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It took Kinrou eight days after his conversation with Kal Sharash before he figured out how to talk to Kishandren about it, how to tell her what he had to do now. Lucky for him, things were in such turmoil in Karath with the aftermath of Crown Prince Sahiren\u2019s recent marriage to Princess Aldiara of Shanshiire.<\/span><\/p>\n It outraged the nobles; many of them were aware of the plan hatched by Empress Shinjaloye and Emperor Kenjariyo to marry Sahiren to Aldiara\u2019s elder sister, Kishandren. With everything that had happened in Doval, that plan had fallen to pieces. It hadn\u2019t helped matters that Kishandren didn\u2019t much care for Sahiren and instead developed feelings for Kinrou, marrying him against her father\u2019s express wishes.<\/span><\/p>\n Their irritation didn\u2019t bother either sister much, but Sahiren\u2014who had known the nobles of Telvan his entire life\u2014was doing everything he could to keep an eye on things. He had every confidence they would grow to love Aldiara as he had, but he knew it would take time. Who knew what they would get up to before that happened?<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou smirked. <\/span>News of a baby would go a long way to making that happen sooner rather than later.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat was it you wanted to talk to me about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou looked up at his wife as she entered the room. As it had every day since they\u2019d married, the word resonated strangely in his head. He\u2019d spent so much of his life feeling nothing but hatred for women that all this was strange to him. He imagined it would stay that way for a while yet. Even so, the sight of Kishandren\u2019s dark skin and long, thick dark hair gave him deep feelings of happiness and satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n He patted the bed beside him. \u201cHave a seat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kishandren arched one eyebrow. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound at all ominous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing serious,\u201d he said, doing his best to sound reassuring.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou took a deep breath. \u201cThere are…some things that happened to me, things I\u2019ve learned since the day I became a Dragon Warrior. I… thought I should tell you some of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnly some?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you everything when I figure out how to, but for now I\u2019ll tell you what I can.\u201d She sat down beside him and looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. \u201cI don\u2019t know who I am, Kisha. I was very young when the Shadowhawk Bandits took me in. You remember Jiken? His mother raised me. She\u2019s the only mother\u2014the only parent\u2014I\u2019ve ever known. I… came across some information recently that indicates that I might be from Zalityu instead of from Telvan as I always believed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Kishandren looked thoughtful. \u201cI can see why people would assume you to be Telvanite. Zalites and Telvanites do look similar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He poked her in the shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t all non-Kasheran people look alike to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She shrugged. \u201cMore or less. At least your hair colour sets you apart from the rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo, to have a chance at learning who I am, I have to go to Zalityu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Zalityu is a large place to search for something so vague. Do you have any idea where you should start?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSome place called Taniere Fall. I\u2019m not sure where that is, but I\u2019m sure I could find it on a map.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lucky for you that my lessons growing up included a good deal of geography.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou know where it is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s in the northern part of the country, not far from Calen Hall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where the Imperial Palace is, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kishandren looked impressed. \u201cIt seems that you aren\u2019t entirely ignorant after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPart of my lessons with Eladan included things like the capitals of the five countries,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI thought they were useless until now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo, when do we leave?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDid you expect me to stay here in a strange city by myself while you go off gallivanting around in an even stranger country by yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI thought I\u2019d give you the option of coming with me or staying here with your sister.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kishandren made a face. \u201cAldiara is far too occupied with Sahiren these days and with trying to acquaint herself with the nobles. The only person I would have to talk to is Nahiro, and you know how much of a conversationalist he is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRight. So, we\u2019ll leave as soon as I\u2019ve had a chance to talk to Mienna and the Empress about this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m certain they\u2019ll understand, especially if you suggest that the palace might be easier with only one pair of newlyweds underfoot. As a bonus, this will get me away from the sight of the nobles and let them get to know Aldiara without them wishing that things had all gone according to plan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat would be nice,\u201d Kinrou growled. \u201cI\u2019m getting tired of them glaring at me for spoiling things, as if it was only me to blame. Though why they would want you for their Empress is beyond me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCare to explain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh, come on, Kisha. You\u2019d make a terrible Empress. You have no patience at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t argue with that, though I swear you just want me all to yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m selfish that way. It must be my bandit upbringing and all, coveting the best of the treasures. Why? Is that a problem?