Threads 312-Frost 1

“And I, her emissary, apologize that we have not been able to speak with you sooner.” Ling Qi bowed from her position, exactly one step behind Cai Renxiang.

Jaromila slipped gracefully down from horseback, her fine black boots soundlessly touching the stone tiles. She drew back her hood, revealing her pale golden hair drawn up in a tight braid, coiled and pinned in place along the back of her head. Her lips were icy blue today, and her complexion was more akin to Ling Qi’s old Master Zeqing than a human shade. Her smile was friendly but stern.

“We both have had many preparations to make. I do not begrudge either of you that. Let us merely be pleased that we can speak now when there is still some time for more casual talk.”

“We are pleased to share your fire, people of the forest and hill,” Ilsur grunted as he dismounted beside her. His mask remained in place. Ling Qi remembered that it was custom among the cloud tribes to remain masked until all of their beasts had been seen to, and so, did not take offense.

“It is our pleasure to host you, people of the wide White Skies,” Ling Qi returned.

“We may offer you hospitality now or wait to speak further until you have settled your own matters at your leisure,” Cai Renxiang offered.

“The clans of my people thank you for your accommodations,” Jaromila said formally. “If it pleases you, once our greetings are complete, we will confer with our own and reassemble for a proper welcome in a short time. Two hours?”

“That will be well,” Cai Renxiang agreed. “My emissary will receive you here at that time.” Cai Renxiang gestured to the now completed central embassy building.

Ling Qi remained silent for this part, but she considered Jaromila thoughtfully. The other emissary’s grasp of the imperial tongue had sharpened into something that wouldn’t be out of place at court. Even her word choices had been adjusted to better meet imperial sensibility. She had used clan, rather than tribe, and she spoke with oblique and impersonal formality in every word. Only the offer of a time was still a little too blunt. That probably should be left to the host.

“I am pleased to accept the invitation,” Jaromila said, bringing her hands together in a proper bow. “Please excuse us while our household is seen to.”

The two traded a few more of the necessary public pleasantries before Jaromila and her group took flight back the way they had come. The concentration of imperial security began to draw down, some of the eyes upon them leaving either openly or fading back into shadow.

Ling Qi took a deep breath. “I have the matter in hand, Lady Cai.”

“I trust you do. Will you require anything in particular?”

“Meal and drink with a more homely arrangement in the second meeting room.”

“Done.”

As her liege turned to go, taking the last of the hovering attendants with her, Ling Qi turned back to Xuan Shi. “Thank you for your time today. I’m sorry to cut it short.”

“Make no apology. This one has received a boon of knowledge,” Xuan Shi looked to the south. “If Lady Ling does not require this one, arrangements have been made that I might assist under Lady Wang.”

“Oh?” Ling Qi was surprised. She wouldn’t have expected Xuan Shi to go out of his way to join a group on his own. But she was not the only one changing with time and cultivation. “I am sure Lady Wang is most grateful for your assistance.”

“Name or no, this one is but a journeyman, certainly no master to be thankful for,” Xuan Shi deflected. She considered chiding the self-deprecation, but it didn’t seem necessary with his tone and words. “Ah, this one burns to examine that vehicle of theirs. It is no easy achievement to defy the Law of Earth on such a scale.”

“Perhaps I can get you permission at some point. It is definitely a statement of the White Sky’s prowess. I would like to hear your thoughts on our meeting with Emissaries Rhosam and Inza later.”

“Of course,” Xuan Shi agreed. “Until later, Ling Qi.”

“Until later.”

***

The quick and efficient efforts of the staff Cai Renxiang had arranged for in the embassy transformed the plain and barely furnished second meeting room swiftly, well within the two hour limit. A traditional hearth was arranged, along with thick carpets and wall hangings in an older style with low, well cushioned seats and serving tables. She’d declined to have any servants attend.

By the time she’d ushered Jaromila and her husband Ilsur in, the small tables were heavy with dishes with a selection of pitchers full of drink set out as well.

“You flatter us, making such an arrangement on short notice,” Jaromila said as she entered behind Ling Qi, looking around curiously. She’d left her hood and cloak behind, and her complexion was more human again, and her presence warmer. Ling Qi wondered if the change was due to a technique or an example of the mantles they had spoken of.

“It is only fair, given what a surprise we were as guests,” Ling Qi said. “I hope you are not bothered by serving yourself.”

“It is more than fine. Quiet conversation among friends is welcome after such a long journey,” Jaromila said.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ilsur snorted, drawing a chiding look from his wife. He gave Ling Qi a short nod before passing to peruse the drinks. Ling Qi watched him out of the corner of her eyes as she closed the door behind them, the privacy formations thrumming into place. He wrinkled his nose at the wines but stopped over a pitcher filled with some kind of fermented milk drink. Something from Luo lands, she thought.

“I appreciate that you think of it that way,” Ling Qi continued. She wasn’t foolish. She understood their relative positions and their need to represent their peoples, but all the same, she did like Jaromila. “It has been difficult arranging logistics for a successful summit.”

They still hadn’t finished. Every scrap of interest and support in this project came out with all the ease of a physician yanking a rotten tooth. Jaromila’s sympathetic nod made her think that the woman’s own efforts hadn’t exactly been easy.

Ling Qi considered the older woman. After sharing their tales with one another, she felt that she had a good handle on the truth of the emissary. She didn’t think she was being led along or condescended to. Like Renxiang and herself, Jaromila had something to prove, and this whole summit was a part of those ambitions, as it was theirs.

“It is difficult to induce the snow to move, but once they begin, it can be hard to keep up,” Jaromila said, moving to the tables herself.

She scanned the available drinks, and her eyes fell on the rimefruit extract. Of course. Well, it wasn’t as if Ling Qi had expected to have the whole pitcher to herself.

“I was surprised by that… sled? Is that an example of your clans’ collaborations?”