人非圣贤，孰能无过
Rén fēi shèngxián, shú néng wú guò
Men are not sages, how can they be free from fault.
To err is human.

Kageyama returned to the main temple to sleep.

In the morning he rose and went to the stables. He had brushed Makabe down quickly the night before, and wanted to take more time to groom the animal, now that he had the morning's light to aid him.

A monk was just emerging from night duty in the stables. He yawned and stretched his arms as Kageyama passed him.

Makabe was quietly cropping the hay Kageyama had left for him. Kageyama gently patted the horse's warm side, drawing comfort from the familiar warmth and smell.

Kageyama began to care for his horse. He went about the routine, something so familiar, something that he had done so many times for so many different horses, he could almost do it without thought.

The only difference in routine came from the horse, as each horse had its own personality. Makabe for instance, did not like having his left rear foot touched, and always shook his hoof free from Kageyama's hand when the kitsune tried to clean it.

Kageyama did that foot first, holding the hoof tight between his legs so Makabe could not pull it free. Once the dirt and rocks had been picked from that foot, Kageyama fell into the familiar rhythm.

After the hooves, Kageyama brushed Makabe's coat to a glossy sheen, till no more dust came from the downward strokes of the brush. Then Kageyama moved on to combing Makabe's mane, something less essential, but still necessary.

When the comb encountered knots, Kageyama would put it down and gently work the knots out with his fingers, something most horse owners did not bother to do.

"I spoil you, boy," Kageyama said, patting the horse on the neck.

Finally, mane combed, Kageyama took a cloth and carefully wiped around Makabe's eyes and nostrils, cleaning the soft flesh there.

As he gently drew cloth over Makabe's eyes and nose, Kageyama found himself smiling, thinking of when he had first taught Sanli to groom Little Light.

Sanli had been ten. It had been a year since his mother had died, yet still Sanli was quiet, closed off from the world and everyone around him.

Then Kageyama had an idea. He bought a dapple grey gelding from a horse trader passing through Lin'jing and had the gelding brought to the valley.

"I have a special lesson for you today," Kageyama said to Sanli when the boy appeared in his courtyard that morning, dressed by the servants.

Sanli's eyes, wide and so green, regarded Kageyama distrustfully.

Kageyama led Sanli out to the stables, and showed him how to go through the steps of grooming the horse.

As he brushed the animal, Sanli's eyes, his face, his body, icy in their rigidness, slowly softened, until a faint warmth came from his eyes.

Finally, the boy smiled.

When they finished, Kageyama helped Sanli give the horse food and water, and change the bedding of straw.

"Now when you rise tomorrow, come here and do everything again," said Kageyama as they left.

Sanli looked up at him questioningly, wondering why the lesson would be repeated.

"What?" asked Kageyama, struggling to hide his smile. "Did you think I would take care of him? He's your horse, after all."

Kageyama chuckled at the memory.

Finished at last, Kageyama cleaned his tools, replenished Makabe's hay and water, and left.

After washing his hands at the stable yard pump, Kageyama looked to the sky, clear and blue. The sun was high overhead. It was fast approaching midday, but he was not yet hungry.

Instead, Kageyama resolved to go for a walk.

He wandered his way among the cloisters and narrow halls of the temple, passing courtyards and over bridges. On one such bridge he stopped and looked out at the valley spread before him, leaves blazing reds and oranges and bronzes, like a sea of burning fire.

Kageyama decided to stay there on the bridge, the sun warm on his back as he leaned on the rail above the dangerous drop. A white flume of water shot out from beneath the bridge and plunged down into the valley below.

Those passing greeted him and bowed respectfully, the monks inclining their shaved heads, the nuns doing the same, or curtsying in their green robes. They recognized his black uniform, and understood that the lack of rank stitched on either shoulder denoted him as a yahying, who took orders only from the one he was sworn to guard.

Some of the monks and nuns greeted him by name. They recognized Kageyama. He had been coming here for near three centuries after all.

Kageyama could not recognize the faces of those who greeted him. Most of them had aged since he had first met them, and there were too many besides. He smiled and nodded however, as though he did.

After leaning on the bridge for a while, the bright sun warm on his back, the cool breeze from the valley blowing spray from the waterfall up to his face, Kageyama's thoughts started to drift.

A memory, this time a dark one, was pulling at his mind.

