Chapter 17 Part 1: The Jinshari

The sharp clack of wood resounded in the morning air. Jun scattered against the onslaught, eyes darting to follow Anise’s movements. She cornered him against a tree. Smirking, he used the tree and slid away—circling back around in a calculated maneuver.

Anise’s yelp as she defended his strike rang in his ears. He froze, smiling as her wooden sword clattered to the ground, her eye shut as her brow furrowed. His breathing was fast and he forced himself to slow down, standing upright.

“Solara!” he called. The healer rushed over, muttering prayers and grumbles.

The Master had trained them in a unique way, forcing them to fear for their lives once they had mastered the basics. Jun and Anise were not new to combat, so he had called Solara over. When it had been him and The Master, he had healed himself, unable to hit his opponent. That’s just the difference in skill that existed. Bernard, the old man, had thought he was just sturdy, same with Mei.

Jun retreated a few steps and circulated his own prayers, giving thanks to the Silver Flame for the opportunity to spar. His hand was bruised, though it was his upper right arm and left leg that she tended to target. Those were battered and Jun focused on healing. Anise yelped as Solara began to administer to her.

“I’ll get you for this!” Her fiery eyes glared at him. Jun laughed.

“You asked.”

He reminded her of her insistence to learn the same way Bernard had taught. The Master was relentless, and until someone had their weapon forcibly removed, they would be pursued.

Carl approached his charge and then sighed as she complained.

“My Lady. Jun is correct. You asked and even insisted I not intervene.

“But it’s hardly chivalrous!”

“Princess, you of all people should know what we have to do to our enemies. While his Master’s teaching is a bit intense, we all must face situations like this, though without healers and wooden swords.” As Carl calmed her outburst, Jun gritted through his own pain. She hadn’t held back, and she outclassed him in finesse and speed. He would need to train with Mei to stay on top.

As his mind fell to his daughter she appeared and the two girls glared at one another before Anise excused herself. Carl apologized and then left with his charge, Solara following behind.

“What’s going on between you two?” Jun’s tactful tone mirrored in his eyes. Mei shook her head and Jun settled back. If it was a problem that she wanted help with, she would bring it to him.

“Old Man, can I ask you something?” Mei’s voice was soft, stilted. Jun continued his healing, nodding slowly.

“How… how is your faith doing?” Her eyes searched his. Jun offered a gentle smile and extended his hand. Mei came next to him and he flicked her forehead.

“Being a bit nosy?” he teased and she huffed. He chuckled and shifted his limp hand again as he focused his healing. “I broke into blue again.” Her eyes shined at his announcement. “And what about you? Still stuck at yellow?” Mei shrunk back, her eyes avoiding his. Jun sighed. “Need to be taught by Solara then?” he teased and she snickered.

“Just kidding! I’m blue too. Though I wanted to beat you just this once…”

Jun felt one brow drop, exaggerating the height of the other. Since when would she try to catch him like this? Was it because she was hanging out with Arvad so much?

“Ah, you’re being a stick-in-the-mud.”

Jun stilled. Lira had called him that… over a year ago. His smile fell and she drew her hands back.

“Sorry.” The silence stretched till Mei shifted to face the same direction as him. As her gaze flew skyward, her words continued. “Think they’re doing okay?”

“The Matriarch likely fired them,” Jun answered honestly.

“Oh come on, you’re supposed to say something like ‘they’ll be fine.’”

“We’re past things like that.”

His mind flew to the conversation with the Silver Flame. She hadn’t said much since, but had reiterated how much they needed to stop the clan. As he pondered on it, one thing was becoming abundantly clear.

“Hey, Mei? How are your ‘ninja’ skills holding up? Rusty or-“

“Of course I’ve stayed up on my skills. Arvad has helped.” Her hands were on her hips as she leaned towards him, scowling. “Unlike someone who lost his faith and made his workload bigger, I’ve kept my life simple.”

Jun rolled his eyes.

The silence grew again as they looked at the passing clouds.

“So. Why did you want to know?”

Jun smiled, looking at his vanishing bruise. “Well, I’m thinking of gathering some information. Amalie is great, but I need different sorts of information.”

Mei’s head tilted as she listened.

“The Silver Flame warned me about the clan. We need to stop them, but I don’t know who all is watching. Would you be able to find out?”

“Heh. Trying to figure out if we have any allies?” Mei’s eyes grew dark. Jun ignored it. She had mentioned what her family was like before their engagement. While living with him, she had avoided those dark territories. She was all too familiar with that world.

“For now, we need to know our enemy. And we need to be discreet.”

“No killings, got it.”

“Why did your mind go there?” he grumbled. “I certainly didn’t teach you that.”

“Nope. You can thank the Kasai.” Mei shrugged. “Speaking of, I know at least one watcher is them. I’ll have to approach and find out where their loyalties lie.”

“Hmmm. If they could be persuaded…” Jun thought.

“Wish we had more allies. Building an information network from scratch is going to be rough.” She whined, then stiffened, whirling on him. “Were you jealous that I had such a simple life?”

Jun’s eyes widened then he laughed.

“Never. I know romance is its own challenge.”

Mei’s eyes widened this time and her cheeks and ear tips became red.

“Dad,” she whimpered softly. Jun grabbed behind her head and pulled her closer.

“Oh Mei, it’s so obvious. You didn’t think you were pulling the wool over my eyes did you?” His heart clenched and he sighed, releasing her as she shook her head. She blinked a few times and then lowered her head to look into his eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

“Just be safe. If Arvad treats you wrong…” he let the words peter out. Mei’s brows twisted as she sat back.

“You’re more worried about my relation with him than sending me after our hostile relatives?”

Jun stilled as he looked at her, then snickered which turned into a belly laugh. The mirth squeezed out of his eyes before he could get it under control.

“You’re right.” He wiped the tears away. “Be safe on both accounts. I just don’t want you to be hurt, but more importantly, I want to protect your heart too.”

“Old Man…” Mei’s brows pinched upward and her hands relaxed.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Jun half smiled, waving away the apology. She caught onto his other meaning. His mind strayed to Elain and he prayed she was doing better.