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Through winter, Kenta took my instruction more seriously, encouraging Raeden and Hisato to do likewise. While they practiced, keeping near the firepit, I worked to put together new clothes for them and weave sandals, useful things.
Often, I’d look to the mountain, or to the red thread, wondering about Kwan. How was he spending the solstice? Did something come up to drag him away and into the cold? If he missed me always sitting beside him while he worked on some matter, or was he relieved? He had a household to look after him if he became too engrossed in something, but I still worried for that too.
Which is why I found myself happily surprised to discover a small, wrapped, gift with a tag bearing his handwriting.
For Hisa
I held that piece of paper close to my heart, the pouch containing his soul wedged in between. He remembered.
Inside, one of the shells I’d found on the beaches near Bitgaram. One of the few intact, a scallop with a pretty, pink hue to its outside, and shining nacre inside. He’d polished the nacre, making it more brilliant, and fastened a pearl to that side, petite and perfectly round. A thin, gold chain was strung through it. A necklace. It must’ve been costly, but I loved it. I loved that he thought to use a memory to make the gift—something I’d chosen for myself. Immediately, I put it on, promising to wear it every day and take care not to be clumsy enough that it broke by accident.
Through the rest of winter, I’d look at that necklace, and to the thread around my finger, staring out my window to the mountain before the dark of night made it impossible to see. More than once, I caught the shimmer of a white doe walking soundlessly through the snowfall, leaving as I cleared my eyes of the stinging, cold air.
In spring, when the ground thawed enough, my brothers spent more time away from the house to hunt and work the fields. I said nothing of my continued plan, not wanting to upset father and put him into a state. Coming home, Kenta continued to try learning, encouraging our other brothers to keep at it as well.
One method of practice, to keep my brothers’ interest, was in relaying the prices of goods made new. And of more mechanical processes like fermentation of otherwise ordinary plants. Things like flower cultivation didn’t hold their attention until I mentioned how high ladies spend small fortunes in redesigning their gardens.
Hisato liked the stories I’d brought to read, the one about a lone warrior with a code of honor in particular. Though none of my brothers cared for the poetry, it was something to help them improve the skill.
There was still the issue of who would take up as the woman of the house in my absence. I saw how my father and brothers tried to make do after the accusations on Kenta; no one would allow a girl to come to help keep the house, tend to laundry, mend clothes and blankets, weave sandals, or so much as cook a meal. The men of the village had strength enough to work the land and fend off dangers, but fell apart without someone to care for them at home.
I didn’t know if silver would persuade change, or if it’d appear like I suggested buying out a member of their family. Given how unsavory so many spirits viewed attending a single human in their lord’s home, that didn’t seem like a viable option either
My best bet was to find someone in the city, similar to how Kwan hired the women in his household. It was a different way of life between villagers and big townsfolk. After explaining, there still might not be a girl wanting to take up the job at any wage. Regardless, there was only one way to find out.
Saburo saddled, and Koji wagging his tail in anticipation, I paused with Hisato insisting he come with me. I would’ve argued, though I reminded myself that I didn’t have Kwan’s protection this time in going to a foreign place. Mounted up, Saburo refused Hisato’s cues and kicks, standing with his ears pinned back. While unorthodox, I took lead in the saddle, and we went off at a comfortable pace. I expected the trek to take most of the day, though we reached the edge of the city within the hour.
Saburo was a spirit as well, with magic of his own, I remembered, explaining it to Hisato. He didn’t understand it well, but he also hadn’t been as exposed to magic as I was.
Even with my experience in castles, maneuvering the town was overwhelming. I didn’t know where to begin. Keeping Koji to a leash, he was just as out of place. Our saving grace was in being able to read the signs—things I’d have ignored before but now grabbed my attention instantly.
A tailor’s store. Since I’d brought two of the other dresses Juro sent, figuring I might get a better price selling directly, it made for a point where we could orientate ourselves. Having seen the cost of fabrics, I had an idea of what the exchange should be. Fearing robbery, I left the rest behind; should times become dire, my brothers could sell them off—after today Hisato would know what a fair price would be. And I could better demonstrate a fiercer negotiation for it.
On entering, however, I was ignored. Despite that I’d been the one to introduce and present the pieces, the clerk spoke to Hisato. Even Juneun lords didn’t try to pretend I was invisible to this extent.
When he gave his price, I took the pieces back, garnering a bewildered look on his face.
“That’s less than half,” I said.
“I assure you,” said the clerk, to Hisato, of course, “this is a fair price.”
“Not according to what you have posted right there,” I said, pointing to a printed sign at the end of his workbench.
Astonished. But he still said nothing to me.
