Chapter 42. Order of the Crystal Palm

orisedd stood upon the stone causeway, grateful to be back upon solid land once more.  His legs had not quite discovered this fact causing him to sway as he moved.  Grinning, he watched Brigit wobble awkwardly down the gangplank to join them, her pack clutched protectively against her belly.  Teleri looked a bit worse for wear with sleepless shadows beneath her eyes and her clothing frayed and ripped by her animal companion.  Geetha sat upon her haunches, her green eyes slitted with annoyance as her tufted ears turned and flicked to sample the myriad sounds of the city.

Only Nandao seemed completely at home, his dolphin smile broadening into a toothy grin of childish delight.  He immediately took the lead, trotting off ahead of them toward the entrance to Kaineng Center.  Once there, the confusion of the crowded city was nearly overwhelming as Morisedd pressed past merchants and city folk, rubbing shoulders with other adventurers.  Nandao had already discovered a food vendor and was passing out hot meat-filled buns to the three of them, his chatter falling silent only when he took a bite of the strange spicy fare.  Humoring the monk, Morisedd took a couple experimental nibbles and then quietly tossed the disgusting thing into a gutter where Geetha grabbed it and quickly wolfed it down.

“So where are we going?” Teleri mumbled, drawing even with Morisedd’s shoulder, “This place is huge.  I don’t even know where to begin looking.”

“We were on a mission on behalf of Uriel’s old master, Tasos Leonitus of Nolani Academy,” Morisedd replied, stopping at the top of a long set of stairs to gaze out over the teaming city center, “Uriel never elaborated on the task, only that she was to deliver some papers to man named Dojin Matabe somewhere in the city.”

“Dojin Matabe?” Nandao blurted, coming to a sudden halt so that Brigit bounced off of his back, still awkward on her sea legs, “The Dojin Matabe?”

“I’m glad you have heard of him, that makes our job a little easier,” Morisedd replied, “Who is he?”

“A man of your stature should know,” Nandao grumbled, “but I suppose it would trouble you too much to learn a little about the world beyond Tyria.  It so happens Dojin leads one of the most powerful and wealthy guilds in all of Cantha.  You will rarely encounter a man so renowned for his good works, nor so highly respected for his prowess or wisdom.”

“Let’s meet him then,” Morisedd replied, feeling annoyed by the monk’s condescending tone.  However, the serious expression faded from Nandao’s face, replaced once more by his quizzical smile.

“I believe we’ll find the guild compound near Wajjun Bazaar if I remember correctly,” Nandao said as he began marching enthusiastically toward the southern end of the city center.

“Isn’t that place loaded with thugs?” Morisedd protested at Nandao’s retreating back.

“Not outside the Crystal Palm compound. We’ll be fine.  Come along, it’s not far.”

“How do all these people survive here packed so close?” Teleri wondered aloud, her eyes round with amazement.  She stopped short when Geetha uttered a low howling growl when someone stumbled over the skulking cat.  The lynx visibly seethed with a murderous rage as they moved through a low archway and entered a slightly quieter district.  Market tables lined the centers of the paved streets and wealthy homes rose up around them.  Nandao paused a few times to get his bearings, muttering to himself as they followed him down first one and then another narrow alley.

“Here,” Nandao announced half an hour later.  Feeling mildly footsore, Teleri was leaning against a large urn containing a twisted tree while the monk stood before an ornate rounded gate.  There was a small bell and he tugged on the red and yellow rope to sound it. 

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” Morisedd asked after a few moments when no one replied to the summons.  Nandao shrugged.

“It’s well before supper.  Possibly the servants are out and about on errands or there is an agreed upon resting time.  Who knows?  Ah, but I think we have been answered.”

Morisedd observed that the man who opened the gate to regard them looked irritated, his neatly trimmed black hair and equally dark eyes betraying nothing.  He was clad in shimmering red leathers and silk draped over a light but elegant frame.

“What is your business, Tyrians?” the man asked calmly, clearly not impressed by their shabby appearance.  His sharp gaze flicked over each of them in turn, measuring them silently until he beheld the lynx with a mixture of amusement and disgust.

“We come seeking an audience with Dojin Matabe,” Nandao replied before Morisedd could open his mouth to speak.  The man raised a delicate brow and frowned, irritated.

“Entrance into the Crystal Palm is limited and only those who have proved their allegiance may join.”

Nandao snorted in amusement.

“We do not wish to pledge ourselves to your guild.  We only need to speak with your master, please.  It is a cause of some urgency.”

“If you would speak to my master, then speak to me, for I am his eyes and ears.  It is to me that he entrusts such things.”

“Mesmers,” Nandao sighed, glancing at Morisedd.  The man glared at Nandao venomously and turned away, preparing to close the gate.

“Please, sir,” Morisedd barked, placing his foot in the crack of the door before the man could seal it behind him, “My friend is rather rude and impatient at times. I bid you hear me out, for this is a matter of some urgency.”

“I am aware of no urgent matters that trouble the Crystal Palm.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have guild business to attend to.”

“Do you remember a woman bearing a satchel with the mark of Nolani upon it?  Her name is Uriel Ninnocha.”

Morisedd was gratified when the man hesitated, his sharp gaze locking onto him and the faint shimmer of magenta energies wreathing his form.

“If she had come here, what business is that of yours?” the man asked pointedly, awaiting an answer that would convince him to keep the gate open.

“We are her friends,” Morisedd explained, the word catching in his throat and betraying his heart’s confusion.  Could he ever truly consider her his beloved again? Yet he did wish to protect her and keep her from harm.  The mesmer smiled gently, astutely understanding what lay behind Morisedd’s hesitance.

“Yes, she was here,” he replied, “but only briefly.  She is a member of the Red Lotus Clan now.”

“I fear she was brought to this land against her will,” Morisedd continued, relieved that the man was no longer seeking to close the gate on them, “Have you seen the two others that were captured with her?  Sister Lemony and a man named Pendaran Caradec?”

“Are you certain there were three? We are aware only of Uriel and Sister Lemony.  And can you say beyond a doubt they were captives and did not go to the guild of their own free will?”

“Yes.  I witnessed them being taken away by force of arms, bound like animals,” Teleri replied, “and I remember the cloaks of their captors – a field of red with a golden flower of many petals, at its center pierced by a dagger.”

“Come within,” the man replied, “I am Bei Zhou An, but you may refer to me only as Zhou.  I believe my master will want to speak with you.  You look weary after a long journey.  I will have rooms prepared and you will be considered honored guests of the Crystal Palm.  The servants will see to your needs, do not hesitate to ask for anything.”

Nandao bowed low to the mesmer.

“Your name precedes you, Master Bei.  It is an honor to meet you.”

Zhou smiled with amusement and returned the bow before gesturing them to come within.  Morisedd observed Teleri’s expression of amazement as she walked past the elaborately carved screens and gleaming mosaics.  The dwelling place of the Crystal Palm oozed wealth and grandeur and its entryway was no doubt intended to awe its visitors.

“Was Uriel well?” he asked Zhou’s back as they wound past tall green urns bearing ornamental orange trees and the smell of citrus perfumed the air.

“Yes,” Zhou replied without pausing to look upon Morisedd, “but let us not discuss this now.  My master should be present and he is currently resting.  I will leave you in the capable hands of our servants and come back for you when the master has risen.”

“Thank you,” Morisedd replied, relieved and ready to receive the gift of food and rest after the long voyage.