Oshomo was two days walk from the edge of the Great Forest, three if you were a normal mortal. Feng Ju and Liu Zhi had not walked. Outside the back entrance to Chen Lin's home had been a stables housing three large black forest stags, their bodies were thin and their colour deep and glossy. Each one had shining antlers twisting forwards like battering prongs.
These were the traditional steed of gifted ones, although many now chose to ride the less conspicuous horse instead. Feng Ju and Liu Zhi took the two smaller stags, leaving the one Feng Ju recognised as Chen Lin's own. They were saddled and readily reined; the warlock had obviously been prepared for them all to leave together in a hurry. They rode through the night and had arrived at the wooden gates of Oshomo the following morning.
The gate guard called out to them, "Your names travellers?"
Liu Zhi began to answer him but Feng Ju cut through, "Li Mei and Sun Qiang."
She knew that they were not yet far away enough from the forest and many would know her name and her affiliation with the warlock Chen Lin. She was not yet sure how much caution was needed.
"Witches?" asked the guard, his head appeared on a platform above the gate, he was eyeing their dress and steeds. "We are herbalists from the east," Feng Ju replied and smiled gracefully. Liu Zhi understood the necessity for the lie, herbalists were the least feared and least powerful of the gifted ones. They often lived in villages alongside mortals and provided potions and care for ailments. They would act as midwives in childbirth and tended to sick animals.
The guard peered over again at the two women before him. The one on the left was dressed in blue, she had a sharp nose and long face, but her features were attractive, unthreatening. The one dressed in black was smiling at him, for a moment he forgot himself and wished he could see her eyes, hidden by the strip of lace she wore. He found himself remembering when he was a boy; he had become lost, separated from his older sister whilst wandering in the copses near his village.
He had strayed into an opening amongst the trees, there had been a lush meadow carpeted with purple foxgloves and wild flowers, the smell of sweetness had been so intoxicating. He had fallen asleep right there and then, amongst the plants until he was found. He could smell the flowers again now, this woman seemed to be scented with them, he felt comforted and for a moment he was five years old again, his sister stroking his cheek and humming a lullaby. He had closed his eyes and his hand was reaching for the door pull. Before the guard knew it the herbalist was thanking him and he watched, smiling blankly as she and her friend trotted through on big black stags, the smell of foxgloves still in his mind.
"You used magic," stated Liu Zhi. "But I didn't feel you cast a spell, what did you do?"
"I used the gift," Feng Ju replied, dismounting and leading her stag towards an inn with a sign for stables. "I will teach you when you are ready."
The inn was a large one, light and airy, expensive, but Oshomo was known to be affluent for these parts. Wealthy traders often stopped by here from the Royal provinces and there was a bustling silk market. Feng Ju rented street-facing bed chambers with a wash room attached, the windows were large and worn. Liu Zhi went to bathe, her stag had ridden in front of Feng Ju's in the woods, and although their journey had been devoid of obstacles, the overgrown path had endowed her with multiple bramble scratches, nettle stings and lashings from overhanging branches.
Feng Ju remembered she had an ointment for cuts and grazes in her pouch; she would give to it to Liu Zhi when she came back from the wash room. In the meantime she sat looking out of the window.
Had they taken Chen Lin? Did he know they were coming? Why hadn't he fought them off? Surely he was powerful enough?
Her thoughts piled on top of each other, scrambling for attention.
Why am I here? What does he hope me to find? Are we safe or are we in danger? Should Liu Zhi and I run further?
And the question that disturbed her most of all,
Is he safe?
Feng Ju leant back against the wall, Chen Lin obviously had trusted her with the burden of finding the missing pieces of the puzzle but that was easier said than done. She knew no monks, she certainly knew no Spirits and whatever had happened in this town had occurred a decade ago, maybe more, who would remember anything now? Feng Ju felt for the book she had seen Chen Lin holding. A strip of leather coiled around it, fastening it closed, she unwound it and let the first page fall open,
Second day of Month of Alms
I have already used up the pages of my last book, how can such a short period of time find the need for so many words? At least, I feel as if not much time has passed, the constant travelling consumes my mind, I do not notice the days go by. Though it feels a century since I last saw Feng Ju. She has been here, to this village I now pass through, I can sense her gift still lingers here. I wonder why she was here? It is a small hamlet in the Central Plains, poverty-stricken and bare. Perhaps she was searching for a new apprentice...