Kageyama sat in a chair in the Green King's inner chambers, waiting. He had entered by the window. No one had seen him come. No one would see him leave.

Kageyama did not wait long. With a word of good night to his steward, Lulin appeared in the doorway, shrugging his ornate robes from his shoulders and throwing them over a carved wooden chair.

The Green King had changed, since becoming human. Though he had not aged as a normal human would, he still appeared older, with streaks of grey in the black of his hair. The lines around his eyes and mouth had depended and multiplied, particularly in the few weeks since his wife's passing.

Lulin turned and saw Kageyama waiting for him. His eyebrows furrowed, wondering what the kitsune was doing there. "Good evening, Kageyama Sho. Why are you—?"

And then he remembered. Kageyama saw a strange emotion cross over Lulin's face as he realized why Kageyama was there. "Ah that's right. Our agreement. I told you that after my wife died, you could kill me."

The Green King pulled on a warm, padded jacket and settled himself in a chair across from Kageyama. "How will you do it then? Knives? Suffocation? I would prefer the latter, if I am allowed to choose. I don't much care for the sight of blood."

In response Kageyama placed a small vial of white porcelain on the table.

Lulin laughed. "I did not take you for a poisoner, Lord Kageyama."

"Dawn-Does-Not-Come," said Kageyama. "It is odorless, colorless, and undetectable in food. After the target dies, the remnants of the poison dissipate in less than an hour, making it near untraceable. The perfect poison for killing."

Lulin merely raised his eyebrows, his mouth quirked in humor.

"In addition, it is painless," Kageyama continued. "The drinker simply falls to sleep at sunrise, and does not wake up. Once drunk, the poison will not take effect till dawn, and the drinker has until then to drink the antidote, making it—"

"Making it the perfect poison for suicide," finished Lulin.

"Yes," agreed Kageyama, leaning forward and placing a smaller, narrower vial of blue glass beside the white bottle. "That is the antidote. Should you change your mind, you have till sunrise to take it."

"I will not need it," said Lulin. Then to Kageyama's surprise, the Green King reached out, took the white bottle, popped the cork, and drank it in one throw of his hand.

Kageyama had expected Lulin to consider it longer. To wait, and plan, and do it when ready. To change his mind, and pale when faced with death, as all men did.

Instead Lu met his end without thought. The kitsune felt terror, sadness, and a sickening exhilaration as the man who had been his master for the last 50 years committed himself to death

Lulin set the white bottle down on the table with a small chink. "Does this really count as killing me? It seems like I've killed myself, Kageyama."

"I still gave you the poison," said Kageyama, trying to suppress a smile at Lulin's laughing tone. Even at the end, the man joked.

Lulin leaned back in his chair, arms along the rests. "You mean to attempt it then? Your impossible mission?"

"I will guard your descendents 300 years, as agreed. And then yes, I mean to attempt it."

"I feel I should warn you, I doubt my fellow gods will so obligingly allow you to kill them," said Lu, with a sardonic smile.

"I doubt it as well. You are the most willing victim I've ever had."

Lulin laughed, and then they sat in awkward silence.

Suddenly Lu spoke up. "Ah Lord Kageyama, I have a friend who is very dear to me, who I have not seen in a long time."

Kageyama was surprised by the sudden after thought. Lu had not mentioned this friend before.

"Look out for her as well. I worry how she will take the news of my death," Lu said, eyes sad.

Her, thought Kageyama.

Outside the carved wood shutters of the windows, the sky grew lighter. As it did, Lulin's face grew steadily paler, til his lips were without color. His breathing became fainter, until even with his sharp ears, Kageyama could barely hear it.

Kageyama did not want to be found here. He stood. "Well, dawn will soon be here. I will leave you to..." To what? To die?

"Kageyama Sho."

Kageyama froze, then turned back.

"Take the antidote with you." The Green King nodded to the bottle remaining on the table.

Kageyama hesitated.

"Please," Lulin pleaded, his voice shaking. "I worry I will lose my resolve."

"Then lose it!" Kageyama sat once more and pushed the antidote across the table. "It is not too late.  Live out the term of your life. See your grandchildren grow. You still have much to live for."

"No," said Lu firmly, pushing the blue bottle away. "It terrifies me, the thought of living on alone..."

"Perhaps in a few years you will feel differently—"

"THAT is what terrifies me. That I will change."

