"Yue!"

Yue shut her eyes tight and curled into a ball. This is it, she thought as the world burnt bright through her eyelids, my time would be up before I came of age. At the very least, she would perish protecting someone worthy. The thought comforted her. Her heart calmed as she accepted her fate. Through her thoughts and the rush of flames above, she heard the shouts from people closest to her heart.

The prince, her father…

Moonface! That was definitely Kerk and Kelia, she thought with grudging affection.

The flames above her flared suddenly, it burnt so hot and fast the faint odor of singed hair from her high bun wafted towards her. The flare caused a loud explosion that ringed in her ears, her eyes momentarily blinded. She shook her head and opened her eyes, blinking away the stars that lingered. Looking above her, she searched for her fiery execution, seeing only floating embers of light flickering away into the night. She glanced around her in confusion, first to Prince Yin Long a few paces to her right. In her panic she had pushed him further than she would have thought possible, but she was glad he was safe. Safe and running toward her curled position.

Yue did a mental check of her condition. Finding nothing amiss, she sat back onto cool grass, not bothered by the dirt staining her pristine white robes. 

“Yue!” 

She turned towards her father’s frantic shout from the edge of the garden, his right hand outstretched towards the assassin. 

Twin saber-toothed hounds and a pheonix as dark as the night sky burst from the shadows behind her father, shooting towards the assassin and pinning him to the ground, their speed preternaturally fast. Sharp canines lodged into the assassin’s elbows while the pheonix soared high and produced a shrill cry. It swooped back around in a sharp arc and arrowed downwards, to stab down at his ankles with its razor sharp talons.The assassin shrieked in pain, cries muffled by his face cover. Sparks appeared on his hands but dissipated as soon as the mythical hounds dug deeper. Dark crimson was a steady flow seeping into the damp grass around him.

Her father stood beside a tall, dark haired soldier in elegant military court robes. The glow of the soldier’s eyes from his weaving was so intense that his irises burnt like emeralds in a hot forge. As the embers above Yue drifted away on a passing breeze, the fearsome expression melted into relief, and that’s when she recognized him.

Ye Yang, she breathed, happy to see her friend. Just then, dizziness swept through her, forcing her to lay back onto the ground to rest her head and soak in the cool temperature.

“Yue!”

A chorus of voices as the prince and her father reached her. Behind them, Concubine Shu had also rushed from the banquet pavilion, her face pale as a sheet. Concubines Yol-min and Pan-rin were also there, hands checking on Prince Yin Long beside her. Her father placed his palms on her forehead, her cheeks, worry etched onto his normally stoic façade. “Are you hurt, moonlight? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Yue placed her hands on her father’s, soothing his worries. “I’m fine, father. I think Prince Yin Long was hurt fighting the assassin, though. Please send a physician to check on his injuries.”

Concubine Shu placed a gentle hand on her head, stroking her hair. “I am glad you are safe, Yue. We must thank the Mother Weaver for protecting you.” Tears welled in Concubine Shu’s almond eyes. Yue felt tears prick at her own, touched by the heartfelt worry in the noble concubine’s words.

“I apologize for causing you concern, Concubine Shu. I really am fine.” Reassured, Concubine Shu wiped at her tears and stood, going over to check on Prince Yin Long. Yue’s father held onto her hand as she sat up, crouching beside her protectively. A few paces in front of her laid the prone form of the assassin, still under the three obsidian shadows. Still dazed from the attack, Yue stared at the beasts, feeling non-plussed. “Father, where…what are those creatures?”

As she watched, the three beasts dislodged themselves from the assassin and ran off into the shadow of the willow trees.  Her father scratched at his gold headband, a sheepish smile on his face. “They are my familiars, moonlight. I was waiting for your weaving to manifest before I told you about them.” 

“Oh.” Yue muttered softly, crestfallen. Her father’s comment hurt.

He squeezed her hand. “I will tell you more about them when you recover from tonight’s incident.”

