Thar Shaddin

Continued from Tian Xia PW 124: Imperial Bitches and Spoiled Dragons
PW124
--------

Two days had already passed by since leaving Yunshan with Cai and Piao Bai still in the mountain's embrace. If the weather and good fortune permitted, they would be in Shanyi, the provincial capital of Jin, within a fortnight. In the first two days the little dragon had been presented ample opportunity to discover Cai's dull and monotonous travel routine.

At dawn, Cai would awaken and drink a small amount of water, then answer natures call. Each morning she spent close to an hour warming and loosening her joints by performing the taolu routines of her Longjiang style qigong, which was followed by a small breakfast. Then began the walking. Oh yes, the walking. Lots of determined walking. Hours upon hours of walking with the resoluteness of an old campaigner. Did Cai stop to appreciate the pines or larches? No. Did Cai stop to listen to the birdsong? No. Did Cai ignore any suggestions for a detour to enjoy some marvel of the natural world? Definitely. Perhaps the only saving grace was that Cai proved to be quite amenable to Piao Bai lurking in the tattoo.

For their travel rations, Yunshan's kind residents had put together millet cakes, dried fruit, a little dried meat, and mountain chestnuts. If they ate carefully, it would last them all the way to Shanyi without the need to forage. 'Careful', it turned out, was one of Cai's middle names. Along with 'stingy', according to some accounts. Not naming any names. The Jinyiwei certainly guarded the rations as if their lives depended on it.

Cai's travelling routine included a break when the sun hit its zenith to have a small lunch. This was inevitably followed by even more walking. Finally, each day ended with the search for an adequate resting spot at night, followed by a smaller meal than lunch. Cai would roll out her sleeping roll and blanket, then a smaller roll and blanket for Piao Bai - the latter having been a final surprise gift for Piao Bai when the pair had left Yunshan. Perhaps surprisingly, Cai avoided lighting a fire, though the night's chill had not yet reached the point where a fire was completely necessary. Still, it was cold enough that the morning exercises were definitely needed.

However, all that monotony was broken an hour after lunch on the third day of their travels. Cai paused upon entering a copse of chestnut trees hidden amongst the more predominant mountain pines they had grown accustomed to seeing. "Piao Bai, I have good news. We can bolster our rations with more chestnuts. Come, help me gather some." Cai carefully shrugged off her large travel pack and set it down against a tree along with her walking staff. She removed the light iron hat which had also served as a wok and, in this case, became a very useful basket.

At first Piao Bai was chipper, happily walking along side Cai and sticking his nose under rocks, in trees and anywhere else his curiosity took him. The result was to be expected: grubs, pheasant, other birds, and even a black squirrel that rivaled PIao Bai in build. That one surprised him greatly.

"Being smaller than I was born to be has its challenges"

The experience did not deter his enthusiasm for investigating, however. For each of Cai's steady steps, Piao Bai zigged and zagged, running in a peculiar front feet to back feet rocking rhythm that kept his back arched and his tail up. When it was time to rest, Piao Bai rested. When Cai conducted her taolu routines, the little dragon mimicked them. When Cai ate, Piao Bai ate.

Piao Bai also managed to keep an near endless stream of consciousness of observation and delight. The delight being all his, of course. Cai was resolute, walking with all the exuberance of an endurance test.

Cai, he would start, look at this tree! It has an old man face!

Cai, I think I smell fresh water. Shall we go see?

Cai! Did you see the lovely bird with the glossy blue feathers? What kind is it? Do you know? She did not.

She rewarded his observations and delight with nap times in the soothing, nothing, golden place of the tattoo bond. Piao Bai was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. When his little legs tired, he would rest.

By the second day, he was bored. Boredom was bad. Boredom led to excursions, which led to running for his life before remembering he could just poof back to Cai. It also meant he roamed, trying to figure out how far he could be from Cai and still go "poof!" All the while knowing that Cai would not turn back to save him. That made him feel a little sad, actually.

Piao Bai for his part, wasn't completely useless. He managed to find little treats to eat, such as quail eggs and truffles. Really, he did it out of self-defense. Cai was downright stingy with the food and if he didn't he'd probably starve. Didn't she realize his body burned food fuel like a forest fire burns through trees?

