Chương 30: "I have no idea why Lady Zie wants you dead"

Ch 30: "I have no idea why Lady Zie wants you dead" As they headed into the building, Ruo-Chen leaned toward Zhen and murmured so only he could hear.

"Don't react. Follow my lead." The interior was surprisingly well-appointed, although everything appeared to be just a bit too large. It had clearly been sized to accommodate the more substantial langren. Kylane led them down a short corridor into a formal meeting room with a large that almost filled the space. Ruo-Chen took the seat at the head of the table without waiting to be offered it, and Kylane waited for her to be seated before taking the seat opposite.

The armored langren remained standing but positioned himself beside Kylane's chair. Zhen followed them in and moved to take one of the empty chairs.

"By the wall, boy." Ruo-Chen's voice cracked out. Zhen froze mid-step as he turned to face her. She didn't bother to look at him but instead flapped her hand dismissively to the side of the room.

"Over there. I'll call you if you're needed." Zhen could feel himself turning red. It was only her warning to follow her lead that stopped him from angrily snapping back. Instead, as ordered, he bit his tongue and retreated to the wall behind Ruo-Chen's chair, clasping his hands in front of him in the way he had seen the servants in Ruo-Chen's villa do. Ruo-Chen shifted her attention back to Kylane with an apologetic smile.

"A new attendant I agreed to take on as a favor." She shook her head.

"Largely useless, I'm afraid. Training new staff is such a trial." Kylane's ears twitched in what might have been sympathy.

"Indeed, Lady Zie, it's always difficult finding competent help." Her gaze never even flickered toward Zhen. A realization of what Ruo-Chen was trying to do came to Zhen. Servants were part of the furniture, pretty much invisible unless something went wrong. By slotting him into that role Ruo-Chen had given him the perfect disguise. It didn't mean he had to like it. A door opened, and two younger langren entered carrying trays.

They set out a teapot with porcelain cups and a selection of pastries that smelled of honey and nuts. As soon as they were done, the servants left as discreetly as they had arrived. Kylane gestured toward the armored warrior.

"Before we go any further, Lady Zie, might I introduce Gaarch. He recently ascended to War Leader of the Duskmane Clan." Gaarch stepped forward and executed a deep bow, despite his armor.

"Lady Zie. It is an honor." Ruo-Chen inclined her head with a thoughtful look.

"You remind me of a langren I knew named Hagra. Are you a relation?" Gaarch straightened.

"He is my forebearer, seven generations back."

"I remember him well. He fought alongside me against the Veinwalkers. A worthy War Leader for the clan. You have large boots to fill, War Leader Gaarch, but I'm sure you'll do so admirably." Gaarch's ears flicked forward, clearly pleased, before he resumed his position at Kylane's side. Kylane poured tea for Ruo-Chen's, and then filled her own cup before setting the pot.

"This may not be the last time we discuss the Veinwalkers today. We should get to business." Kylane wrapped her fingers around her cup. Despite being sized for langren, the delicate porcelain looked like a child's toy in her hands.

"As you know, we map all the ore veins and gem clusters within our lands. As with many others, the vein of iron ore you are interested in heads deep into the mountain. Well past the territories the Duskmane Clan controls." Ruo-Chen's expression shifted. A frown creased her brow.

"Beyond your territories? The Deadlands?" Kylane grimaced.

"Worse."

"Are you trying to tell me that it ends up in one of the regions controlled by the wild tribes?" Kylane inclined her head, her amber eyes dimming.

"Regretfully, that's exactly what I am saying. Specifically, it leads into the lands controlled by the Veinwalker Tribe." Zhen kept his face blank while he listened to everything that was being said. The way they spoke of this Veinwalker Tribe suggested they weren't the sort who would sit around drinking tea while politely discussing territorial boundaries. Kylane continued on.

"After Lady Zie led the battle to drive the Veinwalkers back two centuries ago, there have been a few skirmishes in the Deadlands. However, for the most part, both sides have kept the peace. The Veinwalkers have remained in their historic heartlands, and we have rebuilt in the lands they had taken from us." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Ruo-Chen put her teacup down and looked thoughtful.

"If I recall correctly, the terms of the peace accords state that neither side can settle the Deadlands or cross into the other's territories." She paused, her frown deepening.

"And to sweeten what was already a bitter pill for them to accept, didn't I give a voluntary undertaking not to head into Veinwalker territory as well?"

"Lady Zie has a good memory. That's exactly what happened." Kylane's tail swept across the floor behind her chair.

"To be precise, that undertaking also applies to Lord Baolao and Lady Jue Shi Long. If Lady Zie, or any of the guardians, wish to cross into Veinwalker territory, that would reignite the conflict." Gaarch stepped forward, his fist crashing against his chest plate. His lacquered armor caught the lamplight, and for a moment it made Zhen think of fresh blood.

"If that is what Lady Zie desires, then I will muster the Clan. We do not forget her service. Duskmane will march to war at her side." Next to him, Kylane nodded, a look of sorrow in her eyes, but her grey-streaked muzzle was set in grim determination. Zhen's stomach dropped. War. His intention was to fix the qi problem and get away from The Order. Now that might lead to war. This was getting out of control. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what. In any event, Ruo-Chen had made his role clear.

And servants didn't speak unless spoken to. Ruo-Chen's frown deepened and she shook her head briskly.

