Burnings of the Heart
Chapter XXIV: A Strong Will clings to Life by a Thread
Light in the Dai Li's headquarters was scarce. Most of it came from small candle lit lanterns along the edges of the floor inside grooves in the walls. The halls were the width of two average sized people. There were numerous rooms with sliding stone doors and the Dai Li agents bowed respectfully and loyally as Kai-lin and Azula passed. The young rulers of Ba Sing Se, along with Prince Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee followed Ju Ling as she led them through the halls, until they came upon a sliding stone door. Ju Ling knocked on the door, and it slid open revealing the face a middle aged tan skinned Dai Li with a small brown patch of hair on his chin for a beard. His brown eyes went wide eyed at the sight of Ju Ling and the people who stood behind her.
"Ju Ling what is the meaning of this why is his Lordship here?" the man asked fearfully as he walked out of the room and then closed the door behind him.
"It is alright, Quan, his lordship is here to help," Ju Ling said in gentle tone.
"Who is this, Ju Ling?" Kai-lin asked.
"This is Quan, the Dai Li medical expert," Ju Ling explained. "It was he who found the boy and his friends and has been hiding and caring for them all this time."
"I see," Kai-lin said dryly.
"Please your lordship, I can explain," Quan started, "I know as a Dai Li my first priority should have to arrest and imprison the children, but after seeing their friend, as a doctor I just…"
Kai-lin raised his hand, "I understand and I am pleased that you chose to stay your hand."
"My lord?" Quan replied confusingly.
"You needn't worry Quan we're not going to arrest or harm these people in anyway. If anything we would help this boy, if at all possible," Azula replied kindly.
"Ju Ling gave us a vague explanation of the boy's condition, but I would like a more detailed one from you if you will give it," Kai-lin said seriously.
"Of course, my lord, and thank you," Quan said with a light smile. "The boy as far as I can tell is holding on by sheer will alone. I have given him some medicines and herbs to strengthen his heart, but I fear that they will not work for much longer. It's a miracle the boy survived the impact at all. To put it simply my lord the boy is dying, slowly mind you, but he is dying all the same. I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do."
"You might not be able to do anything, but my order of healers can. I've sent for the head of the order, Lady Yi Lin, and she should be here shortly, but until she arrives I will see what I can do," Kai-lin said. "If you will permit me to see the boy."
"Yes of course, your lordship, but I don't know if his friends will let you any anywhere near him. Their hatred for the Fire Nation is great and the young man is more likely to speak more with his bow than words if he sees you're emblem."
"I see, that is a problem," Kai-lin said dryly.
"Why don't you go in first then Quan, and we'll fellow after you," Azula suggested.
"That would probably be for the best," Quan said in agreement. He then turned around and slowly slide the door open, "Um kids, I have good news. I've brought someone who might be able to help your friend." He then stepped aside, "This is Lordship Sairon, Grand General of the Fire Nation Military."
Kai-lin stepped into the room where he found two young people, one was a fair skinned young man who looked to be of fifteen, wore a dark purple robe shirt outlined in white, dark purple pants, grayish rough lather boots, a leather wrist guard on his right arm, short brown hair, a hat similar to that of the Dai Li's, and a bow and a dozen arrowed filled quiver on his back. The other was a boyish looking girl of twelve or thirteen, it was difficult to tell. She was fair skinned, wore a oval leather armor plate over her chest, long sleeved brown shirt and pants, short brown boots, had short brown hair, brown eyes, and the symbol of two red lines, one painted just slightly above the other, on both sides of her cheeks.
When the two young people saw Kai-lin they frowned and glared with hate.
"The Fire Nation," the boyish girl asked in disbelief, "You brought the Fire Nation! What kind of help could they possibly be?"
"Smellerbee, please calm down," Ju Ling pled. "Your friend is dying, and his lordship—"
"Will only make things worse!" Smellerbee yelled with anger in her eyes. "Longshot and I trusted you how could you betray us like this?"
"She didn't betray you," Zuko cried suddenly. Ju Ling stepped aside and Zuko walked forward. "I take it you two remember me?"
"You're…Lee?" Smellerbee said in wide eyed surprise.
"Yeah, only my name isn't Lee, it's Zuko, Prince Zuko to be precise."
"Jet thought you and your uncle were Firebenders, looks like he was right," Smellerbee said with a frown.
"Yes he was, and he tried to expos us," Zuko said. He looked forward and behind the two friends at a cot placed against the wall where a motionless, shirtless young man lay. "I take that's Jet behind you."
