Three Koi and an Orchid

A tall wooden fence soon began to run along the left side of the path, blocking the view from sight. It reminded her of Dwelling, except that this fence was twice the height, and the fence top was lined with metal spikes. There was no easy way to scale a fence like this. Pia was certain the slight shine on each of those metal spikes were defensive sigils. Ruwe followed the fence until it turned into two-tiered guard box that stood beside and overtop the gated entrance. Two guards sat in the box atop the gate. When the two guards spotted Ruwe, they excitedly called for the gate to open.

Pia watched Ruwe, but his face was impassive as ever. She saw no flicker of relief, no relaxing of his shoulders, no sign at all that he was pleased to return to his home.

The front gate entered onto a large dirt pathway, lined with rocks on both sides of the path. Despite it being winter, it was clear that the entire place was well maintained. Everything was uniform and neat. Winter ravaged trees precisely lined the outside of the path, creating a bridge of leaves in the summer, now only casting shadows across the path as the sunset behind them.

Snow dusted everything making everything look like a painting. A sprawling complex of courtyard houses tucked away inside the far-reaching fence line. From just the entrance, Pia could see the roofs of three and five bay homes, nestled behind smaller stone fences built along the right side of the main path.

Other than the guards crowding around Ruwe, Pia saw no one else about. Smoke rose from multiple places around the complex, so there were clearly others living there. Her musings were cut short as Ruwe dismounted. When Haojie and Yujin did too, Pia was quick to follow.

On foot, she felt anxious and out of place. The men were crowded together, leaving her the odd one out. Turning to Tudou, she busied herself loosening his girth, and then rolled up her stirrups. On the far side of Tudo, Pia bent over and touched her toes, then bent over backwards, arching to stretch her back. It took only a few minutes but when she stood, the men were still talking.

Sighing, Pia fidgeted with Tudou’s mane and looked at her surroundings once more. It was truly massive. Easily the largest courtyard house complexes she’d ever seen. Certainly, larger than any she’d seen in Dwelling. From the corner of her eye Pia caught movement and she turned to look.

A young woman came riding up behind them, face bright with excitement. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail that swung with every stride of her horse. She was dressed in bright blue robes and had on a thick white winter robe embroidered in the same color blue as her robes.

The hawk they’d seen earlier that day flew overhead, coming to land inside the complex. As soon as she saw the men the woman leapt from her horse and ran to greet them.

“Brother!”

The call had Pia’s eyes widening and doing a double take. It wasn’t a woman, but a man! Her eyes scanned over the figure again, wincing. The young man’s face was dainty and fair skinned, his waist was cinched slim, and his clothing was expensive and high quality. He really looked like a woman to Pia.

The young man tried to throw his arms around Ruwe in a hug, but Ruwe stepped away well out of reach. Undeterred the young man hugged Yijun instead.

“You’ve been gone for so long,” he whined, pushing Yijun away to hug Haojie.

“Lei, you haven’t changed at all,” Haojie said, returning the man’s hug.

Lei ’s high ponytail bobbed as he shook his head, denying the words.

“I’ve been training hard! Just wait until you spar with me. Are you staying long? What were you doing for so long?” Lei’s mouth seemed to move faster than he thought.

Lei’s eyes suddenly landed on Pia, who had leaned on Tudou resting her arms on his neck to watch the strange encounter. The two met eyes and she wiggled her wrist, giving him a small wave.

Mouth forming an O in shock, he blinked rapidly. “What is that?” he cried, pointing at Pia.

Pia scowled at him. She wasn’t a ‘that.’ The temptation to punch that dainty nose in came over her. Her hands curled into fists over Tudou’s mane.

Seeing the dark look on Pia’s face, Haojie grinned widely and threw his arm around the young man’s shoulders. Haojie loved to stir up trouble when he could.

“Lei, meet your brother’s apprentice, Pia,” He paused, then looked at Pia. “Pia, meet Ruwe’s little devil brother, Lei.”

