Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

As Kite entered the guild hall and saw his uncle surrounded by the members of the guild currently present in the city, he couldn’t help but smile with amusement. Walker wore his typical ‘sagely lecture-face’, regaling the gathered iron-rankers with stories from his travels. Even though she was a bronze-ranker now, Second Spring still sat front and center, drinking in every word.

The three new iron-rankers in training made up the majority of those present, with Plum, Steam and Gold apparently out on contract at the moment. Noel was there though, and Kite walked over to join the younger man.

Noel Lancaire looked a lot like his father, but wore his blonde hair in the typical topknot favored by many males of Hua-Xi. He was also dressed in stylish silk robes, cinched tight around his torso but leaving flowing fabric over the legs along with loose sleeves.

“Senior brother Kite,” Noel greeted seriously, showing none of his father’s easygoing attitude.

“Younger brother Noel,” Kite greeted in turn. “How are you? I just came back from a meeting with your father. He sends his regards.”

“I have been working hard in my climb towards the heavens, senior. The streams of this land let this young lotus travel far and wide.”

While Noel had always been clear in his ambition to become a master swordsman, a power from his water essence had also made it easy for him to travel great distances in the Autumn lands. While the northern region had no major rivers, there were plenty of smaller streams and similar lengths of running water, and Noel was able to traverse them rapidly as the water itself rushed to carry him along.

“I can sense that. I’m proud of you, Noel. Despite not having to be here, you staying shows dedication. That and your hard work means that you will always have a place among us, should you wish for it,” Kite said, clapping a hand to the younger man’s shoulder. “Once you reach bronze-rank, I may even have an opportunity for you. So work hard with your foundations until then.”

The young man’s eyes widened at his words, and his face managed the hard feat of growing even more solemn. “I will, senior brother. This Noel LanCaire will not disappoint you.”

“I am quite sure that you will not,” Kite said, smiling. “But if you’ll excuse me, I believe that my uncle may soon enough have some time to spare for his wayward student.”

“This uncle of yours has excellent hearing as well, little Kite,” Walker called from across the room, waving him over. “If the rest of you young ones don’t mind, I will need some time to speak with Kite here.”

All three of the newer iron-rankers, an adult couple as well as a younger man, bowed respectfully to Kite, who greeted them in turn, turning to the older man and woman.

“I hope that the guild has found you well. If all progresses as it should, I believe that the pair of you will be able to take over the house in Starberry peak before summer is over.”

“Thank you, Pathbreaker,” the man, named Five Blessings, said after rising from his bow. “My most esteemed mistress has asked us to travel north as soon as master Walker deems us ready to hold our own. I am most looking forward to learning from her.”

“As am I,” said his wife, Moon Blossom. “And I will be ever grateful for the opportunity you have given us.”

“There are plenty of plant essence-users in this guild, so you will hopefully be able to fit right in,” Kite said with a smile.

The pair were the people taking over after his aunties up in Starberry peak, with Five Blessings being an aspiring alchemist while his wife complemented him by being a herbalist. Kite had offered them an adjusted contract for a set of essences for Moon Blossom, not requiring the pair to travel as extensively. He did know that he was showing a bit of preferential treatment since they were to be the new protectors of his home village, but any ethical guilt was quickly washed away by the knowledge that Starberry Peak would fare better in the absence of Dove and Crow.

Saying his farewells to the newer members, Kite followed Walker up to the loft where the pair still resided. While there was plenty of room in the guild hall, neither had wanted to move out of the loft which had been their home for so long, Walker having lived there since the time Kite was born. His uncle had told Kite that he had even used part of the money he got for delivering Kite’s stasis pod to purchase the small apartment.

“So, uncle. How have your travels treated you? Any luck?” He couldn’t help himself, unable to keep the last question from spilling out, earning himself a chuckle as uncle Walker noticed his eagerness.

“My travels were quite pleasant, little Kite,” Walker said, unapologizingly starting with the first question to leave Kite dangling. “Since silver rank, I have the reserves to make the forest walk with me, so I made good time even across the plains down south. Your uncle visited both Convergence, Orchard and even went so far west that I reached Boundary close to the western border. Fascinating to see the different cities, although we outcasts should still keep our wits about us. Should you venture there, be careful of how much you broadcast your presence, my little Pathbreaker,” Walker finished, stressing Kite’s most recent name.

