First of Tomes (The Tomes of Kaleria Book 2)

by Honor Raconteur

  He was there in a second, wrapping around her and clamping onto Edmond’s wrist and upper arm. With no discernable strain, he held the arm steady over the basin. “Here?”

  “Bless you, yes,” she panted. Shunlei’s chest pressed up against her back, arms caging her in, but she didn’t mind that at all. It felt comforting to have that strength right next to her. He smelled nice, too. Mei Li always associated Shunlei with safety and kindness, and even though she probably shouldn’t, she let him support her.

  He took her weight without even a noise of complaint, which brought a half-smile to her face. Relaxing, she let him do the hard work for a moment. It was just so tiring to work magic when she already felt dead on her feet. Even Kiyo leaned back, trusting him to hold Edmond steady, though they both kept a keen eye on the wound. It had started out puffy and filled with pus, angry red lines radiating out from it and going up and down his arm. Those lines intensified as the talismans worked, the lines of the talismans turning darker with each second. They were drawing heavily on earth in order to force the body to expel the invader.

  Edmond continued to writhe, teeth clenched in pain and straining, Lady Ilona clutching at his good shoulder. She wasn’t even trying to dry her tears as she watched him. “Please tell me it’s working!”

  “Working well,” Kiyo assured her, bending over Shunlei’s arm to get a closer look. “The red lines are steadily retreating. That means most of the venom is now only in the right arm instead of his body. We’re starting to drain, too. Aish!”

  The first hissing spat of fluid hit the basin, sizzling on the bottom. Mei Li clapped her hands together, glad. This was exactly how it had gone on her last case. “Oh good, that’s a good sign. Kiyo, do you have a good warding spell at hand? I’m out.”

  “I’ve got three, why?”

  “We’ll need to ward the basin after we’re done, get it out into an open place. Let Shunlei completely burn it to a crisp. That’s the most effective way to handle the remains.”

  It seemed to take forever, but eventually it all drained. The wound in the arm sagged, looking bloody and open but no longer aflame. Shunlei very carefully cauterized it, but Edmond was so wrung out he barely said a word.

  Mei Li applied a healing balm from her satchel before laying the arm carefully back down on the bed. “Let it air dry and relax tonight. I’ll leave the balm here on the bed. You can apply as much as you like. How are you, Edmond?”

  He gave her an exhausted smile, eyes barely open. “I feel done in. But so much better than before. Thank you, Lady Mei. Thank all of you.”

  “I’ll check back in on you in the morning,” Mei Li promised him. “Drink at least two glasses of water and a bowl of soup tonight, then you can rest.”

  “Thank you, I shall.”

  Mei Li was more than ready to follow her own advice. Bath, dinner, bed—it didn’t have to precisely go in that order. But she was more than ready to rest.

  Mei Li awoke the next morning feeling groggy and absolutely loath to move. Lady Ilona had been so frantically grateful the night before that she’d offered to lodge them during their stay, and the entire team had taken her up on it. The bed was sinfully comfortable. Mei Li couldn’t imagine moving. Truly, out of respect to the bed and the fine craftsmen who made it, she really should linger to fully appreciate their work.

  Mei Li promptly fell back asleep.

  When she awoke again, it was much later, the sun slanting in from the windows and heating up her feet to an uncomfortable degree. It had to be mid-morning, at least. The thought of sleeping more sounded quite tempting, but her stomach rumbled petulantly, unhappy with her neglect. Sighing, she threw the covers back and climbed out.

  Someone had kindly taken the outfit she’d been wearing yesterday and cleaned it, so she had at least one clean dress to wear. Mei Li took advantage of the ensuite bathroom to wash her hair. She felt much more alive with scrubbed skin and clean clothes on.

  She wandered downstairs in search of breakfast and other people.

  The majordomo of the house—she had never gotten the man’s name—directed her to an outdoor patio where she found people lingering over lunch. She’d have felt embarrassed about having slept so much, but her body clearly needed it.

  “Lady Mei,” Lady Ilona greeted with a bright smile. She waved her closer to the round table with its selection of fruits, breads, cheeses, and sliced meats laid out. “Please join us. You slept well?”

