Chapter 23. The Gathering

emony was nearly beside herself with excitement that morning.  The Swift Wind was expected on the morning tide and she was invited go along with the party of guild members to welcome its arrival.  She danced around the room seeking her numerous bags and traveling chest.  Neither of them was unpacked and her belongs were blended with Uriel’s.  Shikai had insisted that they move from their rented quarters in upper Kaineng and come stay as guests and the two of them were now sharing a small suite.

“The baths are wonderful,” Uriel nearly sang as she combed out her black hair, still damp from the morning’s ablutions.  The two of them had indulged in the luxuriant tubs at least once each day since their arrival.  With the chill evenings, it was a pleasant way to while away the night after supper in preparation for bed. 

Lemony was in heaven.  While Uriel had her nose in some musty old book, she spent the day playing with the children in the guild funded orphanage near the temple.  Old Master Dojin, the founder of the Order of the Crystal Palm, had insisted that a percentage of all proceeds be funneled into charity.  When Zhou had become leader of the guild, he had preserved his slain leader’s legacy and the orphanage continued to thrive.   Many of the guild’s members had their humble beginnings there.

After locating her dun colored tunic and pantaloons, she tugged them on unceremoniously while still trotting around the room.  Uriel looked mildly scandalized, but laughter danced in her dark eyes.  She was anticipating Murdi’s arrival and Lemony was equally excited at the thought seeing Nandao again.  Scratching her tattooed scalp, she glanced around their untidy sitting room, wondering if she should put some things away now or wait until she returned later.

Later, she decided.  She had spent the prior evening helping Shikai rearrange a ground floor suite for Pendaran’s arrival.  There was a nice big bed awaiting he and Teleri and a little room with toys she had selected for Mabane.  A shiny new silk kite was even draped from the ceiling just within reach.  On the way home she would get fresh flowers for the table in the sitting room.  It would be good to see them all once more.

“Lem, come on, we’re going to be late to breakfast,” Uriel called, drawing Lemony from her reverie.  She smiled broadly at her friend and trotted after her.  Uriel absently plaited her hair as they hurried down the corridor toward the great hall.

With winter on the way, the compound buzzed with activity as guild members were now returning from their quests and adventures to enjoy a winter relaxation.  The celebratory atmosphere was infectious and to her delight, many people waved at her as she passed.  Uriel led them to the upper table where Zhou and Shikai were already seated.  As guests, they had been given seats to the right of Shikai.

“What is all the excitement about?” Uriel murmured, unable to make sense of the Canthan chatter.

“There’s going to be a big gathering at the Emperor’s palace in Raisu,” Lemony replied as she dipped into a pot of steamed milky rice and dumped a large portion into her bowl.  She passed what remained of it to Uriel before seizing a clay jar of honey and giggling to herself as a large golden glob spilled into the center of her porridge.

“Honestly, Lem, how can you eat that?” Uriel sneered, not expecting a rational answer.

“Lemons need sweetening,” said Shikai with a welcoming grin.

“Good morning, Shikai!” Lemony said as the pretty woman turned her kohl lined eyes upon her.  The medallions in her finely braided black hair tinkled softly as she stirred, “Hello, Zhou.”

Uriel seemed slightly annoyed by Lemony’s lack of formality.  Everyone else nodded deferentially to the guild leader or appended his name with master.  Lemony grinned at her.  How silly.  Zhou hated having a fuss made of him all the time.

“Good morning, Liang Meng,” Zhou replied with a smile.  Lemony melted.  He knew her true name and he said it so beautifully.  She noticed Shikai clasped his left hand upon her lap, stroking his fingers tenderly out of sight of the rest of the hall.  It was rare for them to show affection in public and Lemony wondered what was troubling the guild leader.  His dark eyes scanned the gathering restlessly and a pair of poached eggs cooled untouched upon his plate.

“Eat, dragon lord,” Shikai murmured, squeezing his hand.

“My love, do not jest about such things,” he replied gently, “I will dine once everyone is safely arrived.”

“It is not like you to worry,” Shikai whispered, “It troubles me.”

Lemony pretended not to hear them and she doubted anyone else at the table was aware of their exchange.  It troubled her to see Zhou so anxious.  He was normally so placid and it was soothing to be around him because of it.  Sighing softly, she mixed the enormous amount of honey into her rice porridge and sampled it, shocked by the intense sweetness.  She laughed at her foolishness and settled for a breakfast consisting of a single plain bun.