“And…” Kite prompted.

“And I must say, the quality of the roads truly varies. Once, I even-”

“Uncle, please! Mercy!”

Walker chuckled again at Kite’s frustrated outburst, eyes still twinkling. “I am sorry, little Kite. Thank you for indulging this old man and his antics. I will tell you that I was successful. More than I thought that I would be.”

Kite sat back in his chair, waiting expectantly for Walker to continue. But the older man instead produced a map of Hua-Xi, folding it to display the country’s northern half. Kite saw Gilded marked about a quarter of the folded map’s length from the top, with Bastion being somewhere around the middle line and close to the eastern coast.

On the map, three locations were marked; one was close to the western edge, close to and a bit north of the city named Boundary. The second was a bit east of Orchard while the third was even further south and east, seeming to be located somewhere out in the sea and within the territory apparently claimed by a sect.

“Three of them? Uncle, that is amazing!” Kite exclaimed, but fell silent as Walker held up a finger.

“Don’t put the heidel before the cart yet, little Kite. Your uncle did manage to dig up a bit more about them, and each has their own set of complications.”

“I… see,” Kite said, deflating somewhat. “I assume that the one close to the sect is bound to be claimed by them somehow? Like the Victorious Sunset sect?”

“In a way,” Walker agreed. “While the sect seems amicable for one to barter for the honor of entering the trial on their lands, the price is usually paid in service rather than resources. And as I thought that you weren’t too keen on serving a sect for a while or going deep underwater, I thought this one the least likely option.”

“And the other two?” Kite asked, looking at the pair of markings.

“The other two should both be manageable, but as I said, comes with their own complications.” Walker pointed to the one near the city of Orchard. “This one has apparently been around the longest, at least thirty years. One of the local wealthy families purchased the land around the gate and even built a manor there, keeping the gate as a prized part of their vast gardens. People with the token can pay the family for access to their estates and make an attempt at the gate, although I heard little of the price except that it is a steep one.”

“I… see,” Kite said, with some concern. “And the one near Boundary?”

“That one seems to be heavily contested, with local powers all fighting over controlling access to the gate. It seems to have become a symbol of prestige to have it fall under one’s influence. They tend to disagree quite thoroughly with the thought of an outsider coming in to claim the prize and opportunity they claim rightfully belongs to the city and its elites. As soon as one of the power-players in the city gets a hold of a token, they usually try it with one of their scions, although so far no one has succeeded in the decade since its appearance. Should you change your mind and decide to sell your token, going to Boundary would net you a pretty sum.

Walker’s explanation left Kite in a thoughtful mood, as he pondered upon the different alternatives.

“I agree the easternmost one beneath the waves seems like the worst alternative. While the space within does not by any means have to be submerged, I would rather not risk it,” Kite thought aloud. “In regards to the other two, it seems like I might have to choose between paying through the nose or risk inserting myself into something political and potentially violent.”

“Indeed, little Kite. Apparently, people cannot help themselves to want to control the Queen’s trials,” Walker said sourly. “I could, of course, look even further south. Or we could wait for another gate to descend, but only the gods know how long that would take. But you are a patient young man, so I-”

“In this regard, I might have to disappoint you, uncle,” Kite said a bit abashedly. “But I really want to try another gate at bronze rank,” he said, proceeding to tell uncle Walker about the scroll which Brook had procured for him.

“That… makes sense,” Walker eventually said, when Kite had finished telling him of the conclusions and theories that Brook had helped him reach. “The stories say that the queen wished to test one’s path. And a path is a lot more than just one rank. Kite, this is exciting news. Who knows what awaits you within if you enter after already having conquered one of them?” Walker’s eyes were twinkling, before he sombered and added; “But please don’t tell your aunties that I said that.”

“On my honor, my lips will be sealed,” Kite said, returning his uncle’s smile.

“But this still leaves you with the question of which gate to choose,” Walker said, returning to the matter at hand. “Unless you happen to know a gold ranker which to call upon, I’m afraid that your uncle isn’t enough muscle to bring to force things. Both should be guarded, and I would assume that the wealthy ones outside Orchard have plenty of formations and arrays surrounding their estates. It might be worth-”

Walker continued talking, but Kite was only half-listening, his mind having stopped at something which his uncle said. Something which gave him an idea.

“-though I cannot promise to-”

“Uncle!”