  “A little too well, thank you.” Glancing about, she saw Melchior and Hawes steadily eating, but no sign of Kiyo and Nord. Shunlei spread out over the courtyard in dragon form, eyes sleepy as he sunbathed. It was interesting to see him relax so openly like this in a place he barely knew.

  As she took a seat at the table, Mei Li asked, “How is my patient this morning?”

  “So much better.” Lady Ilona’s relief was clear in her radiant smile. “He ate something for breakfast this morning and actually stayed up and read for a while before taking a nap. I’m so grateful to all of you and glad you came when you did.”

  Mei Li cast her a quick smile as she filled her plate with food. “So am I. Although I also wish we’d been able to get here sooner. For his sake, at least. Not to mention we need to somehow pick up the trail of the Bai Gu Jing.”

  Hawes lifted his head, swallowing a mouthful. “Lady Kiyo and Nord are on that now. They’re doing some complicated seeking spell to track the thing down.”

  “Are they using Priest Edmond’s blood to target with?” That was how Mei Li would do it, at least. With the attack so fresh, odds were some of Edmond’s blood was still in the creature. If they could use that as the base of the seeking spell, they’d have a chance to narrow where the Bai Gu Jing was going. It was temporary at best—the blood would fade as the demoness digested it completely—but it would give them a direction at least.

  “They are,” Hawes confirmed. “They were quite excited about the possibility, as much as Nord is excited about anything.”

  “Then we’ll have a direction soon.” Mei Li settled and asked quickly before taking a bite, “When do we leave?”

  “The sooner the better, really. We can’t give this thing any more headway. Our gracious hostess has given orders for supplies to be packed for us. I also met with the messenger last night and received more funds from the Prince of Horvath.”

  Melchior sighed, melancholy. “It’s a shame to leave so quickly. It’s beautiful here. But we really can’t give that thing any more headway than it already has.”

  So, in other words, they were relaxing while they had the chance. Mei Li took that to heart and ate quickly, fully expecting Kiyo and Nord to come back with an answer soon. Seeking spells didn’t take much time to set up or implement.

  Mei Li chaffed at not being able to fly ahead with Shunlei. She’d gotten entirely too used to doing that with Future Shunlei. But even if she’d had a proper carrier to use, a Bai Gu Jing wasn’t something she wanted to tackle on her own. Even with the two of them, it wasn’t really advisable. Bai Gu Jings were notoriously slippery and it was always, always suggested to hunt them in a party.

  Lady Ilona scooted in closer, dropping her voice to a more confidential tone while Hawes and Melchior began their own conversation. “Lady Mei, I spoke at length with Shunlei this morning. He’s a very dear, gentle soul.”

  Mei Li’s mouth being full, she nodded agreement, pleased that Lady Ilona saw this.

  “He claims most dragons steal food for lack of a better option. Sometimes, they’re either hunted or forced out of the good areas where food is plentiful. He said that before you reached Laborde, he was able to broker a deal with a young dragon and the town near Crimson Lake. I think he passed along the story to me in hopes that I might do likewise. Do you think this advisable?”

  “Yes, I do.” Mei Li was glad the woman asked for a second opinion and was equally pleased with the chance to back Shunlei up. “There will be a few dragons who are just rotten to the core and impossible to deal with—
but the same thing can be said of men. Most of the dragons I’ve met have been kind. Helpful. If you offer them a safe place to stay, steady work, and food, you’ll be amazed at all they’ll be willing to do. I’ve seen dragons help patrol roads, fight dangerous things in their territory, and even fly things back and forth on behalf of another. Wouldn’t you like to have such a guardian for your town?”

  “It does sound idealistic. I have never met a dragon though.”

  “I think Shunlei can take care of that. If we meet another dragon in our travels—and I have no doubt we will—then we’ll discuss with them the possibility of coming here.”

  That satisfied her. “Then do so. Shunlei’s aid last night is part of the reason why my dear friend is alive and well this morning. And I saw how much you depend upon him. Whenever you asked him for help, he readily gave it. I want that aid and protection for my own people.”

