Chapter 2- Rushing Along The Agate

The Agate River got its name from the layers of multicolored rock that lined the many canyons and deep riverbanks along its length. It was an exciting river to live next to. You could either live near a canyon and go whistle for water, or you could be near a rare stretch of reasonably shallow banks and enjoy brutal floods.

If you could manage the flooding, you got to enjoy some of the very best fishing in the Broadsky Kingdom, top quality farming, and an excellent waterway. The Agate connected several major cities before eventually traveling out to the Green Dragon Country and, with good fortune, ultimately reaching the sea.

Fishing was a nice hobby, but a low income occupation. Some who lived along the river cast their nets for richer catches. Bandits often raided up and down the river, chasing after the merchants and transport companies. Riverside towns, humble fishing villages or even roadside inns became dens of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

Mortals and immortals alike traveled along the Agate, mixing together discreetly in the tea houses and brothels of riverside towns. Bandits and outlaws were met by wandering chivalrous martial experts, and their clashes were legendary. It was a heady, swirling madness, laid over some of the most beautiful scenery Tian had ever seen.

Hong was pushing the oar, moving the old wooden fishing boat up river at a pace that would have a mortal boatman sweating. They had found the boat half ruined on the riverbank, and had spent a few fun days patching it up. Neither had the faintest idea what they were doing, but with a little violence and a lot of improvisation, they made it work. Tingling with anticipation as they hauled it down the riverbank for her grand return.

It launched into the Agate with a mighty splash! Tian, as the senior brother, took the oar first. He managed to steer the boat in circles for five minutes, then crashed into a rock. Hong took the oar off him, and never gave it back.

Tian marveled at the deep purple and warm yellow rocks, marveled at the brilliant blue sky, marveled at the darting red and black dragonflies. It was all so beautiful. So far from the wasteland and the dump. Moved, he pulled out his bamboo flute.

“Put it back.”

“It’s the perfect moment!”

“Only if you could actually play the flute.”

“I’m getting better. I think I’ve almost got the hang of playing scales.”

“What a shame you don’t have the hang of playing a tune. Put it away, or you can row.” Liren was firm.

“How could I play and row?” Tian shook his head at the silliness of his sister.

“You could not.”

Tian grumbled and put away the flute. It had started as a bit of oddness suggested by Daoist Steelshimmer, but the idea had been growing on him. Unfortunately, he hadn’t a single clue about how to play.

Hong leaned into the oar as the river narrowed and they entered a canyon. Bands of tan, red, purple, brown, even muddy, mossy green rocks lined the high walls. They passed other boats struggling through the waters. Some long and thin fishing boats groaning with arowena or carp. Barges poled by sweating bargemen, laden with rice, or timber, or iron ore. Some bright red pleasure boats sailed merrily downstream, filled with laughing women and smiling men reclining on peony-pink silk and feeding each other wine and slices of pear or mango or peeled lychees. There was always something happening. Always something to see.

Tian and Hong loved it. Every day was interesting, and best of all, nobody told them what to do. For a pair of fifteen year old immortals, it was a dream come true.

They worked their way up river, taking a tributary that led to a small lake surrounded by swaying trees and lined with dense rushes. The smell of the marsh edge, cut by forest and lakewater. The song of the frogs in the reeds, and the cry of birds carrying over the calm waters. There was a well maintained dock of weathered wood stretching into the lake, and a big sign above it- Lone Saber Academy.

The Snow Grace Crane had already flown ahead of them, and was happily fishing in the reeds. They were pretty familiar with Lone Saber Academy, having visited a few times. As far as she was concerned, this was prime fishing territory and therefore a good place. She was particularly fond of some of the water plants. Very tasty, in her opinion, and rare finds.

Hong rowed them to the dock, then Tian hopped out and tied up the boat. The two guards at the dock bowed to them in greeting.

“Daoist Tian, Daoist Hong, welcome back. Was your trip successful?”

Tian bowed back as Hong jumped up onto the dock. As he came up from his bow, he summoned the fifty blood stained yellow bandanas to his hands. After displaying them, he stowed them away again.

“It’s good to be back, Daoist Mu. And it went quite well. Is Academy Master Yu around?”

“I will check for you. In the meantime, please rest a while in the guest house. It’s a hot day, even on the river.”

“Thank you, Daoist Mu. That is very kind.” Tian cupped his hands and walked towards the guest house. They barely had time for a cup of cold barley tea before Academy Master Yu arrived.

“I hear you two had a successful trip.” The old man had the remnants of what had once been a heroic physique. Thinned with age, but still carrying the posture of someone who had proved all he needed to more than a century before.

Tian and Hong rose, bowed, and, being familiar with the elder, simply dumped the bandanas on the ground.

“Hmm. Not the whole bandit gang, but two thirds of it. None of the bandanas are carrying the Black Lilly, though. Their core is untouched.”

“Yes. We came to ask if Elder Yu knew the route to their water fortress. The job was to clear out the raiding party going after your farmers, but we wouldn’t mind taking on a bit of extra work.” Tian smiled politely.

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The elder rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you wouldn’t. Do you think my little place could afford to hire the two of you to clear a whole damn fortress? Just the bounty on these fifty will have me economizing for the rest of the month, and no major expenses next month either.” The old expert swept up the bandanas with a wave of his left hand, his right resting on his saber. Nothing threatening about it. That’s just where it was most comfortable. Tian had seen him gently stroking the hilt if he had to think something over, or if he was lost in memory.

Hong gave Tian a look. Tian half rolled his eyes. “Elder, we don’t have to be paid in spirit stones. Medicine, high quality food or wine, books on medicine, or spearplay, or rope dart arts, palm arts, some boxing manual that you don’t have much use for but we might find interesting. Good letter paper and ink. Ahh…” Tian looked over at Hong who had buried her face in her hands.

“Elder, what my good brother here is trying to say is that you are old friends with his father, and while he isn’t willing to work for free, he’s willing to work for whatever you can spare.”