HAWK & SABLE | EIGHT

  SHE HAD LEFT AN hour ago. The meeting hadn't taken long, then, if she was sneaking back in already. That meant they hadn't had much to discuss, which Laurence wasn't sure was good or not. He laid in his bed, keeping his breathing deep to fake sleep if anyone came in to check. Ciri didn't make any sound, but he could spot the slight opening of the window as she slipped into her bedroom.

She was good, but so was he. She hadn't bothered being that careful either, probably realising he'd know exactly what was going on.

He took the fact that she didn't immediately slip in and slit his throat as a good sign.

The night was quiet. He could hear the chirping of cicadas. William Hua had seemed to cancel his activities for tonight, since he hadn't seen him leave and wasn't hearing anything from the main house of the palace anyways. He wasn't fond of the man, but he didn't give him any reasons to despise him anyways. Neutral, as he liked it.

Or not. It did complicate matters.

He pushed everyone else from his mind. Focused on the ceiling above him, eyes wide opened. It was late. He had to see the Emperor of Sai tomorrow. He should sleep. He couldn't sleep. It was such a pain in the ass.

He couldn't suppress the groan escaping his lips as he pushed himself out of his bed and stumbled into the centre of his bedchamber, glancing out of the window. He pulled the curtains shut and lit a lantern, faintly illuminating the room.

Maybe it was all that tea they served. It couldn't be healthy. But then again, he drank almost just as much tea in Arecia.

He heard faint noises and pulled apart the curtain slightly, glancing out, catching a glimpse of Ciri pacing her own chambers. Looks like he wasn't the only insomniac around. She hadn't been able to sleep that night on the ship either.

Another place they had in common.

Ciri had paused in front of her window, probably spotting him. Laurence allowed himself a small smile and stepped closer to the window so that she could get a better view. In the darkness, she was a mere silhouette. The curtain shut, and Laurence was puzzled, but a moment later she emerged with a lantern in hand.

Their eyes met. Laurence tilted his head in greeting. Ciri nodded back.

They stayed like that for a while, silently enjoying each other's company, an entire stone courtyard between them, yet it felt like they were standing next to each other on that ship again. He'd always felt some kind of camaraderie, some kind of connection with her. They understood each other despite the little time they spent together.

He always treasured those connections. Cass. Marcus. Luke. Tyler. Benjamin. That little girl too, Iolanthe, holding the darkness of her past and the burden of the future on those scrawny shoulders but somehow managing to pull herself together and force a cheerful smile for the rest of the world. He knew how that felt. For responsibility you weren't ready to be thrusted upon you.

His thoughts drifted to his father.

It hurt. To know how good and intelligent a spy he was. How noble. How honourable. How brave. But not courageous enough to face the world after his beloved wife's death. Not courageous enough to continue on for his young son, barely a man, desperate for approval. And the few more years of boyhood he should have had, gone, ripped away. The duties of a viscount looming over him. He hadn't been trained for those things. He had been taught to be a spy, a soldier, not a lord.

But he managed. The little girl would too.

He already knew that while he might never be half the spy his father was, he was already stronger. His father had been killed by the loss of his love. But Laurence had persevered.

He barely thought about her anymore. Of the love that could have been.

He pulled the curtains back. Didn't glance at the girl across the courtyard. Blew out his lantern, and climbed back into bed.

✢

CIRI, BEING CONSIDERATE as always, didn't mention their strange midnight meeting the next day as they were led to the Central Grand Hall of the Scarlet Palace. In fact, she barely glanced at him past a simple 'good morning' when they had first gathered at the doors.

Officials were bustling around. One of the first things the Yie dynasty had done was abolish much of the unnecessary, complicated procedures the former dynasties had, but compared to Arecia, Laurence still thought there was a lot of courtesy to remember. But then, to be fair, he was close enough to Prince Stephen the two didn't bother with too much formality.

He was dressed neatly, in a black coat and white breeches. Princess Irina had instructed them not to overdress. Ciri still wore the more ceremonial clothings of Sai, the train of her white-and-green daxiushan dragging slightly behind her, the sleeves long and billowing. Her hair was worn half up, a small white jade hairpin pinning it together. Every inch the wealthy, noble Saian lady, with her head slightly raised.

Ruge informed them that they'd have an audience. The Emperor was holding court, and half the officials and nobles would probably be there. The two of them were the main attraction, the first of the Diaos to set foot in Sai for ten years and the Arecian viscount who travelled with her.

