“And what then?”

I shrugged. “I explained that I had Doctor Chang analyze the blood samples I’d taken, and used samples from myself and my siblings for the test. The result was obvious. That was pretty much it.”

Elia nodded, shredding some blades of grass with her fingers. “Was he aware of it?”

“He claims he didn’t know. I suppose he’s probably telling the truth. You’d think he’d have been a little harder to convince to usurp the throne from his own descendants.”

Elia cocked her head. “Don’t you want me to confirm that for you?”

I cracked my neck. “Feel free. But I don’t intend to have much to do with Wei Yong or his clan, blood relation or not.”

She snorted. “Can’t blame you. I thought my family was a little dysfunctional, but this is something else.”

I glanced around our surroundings to check that no one was listening in to our conversation. Except for Aston, we were alone in a secluded little garden on the Wei estates, somewhat separated from the hustle and bustle of what they might as well call a new forward base.

“How is your own search going?” I asked. “Found any clues about your father’s fate?”

She looked up sharply. “You know about that?”

“Kariva told me, I just didn’t see any reason to get involved.” It wasn’t like I minded her using Kariva’s network to search for information. If nothing else, it would benefit me, too, if I got a better idea of how the Zarian regarded spirit-children.

“Well, it’s not going too well. Your people don’t have that good of a network in the Dominion, and the Zarian clearly don’t want anyone to look too deeply into the whole affair. I doubt I’ll get anywhere like this anytime soon.”

“I guess you’ll have to wait until I conquer the Dominion,” I said, smiling lightly. “That could help you get at things. If it doesn’t mess everything up.”

Elia just looked at me for a moment, before she snorted and shook her head. “Yeah, right. I hope your soldiers won’t ransack things too badly. But we were talking about your grandfather, Inaris. What are you even doing with the Wei now?”

I shrugged. “I just need them to turn things around here so we can mop up and finally move on to the Zarian. And I need Wei Yong to go through with making contact with Hajake, but they’re already on that.”

Aston cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, my lady, but they should be finished with preparations now, and Kariva did ask to talk to you.”

I sighed and rolled my shoulders. “Alright. Let’s go. Are you coming along, Elia?”

She glanced up consideringly. It was a beautiful autumn day, with the sun shining brightly from an almost cloudless sky. “I think I’ll take some time to cultivate, I’ve been neglecting it lately.”

I nodded. “Okay, then good luck.”

It felt like everyone was advancing lately. Maybe my rapid breakthrough to the fifth stage had given them a kick in the motivation. Kajare and Tenira weren’t too far from it themselves, Yarani was firmly building her strength in the fourth stage, and even Suaki had gone through a minor breakthrough the last time I saw him.

My other guards closed ranks around me, and off we went to Kariva and the others. They took no chances with my safety here in the presence of Wei clan members and fighters, not that I could blame them. It didn’t really look like any of the defeated warriors were spoiling for revenge, though. They just looked tired and, well, defeated. A few of them had surface wounds or scars, and none of them looked like they’d had a good night’s rest recently. Just goes to show they really were losing, even before this.

As it turned out, Kariva was talking to several of our officers. Wei Jun stood beside their table as well, arms crossed and looking like he’d rather they didn’t remember his presence. The room had large double doors leading outside, which stood open to give them a view of the estate and the soldiers. I didn’t see Wei Yong, at least.

Once Aston and I entered, the conversation paused. Kariva glanced at Wei Jun, who seemed to shrink into himself a little more. My gaze lingered on him for a second, too, before I forced myself to move on to the rest of the gathered people. Apparently, they were aware of the awkwardness, if not its cause, judging by their looks and the way they stood.

“How are things going?” I asked.

“As well as we could expect,” Kariva answered serenely.

“Our time is almost up,” San Hashar said, leaning against a bookcase with her arms crossed. “We knew word would spread quickly, and our enemies are starting to catch on to the fact that their contacts from the Wei are turned. We managed to root out a fair number, but it’s only going to get harder from here.”

“At least the fighting is moving out of the shadows back into the open,” Aston commented. “Now that an important part of their current protection is gone.”