Kite’s sudden exclamation interrupted Walker, who looked to the younger man.

“I believe that I know that look. Do you have an idea, little Kite?”

“I do indeed,” Kite replied, his voice sinking conspiratorially. “I will need help, both from you as well as from others, as well as make some preparations. But I believe that I have a way forward,” Kite said, sharing his beginning of a plan with uncle Walker.

“That, little Kite, is bold indeed. And there is a certain satisfying sense of justice to it as well,” Walker said, his thoughtful look gradually turning into a grin. “Then please rely on your uncle. I will help you in whatever way I can.”

“My friend, are you sure that you do not want us to come with you? It sure sounded like you would have needed the assistance when you made your exit the last time around,” Will asked yet again, still uneasy at staying behind in Gilded.

“While I always treasure your company Will, I believe that you would just feel stuck there. I do not know how long the trial will take, assuming that I can manage to pass it, but the last one took just over three weeks. I wouldn’t want you all to sit around freezing in the snow in unfamiliar territory during that time. Besides, Dragonfly will accompany me to Convergence and help me stock up on things I need, and then I will have further support waiting for me in Orchard.”

“So, they are coming?” Dragonfly asked, Kite nodding in response.”

“They are. I received the message yesterday.”

Will sat back on the couch, the inner garden of his part of the palace protected from the early spring sleet outside. The elf still seemed in a sour mood for missing such an event as Kite was about to undertake, but eventually gave a resigned sigh. “I suppose that those two will be able to better assist you with what is to come. And for what it’s worth, I think you made the right choice. The satisfaction if you can pull this off…” he mused, a smile creeping back onto his face.

“I would tell you to be careful,” Serene said, “but I believe that you have probably heard the sentiment echoed many times already.”

“I will indeed strive to take care,” Kite replied. “But I also need to temper myself. If I - we - are to join the search for… “ He paused, looking to Serene for confirmation that they were protected from most who would try to listen in. With the priestess’ current skills, one would need to be a silver-ranker like deputy director Rupert with essence powers to increase hearing if one wanted to pierce the sound shield she deployed.

“... Discord’s clergy,” Kite finished, having made sure. “From what Jarvan hinted at, it would be a long and arduous process, so gaining all the power we can beforehand is important.”

“I believe that we can all agree to that,” Serene confirmed. “Is there something else which you want us to take care of while you are gone?”

“Please look after the guild if you have a moment to spare?” Kite asked, looking to his friends. “As uncle Walker will hopefully be joining me for the return trip, they will need what guidance we can provide. And as always, keep a lookout for new potential candidates for the future. I have made sure that each of you will have access to my vault at the adventure society, in case there are any awakening stones that are to be given out.”

In addition to all the essences and awakening stones he carried, Kite had also deposited the funds dedicated to buying the land near Bastion so as to not accidentally spend that money when preparing for the gate. He had also stored all of his excess equipment produced by his looting power with the guild, only carrying what he thought might actually be useful.

“Of course we will,” Will said. “My father is quite pleased with the guild’s work for the area so far, so they should not find trouble within the city, at least.”

“Thank you,” Kite said, grateful to know that what he had helped found might even live on, even should the worst come to pass. “While it has only been a few years since we met, I know that each and every one of you has changed my life for the better. May our bonds continue unbroken for the rest of our climb towards the heavens.”

“Kite, don’t talk as if you aren’t coming back,” Dragonfly chided.

“I believe it deserves to be said, be it on a normal day or before a departure,” Kite retorted. “You all are simply marvelous people, and I am honored to call you my friends.”

The other three were silent after Kite’s proclamation, Dragonfly eventually grumbling;

“See? It’s not just me that gets flustered when he gets all earnest…”

Looking at the glass archway in front of him and Dragonfly, Kite couldn’t help but smile ruefully.

“It feels like this is becoming a habit. Thank you, Grim.”

“The city lord wished to lend you a bit of assistance in your departure,” Grim Snowfall said, standing next to the portal arch in one of the courtyards dedicated for the purpose up at the palace grounds.

“If you can reach all the way to Convergence, your range has grown impressively,” Kite noted.

“As the young master is on his way to ascend to silver rank, he will soon not have need of me in a protector’s capacity. As such, I have begun absorbing monster cores. The life of a combat-ready adventurer is simply not where my skill set will be the most useful anymore.