Night-time had become a game in his mind of "who can find the best sleeping spot first." Cai, of course, didn't know she was playing despite the fact that she won the first two nights. When she first rolled out the roll and blanket for Piao Bai, he was delighted. He circled around it several times, admiring the kindness.

Cai, why don't you light a fire? I could light it easily, you know. The answer to which was something about fires, which he promptly forgot.

It may not have been that chilly to Cai, but to Piao Bai, it was cold. Invariably, by morning, Cai would find Piao Bai curled in the small of her back, burrowed in his blanket like a dumpling, with his bedroll tucked close to hers.

On the third day, however, Cai's march led them into a most magical place. A grove of chestnut trees thrived in the middle of the tall mountain pines. The grass was soft beneath his paws and open patches of sunlight gleamed. As Cai called to him to come help gather chestnuts, Piao Bai froze in mid-step. He tilted his head this way and that. He lifted his nose into the air. Something made a little shimmy shivery run down his back. This place was most definitely different.

"Cai," he started.

"Cai," he began again.

"This place is different. Isn't it different?"

Piao Bain tentatively placed a paw on the soft grass, touching it a few times before making a full step. Beneath his feet, little astral flowers bloomed, then took off like butterflies into the air. His golden eyes widened in delight and he cavorted, delighting in the way each step launched the little flower butterflies into the air. One got in his nose. Piao Bai sneezed, three times. Within the copse, lay stumps as well as live trees. Quite a few were flat and smooth enough to be used as a low table.

Looking over to Cai, he was amused to see the little flower butterflies had landed on her head and made it look like she had hair. Piao Bai put his paw to his mouth and laughed to himself. If only she could see! He wondered what else the place held. Piao Bai emptied out his little pack, carefully placing the flute where it wouldn't get broken. Then, he began to gather chestnuts, too. One or two opened little nut brown eyes and shook spindly little fists at him before running back up the trunk of the tree. If Cai picked any of that kind up, they jumped out of the hat when she wasn't looking.

Piao Bai paused for a moment, watching as a string of the little creatures dropped down to catch up the most recent escapee.

"Cai, I like this place."

Cai paused in her activity, and glanced around, paying closer attention to her surroundings. She was becoming accustomed to Piao Bai's moods enough to realise he wasn't simply commenting on the fact that there were chestnut trees, rather than pines, when he said the place was different. However, to her own senses, there was nothing which immediately set off her instincts for danger.

A moment later, when the little dragon declared he liked the place, Cai relaxed again. The Jinyiwei didn't have the same kind of sense for the Astral that Piao Bai did. She had a sensitivity to malicious astral essences, from long years of learning to recognise the signs, but had never devoted the same attention to the more benign traces of Astral influence or overlap.

As she continued to collect chestnuts, Cai responded "It is a pleasant spot indeed. What can you sense or see, Piao Bai?"

"Ohh, this and that. I think they're migratory. It's a pity you are so blind. Oh, no. Not that one, Cai. The one next to it is fine though. Actually, wait. No. Just choose a different tree. Speaking of which, how many do we need?"

Collecting chestnuts was getting boring. Piao Bai dragged his very full pack over to where he and Cai had left their things. Climbing upon Cai's pack, he began to burrow into out. When he emerged, he held half of one of the last two remaining buns in his mouth. Piao Bai moved to the tree he'd indicated Cai should not pluck chestnuts from and placed the bun at the foot of the tree. Looking up, he nodded to the the little creatures, who were now peering down at him in curiosity.

"I have been told it is rude to come empty handed to another's home. Thank you for your hospitality." With that, Piao Bai gallumped around the open clearing, zig zagging here and ther, before doubling back and pausing near center. There, he began to dig up soft moss until his claws struck stone.

"Ah! I suspected as much!"

Pleased with himself, he turned to look at Cai. "A cooking pit! We can roast the chestnuts! Will we camp here, Cai?"

Cai pursed her lips as Piao Bai directed her to this tree or that based on something only he could see. Part of her suspected a prank, another part of her was aware that there was always the possibility of minor astral entities whose presence was too weak for her to register. But again, it could be a prank. Not knowing which was only a minor irritation compared to the morning arthritis, not that either helped Cai's mood too much. Travel tended to take the joy out of her in measures commensurate to the amount of aching the travel instigated.

