Yuelan had no idea what had happened in Eight Treasures Shop. She had slept late then gone to sit in her conservatory to play her guzheng. She was in the middle of playing a song she was learning when Chung Soo entered and bowed.

The steward’s brow was furrowed and he frowned as he explained his reason for interrupting her. “Priestess, there are some women at the gate requesting an audience with the priestess. They said it is urgent.” Since Yuelan’s identity had been revealed he had changed how he addressed her.

“Is there a problem, Chung Soo?” Yuelan asked as she stopped playing and stood up.

“They do not appear to be from Longuo, my lady.”

“Just bring them in, Chung Soo. I’ll meet with them in the main room.” She carefully removed the picks from her fingers and set them aside. “If they said it’s urgent then it’s best to see what they want.”

Chung Soo bowed and left the room, leaving Yuelan to stretch her arms over her head and go to the main room with Willow following behind her. Byakko had been sitting outside the conservatory and when Yuelan came out he stood and followed as well.

The three women that Chung Soo led into the main room were dressed in clothes that were certainly not native to Longuo. They were different from any clothes Yuelan had seen before with their elbow-length, wide sleeves, cropped tops and fitted pants. They had long, wide strips of fabric that fell from one shoulder to be pinned at the other hip with a simple brooch. Each woman also had a leather whip attached to a cord that went around the waist and under the scarf.

A middle-aged woman, the oldest of the three, stepped forward and bowed, wrapping her right arm across her stomach and sliding her left foot back a bit as she bent her knees. It was different from the salute used in Longuo, but Yuelan didn’t mind at all. Every culture had its own ways of doing things, after all.

“Priestess.” The older woman’s voice had an almost leathery quality to it and her skin was tanned and weathered. “I am the leader of the Hechuan people. We travel the rivers and lakes of Longuo and the barren lands to the east leading to the sea. These two are my daughters, training to become the next leader of their own branches of our people.”

Yuelan gestured to the seats nearby. “Please have a seat. Chung Soo said that you have something urgent to tell me.”

The three women sat down on the edges of their seats. From the way they moved and carried themselves and the whips they had Yuelan could tell that they were all trained in some form of martial arts.

“Leila will explain, Priestess,” the middle aged woman indicated the younger of the other two women, who looked to be in her early twenties and had bright red hair and freckles.

Yuelan turned her focus to Leila. She was curious about what brought these interesting people to her door.

Leila nodded to Yuelan, took a breath, and spoke confidently. “The barren lands aren’t actually barren. The empires call them that because many magical creatures live there and they consider it dangerous. Our people have always gotten along well with the magical creatures, so it never caused us any trouble. We’ve even had bonds with them, though there are fewer who can form a bond every year. Recently those lands have been dangerous, even for us. The magic creatures there are going mad. Even the ones with bonds do when they enter those lands.” There was a sadness in Leila’s manner as she spoke. “Some of our people have been seriously wounded or even killed by their own contracted companion.”

Byakko growls a little. It should be problems with the temple there. Long He and I should be fine, but you’ll need to leave Yun Cai and that raven behind.

“There’s a temple in those lands, isn’t there?” Yuelan asked. “Do you know where it is?”

Leila nodded. “I do, but the temple is little more than ruins now. I lead the scouts and am most familiar with those lands. Why do you ask about that?”

“Byakko said that the problem with the magic creatures you’re experiencing is because of the state of the temple. I can go there and restore it, but I’ll need a guide,” Yuelan explained.

“I would be honored to be your guide, Priestess,” Leila volunteered. “It will be very dangerous, but if we go by water most of the way it should be a bit safer.”

“I’ll need to speak with my fiance and prepare for the journey. I’ll have Chung Soo arrange rooms for you to stay in and we’ll leave as soon as possible.” Yuelan looked over at Willow, who bowed and left to alert the steward.

Leila’s mother stood up. “Thank you, Priestess. Food and supplies can be handled by my people, so only bring the bare minimum you will need. We can also ensure your safety, please rest assured.”

Yuelan nodded. “I’ll bring Willow with me along with Byakko. Prince Guangfeng will most likely insist on accompanying me, but I’ll try to dissuade him.”

“Men are foolish sometimes. They’re skilled warriors but lack the intelligence we have as women. Still, if he has to come we will be able to protect him as well.” Leila sighed and shrugged.

Yuelan blinked, then smiled. “On second thought, I think I will bring him along. It will be a good experience for him.”