Hyrua chased after her for several streets while calling out for her with no luck. Checking down alleys, under carts, he even looked inside some pottery.

“She better not be hiding out somewhere expensive.” He felt the disappointedly light purse tied to his waist. “I don’t think I could afford that for a third time this week.”

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a shadow that was suspiciously shaped. An evil grin crawled onto his face before calling out.

“How do you expect me to treat you if I can’t find you! Oh little mud…”

“Don’t you dare call me that.” Sienna chided. “Now be quiet, I’m busy.” She crouched back into the alley and started chatting to a ball of black cloth.

“Sorry about him, now where were we? Right! Are you new here? You have to be if you’re sleeping here in an alley.”

Hyrua rocked back and forth, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever she was having her one sided conversation with.

“I know it’s not fair that you have to be a citizen for six months before receiving your first allowance.” She clapped. “But that’s why there are request and bounties posted regularly. You look pretty capable so you should look at taking a few.”

Sienna sat in silence, bouncing on her heals as she waited for a response. But nothing came, at least that Hyrua could hear.

“Hmm, no matter, take this and treat it as a welcome gift.” She placed several gold taels in their hand before stepping back out of the alley.

Hyrua was finally able to get a look at a thin teen, almost his sister’s age, with long dark hair. Despite looking like they spent the past month in the wilderness, he thought their face could still be described as pretty. Not in a way that you would normally describe someone though. It was more like the way you would talk about a well crafted doll.

He was about to say something before Sienna grabbed him by the arm and walked further down the street.

Once they were out of ear shot, he finally spoke up. “What were you thinking? Even if you felt pity for her-”

“Him.” She corrected.

“Him. Really? That’s a bit unfair.” He mumbled to himself. “Even if you felt pity for him, you gave him too much. I know Tianshan is safe, but you still could make him a target for troublemakers.”

“I’m not worried about that, I didn’t give him enough to be worth it for anyone who could take it from him. Honestly, he could probably give you a run for your own purse.” She winked.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

“How could someone so young and frail looking be even more of a genius than you?” He bit back.

“Aren’t we taught that different paths have different strengths? Even our path manifest differently throughout the clan.” She tipped her head to point her horns at him. “When I looked in his eyes I could tell he must have gone through some unimaginable things.”

He looked back towards the alley. Part of him still wanted to keep an eye on the kid, at least for a little while. His head snapped back when he felt a hand smack onto his shoulder.

Sienna greeted his shocked face with a toothy grin. “So Hyu-Hyu, that was all the money on me.”

Hyrua pinched his brow. “Fine.” He resigned. “What did you have in mind?”

“Great! I’m in the mood for some spinach buns!”

The tension in his shoulders finally released once they sat down. “I swear, chasing after you is more tiring than training.”

Instead of drinking his water he poured it over his head. His close cut gray hair deflating before it started drying on its own.

“Oh stop being a baby. Besides, do you really want to talk that way with how often I’ve put you on your back?” She teased.

“Well excuse me for wanting to prepare for the Dài festival in a few weeks.” He stuffed two of the buns in his mouth before continuing. “Do you think you’re ready for your debut?”

“I could have won the last one if they would have let me compete. And who decided that it should only be once a decade?”

“You wouldn’t want to risk damaging your future while so young. Besides, what’s the point in having it more often when it can take years to advance a stage.”

One after another, he kept putting away their snack while Sienna played with a handful on her plate. She suddenly shot up and shook the table.

“Regardless, I’m excited to see what our guest have to offer. I can’t wait to show them what I can do.”

She punched at the air, almost knocking over one of the drinks. Used to it, Hyrua had already moved it just enough to avoid a mess.

A thin bamboo-like woman interrupted them by running onto the terrace and offering a short bow. “Mistress First Daughter. Fighter Hyrua. I am pleased to have found you both.”

The young woman was stiff and overly formal like always. Her perfect way of controlling her movements and not allowing even a hair to slip out of place unsettled Sienna. It was too polished and made her feel more like a puppet than a person.

The bamboo woman made sure to acknowledge them equally but never made direct eye contact as she spoke. “I have been tasked by Lord Kijin to present you before his benevolence.” Her posture reset when she finished, as if preparing for her next scene.

Hyrua was the first to say something while Sienna focused on her almost untouched meal. “What is it that Lord Father requires of us?”

She didn’t hesitate with her response. “I humbly apologize to Fighter Hyrua. I am aware that Lord Kijin wishes to discuss the upcoming festival, however, I cannot say I have the privilege to know more than that. If I may make an inference, the lord did greatly imply of another matter as well.”

“Tell Father that we’re on our way and will be there shortly.” Sienna didn’t look up from her now almost empty plate.

“Yes, Mistress First Daughter.” She left as quickly as she arrived.

“While I hate the formality, you have to admit that those on messenger paths are just as quick as they are efficient.” She shrugged. “If we leave now we should get there just as she’s giving her report.”

Hyrua looked down at their table. Dozens of plates sat empty and his purse still had some weight to it.

“Pacha! Can I get twenty more orders to go?” He called out.