Still, the prospect of a renewed food supply was a salve to her mood, even if Piao Bai was behaving like a puppy released from its leash in a park. "We should gather as much as can be comfortably carried, as well as enough for a meal this day."

The Jinyiwei kept collecting chestnuts with care while Piao Bai frolicked around the clearing. When the little dragon suggested camping there, Cai's first inclination was immediate rejection, as the idea of spending more time travelling than absolutely necessary irked her. However, there was also merit in at least one hot meal and warm night during their journey. Cai deliberated on the matter for a moment. "I suppose there is little harm in doing so, though it feels like an afternoon of potential travel time wasted. Very well. Let us prepare a fire pit."

Not only did he frolick. He cavorted. Piao Bái lifted his head. A piece of moss clung to his nose making him sneeze. Piao Bái wondered how much “comfortably carry” equaled.

“Mmm. This moss smells lovely.” Piao Bái snuffled the moss a few more times, sneezing violently but seeming not to mind. He continued to dig out the fire pit. When the clear out was done to his satisfaction, he set about stacking the moss to one side. Since someone had gone through all the trouble to pack it in, he figured they should do the same when they were done.
”As for time wasted, wouldn’t we need to roast the chestnuts anyway? Cai appeared to consider his argument before agreeing.

“The fire pit is right here. I think others have used it before.”

When Cai’s back was turned, the little chestnut youghai brought over kindling and tossed it into the fire pit. There were enough of them that the kindling piled up nicely. Using his nose, Piao Bái continued to investigate the clearing, turning up a few herbs, such as mint and dandelion greens. Further investigation just outside the clearing earned him a few pricks and blackberries.

The little dragon hummed to himself happily before scampering across the clearing for his pack. Dragging it toward the pit, he emptied its chestnut content nearby and disappeared to collect the blackberries. When he returned, his mouth and paws were stained, and he looked proud of himself for being an excellent provider. The pack was full. Who knew all those required flora and fauna studies would come in handy? As for the little chestnut creatures, they were overjoyed at his find. Where a handful of blackberries might do for a human, a single blackberry’s pips could feed many of their kind. Piao Bái graciously laid out a few of the blackberries before leaning over and saying,

“You know we eat chestnuts, right?”

One little youghai nodded solemnly.

“But, we won’t eat any of you. I promise.” It looked, for all the world, like Piao Bai was talking to the chestnuts.

The little youghai did a happy dance and chittered to its friends. In happiness, the chestnut like youghai climbed their tree home singing a little song. The song was accompanied by the burble of a little rivulet that flowed from a hump of grass.

The afternoon sun was already slanting through the trees. “Cai, why don’t you have some blackberries? We can continue collecting chestnuts after you eat. Look? I found dandelion, mint, and a truffle, as well.”

Cai, in the meanwhile, had retrieved her firekit and brought it over to where the kindling was. Piao Bai had done a good job in putting it all together and gathering food at the same time. Cai was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Piao Bai. The blackberries will be a treat." She left the truffle for Piao Bai, as he'd been the one to find it.

It was certainly pleasant to rest her sore joints. Cai couldn't allow herself this kind of luxury too often, or their travel time would be drawn out far longer than necessary. But even so, it was not terrible to have a single afternoon of rest when the weather was fair. The mossy grass was also pleasingly soft.

When the time came to light the fire, the sun was too obscured by the canopy to rely on the fireglass to light the tinder with any ease, so Cai settled for striker and flint. A few strikes of steel on flint sparked the tinder alight, and within a minute the kindling was lit enough to start adding the slightly larger pieces of wood. Once the fire was self-sustaining, with a large lump of fallen branch in the centre or it, Cai examined the food she and Piao Bai had gathered "Well, once these chestnuts are roasted, we can be fairly certain not to starve before we reach Shanyi."

Cai couldn't really think of much else to say. Casual discourse had never been her forte. What exactly was one meant to discuss, in any case? Cai had long ago become accustomed to the quietude of solitary travel, and was entirely out of practice when it came to talking to travel companions.

The chestnuts roasted on a merry fire and Piao Bái ate until his belly was full. Even Cai seemed to be at peace. He could swear her eye lids drooped now and again.