Yue nodded distractedly, remembering her other savior. She glanced over to where she last saw Ye Yang. He sat on the stone steps leading down from the outer corridor, head bowed. As if sensing her gaze, he lifted his head. A lopsided smile, half in relief and half in exasperation, graced his face. He stood up and made his way over to her, mirroring her father’s crouch. Yue’s father clasped Ye Yang’s shoulder in greeting and stood to escort Concubine Shu back to the banquet hall.

Ye Yang ruffled Yue's singed bangs. "Are you alright, Yue? Can you stand?" He asked, concern clear in his sea green eyes.

She nodded, rotating her wrists. "I'm perfectly fine. Just a little dizzy. Thank you for stopping the flames just now, Ye Yang. It was such a dense concentration of threads, and it had already built enough momentum to rival a falling boulder. How did you manage to stop it?"

"Well...I've seen something similar happen in the desert. The sun reigns longer during the day there than in Vyrnos, and the wind threads are sparse. Perfect conditions for flame weavers.

"During a particularly harsh summer, we came upon a large Kharian raiding party. We fought to a stalemate, both sides fought so fiercely, not giving an inch. When the sun came to the peak of its cycle, my father stood over the battle on a sand dune and amassed a huge amount of light threads, prepared to fry the entire raid party. One of the Khar's flame weavers snuck across the battlefield, sliding on the blood of his fallen comrades to stand before the gathered light threads. His skin started to blister immediately under the immense heat...I can still smell the parts of his skin that started melting." A shaky breath, his hands trembling slightly under Yue's. Ye Yang breathed deep, finding his centre once more before continuing.

"The Kharian very smartly chose to focus his expended energy on the bottom of the condensed threads, and with a few focused threads of light, pierced through my father's ball of flames and unwound the bulk of it. This distraction gave the Kharians time to retreat." Ye Yang paused, nostrils flared and eyes glazed, trapped in the memory. His next words came out in a whisper. "It stopped a massacre."

His tone...it was one of withheld relief, his eyes haunted. It was the first time she heard of his and the prince's time in the Khar desert campaign. Instead of stories of glory and achievements as she'd expected, Ye Yang's time there seemed to cast a shadow on him. Yue touched his arm, hoping to bring him back to the light.

"Hey, are you alright? It seems your weaving has really improved these two years, though. That's another step towards your dreams of being Chief General." A tentative smile, unsure of how he would react. "Anyhow, it was a really close call, and I owe you a big one this time."

He shuddered, brushing aside the compliment. "I can't keep my eyes off of you two for even a second, can I? How is it that the both of you always manage to get yourselves in some life or death situation every time you get together? And it's always when I'm not with you," Ye Yang huffed. "I'm supposed to protect the two of you."

Yue listened to him rant in silence. He needed the outlet, his loyalty to his friends a defining trait Yue has always admired.

"Hey, but we always manage to get out fine," Yue said, hoping to lighten the mood. Ye Yang glared at her. Yue continued hurriedly. "Anyway, how did you know to come looking for us?"

"Your father sensed the disturbance in the threads around the Villa, and I was already out searching for you when I noticed your empty seats. Conversation at the upper dais wasn't exactly the most exciting affair." He shrugged and looked pointedly at Concubine Yol-min and Concubine Pan-rin, the latter still fawning over Prince Yin Long. "I was about to seek solace in a commiserate soul when lo and behold, our princeling was gone from his golden cushion and so were you."

Prince Yin Long sent a smug grin to Ye Yang over his shoulder, having heard his last remarks. Yue laughed. Kerk and Kelia rushed over from the outer orchards where the outer household held their dinner banquet.

"Moonface, are you alright?" Kelia demanded, the folds of her sunset orange apprentice robes clutched in her right hand to facilitate her sprint over, Kerk one step behind.

"The hounds were going berserk in their pens, so we came to check on the Villa's perimeter when we saw a gigantic ball of fire in this direction from way back at the Lily Pavilion."

Before Yue could respond, Concubine Yol-min cleared her throat and came to stand beside Ye Yang, the folds of her pastel silk robes swishing softly. She eyed the twin stable apprentices, her emerald eyes cold. The subjects of her icy appraisal dropped to their knees immediately, heads on the ground in supplication.

