Thar Shaddin

Put out, yet relieved that he didn't have to carry Cai around (she looked heavy), Piao Bai nodded and slipped the pack to his back. Pulling down on the shirt (he noticed Cai wasn't looking at him a lot), Piao Bai followed behind then easily caught up to Cai. She wasn't moving quickly and his legs were longer than hers.

Piao Bai's hand lifted to twirl one of his mustache ends, then paused by his mouth. In this form, he did not have the curled tendrils by his nose. His lips pursed and he dropped the hand to his side. Eventually, he settled on holding the pack straps except when he had to push a low hanging branch from his face. The reality of having a more human build became more obvious with every step.

"Perhaps the bond with you? Your energy contributing to saving my life? Who knows. It is an odd thing. I am not sure that I care for it, but at least I am not nose deep in mud. Ah!" A branch smacked him in the face because he'd been looking at Cai and not ducking when he should. Other bits and pieces had caught in his long, white hair. Piao Bai exhaled a sigh.

"The Hot Springs will be a blessing." Clean. Clothed. Supported... "How much longer do you think it will be?" Echoes of his pestering thought connection verbalized...

"We are perhaps a day's travel from our destination at this pace." Cai noticed Piao Bai was not coping all that well with walking on two legs. "It might be wise to pay more attention to your surroundings, or you will end up in worse shape than me by the time we get there." A hint of amusement seeped through their bond despite Cai's physical condition.

However, despite the Jinyiwei's stoic nature, it proved too difficult to be both talkative and walk without showing signs of being injured. As the day dragged on in their journey to the hot springs Cai became more focused on simply taking each step and ignoring the pain in her side.

The only break Cai consented to was at a stream crossing, where she could clean the wound and bandages somewhat. The sky was beginning to dim with the onset of dusk when they reached another stone marker. Cai breathed a sigh of relief. "We are close."

Within an hour the pair reached the Humble Serenity Hot Spring, and Cai took a deep breath. "Please remove the two ladles which are attached to the pack. They are our gift to Kaili, the owner. She often needs replacements." Some people's skulls were hard enough to damage even the sturdiest ladle, but Kaili claimed she was a peaceful woman who would never hit someone with a weapon. Ladles, being cooking implements, didn't count.

Piao Bai scowled at Cai for her comment, but did not begrudge her amusement. For a moment, the low of pain that communicated to him through their bond had diminished. He heard her sigh and felt it. At the stream, Piao Bái opted to wait for the warmer waters of the Spring before bathing himself. He, though, make an effort to clean up their gear as he’d initially thought to change into his blue changsan until the cold of the water deterred him.

He did crouch down, though, hands hanging between his thighs to watch what she did. Even in dragon form he had opposable thumbs and quite an amount of dexterity, but this caring for wounds thing was wholly new to him. Thus, he was curious, despite the blood. To Piao Bái, that looked a serious thing, the pucker of the edges of the wound and the angled slash made it look like a frowning mouth. Dark blood had pooled within the wound, and stained the sleeves of the shirt. He watched how she pressed the edges together, then bound it to keep them close.

Piao Bái had never had such a wound. Unlike Cai’s body, his was without scars. Piao Bái turned his eyes away when an ooze of blood slid down her skin. He’d tried to be distant and clinical, but he could feel the pain and between that and the visual, he felt a little woozy. Piao Bái’s hand shot out to the water near them and he splashed water on his face. Standing, he moved away, staring in the direction she’d said they still needed to go. When Cai was ready he took up the pack and followed.

It seemed like an eternity before the sign appeared. Relief filled them both.

"Kai Li." Piao Bai tried the name out as he nodded, shifting the pack to one shoulder to remove the ladles. At first, the Springs appeared to be a stone wall. The roofs of houses peeked over the top. Colorful lanterns hung on either side of a large red gate, in which two red doors sat. Two men stood outside, they looked like merchants, but carried themselves like soldiers. Apparently, enforcers were needed to keep the peace. As the pair approached, the soldiers eyed them with suspicion. At least they did, until they realized just who the woman approaching was. Her companion was given the eye, but not looked directly in the eye. Humans did not have golden eyes like that.

The door was opened for them and they were allowed to pass through without harassment. Inside the gates was like coming home, to Piao Bái. His eyes widened and he nearly, nearly wept to see such civilized amenities. There was cobbled paving, not mud or dirt or grass on which to walk, unless one wanted to sit within a cultivated garden area. Sturdy structures, obviously rooms, some with shoes outside the doors, dotted the paths. Directly in front of them was the main house, the front of which, one could assume a restaurant or something similar. Raised, low sitting tables with little trays offered space to sit, eat, and drink. Piao Bái glanced at Cai, unable to fathom the stern taskmistress as appreciative of such luxury. The back of it would be where the ladies who owned and worked at the Springs resided.