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot really.\u201d Kishandren smiled. \u201cYou might want to be a little more upfront and honest about that in the future. I might get upset with you otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDuly noted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen will you speak to Shinjaloye?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow with any luck. I wanted to explain to you why I had to leave first. I figured if I could convince you this was the right thing, then I would have an easier time with Mienna and the Empress.\u201d He looked hesitant and then continued. \u201cThat, and I figured you would be angry if I left you for last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou guessed correctly,\u201d she replied.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI know I haven\u2019t known you long and I don\u2019t know much about your life, but I think I have a solid on your personality,\u201d he said, squeezing her hand.”<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI should hope so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mienna was normally an easy person to find. As Chief Priestess of Kal Sharash, she spent her time in the Great Temple or in the Imperial Palace\u2019s private temple. She could be also be found either with Nalshen or in the throne room with Shinjaloye. To Kinrou\u2019s frustration, she was in none of those places. The Great Temple was full of new acolytes being lectured by a senior priest on what was expected of them and what the rules were. Nahiro was meditating in the palace\u2019s temple. Nalshen told Kinrou that he hadn\u2019t seen Mienna since breakfast; he had been training Crown Princess Aldiara\u2019s new guards since then. The throne room was locked up tight. The pair of guards standing to either side of the doors informed him that the Empress was in the garden with Princess Aldiara, attempting to get to know her new daughter-in-law better. They hadn\u2019t seen Mienna either, but suggested that he look for her at her home in the city.<\/span><\/p>\n Grumbling under his breath, Kinrou left the palace grounds. He\u2019d known Mienna for a little less than a year, so he all he knew about her home was that it was a small, single story dwelling on Temple Row. He\u2019d heard the residence was passed down from one Chief to the next to give them a private place. Eladan had lived there before her.<\/span><\/p>\n Off he went back to Temple Row. Spring was a quiet season for the priesthood of Kal Sharash. During the summer, things would pick up in preparation for the Fire Lord\u2019s festival. This year the annual celebration would be at the same time more exuberant and more sombre than in previous years. Nahiro would still be mourning Shanye\u2019s loss, while the entire country would be celebrating the official coronation of a new Crown Princess and future Empress. Aldiara\u2019s titles wouldn\u2019t be official until then. For now, her rank was a courtesy. Until then, she was only a Princess of Shanshiire with no authority in Telvan.<\/span><\/p>\n The priests Kinrou encountered were more than happy to give him directions to Mienna\u2019s residence. Its appearance was a surprise to him. Given what the temples looked like, he expected something grand. This was a simple building made of red stained wood. Some of the wood kept its natural colour to provide an accent. It was lovely, but not to his taste.<\/span><\/p>\n He approached the door and reached for the dragon shaped knocker. The door opened before he could touch it. On the other side was Rikkala. She looked impatient.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, come on then. We don\u2019t have all day.\u201d She gestured for him to come in. As was the custom, he removed his boots and placed them on a shelf built into the wall for that purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou took your time getting here,\u201d she continued, leading him through the house and into a small room. From the altar set up on the far side, he guessed that this must be Mienna\u2019s private prayer room. Mienna herself was sitting in a chair beside it.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d Mienna asked him. \u201cYou look confused.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, you tell me. Why were you two waiting for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was given to understand that you were looking for me,\u201d Mienna replied. \u201cI would like to know why you and Rikkala are here. What could be so important that you both sought me out at home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Rikkala looked at Kinrou. \u201cWhat you have to say needs to come first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDoes it now?\u201d Mienna arched an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou cleared his throat, feeling a deep sense of dread, though he couldn\u2019t say why or where it came from. \u201cI need to leave for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Why?\u201d Mienna asked, shocked.<\/span><\/p>\n He glanced at Rikkala. \u201cI don\u2019t know how much I can tell you, but I need to go to Zalityu to learn who I am and where I come from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBefore you try to discourage this, let me assure you that this comes directly from the Fire Lord Himself,\u201d Rikkala said. \u201cYou have my word on that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHow is that possible? Unless…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUnless of the four people in Karath who have had personal conversations with the Fire Lord, three of them are in this room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Mienna looked at Kinrou, understanding in her brown eyes. \u201c<\/span>That\u2019s<\/i><\/span> why you supported me as Eladan\u2019s successor. You didn\u2019t believe I was telling the truth. You <\/span>knew<\/i><\/span> I was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not something you can claim unless it happens to be true.