But if it is not too presumptuous of me, I will still ask if you are prepared, adventurer?”

Kite sighed, looking towards the archway again. “I truly hope so. With the exception of my equipment, I have brought the wagonload of pills which auntie Dove made for me, and enough spirit coins to cover the rest of the consumables I will procure in Convergence as well as for sustenance. I have seen all the people I want to, and left notes for those unavailable, as well as seen to what would happen with my possessions should I not return within a year. Overall, I feel that my foundations should be as firm as they can reasonably be, unless I want to spend another year trying to find teachers who could help me improve-”

Kite was interrupted by a small spurt of water, looking to the little carp who was glaring at him. “And as my little beauty here wants to make clear, I will not be entering the gate alone. And I will have the most ardent and competent escort, too,” he quickly added after feeling Dragonfly elbow him in the side.

“It does sound like you have made sure to put your business in order, adventurer Kite,” Grim said, nodding. “I hope that the young master can learn to follow your example. May your trial leave you tempered and strong, and your path carry you to the heavens and beyond.”

“The same to you, Grim Snowfall,” Kite replied. “Take care of yourself and Will both.”

After a nod of readiness from Dragonfly, they both strode forwards through the portal, leaving Gilded to expand Kite’s horizon. Convergence awaited, but that was just a stop on the way to Orchard. And the jade-sky gate.

Both Kite and Dragonfly stood still for a moment after emerging from the portal, eyes closed and taking steady breaths. While the portals still induced a bit of nausea, it was a far cry from their first experiences during iron rank where one’s food would threaten to reemerge.

As he eventually managed to open his eyes and take in the landscape around him, Kite saw that they had appeared near a lone cliff formation, the stone pillar slightly crooked to form something akin to a claw rather than the normal spire. Memorizing locations for a portal power was often assisted by distinct landmarks to help anchor the place in one’s memory, and Kite wasn’t surprised that this particular cliff had been chosen.

Contrary to what Kite was used to, he saw no other such cliffs or mountains, in stark contrast to the severe terrain of the Autumn lands. Instead, the pair were surrounded by rolling hills and woodlands, with the latter being more in patches and a lot sparser than the thick foliage covering the lands further north. The colors were different as well, with both green and darker reds more common. There was no snow in sight either, unlike around Gilded where the last little patches still clung to the shaded areas.

“I am now further south than I have ever been before,” Kite nodded, the experience a bit disjointed as he had not seen any of the distance which the pair had crossed.

“Just wait until you see Convergence,” Dragonfly said, nodding to the southwest. “While I have always liked Gilded, I can understand why it is regarded as barely a city by southern standards. Shall we be off? With Glint, it shouldn’t be more than a few minutes of travel in that direction.”

The carp was all too happy to oblige, and the little group was soon carried across the hills, the grass below still in the process of leaving behind the tan and brown of winter in favor for the budding green of spring. And true to Dragonfly’s words, they soon started noting the trails of smoke from chimneys at the horizon, with an impressive view soon following.

Convergence was indeed larger than Gilded, and not by little. Nestled within the crook of two major rivers merging into one on their way towards the sea, the city sprawled onto all sides of the waterways. Kite had never seen rivers of that size before, and was fascinated by the constant stream of barges and other kinds of boats moving along the watery canals.

While he recognized the architecture and the curved tiled roofs, it was clear that Convergence still had a norm of its own when it came to buildings. Where Gilded built mostly wooden houses on stone foundations and Bastion utilized stone to a much larger degree, Convergence was more of a fusion, its mercantile nature hinted at through the sheer variety of materials. Even from afar, Kite could see what looked like a stone estate more akin to a fortress, the sprawling compound beside it instead in the more traditional Hua-Xi style with plenty of woodwork and fewer floors. There was even a spire of obvious magical origin, its shimmering surface reflecting the early day sun. While there were several other spires reaching above the skyline, none came close to that gleaming monument.

“Awesome, isn’t it?” Dragonfly asked from beside him. “The spire is the residence of the city lord, and was apparently even built by the Queen of Jade and Sky during her reign, as a reward for some service provided.”

“It… sure is a sight to behold,” Kite agreed.

“Better take a good look now, because all of the city isn’t as grand when you get to see it up close. I recommend that we avoid the harbor districts as much as possible. Having a keener sense of smell is not always a blessing,” Dragonfly said, scrunching up her nose.

