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The asraam was just as she remembered it: multi-tiered sister-structures built atop stone stilts, one much higher than the other, and out of which protruded a confusion of balconies—all at different heights, different depths, and such a tangle of them it was impossible to tell how many floors the entire building contained.

Nor did her bedchamber change much. Its new occupants had kept their beds the same way it always had been; all three in a nice little row against the wall. The middle bed was newer than the others—its wood had not faded—but the floor beneath it was still scorched from Pepper's fire.

Isla smiled. For all the trouble it gave her, the salamander used to warm her bed every night, or shine its light under the blankets whenever she wanted to read while the others were asleep. And this is the corner he'd hide in whenever he got frightened ...

Stormy nights were the worst. Pepper could never stand the sound of crashing thunder.

'Hello,' a voice called from the doorway. A dhayang, her syarong tied into a romper and hair bunched up in a bandana. 'Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?'

'No.' Everyone she knew were no longer at the asraam—those who had not found suitable arrangements would have been sent off to the Water Palace by now. What was she doing there? Isla rose from her bed. No. Not my bed. 'I was just ... it doesn't matter. Does Master Chendra still teach at the academy?'

'That old grouse? Couldn't get rid of him if they tried.'

Isla laughed. That sounded like him.

She resisted the urge to drop in for a surprise visit; instead her sudden nostalgic streak took her to the kitchens. As usual the place was a stream of endless activity; kitchenhands running up and down the platforms, stray cats darting underfoot, avoiding the threat of a broom or boiling water ...

It was one of those strays that betrayed her identity to the rajini. What became of it, anyway? The last Isla saw of Haana's bondmate, she had it thrown across Rajini Amarin's dungeons. There were many mottled tabbies presently wafting outside the kitchens, but she would never recognise if one of them belonged to the rajini's long-dead silver-servant.

It doesn't matter. Haana can't harm me any more, and now neither can that cursed cat of hers.

Still she gave the strays a wild berth as she walked by, and still she watched them carefully when she found her sister feeding a group of them in the kitchen gardens.

'Here you are.'

Tam Mai looked up, clapped away the last crumbs of prawn crackers from her hands.

'I thought I told you to stay put until the trial's over.'

'I'm studying,' said Tam Mai defiantly. 'Taeichi-seung has been trying to teach me the defensive stances, but he says my knees are too stiff. I need to be limber and smooth, like a cat ready to pounce.'

'So you're pouncing at cats?'

'No, I'm just watching them. I get what he means. He moves just like them when he gives his demonstrations.'

'Don't let him hear you compare him to wild cats.'

'I don't know if I can do it.' Tam Mai dropped onto a stone bench, so low it was hidden among the surrounding patch of galangal.

'Taeichi-seung trained since he was six years old, did you know that?' Isla lowered herself beside her sister. 'It took him decades to be this good. It takes people decades to be so good, so you shouldn't beat yourself over it, nor should you expect results overnight.'

A cat came to lick Tam Mai's fingers. 'Can I take one back with us?'

'Absolutely not.'

'Please? You see the black one in the bushes? The kitchen servants were beating it away. No one ever feeds that one. Says it brings bad luck.'

'And you'd like some of that, would you?'

'I thought you didn't believe in superstition.'

'No cats, Tamma. The rajini would have a fit. Her bondmate is an owl for goodness sake, and that one looks feral! Never mind Huu, it might scratch out your eyes in your sleep.'

Tam Mai giggled despite herself. 'How can you be so heartless?'

'Let's just say I have a bad history with cats.'
    

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Taeichi was waiting in front of her chamber. Isla stopped upon recognising the tall, poised silhouette, overcome with a rush of panic. Her ossa was soaked from the sudden rain, bits of hair clung to her damp face—she was in no condition to be receiving guests. Who brought him here?

She spun on her heels. Tam Mai's chambers were just around the corner—Taeichi can wait a few minutes longer while she dried and dressed herself—

'Isla-dae. Did you enjoy your walk?'

What do you think? Isla wrung the water from her braid. 'I see you got here before the storm. You must have been waiting for quite some time.'

'I did not mind. I waited in the rajini's gardens before it started raining.' He frowned as Isla drew closer. 'You are drenched. You will take ill unless you quickly dry yourself—and tomorrow is an important day.'

