They retreated to Kaden and Trella’s rooms, which Trella checked—again—this time, begging Kaden to climb up as well. At the top of one rafter sat a pearlescent beetle the color of fresh milk.

[Whisper Beetle], according to Identify. Kaden tucked it into the can with the [Echo Beetles] more for the muffling than for ownership. Two more echo beetles had hatched, meaning the swarm was rebuilding. Plus, the [Whisper Beetle] looked lonely and not even mindless beetles should be lonely.

Kaden summoned Trinity, gave her a cluster of ‘spirit herbs’ and let her search the room with her eye-light. “Ok, so what’s going on, and how long have you known?”

“I’ve suspected since the night of the assassination,” Trella said. “They had good shots at Tomoko and didn’t take them. Of course, there are lots of reasons that could be. Her mother’s still alive and even prisoners can have pull. She’s also involved in the daily port operations. Killing her is just a terrible decision all around.”

“How does that equate to her killing her father?” Sara asked.

“So, I’m talking with Old Mao about the differences in our [Alchemy] ingredients and he lets slip that ten thousand gold were stolen from the treasury.” Trella waited for the appropriate gasps. “The emperor is the source of all wealth, according to local bullshit, so the physical gold doesn’t matter. But, a [Fiery Dawn Assassin] gets a thousand gold for an assassination.”

Kaden didn’t need fingers, toes, or spear-tails to do the math. “The stolen gold was used to pay for the assassination.”

“The stolen gold wasn’t stolen,” Eve said. “A spy for the Emperor was on hand to observe the assassination. The Emperor grants Tomoko permission to hire assassins to remove her father. The gold becomes a debt that ensures she’s loyal.”

“I sent messenger bird to Shadowvale,” Trella said. “I don’t often ask them for information, but the Sisters owe us, and I got good advice. The Emperor’s level one hundred and sixty. The closest provincial lord is level fifty. We didn’t know—and couldn’t have known—what was happening. Now that we do? We stay clear.”

“This is wise.” A man spoke from the corner.

Trella hurled an [Inkblade] at him while Sara [Lunged].

He was already gone, dodging both of Trella’s Deceptions.

Kaden brought Remembrance down, knowing the man would dodge but following through to build up power in the hammer.

Trinity’s bone head struck the man’s thigh—and stopped cold as he caught her serpent head and twisted it. “Please. I do not wish to fight. I came to speak.”

He coughed and sneezed as [Plague] struck.

“Hold,” Eve said. “Explain yourself.”

“You know of my master Wan Daku. He will explain. I came only to speak and ask your presence.” The [Spy] bowed and stepped back. “In Xiao, it is understood that to attack a hand of the emperor is to attack the emperor himself.”

“Are you the hand?” Sara asked. “Unless the hand wants to be bitten, perhaps consider knocking on the door, introducing yourself and explaining.”

“I was one second from using [Agony Cloud] in an enclosed space,” Trella added. “You may be familiar with it, it’s the potion that installed the new window and skylight in the west laboratory.”

The Spy bowed again to her. “Restraint is appreciated. Please, listen to Wan Daku. Hear the word of the Emperor and show respect for Xiao.”

“We can do that,” Eve said. “How long have you been following us?”

“I was waiting here for you,” he answered. “I will be quiet now, you may discuss as you were.”

Not likely. Kaden pulled Trinity back into his soul. The [Spy] had withstood her so easily she wouldn’t stand a chance. He reached out with [Mindspeech]. *I don’t know what level he is, but he’s way stronger than Trinity.*

*Guessing sixty.* Trella didn’t take her eyes off Kaden but her Deception stared pointedly at the spy. *That dodge he used is a third tier skill. It activates automatically and he used it twice. Looked winded afterwards. Mana drain would probably work faster.*

Ashi spoke softly. “We do not know Lord Sato. We do not know his daughter. We should not make decisions about who should rule. It runs against my nature, but who is the tyrant and who the just ruler?”

“It could be a matter of life or death,” Eve said. “Our lives and our deaths, if Centurions decide we’re interfering.”

That reminded Kaden. He flopped a corpse out of Inventory. “This guy did something stupid and got killed for it. Eve, you mind?”

