The sun slowly made its way into the morning sky of Chanan Harbor, lighting up the docks as the fishermen prepared to sail out for another trip. Aven crouched on the top of a shack, watching the activity on board. An open fire was lit and breakfast was being roasted over it. Bill sat on a barrel laughing, playing Cai at cards. Everything looked normal. “I think we’re good to go,” he said, hopping down off the roof next to Ji.
“Why did we wait so long?” Ji asked, picking at the bloodstained bandage tied to her arm.
Aven nudged her hand away from it. “We need to get that cleaned out when we’re aboard,” he said, making for the gangplank. “I waited because I didn’t know if summons had attacked the ship. It could have been a trap.”
Cai groaned as they came on deck. “Couldn’t you have made it back a little sooner? I had money on you getting back before sunrise,” he grumbled, tossing a handful of coins to Batro and some other crewmates.
“I wanted to make sure we weren’t followed,” Aven said. “Did any of you run into any trouble?”
“None,” Batro said, biting one of his newly-earned coins.
“It went easier than I thought,” said Bill, raising an eyebrow when Ji dropped down to her hands and knees, pressing her forehead to the deck. “Why don’t any of you greet me like that?”
Aven rolled his eyes. “I’m going to go get my kit,” he said, heading below decks.
“Forgive me, Ezu,” Ji said, voice muffled by the deck.
Bill cocked his head to one side, scratching his beard. “What am I forgiving you for?”
“I called a duel while you were in a weakened state,” she said from her crouch. “I did not know you were drunk, or I never would have called the duel. Forgive my stain on your honor.”
“It’s not my honor you’re worried about, it’s yours,” Bill said, hopping off the barrel. “Challenging a drunken man is almost as bad as attacking some in their sleep. If your Esgan found out about this, they’d probably chuck you out, wouldn’t they?”
Ji swallowed, pressing her forehead harder into the deck. “It was not my intent. I put myself under your acolyte to make amends, to rescue you from your captors and restore my honor.”
Bill sighed and stretched. “It’s not that simple. I am here on a quest that you may have ended. If not for you, it would be completed by now. A rescue is not enough.”
“Then tell me what I must do to earn your forgiveness,” Ji begged. “If it is within my power, I will do it.”
“If you’re this serious about making amends, serve under me until my mission is complete. Then you can go back to your monastery with your head held high, got it?”
“I am at your service,” Ji said, bowing deeply at the waist.
“If you’re lucky, you won’t have to do anything else,” Bill said, spotting Aven coming up the stairs with a leather bag in hand. “Good, now everyone is here, I can start giving orders.”
“Let me look at her arm first,” Aven said, undoing the metal clasp that held the bag shut.
“After,” said Bill, waving everyone over. “If her wound hasn’t festered yet, it won’t fester while I’m talking,” he said as the crew gathered around. “First, I have to know, who voted for leaving me to rot?” he asked, grinning when fingers pointed at a flustered Batro. “No hard feelings. I would’ve voted for pulling up anchor too. Our situation isn’t much better. Chesai is dead, that means our summoning friend is cleaning house. There’s no way of getting into contact with him, so there’s no way to call him off. That means we’re leaving as soon as we can. Cai, get our new cargo loaded and the sails run out. Aven and I are going back to Tiyake’s Manor to get the manual. I want to be ready to sail the second our feet hit the deck.”
“We don’t have clearance to leave from the harbormaster yet,” said Cai. “That won’t be quick.”
“Do what you have to do,” Bill said. “Tell them we want to leave right away because of the fire last night. We don’t think it’s safe here anymore. Beg, borrow, steal, bribe, threaten. Whatever it takes.”
Cai made a wild, fake salute. “Aye aye captain, one exit pass, coming up! You heard him boys, let’s get this ship ready to sail!” he said, launching a flurry of activity on deck.
Aven groaned as Bill walked up to him and Ji, grinding his palm into his forehead. “Now? Right now?”
“Every hour that passes makes an attack more likely,” he said, waving his hand over the docks. “You have inside information and you’ve gotten through that lock before, don’t act like this isn’t a good situation.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Aven sighed, rummaging into the bag.
“What do you require of me?” Ji asked, standing up straight despite the aching bruise on her stomach.
“You stay here and help Cai,” Bill said, jerking his head at the old man barking orders. “He knows what he’s doing, follow his lead. If you’re attacked, stand and fight if Cai fights. If he runs, follow him.”
“I will follow his orders as if they were yours,” Ji said with a bow before she stepped away.