“This was a gift from the Juneun. Lord Juro. I only thought to sell it because I’ve since outgrown it.”
His mouth slowly fell open, but he said nothing.
Hisato looked between us, starting to follow me out.
“Hold on,” said the clerk. “How do I know it came from a Juneun?”
“Between us, my brother and I have been the most forthcoming,” I said, irritated. “And since you treat me as lesser, I’ll find another buyer.”
He tried to call again, but I’d made up my mind.
“Are you sure, Hisa?” whispered Hisato.
“If he’s that dishonest from the beginning,” I said, “there’s no point. I know there has to be more than one store who’d give a fair price. The city is too large for there to be only one tailor. We’ll find a more honest clerk, and ask them for direction on where to look for a maid afterwards.”
“A maid?”
I nodded. “Someone to take care of you all when I go back up the mountain.”
“Hisa,” snapped Hisato, stopping me from mounting up. “You can’t go back.”
Saburo pinned his ears.
“I can, and I will,” I said. “When I’m sure my family will be well without me, I will go back to Inori and accept Kwan’s proposal. Kenta supports me on this.”
He looked shocked.
“I explained it to him.”
“But that man jailed you, Hisa!” scolded Hisato, trying to keep his volume low. “He would’ve killed either of us over a deer.”
I frowned. In the later stages of our friendship, after court was held, Kwan explained to me the significance of the doe and the stag. “It wasn’t just a deer.”
Hisato blinked, brow screwing at my calm tone.
“The white doe and stag were gifts to help protect the mountain. They were guardians—spirits.”
His face paled. “I... I shot down...”
“Without her, it takes more effort and energy for him to protect the mountain and all the villages—even here! Lord Genji saw how much of a toll it was taking on Kwan, and gave him the pair.”
“Gave?”
“Kwan used to be Genji’s apprentice. And they still have a strong friendship. You’d like Genji. As powerful of a Juneun as he is, he’s a very gentle person. And one of the few who didn’t make me feel like such an outsider. I was even invited to his castle once. He’s kind.”
While my brother remained wordless, I climbed onto the saddle. Rather than mount with me, Hisato took the reins to lead us through the bustling streets. He looked after Koji and watched the surroundings. I searched for any sign that seemed promising.
Silk textiles.
It was an older building, with a balding man pausing his work to come over. I braced myself to be ignored, and I was at first. Looking past him, I saw women brushing in base dyes or committed to a detailed design with their stencils, and men using the might of their bodies to more precisely dye the cloth in a vat of color. When embroidering a piece, both worked diligently, not even bothering to acknowledge us.
Hisato introduced me, a cue to present the dresses. We weren’t so naïve as to not become a little cunning in trying to conduct business. If I would be ignored, then Hisato would play the part of middle-ground. He faltered, however, in trying to recall the origin of the pieces, leaving me to repeat it.
“A Juneun artisan?” asked the clerk, looking more intrigued. “Explains the quality. The threading here is gold-leafed.”
That was something even I didn’t know, which made me feel all the more guilty and furious.
“Is there any way to prove it came from this Juneun specifically?”
“His crest is embroidered there,” I said, pointing.
The clerk leaned in, squinting at the small toad details. “So it is.”
Given previous experience, it surprised me that he listened and responded.
“Grandpa Chiso!” called a feminine voice. A girl, no older than seventeen or so, waddled in with trays stacked high in her arms. “I have lunch—”
Without hesitation, Hisato went to take the trays from the girl, freeing her from the cumbersome balance.
“Oh. Thank you.” She gave a slight bow before reaching up to take the top trays and hand them out.
“Where is Ren?” asked the clerk, Chiso.
She shrugged.
Chiso threw up his hands, exacerbated. “And your sister?”
“At the potter’s.”
“Nine granddaughters... Only three of them work. Four grandsons, all of them missing when there’s work to be done.” He turned his attention back to us, sighing. “I know a client who might want them. They might need altering, though. But the best I can offer for one...” he penned something down, presenting it to us.
Hisato blinked, looking to me for confirmation. It was better than our previous offer, but not quite what I’d hoped. I shook my head.
“I really need a better price,” I said. “I’m leaving to be married soon, and I need the money to pay a maid to care for my father and brothers in my stead.”
Chiso stared, twisting his face. “Where did you say you were from?”
“The northmost village.”
“That’s quite the trek.”
I started to fold up the fine things again, disappointed.
“I’m surprised the two of you are well read,” said Chiso. “Half my sons can barely handle it.”
“I learned while I stayed with a Juneun lord as his servant,” I said. “And I’ve been teaching my brothers.”
“How many brothers?”
“Three of us,” said Hisato.
