The jungle made way for seemingly endless fields and behind them the city walls. White colossus built from enormous slabs of white stone that towered over the approaches, road and river both.

On top of them, walkways covered with blue shingled roofs span between the towers that were placed at steady intervals. And finally beyond those, the beautiful pink tree that held the Paper Palace.

At the time, the roads and rivers leading towards the Capital were mostly empty as most travelers had decided not to brave the heavy rainfall that held the dawn at bay.

Thick drops beat down, casting large circling ripples on the water and a rotten mood on Rei and Nana, who sat with their heads bowed on their mounts. Their companion Rangu was fine with it, bobbing along with the water striders, occasionally swimming faster to keep up with the speedy insects.

The water striders lurched in short strides over the river, slowly approaching the city walls, where Rei and Nana found a handful of merchants, who had for whatever reason chosen to continue their journey in the inclement weather and trying to reach the safety of the river harbor.

“It’ll be hours,” Rei called gloomily over the drum of the rain against the walls and water, “They’re doing full inspections.”

Nana wiped her soaked hair from her eyes and laughed, “Rei, mushi, we’re home. We can just walk straight through. You’re a Dragonfly.”

“You’re home maybe,” Rei muttered to herself, inaudible over the pouring rain.

Nana sent her water strider past the waiting merchants and was stopped by a guard. She simply gave her name and title and they were lit in without further ado. She felt the envious and hateful looks of the waiting crowd.

She pointed to the two water striders, then yelled to make herself heard.

“Sell them! Donate to a temple with the money! Or keep it! I don’t care!”

The guard saluted by listlessly hitting his left chest with his right arm, then almost fell in the water when the third member of Nana’s party popped up. Rangu lightly hopped onto the shore, as if he could walk on water and bowed politely for the guard.

“A… pa… gga….” the guard stammered.

“He’s with me!” Nana sighed, “Rangu! Get your hat on! We don’t need a monster hunt!”

“I’m not a monster,” Rangu said calmly, but took the wide brimmed hat from his belt nonetheless, “But as I’m your guest here.”

The small group headed into the city, forcing their way against the wind that seemed determined to stop them from reaching the palace. The palace that was visible even from the ground, cresting over the city on the giant tree that was its home. The giant tree that shook in the gale, turning the vines of the weeping willow into a mess of whirling pink. It shook so violently the castle itself seemed to dance on top of its base.

“Great,” Nana said, moving to get into the shadow and slightly more dry world under the leaves, “Glad we haven’t stopped to eat.”

“At least somebody’s glad,” Rei retorted and stopped walking to look down at her stomach, hoping it would rumble for emphasis. She pouted to herself when it did not come.

“So,” Rangu said, ignoring them both, “The Gunari lives there.”

“He does,” Nana agreed.

“Must be nice to the birds die out and their domain as your own.”

Rei and Nana looked over their shoulder at the Pagga that walked behind them. Rei was the one that voiced their shared thought.

“What on earth is a bird?”

Even though the roads were empty, it still took the three a few hours to reach the thick trunk of the giant tree that held the castle. The tree itself was large enough to take the place of several blocks and had an ornate gate carved into it, around which a host of mystic animals had been chiseled.

The gate itself, as tall as three men, was made of a rose chafer’s wing cases and normally would have sparked a radiant green when the sun that could pierce the tree’s canopy hit it. Now it was a listless green of which the thick raindrops slid, each trying to be the fastest to the ground.

“Open the gate!" Nana demanded and a small door-within-a-door opened at the base of the gate, letting out a guard that hid under his wide brimmed hat and whose body language radiated misery at having to go out in this weather.

“To whom?” he called over the rain.

Nana sighed, gave the man her credentials and made sure to show him the hidden dragonfly on her blade. Immediately they were let in to start the ascent of the Stairs of a Thousand Steps that lead to the castle above.

Nana groaned to herself and started her halfhearted limping climb, knowing full well the stairs had not been accurately named.

It was closer to three thousand last time she counted, but at least, she thought to herself, it beat flying.

The Gunari was waiting for Nana, his face impassive as he saw her limp into his empty audience chamber.

“Took you long,” he said calmly, though there was a soft barb to the words.