“Hang on,” Aven said, grabbing her good arm. “You’re doing anything until I clean that wound.”
“Make it quick,” Bill nodded and walked away. “I’ll meet you on the docks.”
“Sit down,” Aven said, dropping to his knees. He pulled away the makeshift bandage, grimacing at the smell and the crusty blood underneath. A glass of boiled water and quick rub with a clean cloth cleared it all away and the wound began to seep blood again.
Ji stared at it, unflinching. “Will it leave a scar?”
“Probably,” Aven said, smearing a cold green paste on the wound as a small smile spread across Ji’s face. “There’s one thing I don’t understand,” he said, rubbing the paste into the cut. “Why did you challenge him to a duel in the first place? Did your monastery send you after him?”
A blush colored Ji’s face and she looked away. “My home monastery is far away from here. I was sent here to learn and achieve enlightenment. It’s been an entire year and I have nothing to show for it. When I saw the scars your master bore, I knew he would be a strong opponent. I snuck away from my temple to seek him out.”
“Still don’t get why you challenged him,” Aven said, wrapping the wound in a tight bandage.
Ji sighed as her wound was bound. “When wind and water combine, they form mighty waves. I thought if I challenged the Ezu, the battle would reveal some secret to me. It did not.”
“I figured as much,” Aven said, tying a tight knot to keep the bandages in place. “Don’t bang that on anything and you should be fine,” he said, standing up. “With any luck, you’ll be on your way home by noon.”
-
“So how are you doing this?” Bill asked, loitering on a street corner near the Magistrates Manor. The main gates were sealed shut and protected by five yawning guards.
“If it were night, I’d just sneak in,” Aven said, shielding his eyes from the sun. “But it’s not. Going in person to meet with Tiyake will get us in, but it will make getting out a challenge if I’m seen.”
“Being seen isn’t a problem anymore. We’re sailing out right away. By the time they figure out we might have had something to do with it we’ll have a day’s head start. That’s all we need,” Bill said, cracking his knuckles. “We heard about the fire and came to pray at the Rain Shrine?” he offered.
Aven sighed and shrugged. “Good as any. If I can make it back without raising an alarm, we’ll leave together. If you hear whistles start to blow, get out and go back to the ship.”
Bill stepped away from the well and made his way towards the gate. “I won’t wait for you long,” he whispered.
“I know,” Aven replied.
The guards at the gate recognized them and, after a round of blessings from Bill, allowed them into the courtyard. The manor was quiet and most of its windows were dark, save for a few lit by flickering candlelight. They made it halfway across the courtyard before a sleepy servant rushed out to greet them. “Ezu Endin,” he said with a groveling bow. “I wish you had sent word. We would have prepared a better welcome.”
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“Don’t worry about it at all,” Bill said with a wave of his hand. “Our journey had a sudden start. When we heard of the damage the fire caused, we wanted to do all we can to help. May we speak with the Magistrate?”
“I apologize, but no,” the servant said with another bow. “The Magistrate is very busy dealing with the aftermath of the fire. He was also woken in the middle of the night by a letter from the Governor. He could not make time to see you.”
“Shame,” Bill said, shaking his head. “But we will do our part nonetheless. May we have some privacy in the Rain Shrine? I’m sure Magistrate Tiyake needs all the prayers he can get.”
“Of course, of course. Let me show you the way,” the servant said. He led them into the house, past patrols and the guarded door to the basement. The Rain Shrine was dark and quiet, the rays from the sun not quite making it past the walls of the manor. “If you should need anything, call,” the servant said, closing the door behind him.
Bill knelt the water, ripples crisscrossing the shallow pool. “Do you need me to distract the guard again?” he whispered, careful to keep his voice from carrying to the windows the ringed the shrine.
“Too risky,” Aven said, inspecting the items in his pouch to make sure the lockpicks wouldn’t clank together. “Too many guards roaming the house. I’ll come in through the barred window at ground level. There’s a bush nearby I can hide in. When the right moment comes, I’ll go in.”
“Yazwa said there were two guards down there now. Can you handle that?” Bill asked.
Aven grimaced and glanced up at Yazwa’s dark window. He was supposed to bring her to Tsen to see if he could lift her curse. “I’ll have to,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But if you hear me fighting, come help me out. You might be able to hold them off long enough for me to get the book. We can both go out the window and make it up from there,” he said, kneeling down beside Bill in the water. “Let’s do a few prayers first in case anyone’s watching.” They were interrupted by the deep ring of a bell, over and over. “Is that an alarm?” Aven asked, tensing up.