"Yeah, what is it you?" Smellerbee replied coldly.
"Even from here I can tell he isn't looking to good, he needs help and fast. If you care about him you'll Kai-lin have a look at him and see what he can."
"And how do we know, he wont just go and kill him?" Smellerbee asked.
"If nothing can be done, than that might be for the best," Kai-lin said stepping forward. Smellerbee's eyes shifted to him. "If your friend can't be save, than it would be best to put an to his suffering rather have him die painfully." He blinked slowly. "Whatever hatred you have for the Fire Nation is likely just and rightly held. However, ask your self this, does that hatred out weigh the love you hold for your friend? Because if it is than why are you here? From the why I see it Quan could have snuck you guys out of here during the lockdown, so why are you here if your hatred is stronger than you're friendship with this Jet?" Smellerbee frowned and looked away, and was silent. Kai-lin closed his eyes, "I know how you feel, it's not easy watching some you love dying," he opened his eyes halfway. "It's even worse when you know how you can save them but can implement the method." A hint of sorrow echoed in his tone. He looked at them. "I know a way that can save him, and if not me I have people on their way who can, but we can do nothing unless you allow us to pass."
"I can understand that it is difficult for you to accept our help, with our being from the Fire Nation, but if you truly want your friend to be saved than you need to set aside your hatred and let us through," Azula said gently, stepping forward.
"Accepting help from others isn't always easy, especially from people you hate, but the blow to one's pride is worth bearing if it'll help someone you love," Zuko said calmly. "My pride has received numerous scares and blows, and all but a few of them have been worth bearing." He looked at them. "Look, every moment we spend here Jet slips further and further into death's grasp. If you truly care about him you'll let us and through and see what we can do."
Smellerbee was silent. She turned and looked at Jet, "Jet, hates the Fire Nation, he hates them so much he became obsessed with revealing who you were. He'd never accept help from you guys even if his life depended on it," she turned and looked at them. "So I'm—" she then felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned, "Longshot?"
Longshot looked at her and then turned and looked at Kai-lin, "Please…help Jet."
"Longshot you can't be—" Smellerbee started.
"I know Jet's stubbornness and pride would never allow him to accept help from the Fire Nation, but that doesn't mean we should show he same stubbornness."
"But—"
"You won't to save Jet don't you?" Longshot asked.
"Of course I do, but—" Smellerbee replied.
"Then we have to do as they've said. We have to set aside our hatred and give them a chance. Quan and Ju Ling trust them, so I'm sure we can to, at least a little," Longshot said.
Smellerbee went silent. She stepped aside and allowed Kai-lin to pass on towards the dying young man.
"Thank you," Kai-lin said gently.
"If you do anything to hurt him, I'll make you regret it," Smellerbee threatened.
"I understand," Kai-lin said with a gentle smile. He then went to the cot and went to knees at its side and looked Jet over. The brown haired, tan skinned young man was quiet and still, his body was somewhat thin, and he lay shirtless, beneath a wool blanket. Kai-lin felt around the young man's chest gently until he came upon a spot that was softer than other areas, and frowned.
"This Jet's will must be stronger than steel. The soft spot on his chest is no doubt the result of a fight with an earthbender. Most people would be dead from this kind of wound," Kai-lin said.
"Can you help him?" Ty Lee asked curiously.
"I don't know, give me a moment," Kai-lin replied. He then pulled out his left arm and looked at it. He blinked slowly and then placed his arm over Jet's chest and tightened up. Black blots of lightening started top spark between his hands and then suddenly, five bolts fled from his fingers and struck the dying young man's chest, and then faint pale blue light, in shape of a curled serpent dragon flashed on his arm, and his whole body instantly tightened up as held back a sudden gasp of pain and gripped his left arm. He then released his held breathe and breathed heavily for a short awhile, as he supported himself on the cot with his right hand.
"Kai-lin!" Azula said worryingly. Because she was closed to him she was able to see his sudden tightening and could just slightly hear his heavy breathing.
"I'm alright," Kai-lin replied as his breathing leveled out. He looked at his left arm again and blinked slowly and then looked at Jet again. He straighten himself and then placed his hand over Jet's chest once more. Slowly black bolts sparked between his fingers again and then struck down upon Jet's chest like before. Once again Kai-lin's body suddenly tightened as a strange marking on his arm flashed and he felt back a sudden burst of pain ring through him as he once again gripped his left arm tightly. "Guess, that was a little too much, especially for me," he said under his breath. "Damn, there's no one I use it without paying the price two fold."
