SKY OF PAPER: AN ASIAN STEAMPUNK FANTASY

CHAPTER 61

I found the Young Emperor at the bottom of the boarding ramp, waiting patiently. When he saw me, he gave a strangely peculiar smile. There was a content look about him, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. 

He motioned for me to follow; and so we walked along an empty area outside of the ship devoid of prying ears. 

"I've learned something these past few months." He kept his eyes casually to the ground as if he were counting the blades of grass at our feet. "The world does not want us. There is no place for us outside of our country. Too many distrust us. Foreigners see us and judge us before we even exchange words. There's no home for me out here Terr. Out here, I'm alone."

We stopped underneath the ship's bow. Across the way was a small group of monks and clerks taking tally our remaining supplies while guards from the Royal Family, along with some of the crew, were busying themselves with clearing debris.

"You're giving up aren't you?" I said. To say such audacious words to a member of the Imperial Family could have easily been seen as rude, even vulgar, but after all that had happened I felt as if the delicacy of our politeness had long since faded. He must have felt the same way, because he looked on, continuing to smile, as if in agreement with me. 

"My father used to tell me that in dire times, we do not give up. We simply face the truth." He reached down and picked up a few lengths of grass, bending and tearing them in his hands before tossing them into the wind. "How strange it is that you helped me face mine, even if you had to lie about it. That day you found me in the cargo hold, that day I set everything on fire, you told me that my family was still alive. I knew you were making it up. But I chose to believe your words, because I saw in your face the unconditional trust of a stranger. You weren't bound by some lofty pledge or oath. You were just there when I needed someone to talk to.

It was like you were some sort of spirit, sent to watch over me. I talked to your shyo mah as well and everything I hoped to know about you, she confirmed."

"I saw her with you that day I visited Ai in the throne room," I said. "Was that what you were talking about?"

"Well mostly. She insisted on seeing me. She's very stubborn you know. And when I learned that she was your partner, I decided to listen to her. She said all sorts of amazing things about you. She talked about how you saved a merchant ship that was caught up in the stormy ether of the Dragon's Back, how you even insulted Master Lu while at the Imperial Temple and got yourself kicked out. That story was my favorite. 

She also claimed that she used to be a shrine priestess's apprentice. Of course I couldn't resist. I had her read my fortune. She waved some stick around saying that she was communing with the spirits. Then she told me that my family was still alive and safe, and to not fret about them. After that she said something sort of eerie. She told me not to trust Dae Jung, that I was to stay away from any food or drink presented by him or his staff. When I asked Ai and a few trusted monks to look into it, they informed me that my tea, my food, everything was drugged. I couldn’t believe that Dae Jung wanted to subdue me, to make sure that I didn't do anything rash that would cause him trouble. What she predicted was true." 

"That’s strange." I was so taken aback by his words, I briefly peered over my shoulder as if anticipating Kassashimei to appear suddenly. 

"She's very special Terr," he continued. "You're so lucky to have someone like her watching out for you. I don't mean to offend, but it was only after speaking with her that I truly felt that my family was alive and well." 

"It's all right. I wouldn't have believed me either. And she can be stubborn. Very Stubborn. For some reason, she continues to stay with me like some sort of nagging dog. Even so, I don't know what I would do without her."