Firebolt by Sherwood Smith

Author:Sherwood Smith [Smith, Sherwood]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wuxia fantasy, xuanhuan, fantasy, martial arts fantasy, martial arts, strong heroines, imperial courts
ISBN: 9781611389999
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Published: 2021-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

23

Jion’s primary desire, as he rode down Mt. Lir, was to confront Whiteleaf.

He was escorted directly to his manor, where Yarrow took one look and sent Fennel and the other younger graywings scurrying to make a bath. Warm and dry again, Jion said to Yarrow, “Where is Steward Whiteleaf—”

Whiteleaf walked in at that moment, bearing fresh tea. Jion looked up into Whiteleaf’s long-familiar face, aware for the first time of the graywing’s slight squint, now that he knew the cause. He should have noticed on board Fai Anbai’s flagship, except he’d been too busy feeling sorry for himself. He then should have noticed on his return to the palace, once he’d found out that he wasn’t to be the next item on the block at Lotus Blossom Square.

Time to test the boundaries. “I want to speak to Steward Whiteleaf alone,” he said.

Yarrow gestured to the two other servants, and they all bowed themselves out. The door was shut, and Jion faced Whiteleaf, who stood with hands folded, eyes downcast.

“How good is the privacy?” he asked. “Probably not very.” He held his hand up to cup his ear as he tipped his head toward the door.

“This unworthy shall check, if it pleases his imperial highness.”

“Do,” Jion invited cordially.

Whiteleaf betrayed no sign of surprise, or anything else, as he glided across the room, then slid the door open enough for Jion to see that the space was empty beyond. No servants fell inward.

Jion suppressed the grin that wanted to erupt at the vivid image. Of course, Whiteleaf’s duty was no doubt to report this conversation to either the emperor or the chief ferret or both, but Jion shrugged that off. It wasn’t as if anything he was going to say would be new to their ears.

“Steward Whiteleaf, what exactly happened when you got to the Silk Islands and discovered that I wasn’t there? Please speak plainly.”

Whiteleaf’s expression did not change as he poured out the tea for Jion. He spoke in report mode. “I traveled on the courier ship, your imperial highness. When I reached the governor’s palace, the false prince was just returning from riding. At first I thought he might be a visitor, but everyone gave him the correct bow, so I retreated to the guard captain, who was on duty, and asked where the true prince was. He said you had just returned from riding. I pointed out that I had never seen that individual before, but it was definitely not your imperial highness, First Imperial Prince Jion. And, because I had seniority over the graywing who had replaced me as steward, I asked for him to be summoned.”

“Who was it?” Jion asked. “Anyone I know?”

Whiteleaf hesitated, thinking back, then said, “He was never a part of the inner palace staff, your imperial highness. He had served mostly in the imperial kitchens, first as an assistant to the tea master, and then he was promoted to delivery. I was too ill to be a part of the selection process, but someone put his name forward as my replacement at the last moment.

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