Eshe had been granted a residence of her own. It stood close to the outskirts of Ikidojja, upon which the outer walls of the second enclosure cast its morning shadow. Hers was not nearly as large as Taeichi's residence, but it followed the same Tsun concept: passages winding through a succession of gates, four wings separated by an inner courtyard. This time Isla and her sister were made to wait in the southern wing.

They had been there for hours, witnessed the first touch of dawn turn into dazzling sunlight from behind the paper-screen windows. At last they heard voices approaching, speaking in Common Kapuluan. 'But—Obou-nue—your friends were brought here by General Eunkoji himself.'

'I'm telling you, I do not know anyone by the name Lilja Shapor!' The paper door slid open. Eshe's wide eyes shifted from irritation to surprise.

'So soon you forget me?' Isla rose, shaking her feet awake. 'Granted, we did not travel together for long, and Lilja is an unremarkable name.'

It was a while before Eshe collected herself. She was taller than Isla remembered, or perhaps only looked moreso in contrast to the Tsun servants at her tail. Now her brows furrowed in confusion. Isla swallowed, hoping Eshe would catch—and join in—her game.

Eshe's eyes trailed to the guard standing in the corner of the room. General Eunkoji's man. He made no acknowledgments, only stood watching the door. She dismissed the maids, closed the door, and took Isla in her arms.

'I can't believe it ... it's you! After Tempestorm, I—'

'I'm sorry I left so abruptly.' Isla interrupted quickly. 'I didn't have time for goodbyes or explanations, and you deserved better than that.'

'I was so worried. I thought at first you had fallen overboard, but when I saw your bags were gone ...'

'I'll tell you all about it, I promise.' Another time.

Eshe pulled back abruptly. 'What are you doing here? How did you find me?'

'With great difficulty. You've been making a name for yourself, Eshe. We went to Bhatu, where we heard you were under the employ of House Antasena—'

'Yes ... Syuri Gyani. I left her earlier than I meant to, but these summons were urgent. How fares she?'

'Better, from what her servants say. They were the ones who told us you had gone to Tsunai.' Isla motioned for Tam Mai to stand and greet their hostess. 'This is Tam Mai. We are here under the patronage of our Rajini Chei Ametjas.'

That was the signal. Tam Mai should now be jumping into Eshe's mind to relay Isla's message, and—judging by the empath's sudden staggering sound—she had done just that.

'I see.' Eshe dropped to one of the cushions. 'Please, sit.'

Isla exchanged a glance with her sister as they lowered themselves once more onto the cushions. Did you overdo it?

"Maybe I was a bit too loud."

That brought her right back to Tempestorm. Isla chuckled. Poor Eshe. She doesn't like that. You told her you were my sister?

"I told her everything you said."

Great. Remember now, this is—

"—an exception. Yes, Eldest, I know. No jumping into people's heads."

'I'm sorry. This must be a lot for you,' said Isla aloud.

Eshe shook her head, pouring them some tea. 'This is all so unexpected.'

'I tried sending messages.'

'The Imperial Warden of Letters read through every single mail entering and exiting Ikidojja. It takes more than a month for anything to pass through.'

Isla played with her cup. It was only eight-bells in the morning and already she had drank so much, any more she would turn into a teapot. 'It doesn't matter. I'm here, anyway. Look at you—this is quite a way up from some unknown raj from an unknown town. You must be so proud. Your people must be so proud.'

'That depends who you ask.' Eshe's smile was sad. 'But I am proud, that is all that counts. I am doing what I have always wanted to do—putting my theurgy to good use and helping people.'

'So you've decided to settle here?'

'For the time, but who is to say what the winter winds bring, when one day I have given my charge all there is for me to give? But I sense that day is yet long to arrive.'

'You have a difficult case, then?'

'It has indeed been a challenge.' Eshe drank from her cup, peering at the guard from the corner of her eyes. 'Not one I have encountered before, so I have learned much as I go along. That is a large part, I think, of why I enjoy this experience so much. But enough of my tedious occupation—what brings you to finally seek out this old friend you once abandoned?'

Isla's ears warmed with guilt. 'You can chastise me all you want, you've earned it. After everything you've done for me ... and here I am, come only to ask for more.'

'At least you improved in my absence. I can no longer sense that ungainly bull storming through my head. Though it seems I cannot say the same of others ...' She lifted her brows at Tam Mai, who looked down in shame.

'It's because of Tam Mai that we've come, though ... with your commitments to the Emperor, I'm not sure you'd have the time to help, even if you wanted. We can pay for your services, of course—' Isla quickly added, but Eshe interrupted with an indignant sniff.