Off to the side, Ruwe let out a huff of air, as if he knew what was coming.

“Apprentice!?” Lei said shrilly in shock. Just as quickly, his voice turned disdainful, adding, “Ruwe doesn’t take apprentices.”

Hackles rising, Pia stood up from Tudou’s back, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. That tone reminded her too much of the comments she’d gotten all her life. The disgust at her being an orphan and lacking a family to guide her. As if anyone would choose to be an orphan.

“Lei,” Ruwe said, voice low but stern.

His brother’s mouth clicked closed. Pia’s smirked slightly. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who was quick to obey Ruwe’s fierce authority.

Turning back to the guards Ruwe instructed them to care for their horses. Opening her mouth to object, Pia stopped when Yijun caught her eye and shook his head. She closed her mouth with a sigh. One of the guards reached for Tudou’s reins and Pia begrudgingly relented. Seeing her reluctance, the guard promised to take the best care of him. He gave her a wink and then walked away with Tudou.

Ruwe led them up the main path until they reached a large water fountain, dried up for winter. He turned right, heading down a corridor set between two stone walls. Pia’s eyes locked onto the fountain. The base was made of stone, with jade green pieces pressed into the sides. The center held a dragon, lying on its back, tail coiled in circular waves, mouth opened in a roar, frozen in place. Pia shivered as she passed it. It seemed so realistic. The eyes almost seemed to watch her as they passed it.

Lei leaned on Haojie’s shoulder as they walked, whispering into his ear. His ponytail swayed side to side. Something he said made Haojie laugh and push the younger man away, shaking his head. Irritation bubbled within her. She didn’t like how close they were. Though, Pia had to acknowledge that she was the interloper here. Her lips turned down at that thought. Yijun bumped into her, and she looked up. His eyes were low lidded with exhaustion but he gave her a warm smile, which she returned, mood lifted.

The front gate to Ruwe’s courtyard house had a simple yet elegant front entrance. Two large, red lanterns decorated with bats hung outside the red gates. Three wide steps led to the doors, but before they reached the first step a manservant threw open the doors and rushed out to greet Ruwe.

“Duke Zhi, you’ve returned!” the man wailed loudly, and his voice echoed through the stone corridor.

Her ears rang from the sound, and she reached up to rub them. Ruwe’s expression didn’t change, and Pia wondered at his self-control. Then, the name registered, and Pia’s eyes widened. Duke Zhi? Ruwe was a Duke?

The scarred hands, cold façade, braided hair, and the warm, efficient black robes told the story of a hardworking warrior, not a societal elite. Why wouldn’t he have told her something like that? Doubts crept in, slithering fast and striking venomously. Was it because she was an orphan? The memory of him saying, “Tasked with taking you on,” played through her mind. Perhaps his cold demeanor had been him constantly showing his displeasure with her. Haojie, Yijin, Shun, and Lei, not to mention the guards and this manservant, loved Ruwe. Maybe that coldness was only directed at her. Her mind spun, trying to go over every interaction Ruwe had had with the others.

Her thoughts were cut off by Yijun tugging on the sleeve of her robe. The others had stepped up into the house already.

As they walked up the stairs, she cast a look at Yijun, murmuring, “Duke?”

His lips quirked upward but he shook his head. He wouldn’t be telling her anything. They passed by the ornate brick wall, painted with decorative fish, and turned left heading towards the right wing.

Inside, Pia was amazed at the elegance. The architecture was strong and masculine, but there was refinement that gave the home the feelings of nostalgia. It reminded her a little of the Jiang’s house. Conch’s father, a lifelong general, preferred a more austere environment. Conch’s mother liked elegant, beautiful things. She’d hired artisans and craftsmen to blend her vision with her husbands. It had been simple, yet beautiful, strong but gentle. Her hands brushed along a smooth wood pillar in the main hall. Ruwe’s house had that same feeling. Someone had lovingly crafted this house into a work of art.

