"I am guessing the Triad of Spirits had no interest in forming a contract?" I said once Clement had finalized the ritual and exited the array.

I based my assumption on the visual cues I'd seen. The return of the astral tether he had extended towards the Triad, the swarm of soul sparks that had gathered once he'd returned that tether to his Dharmic body, and the amount of time it took him to complete the ritual once that point had been reached.

He had been in 'communion' with the sparks for almost an hour, and that, on top of the hour, it appeared he had been speaking with the Triad. I suppose that if Clement negotiated this contract in the same manner he had in serving my interests, an hour was barely enough time to be as thorough as he preferred. I was sure he spent his time speaking with the spirits interested in forming a contract in a manner that was as much interview as it was making sure the spirit agreed to the terms of the contract.

"They did refuse, Clan Head, "he replied, "but their reasoning was one of self-interest and made sense from their perspective. There is a convergence of three small leylines where they gather, each leyline- one from the forest, river, and ocean aligned perfectly with their affinities. This confluence of energies was augmented with a gathering and condensing array that the Triad used, one that had been built for them when they first agreed to protect Xiwang.

"They are happy with the trade they have made. I did inform them of the change in rulers, but they were already aware. Their connection to the land and city is deep enough that they felt you claim your territory.

"Who rules the town is incidental in their minds; as long as the town is not attacked, they will not act. They acknowledge that if, at some point in the future, they wish to withdraw or renegotiate the terms of the agreement, they will seek out the person the land resonates with.

"They did bring up something for you to consider. The gathering and condensing arrays that collect and harvest the energies from the leyline have weakened. They wonder if those arrays will be repaired or strengthened, or if they should consider their failure the endpoint for their service."

"I'll have Ming look into it," I promised. "If those arrays were created centuries ago, maybe she will have suggestions on how to improve or replace them.

"Perhaps, the coral can be added to the flux," I mused, "something we'll have to consider.

"And the process of forming your contract? You spent a bit of time within the array, was that time spent looking for a suitable spirit or forming the contract?"

"Both," Clement replied immediately. "There were over a dozen spirits that fit the general criteria I was hoping to find. I needed a spirit that was logic centered, well-educated, knew as much about the workings of materials you found in the Mystic Realm as Toi, and one able to shore up my weakness in combat."

"A weakness in combat?" I asked in surprise.

"Every Cultivator has their weakness," Clement said. "You, for example, find it harder to duel with Cultivators that have earth, wood, and metal affinities. On the other hand, fire and magma find your unique set of affinities hard to contend against. And when it comes to combating those individuals that share one or more of your affinities, the battle becomes one of attrition of will.

"You each fight for control of the elements, and because you both resonate with that affinity, the battle often favors the side that has the stronger will, or it becomes a tug of war, first one, then the other person gains enough control to deny the other the ability to connect with and control their elemental affinity.

"I wanted a spirit that was able to fill in the cracks in my foundation when it becomes necessary for me to fight a person with similar affinities. One that buttresses my elemental affinities and resonates with my [Dao]."

"What affinity do you have?" I asked. For some, that might have been considered not only rude but dangerous. But Clement had joined my House and Clan. He had agreed to serve as an Elder, and part of his service was to make sure the Head of House and Clan was informed.

It would make for more effective strategy and planning in my offensive and defensive planning if I knew his strengths and weaknesses.

"I have a dual affinity," he replied without hesitation, without condemnation. He took no insult at the question, answering honestly and openly. "I have a wood and water affinity, and although you didn't ask, I will also add that I have concentrated my attention on the [Dao of Balance].

"That [Dao ] is why I am so well regarded as a negotiator. My [Dao] requires me to search for balance in every negotiation, and the closer I come to achieving that, the better my understanding of my [Dao] becomes."

I had been inordinately lucky with the people I had managed to attract. I had already known that Clement was a treasure, someone who would help see me through any dangers and problems I might encounter, but his affinities and [Dao] would mesh well with my needs. He would leave me to steer the ship of my Clan, House, and Fief, but he would be the guiding hand that helped calm the rains when the storm clouds gathered.

"You found a spirit that fits your requirements?" I asked hopefully. I wondered if Clement would have refused to form a contract with any spirit rather than a contract with one that didn't quite match the characteristics he was looking for.

"I did. This is Maeko," he said with a nod of his head and a pointed look at a spot behind my shoulder. Turning, I saw a woman of Toi's race. A woman that wouldn't look out of place as an assistant in any office situation while projecting the steadfastness and deadliness of a woman well-versed in battle.

"Maeko," I said in greeting.

"Clan Head," Maeko replied, bowing with a deference that only a Cultivator would use.

"There is no need for bows, not from anyone that is part of Clement's inner circle," I informed her, "I am happy to meet you and glad that you and Clement have formed a contract."

"Do you know Toi?" I asked. Toi had been present from the beginning, watching and ensuring the ritual was conducted correctly. That would change; eventually, the process would be left to Cultivators interested in mastering the spirit arts, but for now, she was the only expert we had.

At least she had been. If Maeko satisfied the expectations that Clement required, she should have the same training and knowledge in spirit summoning as Toi. After all, it was an art that originated within the Mystic Realm.

Which made me wonder how Maeko came to be present in this realm.

Shouldn't the spirits from that realm be available to form a contract only with individuals when they were inside that Mystic space? How was it possible for her to be here, able to contract with Clement?

Before we had begun, I'd advised Clement that the possibility of him finding a Spirit that knew enough about the resources and knowledge I'd gained inside the Mystic Realm to be helpful seemed slim. He had assured me he had another set of criteria if no spirits were available that met that requirement. As Toi and Maeko were involved in a conversation, I realized that I had never asked Toi her opinion on the viability of Clement's plans.

That was a mistake I made more often than not. I had gotten used to being unable to rely on people and tended to forge ahead without consideration or input. I was no longer in the oppressive atmosphere of the Flowing Water Sect, but I had yet to break the habit of only depending on myself.

There were too many good, powerful, and knowledgeable people that had sworn to my House and me for that to continue. People I could trust, like Clement, like Toi. My lack of trust had not created problems in this case, but there might be times and situations when my shortcoming, my ability to trust, may come back to bite me in the ass.

Worse, it might cause problems for those that depend on me. A person or even the entire Fief could be harmed or suffer repercussions for my short-sightedness.