensive running she did on it. "Hmm, thanks for the reminder."
The runner looked down and clicked his tongue.
Shae looked at the pile of supplies in front of her and sighed. "Guess it's good I have a few more hours."
A server arrived with a plate of food: hot stew and bread.
"Ah, good. Eat up, or you'll regret it when that tea hits." The monk warned.
Shae didn't feel hungry, the juice and water had filled her up, but she dug in regardless.
The old runner demanded three silver taels and ran off to get her new shoes, taking the worn out right shoe with him. The others helped her out, repacking her things into Don's pack while she ate. He did take her pack, but just to wrap up his possessions for easier transport, it wouldn't last much beyond that.
Shae considered her options while she ate the heavy meal. She glanced back and forth between Yungfan and Don, then suddenly voiced her thoughts. "Am I rushing?"
"Uh, rushing?" Don asked.
Yungfan smirked, already in the know.
"I am aren't I?" She sighed. "Well, Mister Don, it seems Wise Yungfan's advice works just as well for me."
"Um, sorry? I don't follow, Mi- Wise Shae."
"You said you were rushing, trying to leave with the caravan right now. I am too, trying to catch up when that's going to put me into a mess of trouble tonight when exhaustion and that tea catches up."
"Tea?"
"Doesn't matter. How far will the caravan get today?"
"Um." He looked to the monk.
She shrugged. "Oxen could easily cover as much as you or I walking. They might run them harder or longer if there's a town to reach that night."
"Oh, is there a town? I don't know the geography."
"Next town north is a hundred li, Xengo Village." Don added in.
"So, probably not today?" She questioned, looking back to the monk for guidance.
"They could, might be why the caravan master wanted to leave on time. We should ask Runner Thanh." She said looking up past Shae.
"As' me what?" The runner appeared again, holding two shoes in one hand. "Try this on."
"That was quick." Shae said, putting the shoe on her right foot.
"I know a good place. And 'ow to get anywhere fast." He smirked.
"Hmmm, seems to fit well." She said, bouncing on her toes and taking a few steps around the table.
"Really? Though'tid be too small. Well, Miss merchant knows 'er stuff better than me most days. Got you two rights." He held up the second shoe.
The girl looked down at her feet. "Not sure I like the mismatch." Frowning up at the runner.
"Dang, lost a-gain." He held up his other hand with another shoe in it. "Miss merchant did say you wo-na' put up coin without the set."
"She's a smart lady!" Shae smiled.
"Best in the biz. And I would know." He bounced in place for emphasis.
"Do I owe you another coin for the third?"
"Nah, she wo-na' let me leave with two rights, made me take a left for free."
Shae smiled at the older man's antics. "So, Runner Thanh, we were talking about my options for staying in town another night. How far will the caravan get today?"
"Ah, good thinkin', if you can run fast, can make the next town easy. Hmmm, Ping's caravan. She could make it there, but would need to run the muscle. An' bigger 'vans start and stop slower, and she's got a big one this time. Ah, but the Ol' Quan's just past the town."
"Oh!" Don jumped, then saw the two women looking at him and explained. "Ah- Jian Quan is a natural spring about fifty li past Xengo."
"Ayy-oh, so the 'van misses might be planning on campin' there on night two, 'specially with the sect along." He rubbed his chin. "That's a good one day run, I'll ask around, see if any of the boys want to try it."
"Would you try it?" Shae blurted out.
"Me? Nah, got-a' tweaked arch that acts up after 80 li. I'll still try to catch them today. Might wait 'till after lunch now, if we're sure that's the 'vans plan."
"How could we be sure?" Yungfan asked, with a chuckle.
"Ah, good point. Flip a tael I s'pose." He laughed as he walked away again.
She watched the man go, then exhaled. "Hwaa... That makes me feel so much better."
"Me too, I'd hate to see what could happen if the tea knocked you out while running. Now eat up and I'll take you up to a room."
"Uh, but I'm not hungry or tired!"
"You'll eat that now, and finish all this water, then I'll see you to bed, with no more complaints." The monk said sternly.
"Hrmgh, yes Mom." Shae grumbled.
"Oh-ho, you don't want me as your mother, we would have words if I were."