I nodded. “It’s kind of amazing how much difference voluntary cooperation can make compared to just neutralizing fighters. We didn’t get this far after taking conspirators’ bases previously.”

General Wei shifted uneasily, but Kariva chuckled. “True. Though we’re also in a different position now. Their situation has turned decidedly worse, and any hope they had of claiming the throne is gone now. Assuming they had any.”

“It is going to make them more desperate and thus dangerous,” San Hashar put in.

I shrugged, then glanced at Wei Jun. “I do have an idea on how to beat them, actually. General Wei, you and your soldiers worked with these people. I’m sure you’re familiar with how they operate. That makes you perfect to root them out once and for all.”

His eyes widened. “Really, Your Highness?”

Kariva grinned. “A good idea.”

They were probably both thinking that this meant Wei’s men would take the losses fighting the remnants of the insurrection entailed.

“What better chance do you see to prove your value and contribute to atoning for your previous actions?” I asked. “It will certainly make it much easier to argue that you and your clan deserve some clemency.”

He bowed his head. “That’s true, my lady. I’m honored you’d trust me that far.”

I waved that away. “I know you don’t exactly like Zun Chao. Besides, your brother and son will function as hostages to your good behavior. Any betrayal on your part will reflect on them.”

His eyes narrowed, but he nodded calmly. “Of course.”

“There’s still the matter of the traitors’ black stage cultivators,” San Hashar said.

Kariva smiled. “That’s not going to be a big problem. For now, at least. Several of them have already started leaving the country.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes. They’re, to put it bluntly, running away. We can’t fight them directly, but they’re clearly not willing to risk what else we may do.”

I shook my head, needing a moment to process that. I wasn’t sure how to deal with them, but I didn’t think that issue would take care of itself like that. Of course they’re running.

“Where are they fleeing?” I asked. “To the Zarian?”

“It’s a little early to tell for sure, and I’m not aware of all of their movement,” Kariva answered. “But of the two I’m sure about, only one is going south. I assume the same will hold true for the others. The Dominion will probably welcome them, but they’re still Imperials, and I doubt many of them like the idea. Most will probably go farther away. I don’t suggest trying to catch them.”

Aston shook his head. “This is going to be a problem later.”

“Probably,” I shrugged. “But there’s not much we can do.”

Luckily, there weren’t that many eighth stagers firmly on the side of the conspiracy. Only about ten would probably feel they were obviously guilty enough that they had to flee.

“It doesn’t solve the issue of what to do with those who remain,” Kariva noted. “Few of them have actually done anything that would mark them guilty of treason, even if they might have tacitly supported their clans or allies in this insurrection.”

“We keep an eye on them and hope they’ve learned their lesson,” I said. “What else can we do? This isn’t exactly a new problem. Kiyanu can handle them.”

Kariva didn’t look happy, but I didn’t think that was because she disagreed with me. She just didn’t like the situation I’d pointed out. None of the others did, either. Even Wei Jun hid a grimace. Come to think of it, I don’t think those types are well-regarded among the actual traitors, either. Probably a good thing for us. I frowned thoughtfully. I need to see about maybe helping promising candidates break through to higher stages. Maybe my special abilities will help, and my father might deign to give some guidance. Another thing for the to-do list.

“If that’s all, I’d like to have a moment with Kariva,” I said.

“There’s nothing else pressing,” she confirmed.

The others looked surprised, but didn’t protest. Wei Jun edged towards the exit. I took the opposite door, which apparently led to a small side-room, with Kariva following me.

“What’s this about, my lady?” she asked, frowning.

I glanced around, noting the wards built into the place and the shield she was setting up right now. Then I turned my attention back to Kariva. “I wanted to give you a heads-up. I intend to travel to Adzur.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? That’s a dangerous proposition, and your presence is needed here. Or at least of value.”

“I’m sure,” I confirmed. “My projects would do a lot better if I had access to some of their tech, and there are personal reasons as well. Besides, Kiyanu, you, and the rest can handle things here. I don’t even need to be there when we deploy the new weapons.”

Kariva nodded. “When?”

I leaned against the wall. “I want to be there over the winter solstice.”