Behind that, central to all the structures, lay a series of pools. Men and women could choose to bathe together in the central pool, but segregated pools existed as well. And, if one had the money, private springs were also available. A true oasis in the wilderness! Where and to whom should they gift they ladles that they might partake in the wonder?!

“Wenshen Cai! Why do you only come to my House when you are filthy and injured?” The woman’s voice was old. The woman that wielded it was tiny and gnarled and white headed. She stood, hands on hips, squinting at Cai. Piao Bái blinked. Was this creature human? “And who in the world …” The woman’s voice trailed off as she stared at Piao Bái. She blanched, then turned her gaze fully to Cai.

“Won’t you come in honorable Jinyiwei and companion.”

Piao Bái moved forward, holding out the ladles. The expression on his face was earnest and hopeful.

“We have ladles.”

The woman's gaze did not stray from Cai.

Cai grimaced. Kaili had a point. That being said "...when the woods stop being a source of danger shall I arrive with all due ceremony and lack of injury. At least this time it was just a group of bandits." Cai was glad she'd had the foresight to purchase more than one set of clothing in Laoshanmen.

Then the Jinyiwei noticed Kaili's glance at Piao Bai and the sudden shift to formal language. She sighed inwardly and added "This visit is purely for my companion Piao Bái's sake, rather than any formal undertaking. It has been a difficult fortnight for him, and some relaxation seemed appropriate." Cai the added by way of further explanation as the elderly Kaili gave her a piercing glance. "He is a stranger to our Empire, and I am taking him to Yulongjing to seek audience with the Emperor. I hope the ladles are to your liking."

Cai already knew she would have to get used to Piao Bái being a lodestone for peoples' attention, but it seemed she would also need to mentally prepare for unexpected complexities in social interactions as well.

As Kaili turned her focus to Piao Bái and accepted the ladles graciously Cai winced. She would need to attend to healing urgently "With my apologies, Kaili, more will have to wait for tomorrow. With your permission I shall meditate in the garden. Please extend all courtesies and hospitality to Piao Bái until I have recovered."

Kaili replied "Of course." Cai gave Piao Bái a nod and strode painfully to a corner of the garden she had used once before, several years prior, for the same purpose. "Kaili will see to your dinner and sleeping arrangements. I should be recovered by mid-morning"

As Kaili accepted the ladles, Piao Bai executed, from the depths of memory the most proper of bows as would be expected of the son of a Lord and Lady. The back of the shirt slid up his thighs and barely showed the curve a muscular, smooth, rounded, masculine, bare backside. Thankfully, none were behind them to witness it.

Kaili studied the young man, certain there was more to him than Cai let on. Calling him a stranger was certainly an understatement. By his looks he could be a god or a demon.

"Bao-Yu, Fang-Hua, Li-Hua please attend to Master Piao Bai." The girls approached shyly. First, they would need to bathe him to remove the mud and dirt, before letting him settle into the mineral spring. Piao Bai was divested of the backpack and led by both hands. Within the bath house, he was presented with a towel to wrap around his waist. He had to be coached on that. Once the towel was on, the ladies removed the natty and muddy shirt.

"You may get rid of that. I have other clothes."

"Yes, Master Piao Bai." Li-Hua left with the offending garment and returned with a bowl and wash cloths. Fang-Hua presented Piao Bai with a low stool. "Sit here, please." He complied with their gentle nudges and instructions. This was wholly different from being bathed as a dragon. How he wished he was his full size again!

Warm water washed over his skin and Piao Bai sighed in contentment. He knew he had been raised with privilege, but he had never realized just how luxurious a warm bath could be until now. Once his skin gleamed like alabaster and his hair had been braided, Piao Bai was led to the mineral spring. The women joined him and the experience was most educational.

While Piao Bái surrendered to the lap of luxury in the hands of the hot springs attendants, the Jinyiwei settled crosslegged under a weeping plum tree in the walled gardens. Cai positioned herself out of sight of the usual strolling paths, and breathed in the sweet scent of plum blossoms. No matter the weather, the trees knew it was Spring, and attired themselves accordingly.

"You are predictable. And you haven't even taken the time to apply clean bandages" Kaili's disapproving voice cut through Cai's musings, and the Jinyiwei opened her eyes. The elderly lady was brandishing bandages and a small vial with a sense of dire purpose. "Now tell me, simple bandits seem unlikely to attack one of the Jinyiwei. Is the forest haunted anew? And please stand up, my knees aren't what they used to be."

