Listen to your enemies before you listen to your friends.

Unknown Sage

Tez’ Mu had Sari send Dor’ Yan’s horse back and instead boarded the carriage the servant came with to fetch him, with a bitter expression on his face. The carriage rolled out of Joavir and towards Muii, on the eastern outskirts of the capital, the district of the Mu family.

As is often the case with looming unpleasant events, the journey ended far too soon. The carriage rumbled to a stop before the towering gates of the Mu Manor, having crossed the capital in its entirety. The carriage door was opened from the outside and Tez’ Mu, who had his eyes closed throughout the journey, opened them and gazed with bleary eyes at his home.

Today, the protective hue surrounding the manor was thick, lilac in color. Tez’ Mu got down from the carriage and walked up the daunting steps leading up to the gates. The two guards manning either sides inclined their heads as he passed by them.

“Ke.”

He stepped into the humongous courtyard. It was a stark contrast to the one he was just coming from, which could barely hold ten people. The Mu front courtyard stretched, unending, having every single imaginable comfort. There were several pavilions and gazebos that could be seen from a distance, a well-groomed garden with a maze hedge, a fountain in front of the main house, a bridge over an artificial pond on the left side leading to the stables.

There were about twenty buildings in the Mu Manor, as each member of the household had their own personal courtyards. There were training grounds, archery ranges, viewing towers, and what not. It was expected of a noble House several generations old.

Tez’ Mu turned his steps towards the main house. Dinner was already over; it was currently the hours between saorou, dinnertime and sisaru, bedtime; so he reckoned his father would be in his study.

He stepped through the main entrance, slipped off his sandals, and crossed the hall. The air inside carried the scent of burning resin, a fragrant offering meant to ward off restless ill luck. The carpeted floor’s intricate weave depicted the Mu lineage in silver thread, generations of ancestors watching from beneath his steps.

He walked down a corridor, passing under a wooden arch carved with the Four Oaths, the sacred promises of honor and duty that every Mu child memorized by age six. Finally, he arrived in front of a heavy brown oak door inlaid with the family crest—a roaring black tiger. Taking a deep breath, he knocked, the polished wood cool beneath his knuckles. A heartbeat later, a low voice answered.

“Enter.”

The door creaked open, revealing his father’s study—vast yet austere, its walls lined with towering bookshelves. Candles flickered atop a polished desk stacked with military reports, their glow casting restless shadows across the map spanning the far wall. A brazier smoldered in the corner, faint embers crackling as they fought against the evening chill.

Raq’ Mu, his back turned, studied the map. His hair, the same dark red as Tez’ Mu’s, had been unbound, and it cascaded down his back. He was only wearing tunic trousers; his upper body was bare. The candlelight caught on his powerful frame; broad shoulders, a torso lined with scars and the deep red of cultivation essence coiling off his skin in slow, deliberate waves.

Tez’ Mu stared in surprise at this, before recovering himself and bowing, although his father couldn’t see him.

“This child pays his respects,” he said, breathing deeply.

Raq’ Mu turned around slowly, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. His stern eyes, black as night, raked over his son.

“Where have you been?”

Tez’ Mu lowered his gaze, suddenly aware of his own disheveled state—his tunic rumpled from the day’s outings, a fine layer of dust clinging to his feet. “I was out with Sister Royan’,” he replied.

“I was made aware of that.” Raq’ Mu said, striding forward slowly, “However, Royan’ Mu returned while you didn’t. Where else did you go?”

A lump formed in Tez’ Mu’s throat. “I visited a friend.”

Raq’ Mu let out a slow breath, “I can understand, but you see them every day. How about giving your father who has been away at war proper respect and welcome?”

Tez’ Mu stared at his bare feet, twiddling his toes.

“I have told you before,” Raq’ Mu continued, his voice heavy. “The Mu army is watching you and your attitude. I don’t expect you to have the ability to lead them one day—but did it never occur to you that, with your brothers gone, you may have to?” His tone sharpened. “Tez’ Mu! Why are you so stupid?”

Tez’ Mu flinched at his raised voice. Raq’ Mu hardly shouted, even though he had a bad temper. He had crossed the room and now stood in front of his son. Tez’ Mu involuntarily took a few steps back.