Soon after chewing her last bite, Lemony observed Kazuma the necromancer approaching the table.  They conferred in a low whisper but Lemony was delighted to overhear that the Swift Wind had arrived in the harbor and was just beginning the process of tying up at the dock.  Rising slowly, Zhou excused himself, continuing to clasp Shikai’s hand as they threaded through the crowded tables and guild members.   He glanced back once at Lemony and Uriel and nodded at them, intending that they should follow.

“They’re here!” Lemony announced joyfully and Uriel immediately leaped to her feet to scurry after their hosts.

It was raining when they four of them arrived in the courtyard, meeting up with a dozen servants and guild members gathered around a litter on which to bear Pendaran back to the compound.  Brightly colored parasols blossomed against the gray stones as the score of them wended their way slowly through the sodden streets.  A pair of warriors took up the lead, boldly wearing the shimmering white cloak of the guild while she and Uriel strode between the fluttering mass of the litter and the warriors.

It took them less than half an hour to arrive, their numbers and the impressive display of might having no doubt kept trouble at bay.  The docks were teaming with activity as goods and people flowed gratefully onto dry land.  Lemony saw the tell tale brown blur of Teleri’s lynx, Geetha, go streaking past.  And finally they saw familiar faces as first Brigit, and then Teleri stroke down the gangplank with Mabane lagging behind them.  There was a woman with auburn hair clad in rich silvery silks that Lemony did not know, but she was pretty and kind, steadying Mabane instinctively as he tottered awkwardly on the narrow planks.

She waited eager to see Nandao again and disappointed when he did not join their gathering circle upon the dock.  Uriel also looked mildly annoyed when the last passenger to disembark was the dour figure of Xiang Yi the monk carrying a blanket wrapped figure in his powerful grasp.  Lemony could sense pain radiating from Pendaran’s body as he lay helpless and dazed while cradled in the man’s arms.  She moved toward him, seeking to provide comfort where none could be had.

He looked terrible, of course.  Feverish, his chestnut hair lay lank and disorderly against his face. And he was deathly pale having barely recovered from losing so much blood.  Lemony felt tears prick her eyes at the sight of him reduced to such a weakened state.  Zhou was beside her, his narrow visage tense with concern as he laid a hand upon Pendaran’s brow and elicited no response.

“The cold and damp have been cruel to him,” Xiang Yi said softly in response to Zhou’s concerned gaze, “The sooner we can get him home, the better, Master.”

Zhou nodded and guided Xiang Yi to the litter.  There Lemony assisted the monk as they lay the poor man out on the cushions and draped more blankets over his trembling form.  Poor Pen.  She had never imagined he would be this wounded and sick. She stroked his clammy brow and muttered a prayer over him but he was wrapped in a mandrake induced stupor and did not respond.

Satisfied that Pendaran was safely ensconced in the litter, Xiang Yi nudged Lemony aside and the bearers lifted the poles up onto their shoulders in a single fluid movement.

“Murdi might have come, even for a week or two,” Uriel complained softly, clearly hurt.

“I hoped Nandao would be here, too,” Lemony sighed, unable to hide her disappointment as they strode before the litter. 

“He left,” Teleri replied, “We don’t know where he went.”

Zhou turned his head to glance back at Teleri, his features strained with emotion.

“Why did he leave?”

“He did not translate Zhou’s letter until after the attack.”

“Oh dear,” Lemony murmured.

“If there is any blame, then it is mine,” Zhou said coldly, “I should have sent someone to protect him.  Clearly the danger was greater than I anticipated.”

“What is done is done, my love,” Shikai said softly, “Few were available for such a task and Tyria is no longer a place you would find welcoming.”

Zhou gazed harshly upon the litter, his jaws clenching with a mixture of anger and regret. Then, with a somber smile he nodded at his wife and clasped her hand.

“Sounds like typical Nandao to me,” Uriel muttered, just loud enough for Lemony to hear, “Would it kill him to treat something seriously for a change?”

Lemony sighed.  She felt as gray and cold as the rainy sky inside.  It was shaping up to be a sad winter after all.