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"Now that I know you, allow me to present a few members of the Imperial Court." Jiang said gesturing to the three men that were lined slightly behind her. "We did not wish to overwhelm you with meetings since we were certain that few would be able to travel at one time. I hope you do not mind us taking such liberties."

"Not at all." Duke Gareth said pleasantly.

Jiang gestured to the first man, a jovial man with a slight excess of bulk around his middle and cheeks. He wore the customary formal attire of the country. A wrap around tunic that tucked into a thick cloth belt and pants that flared out before coming in tight at mid-calf. He wore dark blue and light cream, the colors of his house. "This is Lord Susumu of the Eastern Coast. Third in Line for the throne and self-proclaimed enjoyer of fanciful tales." Susumu bowed with a large smile.

"He was much help to us when immortals started appearing several years ago. We still do not know what cause the sudden increase in the creatures but he knew all the tales." Jiang commented. It didn't escape her attention that her visitors exchanged an uncomfortable look.

The next man in the line was a severe man who clung desperately to the few strands of hair he had left on his head and wore thin glasses. His colors were crimson and brown. "Lord Osa of the Southern Island. I promise you he is not as serious as he appears." Osa also bowed, though it was a stiff and almost overly formal gesture.

The last man added a large shoulder wrap around his right shoulder that indicated he was wealthier than the others. His colors were black and stark white. He was almost handsome if it weren't for the scowl on his face and unflatteringly thin mouth. "Lord Wei-Yu of Beichu State, cousin to Her Benevolence Shu'yoko." The Tortallans bowed to him like they had to the other two men but Wei-Yu made no move to return the gesture. He merely nodded. "My apologies, he suffered a back injury when he was young and despite our best efforts it did not heal as well as we'd hoped. He sometimes finds it difficult to bow as respect would dictate."

The Tortallans nodded slightly in acceptance of the explanation. "Now. I have something to give you all." Jiang said quickly steering the conversation away from Wei-Yu. With a slight wave of her hand she signaled a small boy closer. He held a large polished box out to her and she opened the lid. From the black lined interior she pulled out an opal ring set in silver. She had enough for all of them, minus Skysong who would not be able to wear it.

She held out the ring and Alanna took it. "These rings will allow you to summon me to wherever you are, since I doubt you wish me breathing down your necks the entire trip. However, if you find yourself without me and require a translator then you can contact me with them." She explained holding out two more rings.

Numair took one and stared at it in fascination. "How does it work?" He asked curiously. "What spells were used?"

Jiang smiled a bit. "I couldn't tell you. Other than the limitations of my own Craft I am not much of a sorceress. However I can tell you that when you put your hand over the gemstone and think of me it sends the thoughts in speech to this ear-cuff that is attuned to them. They are also attuned to each other and can be used to communicate between bearers of the rings." She explained pointing to the silver ear-cuff that she wore.

Numair was still staring in fascination at the ring as the others put theirs on. "I'm sorry to interrupt, My Lord Numair, but we have quite the journey still ahead of us." Jiang said finally breaking Numair's attention on the ring.

"Hm? Oh, yes! I'm sorry I get so wrapped up sometimes." He said as he slipped the ring onto his right hand.

"Quite alright."

"Lady Jiang?" Daine asked. "Where are we traveling to?"

Jiang turned and pointed to the nearest mountain. "Near the peak Her Imperial Majesty has a summer palace. Unfortunately, the main palace burned down last spring and it hasn't been rebuilt yet. The summer palace was built as a retreat so naturally the builders saw fit to place it as far from the nearest town as possible."

Skysong whistled slightly as she looked up at the mountain. Jiang smiled a bit. "Mount Hayatori is one of the largest on the content it will take us over night to climb it. Luckily there a smaller lord's own estate halfway up the mountain that I've already arranged to stay at."

The group walked down the dock towards a pair of carriages each being pulled by four black geldings. Daine immediately went to the animals' heads to greet them. "Glory…" She whispered as she brushed through their manes.

"Why are they all black?" Alanna asked.

"As Her Benevolence would say 'because I could not get them in rainbow colors'." Jiang said with a smile. "Her Benevolence's sense of humor is…unique considering her position."

"Well, we're used to strange monarchs." Gareth muttered.

As they had approached two twelve year old boys, identical down to the last hair on their head, ran forward and put small stairs at the bottom of the door to the carriages. But nobody really paid them much mind. The diplomats were looking at the line of soldiers that had made a slight half-circle around them so that only the main road of the town was unblocked.