'Have I ever asked you for payment?'

'Well, no ... but I only meant—this is your occupation, after all. Any time you'd spend helping Tam Mai is time spent away from your official charge.'

'Even employed by the Emperor, I am given time for my own enjoyment. And I enjoy what I do, I—' Eshe stopped herself moments before calling Isla by her true name. 'What a predicament you have put yourself in.'

And am dragging you into, you mean. 'You're right. It's a lot to ask, and I'm putting you on the spot. We can come again another day, if—'

'That is not what I meant.' Eshe shifted the weight on her legs. 'I have until ten-bells before I must meet with han—'

The guard cleared his throat. Eshe floundered for a moment. It was odd to see her off guard. The woman Isla remembered had always been composed, in control. Evidently Tam Mai was not the only novice at omission.

'Ah ... until I must meet my charge,' said Eshe carefully. 'Tell me more about Tam Mai, and we can see if it is something I can help with.'

Isla related the essence of it over tea and sliced Tsun pears. It was Tam Mai who—once again—told the empath the more delicate details they did not want the guard to hear. Her imprisonment, her rescue. Mentioning it, even through mind-speak, was much to ask from her. Tam Mai shook as she relayed the message, guised under Isla's explanations.

'Enough.' Eshe took Tam Mai's hand. 'I understand.'

Isla waited for her sister to calm. She swallowed her guilt with another mouthful of tea. Forcing Tam Mai to relive her suffering like this ... putting her in the position where she had to recount it to a stranger ... what kind of sister was she?

The guard hovered still in his corner. She would have to find a way to speak to Eshe without him. But for the time, they had no other option. 'You're doing well, Tamma.'

'More so than you think,' agreed Eshe. 'I am not surprised you suffer from night terrors, nor these convulsions that seem to come from nowhere. After everything you have had to endure, of course it would leave a mark on you.'

'Can you cure it?'

Eshe hesitated. 'The mind is a complex thing, and so too, are its disorders. If I were a first-rank, whose theurgy sits close to the miracles we were told our deities once performed ... but unfortunately not. Any condition I heal can only be temporary. Besides, curing one's mind would be the same as changing it entirely.'

A weakness fell upon Isla. Her chest stung so badly, she had to fight the tears.

Is this what their struggle had come to? This is what she dragged her sister for, across kingdoms, across seas again and again? when she could have been making it easier for Tam Mai—spending the days with Noi, with Bart, with Kusuma and Eppi and ... and now the answer was that there is no answer?

'I can help her heal herself,' said Eshe gently. 'Not completely, I think—but hopefully well enough to live a long, happy life.'

'You just said it can't be cured.'

'Not the way you understand the word to mean. I can help her recognise her attacks—learn what instigates them, how to prevent them, how to cope when it does come. But it is not something that can be done overnight, and it will not get far without help from those closest to her.'

'If there's anything you need me to do, just say it.'

'Excellent. We will have our sessions every week's end. Those are the only two days I am not required to attend to the—erm, ah ... the only days I have free.' Eshe flushed. The guard glowered far in the corner behind her.

Great. Isla doubted his report back to General Eunkoji would be flattering. There was not a chance in all the epps the general would allow them a little privacy.

The rumours made it clear Eshe was attending to one of the Emperor's sons. Isla could not care less whether or not that was true, but it was apparent—and understandable—that the Emperor wanted zero chances any kind of information would leak out.

A sudden fear ran through her body.

After Eshe was done with his son—what then? Would the Emperor simply let her leave, knowing what she does?

'You do not have to worry about taking up my free time.' Eshe misunderstood the concern on Isla's face, and now was not the time to correct her. 'I also want to hear no more about that whole payment business.'

She would have to find a way of communicating with Eshe discreetly—one that did not involve her sister. It would only distress Tam Mai if she knew what possible future awaited the empath; if she knew what kind of people were surrounding them.

Isla reached under the table and pulled out the bundle she had wrapped for Eshe. Even this had been checked by General Eunkoji's guards before she was admitted into the empath's residence. 'At least take this. I saw it at the markets. It reminded me of you.'

Eshe's face lit up when she opened the package. She lifted the head wrap high, and still its silk spilled onto the table and floor. 'It is beautiful, and a generous length.'

'I'm glad you think so. I still have it, you know, the dress you made me.'

'Ah ... yes. One of my finer creations.' Eshe beamed, reached forward to clasp Isla's hands. 'I'm happy to see you again, Isl—Lilja.'

