'Eldest, are you sure this is a good idea?'

'No.' In fact, Isla was certain it was almost the exact opposite.

They sat by the Tanmoji harbours, sheltered from the blistering sun under the eaves of a diner's tent. Tam Mai sipped on the last drops of her iced tea, back turned to the ships at port.

'How are you feeling?'

Tam Mai chewed on her paper straw. Her response was barely audible beneath the clanging of pots and bubbling of soups. 'I can do it. It's just a flag.'

'And she's gone. Remember that. Not just the woman who took you, but all her soldiers and loyal servants, too. She can't hurt you any more.'

'She's gone. I know. I saw it too, Eldest.'

Isla turned away. It was still awkward for her to speak of that night. They never spoke of it at all before, but Eshe's sessions had opened something between them. It was part of Tam Mai's recovery—Isla knew that—but every time she thought of that night in the labyrinths, all she saw was her sister, barely more than a skeleton, broken in all ways and lying in her own filth.

Her blood boiled at the memory, but where was she to direct her anger? The woman responsible for it was already dead. All she had was her own guilt; that she had lived a full life in a safer kingdom, all the while her sister was treated less than an animal.

Kiet's lotus mandala flapped in the full afternoon breeze. His ship was set to sail. Men had spent the entire day loading it full with trunks.

If she knew ...

Isla needed to tell her. Perhaps she would refuse to board the ship, then. Perhaps she would spend the entire voyage locked in her cabin; but Tam Mai needed to know, and it was better now, through her sister's own mouth, than accidentally learning it later as Isla had.

'The maharaj,' she said after a false start, 'Kiet, whose ship we will be taking ...'

'Who you've met before.' A small smile played on Tam Mai's lips.

'That's right. Do you know who he is?'

'Yes, Eldest.' Tam Mai sighed, annoyed. 'He's second in line to the throne. I won't go jumping into his or any of his men's heads. I'm not stupid, you know.'

Isla drew in a deep breath. 'He's her son.'

That wiped the smile clean off.

'The lotus mandala is their House crest.'

'But ... we're taking his ship.'

'I don't think he knew what his mother had been doing.'

'You know that? Or is that what you want to believe?'

It was a good question. One she asked herself many times. It did not matter. There would be a way to know for sure. 'He was going to help me find you that night, Tamma. His own mother poisoned him, trying to get to me. If he was working with her, she wouldn't have needed to do that. He could've just brought me straight to her himself.'

Tam Mai nodded, but Isla could tell she was still uncomfortable with the fact.

'It's fine. You don't have to trust him. You only need to trust me. Whatever happens, we'll get through it. Together, this time.'

Tam Mai's eyes were glistening when she looked at her. 'You're really going to put me on a ship with the man whose mother—'

'We can't stay here, and the next commercial ship to Surikhand isn't until another two months.'

'Why not? Or why can't we go back to Noi and Uncle Bart instead?'

'There aren't any ships travelling directly to Napoa, even if we wanted to.' Isla sighed, trying to keep her voice even despite Tam Mai's rising tone. 'You don't understand. Taeichi-seung is just like us, Tamma, and you saw how the Emperor treated him; a prisoner in his own home. Do you know what would've happened if his theurgy had been as common as mind-speaking? They would've killed him before he even had the chance to be blooded. I need to end this, otherwise we'll spend the rest of our lives running.'

'End what? What are you going to do?' Tam Mai hit the counter with her open palms. Tea cups clattered on the counter. The soup hawker glared at them over his pot.

Isla grit her teeth. 'I can't find a safe place for us, Tam Mai, so I must make one. It's not just for us—but for Taeichi, for people like us, for your future children, and their children. Do you understand?'

'And it's up to you, is it? It's up to us?'

'Who else is it up to, Tamma? The charity of the gods? Benevolence of our kings?'

'I'm sick of you making all the decisions like this!' Tam Mai was up on her feet. Even the other diners were now openly staring. 'Sick of it! I just want to go home!'

Home.

They had no home. Did her sister not see that? Did she not understand the dangers into which they were dragging Noi and Bart and his family simply by being associated with them? Of course not. Tam Mai did not know what happened to Taeichi's family; the ones who birthed him or those who raised him. Rajini Chei did not tell her of the countless slaughters performed under the banner of purity ...

'You're right,' said Isla at last. 'I haven't been thinking about what you want. We can go with Kiet back to Surikhand—and if from there you want to journey on to Napoa, I'm sure he or Rajini Chei can facilitate that. But I will be staying in Kathedra until I see this through.'

That seemed to cool the edge of Tam Mai's anger. Her temper was an unpredictable beast, knocking the senses out of her younger sister in the most inopportune moments. The guilt would come much later; yet Isla hated to see the crying and grovelling more than the public outbursts.