'You heard.' Isla pushed the door open. Someone had already lit her lanterns; its warmth welcomed her the moment she stepped into her chamber. Isla looked over her shoulder at Taeichi, unmoving in the hallway. 'Ah ... just ... come in.'

'We can speak here once you are ready.'

'It's fine.' She disappeared behind the screens to her washing room. 'It must be important if you've come this late.'

'I wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow.' Taeichi's voice came from the other side of the screen. Isla pulled the towel hanging upon it and threw her wet clothes in its place. 'I have attended many court hearings myself. Even as a witness, they will still go hard on you.'

'I'm ready for it.'

'They cannot disprove your truths, so they will try to prove you a liar.'

'You don't need to worry.' Isla wrapped herself in a cotton syarong and worked on her hair. 'I don't care what people make of me.'

His sigh was audible behind the paper screen. 'Even so. If they ever become too much for you ... only remember that it will be over before the sun sets.'

I hope so.

He was staring out the window when Isla joined him, though the heavy rain outside made little view of anything.

'Kiet will be there,' said Isla. 'He'll make sure their questions don't stray too far.'

'You rely upon him for far too many things.'

Isla's first instinct was to argue, but he was right. Ever since they met among the bamboo trees, all her plans depended on Kiet. 'Well it's nice not to carry everything on my own shoulders for a change.'

'He is not your only option.' Taeichi turned, his gaze intense. 'And it looks like he cannot be relied upon further than this. Once the trial is done, once you give your testimony, leave with me.'

The invitation came so abruptly, she was too struck to think.

'You say you have family in Napoa, friends in Elingar. Whichever you choose, I will take you there. We can build a new life, a safer one. You, me, Tamma-uchi.'

Isla's face warmed, and by no means of the lantern flickering beside her bed. 'Ah ... Tae—Jinsei-assa—that's a kind offer, but—'

'Do not answer me now.' He held out a hand. 'Think upon it. I will wait.'

She doubted any amount of time would change her mind, but before she could answer, a shadow stretched in from the open door. Tam Mai stood at its hinges, cut abruptly mid-sentence as she looked back and forth between the two.

'Tamma-uchi.' Taeichi broke the silence with a smile. 'Have you come to—'

'Sorry. I didn't mean to—' She never finished her sentence. Tam Mai turned quickly and fled back down the hallway, but not before Isla caught the look on her face.

Oh gods, don't tell me—

'Is she all right?'

'She misunderstood.' That explains it all. What she heard on the ship, the surliness ...

Taeichi sighed with comprehension. 'Or she understood a little too well.'

'This is not the time.'

'Should I speak to her?'

'And say what, exactly? She is my sister. This is my relationship to mend.' Things were just beginning to get better, too. What was she thinking, anyway? Taeichi was eight years her senior! 'Gods. To let something as trivial as a man come between things.'

'Ah—I apologise. I truly did not think she would ever ...' He let his sentence hang and turned away to hide his discomfort.

'Don't apologise. It isn't your fault. It isn't anyone's fault. Tam Mai's spent six years imprisoned; I'm not surprised she's fallen for the first qualified man she set her eyes upon.'

Taeichi laughed in disbelief. 'Is that all I am? You should know I have declined my share of court ladies; none of whom one would call inexperienced.'

'I only meant this is likely the first time she's ever felt something like this. She probably doesn't even completely understand it herself.' Isla remembered how silly she had been, pining after Aldir. Of course she grew out of it, but how insufferable must Noi have found her. She never thought a day would come where she would be subjected to the same. 'Please, just ... be kind to her.'

'Do you truly think you need ask me?' Taeichi nursed the back of his head. It was the first time Isla saw him troubled. 'I never thought I would have a pupil of my own, but Tamma-uchi has become dear to me. I would never want to see her hurt.'

Isla gave a noncommitted grunt.

It did not matter what Taeichi's intentions were. Somehow she knew he would end up hurting her sister regardless.

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↝ END CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE ↜

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☆ this chapter is dedicated to nikyaspoo ☆

Video: Ambient With Flute
Image: Original artists unknown

I dunno, maybe Isla should've seen that coming. Did you?

Anyway, in case you missed it, the talented areihime made some fanart of Isla and Kiet!! I'm still in awe . . . thanks so much, and that goes to all (six?) of you (lol) who has ever made me fanart! You guys are the best ❤ If anyone wants to see it, check the link in the inline comment or on my profile!