On Thin Ice (Prequel to Guild)

Chapter Five: Little Box of Tinders

                 "She's a nightmare," Dai groaned, his feet pounding against the turf, turning up soil made cool by the night. Dew beaded grass slapped against his ankles like brushstrokes on parchment- but it didn't matter. They'd be soaked soon anyways. Soaked with sweat, doused by the damp April air.

"Then wake up."

Being nearly a foot taller than Jia, it took Dai fewer strides to complete his lap. It took less time, and less effort. It gave him the chance to slow his pace and wait up for her, though she wouldn't do the same for him.

He arched a brow at his sister.

She raised them back at him. "She's not nearly as bad as you make her out to be."

"She threw-"

"And you threw a fit, Cub. Lighten up!" Jia fell into stride beside him. "It's not over yet."

He looked over at his sister, trying to read the expression behind the dark hair that had come loose over her face.

"Unless, of course, you want me to beg mother and father to consider Amaya Ho-"

She giggled as her skull met the stone fortress wall, and greeted Dai's dagger with a smile. His frown with a wink. Dai pressed his knee into her gut and her head tilted back, exposing more of her neck. She was not afraid. She could switch their positions if she wanted to.

"Maim me and it will definitely be over."

He spun the blade over his fingers, admiring the way it glinted in the light of the lantern overhead.

"Mother wants me by her side at Wifeling's inspection today. She thinks it will be invaluable to me, as someday I'll hold one for my own son's suitor. I'm to report right now. You'll have to train alone today."

He flipped the knife back up his sleeve, to where its leather sheath waited. It would be ready, next time. Dai stood down.

"Will she pass?" he asked.

Jia didn't answer.

...

                They woke her before the sun rose. Before the sky had opened its eyes even a crack to look upon the world with wonder. But that didn't matter. It was always light out here. Like weeds, lanterns starved the stars.

It took her a moment to realize where she was. For her eyes to stop scanning the room for her dogs or for something warm to throw around herself when she stumbled out of bed. To see if the fire in her stove was still burning. It took Yuina a moment to realize she didn't need a fire.

Spring was real here. Not just a symbol, not just a dream.

It took her a second to stop looking for Timur, and to start looking for Jia Kimsura instead.

Her cot was empty.

"Where's-"

Mistress Naoki smiled sweetly from where she stood overlooking the princess's bed. "Their Excellencies, Lady Jia and Lord Daiki left for warm-up an hour ago."

Again, she squinted at the window. Her eyes burned enough to tell her she'd slept only a few hours. Her strength waned to nothing and she fell, groaning, back into her bed.

"Your Highness-"

"I'm a morning person," she said, burying her face in her pillow. "But I refuse to wake at this spirits-scorned hour."

In an instant, the warmth was stripped from the room- her covers yanked to the foot of her bed. Mistress Naoki leaned over her, her lips a stern, straight line. "A summons from the Lady Kimsura cannot be refused."