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The walk to the river running through Old Town took Kai past her old cottage. The new owner had been happy enough with the internal improvements that Kai had done, but they’d clearly not liked the garden she’d planted. Of all the plants she’d put in, only the tall stand of Bamboo in the back garden and the Weeping Willow over the front garden’s pond remained.
She paused for a moment by the front gate, laying one hand on the low, solid, white stone wall that had taken her a whole summer to build and gazed at the pond, remembering the times she’d had a picnic beside it, or sipped wine with... she shook the thoughts away and moved on.
The water taxi driver couldn’t remember carrying Chamberlain, even when Kai showed him the picture she’d taken of the picture of the mage from the file. That’s not really a surprise; he’s a Mage, he’s probably wrapped himself in an ‘unremarkable’ enchantment. The ride upstream was predictably full of locals trying to get home for tea as well as a group of tourists. Kai ignored the chatter around her and tried to focus on the job at hand. I’ll get off at the northern side landing and ask around the vendors there before I cross the bridge and talk to Amira.
The houses that stood alongside the river often had coloured lights strung around their back-garden wall or a standard lantern to illuminate their personal landings and the oohing, aahing tourists finally penetrated her musing.
One of them nudged her and asked in English with an upper-class accent, “Excuse me, but are you a local resident?”
Kai smiled and replied in the same language, “I used to live in Old Town, but nearer the harbour. Why do you ask?”
“We are wondering if the Temples allow tourists in after dark. We’ve heard all sorts of rumours about them and...” he trailed off as she shook her head.
“You didn’t read the Hotel Association’s booklet, did you?” she said.
“I glanced through it, but the rules and recommendations seemed a bit odd. I’ve visited all sorts of cities and none of them suggested remaining in the Tourist District after sunset.”
“Well for a start, the Temples only allow Sightseers during the day to minimise annoyance for the locals,” Kai said, “I’d advise you stay on the taxi until the West Retail landing, then catch a cab back to the Tourist district.”
“What’s the reason for keeping us penned into the Tourist District at night then?” the woman on the other side of the aisle asked.
Kai wondered how much she could tell them, “There is a lot of gang related activity in the city. Locals know where to go and when, but it would take days to explain that to every holidaymaker and business visitor, so the Hotel Association pays for extra policing in the Tourist District. That’s why it’s safer.”
“Then It would just be better for the police to get rid of the gangs, wouldn’t it?” The man beside her pointed out.
Several locals who had obviously been listening to the conversation, burst out laughing and began talking to each other in Chinese. Kai suppressed a grin as she listened to them. The Tourists looked confused.
“So rude.” The woman snapped, “I’ve never felt so unwelcome in a city before.”
The water taxi pulled into the northern Temple Lands pontoon and Kai stood up. The male tourist tugged on her coat, “Are there any guides that we could hire?”
She sighed, “Go back to the Tourist District and ask at your hotel. Everything that you need is there.”
He kept hold of her, and her jacket pulled apart, showing the sheathed Tanto on her tool belt. His eyes widened and he dropped his hold, backing away.
Kai smiled down at him and followed the locals off the boat.
A fruitless half an hour later, she crossed the bridge over into the southern Temple Lands and made her way downhill to the Earth Temple. As she entered the precinct, she bowed and prayed to the shrine at the entrance.
“You never forget that now.” Amira’s voice behind her made Kai jump, “Are you okay?”
“Amira!” Kai grinned and hugged her friend, “Yes, I’m fine. I need your help with a case I’m working on tonight.”
The tall, slim Dragon Priestess hugged her back and gently pushed her away, “I’m not supposed to touch anyone, least of all humans, remember?”
“Stupid rule.” Kai grumbled.
Amira laughed and beckoned her to follow, “We’ll go to my workshop.”
The two of them wound their way through the huge rocks and various types of oak tree in the grounds. I love coming here, it’s so peaceful. Kai took a deep breath and felt herself relaxing as the deep earthy scents of leaf mold and damp grass cleared her mind.