Shae smirked with a spoonful of stew in her mouth. "Mhm! Good, you're a much better older sister, Yungfan Sis!"
She snorted and mussed Shae's hair. "Brat!" Then walked off to see the inn owner about a room.
"Wow, um, I thought you two were family? You're really close, uh, Wise Shae."
"Yep, we get along really well! Makes me not want to leave. Why'd you think we were related?"
"Oh, um, the tattoos mostly."
"Oh right! Forgot about this, just got it!" She stretched her left arm out to admire it.
"You forgot that you just got a tattoo? Wasn't it painful?"
"Nah, Yungfan did it by accident, her tattoos move!"
"Huh." He kinda froze for a breath, with his mouth half open. "You two are really not what I expected. From cultivators, I mean."
"Heh, yea, if you've only heard stories about sect cultivators. I could see that."
"Are, uh, you going to make friends like that at the sect? Wise Shae?" He added her name when she raised an eyebrow.
"Hmmm," she chewed her stew. "Hope so, but they really do act differently there. The few I've met have been pretty stiff, and strict to the rules, especially on sect land."
Don shifted uncomfortably. "Aren't you nervous?"
Shae paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth. Then set it down to think. "About going there? No. That's easy. Getting in or not isn't even in my hands. But being there? Making friends and putting up with the formality and giving face. Pffffffth." She blew air out in a slow raspberry. "Yea, yea I'm nervous." She paused again. "But the good news is I can always bail out and go become a monk!"
"Hah?" He exhaled a stuttered laugh like he wasn't sure if he should let it out. "You're so relaxed about your future changing dramatically." He shook his head. "Oh, um, Wise Shae, why do you have this one branch?"
Shae looked up at the short branch Don held. "Oh! That's golden larch. Ah! Right! I keep forgetting to ask Yungfan about it. Master Cheng thought I could be- actually, I think he decided it was normal. But he first thought it might be a special variety."
"Oh, so Wise Kaiun is a master of plants and trees? Wood qi focused, maybe?"
"Oh, uh no. She's.. huh, not sure if I'm supposed to say."
"Say what?" Yungfan said as she returned.
"Wise Yungfan, what's the common courtesy about discussing other's qi abilities? Your specialty just came up in conversation."
The monk shrugged. "It varies depending on the details and who you are talking to. Simple qi affinities or aspects are pretty obvious to skilled observers, so not usually restricted."
"Okay, so you're good at metal stuff, right? Can you identify trace amounts of metals? Like what kind of metal pigment a tattoo is made of?"
"That's a very specific question. Was your discussion related to tattoos? Or is that just a metaphorical bridge?"
"Oh, yea, bridge." She waved at Don and he handed the branch over. "This is golden larch, and maybe has sucked up a specific metal, probably not gold like true golden larches do."
"Ah, that is interesting." She took the branch to inspect it. "Who thinks it's different?" She slowly ran her open palm over it.
"Master Cheng thought it might not be the normal variety. But he pretty much retracted that yesterday. He was trying to test it." Shae frowned and looked a bit disappointed.
"Hmmm." Yungfan tilted her head. "Well, I'm not getting anything out of it either."
"Aww, well, it was worth a shot."
"Is this the same Master Cheng you mentioned, Mister Don?"
"Oh, ah, yes it is, Wise Kaiun."
"Aha! So that is how you two met? Interesting. And he is a master bowyer?"
"Yep! You should have seen him yesterday! We carved three different bows at the same time in a day!" Shae was pretty excited.
"I heard, and different designs, yes? That is quite impressive. Good that you kept up with him."
"Haha, thanks! Oh, I think he might still need help, you could send a monk or two there to help out, he's kinda old and is having trouble carving the harder woods."
"Ahh, yes. Old men usually do have trouble with their hard wood."
"Pfft! Yungfan! I'm eating!"
"Well, that depends on how Mister Don addresses his issue. We might send over a monk or two. They get a bit restless sometimes, and bowyer skills are always in demand."
"Don? You're going back to him?"
"Er, yea. Wise Kaiun advised that I try to patch up the relationship. Apologize properly, or get him to apologize maybe, I'm not sure which."