"Kai-lin," Azula asked worryingly again.
"I'm fine Azula," Kai-lin said. He stood and looked down at Jet as he noticed a slight bit of movement in the boy's form. He smiled light. "I've bought him some time, but I'm afraid there's nothing else I can do." He turned and looked at them. "We'll have to wait for Lady Yi Lin and Shan-yi to arrive."
"Who are they?" Longshot asked curiously.
"Lady Yi Lin is the High Maiden of an order of healers that serve me, and Shan-yi is what you could call a multi-purpose bodyguard," Kai-lin replied.
"Can they save Jet?" Smellerbee asked.
"Separately no, but I have a plan that just might work. However, it will be risky and possibly life threatening," Kai-lin said.
"We'll do whatever it takes to save Jet, right Longshot?" Smellerbee said. Longshot nodded.
"Your attitude is admirable, but you should be more cautious. The plan I have in mind requires the use of a technique long forgotten outside of my clan, and its use comes with a high price…and risk," Kai-lin explained with a serious expression.
"And what's price and risk?" Mai asked.
Kai-lin blinked slowly and then turned to Quan and Ju Ling, "Quan, Ju Ling go to the entrance and greet Lady Yi Lin and Shan-yi when they arrive and then guide them here immediately."
"Yes your lordship," Ju Ling and Quan said with a bow. Then the two of them left, and Kai-lin went and leaned on the east wall and looked at his left arm as he held it in his right hand
"Kai-lin," Azula said concerningly.
The Young Lord gave no reply. He just reached back pulled out his flute, sat down and started to play without a word.
"I see…we'll wait for Lady Yi Lin and Shan-yi then," Azula said. She then walked over and sat next to him, her lags turned sideways.
The others sat down as well and listened as Kai-lin played a soft, gentle tune. The song he played was slow and held hints of sorrow and remorse, and calmed the tensed souls of Smellerbee and Longshot, and all others in the room.
"Wow, Azula told us he was good, but I never really knew how good. His playing is amazing," Ty Lee said.
"You aren't kidding, who knew a guy like him was such a good flutist," Mai said with a smile.
Kai-lin played for what seem like a long time and just completely captured everyone's attention with his playing. Smellerbee looked at him as he played and was just captivated by the melody. She didn't know what to make of this strange Fire Nation officer. Longshot, just enjoyed the melody, though the player's level of skill took him completely by surprise. Perhaps there was more to this Fire Nation officer than what the eye reveals.
Suddenly Kai-lin stopped playing and stood as the door suddenly slide open, and in stepped an a woman looking to be in her early forties, dawning a white hooded robe outlined in silver, the sides of her long silver-white hair hang out of her hood, and her eyes were ice-blue."
"Lady Yi Lin, thank you coming," Kai-lin said kindly.
"I couldn't very well ignore a request from you, your lordship," the woman replied politely yet seriously. As she further entered the room with Shan-yi, Ju Ling, and Quan right behind her.
"Smellerbee, Longshot, this is Lady Yi Lin, the High Maiden of the Order of the Silver Moon." Kai-lin said kindly, "and the black hooded young lady behind her is Shan-yi, one of hands."
"Shan-yi, explained the situation to me when she fetched me and this Quan gave me further details on the way here," Yi Lin said. She turned her gaze to the far back of the room. "I take it that's the boy."
"Yes," Kai-lin replied.
"Hum," she examined him from afar and then looked at Kai-lin and her eyes slowly trailed to his left arm and her pupils flashed a faint light. She then frowned lightly at the young lord, like a mother angry with a son for doing something foolish. She then went to Jet and kneeled down at Jet's side.
"Excuse me miss?" Smellerbee started to ask.
"Quiet," Yi Lin said quickly. "I need to focus." She then placed her hand atop Jet's head and closed her eyes. Her hand then suddenly glowed with a silver light that slowly encased Jet's body. Then vanished without a trace after covering his feet. "Oh dear.'
"Oh dear?" Smellerbee asked worryingly. Longshot shared her concern.
"This boy's will is strong. He is a rare one indeed, but just as he refuses to let go of life so to does death refuse to let go him. Death's hand grips almost his entire being, I'm afraid saving him, even for one of my skills, is not possible."
"What!" Smellerbee said sadly and distressingly. "But the Grand General said…"
"I said she wouldn't be to save him on her own, but I do know a way that could, but like I said, it's risky," Kai-lin replied.