Yijun and Pia stopped in the room behind Haojie and Lei. Servants were filing into the room, happy to see their master. Ruwe took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs, bracing his arms on the wood.

“Ruwe, we’re off,” Yijun said, pointing a finger past Ruwe, towards the far side of the room.

“Go join the men when you’re finished. They’ll be eager to see you.”

Yijun and Haojie nodded, bowed, and turned to leave.

“Wait, take the brat with you,” Ruwe called.

“Which one?” Haojie joked, laughing when Pia kicked out at him, which he dodged.

Yijun grabbed Lei by his ponytail, seeing him about to toss a punch at Pia. Yelping, Lei stopped, reaching up to pull his hair free.

“None of that,” Yijun said, smacking the back of Lei’s head. Haojie threw an arm over Lei’s shoulder, waved to Pia, and the three left, leaving Pia alone with Ruwe and the servants.

From the corners of her eyes, she could see them stealing glances at her curiously. Ruwe coughed, drawing their attention back to him.

“Noni,” he called out, and a servant girl stepped out obediently.

Turning to Pia he said, “Noni here will take you to your rooms. Anything you need, you can ask her for.” He turned away and paused, giving her a flat look over his shoulder, “Within reason.”

She grinned and then turned to follow Noni from the room. Noni was a servant girl who seemed only a few years older than her. The servant was thin and fair skinned. Her hair was piled up in a fat bun, pinned in place with a simple wooden hairpin. Noni had a pretty face but her expression was sour. Not so friendly then.

She led Pia out the side of the main house, through a mini courtyard, to the back of the building.

“Where are we going?”

“To your wing,” Noni said, which told her next to nothing.

Pia bit her tongue, not wanting to cause trouble in the first moments. Instead, she tracked the way they went, keeping a mental map of the layout. The outside corridors were wooden, lined with railings. The sides of the house were filled with closed doors and windows, decorated in various lattice designs.

Noni led her to a wing set near what Pia thought might be the backside of Ruwe’s home. At the door, Pia paused in appreciation. The entry to the wing was a round moongate. Rubbing her forearm, she smiled fondly at the sight. A simple blue door opened up to a small courtyard. A large tree sat in the middle and stretched high into the sky. In spring, Pia was willing to bet it’d bloom magnificently.

The three-bay home was small. A plaque over the door read “Lunar Haven,” and Pia snorted. Already her mind spun up better names. The home held three rooms, one large center room for studying or receiving, one in the middle for sleep, and one at the far back to bathe or dress. Sliding doors separated the three rooms, allowing for each to have privacy. The lattice work on every door was delicate, seeming to have been crafted by very nimble hands.

The bed in the sleeping room had her pause in amazement. A bed! Her mouth fell open in surprise. Taking a step toward it, Pia was about to throw herself onto the bed when a soft clearing of a throat came from behind. She’d forgotten about Noni. Her eyes drifted to the servant girl questioningly.

“Miss, the bath is ready,” she said, voice timid, but eyes narrowed.

Clearly, Noni hadn't liked that Pia had been about to climb on the bed in her dirty clothing. Pia was beginning to think Ruwe purposefully gave her a surly servant.

A bathtub lay in wait for her in the center of the bathing room. Pia could have cried to see it. Even back in Dwelling a hot bath had been a luxury. Heady smelling herbals were floating in the water and the steam pouring off the water filled the room with an earthy-floral scent.

Noni turned and picked up a basket of herbs and petals, tossing in a few more. Her attention was on the task at hand.

“I can help you undress and bathe, if you should nee—” her cold words cut off in surprise.

Pia was already undoing her robes. Off came her first layer, then the second. Her cowl was tossed to the ground, and she peeled off the leg wraps tied to her legs. Both boots were kicked off and then she was sitting on the edge of the tub, sliding in.