"Thank you, but no. An escalation like that isn't proportionate." Relief loosened the knot in Zhen's chest. Ruo-Chen picked up her teacup, examining the rim with apparent interest.

"My interest was academic, part of my research. This was a mildly diverting afternoon, but it was never going to come to anything. I won't launch a war to indulge a whim." Zhen's relief evaporated and his mind raced as his only chance slipped away. If this didn't work Ruo-Chen would deliver him to The Order. Everything Shuo and his parents had done to protect him would be wasted.

"I can do it." His impulsive statement silenced the room. All three turned to look at him. Gaarch's expression shifted to one of fury at Zhen's presumption. Kylane's amber eyes went wide, her ears flattening against her skull in shock that a servant would dare interrupt. Zhen bowed, but did not flinch as he straightened.

"Forgive my impertinence. But I'm not a member of the Duskmane Clan. And, obviously, I'm not Mistress Zie or the others who gave their word." His voice steadied as he continued.

"So send me." Zhen met Ruo-Chen's gaze.

"The treaty doesn't apply to me." Zhen paused as he felt the weight of their stares press down on him, but he didn't flinch. This was a way through and he was not going to back down. Yet Ruo-Chen's expression had changed. She had tilted her head to one side and her green eyes had narrowed as she looked at Zhen thoughtfully. She turned back to Kylane.

"Despite the child's impudence, this might be an adequate solution. I'm not conversant with the details of the accords. Would sending the boy breach them?" Kylane slowly shook her head and a thoughtful frown came over her face as well.

"Interesting. I don't believe it would. The main provisions were between the two clans. Beyond the conduct of the principals, there was no wider agreement concerning any of your staff." Ruo-Chen gestured dismissively toward Zhen without looking at him.

"Good. He's a terrible servant, but it may be that he can be of some use." Zhen's jaw clenched, but he kept his face blank.

"It's two days across the Deadlands to the Veinwalkers' territories, correct? Might I ask you to deliver him to their border, and on the way there to train him in the basic ways of your scouts? He can cross into Veinwalker lands, trace the vein of iron ore, and report back." Kylane's amber eyes shifted to Gaarch. The War Leader's muzzle pulled back, baring teeth in what was decidedly not a smile. He crossed his arms over his crimson armor, the plates grinding together.

"Of course, we would be honored to train the child." His tone suggested he would rather eat glass.

"However, I wouldn't wish to mislead you. Despite their treachery, the Veinwalkers are smart and ruthless. It would be almost impossible for even one of my experienced scouts to successfully slip deep into their lands, never mind a human." He paused, his gaze finally settling on Zhen with something that might have been pity.

"When the boy is caught, they won't spare him." Zhen's stomach twisted. The way Gaarch spoke made it clear being caught was a certainty, not a possibility. Ruo-Chen waved her hand as though brushing away a minor inconvenience.

"Oh, that's of no matter. If he dies in the process, it's no loss." Zhen bit his tongue and forced himself to remain still.

"Train him as hard as you need to in order to give him a chance, but I won't hold you responsible should he fail. Or indeed should your training be so rigorous that he doesn't even make it to the Veinwalkers' lands." She rose from her seat in one fluid motion, smoothing her robes.

"Well, that's settled. Two days of training while you accompany him to their border. Don't bother waiting for him, he can find his own way back. One way or the other, it will be over in a week." Kylane and Gaarch stood as well, the langren matriarch leaning heavily on her cane.

"I must go. I have some unexpected guests for dinner." Ruo-Chen carried on talking as she moved toward the door.

"In fact, they're going to be staying with me for some time." A light laugh escaped her lips, and her green eyes found Zhen's.

"It's not a problem. What is it they say about guests? They're like fish. After a week they both start to smell. Fortunately, I know how to get rid of unwanted guests once they start to stink the place." She held Zhen's gaze for a moment, then turned away. Zhen smiled coldly at her back. The message was clear. He had seven days. If he failed, Shuo and Chul would pay the price for his failure. Ruo-Chen swept from the room without another word, leaving Zhen alone with the two langren.

Kylane turned to Gaarch, her amber eyes meeting his.

"I'll leave the boy's training and escort to the Veinwalker lands for you to organize. I know I don't need to say this, but given who we are dealing with, I feel compelled to spell it out anyway. Disappointing Lady Zie is not an option." Gaarch's fist slammed to his chest in another crashing salute.

"Understood, Clan Matriarch." Kylane's gaze flicked to Zhen.

"And you. I have no idea why Lady Zie wants you dead, but until you die, you serve her will." Then she turned and left, the sound of her cane against the stone floor fading as she went. Zhen watched her go. When he turned back, Gaarch was staring at him, his eyes narrowed to amber slits. Gaarch towered over him, eight feet of muscle and lacquered armor. Zhen stood six feet himself, but next to the War Leader, he felt small. Gaarch's shoulders were almost twice as broad as he was, with arms as thick as tree trunks.

The langren took a step forward.

"The only thing that matters is that Lady Zie gets what she wants. She has demanded that I train you in the basic skills of a Duskmane scout, then send you to your death, so that's what I'm going to do." Gaarch's voice was a low guttural rumble.

"Two years worth of training. That's what we give our scouts. In two days I can't even teach you how not to kill yourself. If it's any comfort, know that these two days will be a delight compared to what faces you when the Veinwalkers catch you." He tilted his head, his fangs catching the light of the glowing crystals.

"Now. Let's find out exactly how incompetent you really are."