Despite that it went against his own self-interest, and all he had worked for for the past 50 years, Kageyama found himself trying to think of something, some other way to convince the Green King to change his mind.

Lu smiled a sad, slow smile. "You are a kind man, Lord Kageyama. But you cannot change this. Some things are just meant to be."

The kirin settled back in his chair, his breath coming slower, and fainter.

"I hope you get to return home, Kageyama Sho."

The dark memory faded, and Kageyama was once again looking down at a world of fiery autumn color, the sun warm on his neck.

I have a friend who is very dear to me, who I have not seen in a long time.

He didn't... he couldn't mean...

"Lord Kageyama."

Kageyama whirled, feeling like a guilty child whose parent has approached them with evidence of their crime.

Ao stood there, on the bridge, dressed in a green initiate's robe. Her hair was long and unbound around her, one hand on her hip as she watched him. Ao's face was serious, the mischievous smile she customarily wore noticeably absent.

Kageyama swallowed. Though he knew it was impossible, he could not shake the feeling that Ao could see the thoughts that had been swirling around his head a moment before, that she knew...

But of course it was impossible. The woman looked as she normally did, save for the resolved set of her jaw.

"I have decided," she said. "I will come with you to the north."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sanli arrived later that day.

Kageyama was doing drills outside Ao's cottage, mainly to keep his eye on the woman and assure she did not cause trouble. He heard the hoof falls on the narrow dirt path and turned, just as Sanli was riding into the clearing.

The dark shadows under Sanli's eyes were still there, but the prince's face was alive, and brightened when he saw Kageyama.

"How is she?" was the first thing Sanli asked, reigning Little Light to a stop.

"Fine," grunted Kageyama, leaning the wooden practice sword against the wall of the cottage.

"Did you give her my letter?" Sanli said as he slid from saddle

"Yes. You gave me an order. How could I not?"

"You'd find a way to avoid it," said Sanli, grinning. Then his grin vanished. "What did she say?"

Before Kageyama could answer, a voice spoke behind them.

"Why don't you ask me yourself?"

Both men turned. Ao leaned against the doorframe to the small cottage, dressed in her borrowed initiate's robe. Over her shoulders was thrown a thick wool blanket.

Sanli handed Kageyama Little Light's reins, and grimly walked toward Ao.

"May we talk?" the prince asked, stopping before her.

Ao studied his face a moment, then shrugged. "Come in."

Sanli disappeared through the doorway. The old wooden door swung shut, but did not close completely.

Kageyama knew he should take Little Light to the stables for grooming. And then he should go to his room, and clean his knives. Or do something else.

He knew he should go. But instead he stayed in the clearing, giving Little Light his head so the horse could crop grass.

Kageyama's sharp ears heard the sound of Ao sitting down at the low table, and Sanli settling as well. The click of cups.

"How is your face?" Sanli's voice asked.

Ao did not respond immediately, and Kageyama imagined her shrug. "Fine, as you can see. With Yan's seals, such wounds heal quickly."

"I see," said Sanli. Then, "Ao, I'm sorry."

"For what, little prince?" The sound of tea being poured.

"For the way I spoke to you. For implying you were... less than circumspect in your relations."

"My, what a pretty way to say whore," said Ao lightly. There was the sound of a teacup being set down too hard.

Sanli sighed, "Ao, it may surprise you to know that your actions affect those around you. You come to me every night, sleep in my bed, and then leave it for my nephew's? What am I to think? It did not come easy, that news."

Ao said nothing.

Sanli sighed once more. "I thought... well never mind what I thought. That does not matter now. I just want to know if you will come with us north. Zakhar and I brought your horse, and your things. Those we could find in that mess you call a room."

"It is almost winter. I hate the cold. Why should I travel north, with a man who'd as soon call me a whore as not?"

"I thought you said you didn't care if someone called you a whore?"

"It may surprise you, little prince," said Ao, tone like a whip. "But the things you do affect those around you. You flirt with me, whisper compliments and sweet nothings when it suits you, and then turn when your jealousy of your nephew gets the better of you."

Sanli laughed. "What a way to use my words against me."

There was silence. Kageyama could feel the pause, as the two both considered what to say to the other. If there was anything to say.

"They are too alike," he muttered. Beside him, Little Light huffed, as if in agreement.