"Kai-lin, please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking," Yi Lin said in serious yet motherly tone.
"Yes I am, but relax I won't be the one doing it. I know the price of it all to well and I have no desire to pay it double." He then turned to Shan-yi. "Shan-yi…"
"Lord?" Shan-yi replied ready and willing to serve.
"You have served me well, and loyally ever since you came into my service. You have followed every order I've ever given you without hesitation or question. Now I am about to ask you to something that you may very well not survive from," Kai-lin said calmly and seriously. "Do you remember the technique I taught you long ago when you were first learning Shadowbending?"
"Shadowbending?" Azula said confusing
"You know the one I told you to never use," Kai-lin said.
"Yes my lord," Shan-yi replied in a loyal and ready tone.
"Well, I must ask you to use it now, however, given the price that is paid; I will leave the decision of whether or not to take the risk of using it to you."
"Kai-lin!" Yi Lin said with a frown and harsh tone. "Shan-yi has served you loyally and well ever since you became Grand General. How can you even think of—"
"It is alright Lady Yi Lin," Shan-yi interrupted calmly and kindly. "Ever since I gave my loyalty to my lord, I have been ready and willing to die upon request. I am my lord's hand after all, and hand's duty is to do as it requested."
"But Shan-yi--" Yi Lin tried to speak.
"Um excuse me!" Smellerbee cried loudly. "But could one of you please let us in the loop here? Just what hack are you talking about? Just what is this technique, and what the hack is shadowbending?"
"I'd like to know the same thing," Azula said. "This is the first time I've ever heard of it."
"It is It is a form bending long forgotten outside of our clan, but we don't have time to explain," Yi Lin said placing her hand on Jet's forehead and engulfing him in a silver cloak of light. "I can slow the boy's decent into death, but I cannot halt it completely. So let's hear this plan of yours Kai-lin."
Kai-lin nodded, "The plan I have in mind involves something of a life transference from one person, or this case persons, to another and in so doing hopefully appease death."
"What do mean by appease death?" Mai asked.
"Like Lady Yi Lin said, death holds a tight grip over Jet and it has no intention of letting him go. Therefore in order to appease it we need to give what it wants, life. We need to give it enough life to where it will let Jet go and allow Lady Yi Lin to heal him fully," Kai-lin explained.
"And then Jet will be saved," Zuko said.
"Forgive me, my lord, but from the way things sound your servant will give her own life-force to the young man, correct?" Quan said. "Well sir, from what I can make of it, all we would be doing is trading one dying person for another."
"He's right," Mai said. "If Jet's life-force is nearly depilated then wouldn't Shan-yi giving up her own put her in Jet's condition?"
"Yes it would, but that's only if she does it alone," Kai-lin replied.
"I see, so that's where going with this," Yi Lin explained. "You're correcting your previous error from childhood. Rather than have just one donor you'll have two. Thereby cutting the negative effects of using the ability in half." She closed her eyes. "However…that way comes with a heavy risk."
"Kai-lin mentioned a risk before. Just what is the risk of using this technique?" Azula asked turning her fiancée.
Kai-lin blinked slowly in serious silence. Then closed his eyes and leaned against the wall and spoke. "Through the flow of time all things eventually die and in their place new things are born. It is a continuous flow of death and birth. Even this resurrection technique helps maintain that balance by taking the life of another person life in exchange for reviving someone who's either dying or already dead. However, the way we are about to do it could very well disrupt balance, mind you the disruption would be slight, but it would be a disruption none the less. Therefore, there is a chance that in order to maintain perfect balance, death will keep draining life until it takes Jet's life or life of one or both of the donors."
"In others there's still a chance that Jet, Shan-yi, or the second donor will die," Zuko said seriously.
"But then that would make everything we did to save the person whose dying pointless. We still give up one life in exchange for saving another," Ty Lee said worryingly and sadly.
"Yes," Kai-lin said.
"Then in the end there's no way we can save, Jet," Smellerbee said sadly. "He'd never accept someone giving up their life in exchange for restoring his."
"Which is way I asked Lady Yi Lin to come here," Kai-lin said.
"Details please?" Mai asked.
Kai-lin was silent. He turned to Yi Lin, "Lady Yi Lin does he still live?"
Yi Lin closed her eyes, "Yes, but what little life he has left is fading. I'm doing all I can to slow his decent but I can't keep this up for long. So if were going to attempt to save him we need act quickly."
Kai-lin nodded and then turned back to the others, "Quan, Ju Ling please leave and guard the room. See to it that no disturbs us unless it's a serious emergency."