Eve activated [Life Exchange] and the man jerked, giving a sharp scream as he clutched his chest. The wound was already healing under [Life Transfusion], but the man’s eyes said he was having a hard time. “Where am I?”

“No idea, but it’s somewhere in Lord Sato’s castle,” Sara said. “You were on the lizard expedition and got killed.”

The man began to weep. “Why did you bring me back? I am a dead man. I have no money, I have no Class. What will happen to my wife?”

Sara stepped in before Kaden could, sending her Messenger Parrot. “Go to section twelve, building three, room one. Knock on the door, you’re expected. Panic won’t solve your problems, following my instructions might. Repeat it back to me.”

A moment later she ushered him to the door. “Where do we meet this Daku?”

Kaden had almost lost track of the [Spy] even knowing he was present, which shocked him. And the way Trella stared daggers (figurative) and gripped daggers (literal) told him it wasn’t just a lack of attention, but probably a skill or talent.

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“Understand we must be patient. Most of the household is loyal to the Young Misstress, but most is not enough.” The Spy stood and walked to the door. The knob rattled, then stopped. A screech owl’s distant call echoed.

“All is ready.” The spy opened the door and led them out into the courtyard. His clothes morphed to a servant’s black button-front robes and [Identify] gave him a new name, “Tao Wong,” a level (12) and a class, [Courier].

This let them pass through the castle.

*No foot traffic,* Trella tapped out. *What’s the odds we wouldn’t meet anyone in the hallways or courtyards?*

Pretty good if it were arranged.

Their guide stopped as a pair of wooden panels slid back, revealing a dusty banquet hall and half a dozen guards along with Daku, who was now dressed as a [Scribe]. Hell, he probably was a scribe.

And beside him, Tomoko Sato. She still wore her work robes and carried a scroll board and quill.

*If this goes south, we kill Tomoko. You can delay the [Spies] just long enough for me to do it.* Trella always planned for the worst. Kaden loved that about her.

Tomoko smiled as the doors shut. “I am told you understand the situation, in Gokesen. I am sorry that you have become aware. Now we must make a difficult decision together.”

Kaden knew this tone. “Either we agree or you kill us? Either we agree or you force us to agree?”

Tomoko coughed as her face turned red. “You cannot be allowed to interfere again. I will not allow my father’s corruption or his love for my mother to shame the people of this city.”

“Now, hold on,” Sara said, her pseudopods flaring in a way that said she was about one second from [Anthem of the End]. “Assassins attacked. You can hardly blame us for dealing with them.”

Tomoko didn’t react. “And this morning, your [Beast Master] brought home three times the elemental creatures a normal run yields. With this money, my father will buy more time and do more damage.”

Daku bowed. “It is most unfortunate, but thieves stole the shipment. We are searching everywhere. Perhaps it will be found when Heaven smiles on us again.”

“Instead of theatening, I offer you something that will be more valuable,” Tomoko said. “Your mother served the empire by dealing with the Scribe of Insanity and destroying his scrolls of madness. This earned you the letter which permits you passage.”

“Correct,” Sara said. “Are you suggesting that letter is not valid?”

“Never.” Daku drew a blank scroll, which then filled in with letters. “If you stay here, it will under house arrest until you can meet with the new Lady of the Port. But you could earn your own rights.”

Eve’s jaw opened. “Who can earn these rights? Me? Sara?”

“All of you, of course,” Daku said. “But perhaps you should ask what would be asked. We are not ignorant of the outside world. Your ‘adventurers’ are weak. Your beasts are even weaker, and yet you have variety of skills that our sects do not match. This matter does not involve Lady Tomoko.”

Tomoko bowed. “Daku, assure the Emperor my loyalty has not waivered.”

“He does not doubt. There will be no assurances because what I know the Emperor knows.” Daku waited for her to leave, taking her guards with her. “Long ago, we lost a Natural Treasure to the Iron Gear Empire. It was a staff which shows a cultivator their mistakes, so they can build a solid core.”

This sounded good to Kaden. “All we have to do is retrieve it?”

“If only it were so easy. We have hired thirty teams of ‘adventurers’ to search. Our belief was that powerful beasts overwhelmed them, so the last team was unsual. We hired a woman named Circe Karn. Her work against the [Redcap Swarm] is legendary.” Daku paused and pulled out a scroll. “She left three months ago. The Iron Gear Empire is sealed. You cannot enter without a diplomat’s seal, and she took our last one.”

