The Ether Witch

Tam stood with his back pressed against the stone wall as the festival party goers drifted by on the other side from his position. It was hard keeping to the shadows when the street was so brightly lit with paper lanterns that had been strung up between the houses. Though aside from this complication, the added benefit of the crowds at the very least would help him disappear, or for any sounds he’d make to be swallowed up by the music that played over everyone’s heads and frothing chatter that whirled around the festival.

As Tam listened to said music, he found himself feeling his heart start to hammer a bit harder.

There was a twang to the instrument that was being plucked and reverberating as a solo, but it was the occasional thud of a drum that made the mood intensify.

Giving his head a shake, Tam tuned this out to the best of his ability, and resumed creeping down the wall.

After a quick debrief from Jeong and Bong earlier that day on the plan to make Lord Guk have a public episode where he acted outlandishly, Tam had changed the method they were going to use to try and minimize the risk for Jeong and Bong.

So instead of having the brothers get anywhere near the poison and risk one of the imperial soldiers discovering them, all they needed to do, was give Lord Guk a particular drink that had only just started to become popular in Daxaria, but its effects would not be well known in Zinfera.

Espresso.

A potent beverage made from coffee grounds, only more potent in terms of jolting the human body into a state of wakefulness.

Tam had been a part of its development, and thanks to Lord Kim owning a tea house, he gained access to tools and coffee grounds that the future duke could use to create it.

Particularly in this case, where Tam recommended doubling the serving.

With this, Lord Guk would be jittery and nervous already, and all it would take would be one more little pellet dosed with the drug fired by Tam to launch him into a spectacular scene that would alienate him.

Though Lord Yangban was a whole other issue… Tam had an idea on how best to deal with him that didn’t resort to murder.

Despite Eli having casually suggested it to him, Tam confessed he wasn’t much on the idea of assassination. Killing in self defense was one thing, but to make a point of going out to kill someone was another entirely.

Tam’s mind briefly grazed on these varying thoughts as he moved painstakingly slowly along the wall.

Technically he was passing through people’s front yards, but the majority of the population were attending the festival, and even if they weren’t, most front yards had tall clay barrels of fermenting pastes and beans that Tam could duck behind and continue to get closer and closer to the seaside where the more wealthy lords were preparing to climb aboard their boats for the fireworks show that would begin when the crescent moon hit the highest peak in the starry night sky.

The window of time was small, and technically it was the most simple, but the real hurry would be rushing back to Lord Kim’s house while remaining unseen so they could make their escape from Junya.

A detail Eli had emphasized as she worked with Lord Kim to get everything ready.

At long last, Tam reached the final house in the particular stretch of road that rested on two roads, and it was there, wedged in the corner behind a walnut tree, beside a tall clay pot, and a broken statue of a frog, Tam crouched waiting for Jeong and Bong’s signal.

And the cough followed by the low whistle came much sooner than he expected. He had barely arrived in time.

“Lord Guk! You must try this! It is a new beverage from Daxaria and–Oh.”

Jeong’s hesitation in his voice made Tam’s ears perk up and even start to debate risking a glance over the wall before he was meant to shoot at the nobleman.

“Have you heard about the dragon? You know, the dragon in Gondol?! Is it the monster attacking ships? Could it be my ships? Do you think–” The harried, paranoid stream of questions was stopped by another speaker.

“Lord Guk, do you perhaps think you should cease imbibing for tonight and go to bed,” the voice was smooth and authoritative.

Without even hearing a name, Tam guessed this person was Lord Yangban…

And the hairs on the back of Tam’s neck prickled. Particularly when he reminded himself this was the man who was instrumental in selling Eli off.

“Ah! Lord Yangban! This beverage my brother is offering for you to try is not alcoholic, in fact some people find it aids in speeding up the processing of alcohol.”

There was Bong, helping things along, and even taking on a more formal tone with the Zinferan nobleman.