'Lilja-dae?' Yui's voice peeped from behind.

They turned to find her, waiting uncertainly by the fringes of the next stall over. People stared as they passed, giving Tam Mai a wide berth. Isla forced a smile on her face while her sister returned to her bench, shamed.

'Is all well?'

'It's just difficult to say goodbye, that's all.' It was not a complete lie. 'We both wish we could stay longer—Tam Mai more than I, apparently.'

'She could stay with me, you know,' offered Yui.

And put you and the hokkan at risk, too? As if they had not dragged enough people into their mess. 'You're too kind, Yui. I'm glad you could make it.'

'Of course I would make it! I'm just sorry I'm late.' She closed the distance and squeezed in next to a yet sulking Tam Mai, motioning the soup hawker for a bowl.

'You're not the only one. Eshe still isn't here, either.'

Yui nodded, her face full of suppressed excitement. 'She's probably stuck waiting for an elevator.'

'I thought none were damaged during the quakes.'

'They weren't. I meant the castle would be packed with visitors is all, given the official announcement just hours ago. Didn't Lilja-dae hear?'

Isla shook her head. She had been busy nursing her wounds following her ambush with Kiet. Not just the emotional drain it had taken on her, either. Of course she had expected suspicion, distrust. But the anger was something else. It hurt more than the bruises and fractures on her body.

Eshe had found—or heard—her, trapped under the remains of the western wing. She did not dare call a therapeut for fear the Emperor might hear of Isla's snooping, so they had to make do with what little skill the mind-healer had in treating surface wounds.

'Notices were spread just this noon,' continued Yui. 'An invitation for all noble clans in the city to attend the Social Court. That's where all public announcements are made. But news like this spreads fast—especially after such a terrible hit. We are fortunate no one died in these last tremors ... they were the largest we've had in so many years.'

Isla barely listened to her jumping between subjects. Her mind was too preoccupied to be concerning herself with Tsun decrees.

'But the maharaj—he promised financial aid for anyone in Momuji hit by the quakes. As an engagement gift, that is, but isn't that such a generous offer?'

Isla choked on her iced tea. 'Wait, what?'

'Lilja-dae's maharaj and our hanjou.' Yui iterated, beaming as the hawker slid a bowl under her chin. 'It has finally been made official. Isn't it incredible? They managed to make some joy out of this tragedy, at least. We would be like cousins under their unity. Imagine, easier travel between our nations ... more and cheaper commercial ships ... maybe I could visit Tamma-uchi in turn!'

Even some of Tam Mai's churlishness melted at the thought, but Isla was more incredulous than anything. 'So ... he did come here to arrange a marriage?'

'It seems the fishwives were right for a change.' Yui laughed.

So much for finding his mother's killer. Isla forced a smile.

But the fact was he did find her. News of Rajini Dhvani's arrest spread that morning like wildfire. They had even seen her, chained and cuffed in irons and pushed down the gangway that had been extended from Kiet's ship. No wonder he thought Isla had been working for her. Of all the realms across all the Eastern Isles, the fact they just happened to be in the same city at the same time was too suspect to immediately brush off as coincidence.

Was the betrothal just a way for him to get a foot in the Divine Gyok's door? Marriages were just a matter of convenience to these royalborns, but somehow Isla had expected more from Kiet.

'Lilja-dae is awfully quiet this afternoon. Moreso than usual, that is.'

'She's heart-broken,' muttered Tam Mai.

Isla rolled her eyes but was spared from answering. A palanquin had stopped upon the quay behind them, carried upon the shoulders of four men. They lowered it to the ground, a hand slipped through the crack of the door and slid it open. Isla tensed as a man stepped out, feet first, onto the quay. He held an envelope in one hand, which he flourished before the sailors upon the gangway. They took one look at its contents and waved the palanquin through.

Isla sighed in relief. 'Say your farewells, Tamma. We're leaving soon.'

'But—Eshe isn't even here yet!'

Isla rose from their bench as the man crossed the quay towards them, interrupting Tam Mai's complaints.

She nodded Taeichi's servant to one side.

'I leave his life in your hands.' His voice was as gruff as his accent. The man shoved a phial into Isla's fist. 'I made the poison and its antidote myself, so there is no other aware of our arrangement.'

'The palanquin-bearers?'

'They only know it is gifts they transport onto the maharaj's ship.'

Isla nodded, hoping Taeichi's faith in this man was not misguided. So what is he, a double agent? 'And what will you tell the Emperor?'

'A body has already been cremated—as is customary for traitors against the throne. A man who fit his build and features.'