  “It’s wise. And I’m sure he told you that if a dragon claims this territory as their own, they’ll keep other dragons at bay?”

  “He did. However…” Ilona’s brows screwed up in a quizzical fashion. “It does beg the question: How do baby dragons come about if they’re that territorial?”

  “Ah. They do pair up,” Mei Li assured her, amused at the question. “Most of their pairings are for life, in fact. Babies come rarely—about two or three in their lifetimes. Sometimes accidental pairings will result in offspring, but there’s always a broodmother somewhere willing to raise them in that case. I believe Shunlei was raised by a broodmother.”

  “How fascinating. I do wish I had more time to speak with all of you. I hope you understand you’re always welcome here. I want you to stop here if you’re ever in this area again.”

  Mei Li answered on all their behalves with a smile. “We will, thank you.”

  She heard them before they appeared around the corner, their footsteps quick and heavy as they moved in a quick gallop. Kiyo almost spun out of control as she rounded the corner, catching herself on one of the stone support columns to the porch. “Found her! She’s on the shore of the East Sea and heading south.”

  Nord, slightly more in control of his breath, panted out, “We’re about two days behind her, I think. If we leave now, we might be able to catch up in four or five days.”

  Hawes didn’t even have to think about it. “We leave in the next hour. Lady Ilona, you’ve been an amazing host. We’re sad to leave you so quickly.”

  “I’m just as sad to see you go, but I do understand. Let me make sure my staff has everything together for you.” Lady Ilona rose immediately and entered the mansion with a steady swish of skirts, calling out to people as she moved.

  Mei Li really wished she’d had a chance to do laundry first. Her saddle-bag was full of dirty clothes. She’d find a stream somewhere when they stopped next, wash at least one thing, and let it air dry overnight. It was the only way. Right now, they had no time to spare, and it was very likely they’d be riding until after the sun set. There would be nothing leisurely about this pursuit.

  The next few minutes found everyone throwing things into saddlebags and lashing down bags in organized chaos. Lady Ilona packed food, water, oats for the horses, and even pressed a money pouch on Hawes that she refused to take back. Even after he explained their funding, she was adamant in helping to support their cause.

  Mei Li stole five minutes to go check on Edmund and make sure he had enough of the balm for his burn—frankly, nothing but magically-enhanced medicine would work on a dragon’s burn. He was far more lucid and healthier than last night and sent her off with profuse thanks.

  Then they were back in the saddle with final farewells. They rode as quickly through the city as they dared, careful among all the foot traffic, but as soon as they reached the outside gate, they fell into a ground-eating canter—something the horses could maintain for a while. They’d switch between canter and walking every hour, pacing the horses and themselves. It would be exhausting but effective.

  The horses’ hooves pounded on the hard-packed dirt of the road, thunderous and loud, leaving no room for conversation. It was warming to a slightly unpleasant degree, and the scant clouds offered no relief. Orchards on either side were picturesque but monotonous after a while. Mei Li found her mind drifting as they rode, her attention wandering to something else entirely. Shunlei once again wrapped his arms around her as he rode behind, and Mei Li was reminded of the conversation she’d had with Lady Ilona. It was true, Shunlei was always right there when she needed him. Mei Li hadn’t questioned that before. To her, this was natural. From the day she’d met Shunlei, he had always been right there at her side, offering whatever she needed. Supporting her. It had felt natural to come back in time, meeting Shunlei’s younger self, and still have that friendship and support.

  But now that she thought of it, really considered it from another angle, it wasn’t natural at all. Because Shunlei didn’t have that shared history with her yet. He’d barely known her a month. So why was he acting so?

  And yes, yes, that question should have occurred to her before, but going back in time five thousand years was distracting.

  Some of it could be put down to Mei Li’s reaction to him. She had been wholly welcoming from the beginning, displaying utmost confidence in him. For Shunlei the Red, that must be rare to receive from a human. He’d like her for that alone. But it didn’t explain everything. It barely explained anything.

  Mei Li suddenly had questions. But how did she ask any of them?

  Because really, how did she ask this without giving away her own position or sounding like a crazy person?