A pair of twins walked by while they waited under the steps of the Hall and one of them winked. Ciri grinned back.

At Laurence's raised brow, she hurriedly explained, "The Dugu twins. Their father is General Dugu."

Laurence's head turned. "The Battle of Min Fa. That was almost twenty years ago."

Ciri nodded. "The older, Kejia is now the Marchioness of Rui." Rui... that was one of the older marquessates. It had been a kingdom once, before the former dynasties absorbed it into the empire. Powerful girls. Made sense Ciri would be friends with them. They were probably bosom-buddies with the Princess.

And the Prince... Well, the Prince was twenty and unmarried. He could do far worse than the daughter of a war hero and sister to a marchioness. But Laurence doubted that Prince Ruge was glancing in the unmarried Dugu sister's direction. He didn't seem like someone in a rush to get married. He was probably abiding his time, searching for an advantageous alliance. The Saians were practical like that. It was vaguely terrifying.

"I see," he said with a nod, though he wasn't exactly sure what he saw. "How long must we wait here?"

Ciri casted him a look that showed her disapproval of the question, and he decided not to ask again.

When they were finally taken into the throne room, Laurence was already sweating like a pig. But he willed himself to cool as he scrolled in, dropping to his knees once he was close enough and offering a bow. Ciri, besides him, did much the same, head lowered in an elegant tilt.

The Emperor spoke Sai. "Stand."

They both did, keeping their gaze slightly lowered. Laurence took the chance to survey the throne room. It was large with windows all around, supported with large pillars behind which the nobles and officials stood neatly and tidily, no one out of place. All eyes were on them. Lady Asteria stood next to a middle-aged man with a stern expression. Her father, the Duke of Shui Xiang, stood almost directly under the raised stage where the Emperor sat. He couldn't spot Lady Kuroki or Miss Daneira among the crowd.

Besides the Emperor on a smaller throne was the Empress, beautifully dressed in layers and layers of expensive silks, a hairpiece that looked extremely heavy upon her head. Irina stood behind the Empress, face stony. Laurence stole a glance at the Crown Prince, who stood behind his father, posture straight.

The Emperor would have once been a handsome man, though age had worn on him. Still, there was something that spoke of power in his visage, his lips half-lifted as if hiding his amusement. Before he was Emperor, he was a Duke. The man had been born in privilege and showed it.

"You bring many gifts with you, Viscount Archsham."

The throne room was deathly quiet. Laurence raised his head slightly and said, "We spent great effort preparing it. We hope you enjoy it, Your Imperial Majesty." The rest of them would believe the gifts were jewels and clothes. The smarter ones would realise it was their traitor.

The Emperor nodded. "Thank you for your service. We hope you enjoy your time here. You're free to remain as long as you wish." And then the attention was lifted off him and onto Ciri, who had plastered an expression of awe on her face.

"Cirinique Diao?"

"That is I, your Imperial Majesty." Ciri dropped into another curtsy. Irina's lips twisted upwards in a slight smirk.

The Emperor seemed to study her. "You look much like your great-aunt when she was younger."

"Thank you, your Imperial Majesty." Ciri looked as if she was practically bursting at the comment. Whether it was a compliment escaped Laurence, who thought the Duchess of Dai looked like any other society matron in her early elderlies.

"I understand your sister was meant to come with you. Where is she?"

Irina was practically stifling laughter now. Laurence wasn't sure why. Ciri said, voice demure, "Cassalyn was detained in Arecia due to an injury she had received accidentally. She will be arriving in a few weeks. I hope this has not inconvenienced you, Your Imperial Majesty."

"It has not. We will have much to discuss, Miss Diao. I believe I will be handing the problem of your family's exile to Huancheng gege." Huancheng was Irina's honorific title in court. Huan for returning, after an accident during the revolution that had caused her disappearance for what was said to be months but was actually years. Cheng for success, because that was the only thing Irina ever settled for.

Irina took a step forward. "I would be honoured to handle it, Uncle."

"Good." The Emperor leaned back, and Irina returned to her original position. "It only seems right that an issue caused by our generation would be solved by our new one."

Ciri tilted her head in a movement that was meant to convey agreement, demurely avoiding anyone's eyes, satisfaction showing in her brilliant dark brown eyes. Putting Irina on the case meant the case was practically already solved. The Emperor had to know that, so that was approval from him. The Diaos of Dai Cheng were finally returning to Sai after a decade.