“You can rest, Cai. I’ll keep watch for a while.” And why not? Piao Bái could rest as Cai walked during the day. Perhaps that was why he felt so energetic now. As night crept into the grove, light gave way to shadows until only the fire in the pit remained.

It was not until the moon rose high into the night sky that things began to change. Nothing felt too menacing. Certainly no large creatures with sharp teeth and claws had entered the clearning. Piao Bái watched in curiosity.

In the trees, flowers opened and twinkled with an eldritch light. The air shimmered like gossamer silk. To Piao Bái’s eyes, the clearing now had as much light as any roadside teahouse. And, speaking of tea houses, as if pulled from mist, creatures began to appear. At first, they paused seeing Cai , but when they realized she couldn’t see them, they continued on until each stump had its own crew of unusual creatures.

At one table, a trio of near transparent blobs wobbled and laughed. At another, what looked like a human, but for its overly large head and single horn, played tiles with another creature, who looked for all the world, like a cow with a human’s body. A shadow fell across Piao Bái and Cai and what might have been a female of some sort, with long hair and carefully painted mask for a face hung a pot from a a cooking stand. Piao Bái hadn’t noticed the stand before, perhaps it was part of the clearing.

The female turned into triplets, with smooth, pale, bare shoulders and legs peeking from their colorful robes. One tossed a handful of sand into the fire, which roared up and turned colorful. A pleasant, scented smoke filed the clearing. Other creatures continued to move into the clearing until the place was alive with voices, laughter, and song. Piao Bái glanced to Cai. Certainly she had to notice?
One mask lowered to kneel by Piao Bái.

“You should dance with us, oh Lord’s son of the Silvery River. Or play for us. Everyone must contribute to The Clearing Tea House to keep the peace. Especially those who bring their pets along!” The three ladies tittered behind dainty hands.

Piao Bái blinked.

"You know who I am?"

"Who does not know yin from yang? Though we admit, we thought his lordship would be as big as his brother." The girls tittered again. Piao Bai's eyes narrowed.

"I think some spell has diminished my size, but my stature stays unchanged."

"Stature means little and is small on this side of the wall, oh pale brother."

"What is this place?"

"The crossroads, a place where physical and dream mingled and played. A place where many lost their dreams and many found them."

"A crossroads? Is it possible to return home from this place?" The ladies tittered.

"No, oh shining star against the blackest knight, for the gates have been closed by physical reckoning for nearly 100 years." The ladies spun and danced, each pausing a moment to speak.

"But, " said one, "the time will come when the wall will crumble and those who were made humble may rise again."

"When? Here?" The ladies tittered.

"Too far in the future for us to see, now come Dragon and play for the Tree."

The tree turned out to be the one the little chestnut creatures had called home. Now, in the magical moments of early morning, Paio Bai could see the face of the tree.

Piao Bái sloooowly craned his head around to peer at Cai. She wasn’t asleep yet, so he preferred not to risk changing his form.
“I will play for you.” And, with that, Piao Bái lifted the wooden flute and played.

The great tree spirit laughed, silent but for the shiver of leaves and its children, who bounced up and down upon its limbs.

Piao Bai had been right to pay tribute at the foot of the tree. He was glad for it now.

In truth, Piao Bai's offer of rest was welcome to Cai. Though it went against her principles to gripe about sore tendons and feet, it didn't silence the numerous complaints her body levied at her on a constant basis when travelling. The fire and hot food was a welcome respite though, in Cai's opinion, it remained a dangerous luxury.

Despite her misgivings, Cai's fatigued body swifty embraced the notion of sleep, and when the sun descended and left a darkened sky she was sound asleep. It was perhaps one of the few times the Jinyiwei's features softened in relaxation, though the falcon tattoo still maintained its knack of staring back at anything which glanced its way.

At first the tired woman dreamed of floating in dark waters, the moon wrapped by the emperor in his dragon form. It was an old dream, and brought peace with it. But as the moon rose, the dreamscape changed, and islands emerged from the waters like a surfacing turtle, pushing Cai upwards into a woodland grotto lit by starlight.

In the clearing, as the triplets took form before Piao Bai and cow head placed another tile, Cai shifted uneasily in her sleep. In her dream the moon was gone, and the emperor too. Wispy lights flitted around the dream grotto, casting strange patterns on the ground and illuminating a large tree.