"Our humblest apologies, Concubine Yol-min. We did not mean any disrespect," Kerk said, a quiver in his voice.

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"We only meant to check on Apprentice Yue. Please forgive our intrusion," added Kelia hastily, swallowing visibly.

Concubine Pan-rin sashayed over to stand by Concubine Yol-min, tutting as she went. "Failure to pay respects to your betters. Intrusion into a royal gathering without permission. Name-calling of an apprentice of the inner household." Concubine Pan-rin counted on her slender fingers. "The number of sins the two of you have committed within the span of a few minutes is truly astounding. Wouldn't you say so, sister Yol-min?"

Concubine Yol-min opened her silk fan, nodding her assent. "It seems to me that you have been enjoying far too liberal an education here in sister Shu Li's Villa. It shall be remiss of us of the royal family to let slide such a glaring slight."

Kerk and Kelia did not dare look up at the concubine from their kneeled positions, sweat beading on their temples as they awaited their impending judgement. Yue clenched Ye Yang's hand, worry for her friends evident in the tremble of her hold.

"The two of you shall receive lessons in respect today. But seeing as this is the eve of the month of the Moon Festival..." Concubine Yol-min considered the two apprentices, silk fan fluttering softly before her kohl-lined eyes.

"Oh, you are far too soft-hearted, sister Yol-min. You're just as bad as sister Shu Li." A grating laugh. Yue flinched as she heard the sound echo across the still garden. "In that case, I shall pass judgement. Twenty paddles of the flog, and five lashes of the cane each shall suffice."

Kerk and Kelia started to shake from fear. Neither would be able to stand for a month with that punishment. Yue made to stand and plead for her friends, who came only because of their worry for her. Prince Yin Long held a hand out to stop her, shaking his head subtly. He looked towards the Lily Pavilion, where Stablemaster Jotun was hobbling over as fast as he can. The old beast weaver panted as he reached the small gathering, going down on his knees with difficulty. Yue's heart clenched.

"Concubine Yol-min, Concubine Pan-rin. This lowly one comes before you to beg clemency for this two children. They are young and reckless, Concubines, but they mean no ill will." He paused, catching his breath. "If there must be punishment served, then let it be borne by me as a negligent father."

"Father!" Kerk and Kelia turned their heads on the ground, eyes beseeching Stablemaster Jotun to retract his offer. Their father shushed them harshly.

Concubine Yol-min looked down at the stablemaster, her eyes cool as the winter breeze that chilled Yue through her robes. "There is truth in that saying, stablemaster, and I admire your love for your children."

Kerk and Kelia glanced at each other, relief on their faces. Yue unclenched her hands.

"But, you are also aware of the Scripture's passage: the hardest bruises on a child should only come from the cane of a loving parent. You have failed in your Mother-given role as a parent by spoiling your children. How do you propose to atone?"

Tensed silence filled the air. Yue glanced at Ye Yang, whose frown mirrored her confusion. No one knew how Concubine Yol-min might react to anything Master Jotun said next, but from her steely expression, it would not be pleasant.

Master Jotun closed his eyes, weary determination in the lines of his face. "I offer up my good leg as penance to the Great Weaver for failing in my duties."

"No!" Kerk yelled. Kelia sobbed from beside her brother, face torn between horror and disbelief. Yue looked on with dread, wracking her mind for a way out of the dire situation. If she pleaded for Kerk and Kelia on grounds of ignorance, it would solidify the two concubines' accusation of their lacking education. If she were to go to Stablemaster Jotun's aid, a member of the inner household lowering herself for a member of the outer household, it would bring disgrace upon her and her father. Furthermore, it would seem like the members of Concubine Shu's Imperial Villa were banding together, furthering the slight on the two royal ladies. Yue felt her gut churn — from the guilt that she was the reason for this turn of events, from how helpless she felt. From the thought that her second father was about to become permanently crippled.

Concubine Pan-rin smirked, smoothening imaginary strands of hair that escaped her elaborate headdress. "That settles it then. The father of the offenders has offered his leg in atonement for his children's sins. Guards!"