"The Imperial army…or a portion of it. They are called The Crimson Shield." Jiang provided once she saw where they were looking at. The army was named such for the brightly painted red shields that they carried on their left arm. Their pants reached the floor and didn't gather like the high fashion formal wear did. A gold chest plate covered a plain cotton wrap shirt. A single pauldron over their right shoulder painted bright red and had an ornamental golden lion's head in the middle.

"They certainly are impressive." Alanna commented looking at the long guandao that each carried.

"Impressive…and noisy when they walk. Her Benevolence does not like them in the palace. Says they give her a headache." Jiang said before gesturing to the carriages. "Please, we should be going. We have much distance to cover."

The Tortallan's took her hint and climbed into the first carriage with Jiang hung back and caught Wei-Yu as he tried to walk past. "What were you thinking with that stunt? I'll not have you display such open defiance and disrespect to our guests." She said reverting to their native language for her scolding. "Nor will I make anymore excuses for your behavior."

"Then don't. I do not care if these foreigners know of my disapproval." He hissed back, voice low and dangerous sounding.

"Your cousin would. If you have no sense of honor at all for your own title, at least have some for hers." Jiang said gripping his arm tighter through the cloth of his sleeve.

His eyes narrowed. "Do not think to bring my cousin into this, Companion. You are not a noble. You have no sway." He jerked his arm out of Jiang's hand and went to his carriage.

Jiang took a moment to recompose herself before entering the first carriage and taking a seat with the rest of her charges. Almost as soon as she was seated the door to the carriage was closed and moments later the horses were urged to move. As the carriage moved through the town the group of them looked out of the windows on either side.

Men and women both looked up from their daily chores as the carriages passed. The market place was bustling as it always was. Fresh fish was being sold and bargained over while a few stalls down vegetables of varying color and type were lined neatly in boxes for the buyer to take their pick. The sound of a high-tuned flute filled the air, sounding much like a bird.

Daine was the first to spot the player. A street performer played the flute while his young daughters twisted their bodies into strange and vaguely impossible seeming ways. "Contortionists." Jiang commented. "A fairly common art practiced by street performers."

"I didn't know two-leggers could bend like that…" Daine whispered as they passed the group by. The sounds of the flute followed them for quite some distance. They passed by the well of the town, which was surrounded by children playing as their mothers drew the water they would need for whatever task they had to do.

Horses, oxen, and dogs all gave a greeting as they passed. "Which one of you does that?" Jiang asked finally.

"Does what, My Lady?" Numair asked tearing his eyes away from the passing scenery, which was becoming more rural by the second.

"Make the animals act so strangely." Jiang clarified.

They exchanged a look when Daine raised a hand slightly. "I do, mum. It's wild magic…I can't help it. Animals see me as one of theirs."

"Ah…I see. You are what my people would call 'Spirit Speaker'. We have them here…though none who calls to so many. The Falconer at the palace is quite good but only seems to extend to his birds." Jiang said. She could see Daine visibly relax. As did the others in the carriage.

"Now, I know quite well what you wish to do, Lord Salmalín. But what of the rest of you?" Jiang asked turning to the others. "Is there something of my country you wish to see? Please tell me, I have been asked to make certain you are thoroughly entertained."

"Oh, I'm too old to bother with such things." Gareth replied with a laugh.

Jiang smiled. "Nonsense, you made the trip across the ocean I am certain there is something we can find that you'll enjoy. Let's see…Ah, I know of something. There will be a performance at the Palace. There is one every week actually. I believe this week is a traditional group from my own Companion school."

"What is a companion?" Alanna asked curiously. "It sounds…a little…"

Jiang quickly caught her meaning. "Such things are not unheard of but it is not what our main goal is. We try to find beauty in every task. Even something as simple as sitting down in a chair is rehearsed until it is considered flawless and elegant. It can be tedious at times but it is a very distinguished position."

"Sounds insane…" Alanna muttered. "Practicing sitting?"

Jiang smiled. "We also practice sleeping and a many other things including music and dance. We train from the time we are very young. It is a way of life just like a warrior's life only instead of fighting we celebrate the ability to do exactly the right thing at the right time. It's part of what makes us such skilled diplomats and the reason I was sent to greet you."

"However if the performance is not to your taste there are less formal things that could entertain you. The palace guard trains everyday if you should wish to see it merely ask, it is quite a sight." Jiang offered.

"I'm sure we'll find the trip to be very entertaining, My Lady." Numair said.