“That’s not far off,” Kariva pointed out, frowning again.

“There’s time enough. I’m going to be on the Earth Continent, anyway.” I shrugged. “And that’s why I’m telling you now. I’m sure you’ll want to make arrangements.”

She rolled her eyes. “I swear, you’re becoming more like your mother every day. Fine. I’ll make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

I grinned. “I know I can count on you, Kariva.”

She shook her head. “If that’s all, I have places to be.”

“Sure.”

I watched her leave, then ambled out of the room myself, noting that the others had vacated the meeting room as well.

“Aston,” I asked, watching him materialize beside me, “where’s the main Wei family now?”

He looked into the distance for a moment, probably focusing on his qi senses. “Wei Yong is with his family and several of our commanders. The general is talking to some of the other clan members, all of them strong, probably his captains. Wei Min has approached Elia, in the garden.”

I grimaced, then set off towards the garden. I’d go see what that was about. It definitely beat seeing Wei Yong’s wife and children. I still didn’t know what to think about the fact that I had extended, but not too distant, family I didn’t know at all. At least I kind of liked Wei Min, and he was the one I was most likely to keep running across in the future.

I’d need to tell Al about this. Yet another conversation I wasn’t looking forward to. And Xiaodan, once she was older. But both of them probably wouldn’t care too much. They hadn’t fought clan Wei themselves.

I shook my head, trying not to dwell on the matter, and sped up. Elia was still roughly where I left her, although there were more soldiers around now discreetly keeping an eye on her. She didn’t seem to mind. Wei Min was standing beside her, and the two of them seemed deep in conversation about something. I only caught a few fragments, not enough to make sense of. They stopped talking as soon as they noticed my approach.

I slowed down and smiled. “Don’t mind me, I’m just wandering around.”

Elia rolled her eyes. “Sure. You know, I’m not sure if that counts as a white lie or not.”

I sighed. “You’re no fun.” Then I glanced at Wei Min, noting he didn’t seem to have relaxed with the banter. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?”

If anything, he stiffened even more. “No, Your Highness. Not at all.”

Neither of them actually volunteered any information as to what they had been talking about, though. I had a few guesses, from Elia’s search to truth detection techniques to commiserating over dysfunctional families, but decided not to press.

The silence was a little awkward, though. Still, since Elia was here, and they didn’t seem inclined to talk about something else, maybe I should take this opportunity. “It seems your uncle told you what I said, Wei Min,” I noted.

He flinched a little. “My father, not my uncle, my lady.” He hesitated. “I didn’t know, and I promise that I won’t spread it around or try to take advantage of the connection.”

I wondered how long it would take until his whole clan knew, anyway, but only nodded. I knew he was serious.

“Inaris,” Elia said, “you’re going to the Earth Continent now, aren’t you?”

I turned to her. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“I’d like to go along. Also, I get the feeling you should probably go quickly.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I always appreciate your help, Elia,” I said. “And I wasn’t planning to dawdle.”

“I spent enough time around Hajake to be cautious.” She shrugged. “Also, the war isn’t going too well over there, either, is it?”

“That’s true, unfortunately.”

Wei Min cleared his throat softly. “Can I be of any help?”

I regarded him for a moment, then shook my head. “You’re more useful here,” I replied. “But I would appreciate it if you could keep an eye on the clan and keep me informed. I know many of them probably resent you, but I’m sure you have ways of dealing with that.” I smiled wryly. “Consider it a test.”

He looked confused, but bowed his head. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Elia looked amused. She shook her head. “I wonder what the political landscape of the Empire will be like after you’re through, Inaris.”

“Well, I did have these field tests for local democracy,” I said. “The war wasn’t kind to that, and they’re pretty much on hold now.” I frowned thoughtfully. “But maybe this is a silver lining. Maybe the disruption caused by this conspiracy will actually be a boon in that regard.”

I happened to look in Aston’s direction, and noticed that he suppressed a chuckle. When he caught me looking, he smiled and shrugged a little.

I couldn’t help but think back to a conversation that seemed like it happened half a lifetime ago, just before my first major breakthrough after the soul journey. How things have changed.