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“The other officers overrode the Commander's decision,” Wei explained, his face falling a bit. “They say they have too many swordsmen already, but I’ll take whatever they give me. I don’t want to ask for more and risk losing the offer.”
Shiro’s eyes widened. “Did you say theCommander?”
Wei nodded. “He’s young, only my age, but brilliant. Xifeng andHideki met him the first day, too. He said I was a natural-born swordmaker.”
“But the Commander of the Army is the Emperor’s eldest stepson. That’s the Crown Prince himself who has taken an interest in you. You didn’t know?” Shiro and Akira burst out laughing at the expression on Wei’s face.
Xifeng ignored them and sat back in her chair, hard. The Emperor’s stepson, the heir to the throne of the Great Forest. That explained his youth but evident superiority over his fellow officers. Her cheeks warmed when she remembered him laughing good-naturedly at her blunder.
“This is a sign from the Dragon Lords themselves,” she murmured to Wei, who looked at her with fierce joy. “It’s a testament to your hard work.”
“Why don’t we all go and support Wei?” Hideki asked. “Is Shiro well enough, Akira?”
“Please say yes.” Shiro clasped his hands in mock entreaty. “I’m growing fat from sitting around with nothing to do but admire your pretty face.”
Akira turned bright red. “I can’t go, so I entrust your care to everyone else. If you come home with that wound open again, you’ll have to fend for yourself.”
“I’ll make that smelly paste for him,” Wei offered, and they all erupted into laughter.
Later that morning, they found the soldiers already running and fencing on the field. The Crown Prince, as they now knew him, approached when he spotted Wei. He was too soft featured to be handsome, but the pleasure in his greeting brightened his face. They all bowed low to him, and he nodded at each as they were introduced.
“Ambassador Shiro, it’s an honor. I look forward to seeing you in the palace,” he said, then smiled at Xifeng. “So you’ve brought your exquisite wife and loyal messenger again, Wei.”
“I am Wei’s loyal messenger, Your Imperial Highness,” Xifeng confirmed.
“But not his wife?” the Crown Prince asked, noting the omission. He raised an eyebrow at Wei, who shifted his feet, and surveyed her with heightened interest.
Xifeng pounced upon his curiosity. A maiden was more appealing than a matron, and she wanted very much to appeal to this stepson of the Emperor. “Not his wife,” she agreed, ignoring Hideki’s appalled expression. “I traveled with Ambassador Shiro as my chaperone. My aunt was unwell and charged him with the task of protecting my virtue.” The men stilled at this blatant lie.
“Forgive my mistake.”
“There is no forgiveness needed, Your Highness, except from yourself. I did not know you the first time we met and spoke too boldly.”
He made a gracious gesture. “Truth cannot be spoken too boldly. What you said about Wei’s talents was true. He has a gift and I am in a position to offer him employment.”
The tension eased a bit as Hideki and Shiro murmured their congratulations and Wei bent his head in gratitude, his sharp-featured face so full of emotion that Xifeng longed to take his hand. But she knew he wouldn’t thank her for it, not in front of the Commander of the Army. She settled for bowing to the Crown Prince in thanks, though she felt a crackling beneath her heart. This was not what Weitrulywanted. He would resign himself to sword-making because it was safe, and it was what he knew and would help him provide for her.
Xifeng summoned her courage. “If I may again speak boldly, YourHighness, you should know Wei’s greatest wish is to join the Emperor’s army. Craftsmanship is his trade, one he will happily accept from your generosity. But to be a warrior, a swordsman, is his passion... one I hope you’ll consider fulfilling.” She avoided Wei’s eyes, knowing what she would see: displeasure that she’d spoken for him, and suspicion that she’d done so to put off marrying him.
The Crown Prince gazed at her in silence.
“I understand your fellow officers believe the ranks to be full, but I entreat you to make an exception on Wei’s behalf. You will not regret it, Your Highness, the way you will regret wasting his true talent.” She kept her eyes respectfully on the field over his shoulder, praying she hadn’t gone too far, and noticed a group of monks gathering to watch the training. One of them glanced briefly in her direction and she shivered, remembering the monk in the mirror.
“You speak well, Xifeng,” the prince said at last. “And speaking on behalf of a friend is to be commended. What you say about Wei’s talent is true. I did not know he felt so strongly about joining the army, as he seemed content to accept the role of craftsman.” He glanced at Wei, who flushed slightly. “I will grant your request, if that’s what he wants. I can persuade the others to recruit him on a trial basis. If he proves himself, then he shall be made a full soldier.”
Xifeng forgot all about respect as she looked at the prince full in the face, breath catching in her throat. Had he truly spoken those words?
Wei looked as stunned as though the Commander had offered him his own job. “It is what I want, Y-Your Highness,” he stammered.
The Crown Prince smiled. “Then it’s settled. Come with me.”
Xifeng watched them go, cheeks still aflame at her own daring. It was as though the heavens had suddenly opened. She didn’t think she would be surprised, just then, if the gods themselves appeared on thefield before her. “Did I persuade a prince to give Wei a better position?” she asked, hands on either side of her hot face. “And did he agree instead of ordering my execution?”
Shiro and Hideki laughed.
“I knew you had spirit, but I didn’t know how much,” the dwarf said.
“I was wrong when I warned you about court. I think you’ll be the one everyone else should watch out for,” Hideki added, turning to Shiro. “She hasn’t even reached the palace and she’s already ordering royalty about.”
