Interlude: Winter’s End Tour Part 2

It always annoyed Bao Qian just a little, that mortal coins were so much better designed as currency than the money of cultivators. Coins were good, round and flat, stackable. A hole punched through the center, so that they could be strung on thread or rawhide. Convenient and reasonable. Stones on the other hand, had an odd shape, could not be stacked or stored easily. He knew it didn’t matter, and there were reasons. A coin shape wouldn’t hold its qi reservoir properly, but it was still a little bothersome.

But as he laid his satchel on his workbench and little glittering stones spilled across the surface, he couldn’t say that he felt irritated at all. Aesthetics had its place.

“This new arrangement was received better than anticipated,” said a voice from behind him. Du Xian, the priest assigned to their entourage, stood behind him in the wagon. Bao Qian could feel his slightly disapproving gaze on the satchel full of stones.

It didn’t bother Bao Qian much. The traditions of the Bao and the southern folk had diverged for ages. He knew his ancestors and the spirits of all the glittering and precious things under the earth smiled upon his efforts. But he was polite, turning halfway on the bench to face the older man. “Everyone loves a festival, and Miss Hanyi’s voice is very beautiful too, don’t you agree, Du Xian.”

The man pursed his lips. “It is true that the people are eager for merriment, when hard times are coming. Warm memories to hold against the dark and the cold.”

“And you ensured that things were kept proper,” Bao Qian said, dipping his head. “We could not have planned this so well without your peoples efforts to dig up the old pre-Ogodei rituals and adjust them.”

A thing not understood by many in the north was that the barbarians rampage had not only slain people and uprooted cities, but cast the spirits into chaos, the endless storms and floods had destroyed much infrastructure and slain many spirit lords which were not so fixed as rivers and mountains.

“It is difficult work but fulfilling. Without a spirit of middling realm to take a central role, and intercede with those who care not for small voices, it would be pointless,” Du Xian acknowledged. “But the honored spirits method and means…”

“It’s jarring isn’t it,” Bao Qian said absently. “But people like it.”

Du Xian frowned deeply. “I feel trepidation. Spirits are not human. Should the people come to think of them so, it will only lead to harm and tears.”

“Hm, I think the distance she maintains while in practice will curb that. Your arrangement and choreography for the performance emphasized the danger in her beauty,” Bao Qian said.

“Hm, I hope it will be enough. I have not seen a spirit so… casual in mien since I last left the library of Blue Mountain, and those were born of objects and buildings,” Duxian said thoughtfully, tapping his staff on the wooden floor. “That aside, I am not sure I fully like your sale of favors.”

“The pennants?” Bao Qian asked, glancing at the crates containing more of the things.”It seems only sensible to me. The regular folk receive plain cloth blessed by Miss Hanyi, while the cultivator folk may purchase my formation writ ones. Given the exchange of stones is a lesser sacrifice, shouldn’t it work out about the same?”

“That is not really the point young sir,” Du Xian said with furrowed brows.

Bao Qian rolled a single red spirit stone between his finger and thumb, frowning himself. “Then we will have to disagree sir. Coin, exchange is a sacrifice. It is the representation of one’s labors. It is less personal maybe, but it is meaningful all the same. I know you here in the south might see it as vulgar. But that is my part of this exchange, that you accept my own beliefs on this.”

Du Xian did not look entirely happy, but Bao Qian would not back down on this point. He would freely weave and ink the common pennants, wholly vessels for Hanyi’s power, but to not profit from his works at all would be a terrible insult to both his clan and himself.

“I won’t deny this is doing good. The chaos among the spirits is less than usual.”

It was at that moment that the door of the wagon burst open spilling a frantic looking temple attendant into the room. “Priest Du! There has been an incident!”

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***

Being worshiped was really great actually, Hanyi decided, turning over the glass figurine in her hand.

It didn’t taste the same as a man or beasts last breath. It was thinner, it sat less heavily in her stomach. If she had to compare it to something, it was like the difference between meat and the tasty plum pastries that Big Sis’ Momma made sometimes.

Human food wasn’t bad either! Even if she was never full after she ate it!

But her thoughts drifted back toward the little figurine in her hands. The glass was clear, tinted just a little blue in a way that looked like creeping frost. It wasn’t perfect, if she looked real hard, she could see a few little bubbles,seams where the flaring gown’s folds met the center of the figure. But that was fine.

It was so warm. And even when she breathed it in, drank the warmth, it stayed warm. Bao Qian said people knew they were coming so they could prepare gifts.