The water burned against her cold skin, and she let out a moaning hiss. The herbs smelled heavenly. For so long Pia had smelled like grime, horse, sweat, and campfire. She pulled the leather tongs off of her braids, tossed them over the side of the tub, and struggled to untangle her matted braids. As quickly as she could she unwound them, then dunked her head below the water.

It burned, feeling as if her skin might slide right off the bone. Yet it felt amazing against her tired, battered, aching body. Coming up for air, Pia turned around, resting her arms and head against the tub. Her eyes slid half shut as she enjoyed the feeling of the warm water around her.

Noni let out a hiss, but Pia was too tired to wonder what had upset her. All the hurt she’d given to her body had been worth this moment.

A thunk in the water had her turning. A bar of soap. Pia grabbed it and began scrubbing her body vigorously. Then she tackled her hair.

“Miss,” Noni called, and Pia looked up to see her holding out a wooden comb. Grinning, Pia took it, and began trying to comb through the tangled mess.

The water turned cool, then cold before Pia managed to get the tangles or smell fully out of her hair. Gooseflesh prickled her arms and she hugged herself, letting out a small shiver. She didn’t want to get out…

“Miss, we can refill it,” Noni said, voice soft.

Pia looked up, seeing the servant giving her an odd look.

“You can refill it?”

Noni nodded. Without care, Pia stood and stepped out. The coolness of the air had her shivering. The servant girl’s cheeks flushed red and she hastily gave Pia a robe, before rushing to move the heated brazier closer. Once Pia was covered, servants came in to empty the tub and refill it. They worked quickly and efficiently, and in no time at all Pia was sliding back into the tub with a happy hiss.

Noni passed her a different bar of soap to clean her hair. She raised her brow, giving the girl a questioning look.

“It’ll help loosen the knots and refresh the smell,” Noni told her.

Trying it, Pia was pleased to find it did indeed detangle her hair. It had a lotus and rose scent that lingered in her hair, completely erasing the stench that had seemed impossible to get out.

“Thank you,” she said, sniffing her hair and finding it smelled only fragrant now.

Noni gave her a tight smile and a nod.

Pia dozed off, bobbing in the water, until it turned too cold to enjoy. Helping her from the tub, Noni led her back to the sleeping room. On the bed a pile of clothing was laid out.

Face twisting into a sneer, Pia picked it up with two fingers, disgusted.

“I’m not wearing this,” she said, dropping it back onto the bed.

It was a silk dress in a light-yellow shade. She’d never wore a dress, and she wasn’t about to start.

Noni gave her a cold frown. Pia’s hackles rose at the challenge in that stare. She might’ve been an orphan all her life, but she recognized even a smidge of disrespect. Steeling her gaze, Pia stared down the girl.

Noni’s eyes dropped quickly. “This is what I was given for you,” she said, bowing her head respectfully.

Frowning, Pia looked at the dress again, then tossed it onto the floor.

“Can you get me a pair of the men’s robes?” she asked.

The servant girl gave her a flat look and shook her head.

Irritated, Pia turned and looked around the room, afraid of losing her temper on the girl. Beside the bed she spotted a tall wooden cabinet. It reminded her of the ones she’d seen in dress shops that held extra fabric.

Crossing over to it, Pia pulled it open. Inside there were folded blankets placed in neat stacks. On top, a single, old black robe. Shaking it open, Pia saw that it was much too large, and had seen better days. Looking back in the closest she saw no underrobe to go with it. It was still better than the dress.

She dropped the drying robe and pulled on the black robe. It was much too long in the sleeve and hem and dragged around her feet. The belt had to circle her waist three times before it tightened. It wasn’t comfortable, the fabric scratchy and stiff, but it was still better than that yellow thing.

Noni’s face twisted in what looked like horror. Pia gave her a tight, frigid smile.

“Get me the comb,” Pia said, leaving off the pleasantries, still angry at the servants’ tricks.

It took her a few long minutes to comb her hair out and then plait it back into her normal two long braids. She tied them off with ribbon Noni gave her. It had grown a lot recently; she’d have to trim it soon.

