The Temple of Heaven appeared, at a glance, exactly as one would imagine. While the building was similar to the ones she'd encountered at the west entrance of the palace, it was painted completely white; the colour of death. No, not paint. The entire building was constructed of stone! Anri marveled to herself at the grandeur of the temple.

"Is someone special going to take a look at this?" Anri asked, a finger through the loop of her chain.

"One of the more neutral priestesses. Technically, all palace men are supposed to be on the king's side, but priests and priestesses are under the queen's jurisdiction."

Anri nodded. In the palace, the king was referred to as both the sun and dragon, while the queen was represented by the moon and phoenix. Together, yang and yin. Because spiritual forces were more deeply tied to moon energy, the temple was a place primarily run by women.

Asides from its completely white exterior, what truly set the temple apart was the wide courtyard in front of it. Masks littered the quad- bold, vibrant colours against the bleached, flat stones. Stone pillars were erected on either side of them, with brilliant flags blowing in the wind at the tops of the columns. She spotted a dragon dancing in the wind, and the sun and moon on another.

As soon as she stepped foot onto the flat path, all the summer warmth in her body fled her, as if chased away by the breeze which grew in force. She spotted a dark splatter on the ground and shuddered.

"Relax, it's probably an animal's." Chen Kou placed a hand on the small of her back reassuringly and pushed her forward.

"But what if it's not?" she whispered.

Despite the breeze, she noticed that his hair didn't behave as it should've in the breeze. It was an odd feeling, having her senses not match what she was seeing. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and she straightened up alert.

Chen Kou slid open the doors to the temple and they crept into the seemingly abandoned temple. The magnificent pillars outside cast dark shadows, which plunged the whole building into an eerie darkness. The inside of the building was equally empty, the hallways clean and clear. They were just exploring the main hall when they heard a more distinct voice.

It was the queen's."You're telling me absolutely nothing unusual happened today?" Her voice was sharp and clear, bouncing off the walls and echoing into the grand hall.

"This wasn't today, but one of the priestesses did experience a vision this week, my queen." The second voice was young and soft, likely belonging to a priestess.

Chen Kou's arm jerked out and pulled her towards him. They ducked silently behind a stone pillar.

"I know I felt something during assembly today, I'm sure of it."

"Many people enter the palace every day, my lady, you can't be sure-"

"How dare you tell me what I can and can't be certain of!" She sounded like she was livid. Anri's heart raced in her chest and the pounding blood roared in her ears as the footsteps grew louder.

"We will do everything we can to figure it out, my lady. The festival tomorrow will allow us to be especially powerful, spirits allowing."

Festival? she mouthed. Chen Kou shook his head imperceptibly, his mouth pressed into a thing line. Not now.

"It must be the Lin girl, I saw the way she was looking at me today." Chen Kou's fingers tightened around her waist, and she leaned into his warmth.

"Lady Wu and her father were also in court today. And several other families entered this past week as well," the girl added weakly.

"You will investigate this further tonight. Everything needs to be perfect tomorrow!" They heard the queen sigh through the screen door. The pair were now directly next to them, separated by nothing but a thin paper door. Together, they cast a shadow into the hall.

"I apologize if I was harsh today, Reya. I've had the worst headache and it makes my mind fogged. Please do not hold it against me." For a moment, the queen sounded... fragile. She swooned a bit in the dim light, her shadow warping against the stone floor. Beside her, she felt Chen Kou relax.

"I would never hold such a thing against my queen," the girl bowed. "Please get some rest. Would you like me to send dinner to your bedchambers?"

"No, that won't be necessary. I'll be dining with his majesty tonight." Anri captured a glimpse of the tail of her dress just before the queen disappeared out of view.

The serving girl, Reya, stayed back. She straightened up in a languish motion and turned towards them.

"Chen Kou, I know you're in here," she called sliding open the door to reveal the two of them huddle behind a pillar. "And I see you brought guests."