“Where can we get a diplomatic seal?” Sara asked.

“If we knew, would we need you?” Daku asked. “In return for trying, I swear these things are true: You will recieve a trade agreement, a minor one. Vases are popular. Your ships will be released. And here is the most important part. Do you listen?”

“We do,” Kaden said. “At least, I do.”

“You do not need to retrieve this treasure. We must understand what has become of the others we equipped and hired. The Iron Gear Empire was never bloodthirsty. Never cruel. They do not answer any messages. Find us one—any one—of the parties and return to tell us.” Daku looked to each. “Do this and you will each have your own trading rights.”

Cutter Karn had gone to the Iron Gear Empire and not returned. “Is there any chance the empire runs on a different timescale?”

Eve shook her head. “Kings and Queens can adjust so many things about their kingdoms, but time is only different in different realms. Trials. Dungeons. Pocket universes.”

Sara gathered the party at the opposite end of the disused hall. “Odds are he can hear even if we were a hundred feet away but I like the feeling of privacy. Staying here burns months we could be spending anywhere else.”

“What about my ship?” Kaden asked.

“Repairs will take time, loading with cargo, too, will take time,” Sara said. “I’ve laid orders for our ships, Trella can set agreements for yours. The delay will give the crew time to recruit and train.”

“Where do we want to head first?” Eve asked.

“Home,” Ashi said. “First we go home and prepare. I did not expect to come so close to the Iron Gear Empire and leave without the page of my spellbook, but I would go prepared.”

Eve had nodded as Ashi spoke. “We should go to Egalion. Kaden has a quest there, and the kingdom had a diplomat to the Iron Gear Empire not fifteen years ago, so they have a pass. Two wyverns with one stone.”

“I thought you were never going,” Sara said.

“I have powerful bad memories.” Eve started to say more. “This whole party re-arranged their lives for my needs. I can endure Egalion for a few hours.”

“Home, then Egalion,” Sara said. “Can we live with what will happen here?”

Trella pointed to Daku. “We couldn’t handle his servant. We can’t handle the Emperor’s pet [Spy]. Be angry if you want but don’t pretend a level twenty eight party decides what the Emperor of Xiao does.”

“Take the deal,” Kaden said. “Ashi?”

Ashi shook her head. “It is the responsibility of those in power to use that power responsibly. Had my father set an example for Jagi, perhaps all would have been different. I will not weep in the darkness for a man who does not put his people first.”

Sara turned to Daku. “We’re in. We need two days, possibly three to set cargo orders. We’ll be happy to have your people escort us to ensure we keep our agreements. Will that timeline work?”

“By the order of the emperor, there cannot be another attempt for almost three months. Your trade agreement is assured, I swear this before the System.” Daku noded to his servant. “Arrange escorts for each of them. I will personally handle the [Beast Master].”

“You don’t have to—”

“It is the order of the Emperor. The closest the Xiao empire ever came to defeat was when it went to war with a pair of [Beast Masters]. To win, we had to beg assistance from the Iron Gear Empire. There are not many records from that war. Nor are there antiques, or temples.” Daku dipped his chin. “You will of course have rights to trade. It would be appreciated if others did so on your behalf.”

“Two of them?” Trella asked. “Against your empire?”

Daku’s stern expression didn’t change. “They had armies of beasts. The islands they took rose up against us when we tried to land. The seas themselves became hostile. But a hundred thousand warriors from the Iron Gear Empire reinforced the Army of Heaven, and the Empress sacrificed herself to destroy Glass Eternity Island, killing one of them. The other retreated to mourn. What are a few hundred thousand deaths for the survival of an empire?”

“This is how it is for empires,” Ashi said. “Let us be done with you for the day. Trella has studies to continue, and the strife of an empire that has only survived three cataclysms are like the mewling fit of an infant.”

Daku stared. “We have healers of the mind, some who can cure even [Grand Delusion]. I will give you their information.”

“I need to go back to the lab,” Trella said. *Are you ok?*

Kaden thought about what to say. *A lot happened. I need to find some place to practice.*

The events on Drakin Island had shown Kaden where a new Beast Skill lay buried. Now he wanted to dig it up.