"Lord," Quan and Ju Ling nodded loyally. They then left the room closing the door behind them.
Kai-lin, then looked at everyone. "Everyone, there is a way to save Jet, but I'm going to need all you if this is going to work."
"Just tell us what we have to and Longshot and I will do it," Smellerbee said boldly. "We'll do anything to save Jet." Longshot nodded.
"I don't like leave someone in trouble if I can help them so I'll do what I can to help to," Ty Lee said.
"This guy tried to expose uncle and me when we were hiding out in Ba Sing Se so I really don't have any reason to help him, but during the time I spent with him and his friends on the refugee ship I could tell he was a good guy. He seemed a little like myself at that time. So I'll offer what help I can."
"In all honesty, I find this whole thing about trying to save someone whose dying to be one big annoying hassle," Mai said with a dull expression. She then took on a smile. "But, if I walked away now it would probably plague my conscience if something goes wrong and I start to feel guilty because my little contribution may have made a difference. So I'm in too."
Kai-lin then looked at Azula, "Princess, I would much rather you not partake in this at all, given your current condition, but something tells me no matter what I say you're not going to just stand by and do nothing are you?"
"You're right I'm not, especially since my fiancée, brother and friends are about to do something that'll probably kill them. So there's no way I'm going to sit by and watch if there's something I can do that might prevent that from happening."
Kai-lin smiled lightly, and then let out a sigh, "I thought as much." He turned to his vessel, "and you Shan-yi?"
"I will go along with whatever my lord decides, especially if it will save the life another," Shan-yi replied loyally yet kindly.
"Well, it seems you have everyone's corporation Kai-lin, now tell us what this plan of yours is."
"As I already explained, Shan-yi can drain life from both herself and others and infuse it into another being in need of it. Normally, if done alone, it requires the donor to die, but since Jet isn't dead yet, there's a chance we steal him from death's clutches," Kai-lin explained. He blinked slowly. "Lady Yi Lin, when Shan-yi starts infusing life into Jet, I want you to monitor his condition. Then the moment you feel you can heal him fully on you own, let Shan-yi know and she'll stop the infusion."
"I get it," Azula said with smart smile. "By infusing him with siphoned life-force, we halt his decent into death, and slowly reverse the process. In others we don't have to revive him fully just to a point where Lady Yi Lin can take over and heal him fully on her own."
"Exactly," Kai-lin said, "and the more people offering life-force the better our chances of saving him and without losing anyone in exchange."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's hurry before it's too late to do anything," Smellerbee said exciting.
"Alright then, Shan-yi, Lady Yi Lin take your places," Kai-lin ordered. Yi Lin turned and faced the wounded teen, as Shan-yi stood on her knees and placed one hand hovering over the young man's chest's chest, like Kai-lin had done earlier.
Kai-lin then went and on his knees next to her and took his vessel's hand, and held out his free one towards Azula who gripped it, then got on her own knees and held out her free hand to Zuko, who followed suit and held out his free hand to Mai who took it then held out her free on to Ty Lee, who then held out her's to Smellerbee, who before taking it, grabbed Longshot's.
"Everyone ready," Kai-lin asked. Everyone nodded, "Alright," he then turned to Shan-yi. "Shan-yi, you remember what to do?"
"Yes, my lord," Shan-yi replied.
"Shan-yi, when I give the word remove your hands and I'll take over from there alright," Yi Lin said.
"Yes, Lady Yi Lin, everyone brace yourselves, this is going to sting," Shan-yi said.
"Alright, Shan-yi, I'm going to drop the healing cloak…now!"
With that the vial of light vanished instantly from Jet's body, and bolts of block lightening sparked about Shan-yi's hand and struck Jet's chest in a violent dark electric storm that caused the motionless body to shake. Black bolts of lightening instantly encircled the connected hands in the room and everyone tightened as wave of pained suddenly ripped through them like blood-veins were being forcefully pulled from their chests. Everyone clenched their teeth or bit their lip as they endured the stinging pain; the dark bolts filled the room with violet flashes with every strike.
"Everyone hold on for just a bit longer," Yi Lin yelled as she kept her eyes locked tightly on Jet.
Everyone gripped each other's hands tightly, as they endured the pain. Azula clenched her teeth tighter than anyone and then suddenly let a gasp of pain as her burn scare started glowing and her body suddenly started growing hot. Kai-lin, who seemed to be enduring better than anyone, noticed and glanced at it and tightened his hold on Azula's hand. Azula's breathing eased, as she slowly felt the heat suddenly fad away, and her scare ceased its glow. Kai-lin let out a sigh of relief and then turned to Yi Lin.