'Weren't Taeichi's foster family cremated?'

His eyes darkened, and Isla muttered a quick apology for her lapse in Tsun etiquette. But her lack of honorifics seemed to be the last thing on his mind. 'It is easy to accuse the dead of treachery. Especially when none live to defend their honour. My cousin and his wife lived and toiled for this nation, and for that this is the thanks they get.' He reached into the large pockets of his robe and held out a pair of small urns, gently this time. 'Jin-uchi will want this when he wakes.'

Jin-uchi? Isla reigned in a smile. 'You could give it to him yourself.'

The man shook his head. 'I am still a member of the Imperial Tabeeb. If I disappear now, it will only arouse suspicion, especially given the nature of my ... former placement. Ah. It seems I must return.'

Already the palanquin-bearers were appearing up the gangway, laughing and joking among themselves now that the weight was gone between them. Taeichi's servant gave a final nod before joining his men down the quay.
    

❖ ❖ ❖

     
Eshe came escorted by half a dozen men and General Eunkoji himself. Isla only had time to thank him before Tam Mai was inundating him with gifts and farewells.

The mind-healer was more subdued when finally Isla turned to her. She whispered in her ear as they hugged, 'It isn't too late to change your mind.'

Eshe shook her head and pulled Isla away from the escorts. 'Now I know for certain I cannot leave. Not until Fukuhei-himi finds his own voice against his father.'

'He'll hang you for insolence.'

'Not until he finds a better mind-healer to prepare his heir.'

'So you do know, then?' Isla still recalled the dread exuding from the boy's mind, waiting to be unleashed.

Eshe nodded. 'Fukuhei-himi is first-rank and has been for a while, now. But the Emperor will make no announcements until he can be presented before the public.'

'But how is he to train his theurgy if no instructor will even be told of its nature?'

'That is why I must stay, Isla. It is a long road ahead for Fukuhei-himi. I have at least the Empress's ear. She was forced under house arrest during the entire assault yesterday—the Emperor knows she would never allow that kind of brutality against her son. I hope together, we can convince the Emperor to appoint a personal instructor for his heir's benefit.'

'I see.' Isla clasped the woman's hands. 'I wish you luck. But if you ever feel unsafe in the future, you can always send word for me. I don't know what I can do, but I'll do something.'

'I appreciate that. I have a feeling you can do plenty. And so can your sister.' Her eyes turned to Tam Mai, who had dragged Yui and the general to the edge of the quay where they stood, staring out at sea. 'She may have her outbursts and her moments of terror, but she also has a strong and brilliant mind.'

'I know that.'

'I only mean that you must trust her more. She is not as helpless as you might think. She needs to take control of her fears, and for that she must be allowed to take control of her own life.'

Isla smiled but did not commit to a response. There were days Tam Mai could not decide which shoe to put on first, let alone what to do with her life. 'Come. She has been waiting for you all afternoon.'

Tam Mai squealed when she noticed them approaching. She ran to meet Eshe in her arms, deluging her with a barrage of questions—where she had been during the quakes, why she had not come to the temple ... Isla had not told her much over the events of the previous day; only that the Emperor had required Eshe's expertise.

The sky was red with the last of the setting sun by the time they were ready to board. Eshe cried when Tam Mai gave her the portrait she had painted, then Tam Mai started crying, and before they knew it, Yui was in tears as well. Isla stood awkwardly by the gangway, feeling like a heartless beast. Of course she was sad. Of course she would miss them both, but she had grown used to farewells and separation, and her head was swimming with all the things for which she must prepare.

Kiet had not given her an answer other than to welcome her aboard his ship. It was either a trap or his way of agreeing to her proposal.

He wouldn't imprison us, surely. Not when I hold the answers to his mother's death. Not when we are the only living witnesses to Rajini Amarin's murder.

'Safe travels, daebun!' Yui called from the quay. 'Maybe I'll visit for the royal wedding!'

Isla laughed, waving her handkerchief in the wind. A hand snuggled into hers. Tam Mai had joined her upon the gangway, sobbing out her goodbyes. Together they descended onto the deck. 
     

❖ ❖ ❖
     

☆ this chapter is dedicated to WillyChef8 ☆

Video: Chetta Monster
Image: Top images—artists and photographers unknown; lower image—© Tacit Sign Studio at ArtStation

Farewell Eshe and Yui and the General! It's a shame to be leaving Tsunai, but it's time to return to Surikhand. In case you haven't spent enough time in the Emperor's lands, why not check out my Tsunai pinterest board at https://pinterest.com/AMPrabeswar/the-courtesy-of-kings/tsunai/ (linked also in the in-line comment and the "External Link" button).

Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter, and see you again in two weeks!