"Reya!" Chen Kou broke out into a smile and gave the girl a warm embrace. Anri let out the breath she'd been holding in. "Lin Anri, meet Reya."

"Head priestess," Reya nodded.

"It's an honour," Anri curtsied back.

The head priestess was a woman who's beauty emanated in a timeless way, the type of woman to always be considered beautiful, no matter how long ago her portrait had been painting. Her face was slim and pale, and her hair was tied half-up by a simple braid which lay on top of dark, voluminous curls. Her tall stature was further emphasized by the long, white robes she wore. Her status was displayed by the black and red sash which hung loosely around her shoulders before being tucked into her waist belt. Anri couldn't discern exactly how old she was, but she assumed she was Chen Kou's peer, judging by the way that her hand rested on his back. Oh.

"You shouldn't bring her next time, Chen Kou," Reya was frowning at her. "You're lucky the queen's moon energy isn't very strong, or she would've sensed her immediately."

"So she's blessed?" Chen Kou smiled at her, and Anri was immediately grateful for the dark room.

"Oh, definitely. It's pulsing off of her in waves," the priestess sniffed. "Anyways, you have it for me?"

Anri nodded and unfastened the necklace from her neck. She placed the pearl into the center of Reya's open palm, wincing when the girl snatched it back for inspection. It felt like the last tie she had to her former life had been brutally severed. I'll get it back, she comforted herself with Chen Kou's promise.

"Interesting..." Reya remarked, turning the stone over in her hand.

"What's wrong?" Chen Kou asked. The space between his brows grew dark as they furrowed together.

"Well, the force is just a bit smaller than expected. It's also difficult to discern because the magic in you is so strong."

"In me?" Anri asked.

"Yes," Reya rolled her eyes. "It's likely because it's been with you for so long. You've probably sapped it dry."

Anri didn't know how to react, so she let her mouth stay open.

"Whatever, we'll deal," Reya waved her hand dismissively and pocketed the stone into the front flaps of her dress. "Once you're separated, the power in you should return to the stone, and we'll be fine."

"How long will that take?" Anri asked.

Reya frowned, pursing her lips prettily. "Maybe a week or two? The priestesses have other duties in the palace besides tending to our guests," she added. Anri's negative feelings towards the priestess were solidifying.

"Thank you again for your help, Reya," Chen Kou nodded.

"Anything for you, general," she laughed modestly. It was a good look on her. Reya turned to Anri and gave her a knowing smile, the kind that says everything-will-be-okay except with a hint of condescension.

"Thank you, Reya." She did her best to emphasize the gratitude in her voice, and prayed to the gods that the priestess wouldn't be able to hear her doubts.

"My pleasure. I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Lin, and I hope that the palace finds you well." 

"Will we see you tomorrow at the festival?" Chen Kou asked.

"Perhaps," Reya mused thoughtfully to herself, before making eye contact with Anri. "You should be careful tomorrow, miss. My brethren may not be as kind to one who emits such power as you." Without giving her a chance to reply, the priestess bowed to both of them before retreating into the darkness of the temple.

"That was fun," Chen Kou stretched an arm behind his head as they left the temple together. It was refreshing to be back in the warmth of the sun. She flexed her fingers repeatedly to get the blood flowing back in her body.

"Fun? Was it just me or did she seem a bit cold to me?" Anri grumbled.

"Never mind Reya. She's always been a bit more... eclectic than most. You'll get used to it," he remarked cheerfully, the jealous bite in her voice undetected. "We might see her tomorrow, she usually oversees all the rituals that occur in the summer festival." 

"It's the summer solstice tomorrow?" Anri asked.

"Wow, you must've had so much fun travelling with me that you lost all sense of time. Tomorrow is the summer solstice, which explains why the priestess and queen were in such a hurry."

Anri's eyes widened. Spiritual beings grew strong during the solstices, and so the temple must be busy with preparations for contacting gods and dragons while sealing off evil spirits. Of course they wouldn't have to worry about the dragons anymore, them having gone extinct.