Honestly, he was just surprised they were in exile that long. The Diaos had remained mostly neutral during the uprising. Some action had to be taken considering the amount of power they held, but ten years of exile just felt excessive.

"I understand the two of you have some other business in Sai."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

The Emperor watched them with an arched brow. "My son has informed me of it. You have our utmost support. Our resources are at your disposal."

Ciri beamed, dropping into another curtsy, which caused Laurence to bow as well. "It is most gracious of you, Your Imperial Majesty. We won't let you down."

The Emperor gave a nod. "You won't. The two of you would join us for tea later. I'll send someone to fetch you. You're dismissed."

The assembled nobles and officials instantly began murmuring to each other. Laurence kept an ear open for the gossip as the two of them bowed and curtsied, took three steps back, and finally turned to leave.

Asteria was the first to find them frolicking around the grand courtyard before the Hall, unsure where to head next. "Not bad," she nodded. "They aren't impressed, but they aren't disappointed and disapproving either. A nice spot to be."

Ciri raised a brow. "I don't suppose you were invited to the tea as well?"

She lifted her hand. "No, but my parents would be there. I'll have them watch out for you. Lady Kuroki too, probably. Irina and Ryan, of course."

"Vaguely terrifying," Laurence mused. "Makes it difficult to enjoy any beverages."

Asteria waved her hand in dismissal of the comment. "It'll be mainly gossip. Stay quiet and answer any questions they pose and you'll be perfectly alright. Change into a qipao, Ciri. Lord Archsham, your clothing should be alright."

"Glad to hear it," Laurence muttered. "The most powerful people in Sai. Gossiping."

Asteria fixed him with a look. "Don't tell me your king doesn't gossip." Laurence tilted his head in concession of the point. The King of Arecia was a busybody, and that was a publicly known fact. It's whispered that he spent less time reading official documents than gossip rags.

Though then again, the Emperor of Sai had practically thrusted all responsibilities to his son and niece, almost completely retiring from his position.

Ciri huffed. "Stop bickering. I suppose we need to return to Zui Hua Gong now?"

Asteria nodded. "Wait here. I'll get someone to escort you." Asteria turned and joined the crowd now flocking out of the Hall. A moment later, a pair of servants reached them and requested they follow them back to their residence.

"How would most of the nobility and officials here react to me?" Laurence asked, tilting his head. The things he had heard in the Hall were deceptively neutral, and he wasn't sure what to think.

Ciri pursed her lips, thinking. Finally, she decided on, "No one would be falling over their shoes to please you, but neither would anyone treat you unkindly. They'd be courteous, polite, but obviously treat you as an outsider imposing upon their little circle."

"So, basically, I'd be invisible."

"No, no. They'd notice you. They just won't do anything about it."

"Invisible, as I said. It's not hiding from their vision that's important. It's not garnering attention." Spoken like a true spy. Ciri couldn't argue with that— she'd been taught much the same, though she rarely followed it.

She sighed. "Whatever." He flashed her a victorious grin, and she stuck her tongue out at him in return.

They had reached the palace doors. Stepping through, they glanced around. Lord William Hua wasn't inside, probably still at court. Ciri quickly excused herself so that she could change into more comfortable and convenient clothes, and Laurence took the time to cool down in his own room, fanned by one of the maids as he enjoyed some iced red bean slush Ruge had apparently asked to be sent to him. Well, if the Service ever asked him about the Crown Prince of Sai's weakness, he knew what it was.

If Sai and Arecia ever went to war, all they needed to rouse up were the best cooks in the kingdom.

His stay was short, as a young Iron Wolf, no older than fifteen, solemn and composed, came in less than an hour after they had been dismissed.

Ciri went out before the boy even announced his presence, and Laurence followed suit. Ciri was already talking to him. Damn. She really did know everyone here. He'd expected her to have been snuck in once in a while, but this had to be more than that. When he neared, she looked up. "Lord Archsham, may I introduce to you Ronan Tang? He's an Iron Wolf, still in training."

"Not for much longer. Hello, Lord Archsham."

Laurence tilted his head in greeting. "Are you here to fetch us for the Emperor?"

"Indeed," Ronan nodded, hands clasped behind his back. "If the two of you would follow me?"

They did. A few minutes and they were kneeling before the Emperor, Empress and their closest friends in a luxuriously decorated palace of red and gold, gleaming yellow curtains in front of every window, the shelves decked with enough to last a large family years. The Saians were rich. He had to remember that. People inspected them from all angles, and Laurence had to force himself not to cower under their collective gazes. He focused on Ciri besides him. Unwavering, brave, proud Cirinique with her pleasant beam and gleaming eyes.