“You spent a few months in this area, so I’ll be in your care, my ardent Dragonfly,” Kite said, looking at her over his shoulder. Even as he could see her perfectly fine through his expanded vision, Kite had still diligently practiced to remember to actually look at people when talking to them either way. She all but glowed to his new and improved aura perception, her aura familiar yet more, as if her fiery core was suffusing out into the world around her, the promise of warmth and searing violence present in equal measure.

Dragonfly, taking her role as a guide seriously, started regaling Kite with what he was to expect as Glint once more set off across the landscape towards one of the city’s many gates.

“-but having Glint should save you a little bit of money for not having to use the ferries. Oh, and be prepared that even the other outcasts around here will probably look down their noses at us. If only they knew that the Pathbreaker himself had come to town.”

“From what you told me, you made a bit of a splash yourself when you and Force were here taking contracts,” Kite noted.

“Oh, I did. Left a few prideful ones very surprised and disappointed,” Dragonfly smiled. “The world has yet to know of me, but it will in time.”

As they drew closer to the city gate closest to Grim's portal location, Kite soon got the feeling that some things did not seem to change. There was the usual line, with a separate one for adventurers. Being the middle of the day, neither was very long, and the pair made it into the city without a hassle. If the gate-guards found them unfamiliar, they did not show it or react in the slightest, which was understandable as Convergence was much too big to recognize every middling adventurer active around there.

Kite also felt the difference as he noted over six different silver-ranked auras as he and Dragonfly were traversing the streets. But while the architecture was a bit more scattered, the pulse of the city was similar to that of Bastion, just on a bigger scale.

“Do you think that we need to check in and tell the local society branch that we are here?” Dragonfly asked as they stopped on a crowded plaza to buy a pair of meat and mushroom skewers drizzled with two different kinds of sauce.

“No, we should not need to. We’re not taking any contracts, and our badges should get us into the trade pavilion. Let us just find somewhere to stay first, and then we can go shopping. As I said, I’ll be in your care to navigate this place.”

“My worldliness knows no bounds,” Dragonfly agreed, puffing up with pride.

“Five bronze coins each, and not an iron more.”

The merchant woman seemed to regard Kite more seriously then she had when the haggling had started, her bronze aura grinding against his to no avail. Eventually she nodded, giving another wide smile.

“Oh, benefactor is a most cruel one, but this lowly trader will have to agree even if that means that she’ll be taking a loss.”

“With the amount of talismans I am buying from you, I imagine that our karma will end up nice and balanced in the end, heavens as my witness,” Kite said with a pleasant smile, handing over the coins and collecting the large box of assorted talismans; oblong wooden plaques slightly longer than Kite’s palm and covered in magical writing.

He rejoined Dragonfly after saying farewell to the woman, the pair rejoining the streams of adventurers milling about the indoor market. Convergence’s trade pavilion was, unsurprisingly, also larger than Gilded’s, with a separate section for silver-ranked goods frequented enough to not only sell by commission.

“That is a lot of talismans, Kite,” Dragonfly noted as he stashed them away. “I always approve of explosions, but do you think that you will need that many?”

“In the case of the- where I’m going- ,” Kite said, correcting himself so as to avoid potential evesdroppers, “-then I believe that I’d rather spend more now than finding myself regretting not having done so in the middle of a tribulation like that. While I may have worked hard to mitigate it, crowds of the wrong kind of foe are still something with which I struggle at times. Hopefully, the talismans will help tip the scale if the need arises.”

“Then what is next? You’ve gone through utility equipment and it seems all good on consumables now. Want to check out the equipment section?”

“Might as well, now that we are here,” Kite said, even if he doubted that he would find something more fitting to his path than what he was already wearing.

Still, it proved to be an enjoyable experience to wander along with Dragonfly and looking at the many options on display. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Kite found himself smiling throughout the whole experience as he witnessed how she haggled ferociously for a pair of magical boots which caught her attention, and her smug sense of victory afterwards.

“As passionate in peace as you are in battle, my ardent Dragonfly,” he mused once they were on their way back toward the inn in which they were spending the night.

“Your hair is very pretty in the light of dawn,” Kite mused, earning himself a proper snuggling as Dragonfly wrapped him in an embrace.

“And you are earnest enough any time of the day,” she eventually retorted, looking up at him. “I will miss you. You better crush that gate quickly though, or you’ll come back and find us all having reached silver rank already.”

