A Long Road Chapter 7 Ficbit – Tea and Courtesy

“I think it’s important because Ancar’s starting to push again,” Kerowyn answered. “We need allies. The cultivators have faced blood-magic before. Chosen Lan Wangji will do all he can, but he’s just one man, and not a full Herald yet.” She spread empty hands, dismissing the worry. “No one has to make a decision now. It’s a long trip. I wouldn’t try it until winter’s over. You have months to think it over.”

Nie Huaisang nodded, and smiled at the lord. “In the meantime, you could introduce me to Lord Ashkevron? I understand Mina’s from a branch family, not in line for any inheritance, but it wouldn’t be proper to arrange such matters without at least asking what the main line would approve.”

“Hrm. Yes. Well.” Lord Darragh brushed a stray fleck of lint off his vest; glanced about as if he’d finally realized he was grumping at two foreign diplomats from the middle of a Palace hall. “I think that could be arranged. In a few days, perhaps….”

Kerowyn watched him stride off, like a lean hound who’d been pulled off the trail because. Eyed the two still behind their own doorway, Nie Zonghui still in position to protect his sect’s heir. No servants in sight, sabers in easy grabbing range, and they had not invited Lord Darragh in.

Granted, I wouldn’t put it past the man to barge in without telling any of the pages he was coming, Kerowyn reflected, but someone should have seen him anyway, and slipped ahead to warn our guests.

From the look of those twitches, the Nie had not been warned. Not good.

Did someone slip up? Or is it that damn “can’t think about magic” again, and someone forgot the mages themselves?

Kerowyn was honestly hoping for a slip. If any mage that got inside Valdemar would be forgotten, they’d have a real hole in security.

She straightened, and nodded politely to them both. “Mind if I come in?”

No matter what Daren said, she did so have polite manners when she wanted. She waited for them to be gracious, sat when they asked, and indulged in a cup of Jianghu tea with true pleasure. About as bracing as the sun-brewed drink scouts used, but a lot gentler on the throat. “That was neatly handled,” she said at last, after they’d had three formal sips. “Lord Darragh won’t be the last one wondering what the hells you think you’re doing. People in Valdemar don’t travel much outside Valdemar, unless they’re Heralds on a mission. Anyone risking this is going to get odd looks for the rest of their lives. Even if they come back.”