The presence of astral energies disrupted Cai's sleep enough that, when Piao Bai began playing the flute, her eyes flicked open and she sat bolt upright in her bedroll. For a moment, her vision was blurred, and the clearing seemed to have the same floating lights and tree of her dream. Cai closed her eyes, both to listen to the flute, and to regain her composure.

The triplets laughed and danced around Piao Bái. The lithe figures moved with the grace of prima ballerinas or the most expert of courtesans. At first, Piao Bái’s essence seemed to grow until his form was fully as it should be. It was an image, a mirage, superimposed over the physical form, fading as quickly as it had appeared as if sucked back in. Then, the image changed, until in their midst stood Piao Bái in his human form, or so it seemed. The women laughed again as they drew their hands and silken scarves across his body, pressing close and pulling back, and ever circling.

To say his human guise was perfectly formed would be inadequate, unless, of course, you preferred your men without horns, without nails more like claws, and without fangs. Granted, even those blended seamlessly with the porcelain perfection of his skin. He was slim and tall, yes, but muscular in a wiry way. No hair marred the lines of his chest. The scarves served to obscure the view of certain parts of his body, offering only hints of a round, firm, and muscular buttock and the way his body responded to the caresses (how could it not?). His hair was as white as his skin and fell about his body, glossy and thick. In truth, but for those horns and sharp-tipped fingers, he might look like one of the Imperial family members. Simply put, he was beautiful.

Teasingly arousing him was not the triplet’s purpose (though they wouldn’t complain, it was in their nature to tease). As their hands dragged across his chest, a mark began to appear. What looked like a handprint dug in with claws, like Piao Bái’s own, lay over his heart. The mark was an unhealthy color and pulsed with the beat of his heart. Veins could be seen extending from the mark. On Piao Bái’s forearm, matching the one on Cai’s, was the line art dragon design from which a silvery thread pulsed with life between he and Cai.

“Ah, Bleach, look how you have been betrayed. “

“Ah, Prince of the Silvery River, see how you have been saved.”

The music stopped as Piao Bái took stock of the vision the triplets shared. Piao Bái touched the mark on his chest. The look on his face was grief. Tears glittered in the twinkling, fey lights. To think that Beitzya had done this to him intentionally… and, for what?

The other denizens of the clearing seemed unimpressed with the goings on. Perhaps the vision had only been for Piao Bái. From the depths of the tree emerged a woman. Her eyes were as green as new leaves. Her skin was brown and was whorled with designs like bark. Her hair, a dark green, was made up of vines that swayed in the breeze. A crown woven of twigs and leaves sat on her brow. Moss lay on her skin, giving one the impression of clothing considering what it covered and what it did not. Fronds swayed around her legs and flowers grew and withered with each step of her feet.
The triplets paused in their dance and backed away from Piao Bái.

“Lord Piao Bái, you honor me by your presence. ”

“It is my Lady, who does the honors…” Piao Bái’s form and execution were flawless as he bowed to the Lady.

“Walk with me as I visit with my other guests.”

“As you wish, my Lady.”

The Chestnut Lady gave him a smile that seemed to say she knew better.

To Piao Bái, the people who attended the gathering were not strange in the least. There was something that looked like a boar, but it sat like a humanoid. There, a woman who's neck was so long her head moved like a snake's dancing back and forth. The long tongue that flicked in and out of her mouth didn't help the analogy any. There was even a head. Nothing else, just a head. It introduced itself as Gwabmesh and used it's earlobes like hands and feet. Three others of its kind bounced and rolled around like balls. Curiously, it always faced forward, no matter the direction they moved. They made the lady laugh. Among them all ran the little chestnut creatures. These carried trays of food and drink, collected payments, and cleaned as guests came and went.

The lady made small talk with her guests. In between, she spoke to Piao Bái.

“You have brought someone into my clearing that few would dare to bring, though I see you are bound together most tightly.”

“Indeed, my Lady. Were it not for that one, I would be dead. We are pair-bonded now as you can see.”

“Ah, life debts are tricky things are they not? I wonder would your mother approve. But, I see fortune has smiled upon me this night, for now I may repay a life debt.”

“My Lady?”

“Many years ago, when I was still young, I was sent to the Imperial Court. Had it not been for your father, I would have been sold into slavery. He was a brave man, your father.” Did he hear a hint of wistfulness in her tone?