Shae tried not to laugh and just let out a short snort. "Erk, sorry. That's good, though! Don't leave on such a sour note, you might regret it."
"Heh, that's nearly what she said."
"Oh, please. I was much more dignified and wise."
"Of course you were, Wise Yungfan."
"Hey! I can tell that was sarcastic."
"Of course you can, Wise Yungfan."
Don snorted with laughter.
"Ha-ha! Finally got a laugh out of him!" Shae exclaimed.
"Just in time too, your bowl looks empty, Wise Shae. Time to go to bed." Yungfan stated, then scooped up Shae's gear. "Nice to meet you, Mister Don."
"And you, Wise Kaiun, Wise Shae. Thank you for your generosity."
"Aww, but I'm not sleepy!" She waved to Don as he left. "Thanks for the bag and food, Don!"
"You are tired, you just don't know it. You'll pass out with the windows open once you lay down in bed."
"What! Wanna bet!"
"Hmmm, what are the stakes?" The two moved away from the tables and to the stairway at the back of the inn.
"If I win, you... have to go on two more dates with Xiang!"
"Ah. Well. Then if I win, you have to come visit me next year at the Monkery."
"That's not a bet! I was going to do that anyway!"
"Hmm, well maybe I was going to go on more dates with the Sergeant."
Shae smiled wide in excitement and pumped a fist. "Yesss!"
At the top of the stairs Yungfan faced Shae and mimed a yawn.
Shae mirrored her with a real yawn almost immediately. "Heeeaaay. That's cheating." She said through the yawn.
"Well, we haven't established rules."
"What do cultivators usually wager? Aside from money."
"Hmmm, techniques, spiritual tools, information. All sorts, really."
"Weeeaaaahhll, alright, you pick something." The girl said through another yawn, then stretched her arms out above her head.
"Still feeling confident?"
Shae paused and realized she had yawned twice. Then sighed, "No." She followed Yungfan into the room and immediately closed the window blinds.
"Hey, that's cheating." Yungfan said in mock offense.
"We didn't set any rules." The girl chimed. Peeling her shoes off she scattered clothes onto the floor so she could sleep comfortably. Then she flopped into the bed.
Yungfan waited a breath, then asked, "Asleep yet?"
"No." Shae mumbled into the pillow. Then tried to get the blanket over herself. "Can you get the inn to wake me up before sunrise?"
"I already asked. With a hot breakfast ready as well."
"Ooooh! You're the best!"
"Hmm, one of them, at least." She moved to help with the blanket.
"Will you be here tomorrow to see me off?"
"No, I think you can manage."
"Alright." She finally settled under it. And yawned a third time. "I guess I won't see you for a while then. Take care of yourself."
"Hah. That's my line, but I will. Be careful on the road, but be more careful in the sect. Not everyone is as casual and accepting as us. I'm going to worry about you, Shae."
She smiled. "I think I knew, but it's nice to hear. Thanks. Hwaaaahh-ah. Yungfan? Are the sect stories true?"
"I've heard a few I can't believe, but seen some play out that I would never believe otherwise."
"Oh? What happened?"
She almost answered, pausing with her mouth open. "I'm not going to tell you a bedtime story, Shae."
"Aww, but Yungfan Sis. I need one."
She mussed the girl's hair. "No, you don't. You're an adult. And you might need to start faking it better."
She sighed long and slow. Mumbled "never" with a smile, then fell asleep.
Yungfan watched the girl for a dozen even breaths, to make sure she was asleep. Then touched her left hand. The tattoos on both women twitched then a part of Shae's squirmed and flowed off the girl and onto the woman. A bit of the sharpness and saturation leaving with the tattoo, but not enough for many to notice.
The pattern on the younger girl's arm changed as the ink drained away. The flowery vines changed to a sharp lightning pattern with wide fans of branching arcs. The monk decided to leave some flowers, because she thought they looked nice.
When Yungfan was done, she kissed the girl on the forehead and left the room and inn with no fanfare.
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Book 1 End!
Stay tuned for the Epilogue-Aside over the next two weeks.
Shae will return in book 2: Manifold Journey, debuting near the end of July 2024.
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