"Lady Yi Lin, how much longer," Kai-lin asked worryingly.
"Just a little more," Yi Lin said. "Almost there, everyone hang in their just a little more…a little more…now Shan-yi NOW!"
Shan-yi immediately removed her hand and Yi Lin placed both of her hands flat on Jet's chest and they shined a bright light that flashed throughout the room!
Dusk hung heavy over Ba Sing Se, and from the window a lavish room with small tapestry bed in the for top right corner, Smellerbee, now in a light green gown that flowed straight down to her ankles, her hair somewhat damp from an earlier bath and the paint that was on her face now washed away, sat on backless cushioned bench gazing out of the opened window at the city beyond, her head resting in her arms on the window seal, and her bear feet hanging of the bench. Then suddenly a knock came at the door.
"Come in," she said. The door slide open and Kai-lin entered. "Oh, it's you, I thought it was Longshot. He said he'd come visit later."
"I'm sure he'll be along shortly." Kai-lin said. He'd left his cloak behind. "So…how do like your room?" he asked walking forward.
"It's nice, though it's not something I'm used to," she replied.
"So I can imagine," Kai-lin replied with a soft smile. "From here on you can consider this your home."
"How long, till you get tired of me?" Smellerbee asked rudely, and still a little distrustful.
"No, until I move back to the capital or decide to move my base of operations to another city. At which point I will either arrange residency for you or you'll accompany me to wherever it is I'm going. It will depend on whether or not I'll be returning," he said kindly as he sat down on the bench next to her.
"What…" Smellerbee said confusingly.
"From here on you be under my protection, so you needn't worry about being without a home or finding food."
"I don't understand? Why are you doing this?"
"Let's just say I know what it's like to lose one's family, and what it's like to be with out a warm place to sleep," he blinked slowly, and then looked forward, his eyes half open. "I know what it's like to struggle to survive, and to live in fear of whether or not you'll to see the next day, and even fear, but also be grateful for being able to face the challenges of a new day."
"Come on you really expect me to believe that? I mean look at you, you're powerful, strong, and pretty in command of everything around here, even the prince takes orders from you. How can you possibly expect me to believe such a story?"
"I don't,"
"Huh…"
"Whether or not you chose to believe my story is your choice. You can believe whatever you wish, just don't be as foolish as to deny the reality around you, and for you the reality is as it right now. You now have a place to stay as long as you desire it. I ask only that you treat both it the servants with respect."
Smellerbee looked at Kai-lin she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was be given a home. After years of stealing and struggling to survive she had a safe place stay and it was in a palace of all places, it was more than she could ever expect. Part of her was still in disbelief, but as she looked at Kai-lin she could see a kindness in his eyes that she'd never seen before. She really didn't know what to say. She grew up thinking Fire Nation officers were self-center tyrants, but Kai-lin, Kai-lin seemed different somehow. Maybe…just maybe she could let her guard down and trust him, just little.
Then a knock came at the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"It's Yi Lin, I need to have a talk with his lordship."
"I'll be right there," Kai-lin said. "While, it seems I needed elsewhere. Oh and as for your friend, Jet, he should be alright within a few days." He stood and started, but then stopped and turned back towards her, "Oh, and I will be assigning you a handmaiden, so you may wish to come up with a different name."
"Why?" Smellerbee asked.
"The servants here are disciplined, and use etiquette when addressing superiors, so unless you really want them to call you Lady Smellerbee you may wish to change your name and save you current one for friends."
"Lady Smellerbee, hum…I don't even think like the idea of being referred as LADY anything, but you do have a point, the two don't really go together." She thought for a moment then looked at him. "What do you think I should be called?"
"How about…" he thought a little, "Sakura."
"Lady Sakura, aka Smellerbee," she smiled. "I think I can live with that."
He smiled. "I'm glad. If you need anything just ring the bell on the nightstand next to the bed and a servant will come to your assist." He bowed politely a little. "Well if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave." He then left the room, closing the door behind him.
Smellerbee watched him go and then turned and looked out the window at city, "The palace is my home now, huh," she smiled. "Talk about your lucky breaks, but this is going to take some getting used to." She then got up and walked over to the nightstand on the right side of her bed and to the left of a large wardrobe. "I wonder what palace food tastes like?" she then lifted the bell and rang it…