Tam couldn’t resist, he lifted himself slightly, and glimpsed the back of a man’s head with a patchy, receding hairline, and what did remain on his head was black and sheared short, he also wore a long indigo coat, with black pants that Tam could only make out thanks to the lantern lights.

Lord Yangban stood under a raised canopy beside Lord Guk, who wore his customary light green coat,while facing Jeong and Bong.

Though during that quick glimpse Tam understood what had startled Jeong.

Lord Guk’s hair looked greasy, and the long sides stuck straight out as though he had been pulling on his hair, and his coat was untied, revealing a rumpled shirt underneath, and the man’s eyes were wide and shifty, there was a patch of red, scratched skin on his neck that had been clawed at until it drew blood…

Tam instantly started to suspect that perhaps the lord had begun partaking in drugs that had nothing to do with his intervention, but most definitely had not helped.

“Would you mind if I had a sip of this drink you are offering?” Lord Yangban’s careful question made Tam duck down again.

“Of course not, my lord!” Jeong retorted cheerily.

Tam waited with baited breath to see what would be said. “Mm. It is quite bitter and sharp on the tongue, but I agree, it does seem as though it might help Lord Guk feel… more like himself again.”

Tam inwardly celebrated and waited as rustling sounds and porcelain changing hands could be heard.

“I don’t like it! It tastes like acid mud! It… It… Oh, I’ve finished it. At least it is over quickly. Do you think the dragon will be summoned by the fireworks?”

Tam heard Lord Yangban sigh.

“You know, I recently heard that the devil is here in Junya!” Bong interrupted quickly. “Which is why Her Highness has increased the imperial soldiers’ presence here. What do you make of this?”

Lord Yangban took his time answering, but Tam was happy to find after another quick cursory peek, that his attention was fully affixed to Jeong and Bong.

“There is some speculation about that, but of course the concern lies mostly in catching whoever is responsible for killing Her Highness’s men and a member of the Coven of Giong. I’m sure they will be apprehended soon, so pay it no mind. We have more important matters regarding rumors that the disgraced princess Elisara Taejo has been seen once more.”

Unbidden rage overcame Tam so instantaneously that it was suddenly incredibly difficult not to vault over the wall and beat Lord Yangban to a pulp.

“Disgraced? I thought she was simply missing?” Bong speculated loudly, his tone light.

Tam was willing to bet money that Jeong was feeling relatively violent himself.

“Why, yes. She ran off with a servant boy to get married, but now it seems like she wants to stake a claim on the throne now that she has had her fun.”

“What a strange rumor. I’ve heard nothing like it… In fact, I thought I’d heard that she was somewhere in Troivack.” Jeong’s voice was tense, and as much as Tam appreciated him for trying to find a way to defend Eli, he also knew saying such a thing was making them seem suspicious.

“Oh? Where did you learn of such a thing?” Lord Yangban may have sounded mild, but there was a frostiness in his voice that even Tam could identify without seeing his face.

“Not sure to be honest. Where is it you happened to hear that Princess Elisara ran off with a servant boy? It would certainly seem less likely given the kidnappings that have taken place around-”

“Forgive my brother, Lord Yangban, he gets too nosy for his own good,” Bong cut off Jeong swiftly.

Meanwhile Tam had a new plan in mind as he pulled free the slingshot and counted the number of pellets in the slender glass vial that he had withdrawn from his pocket.

Standing up slowly, Tam took aim…

And fired at Lord Yangban.

“It is fine, however, I do recommend that your brother mind himself. As Her Highness’s cousin, I happen to know a little bit more accurately what goes on behind palace walls. Unlike, whatever sailor or drunkard your brother may cross paths with.”

Despite knowing Tam had hit Lord Yangban, the man gave no sign of it.

Tam felt a tight grin lift his mouth.

Well, that was for the better. He stood one more time, and with a quick creak of wood by his ear, hit Lord Guk, though he momentarily noticed Bong’s eyes flit to his and his eyebrows twitch in question, but the look was so brief, Tam didn’t even bother trying to linger.

