I didn’t have to wait long, because he turned and gave me the full focus of his deep green-gold fury. His hand rested close to his knife as he gave a short bark of command to my captor. She released my arm, and I ignored both the pain and the desire to rub the area where she had touched me. Kael stepped in front of me, his face once again devoid of emotion. I had no clue what had been decided, and he obviously wasn’t going to give me any hints.
But then he grabbed my arm and glared angrily at the woman who had just released me. A glare that I had been the recipient of on more than one occasion.
“Are you hurt?” Kael asked. His eyes met mine and then flicked away toward the tall woman again. A second of regret flickered across his face. He continued to watch her as she moved to speak to his brother. I didn’t have to be a genius to figure I had just met Gwen.
“No. I’m fine,” I said stiffly. “Nice family reunion.”
Kael looked back to me and frowned.
We were moving, or rather being forced to walk, down a narrow ledge barely large enough for a horse. Kael walked in front of me, his head held high, though I knew he watched his clan members warily. He was tense. Everyone was tense. My only consolation was that I didn’t have to wear the stupid blindfold again.
But…maybe the reason I didn’t need to wear the blindfold was because I wouldn’t be alive much longer. My stomach plummeted.
I wanted to ask Kael questions, but when we had turned a corner and entered a cave, he shot me a worried glance. All questions died on my lips, and I started to look for an escape route. The cave was only dark for a few hundred feet as it emptied us into a deep large valley. Lush trees and a small winding river filled the oasis. On the far side were towering pagodas, barely discernible against the surprising green when all I had seen for miles was brown and parched. This was it—the hidden camp of the SwordBrothers. We had tracked through barren lands and shale mountains through a land of nothing, where no one wanted to live.
But in the middle of nowhere was life.
From the higher view point, I was able to see the difference in the structure and design of the buildings. Many were large, possibly homes meant to hold more than one family with a central courtyard. They had sliding doors covered in rice paper, which were currently opened. That must be for allowing a cross breeze and battle the heat.
The houses were built in groupings like the one I passed. Banners and flags of yellow and gold waved in the air and along the streets. We turned south down a packed dirt road, and I saw a high stone archway with two swords crossed above it, as if in battle. Through the stone arch, I saw what appeared to be a training arena. Bamboo mats lined the floor and racks of weapons were displayed. I watched with interest as two young men sparred, craning my neck to follow them. But we kept moving.
People heard our group returning and more gathered around to greet them. A few called out to Kael in recognition, but they soon dropped their hand and turned away—when they saw me. Loud whispering and murmurs followed us. We were led into the largest house. Kael stayed close to me, even causing others to step around him, as he patiently waited for me to enter the dwelling.
With Kael by my side I felt secure, so I entered, holding my head high. An old woman sat cross-legged on a mat, a small delicate tea set before her. Her eyes were closed in sleep or deep concentration. She didn’t move a muscle or even acknowledge the gathering now descended upon her.
Kael was the first to kneel before the woman. He bowed his head, touching the floor. Others followed, but I stood there awkwardly, unsure of their customs.
Instead, I focused on the old woman. Her long white hair, braided and draped over one shoulder, was a sharp contrast against the light blue of her wraps. I was fascinated by what looked like a silver sleigh bell attached to the white and gray trim on each of her sleeves.
“Would you like some tea?” She spoke without opening her eyes.
I really didn’t want any tea, but thought it would be impolite to say so.
“Yes, please,” I answered.
Her small arm slid forward out of her sleeve and reached for the handle of the white patterned teapot. She filled the ceramic cup to the brim with green tea, and I wondered how I would drink it without spilling any. I watched the bells on her sleeves. Her movements were not necessarily slow, just very balanced.
Neither bell made a sound.
The woman replaced the kettle and picked up the dainty teacup and saucer and handed both to me without making a single bell ring.
The tea cup was warm in my hands and the aroma was relaxing, but again I was left with the problem of drinking it without spilling. I could slurp the top off but that would be crude. Instead, I held the cup up in the air with uncertainty. My own hands were shaking, and the liquid splashed over the top of the cup. The cup rattled loudly against the saucer.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Kael on his knees before the woman, his posture stiff. The corner of his mouth made the lightest twitch. Was he laughing at me?
Carefully, I placed the cup in front of Kael giving him the overly full cup of tea.
Kael’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“May I?” I gestured to the tea pot and cups.
She nodded.
As politely as I could, I picked up the teapot and poured two cups half full. I replaced the kettle and handed one cup to the old woman, taking one manageable cup of tea for myself. Kael was now left staring at the same overflowing cup of tea that I had—and the same perplexing problem. Without waiting for prompting, I lifted the cup took a small sip and was instantly refreshed by the flavor.
I glanced over at Kael and his full cup. “Is there something wrong with the tea Kael? I happen to think it’s wonderful.”
Kael leaned forward and picked up the small cup, dwarfed by his large hands.
He was about to attempt to take a sip off the top when the old woman clapped her hands and laughed loudly, her chuckle somewhere between a rasp and a wheeze.
Other SwordBrothers joined in the laughter.
Her shoulders shook mercilessly and her face turned pink in color. “Stop, enough! My heart can’t take much more.”
The laughter from the others died down in the room, and Kael gave me a very proud look.
The old woman wiped the tears out of the corner of her eyes and beamed at me. “My name is Alba, and never before has someone solved the tea test the way you did.”
“This was a test?”
“Yes, everything’s a test. If you are not constantly tested, then how will you expect to pass? Even life is a test. Only at the end will we find out if we have fulfilled our destiny accordingly.”
I pointed to her sleeves. “So the bells? Are they also a test, or is that so they can hear you coming?” More laughter came from behind me, from the direction of the SwordBrothers.
She smiled again. “Yes, this is a test of patience and balance. Learning to move about the world by not disturbing it.” Her pale hands rose again, and I watched as she spun them and intertwined her hands in a theatrical way, but one that looked very similar to a disarming technique that Kael had taught me.
“Or a skill learned by a SwordBrother to make them a better assassin?” I crossed my arms and gave her a disbelieving look. I couldn’t help but picture Kael learning this as a young boy. No wonder he was so stealthy.
Alba shrugged her small shoulders. “That too.”