“My Lord father is a noble dragon.”

“Even here we get news. News of the Lord and Lady being blessed with twin sons.” The Lady paused near to Cai. “And, news that the second son had died in an unfortunate accident. But, I see you are alive and well. To repay my debt to your father, I will give you this…” The Lady held out her hand and the middle triplet glided forward, placing something in the Lady’s palm. She held a sachet.

“This is healing medicine. Brew it as a tea and drink it. It will help with some of the problems you have encountered. Perhaps it will even allow you to take on that exquisite form my servants showed us earlier. I will also send a message to your parents to let them know you are alive. I am sure they grieve.”

“No, Lady. If they know I live, then they will still grieve. Better to grieve the loss of a second son, than to grieve the loss of the heir.” The Lady pursed her lips and tilted her head, peering at Piao Bái.

“As you say. Your companion is awake, you know. Does she take you to see the Emperor? Isn't he one of your kin?”

Piao Bái’s eyes widened as he turned to look at Cai. “She is?” He didn’t think about the magic the triplets had used. It was odd to see himself in a human-like form, but it had been a vision, something for him to mull over. He had thought he could not shift his form and had not for as long as he could remember. Granted… his memory was a little fuzzy when it came to his early years.

"She does. I don't know and if I am, it is most likely distant cousins." The Lady considered Piao Bai thoughtfully. I will allow your companion to remain and rest. The beds will remain until the first hour after dawn." With a gesture, a small house shimmered behind where they had set up their bedding.

"My Lady is most kind."

"Give my regards to the Emperor when you see him."

"My companion is a member of the Emperor's magistrates. Perhaps that is a message better delivered to her?"

"Perhaps. Will you be our translator?"

"Of course, my Lady."

Piao Bai moved to Cai, whom he was sure was awake now. He could feel it.

"Cai, may I introduce you to the Lady of the Chestnut Grove?"

Closing her eyes helped a little, but only for a moment. Cai could hear laughter, and yet she couldn't, like the echo of a remembered dream which bypassed her ears entirely. Flickering lights seemed to play across her eyelids, but covering her eyes with a hand had no effect. The all-too-familiar prickling of her scalp warned her of a headache to come, and also the subtle presence of Astral influence. Piao Bai's flute played on, and Cai let that calm her, sure that the dragon would not be playing if there was danger present.

As Cai focused on balancing her qi, she became aware that her new tattoo was aching with the pulse of her heartbeat, and then shortly after that the flute stopped. Cai's eyes flashed open. The sky was dark. The sky was full of lights. The large chestnut was there, and it was not. Cai turned her head for a moment. Piao Bai was there, and he wasn't, and he was something Other all at once, linked to her with a silver thread. Cai's vision was filled with both and neither, a constant wavering of superimposed images and shadows in her periphery. Cai gritted her teeth, faced the sky once more, and gently guided qi through her falcon tattoo. She'd pay for it later, but something was amiss and she needed to be better aware of her surroundings.

As Cai circulated qi through her shang dantien some of the images slowly took on a sense of clarity, and the aggravating sensation of disjointed perceptions eased somewhat. The Jinyiwei was almost ready to sit up and look around properly. Cai was certain now she could determine the faint echo of speech. Just a snippet here and there. Cai tried to make out the words, but made the mistake of using her ears, which registered nothing. Changing her approach, Cai entered a more meditative state, focusing on the random thoughts within. Words seemed to filter through with every pulse of the tattoo which linked her and Piao Bai "...awake...she take...kin...cousins...most kind...magistrates...our translator..."

Cai sensed a presence approaching her and sat up immediately. She received a precursor of the headache to come as a reward for her swift movement. Ignoring the pain behind her eyes for a moment, Cai locked her gaze onto Piao Bai. Suddenly, his words were clear, unaffected by the haze of the Astral seal, asking to introduce her to the Lady of the Chestnut Grove. Cai let qi course through her falcon tattoo as she focused on the spot where she could feel the strong astral presence. As the image of the Chestnut spirit became clearer, Cai offered a bow from her seated position. "I am Wénshēn Cai of Yulongjing, Jinyiwei and member of the Imperial Household. Peace on you and your kin." Returning to a straight-backed position, Cai added "As uninvited guests, I hope our presence has caused no offence." In matters involving non-violent denizens of the Astral realms, the utmost courtesy was insisted upon in Jinyiwei protocols.