No, not extinct. Trapped.

"That sounds fun! She did tell me to be cautious though, so should I bring anything?" She reached back to tap the tip of her blade.

Chen Kou put a fist to his chest and bent down in a mock bow. "At your service, m'lady. Guess who got assigned to be your personal guard?" He looked up at her through the strands of hair that fell on his face.

"Really?" A wave of relief swept through her. It would be much easier to transition to life in the palace with Chen Kou by her side.

"It would be my pleasure to escort you to the festivities tomorrow," he grinned and placed his hands behind his back. "It starts around early afternoon, so how do you feel about grabbing lunch and walking around after?"

"That sounds nice," she agreed. "Where is the festival hosted?"

"You remember the Magnolia," he smiled. "The festival begins there, and people make wishes. Then it carries on through the main street in Tianan before taking a loop into the palace temple for the ceremony at night."

"The king lets the villagers into the palace?" she asked incredously.

"Security is doubled, and of course we don't just let anybody waltz in. Most of the villagers in Tianan are actually noblemen designated by the king."

Chen Kou continued, giving her a quick summary of the fun events and activities that they could do together tomorrow. She did her best to keep up, but found herself getting distracted with his inarticulate hand gestures which he used to describe the winding alleyways with the best hidden finds. The way he lit up when he talked about Tianan reanimated him to seem younger than she knew he was, and she was pleasantly surprised to feel herself smiling along in turn.

"You sure love the port town," she laughed as he finished off an anecdote about how he'd almost crushed to death by a fortuneteller's wagon. He'd been so scared of anything spiritual that a mere fortuneteller's reading was enough to send him diving underneath the cart.

"It's always felt like my home-away-from-home," Chen Kou shrugged.

"I thought you spent most of your time with the royal family."

"When I got older perhaps, but when I was young... Tianan gave me all the good parts of my childhood were." He gazed over his shoulder in the direction of the city. The sky had darkened with the sunset, and was now a perfect wash of warm blue. "I'm so excited to show you more of the city tomorrow."

"I can't wait," she replied. "You have to show me the worst fish stall you mentioned. My nose has been feeling stuffy lately and I'm hoping the odor will help clear it?"

"You're disgusting," Chen Kou rolled his eyes.

"Ooh, I know! We can get our palm's read together," she grinned at his expression. Clearly someone never truly got over their fear of fortune-telling.

"Did you know that if your brain line is longer than your thumb muscle, you're probably a bad sword fighter?"

"Is mine?" Anri held up her palm to his eye-level.

"Let me- Ow!" Chen Kou clapped a hand to his forehead where she'd planted a light flick.

"Some general you are," she snorted.

"Shut up." Chen Kou scowled at her.

They turned a corner into the Women's Village, a section of the palace marked by lower pavilions and the exclusivity of its inhabitants. A line of maids waited by the entrance and greeted both Anri and the general.

"I'd wanna see you to your rooms, but I'm not technically allowed in here." Chen Kou scratched the back of his head apologetically.

"That won't be necessary, Che– General Chen. I'm sure these ladies will bring me exactly where I need to go." Anri nodded politely at the three girls behind her. One of them giggled at Chen Kou's self-consciousness, only to be elbowed by another.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then," Chen Kou exhaled in relief.

"See you tomorrow." Anri straightened up and did her best to give him a convincing smile.

He waved and waited for her to follow the girls before heading off.

"Good to see you again," one of the girls slowed down to walk beside her. It took Anri a second to register the girl smiling at her.

"Mei!" she exclaimed, breaking out into a wide grin. "You look so different! The uniform they gave you fits so well."

"I know!" the girl squealed, taking her hand. Anri flinched to the sudden touch, but if Mei noticed, she didn't show it. Mei gave a little appreciative twirl in her new maid clothes which were light beige with a dark green lapel and waistband. "The crown prince put me in charge of your care, so we'll be staying together once these other ladies show us to your estate."