“It’s been a while since you came to do any sēnlínyù, have you had a lot to do?” Amira opened a small gate and waved Kai through into a garden.
“It’s been fairly busy, yes.” She followed Amira through the flowers and shrubs into a medium sized wooden shed. The structure shimmered and Kai felt the gentle tug of a magic shield spell as they entered.
Amira indicated a chair beside the window, “Have a seat, I’ll get you some tea.” She turned away to a small kitchenette area on the other side.
“I don’t really have...” Kai’s voice trailed off, remembering that Chamberlain was asleep.
“Nonsense. There’s always time for tea.” Amira smiled and passed her a steaming pottery cup. She brought a tray over with another cup and teapot and sat down opposite.
They sipped in silence for a while and Kai felt the rest of her stress drain away. I really ought to visit Amira more often, I always feel better for it.
“Now why do you need my help?” Amira said eventually.
“I’m tracking a murder suspect, a mage.” She pulled the scarf out of her pocket slightly, then stuffed it back in.
“And something is puzzling you about a vision.” The dragon priestess said pouring them a second cup
Kai explained what was bothering her, “I figured out that he came into the Temple Lands, but the leaves and the spell could be almost any temple here and you know how many temples there are...”
“Not to mention that it could just as easily be from a garden of a Dragon Mage.” Amira sipped her tea.
“I didn’t think of that.” She groaned.
“It’s unlikely that he’s hiding in one of the Dragon Mage’s gardens though, most of them ward their properties against more than just simple intruders.”
“That rules out the houses then; only Dragon Mages and the Priesthoods live in the city,” Kai frowned, “and I’m assuming that the houses of the Priesthood are similarly warded.”
Amira agreed with her, “So just the Temples then... and it couldn’t be an active temple, or someone would have noticed him.”
“That still leaves at least twenty unused or ruined temples in the northern Temple Lands.” Kai slumped back into her seat, tea spilling over the rim of her cup and over her lap.
“Not really. What colour were the leaves?” The dragon priestess seemed amused.
Closing her eyes, Kai brought the vision back. Red tree leaves glowing in the last few minutes of sunset. The shape is important though, reminds me of that Sugar Maple that grows in West Park, just more delicate. She repeated her thoughts aloud, opening her eyes again.
Amira’s smile grew wider and showing the tips of her upper fangs. Her long slim tongue flickered out.
Kai recognised her friend’s silent laughter and narrowed her eyes, “What are you laughing at?”
“There is only one temple that grows trees such as you describe; they change colour in the autumn.” Amira tilted her head to one side, “It’s not a ruin though, just barely used. I believe that the last time the Head Priest was there was three years ago.”
“I don’t remember... oh... the Qiūtiān de sìmiào!” Kai said.
“Exactly. I suggest that you call your office before you go up there; no telling what you might walk into.” Amira drained her tea, “More?”
Kai shook her head, “No, I have to get on with this; I’ve a full afternoon of investigation at Darwin-Hepler tomorrow, so I have to finish this tonight.”
“Well, it was nice to see you, even if it was in the course of a case.” Amira sighed, “You know where I am if you need me, even if it’s just for a chat.”
“While I’m here, did you finish those lightweight gloves I asked for?” Kai put her cup on the tray.
“Not yet. I’ll send them down as soon as they’re finished.” Amira stood and picked the tray up, “I’ll see you out.”
Edward was relieved when she called in, “I’ve had the detective on the phone again. Chamberlain is definitely involved in the murder; his DNA is all over the place and there’s magical residue as well.”
“I’ll be careful,” She reassured him, correctly divining the reason for his panic, “Tell Zhao that I’m heading up to the Qiūtiān de sìmiào and he needs to bring back up. I get the feeling that Chamberlain won’t be going quietly.”
“I can’t imagine why he would, having spoken to the Detective; I’ll call him as soon as you’ve rung off. Are you sure he’s at the Qiūtiān de sìmiào?”
“As sure as I can be. I’ll text you as soon as I’ve verified it.” Kai told him, “I’ll see you later.”