Finally, it was Sanli that spoke. "I thought you looked very brave, standing up to the tiger for me. Thank you."

Ao laughed haughtily. "Hah. I did not do it for you. I can not stand the Dahu. Always taking what isn't theirs."

"I see," said Sanli, humor in his tone. "Well, thank you all the same."

Another pause. Kageyama leaned against the wall beside the door, then sank down it, sitting in the grass with his back to the plaster. Around him, the falling leaves spiraled across the clearing.

"So," began Sanli. "Will you travel with us to the—"

"I do not understand what you want from me, little prince," said Ao, in a rush. Her voice sounded strained, almost desperate. "You no longer need my help to accomplish an impossible dream. I have nothing to give you. What do you gain from keeping me by your side?"

"Why, you by my side. Is that not enough?"

"But what—"

"I like you, Ao. I like to have you near. I consider you a friend. Is that not enough?"

"I don't understand why you... I will not apologize for the things I've done. Lu would often say that my impulsiveness would get me into trouble. I know this is true... but I will not change."

Selfish, stubborn woman, thought Kageyama.

Ao continued. "I am not sorry for the choices I've made. But... I am sorry that I hurt you, prince. That I made you sad. Made you... fear me."

"I do not fear you Ao," said Sanli softly.

"You do. You should. You'd be a fool not to."

"I am a fool then," Sanli chuckled. "So will you come with us to the north? Please?"

Still Ao said nothing.

"We brought you your own tent. And lots of furs—"

Ao gave a huff. "Oh, stop your begging. I'll come."

Sanli cheered.

Little Light nudged Kageyama's arm, asking for more reign so as to crop further away where the grass was thicker.

"Looks like we're stuck with her," said Kageyama softly, patting the horse on the nose.

*~*~*~*~*~*

They rose and saddled the horses early the next day.

Sanli and Zakhar had brought Ao's piebald horse from the stables at Wo You Nai. In addition another horse, a sturdy brown pony, had been loaded with their tent and sleeping material.

Kageyama frowned. "Why the fifth horse?" he asked Zakhar, who was checking Dunya's girth.

"Ao's piebald refused to carry any additional baggage, otherwise we could have made do with the four. I guess the mare was just trained for a saddle," said Zakhar with a shrug, turning back to his own horse's saddle.

"The horse is troublesome, just like the rider," muttered Kageyama to himself.

Before dawn the group set out up the narrow road that led over the peaks at the end of the valley. Kageyama in the lead on Makabe, with Sanli close behind on Little Light. Then came Ao, on the piebald. And finally, Zakhar on Dunya, leading the sturdy brown pony.

Ao's piebald was being difficult, high stepping and spooking at every little thing. The animal kept tossing her white and brown head, indignant at finally being ridden after so long.

"She a handful, Ao? Do you want to ride Dunya? Or the pony?" Zakhar asked. Ao shook her head, her cloak pulled high over her mouth.

Soon after they set out, fingers of pink and cream crept across the sky.

Just before the sun crested the horizon, Sanli stopped their party. They were on a ridge, looking down upon the temple complex and the valley below.

Sanli turned to Ao, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Want to see the world catch fire?" he asked.

"What?" Ao asked, confused.

"Wait for it... wait for it..." the prince cautioned. "Here it comes."

The group paused, held in suspense. Even Ao's horse was still.

And then it came. The sun rose over the eastern horizon, and sped across the cold night world, turning the trees of the valley into crimson, gold, and orange. As though setting the world below on fire.

"I present to you, the world on fire. I set it alight just for you," Sanli said with a wink in Ao's direction.

"Oh my, you shouldn't have," said Ao with a snort.

"Where's the smoke?" guffawed Zakhar.

Sanli ignored them. "I love this scene."

"What, the colors?" asked Ao.

"No," said Sanli, gesturing. He picked out the crest of a hill, the sharp outline of leaves, red in the sun, and black in the shadows. The pagoda of the temple, outlined against the bright of the valley below.

"The contrast. The light and the dark," said the prince, with a content smile.

Beneath Kageyama, Makabe snorted softly as the warm morning light hit the black horse's skin.

Kageyama turned his face toward the rising sun, and breathed deep.

*~*~*~*~*~*

They rode all day through the mountains and made camp just before sunset.

