Yuelan woke early the morning of departure. Laurel, Willow and Camphor all helped the young priestess wash up and dress then worked with the residence’s servants to move Yuelan’s luggage to a carriage. Outside her courtyard, Seiryuu and Byakko were in their human forms and seemed to be arguing with each other as Yuelan walked toward them.

“Why does she need a carriage? She can ride on us. It’s much more dignified,” Byakko growled at the azure dragon.

“It is a long journey, Byakko. Riding a creature all day is exhausting and she will be too sore to continue the next day. A carriage is more comfortable. She can rest or study or do whatever she needs to inside it that she cannot do if she is riding on your back or mine. Yuelan still has much to learn. We should be spending that time teaching her, not conveying her from place to place,” Seiryuu insisted.

“What is it she still needs to learn? She has managed to restore two temples. This is just going to restore a third, isn’t it?” Byakko folded his arms over his chest and frowned at Seiryuu.

The azure dragon shook his head. “No. She is going to investigate mysterious disappearances. While she’s there she should restore the temple as well, but her responsibilities are much more than that. How can she investigate something if she can’t even use her magic? From what my son has said, everything she has done thus far has been through instinct, not intent. Yuelan must learn to harness her abilities to draw out magic with the stones. Our bonds with her let us know when she is in danger and we can assist her with a lot of tasks, but not everything. She must learn to stand on her own.”

Byakko opened his mouth to argue only to be cut off by Yuelan.

“Isn’t this my decision? Why are the two of you arguing about it without consulting me first?” she asked.

Seiryuu smiled and nodded his head. “Indeed it is. Which would you prefer, Yuelan? To ride on Byakko and I, or to ride in the carriage with us while we teach you what my son has not been able to manage?”

Yuelan looked up at Seiryuu, her jade eyes filled with determination. “I want to learn. We’ll ride in the carriage.”

Byakko grumbled something about ‘food’ but didn’t argue. “I guess we’re staying in human form then?”

“That is up to you. I will be, as that will be easiest for teaching her what she needs to know.” Seiryuu smirked at the white tiger.

“If that’s settled, we should go meet the fourth prince. He should be here any minute to pick us up.” Yuelan turned and headed for the front of the residence.

Byakko and Seiryuu followed behind Yuelan, the tiger looking grumpy and the dragon satisfied.

The fourth prince’s carriage had just arrived and the prince was stepping off it when Yuelan walked out of the gates of her residence to meet him. Xiong Guangzhu bowed to Yuelan and smiled. “It has been quite a while since we’ve had a chance to meet, your holiness. Please be at ease and leave your safety and comfort to me along the way.”

Yuelan smiled and nodded her head. “Greetings, Fourth Prince. It has been some time since we last had a chance to chat. I look forward to traveling with you.”

“I’m sure you’d rather travel with my third brother, but I’ll try to keep you entertained in his place.” Guangzhu chuckled as Yuelan’s cheeks turned a bit pink.

“Thank you, your highness, but I will be spending most of the trip studying with my contracted divine beasts. I still have much to learn and I’ll be getting a crash course along the way.”

Guangzhu blinked. “A crash course? Why would you purposely head for a crash?”

She waved her hand. “It’s a saying. It’s a rushed lesson. Sometimes I forget that there are phrases used in my home that aren’t used here.”

The fourth prince smiled. “Well, I hope that means you are getting more comfortable here.”

Yuelan shrugged and didn’t voice her thoughts. She looked over at the carriages. “Shall we be on our way?”

Guangzhu bowed. “Of course.”

Seiryuu had been studying the fourth prince during the conversation and he finally turned his eyes to Yuelan. “Perhaps we should ride with his highness,” he suggested. “He seems to have the ability to learn some of what I will be teaching you and it will be good for you to have someone to practice with.”

Yuelan considered for a moment, then looked over at Guangzhu. “What do you think, Your Highness? Would you like to learn magic?”

Xiong Guangzhu’s eyes widened and then he bowed deeply. “It would be my honor, Your Holiness. Which carriage will we be using?”

“Mine. I think it’s larger than yours.” Yuelan looked from the prince’s carriage to her own and smiled.

The sound of horse hooves approached and Yuelan looked up to see Guangfeng arriving. The third prince slid off his horse a short ways away from Yuelan and then walked over to her. “I thought I’d come see you off before you left.”

Yuelan smiled. “Thanks. We were just discussing whose carriage we’ll all be riding in. Since mine is the largest, your brother will be riding with me, Seiryuu and Byakko.”

Guangfeng looked over at his younger brother and raised an eyebrow. “You’re letting my brother ride with you?”

Guangzhu nodded. “Indeed. I’ve been offered lessons in using magic. It seems this will be a study trip and not just a diplomatic mission for me.”

“Congratulations.” Guangfeng looked back at his fiancee and pulled a dagger from his robes to hold out to her. “Be careful and stay safe. I know Byakko and Seiryuu will take good care of you, but just in case you should have this.”

Yuelan took the dagger and studied it, running her fingers along the decorated sheathe. “Thank you. I have no idea how to use it, but I’ll do my best.”

“Guangzhu can teach you the basics.” Guangfeng smiled and brushed a lock of her hair back over her shoulder. “So can Yun Cai. I assume he and his raven will be going along as well.”

“Of course.” Yun Cai’s voice came clearly and everyone looked around to find him. It took a moment before he seemingly appeared out of thin air. “I can help with her magic lessons, too, since I use it myself.” He looked over at Yuelan. “Lueduo says we should leave now. If we wait any longer there will be trouble getting through the traffic of the capital.”

Yuelan nodded and looked back at Guangfeng. “See you when I get back.”

Guangfeng took her hand and escorted her to her carriage. “I’ll miss you. Write to me if you have a chance to keep me updated.”

“I’ll try.” She smiled and let him help her into the carriage then watched from the window as Guangfeng stepped out of the way to let Byakko, Seiryuu, Guangzhu, and Willow into the carriage with her. Laurel went with the prince’s servants to ride in Guangzhu’s carriage. Once everyone was settled, the carriages left.