  The puzzle remained on her mind as they rode, begging for an answer. Mei Li detested things she couldn’t divine on her own. Pure aggravation, that’s all it was.

  The hours wore on, as did her energy, and by the time the sun set over the horizon, she was willing to give her eye teeth to be able to dismount. Hawes spotted an area near the bank of the Tri-River as it wound its way down to the ocean. The location looked well-used by travelers, but vacant now. They swung into it and dismounted with tired grunts. Peanut blew out a weary breath, glad his insane rider had finally stopped for the night. Mei Li gave him a pat on the neck and promised him some oats.

  “Tents?” Melchior asked the group in general. “No tents? It seems clear enough now.”

  Shunlei voiced disagreement from behind her. “A storm’s blowing in. It’ll likely hit early in the morning. I can smell it.”

  Now that he said that, Mei Li could feel the thick humidity in the air. “Oh dear. I wanted to wash a few clothes since we’re near the river, let them hang over night.”

  “I can steam them dry,” Shunlei offered. “My own clothes could do with a wash.”

  “I wish we’d thought of this last night,” Kiyo grumbled, already pulling at the saddlebags on her horse. “I think we’re all short on clean clothes. Gentlemen, if you’ll set up tents, we’ll wash what clothes we can. Shunlei, do steam them dry for us. That’s the most sensible approach.”

  No one had any problem with the plan, and they all set about it. This was a rare night when no one had to think about cooking dinner, as they had plenty of ready-made food prepared for them. Mei Li grabbed clothes and soap, carefully stepping down to the riverbank’s edge. There was a rocky patch that looked good to her. She didn’t want to work along the dirt-packed section—that would just make the wet clothes turn muddy.

  Shunlei walked ahead of her, helping to carry clothes and giving her a hand to balance her over the uneven surfaces. He stayed in place and offered Kiyo a hand too, which the other mage took—at first with surprise, then a subdued smile. Apparently, no matter the age, Shunlei had always been a gentleman.

  There wasn’t much light, and the single lantern they’d brought with them was carefully perched between Kiyo and Mei Li. Shunlei tackled his own clothes alongside them, borrowing the bar of soap and getting the material sudsy before handing it back.

  Not much was said between them as th
ey scrubbed and rinsed, scrubbed and rinsed. Shunlei took over the duty of drying and then carefully folded things and stacked them on a flat rock. It went by surprisingly quickly with three adults focused on the chore.

  Mei Li kept fidgeting, wishing Kiyo would finish and go away, give her a chance to ask Shunlei some questions. She lingered a bit longer on the last shirt, pretending to be working out a stain.

  A moment later, Kiyo stood and gave the sock to Shunlei. “I’ll take these folded clothes back. Mei, bring back a pail of clean water if you would.”

  “Sure,” she answered easily. Yes! She finally had a private bubble. Mei Li tracked Kiyo’s progress back to camp with her ears and made sure she was well out of earshot before turning and handing the shirt to Shunlei. “That’s the last of it for me. Thank you. This was so much easier with your help.”

  He flashed a grin. “You’re welcome.”

  In the dim lighting, his skin looked darker, and she could almost believe for a moment it was Shunlei the Black she faced. But it wasn’t—his expressions were too unguarded. Only now, when she had the ability to compare, did Mei Li realize how much of Future Shunlei’s mannerisms were locked down around her. But then, it made sense, too. He’d known from their first meeting just who she was—had known far more than Mei Li could even now guess. How many times had he been forced to bite his tongue before he revealed everything to her?

  Mei Li, now being in that precise predicament, was utterly sympathetic.

  Shunlei blew carefully along the shirt, his breath in a steady stream just on the verge of open flame. He paused to cast her a glance. “You might as well ask.”

  “That obvious, eh?” Mei Li pursed her lips and thought, trying to phrase this right. “Something Lady Ilona said to me brought a question to mind that I don’t know how to answer. She made the comment that you were always at my side and supportive. She was awed, I think, by the trust we have between us. I didn’t really question that trust until my conversation with her. I know very well why I trust you—after all, I knew about you before I even met you.” Which was true, if misleading. “But you know very little of me.”