Cai grimaced. A regular hot springs owner wouldn't have the temerity to speak to her in that fashion, but then again, Kaili hadn't always been in charge of the hot springs. It was simply where the Kan Yu adept had retired to after serving most of her life under Great General Tianlong Run in the Western Talon's defence forces.

The Jinyiwei suffered herself to be fussed over by Kaili, who cleaned and applied a salve to the cut in her side, then bound the wound with fresh bandages while Cai replied "They were bandits, but evidently part of a larger organisation called The Black Gate. They sought to abduct my companion. Their leader was skilled." Kaili hmphed as she wrestled with the bandages "Never heard of them. Not that I would, out here. There, that should help matters." The old woman examined her handiwork critically "I'll check in on you in the morning. You aren't as badly torn up as last time, at least."

Cai thanked Kaili, who returned to more pressing matters related to managing the hot springs, then surrendered herself to the healing sleep afforded to her by the tattoo of nature's regrowth.

Healing Qi flowed through Cai from the earth beneath her and plum tree behind. Cai was lost in a sweet pink haze of plum blossom dreams while her wound was cleansed of infection and started knitting back together.

When Cai was released from the tattoo's healing cycle, the sun had risen high in the sky, and she found a small container with dried fruit and a cup water set in front of her. Kaili had been as good as her word. Cai broke her fast then rose to her feet. With the empty container and cup in hand, she made her way through the elaborate garden to approach the main building.

From the main building, the sound of a flute drifted on the air. Within, Piao Bai sat cross-legged upon a pillow, surrounded by a bevy of smiling ladies. A few of the ladies, served other travelers, but for the most part, the ladies were unencumbered by guests.

The dragon, turned human, wore the exquisite blue changsan the people of the town had gifted him. His white hair was pulled back into a ponytail with wisps that hung around his face. His eyes were closed and his posture was perfect. Even Kaili, sat, eyes closed and head nodding, as Piao Bai played.

The flute's notes lilted around the room and Cai slowed her entry to examine the scene. Seeing Piao Bai surrounded by hot springs guests and attendants Cai was suddenly reminded of, more than anything else, her womanising fellow Jinyiwei Hongjiang Mu.

The thought of the overly fastidious man and his constant nagging about appearances reminded Cai that her current apparel was not particularly fit for a social gathering. Dirty and blood-stained, she had to admit she likely resembled one of the yaoguai that she normally hunted.

Cai decided not to join the group immediately, instead slipping around the side of the building to the servant's entrance. After Cai returned the container and cup, one of the staff kindly helped her find her room and pack. A quick visit to the baths and a change of clothes felt just as restorative as her meditation had.

When Cai approached the main room she waited for Piao Bai to finish what he was playing before she entered. She sat next to Kaili and quietly said "Thank you for looking after him."

Internally, she added "You play even better now. Have you been well cared for?"

Piao Bai had smelled her, obviously, and felt her too. He'd been monitoring her despite all the luxury he'd been given. He'd checked on her physically, too, to make sure she was healing as she ought. That didn't stop him from playing, though. It would have been rude to the guests and staff if he had interrupted the song.

When he finished, Piao Bai bent at the waist, to bow humbly for the gifts of applause he received.

Kaili smiled genially at Cai.

"He earned it. My guests have enjoyed having such a skillful and unusual artist at their disposal." Kaili motioned to one of the girls who managed to move quickly, but with grace from the room. When she returned, she carried a missive for Cai with her.

"This came while you were resting." Kaili handed over a letter with an Imperial Seal upon it.

Longer fingers and a more flexible jaw, I suspect. There was humor in the thought. The flute is made for humans, not dragons.. A sense of emotion traveled across the link to Cai.

I am glad you are better. Implied and unstated was the worry he'd felt for her.

"Piao Bai, play us another song!"

"Only if someone will dance to it!" Piao Bai smiled at the young woman who asked. A few of the male travelers heartily agreed.

Kaili, smiled a piratical smile and made a gesture. Bottles of drink were brought out and cups were sold.

"Good for business, oh yes." Piao Bai had earned his keep, oh yes.

Cai settled next to Kaili and accepted the letter with no show of emotion, but a flash of her concern travelled through the link with Piao Bai.

For an imperial missive to have reached Kaili within a night of their arrival meant only one thing: an assignment directly from the provincial headquarters at Shanyi deemed urgent enough not only to call upon the provincial Kan Yu practitioner but also worth the risk of giving it into the hands of an individual no longer directly affiliated with the military.

That Kaili had been called upon to expedite the speediest delivery method possible made it clear that she was still trusted by the bureaucracy and was still more than capable of practising the more complex Kan Yu arts. And yet it was unorthodox, and anything requiring an unorthodox approach meant trouble. Imperial efficiency, Cai thought wryly, maintained by any means necessary.