As he cut the connection, Kai felt a small surge of panic coming from him. He worries too much. As long as Zhao gets here fast, I won’t even have to talk to the guy.
She put her phone away again and began the long walk up hill. The Temple Lands always was my favourite part of Te Ling; it was one of the reasons I bought that cottage, so that I could visit Amira regularly. But I have to admit, I don’t miss the slopes, even though it smells so good up here!
According to the map that Amira had drawn for her, the Qiūtiān de sìmiào was in the northernmost corner of the lands. Kai wound her way through the barely lit roads, taking shortcuts where she could find them. By the time she got to the temple, the full moon was high above the city and when she turned to look down on it, the view took her breath away. This city is so beautiful, it’s no wonder that foreigners want to visit. I wonder what happened to the tourists I was talking to on the Water Taxi. I hope they got back to their hotel okay.
As she gazed at the alternating dark and light patchwork of Te Ling, a distant howl from the direction of the New Harbour made her frown for a moment. Sounds like the local Wolf Clan are hunting tonight.
She turned back to the temple, slipping the scarf from her pocket and taking her glove off.
“Okay then, let’s see where you are, Chamberlain.” She muttered to herself and touched the scarf.
Immediately an image of the main temple building doors appeared in her mind. He’s looking at them from the inside and it doesn’t look as abandoned as Amira said it would be. That’s a brand-new lock on those doors. How did he get in? She pulled her hand away from the scarf to break the connection before he realised, she was there, putting her glove back on and shoving the scarf back into her pocket.
The wicket gate in the temple entrance had been recently oiled and gave no sign of her using it. She shut it carefully and trod noiselessly up the stone path. As she reached the top of the main temple steps, her phone began to ring.
Swearing, she turned the sound off and answered the call.
“Where the hell are you, Riordan?” Detective Zhao sounded annoyed at the other end of the call.
“Edward told you, didn’t he?” she whispered.
“Yes, but why is he in the Qiūtiān de sìmiào? We only want to question him at the moment.” The detective’s voice echoed slightly in the courtyard and Kai heard something inside the Temple itself fall over.
“You’re putting my operation in danger, Detective. Get your backside up here with some help and hurry.” She cut the connection before he could argue and turned the phone off completely. He’d better get up here fast.
She pushed lightly on the temple door, and it swung open, “Mage Chamberlain? This is Kai Riordan. I’ve been asked to track you down for questioning by the police.”
“Well, you can go away. I don’t want to hurt anyone.” A man’s voice floated through the air, bouncing off the columns inside and making it difficult for her to pinpoint where he was.
She slipped inside the temple, keeping her back to the wall, “They only want to ask you some questions about the murder you were seen running away from.”
“They think I did it. They think that I killed the one man in the entire world who I loved and would do anything for.” His voice still echoed around the massive room.
“You can’t hide from me for long, Mage Chamberlain.” Kai called out as she peered around a column, trying to see where he was.
“I’ll hide as long as I need to Hunter,” The mage’s voice echoed around the empty Temple, coming from nowhere and everywhere at once, “You won’t take me back to the White Tiger alive.”
“This doesn’t help your case you know,” Kai inched around the column and pulled the scarf she’d been given to track him out of her pocket, “If anything, you’re proving the allegation against you.”
She slipped her right glove off, tucked it into her pocket and touched the scarf again. The image from the Chamberlain’s eyes overtook her own vision and she saw that he was looking at a large, red leaf covered chest on the ground a fair way below him. Those leaves are from the Acer growing in the courtyard. He must be hiding in the branches and using a spell to project his voice into the temple.
Putting the scarf away again broke the connection with the mage. She blinked to clear the fuzziness that always clouded her eyesight afterward. I got the distinct impression that he has something planned. I’ll need some kind of weapon against him bigger than my tanto. Looking around, Kai saw that some of the walls had weapons attached to them with a small inscription below them.
Confident that the mage wouldn’t attack her until she got closer, Kai strode across to where a Jian hung, crossed over its ornate scabbard. She climbed onto a nearby table and reached up for the hilt with her right hand.
The moment she touched it; Kai realised her mistake.