Bill listened as the ring slowly faded, replaced by the sound of rushing feet and people running up and down stairs. “No…no, that ring is to announce an auspicious guest,” he frowned.
The door to the Rain Shrine flung open and the servant, ashen-faced and panting, stuck his head in. “A thousand pardons Ezu,” he gasped, leaning on the door from. “But I must ask you to come to the courtyard. Governor Menshi has arrived and the whole household must greet him.”
“Surely he can make an exception,” Bill said, trailing off when the servant frantically shook his head.
“The whole household must greet a man of such rank,” the servant said with another bow. “Even guests. It will not take long, I promise.”
Bill and Aven rose from the water to follow the servant out. “This is a problem,” Bill whispered as they made their way through the halls.
“Maybe not,” Aven said, glancing at the now unguarded basement door. “I’ll slip away and take stock, this might make it easier,” he said as they emerged out into the courtyard. The entire household was there, guests and servants alike, arranged in a wide crescent. Magistrate Tiyake stood at the center, watching a massive, ornate carriage lumber through the gate. When it stopped the Magistrate dropped to one knee, and everyone else followed his lead. Aven glanced left and right, spotting a sleepy Yazwa in the crowd.
“Announcing!” said the coach driver, rising to his feet. “The Most Virtuous Governor Menshi!”
Bill’s heart skipped a beat when he laid eyes on the Governor. He wore ornate, bright green robes with golden baubles hanging off the sleeves. Even though the clothes were different, the face was the same. Sharp cheekbones, bright blue eyes and plucked eyebrows. It was the Vao he had bargained with.
“Loyal subjects!” Governor Menshi shouted, voice carrying easily to every corner of the courtyard. “Our peaceful lives on this island have been disturbed. Assassins sent for your master, summons running wild and fire tearing through the city. No one is more concerned about this than I! One calamity may come and go, but three must mean something deeper,” he said, robes dragging in the dust as he approached the kneeling crowd. “Something more than just simple bad luck. As the wise Riyao taught, when we all work together towards one goal, there is harmony. When people pursue their own ends with no care for others, there is chaos. All these calamities tell me that someone has betrayed trust. There is a thief among us!” he called, walking along the lines of kneeling servants, each step bringing him closer to Bill and Aven.
Aven nudged Bill’s side and Bill gave the barest shake of his head. There was no point in running now, it would only confirm their guilt and send the whole crowd chasing after them. Patience, he told himself, taking deep breaths to calm his hammering heart.
“I searched my soul and prayed to the morning star to give me an answer. To bring such disaster, it had to me more than simple thievery, but a betrayal of trust. When I searched through my records, I found the betrayal. Years ago, when the City of Igwatha was being torn apart by war, the Atemzl Priests sent us a rare tapestry for safekeeping. We swore a sacred vow to keep the tapestry safe until it could be returned,” he said, eyes roving over the crowd. “When I went looking for it, I found it gone. Removed under false orders and stolen for personal profit,” he called, stopping in front of Bill and Aven.
Bill couldn’t help himself and his eyes darted up to meet the Governer's. He was sure of it now, it was the same man. It was over.
Menshi's eyes lingered on Bills for a moment, eyebrows barely furrowing before he continued on. “This theft means that we have betrayed our vow. This broken oath has brought disaster down on our heads. The only way to restore peace is to return the tapestry. Saiyun Li Enaoshi,” Menshi said, stopping in his tracks in front of one man. “Rise.”
Aven glanced out of the corner of his eyes, recognizing the man who inspected their ship and dined with them and the Magistrate. Saiyun rose to his feet on shaky legs, keeping his eyes downcast. “Yes, Governor?”
“What have you done with the tapestry?” Menshi asked.
A gasp swept through the crowd as Saiyun lifted his eyes to meet Menshi’s. “What? I had nothing to do with that!”
“I checked the documents,” the Governor said coolly as two guards approached. “Your name and your stamp is on a form that permits the transfer of textiles out of the central vault and into the harbor vault. You altered the records to remove the fact that they were sacred artifacts so they could be transferred. There is no record of what happened to it after it was transferred to the harbor vault. What did you do with the tapestry?”
“Nothing,” Saiyun gasped as the guards seized his arms. “I’m a customs inspector! I’ve only been to the central vault a few times.”
“And the disappearance of the tapestry coincides with your last visit!” the Governor barked, getting into Saiyun’s face. “Do the right thing, tell us where to find the tapestry so we can banish this cloud of misfortune that hangs over us!”
