<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By the time they were ready to go, they couldn\u2019t leave their room. Kinrou opened the door to find Shinjaloye, Mienna, and Sahiren on the other side.
\n\u201cWould you mind if I had a word with you?\u201d the Empress asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all. We were just about to come and find you,\u201d Kinrou said, gesturing for them to come in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that you wish to leave Karath,\u201d she said, getting straight to the point. Her face looked troubled. \u201cNot only that, but I believe Zalityu to be your intended destination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to understand that I cannot sanction this. The skirmish with them was too recent, and there is much lingering resentment on both sides of the border. Sholaiya will not be happy if she learns of this. It may well start more fighting. Neither of our countries can bear that so soon.\u201d She sighed. \u201cOn the other hand, I cannot ignore a direct command from the Fire Lord. You can see my dilemma.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can,\u201d Kinrou replied. \u201cRikkala said she\u2019d talk to someone in Zalityu about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s possible that she was referring to Sholaiya herself, though it\u2019s far more likely that she meant Kal Atlien\u2019s Sage,\u201d Sahiren mused. \u201cI forget what her name is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d Mienna said, folding her arms. \u201cThe two of us aren\u2019t supposed to know who Rikkala is. That knowledge is reserved for the current rulers of the five countries, the other Sages, and the Sky Lords.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shinjaloye frowned. \u201cIf arrangements have been made, that\u2019s all well and good. Officially, I have to tell you that you may not under any circumstances leave the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat my mother is saying is that if you go, you must do so without telling her so that she can pretend she isn\u2019t aware of your activities,\u201d Sahiren explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got that, thanks,\u201d Kinrou said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad we have an understanding.\u201d Shinjaloye relaxed. \u201cWell, then, I\u2019ll leave the two of you to… whatever it was you were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly, Kishandren was sorting clothes with Kinrou\u2019s help,\u201d Sahiren explained. \u201cHe\u2019s more familiar with Telvan\u2019s weather. You wouldn\u2019t dress for winter here the way you would in Shanshiire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, precisely,\u201d Kishandren said, nodding.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll leave you to it, then.\u201d Satisfied, Shinjaloye left with Sahiren and Mienna following along.<\/p>\n
The door slid shut behind them. Kinrou turned to Kishandren. \u201cWe should get out of here. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n
He picked up his pack, noting that it was a third smaller than Kishandren\u2019s. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 3<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By the time they were ready to go, they couldn\u2019t leave their room. Kinrou opened the door to find Shinjaloye, Mienna, and Sahiren on the other side.
\n\u201cWould you mind if I had a word with you?\u201d the Empress asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all. We were just about to come and find you,\u201d Kinrou said, gesturing…… <\/p>\n