"If I may, Concubine Yol-min," Ye Yang stood from beside Yue, hands cupped before him and head bowed. Yue stared up at him in surprise, not having felt him move. Perimeter sentries marched towards them as the two concubines turned to face Ye Yang.

Concubine Yol-min waved her hand graciously, her face thawing slightly as she looked at him. "Formalities between us need not be so stringently upheld, cousin. You know that."

Yue jerked in shock. Cousin? Ye Yang shifted uncomfortably, glancing at her in his periphery. He inclined his head in another shallow bow before he straightened. "Concubine, cousin, let us also take into account the good work Stablemaster Jotun has done for our country. Before he was stationed in Tyrmal and before Skaria gained its current Royal Beast Weaver, Master Ning Xiao, Master Jotun was Head Beast Trainer of the Royal Stable, who handled all the royal family's beasts bar those of mystic status during the Great War as well as the Tolmar Conquest. Apart from that, he was also the esteemed beast tutor in the Royal Learning Pavilion for nigh on a decade—"

Concubine Pan-rin sliced her hand through the air, cutting Ye Yang off mid-sentence. "Captain, we do not have all eve to listen to one stablemaster's accolades. What is the point you are trying to make?"

Unfazed by the abrupt interruption, Ye Yang looked up at the testy concubine with a steadiness more commonly found in earth weavers. "My point, Concubine Pan-rin, is that the Scripture also advocates the practice of weighing our sins against our merits. It would be unwise to judge him based merely on his transgressions this eve."

Concubine Pan-rin blinked, taken aback by Ye Yang's reference to the Scripture. No one could refute the Scripture, not if they were ready to accept reprisal from the monks of Mount Shengmir. Concubine Yol-min seemed surprised by her cousin's calm response, studying him with her usual shrewd gaze. As she lowered her silk fan and made to reply, Prince Yin Long stood up from his seated position, brushing loose soil and seeds from the flowering bushes that clung to his midnight robes.

"Noble concubines, as well-intentioned as your lecture for Stablemaster Jotun and his apprentices might be, might I remind you that it is considered bad practice to enforce violence on the eve of the celebration of Molthear's dark birth. By doing so as members of the royal family, you are not only bringing bad fortune to His Majesty but to Skaria as well." Prince Yin Long eyed the two concubines coolly, dismissing them by turning to Stablemaster Jotun, Kerk and Kelia. Concubine Pan-rin kept her gaze down, chastised. Concubine Yol-min demurred after a moment's hesitation.

Yue smiled in relief and admiration. Prince Yin Long just invoked the divine in their little standoff, subtly warning them of His Majesty's possible involvement should they push with their agenda.

"As Your Highness has rightly reminded us sisters, it is the night of the enigmatic Moon Weaver. We will naturally defer to your decision then, Prince Yin Long," Concubine Yol-min said respectfully, once more the smiling beauty. She turned to Stablemaster Jotun and added, "The three of you should thank your lucky stars. You may leave us."

Concubine Pan-rin pouted as Kerk and Kelia helped their father up, making their way back to the outer gardens. The sentries at attention around the small gathering picked the unconscious assassin off the ground, slinging him onto the shoulder of a particularly tall guard. Kerk and Kelia glanced back at Yue once, and she shook her head to signal that she was fine. Concubine Pan-rin curtsied to the prince, her action forced. "Sister Yol-min and I shall take our leave too then, and rejoin sister Shu Li at the banquet," she sniffed daintily.

Concubine Yol-min curtsied fully and stepped around them. When the two concubines reached the silvery lilac bushes that marked the boundary of the inner gardens, Concubine Yol-min turned to them and commanded softly. "Cousin, walk with me. We have much to discuss since the last we met."

Indecision warred on Ye Yang's face, torn between staying and assuring the safety of his friends and his duty as commanded by the concubine. Yue stood up shakily and waved at him to go, her small smile encouraging. Prince Yin Long reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, "She will be fine with me, brother. I will not let my guard down again."