There was a look to Chiso that made me curious. “That’s what I can do for one, but! If you’ll let me bring this to my client, and humor me with a request, I can send fifteen percent of the profit.” He tallied the math, writing a new offer beside the old. “That would be the total.”
Hisato shifted, his eyes fixed on the amount.
“I don’t know,” I said, wary. It was closer to what I’d wanted, but the thought of not having it all up front brought discomfort.
“Twenty percent,” said Chiso. “But, play along with something. My grandchildren need a good scare.”
“I’d rather n—”
Before I could get the words out, Chiso called back. “Chyou! Tell your sister I found her a husband, working the farms in the farthest village. I’m tired of supporting idle hands.”
I was mortified. So was Hisato by the look of him.
The entire assembly stopped to look at Chiso. “If you’re all going to gawk, rather than work, I’ll sell it all off and send all of you away. Live my last years like a prince instead of working myself to the grave.”
They shuddered, hurrying with their meals.
Chiso turned back to us, speaking hushed. “My youngest daughter works at the noodle shop beside the lodgings further in town. I’ll send her to be your maid. It’ll whip the rest of them into behaving.”
“Your daughter?”
“There’s a man who stays at the lodgings most of summer and harasses her. If it gets her away—and your brother seems more trustworthy in five minutes than most men in the city do in their entire lives. They’d have let Chyou carry on without the thought to help. Rural folk have those traditional values, and it shows. He looks to your advice rather than bolster himself on decisions.”
Shy, Hisato admitted, “She reads better than I do.”
“Respecting your sister. That’s a fine young man.” Flattery now freely flowed from Chiso. “If you say she’ll be safe, and reputation intact.”
We both squirmed a bit at the implication.
“It’d make no difference in raising the percentage a little more, since it’ll come back into the family anyway.”
“That’s true,” I said.
“I can send one of my sons with the rest once I have it, and use the excuse it’s to check in on his sister. He can collect the other with a similar bargain at that time.”
“Won’t that look suspicious?” asked Hisato. I’d been thinking the same, mulling over what was said.
Chiso scoffed. “I doubt it. They’re oblivious. It’s my fault for making their lives too comfortable and doing all the work myself.”
“It does seem like an ideal arrangement,” I said.
“Must be luck,” said Hisato.
I remembered then that I still had Urekkato’s essence, and sight spell, on me. My relief slowly replaced itself with irritation at the thought.
“I do still have things to take care of,” I said. “Why not send your daughter with the percentage, and we can start then? And Hisato can ride back a while after with the other dress to make it seem more like how you implied, rather than her being a maid.”
****
The deal was struck. As was the sale of other trinkets shortly after to another vendor. Leaving the rest of the day to find a breeder for hunting dogs, and a horse master for a good mare. I managed, but soured at the cost.
The amount I got from the nacre hair pin would pay for the mare, already bred—something that would make hunting and transit easier for my brothers. And a foal would ensure a second generation, prolonging the time they could use a beast of burden. Regardless, I consulted Saburo’s opinion of which seemed best. A good thing of it, since he disliked the first mare presented to us. I suspected they wanted to take me for a fool, seeing how fine a stallion Saburo was and how humbly Hisato and I dressed (save for my necklace).
An unease was brought in explaining that he served a Juneun lord and was on loan only until I had a steed of my liking. No more old nags or unbroken brood mares were presented. When Saburo didn’t mind a selection, I picked from intuition. She wasn’t the prettiest or tallest, but there was a kindness in her eyes.
Buying a pup, I needed to use the profit I got from selling the obsidian bracelet Juro brought—the polished breath of a fire. Kochi-ken dogs were as expensive as I remembered. But since Koji made a good hunting partner, despite not wanting to listen to Raeden, I thought to get a pup to train from scratch. Koji could help show what we wanted, and my brothers would have a loyal friend to help chase out game to bring home.
A female sat away from the rest, curiously tilting her head at her siblings making a fuss. She was big, compared to the rest, and quiet. I thought it a good idea; and if she became a good hunter, maybe having a litter from her would bring a second generation. If it was a big litter, some could be given or sold—Renzo might be happy to have a pup since Chocho had past the year prior. The important bit of it all was making her part of our poor family and helping my brothers. More dogs would deter boar from coming into the village.
I thought about selling the moonstone pendent—I intended to originally, anyway—but remembered what Juro said about it. He’d put a blessing on it, for protection. With that in mind, I had a better use for it.
We headed for home that evening. If not for Saburo’s spell, we’d need to stay overnight, making me all the more relieved to have him.
From new habit, since coming home, I placed a hand over my chest to feel the pouch holding Kwan’s soul. Summer was fast approaching, and I missed him more than I thought.