“BUGS! BUGS AGAIN! WILL THEY NOT STOP?!” Lord Guk burst out, slapping a hand to the back of his neck just in time for Tam to hide himself once more, and, without wasting a breath, for him to start shuffling carefully down the wall.

He knew Bong and Jeong would meet him seven houses down and then he could tell them the change to the plan he had just made.

Though he didn’t celebrate just yet.

He knew better.

His mother had taught him that things can go especially wrong right when you grow confident that everything is over, and so to never stop being in a state of alert.

And so he waited in the yard of the seventh house, until he heard a particular pattern of coughs, that had him easing up slowly in the shadows of two plum trees, though he didn’t allow himself to stand to his full height.

Jeong and Bong stood face to face with each other, feigning a discussion between the two of them that would make their responses to Tam appear natural.

“Why did you shoot Lord Yangban?” Bong asked immediately upon Tam’s head clearing the wall.

“Because remember how I suggested we start more rumors about him to discredit his influence?”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t we simply tie him to Lord Guk. The madness he is experiencing? Is contagious.”

Bong and Jeong fell silent. “That is brilliant, though, what will we do? One instance of madness is not enough to-”

“We have Lord Kim, who just so happens to run the most influential tea house in Junya. We leave his staff some of the drugs and, well… Soon Lord Yangban’s position could become… uncertain.”

“I must caution you again about putting so much stock in Lord Kim,” Bong insisted.

“He made a deal with Eli. And remember how you said he was adamantly against Soo Hebin’s rise to power…? Don’t trust that he will help out of the goodness of his heart. Trust that he is doing it out of self interest.”

“That is a very risky thing to bet on,” Bong persisted.

“Also remember that as a devout follower of the religion of Acker, he will be more inclined to think highly of me as a witch. But all that aside… He already has the power to destroy all of us. He knows almost everything. He knows who I am. He knows who Eli is… We’re already beholden to him. May as well see it through.”

“Handing him drugs to distribute is another matter entirely,” Bong pointed out bluntly.

“Do you have a better idea?” Tam countered.

Bong fell silent.

“I will give him the chance, and if he wants to say no, he can, but if there is any chance he will agree and will help weaken the human trafficking group, or trying to destroy Eli’s reputation through gossip? I want to take it.”

At this reminder of the lord’s horrific offenses as well as his new obvious plan to discredit Eli to stop her from gaining any kind of power, Bong acquiesced.

“Alright. We will start the rumors in the crowd tonight, You go back. Though I do believe that this is now our goodbye. I thought we would get to say our final farewells with Luca and Eli, but with us needing to spread the word now that changes things.” Bong sighed.

Tam lowered his chin appreciatively. “I hope we cross paths again. Thank you for everything, Bong. I know we have not seen eye to eye at all times, but you are a wise friend.”

“Tam, I’ll catch up with you and Eli later,” Jeong said with a serious nod to Tam.

He gave a half smile of appreciation.

“Tam, if I may make a request next time we see each other…?” Bong asked, his mood seeming to lighten.

“Yes?”

“Can we have a lot more fun next time? I sincerely think you, Eli, and Luca could all spend some time being less serious.”

Tam grinned more openly. “I think I could be persuaded– though you’re on your own when it comes to sledding down desert dunes.”

Bong’s shoulders slumped forward. “That’s a pity. Well… Until next time, and Tam?”

The future duke raised his eyebrows expectantly.

Bong grinned. “Good luck with your new family. I think you two will be quite happy together.”

Tam’s smile broadened. “I certainly hope so, though I’ll miss your guidance when I inevitably mess things up.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll be there!” Jeong reminded happily.

Tam chuckled. “Well… I best be off. Take care, Bong.”

The Zinferan bowed his head with a subtle smile, then turned to melt back into the festival crowds with Jeong at his side.

Tam watched them disappear, and despite the seriousness of what was still happening, made sure to take a moment to appreciate how wonderful the Ryu brothers were, and how lucky he was to have them at his back during the most bizarre time in his entire life.