Yue looked at the two of them, incredulous. "You are the one that needs to be protected, my prince. Go on, Ye Yang, I'm sure your cousin must be very anxious to speak to you." She looked at him pointedly, still reeling from the news of his familial link with Concubine Yol-min.

Ye Yang sighed, exasperated. "Just...avoid any trouble when I'm not around. And stop bringing her to weird, dark places alone, Your Highness."

"I endeavour to please, Captain Ye," Prince Yin Long bowed low, voice laced with levity. "Besides, the garden is not a weird place. I am certain your words will wound Old Man Pu more than any amount of your flames could, should he have gotten wind of it."

A reluctant smile peeked out of Ye Yang's irritable expression, and Yue giggled. Ye Yang punched Prince Yin Long lightly on his shoulder, before moving off to join the waiting concubines.

As Ye Yang slowed in his jog, he glanced once at Yue and Prince Yin Long. They made a lovely couple in the moonlight, framed by lush peony and lilac bushes swaying to the evening breeze, silver weeping willows in the background. The pond rippled lightly, reflecting the clear crescent. The soft glow of Molthear's weaving outlined the elegant lines of Yue's face. She has grown a bit more into her own, but still retained the roundness of youth before a lady turned of age. They have only been apart for two years but she seemed to have matured a fair bit, the little he witnessed of her combat skills far superior to when he saw her last in the Royal Palace. He remembered the tremble in her hands as the stablemaster and his children were being judged, the kind worry in her eyes.

Ever since the day she threatened to oust him on his prank on the prince in the Royal Learning Pavilion during her first year as an honorary student in the Palace, he felt himself being drawn to her. He saw how she smiled up at the prince, his childhood playmate, her face lighting up from within. He saw too the way the prince's stance softened around her, his expression indulgent. He was happy for them, that they have found their thread partners. And he vowed to protect that bond, no matter the cost.

"I see the way you look at her, cousin. Is she aware of your feelings for her? Are you?" Concubine Yol-min stared at him as a sister might, slight concern in her frown. Ye Yang glanced at her sharply, then looked at Concubine Pan-rin's intrigued expression. Concubine Yol-min placed her palm gently on Ye Yang's forearm, placating. "Sister Pan-rin was from Sohar as well, cousin. You need not be so wary around her. She can be trusted."

Ye Yang removed her hand gently, bringing his fists together for a formal bow. "You forget I am only half Soharian, cousin. I fight for the Skarian army, and I was brought up on Skarian soil. My loyalty is to the prince and the royal family, both of you noble concubines included. I do not trespass where the prince's attention should land, if you would pardon my sloppy explanation."

"There is nothing to pardon, Ye Yang," Concubine Yol-min said gently. "I grew up on stories of my father and your mother's childhood bond, one that lasts even now in their frequent letters to each other. I wish that of us, Ye Yang, as we are the only family in Skaria of our generation." Her expression turned distant, voice soft.

"I am aware, cousin, and I am eternally grateful to have another kin here, one who treasures kinship."

"Then, may I request for you to come to me if you are in need of any assistance? Of any kind. I hope to be there for you, as you will be there for me." A hopeful gleam in sincere, sea green eyes so similar to his own.

Ye Yang hesitated a moment before nodding. Concubine Yol-min beamed at him, her smile incandescent. Concubine Pan-rin pouted from the side. "What about me? This should be a trinity, shouldn't it, sister Yol-min? The number three has always been a sacred number in the Scriptures anyway."

Ye Yang feigned hard of hearing, gesturing towards the banquet pavilion. "Shall I escort you both back to the banquet, concubines?" Concubine Yol-min laughed, the exotic tilt of her eyes more pronounced in her happiness, hiding her smile behind her reopened silk fan. Concubine Pan-rin sulked as the three of them made their way towards the banquet pavilion. Ye Yang glanced back once, hearing echoes of Yue's unique peal of laughter, reminiscent of the mini wind chimes his mother was fond of caught in a light spring breeze. The sound floated softly to him, and he felt them reverberate in his heart threads, a sound he did not realise he missed until then.