“Stop moving!” Raq’ Mu snapped.

Tez’ Mu forced himself to still, even though every cell in his body was itching to flee.

“I am extremely outraged with your behavior. I will not have you; even if you disrespect me; I will not have you disrespect the Mu army! Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Father,” Tez’ Mu mumbled, still looking down.

“Raise your head!” The first blow landed, a slap across his cheek. Eyes smarting, Tez’ Mu raised his head and looked into his father’s angry eyes for the first time that evening.

“I will not; listen to me, Tez’ Mu: I will not raise a foolish child. You will become who you are supposed to become: a true son of Mu; facing your fears and overcoming them. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Father.”

“So, are you afraid of me?” Raq’ Mu crossed his arms.

Tez’ Mu paled. He shook his head, involuntarily looking down again. The second blow landed.

“Look up! An offense gives rise to another! What you did is no longer the point. What I hate the most is what you’re doing now. Look up at me!” Another strike. Heat flared across his cheek. Again. Again. Tez’ Mu bit his lip hard enough to taste blood. If as much as a sob of pain escaped, all hell would break loose.

Raq’ Mu grabbed his chin and yanked it up. Making sure Tez’ Mu’s eyes were locked with his, he spoke.

“A true son of Mu is not a coward. I may be the mainland’s strongest mage; but I am still your father: I will not kill you. I may hurt you, but it is to bring out your true nature. I will not allow you to fear me. Do you understand?”

“Ye—yes, Father,” Tez’ Mu gasped, his eyes reddening from the grip.

“Good,” Raq’ Mu released his chin, and Tez’ Mu rubbed it, feeling the ache already.

“Tomorrow, you will apologize to the generals you disrespected,” Raq’ Mu walked away back towards the map, “whatever punishment they see fit to give you, you will accept. Understood?”

“Yes, Father.”

“I don’t have to tell you something like this must never happen again. Leave.”

Tez’ Mu bowed, and then turned around to exit the room. He was at the door when Raq’ Mu spoke again.

“I changed my mind,” he said, “We’ll go now.”

Tez’ Mu’s heart fell to the depths of his stomach.

***

The dim glow of dusk filtered through the lattice-carved window screens, casting intricate patterns across the walls.

“My lady is at the door,” Sari said to the figure curled up under the sheets.

“Oh no; not her too,” Tez’ Mu groaned, voice muffled by the pillow. The door creaked open. Sari bowed and excused himself as Essa-kest’ Mu swept into the room. She crossed the space with purpose, her sharp eyes scanning the half-open drawers spilling dog-eared books and thick bound parchment, before landing on the boy buried beneath the sheets. With a decisive tug, she pulled them back, revealing Tez’ Mu’s bare back, crisscrossed with swollen, purple welts.

Without a word, she placed her hands over his injuries, and a soft glow spread as medicinal aura seeped into the wounds.

“Did the generals do this?” she asked after a while. Her tone was gentle but carried a sharp edge.

Tez’ Mu didn’t answer. His eyes were squeezed shut, and the pillow beneath his head was damp.

“It was silly of you not to be at home—”

“I know, I know! Enough of it,” Tez’ Mu snapped, tugging the covers back up to his chin. “You don’t have to rub it in. I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t do it again. That’s what you want to hear, no? Well, fine. You can go now.”

“Tez’ Mu—” Essa-kest’ Mu sighed. Tez’ Mu did not say anything, and rolled further away from her.

She rubbed her temples as she glanced toward the low lacquered table, littered with half-unrolled scrolls and a cold, forgotten tea cup. In the farthest corner, beyond the wooden screen depicting the first Mu lords, a single candle burned, its flames flickering.

“Would you like to go visit my father on my behalf?” Essa-kest’ Mu asked suddenly, her voice low. Tez’ Mu frowned.

“No. I have work at the Academy. Sis Royan’ is also getting married. There’s no time to make it to Darin and back.”