\u201d Kinrou shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhile it\u2019s all well and good to be told where to go, I hope you realize that Empress Shinjaloye will have issues with a Dragon Warrior going into another country,\u201d Mienna said, pulling herself back together. \u201cIt\u2019s been less than a year since the border skirmish. A lot of Zalites died at our hands. They killed a lot of Telvanites as well, but that\u2019s beside the point.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI need to talk to her about that, actually. The only reason I\u2019m still alive is because I\u2019m a Warrior. If it weren\u2019t for the Gem, Jiken and I would have been executed. This thing I have to do…she might want me to relinquish my Sacred Gem.\u201d His hand went to his glove automatically, stroking the smooth surface of the red, oval shaped gemstone. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I could give it up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEven after all this time, you remain possessive of it,\u201d Rikkala mused.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t expect anything less,\u201d said Mienna.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKal Sharash said nothing about you retiring, at least not to me,\u201d Rikkala said. \u201cI doubt Shinjaloye will force you to give it up, especially if Mienna and I stand with you on this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Earth Sage is a good friend of mine,\u201d she continued. \u201cIf you like, I can ask her to help you. She can deal with Empress Sholaiya and tell the Fox Warriors to leave you be, though don\u2019t be too surprised if one of them decides to follow you around to keep an eye on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKishandren is going with you, I assume,\u201d Mienna interrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe won\u2019t let me go without her,\u201d Kinrou sighed. \u201cShe also wants to stop at the graves where the Kasheran guards are buried for a proper farewell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI may want to speak to the Metal Sage as well, have her talk to Sholaiya on Kishandren\u2019s behalf. A Dragon Warrior is bad enough, but a Kasheran princess may be too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI for one am glad she\u2019s going,\u201d Mienna countered. \u201cIt may make things easier. It may even be possible to make this sound like an official visit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou made a face. \u201cLet\u2019s not. The faster we can get in, the sooner we can get out again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf that\u2019s your preference, then we\u2019ll do it your way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHave you mentioned this to anyone besides us and Kishandren?\u201d Rikkala asked.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d She nodded. \u201cI will talk to my counterpart in Zalityu. Mienna, you go with Kinrou to speak with Shinjaloye.\u201d She unclasped the necklace she always wore\u2014indicator of her position as Fire Sage\u2014and handed it to Mienna. \u201cTake this with you. It will be proof enough of Kal Sharash\u2019s involvement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Empress is busy right now,\u201d Kinrou told them.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot if I need to see her,\u201d Mienna informed him. \u201cA perk of my position is that I can go anywhere I want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kinrou whistled admiringly. \u201cI can only guess at how useful that would be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have to guess at what uses you would put that to,\u201d Mienna teased. \u201cThe Empress would have to relocate the treasury.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAt least you aren\u2019t trying to suggest that I\u2019ve moved past my banditry due to recent events.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf anything, we should be praising it,\u201d Rikkala said. \u201cI doubt the rescue of Princess Aldiara could have been accomplished without bloodshed otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNahiro was the one who pulled it off,\u201d he reminded her.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut it was your predilection for sneakery that masterminded it. Nahiro is brilliant, but it\u2019s unlikely he would have thought of that particular way to apply his gift.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you say so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKinrou, you should go prepare to leave,\u201d Mienna said. \u201cThe sooner you go, the sooner you\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about that. I can\u2019t say for sure I\u2019ll be able to return. I don\u2019t know what will happen in Zalityu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Rikkala smiled. \u201cAldiara will be crowned as Sahiren\u2019s wife this summer. Kishandren will want to be here for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind. I\u2019m sure she knows when that will be and will remind me when the date is coming up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGo,\u201d Rikkala urged. \u201cGet ready. Pack your supplies. I\u2019ve already had some things sent to your room that will help you on your journey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou know,\u201d Kinrou said philosophically. \u201cI might have to change my opinions on women. You two aren\u2019t all that bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd Kishandren?\u201d Mienna teased.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKisha isn\u2019t women. She\u2019s Kisha.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It took Kinrou eight days after his conversation with Kal Sharash before he figured out how to talk to Kishandren about it, how to tell her what he had to do now. Lucky for him, things…… <\/p>\n