Threads 99-Descent 1

The caverns had changed.

The crevice which Li Suyin and Ling Qi had descended had been widened into a veritable canyon, cutting through the still recovering wilderness. Around it, a guard post had been raised, which bristled with soldiery and weaponry leveled downward. The path beneath the earth had been widened, flattened, and shaped into a thoroughfare.

And hundreds of meters beneath the earth, a forward base had been carved.

Ling Qi glanced at the fluted pillar of metal and bone which marked the camp’s edge. It was as tall as she and gleamed dully in the light of the lanterns and torches. Holes marking its length let out a faint hissing sound, and she could feel the currents of wind swirling around it as it spewed fresh clean air into the noxious cavern. It was only one of many lining the cavern that had been carved out. So this was the fruit of Li Suyin’s elder-assisted labors.

The cavern thronged with activity, soldiers and disciples moving swiftly about on various tasks, moving supplies, raising barricades, and assembling weapons emplacements and fortifications at the tunnel entrances. Off to one side, Ling Qi saw the hulking corpse of one of the beetles she and Suyin had faced before being butchered and disassembled by disciples in bloody smocks with cleavers and saws.

On the mountain peaks, it was easy to forget, but here, it was made clear. The Sect was planning war. Stepping past the checkpoint which led to the surface, Ling Qi wove her way through the crowd. Although she did her best to avoid disrupting others’ movements, there was no need to hide her nature as she did in the sect town. Each step was a flickering movement, carrying her further than a single human stride could match, moving between spaces too narrow for a human form to pass. The echo of her music caused shoulders to imperceptibly straighten and fatigue to fade.

Even if she didn’t know their faces, these were allies against the enemies that had threatened her family.

It did not take long to cross the cavern like that, and soon, Ling Qi approached the command tent. A veritable pavilion of black and silver silk, she would have thought it ostentatious and out of place if it didn’t burn in her spiritual senses, a blazing star that bristled with the promise of swift, unyielding death. Even as she stepped through those defenses unhindered, it felt like a thousand blades grazed her skin and a thousand eyes scrutinized her form.

Inside, she found the pavilion occupied by a wide round table surrounded by camp chairs. A number of large maps, each seemingly depicting a different elevation, lay across the table. Ink brushes danced across the surface, drawing out new tunnels in real time and detailing the cave system. At the far end of the table lay a map that was still mostly empty.

Naturally, she was not alone.

Su Ling was seated in the chair furthest from the door. Her arms were crossed, her shoulders hunched and her vulpine ears laid straight back against the side of her head. She wasn’t so much broadcasting her discomfort as screaming it. Su Ling had acquired actual armor, a thick padded vest of black stained leather, as well as bracers and greaves lacquered in earthy tones.

A few seats down, Xuan Shi sat straight-backed in his chair, his hands on the table. His high collared robes were dark green, almost black, and seemed even stiffer than last she had seen. If she had to guess, his robes had been inset with armored plates. He had a new hat as well with the usual turtle shell pattern, but little silver bells gleaming with earthen qi hung from the brim.

Beside him was her first surprise. Bian Ya, her one time tutor, leaned casually on the table, dressed in a pale green gown. It was plainer than her usual fare, but the silk rippled like liquid, drawing the eye into hypnotic patterns. Her hair was done up elaborately, woven through golden ornaments. She was smiling at Xuan Shi, who seemed to be all but squirming under her attention, while Su Ling shot dirty looks at her.

“Oh, Ling Qi. I had heard you would be joining us. Welcome,” Bian Ya said to her as the tent flap fell closed behind her.

“Senior Sister Bian,” Ling Qi greeted, offering a short bow. “I had not heard you were coming. You were already deployed last I heard.”

The older girl’s cheerful smile grew brittle. “My skills are in quite high demand. I will be serving as our communications officer to ensure that we all remain in contact.”

“How reassuring,” Ling Qi replied with a smile. She even meant it. Another disciple at the fifth stage of green was very welcome in her mind. “I suppose you’re already familiar with Xuan Shi and my friend Su Ling?”

“Of course, though we have not had a chance to speak much.” Bian Ya tittered. “Such stoic sorts.”

A quiet growl escaped Su Ling’s throat, but she glanced at Ling Qi and forced herself to relax. “I just don’t see the point in small talk. This is a job, not a party.”

“This one has intended no offense,” Xuan Shi said stiffly.

“We’re not here to have fun, but it is important to be familiar with your squadmates,” Ling Qi placated as she circled the table, taking a seat between Su Ling and Xuan Shi. “It doesn’t do any good to be too tense before the mission even starts.”

“Well said, Junior Sister,” Bian Ya said. “If I have come across as too overbearing, please accept my apologies.”

“A divided crew makes for a poorly steered ship,” Xuan Shi acknowledged. “I, as well, hope that we may…”

The tent flap rustled, and Ji Rong stepped through. Ji Rong had not changed much in appearance since she had seen him last. His shaggy hair was maybe a little longer, and he had grown a little taller, his profile a little more filled out. He had picked up a new scar, deep claw marks that ran across his chest from collarbone down to disappear beneath his half-open shirt. His clothing was still simple, a dark brown tunic and trousers with only a bit of gold thread at the sleeves and collar to break it up. The only splash of color was a golden sash cinched around his waist.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ji Rong glowered at them in the beat of silence that followed. “Sup,” he grunted, giving them a jerky nod. His expression hardened when it fell upon Xuan Shi, and he sneered.

Xuan Shi fell silent, staring back. “Greetings, Sect Brother,” he returned, and Ling Qi didn’t miss the undercurrent of distaste in his voice.