Cai decided she would unseal the missive when she could do so privately. "Thank you, Kaili, for your service to the Emperor". Kan Yu translocational sorcery was a difficult and tiring application of their arts.

Instead, for the moment, she let herself sit and listen to Piao Bai play the flute. It would be a rare opportunity to relax, as she suspected she would be deprived of that the moment she unsealed the document. "I am fully recovered. We should enjoy this while we can. I suspect our travels are about to become a lot more complicated. I will explain more this evening."

The white dragon, now wearing the guise of a man, closed his eyes and swayed in time as he played the next song. Three of the girls stood and danced, using fans and their robes in ways both graceful and alluring. Men's eyes glittered in the lamp light as they drank their wine and smiled. Word would spread of the yaoguai who played flute and traveled with the Jinyiwei, to whom he was bound.

But tonight, the pair were given a respite, despite the obviously unearthly origins of the flautist. Piao Bai heard Cai's words and concern flowed back along the path they shared, without words. The set lasted for three songs, allowing the women to ply their trade and Piao Bai to earn his place. At the end, the audience was appreciative, giving tokens of coin. Piao Bai inclined his head. When he rose to stand, he towered over everyone in the room, even Cai.

"I fear I must take a moment. Please excuse me." Piao Bai's bow was exquisitely executed. Moving to Cai, he extended a hand as any good member of the Court should. A twinkle of amusement danced in his odd, golden colored eyes. Piao Bai was aware how the gesture appeared.

"Shall we?"

Cai closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax while Piao Bai played his sets. It was not something the Jinyiwei often had the opportunity or inclination to appreciate.

When Piao Bai finished his performance, she accepted his offer to assist her to her feet "Thank you, Piao Bai. Duty awaits." Cai nodded to Kaili as the pair of them made their exit. "Kaili received a message for me. The timing of its arrival suggests a matter of potentially critical importance or danger to imperial citizens somewhere within this province."

As they walked to their lodgings, Cai realised what else was bothering her. She was not used to having a travelling companion at times when she was called to duty in such a fashion. "It is likely that attending to my responsibilities could put you in harm's way."

Piao Bai walked stately along. His steps were measured. His arms were clasped behind his back. He bowed slightly to a few people who walked the garden paths past them.

"I have not tried to return to the tattoo. Perhaps I should try now that you are well? This form has held steady the entire time you recuperated. And, though odd, it is not uncomfortable." Piao Bai nodded to another couple.

"What would be uncomfortable is not being near you. What if those Black Key Gate people return?"

Cai conceded the little drago... not-so-little-any-more dragon-man had a point regarding their assailants.

"Without the interference of their magic, and in their absence, I expect there should be nothing preventing you returning to the tattoo. But you are correct in that, if they decide to risk another attempt, we will face the same difficulty as before."

Certainly, short of another of the Jinyiwei, she couldn't in good conscience entrust Piao Bai's safety to another less competent individual. Of course, even if such an individual were available, she had the duty of obligation to ensure Piao Bai reached the capital. Her brow furrowed in consternation "It is my concern that, if others have the power to lock you out of the safehaven of the tattoo, I may not be able to adequately protect you. My talents are ill-suited for the role of a bodyguard."

It was a worrying state of affairs. Not the least because Cai was most definitely not accustomed to spending excessive periods of time in any single person's company, but also because she'd not been put in a position where she'd needed to take on the role of a protector. It had been easier, she had to admit to herself, when Piao Bai had been a cat-sized little dragon not wearing the form of a grown man. She wasn't quite sure what she made of the situation overall and that, too, worried her.

"I will try once we are in a place comfortable for you." The link between them and Piao Bai's expression gave the impression of thoughtfulness as Piao Bai considered Cai's words. He looked down at Cai (a fact which amused him greatly) and smiled dotingly. A passing young woman may have sighed at the sight. His human-like form was well-constructed; masculine, but aesthete. He carried himself well, like a nobleman would. The golden eyes, a trade-mark of the Tian Long emperors, did not hurt either.

"Then, perhaps you can teach me how to defend myself? I did have some physical training that required me to stand upon two legs, though admittedly my tail (which he missed terribly, as much as he missed his whiskers) helped my balance immensely." Piao Bai paused and gestured with the sweep of one arm and a slight bow.

"Here is where we are staying." It was a single room, sitting on four stubby legs. As with all the other buildings, the roof was peaked sharply and swept outward. The design was perfect for the Monsoon season. Rain was directed away from the square area used for sleeping and entering. Bamboo pipes directed the water to drainage ditches and gardens, ensuring the grounds were lush with vegetation. Two steps led up to a short porch used to store shoes. Two pairs of woven slippers waited.