The days passed, then a week, then more. Ashura saw no sign that his latest dream would be realized. The mountain snow and ice packs remained stable.
Instead, a violent blizzard swept down from the north. Kendappa proved to be more prophetic than him, and her prediction that ordinary, non-magical travel to Taishakuten's stronghold, Castle Vasara, in the Southlands would take weeks came true. Ashura had sent an advance force of some reliable lords, an impressive number of troops, and a court wizard, Lord Syed D Greenstone. Syed communicated regular progress reports, so Ashura knew where his people were at all times and the conditions they endured. The country was practically buried in snow, and travel hindered significantly.
New reports via wizards indicated that Taishakuten had obeyed Ashura's orders to stop abusing the Arimaspi—or rather, the innocent ones—under his control. Ashura still planned to go to the Southlands, but there seemed to be more peace than before. That might simply be due to the massive blizzard, though, he thought sourly. Everyone would be snowed in and dealing with the burdens of so much snow and ice. They would have no time for malicious mischief, neither the rebels nor Taishakuten.
Though there were no signs of loosening snowpacks in the mountains, still Ashura's dream of Fai facing an avalanche remained in the back of his mind, always scratching at the edges of his consciousness and chafing his nerves. Logically, he knew that Fai's life was probably safe—although that was by no means guaranteed. As he had learned through painful experiences, it was always possible that some odd detail, minute or large, might cause the future to shift. But even if Fai didn't die, he might be injured. He might become buried in snow. He might have difficulty breathing, become afraid, maybe even panic so much he didn't think to blast the snow away or teleport himself to safety...
Ashura shivered. He had seen entire villages wiped out by avalanches before. It happened, and suffocation by being buried alive was not a pretty death.
He added another wizard to Fai's collection of magical overseers.
The blizzard passed, and everyone dug out and commenced with the usual repairs. Shortly thereafter, Ashura received word from Syed that the advance force had arrived at Vasara and been greeted by Lord Taishakuten with perfect grace. Lord Taishakuten, Syed reported, was most pleased by the news of the king's impending visit, and of course he would welcome His Majesty at any time.
Ashura indulged in some private amusement at that, and wondered just how annoyed Taishakuten was with this latest show of royal interference. Too bad for Taishakuten. Ashura intended to make clear to all that the lords were most definitely not free to do as they pleased, just as he intended to demonstrate to the Arimaspi that disobedience would not be tolerated.
He told Syed that he and his company would arrive in five days' time. That would give everyone at Luval the opportunity to pack, and the people at Vasara time to make arrangements to house the king and his entourage. Ashura didn't consider that the time might be too limited for a visit of such scale. Everyone always managed when he gave short notice, and this time would be no different. In any case, he intended to stay in the Southlands for no longer than a week or two, but, as many members of the court were going, extensive preparations were required.
After he finished working out the details with Syed, he went to go tell Fai to get ready. He knew he should leave Fai behind in the safety of Luval Castle, considering the troubles in the south. But due to that terrible dream, he wanted to keep Fai close. It was pure foolishness on his part; Fai would meet that avalanche no matter what anyone did. Ashura didn't care. It simply made him feel better to have Fai near at hand, where he could keep an eye on his child.
He found Fai outdoors, in one of the sheltered practice courtyards. This particular practice yard was set with "plum blossom poles," a training aid his great-grandfather had imported from another land. It was designed to improve balance and agility.
It consisted of a set of wooden poles driven vertically into the earth in a variety of patterns. The width of each pole was four to eight inches in diameter, and currently the heights varied from six to eighteen inches. A thick layer of sawdust cushioned the ground. The student balanced on top of the poles, and could practice stances, moving forms, and even sparring with partner.
Ashura had started Fai on the plum blossom poles the previous year. At that time, the poles had been just a couple of inches tall, and Fai had quickly developed his skill upon them. They were one of Fai's favorite training devices.
Fai was presently navigating the poles with an ease and grace that was quite unnatural for a child of his age and experience. At the far end of the courtyard a target had been set up. Fai vaulted into the air, came down on two poles in a perfect forward stance, and produced three small throwing knives. Ashura wasn't sure where Fai had been hiding them, and before he could work it out, they flashed through the air. All three hit the target. None hit the bull's-eye, but the fact that Fai had hit the target at all while dancing atop the poles was amazing enough.
Ashura himself had trained upon the poles in his youth, and sometimes sparred with Fai on them. He well knew that soon Fai would surpass him at this activity, as Fai already bested him at many magical techniques. He clapped his hands appreciatively. "That was superb, Fai!" he called.
Fai indulged in a bit of preening, then hopped over the poles and dismounted to land at Ashura's side. "Are we leaving soon?" he asked eagerly.
Fai had been enthusiastic when he'd first heard of the trip, and it appeared his excitement had not abated. Ashura found Fai's anticipation of this visit something of a mystery. Fai made a habit of teleporting around the mountains, so a journey like this shouldn't be terribly exciting to him. In addition, Fai did not particularly love the Southlands. That territory held some bad memories for him, being the place where the Arimaspi had once ambushed them both. That incident had precipitated the war.
Ashura honestly hadn't expected this trip to be particularly interesting for his son, as Fai was still a bit too young to appreciate politics. Nor did Fai fully comprehend, or even care about, the complexities of the situation with the Arimaspi. Despite his unusual mental maturity, Fai was a child, and often saw things in terms of black and white, rather than infinite shades of gray. For him, the Arimaspi were in the wrong, and that was all there was to it.
"Yes," Ashura said. "We shall depart in five days. I prefer to stay in the Southlands for no more than one week, perhaps two, but that will depend on the situation there. There may be complications, so the duration may be longer."
"Complications?"
Ashura hoped the Arimaspi wouldn't provide too many difficulties, and didn't want Fai to worry about problems that might never materialize. He offered a benign, and in his opinion, more likely scenario: "The weather may not cooperate. It is unpredictable this time of year. A heavy snowstorm could prevent public assemblies, so we may have to wait it out. In any case, the servants have begun packing, so you had best decide now if there is anything in particular that you wish to bring with you."
Even though he still never smiled, Fai brightened. "I'm so glad you didn't change your mind," he said.
"About what?"
"About letting me come along. I was afraid you'd make me stay behind," he said, demonstrating that he understood enough about the situation in the south to know his presence would be unusual.
Well, and so I should keep you at home, Ashura thought. But the vision of the avalanche haunted him. He was just too weak and fearful to leave Fai behind, even though he knew he couldn't protect Fai from fate.
"I'm the Royal Wizard," Fai said, rather self-importantly. "It's my job to protect the king. I can't do that from Luval when you're away."
"Oh." And what more could be said to that? It was really quite touching. It was also a little surprising that Fai even remembered his impetuous assumption of the role of royal protector on the eve he'd been invested with his D title. Ashura realized now that Fai was still serious about that position. He would have to be careful not to act thoughtlessly in any way that might put Fai into some ridiculous danger. He couldn't have Fai dueling with every noble who made a critical or snide comment in Fai's hearing.
Then again, Fai probably wouldn't be the one in danger, Ashura thought wryly. It was more likely that the aristocratic population would be decimated in just a few years, and even the commoners might not be safe. Not just because Seresians in general could be unruly and outspoken when the mood took them, but also because no one in the kingdom stood a chance against Fai's magic. Not to mention his rapidly developing martial prowess...
Ashura only said, "Thank you."
"I'm going to do a very good job of keeping you safe," Fai proclaimed.
"Yes, I'm sure you will," Ashura said with concealed amusement and a small, nervous tick under his eye at what Fai's protective statement might portend for everyone.