“I’ll give you a teleportation scroll,” Essa-kest’ Mu said, shifting closer and resting a hand gently on the back of his head, “I know that your bottleneck has been bothering you—”

“Hah. No it hasn’t,” Tez’ Mu scoffed.

“—listen to me,” she said, her fingers pressing more firmly now, “There are a lot of resources at the Kest Manor; you should be able to find something. And while you’re there, take all you need. My father and brother owe me that much.”

“Fine,” Tez’ Mu muttered, “can you leave now?”

Essa-kest’ Mu rose silently. “I’ll ask Sari to bring you something to eat,” she said.

“I’ve eaten at the Rion house. That reminds me: ask Sari to send two wedding invitations to House Rion and Tutor Sal’s House Ruan.”

“Isn’t there only one House Ruan, though?” Essa-kest’ Mu wondered aloud.

“Whatever. Make sure to mention they’re allowed to bring two extra people.”

“Tutor Sal will definitely be invited already,” she pointed out.

“I’m not thinking about Tutor Sal. I’d prefer if she didn’t come if it was up to me.”

“Is there any of your other friends you’ll like to invite?”

“No, that’s all. Jun’ He will probably come with his uncle, but to be safe let’s send him one as well.”

“Alright,” Essa-kest’ Mu turned and left. Tez’ Mu waited until the door had shut then gritted his teeth as he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Shaking, he grabbed a cloth and spat into it, his head pounding like a war drum. He rose from the bed and tottered to a small drawer on the floor next to the folding screen, rummaging through the junk; discarded pieces of used scrolls, broken matrix gadgets, quills snapped in half, scraps of paper...until his hand clutched a gray pill bottle at the very back. He grabbed it and quickly pulled out the stopper, and turned the bottle over in his hand. One blood red colored pill rolled out. Tez’ Mu shook the bottle in disbelief.

“Damn!” He swore, and then threw the last pill into his mouth, chewing with a pained expression. The door creaked open.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” Tez’ Mu shoved the bottle back into the drawer and slammed it shut. He turned around mid-squat. Sari stood there, holding a tray of food, the aroma from the steaming aluminum plates quickly filling the room.

“I said I’ve eaten.”

“Young miss is outside,” Sari reported.

“Who, Royan’?”

“No, it’s me.” The youngest Mu swept into the room in her magenta uniform, as though she had just finished her etiquette lessons; hands at her hips, the silver circlet atop her head half-lost in the thick locks of auburn hair that spilled over her shoulders. Sari bowed and left with the tray.

Tez’ Mu slumped against the drawer, his voice tired. “What?”

“Is it true Father had the generals punish you?” She asked with a frown. Tez’ Mu did not reply. His breath was shallow, his face pale.

“How dare they!” Chan’ Mu growled, stamping her bare feet. “I’m the only one allowed to bully you!”

Tez’ Mu managed a weak grin. His face was losing color faster and faster. Chan’ Mu frowned, and traipsed over to him.

“You’re burning up.” Her fingers were cool against his forehead. “I thought Mother already patched you up.”

“Yeah— but I have other problems—”

Chan’ Mu raised her nose up into the air. “Take mother’s offer and go to Darin. They’re sure to have a breakthrough pill or something.”

“Go away, Chan’.” Tez’ Mu mumbled.

“Why?”

“I’m about to puke.”

Chan’ Mu’s put on a disgusted expression, and then took several steps back.

“Go away!”

“Go on and puke,” Chan’ Mu raised her hand and drew a simple matrix formation in midair, “I won’t be able to smell it.”

Tez’ Mu groaned. “Just leave. What else do you want?”

Chan’ Mu pursed her lips. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Hrk—! Tez’ Mu threw up both the pill and a mouthful of blood. Chan’ Mu gaped as he dug through the clump of blood to retrieve the pill...

“No! Eww! Stop! How valuable is the dirty thing? Our house can afford two shiploads of it; throw it away!”

Tez’ Mu ignored her, sifting through the bloody mess with trembling fingers. He started to cough, his body convulsing with each draw of breath.

Chan’ Mu terminated the matrix around her and spun on her heel, shouting, “I’m getting Mother!”

As she ran out, Tez’ Mu’s vision blurred, and his body sagged against the floor.