"Estate?"

"You didn't know?" the girl at the front of the line turned back to look at her in wonder, the red ribbon in her hair flying back as she swivelled around. "You'll be staying where your mother stayed when she last came to visit the palace. The Lin family was much appreciated here, so you have access to your own private chambers, grounds and library." The revelation brought as much comfort as it stung her. Lady Lin had never told her anything about a journey to the palace. This new knowledge gave rise to feelings of uncertainty; Anri was looking forward to seeing snippets of her mother's life away from home, but still felt conflicted about facing the death of her parents so directly.

"The prince even took care of the horse you rode into the palace on," Mei added matter-of-factly. "He's such a thoughtful man. Maybe we could spend more time together and I could entice him with my womanly charms."

"Mei!" the girl with the red ribbon sputtered "that kind of sentiment is not tolerated in the palace. You could be thrown in prison."

"The king could have your head!" the other girl finally joined the conversation, unable to hold her silence any longer.

"Or worse, the queen!"

"Chihan, Noe, please. It's my first day, cut me some slack. I was just joking," Mei rolled her eyes nonchalantly at each of them, but something in her voice made Anri doubt the verity of that statement.

"Is it true that your father taught you the art of the sword?" Chihan turned her gaze to the blade at her back.

"I'd be happy to show you sometime in the future," Anri nodded. The knowledge that she was to be in her family's estate still left her feeling a bit overwhelmed, but talking about her father and the weight of his sword on her back gave her a bit of comfort. Plus Solace would be waiting for her in private stables later.

Chihan and Noe's faces both brightened up simultaneously, before being quickly replaced by an expression of professional stillness. "That would be an honour, miss."

"The honour is mine. It would be my pleasure to teach you both the lessons that my father imparted to me."

They came to a halt next to a modestly-sized building. Solace was unsaddled and eagerly nipping oats in the small private stable next to what she assumed would be her chambers. "Lin" was carved in broad strokes on the wooden sign mounted at the front of the building.

"Do you need help unpacking, Miss Lin?" Noe asked, fiddling with her ribbon absentmindedly.

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Anri gripped her sword and hoisted her backpack higher up on her shoulder. The thought of all four of them unpacking her one sack made her chuckle in her mind.

Chihan and Noe bowed, except they didn't leave. Anri looked at Mei in confusion.

"You have to dismiss them," the girl drawled, which earned her a sideways glare from Noe.

"Excuse my manners," Anri said, flustered. "Please have a good night."

The two maids gratefully left the grounds, exchanging meaningful glances with one another. Anri winced and hoped that it wasn't because of her lack of etiquette.

"Alright," Anri dusted off her hands. The last interaction had her doubting everything she knew about the palace. "Are you sleeping with me tonight?"

"No, one of the other generals asked me first," Mei snorted. "Just kidding. Gods no, I'm sleeping in the outer room," she pointed to a section of the house which jutted out just slightly. It was likely a new edition complex built after to accommodate for servants. "If you need anything, just holler."

"Thanks, Mei," Anri smiled gratefully at the girl. "I hope you don't snore."

"Tell me tomorrow," the servant girl bowed quickly before skipping away to ready her own night. She seemed to have adjusted much better to palace life than Anri had expected.

The inside of her bedroom seemed to have been cleaned but left in place since the last time Lady Lin had visited. Underneath scattered books and empty flower vases, the furniture was both simple and elegant in a way that was unique to Lady Lin, which sent a pang of longing through Anri's very core. She flung her sword and bag to the ground and kicked it aside. Finally allowing herself to relax, her knees buckled and she sank to the ground. Her hand naturally reached for the necklace at her neck, but grasping at thin air she was once again reminded of loss.

Your mother is everywhere around you, the room seemed to whisper to her. It was true, signs of her mother were scattered all over the room: notes in the margins of parchment and paintings made with purple ink.

She lives on in my heart, Anri reminded herself. And I will build for myself a new home.