After tending to the horses, the men began to set up camp, Sanli preparing the fire, Zakhar searching for long sticks for tent poles, and Kageyama stringing a bow in preparation for hunting.

Ao sat on a log, wrapped in furs, watching the proceedings around her.

"Have you forgotten how to make camp, after living in luxury in the valley so long?" Kageyama asked sarcastically.

"It is too cold," said Ao, lips trembling. She pulled the furs closer around her.

Kageyama snorted. "It will get a lot colder than this."

Then he stopped, ears pricking. "What is it?" asked Sanli, looking up from where he had just coaxed a small flame to life.

"A rider," said Kageyama. "Riding hard."

Kageyama sat down on the log. "Take Ao into the woods," he said quickly to Sanli, gesturing to the dense undergrowth.

Kageyama's sword appeared in his hand, and he lay it on the ground beside him, just within reach.

"Ao come on," said Sanli, grabbing the girls hand and dragging her toward the dark trees. Her cape of furs fell to the ground and Kageyama picked it up and placed it beside him on the log.

"What, why are we hiding—" asked Ao, reaching for her furs as a baby reaches towards their mother.

"My sister is looking for you. We can't let her find you."

"Hah, let her. What will come of it?"

"Nothing good, that's for sure," said Sanli, pulling Ao into the undergrowth. There was some rustling and a few words of bitter conversation, and then at last Ao grew quiet.

Zakhar also sat beside Kageyama, a thick stick within his reach. "Do you think it's a rider sent by Erli...?"

Kageyama did not think Erli would send a single rider after them, but...

But when the rider rounded the corner, it was not an assassin sent by Erli. Or a monk, or a trader, or a soldier. It was not even a messenger. It was—

"Ming Lang!" said Sanli in shock, staggering from the undergrowth as quickly as he had entered it. Grumbling, Ao followed him, pulling leaves from her hair.

Ming Lang slid from her saddle, her horse frothing.

"What are you doing here, Ming?" Zakhar asked.

Ming was dressed in riding clothes of the same green material as her nun's robes. A cape of thick leather hung around her shoulders, to keep off wind and rain.

Her ride had left her breathless, and she struggled to answer Zakhar's question.

"Here, sit and rest," said Sanli, pointing to the log beside Kageyama.

Gratefully Ming Lang sat, catching her breath. Her hair, drawn into a bun, had grown loose and wispy during her ride. They all hovered around her, save Ao, who grabbed her furs and curled up in them once more beside the small fire.

Ming Lang caught her breath and spoke. "I cannot stay. I must be back at the temple by sunrise. I only came to tell you the news."

"News," said Sanli. "What news?"

"The Second Prince, your nephew, is engaged to be married!"

There was a collective sound of surprise, then all eyes turned to where Ao sat huddled by the fire, hands out to the small blaze.

"What?" Ao asked, rubbing her hands together. "Why are you all looking at me like you expect to see a broken-hearted girl? I told you, what your nephew does means nothing to me—

"He will marry Lady Sita, Princess of the West!" Ming Lang announced.

"The TIGER!?" Ao screeched, her voice echoing off the still evening mountains. "He would follow me with the TIGER!?"

Kageyama lifted a hand to his mouth quickly, but could not prevent a laugh from escaping. Sanli and Zakhar looked like they were also trying to hide similar reactions.

"How dare they both! I will kill them slowly and tortuously, for this insult. Death is too kind! I will—" Ao continued to ramble threats.

Ming Lang simply looked confused at Ao's response. "And that's only half the news," she continued.

Sanli frowned. "What's the other half?"

Ming Lang's face turned grave, and Kageyama felt his mirth fade.

Over Ao's continued mumbled threats, and the crack of the fresh made fire, Ming Lang spoke her second piece of news.

"News came from the Central Regions today," Ming Lang said solemnly. "The Golden Emperor is dead."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Click on the comments on the stars above for my usual author's note.
Now, I have a very important message from Ao below:

The nomination for the fiction awards is open! This year we're aiming for Best Protagonist for Ao!
During the nomination round you can only nominate once. During the voting round is when you spam votes!

I will include the link to the chapter on my profile. All you have to do is go to the correct chapter and comment 'Ao, The Wandering God @greydaygirl' once. They allow typos, but make sure to spell my name correctly! Grey with an e.

Thank you so much! If you all appease Ao, perhaps she won't be so mean to me.

Hope we make it to the voting round!