Feng Ju took a sharp intake of breath. It was Chen Lin's journal. The village, she recognised as she read on, was the one she had travelled to to find Liu Zhi. How could Chen Lin have sensed her there? Was his gift that strong? She felt guilty, reading through these private pages but seeing her name penned in his ink, it made her feel comforted, as if they were engaged in conversation. Besides, she needed more information; she was not even sure what she was doing in Oshomo. Feng Ju flicked through the pages to try and find mention of the town.
Sixth day of Month of Passage
This is as far west as I go. I had hoped to visit Gonji Monastery, it is only a day's ride away and I'm sure Cajiro could make it, he has ridden well these last few weeks, I think he senses my new found excitement. But last night I had a dream and when I awoke I saw blue flashes on the horizon behind me. They are heading for Gonji, I am sure of it. The Emperor's attack on the monks is far more wide-spread than anyone had imagined. I cannot compete with the speed of the Magi, they will reach the monastery before me. I can do little but wait like a scavenging dog on the outskirts, creeping in when they have gone to find scraps of information left behind. My powers cannot be used against Spirits; the oath still takes hold of my heart if I should even consider it. I shall head north, there is a small community there of monks from the displaced Monastery of Okijoji.
Eighth day of Month of Passage
I arrived at the village today where the monks of Okijoji stay. They are well, and lost few to the fire that ravaged their monastery six months ago. However, I was not alone; a monk from Gonji had also come during the night. I had predicted this might happen, a survivor seeking shelter, but he had not come for help, he had come to buy parchment from the Okijoji supplies. I questioned him about his monastery and he replied all was well, the Almighty watches over them. I do not understand, I could have sworn that Gonji would be the next target for the Magi.
Eleventh day of Month of Passage
I have found little information here. Whatever secrets the west holds, she is keeping them to herself. I have achieved further with my translations; the rest-stop has allowed me to work on them. The more I read, the more I come to believe the words of the Spirit. The Emperor has found a way to control time itself. His power and long life are emblems of this in themselves. A bird tells me another message waits for me at home, from the Royal Court again. I cannot ignore them forever I suppose. The Emperor wishes for me to help him. Perhaps even his army of Magi are failing to achieve what he wants, but what could I do for him? Does he suppose I would be willing to join his forces? The trick his pet soothsayer played on me would not prevent me from turning against him. I cannot forget the Spirit's words, "He must not find her first." I know he means the baby. But I don't know why she is so important. Perhaps she is the weapon to be used against the Emperor? Perhaps, she is the opposite. Last seen in Oshomo. Oshomo must hold the key.
"Oshomo," Feng Ju stated out loud.
"What's that?" came a voice, Liu Zhi was coming out of the wash-room, steam bellowed into the chamber and fogged up the windows. "Oshomo," replied Feng Ju, reaching for the ointment to give to her apprentice. "Somewhere here is the key."
"Who do we even ask about something that happened so long ago?" asked Liu Zhi rubbing the green slick into the cuts on her legs and wincing. "Everyone here will be wary of talking to us; they don't trust gifted ones, even harmless travelling herbalists."
"I'll ask the rats then," smiled Feng Ju and she walked over to the window; rubbing the glass she peered down at the dirt street, "We cannot let Chen Lin down."
"Do you know where they have taken him?" Liu Zhi asked uncertainly.
"I would imagine the Royal Court, the Emperor requires his services," Feng Ju frowned with a pang of concern and doubt.
"Whatever for?" asked Liu Zhi as she pushed the cork back into the bottle. Feng Ju held her finger to the steamed up glass and drew the symbol she'd seen on the parchment, the snaking S with two dots. "I think it is to do exactly what we are doing."
"Finding that baby?"
"Yes Liu Zhi, and I suspect Chen Lin believes, or at least hopes, we shall find her first."
The witch opened the window and hooked the metal prop to keep it ajar. A moment passed and then a small brown shape clambered up to the sill. Its claws scratched at the uneven glass, Feng Ju reached out her hand to offer support. A long scaly tail wrapped gratefully around her fingers and the rat was able to steady himself beside the witch. Feng Ju reached into her pouch and drew out a plum she had taken from Chen Lin's garden, she bit off a piece with her teeth, "Hello, my friend," she smiled and then handed the fruit to his eager paws.
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