“I had nothing to do with it!” I swear!” Saiyun screamed, struggling against the guard's hold.
Menshi sighed and stepped back. “I am not a cruel man, but you are testing me. In deference to your noble blood and your skills, I won’t have you thrown into my dungeon. Magistrate Tiyake!”
“I am at your service!” Tiyake shouted from his knees.
“As this man is your guest, I am placing him in your custody under house arrest. Perhaps words from his host will cure this stubbornness,” he said, waving his hand. The two guards hauled Saiyun towards the house, pushing the crowd aside.
“I didn’t do anything! I didn’t steal anything!” he called, until the walls of the manor silenced his cries.
“A thousand apologies,” said Tiyake, eyes locked on the ground. “A guest in my own house. I should have known.”
“The closer a liar is, the harder he is to spot,” said Menshi before he raised his voice again. “Until the tapestry is found, I have issued an order that no ship is to leave the harbor until it is thoroughly inspected! If it leaves our shores, it may never be recovered, and we will never banish this cloud of misfortune. No ship shall leave the harbor without my personal permission!”
A chill ran up Bill’s spine as he started to put the pieces together. Menshi had outplayed him.
“Those of you who know the thief,” Menshi continued.“Think of what he said to you! He may have let slip some comment that meant nothing at the moment. But now that you know his treachery, it may mean something. Speak to Magistrate Tiyake if you remember anything that could help track down this missing tapestry,” he said, pacing back the way he came until he stopped in front of Bill. “You are all dismissed!”
The crowd rose as one and a rumble of gossip flowed out of it. Bill rose and spun on his heel, offering a polite “Governor,” as he tried to slip away.
“Wait my friend,” Menshi said calmly, seizing Bill’s shoulder. “My city has sailed into troubled waters. I feel I would benefit from your counsel and your acolytes as well.”
Aven froze, only half a step ahead of Bill as the crowd dispersed back towards the manor. “Someone as humble as I could not hope to advise someone of your rank,” he said with a bow.
“Wisdom can come from strange places,” Menshi said, releasing Bill's shoulder. “Tiyake, provide me with a private room so I can speak with this Ezu in peace.” The Magistrate fell over himself to comply, almost dragging the three of them to an isolated tea room, issuing orders that they not be disturbed for any reason.
Bill took a look around the room, taking a quick note of any escape routes before he settled down on his knees, beckoning Aven to do the same. “What council do you seek, Governor?”
“Cut the shit,” Menshi snapped, dropping into a cushioned chair and slouching. “I know who you are and you know who I am. You’re smart enough to see what’s happening.”
“If you know who I am, then you know I come from humble beginnings,” Bill said with a bow. “I may not be able to grasp such complex thinking.”
Menshi let out a growling sigh and rubbed his temples. “Nothing would make me happier right now than having you lined up against the wall and shot.”
“Alas, true happiness is often out of our reach. It is natural to make do with what we have in front of us. As a humble Ezu, I can help you find natural happiness,” Bill offered.
“You’re no humble Ezu, you’re Headless Bill,” Menshi growled. “You burned Avendi’s Third Fleet in port, stole a fortune in jewels from the Prefect of Lai Zeng and escaped from the fortress of Yabaram twice. Your ship is moored at dock three six with ten crewmates, plus that acolyte you brought on board. If you don’t stop playing this silly game, I will send my men to burn your ship and everyone on board.”
Bill glanced back at Aven, who swallowed and looked at the ground. “It seems pretty straightforward. We give you the tapestry, you let us leave.”
“Simple enough for a humble Ezu to understand,” Menshi sneered.
“I see a problem,” Bill said, pulling himself up straighter. “Once I give you the tapestry, I have no leverage and you seem very eager to have me killed.”
“Think about this from my perspective,” said Menshi, leaning back in his chair. “I want this to be over so I can give a simple answer to the Prefect when he arrives. One of my officials stole from the central vault, and I uncovered the theft and recovered the tapestry intact. Involving pirates and thieves does not make for a simple answer.”
Bill's eyes flashed. “You’re the one who stole it in the first place, aren’t you? That tapestry had been there for years. No one was ever going to come get it. Why not make some gold and sell it off to someone who won’t ask questions? Ah, but then the Prefect announced this inspection, and you needed it back to save your skin.”
Menshi rose to his feet to tower over Bill. “That means nothing now. I read up on you. You never stay in one port long, and that suits me just fine. Bring me the tapestry and you can sail away. It is the only option you have that involves living to see another day.”
“Well,” Bill said, craning his neck back to look up at Menshi. “You make a strong case.”