Maps
It is late in the day. I have spent most of my morning giving Kuroudo instructions. I sent him out to buy the supplies from the list I made yesterday. We will need to leave as soon as we have everything gathered.
I cannot waste much more time here. It is a long way from here to Kutou.
He did well. Kuroudo. He found exactly the maps that I needed. There are two of them. One showing the route to Teniao-Lan with all possible roads marked. The other shows the geography of the area. Cliffs and valleys are identified.
The geographic map lies on the table. Looks to be mostly desert. The dry, cracked earth kind of desert. At least for the first half of the journey. Then it looks to become lush again.
I concentrate. It doesn't take much effort. I have done it a thousand times before for Nakago. Conjure a three-dimensional image of a map. He would have me do this before battles so he could devise the best plan of attack or defense. Very useful.
I first focus on the city, Xi'an. The buildings pop into existence, at the end of the city sprawls a vast expanse of barren desert. That will be the first difficulty. Desert. Not too bad if all precautions are taken. Next I take the road map. I overlay it on the first image.
Now roads twist and wind through the desert and into fertile hills. I study it. Figuring which route is the fastest and least complicated.
I look up. Kuroudo is standing in the door. In his arms is a large basket full of supplies. Walking towards me he sets it at my feet.
"How?" he is staring at the illusion of the maps.
I smile to myself. "A simple trick I taught myself a long time ago."
"Oh." He looks at me. "Uh, not all of the orders could be filled today."
"That's fine." I rummage through the basket. Nearly everything is here. There is not much left to gather. "We will look for horses tomorrow."
"Will you be performing tonight?"
I nod.
He hesitates. "I went and watched last night."
"I know."
"Oh." He avoids my eyes. "It is really amazing..." He shifts. Uncomfortable. I watch him. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
I glance out the window. It is dark outside. "Damn." I stand up. The image of the city and desert disappears.
My overcoat is hanging on a peg. My paint is on the dresser. Not tonight. I have a different plan for tonight.
I conjure a quick illusion. Glancing in the mirror, I see my painted face and high-collared jacket. Perfect.
I make my way to the common room.
It is late in the day. I have spent most of my morning giving Kuroudo instructions. I sent him out to buy the supplies from the list I made yesterday. We will need to leave as soon as we have everything gathered.
I cannot waste much more time here. It is a long way from here to Kutou.
He did well. Kuroudo. He found exactly the maps that I needed. There are two of them. One showing the route to Teniao-Lan with all possible roads marked. The other shows the geography of the area. Cliffs and valleys are identified.
The geographic map lies on the table. Looks to be mostly desert. The dry, cracked earth kind of desert. At least for the first half of the journey. Then it looks to become lush again.
I concentrate. It doesn't take much effort. I have done it a thousand times before for Nakago. Conjure a three-dimensional image of a map. He would have me do this before battles so he could devise the best plan of attack or defense. Very useful.
I first focus on the city, Xi'an. The buildings pop into existence, at the end of the city sprawls a vast expanse of barren desert. That will be the first difficulty. Desert. Not too bad if all precautions are taken. Next I take the road map. I overlay it on the first image.
Now roads twist and wind through the desert and into fertile hills. I study it. Figuring which route is the fastest and least complicated.
I look up. Kuroudo is standing in the door. In his arms is a large basket full of supplies. Walking towards me he sets it at my feet.
"How?" he is staring at the illusion of the maps.
I smile to myself. "A simple trick I taught myself a long time ago."
"Oh." He looks at me. "Uh, not all of the orders could be filled today."
"That's fine." I rummage through the basket. Nearly everything is here. There is not much left to gather. "We will look for horses tomorrow."
"Will you be performing tonight?"
I nod.
He hesitates. "I went and watched last night."
"I know."
"Oh." He avoids my eyes. "It is really amazing..." He shifts. Uncomfortable. I watch him. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
I glance out the window. It is dark outside. "Damn." I stand up. The image of the city and desert disappears.
My overcoat is hanging on a peg. My paint is on the dresser. Not tonight. I have a different plan for tonight.
I conjure a quick illusion. Glancing in the mirror, I see my painted face and high-collared jacket. Perfect.
I make my way to the common room.