“I will do my very best, my ardent Dragonfly,” Kite said. “But if you all get there before I return, I can just ride your shoulders the final stretch to silver rank, so I would call it a win.”

Dragonfly snorted in response, amused. “At least you are not a prideful man, Kite.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go so far. I have done plenty of prideful things these recent years.”

“Yeah, sure, but that’s different. Being prideful is letting pride guide all your actions, or at least most of them. Having a little pride at times should only be good, no?”

“Ardent and wise,” Kite chuckled. The pair fell silent, and Kite spent some time reveling in sensing their auras intermingle, the techniques from the two volumes of Dyadic Tempering of Auras coming instinctively to them after practicing regularly for the last year and a half. His sense of it had only improved with his perception power reaching silver rank, and it brought new heights to the experience.

“Kite?” Dragonfly asked, interrupting his thoughts.

“Yes?”

“I…” she began, before trailing off. “Never mind.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Asking you to be careful again just feels like asking the heavens to prove me wrong.”

Kite gave her a searching look, but as she had once more snuggled close, he let it rest.

“Still, you better get away from that thing. And bring something to really impress me.”

In response, Kite just hugged her closer. This was their last time together for a while, and both were content to savor it as the sun continued its inexorable climb over the horizon.

Kite felt relief as he stepped in through the doors to the inn’s common room, the dark sky outside driven off by the warm light of enchanted paper lanterns. Glint had fled back into her bottle as soon as they had reached the outskirts of Orchard and the little inn which was to be spot for his reunion with a pair that he had not met for almost a year.

“Greetings, honored traveler,” the innkeep, a short celestine man with white hair and eyes, said as he bowed to Kite. “I mean no offense, but you really look to be in dire need of rest and some comforts.”

Looking down at his still somewhat tattered armor and clothes, Kite could only agree. “I do indeed. The trip down from Convergence began without complication, but I had an unwanted companion during part of the journey.”

“Let me guess, a grand crow?”

“Correct,” Kite said, surprised as the innkeeper identified the silver-ranked monster.

“I am most assuredly no expert, honored traveler, but one who runs an inn near the northern road learns to recognize the telltale claw marks. They are quite adept at rending one's attire too. Did you travel alone? If so, how did you escape?”

“Depends on how you see it,” Kite said, patting the bottle at his hip. “My familiars saw me through, especially the one who let me ride her. She really outdid herself in speed, and I could harry the monster enough to force it to seek easier prey. Even if it certainly left its… marks,” he finished, wincing at his attire still trying to mend itself.

“Then we shall drink to your good fortune, and maybe a toast to said goddess as well,” the innkeeper said, nodding empathetically. “Do you wish for a room? “

“I do, but I believe that I may have company waiting for me. My name is Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune.”

At his name, the innkeeper nodded in recognition. “Ah, yes. Your companions have been here since two days ago. It is the inn’s only suite, and should comfortably house all three of you. Even if the lady tends to… spread out a bit,” he finished, trying to hide the strain on his face as he spoke of said guest.

“That would indeed sound like her,” Kite said, smiling. “Please, lead the way, good innkeep.”

A short walk across the inner yard of the inn, the innkeeper swiftly left Kite in front of a small building which he assumed housed the suite. Being situated out on the countryside, the inn took the opportunity to sprawl out over a goodly area, seeing no need to build upwards when space was plentiful.

Kite announced himself as he knocked on the door, which slid open almost instantly as it was deftly manipulated by a faint, glowing thread.

“Kite! It is good to see you!” a familiar voice called from further inside. As Kite entered, he saw the voice's owner seated comfortably in the suite’s lounge area, glowing threads at work all around him as they were forming pieces of cloth or sorting different documents.

“Braid! Good to see you again,” Kite said as he closed the door behind him and entered. The furnishings of the suite were old and worn, but with the dignified grace of things lovingly maintained over the years. The interior was built in traditional Hua-Xi style as well, with rafters crisscrossing the open space between the sloped roofs and the rooms beneath. And said rafters were occupied, a familiar aura revealing itself as Kite’s gaze wandered upwards to see the multitude of rats spread out across every wooden beam and small ledge in sight.

“Hi Kite~!” They Who Wander happily called through myriad little singsong squeaking voices. “Ready to break into some rich guy’s place and steal one of the queen’s gates~?”