Done and hungry, Pia asked, “Food?”

Unwilling to wear the house slippers Noni offered her, Pia walked barefoot back to the main house. Noni followed her like a dark, unhappy shadow. Pia wasn’t trying to be difficult, but she wasn’t about to be played either. It was clear she’d come in training robes. Offering her silken ladies’ clothes and slippers was insulting. Pia would’ve gone naked before she wore those.

Ruwe was sitting at the table when she returned. When he saw her coming his brows rose.

“What are you wearing?” His voice was tight, a mixture of disbelief and frustration, as he leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing.

“I found it in the room,” she told him, taking a seat across from him. Her nonchalance was only partially forced. The rage she’d felt immediately started to drift away at the delicious scent of the food.

Her mouth salivated at the smell of the food. Warm buns, sautéed vegetables, steaming white rice, and grilled meat. A cup of tea already poured.

Pia’s attention was solely on the food, so she missed the slightly dark look that crossed his face.

“I sent appropriate clothing for you,” he said, voice cold.

The anger that had drifted away surged back to life. Looking across the table Pia gave him a fierce glare.

“I refuse to wear that silken courtesan attire,” Pia said, voice hot with anger.

Her eyes narrowed into thin slits as she glared at him, feeling the rage she’d felt when she’d picked up the dress.

He blinked, seeming taken aback at her anger being directed at him.

“Courtesan dress?” he repeated.

“The yellow thing with matching yellow slippers,” Pia explained as she picked up her tea.

It had cooled to the perfect temperature, and she drank it all in a single go. Pia looked at the cup in shock and her anger drifted away instantly. Toasted rice. It was her favorite. The last time she’d tasted it had been with the watchman in Dwelling. She refilled her cup.

“Noni,” Ruwe said, coldly. Pia’s brows rose in surprise. She’d never heard that tone from him before. It was chilling.

“Sir, I offered her what was given to me!” Noni cried, falling to her knees in a bow.

“It’s nothing,” Pia told him, picking up her chopsticks and waving her hand. “It’s what women do.” Her voice sounded harsher than she meant it to, and she avoided meeting his gaze.

“I’ll make sure the correct clothing is sent to your room. You’re my apprentice, not a daughter to be wed off,” he said, voice tight with anger.

Ruwe gestured with his hand and Noni scurried from the room like a frightened mouse. Pia gave him a smile of gratitude and dug into her meal. The daughter comment had her curious but there were other questions she wanted answered first.

The two ate in silence. Pia realized how hungry she was with the first bite. The freshly cooked food was the best she'd ever had. The meat practically melted in her mouth. The flavors of the food after months of bland meat and tasteless rice balls were glimpses of tastebud heaven.

After she couldn’t stuff another bite in, Pia poured another cup of tea. It brought a smile to her lips just to taste it.

“So, why’d we come here?” she asked.

“It was time.”

“Time for?”

Ruwe gave her one of his signature bland looks.

“You’ll know when I tell you,” Pia said, voice imitating him, giving him a small smile that offered him to join in.

Instead, Ruwe pushed a black token across the table to her. Curious, she picked it up. The token was hung on a black cord, with red tassels and beads. The pendant itself was black with swirls of white clouds carved into it. Running her thumb over the surface Pia couldn’t tell whether it was stone, jade, or rock. It was incredibly smooth.

“What is it?” Pia asked suspiciously, having a feeling he was using this token to entice her curiosity away from questioning him about being a Duke.

He surprised her with a real smile, one that made him seem much more dangerous than his cold smirks. It made her suspicions stronger and she frowned deeply.

“The token of the Xieya sect,” he said, smiling a little wider at her slack jawed expression. “Welcome, Pia.”

Pia’s hand tightened around the token, and she felt a lump form in her throat. Hastily she picked up her tea, hiding her face behind her sleeve as she drank. It gave her time to calm herself.

All the while, in her other hand, her thumb kept rubbing over that black token. Finally, she was officially an apprentice.