The Lady smiled graciously and inclined her body in a return bow. “And peace to you and yours.” The Lady considered Cai for a moment, then chided Piao Bái.

“Now, do not be remiss in your role, my Lord.” The lady reached out and touched Piao Bái on the forehead. A flush of energy flowed and pulsed through him, along the silvery thread, and into the dragon tattoo.

The pulse offered a respite from the effort Cai needed to retain a tenuous consciousness in this in-between place, assuming of course Cai did not resist it. Certainly, it offered soothing for the throbbing pain in her head.

“Please, come in.” The lady gestured to the small house she had conjured for the pair. “I offer my hospitality and guest rights to you this night.” The lady moved into the simple abode followed by a myriad of chestnut sprites as they laid out futons, set a table with tea and chestnut cakes, and placed pillows on which they could sit.

Cai relaxed somewhat as her greeting was returned. She sensed no immediate intent to cause harm, and focused instead on maintaining awareness of her role as de facto ambassador. It would be best under such unusual circumstances, after all, to avoid a misstep in etiquette. She was, therefore, caught slightly off guard by the Chestnut Lady's transference of qi to her via Piao Bai.

The energy which flowed through the link which bound them was very different to what Cai normally felt. If energy had a taste, then this was flavoured with the clean air or the mountain and rich, fertile soil. It tickled the tattoo on Cai's back, flowing into the pond, chrysanthemums, and willow tree depicted there. Cai let her own grip on the qi she'd drawn in relax, and let that energy drain out of her. As she did, the pressure behind her eyes eased as the equilibrium of her inner energies were restored.

Cai was wary, but one did not turn away such an invitation. It was rare to find places where the seal between the material and astral planes was so thin, though she sensed that had she not formed this strange link with Piao Bai, she'd have slept through the night with nothing unusual having occurred at all. The Jinyiwei drew in another, slow breath, as she offered another small bow in acknowledgement of the invitation, then shifted her weight to get her feet under her.

It was an awkward thing to try and maintain dignity and grace when one was seated up in a bedroll and wearing travel clothing ruffled from sleeping on the ground. Cai somehow managed some semblance of dignity, at least, as she folded forward her sleeping roll and rose stiffly to her feet. Her joints complained a little at the sudden demands put on them, but Cai ignored the discomfort while she swiftly made an effort to flatten some of the creases in her clothing. On the bright side, Cai mused, she didn't have to worry about having hair dishevelled by sleep. Once on her feet, Cai bowed again and politely responded "I thank you for your gracious hospitality" before seating herself at the place offered to her.

The little house bore the traditional curved roof and open architecture. The lady gracefully sat on one of the cushions and did them the honor of pouring their tea. Her poise and skill showed she had trained in the art of tea ceremonies. A pale hand carefully touched her forearm as she poured, the gesture ingrained even when no fall of sleeve might interfere. A soft, flower scented breeze wafted in from the grove. Little chestnut sprites offered steamed sesame paste buns.

"It has been many moons since one of the Emperor's court has visited my grove. We had come to think we were forgotten. I do hope you will extend my greetings to your Emperor and pass on my invitation to join us sometime in the future."

Cai sighed inwardly. If simple conversations with a travelling companion were difficult enough, tea ceremonies were an occasion to be dreaded. She understood the protocols, had the basic training in the forms, but rarely had the inclination for them. Her tastes leaned towards more functional ways of spending time. There was a reason she spent most of her life on the roads of Tian Xia pursuing those creatures which endangered the empire's citizens rather than pursuing the more sedentary path of a regional magistrate.

Still, there were forms and protocols, and courtesy dictated she follow them. Cai carefully accepted the offered tea and replied "Of course. I shall convey your message to the Emperor when I return to Yulongjing." Cai breathed in the aroma of the tea, then drank her tea in the expected three sips. The jinyiwei sat in polite silence, uncertain of how to proceed. Perhaps this was, after all, simply a request for a message to be forwarded to the Emperor. In which case, Cai should be able to relax. But Piao Bai's uncharacteristic lack of chatter was somewhat unnerving, and she remained alert.