Nana didn’t reply, she and Rei knelt down, bowed to the man and sat up. The Gunari raised a single brow when he saw Rangu sit down with his legs crossed under him instead of the formally required kneeling. He did not comment on the unexpected third.

“Report?” he demanded, standing up and folding his arms behind his back before turning around.

Nana relayed the tale of her mission tonelessly, finally offering him the map Kagami had given her.

The Gunari muttered a thanks, picked it up and studied it for some time. The room remained quiet as he studied… until a soft gong announced a newcomer.

“Urgent message!” they yelled from outside the door.

The Gunari rolled up his paper and turned around to receive the message, “Enter.”

The messenger entered, pressed his face to the ground and rambled the missive he had to the Gunari, who simply accepted his words as stoically as he did everything.

“My lord. The Foreigners’ chief has fallen ill in his travels here and his visit will be delayed. More information to follow.”

“Understood. You may leave.”

“Lord,” the messenger muttered and left just as quick as he had come.

“Maybe that will save me some…” The Gunari started, but trailed off before he could say what he would save. He turned his attention back to his visitors.

“Is that all you’ve found, Nana?”

“Unfortunately,” Nana replied, “No. I have a message about the Lady Gi.”

She told the Gunari about the battle on the river and he simply nodded, “It will be dealt with. And now for…”

He gestured to Rangu.

“A new addition to your crew?”

Nana shook her head, “He is my esteemed guest.”

“Interesting. Would you remove your hat so I can see who I have the pleasure with?”

Rangu did as told and inclined his head slightly for the Gunari, who now sat down, mirroring the Pagga’s body language. His normal expressionless features took on one of mild amusement.

“I assume there is a plan and this is not an attempt at comedy, Nana?”

“The Pagga,” Nana started to explain, “Can communicated at great distance. We could use them as high speed messengers. … If they’re willing to join the Empire of course.”

“They’re already under my rule,” the Gunari said mildly, “Whether they accept it or not.”

Rangu let out a soft croaking sound that Nana felt was a curse or insult. She quietly watched the Gunari for a response. There was none.

“Still,” Rangu said, “I support what the lady says, however…”

“However?”

“However, the Pagga are not united. As such, I’m not here as a diplomat but as a messenger.”

“Your message then.”

Rangu breathed in deep, then said his say, sounding as if he had rehearsed it many times.

“The Pagga will be united. Under who, we do not know, but I, speaking for all the breeds, am here to inform you that it will be decided within the year.”

“And?”

“And we will march. We will not bother you or yours, but we also wish not to be opposed by the Shumen.”

The Gunari frowned, “As long your war does not bleed into our society, I will make sure the rulers do not bother you in your power struggle. But only if…”

“Only if the victor submits to your rule,” the Pagga said and let out a satisfied croak, “Which is acceptable. If…”

“If?”

“If the rulers of the Pagga are awarded the same status as your war-shumen, the Giya.”

The Gunari nodded, though it did not seem to be an affirmation.

“I will prepare a message for whoever you serve. Does your kind read?”

“We do not, but I have excellent memory.”

“Then I shan’t bother having the writing copied for you. You may stay in the palace for the night and I will relay your message at my earliest personal convenience.”

“Thank you, Lord Gunari. This has been most…”

The Pagga seemed at a loss of words, finally deciding on letting out a slimy croak.

“Fruitful?” Rei suggested.

“That may be the most likely word yes,” Rangu said, “I would like to retire so I can empty my head for your words. If I may be so free.”

“You may,” the Gunari replied, calling for a servant to bring Rangu to his chambers.

When he was gone, he turned to Nana.

“Nana, your leg?”

“Nothing that won’t heal,” Nana shrugged, “It hurts, but I’m fine.”

“Take some rest then. I’ll have a healer and meals sent to your chambers.”

“Could I have a companion too, my lord? I have some stress to work off.

“I thought you might,” the Gunari chuckled, then let out a full laugh when he saw Rei’s jealous expression.

“You’re free to leave, Rei,” he said it. She politely inclined her head, then stormed out.

“Not in the mood for your little toy, Nana?”

“Not unless she’s suddenly grown a…”

“I understand,” the Gunari interrupted, “That language is better at home in a tavern. Have a good day, Nana.”

“Thank you, my lord, same to you.”