Isla sighed at the slip. Luckily the guard did not seem to notice. 'As am I.'

  
❖ ❖ ❖
   

Isla shivered, though not from cold. It was six-bells in the afternoon, mist was ascending upon the second enclosure, seeping like a sickness come to claim its lover. Behind Ikidojja's charm was an unsettling preserve, only accentuated by the thickening haze. The entire place was too white. The streets were too quiet, the compounds too large, too empty.

The Emperor did not keep many guests. None, at least, whom he deemed significant enough to be designated a residence in his esteemed second enclosure. Of all two hundred compounds, Eshe told her not even a third was presently occupied. So they were not disturbed as they walked, but for General Eunkoji's man trailing just three footsteps behind.

'Doesn't this place raise the hairs on your back?' Isla whispered to Eshe. Even then she felt it was too loud. 'It's like an Eling graveyard.'

'I have never had the fortune of visiting one of those.'

'Why don't you come with us to Momuji West? You can stay in our hokkan for the night, come back in time for your duties at the week's rise.'

'I would have to request leave from the Emperor and wait for a guard to be assigned to me. It would take too much time.'

Isla tried to read her face, but Eshe kept herself shielded. She looked back, pretending to watch for Tam Mai. Her sister had straggled behind, sketching as she walked. But it was the guard Isla was interested in, who had eyes and ears for Eshe alone.

'You can't leave the palace without authorisation?'

'And an escort. For my protection, of course.' Eshe chuckled. 'Has Tam Mai been doing her meditations?'

'Nice deflect.'

'I learnt only from the best. So? Has she?'

'Every morning, every night. Just as you made me do, once.' They shared a smile. Had it been two years since their voyage together? It seemed only yesterday.

'Perfect. Once she is better able to regulate herself, that is where the real work begins. It will be difficult for her.'

'It's always been.'

'No, this time she must begin to confront it. I sense you and Tam Mai have avoided discussing her past, but this is something we will have to face together with her.'

'I've never been able to get her to talk about it. Besides ...' This time Isla did not hide her glare, directed at the guard behind them. 'She definitely won't be saying anything with him around.'

It was unfair of her. He was only doing his job. Isla sighed and called for Tam Mai to hurry.

'My work requires the utmost confidentiality.' Eshe seemed to realise their predicament. 'We are no longer speaking of meditation and calming exercises. General Eunkoji might grant an exception during sessions. He takes a special interest in Tam Mai. He has sent servants asking how our meetings are coming along.'

Yes, now that she mentioned it, and why was that?

Isla would be meeting him again that evening; the general always dined at the hokkan every week's end, if only to see how Tam Mai was faring. 'He's accountable for our visits to Momuji Castle. It's only expected he'd be concerned of our activities.'

'That may be. Nevertheless, I shall make a case to have our sessions held more ... privately. Otherwise will it go nowhere.'

They stopped as though on cue. The road ended, branching ahead in two opposite directions. The path right would eventually lead to the gates, but from the left came a wailing, echoing far in the distance.

Tam Mai grasped her arm. They stood, listening, and there it came again.

It was not the howling of grief, but of rage and pain.

'What is that?'

Eshe blanched. 'I completely forgot—forgive me, my friends, but I cannot see you to the gates after all.'

'Eshe, what's wrong?'

'I will see you tomorrow.' She did not spare another second. Eshe darted immediately up the road and whisked away, her footsteps dampened in the mist into which she disappeared.

The guard stood frozen, uncertain whom he should follow.

'Your service is no longer required.'

They all jumped at the voice. A figure rose from the compound ahead of them, emerging from the recess sheltering its front gate. 

☆ this chapter is dedicated to RajaAntara; thank you so much for your support! ☆

Video: Music—© BEO Entertainment
Image: Photomanipulation + digital painting of Eshe by yours truly; top left image—© Nele Diel at ArtStation; remaining artists unknown

Finally Tam Mai can get some help, but it looks like their worries are far from over, yet ...

Since we're close to chapter ten of Book 2, I think I can assume anyone reading this are all pretty dedicated readers, so I'd like to ask a few questions to help me choose/make better illustrations:

1) What platform do you most often use to read on wattpad? (android, iphone, tab/ipad, desktop?)

2) Do you like to play accompanying videos while you read, and if so, what kind? (environmental/ASMR, instrumental music, pop music, etc?)

(.❛ ᴗ ❛.) thank you for anyone answering!

Fun fact: The beautiful background music playing in this video is the sound of traditional Chinese musical instruments!
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