They were led to the chairs closest to the main xi, reserved for important guests. He supposed they both counted as one today. The Duke and Duchess of Shui Xiang sat beside them. The Duchess seemed to give Ciri an encouraging nod as she whispered her hellos, and the Duke raised a wry brow at him.

He was beginning to see where Lady Asteria got her temperament and attitude from. She was her father's daughter in every way.

As expected, few people bothered them. They were mostly left alone in the conversation. Laurence pretended to be politely disinterested in the conversation but kept a careful ear in case anyone let anything slip, while Ciri laughed and tittered and acted the educated young lady. It was art, how she played her roles.

Asteria was right. Nothing important was being discussed. Whether it was because they didn't trust him or Ciri, or because these meetings truly were just for trivial matters, he wasn't sure. These weren't spoiled young lords and naive ladies. These were the powers behind Sai, masters at the game he played who out-experienced him by decades. If Laurence was anyone else, he'd be publicly shaking in his boots.

But Laurence had been raised around living legends himself. His father had been one. Cadieux. He was an acquaintance of the Prince and showed up regularly in the Arecian royal court. He'd managed to survive a weeklong voyage on a ship with Lady Kuroki, and spent another week in a cell prepared by the same madmen they had brought here now. Ciri's sister and his close friend Cassalyn was considered an extraordinary spy in some circles, the older of the Sable Cubs, the proteges and favoured progeny of the Duchess of Dai.

He knew, though, that despite what seemed like indifference, they were all watching him. He was one coyote in a den of wolves. If he faltered even slightly, they'd pounce on him.

I have the fate of Arecia on my shoulders.

That was a sobering thought. His back stiffened. If anyone else noticed, they didn't comment on it. But Ciri raised a brow in silent question. He shook his head. I'm fine. Sometimes, he hated being around perspective people when he inevitably showed a hint of weakness. It was damned embarrassing, especially when they didn't have the tact to pretend not to notice.

Ciri returned to murmuring something with the wife of one of the ministers, a fresh-faced matron in her thirties. Whatever it was, it made the other woman laugh.

Laurence glanced away, directing his attention to the conversing men to his side. The Emperor was listening quietly, and Laurence found himself doing the same, taking small sips of tea.

They were discussing the training of their armies. Damn, Laurence thought. Even their conversations were meant to be heard by me. Between these men and women and the Prince and Princess's circles, he felt like he was going insane. They played far too many games. Everything had been fabricated for him.

They were talking about the next generation of great military leaders now. General Dugu was the one leading it. The father of those twins he'd passed by earlier. The name Justine Lan kept coming up. That would be the colonel sent off to Yue Qin. Probably one of the Princess's close allies as well, and a friend of Ciri's. He'd tried to get some basic information on her. Background, experience, style. You needed those things on allies too. Laurence hadn't been in the army, but he'd spent a few months trudging around them to know how things operated. Some of his closest friends outside of the Service served in the Arecian army.

These men knew that. They were piquing his interest, putting the people who'd most likely be fighting on the front lines against the Meliqueans into his radar, and the rest of the Arecian government's in extension.

Wily bastards. It was working. When he made his report back in Sai, these were the names that would be on it. They were spoon feeding the information he needed. Laurence wasn't gullible, though. There'd be information they'd keep concealed from him. His purpose here was to find those without antagonising anyone.

More difficult said than done, with someone of Ciri's calibur sleeping across the damned courtyard. Neither of them could make it three steps out of their house without the other noticing. It was a major inconvenience. Nothing he could do about it, though.

"If necessary, we can rouse up the people," some official was muttering. 'The training..."

Someone else interrupted, saying, "The Meliques are aggressive. We need more Iron Wolves–"

Someone frowned. "We have enough as it is. They are dangerous, you know—"

So. Some of them still didn't like the wiccai. He wondered what the Briar and the Notus would say about that. Or that boy, Ronan, for the matter.

"They have been of great assistance, Fang daren. We must be grateful—"

Fang daren. That was someone to keep in mind. If conflict arose within the Saian court, he knew who to suspect. Laurence glanced down at his tea and pretended not to be hanging onto every word said.

Then the conversation took some twists and turns and somehow turned to some lord's sister's nephew's new wife, and Laurence was lost again. Ciri was having much more luck across the room. Though then again, they were playing wholly different games. Or perhaps the same one but on opposing sides. He wasn't sure which option he preferred.