Episode 3.24

“This way.” The wry smile was back on the weasel’s face but affecting both sides of his mouth now. It was as if he had divined Jiao Tu’s thoughts and was thoroughly amused by the warrior’s reaction on entering the domain of a clan of such questionable reputation. They went past the main entrance to

Episode 3.23

“Phulaki?” The tawny, heavyset lagomorph stepped out of the shadows. A weasel stood at his side, tall and lithe as Phulaki was heavy. He wore a frown on his face, especially for the younger weasel on the ground. “Oh, well done, my friend! Well done indeed!” He turned to the weasel at his elbow. “Do

Episode 3.22

“Come along quietly, and no one gets hurt.” The muscles under Jiao Tu’s fur tensed at the soft words. A sharp blade point touched the back of his tunic at his left kidney. He did not turn to see who held his elbow, but he scented the air and took stock of his surroundings as

Episode 3.21

Veena and Karvari directed them through the streets of Lesser Middlesea to the harbor. The scent of saltwater grew ever stronger in Jiao Tu’s nostrils the closer and closer they got to the sea. Colorful banners in dozens of scripts advertised trade companies and passenger vessels, shops that sold ships stores, and inns that catered

Episode 3.20

“Did you register that weapon at customs, sirrah? Carrying an unlicensed weapon will earn you a steep fine and a sleep or two in lockup.” Jiao Tu shrugged out of the grip of the paw on his shoulder and whirled around. An older he-goat stood before him, his fur a grizzled grey and black. He

Episode 3.19

(The story thus far: After the events plaguing Wugu Zhuang village, Jiao Tu has agreed to escort the dancer Karvari and her accompanist across the Middlesea. At a tavern a few cycles’ journey the port city of Lesser Middlesea, the lagomorph encounters an old friend, who promises work for the warrior. This encounter leads to

Episode 3.18

“You have known me longer than either of them, Karvari. You can tell them in great detail that I am no such hero.” The tigress licked her lips. “I cannot, my warrior, because you in fact are a hero from a story. You chose from an early age—certainly longer than I’ve known you—to pattern your

Episode 3.17

“So we come at last to the point of this whole farce. What does your benefactress want, Karvari?” “Why, to meet you, of course.” Jiao Tu blinked at the tigress’s response, and then his expression shifted to a deep frown. “Do you mean that this whole unpleasant business has been some sort of…interview for employment?”

Episode 3.16

“Come, let us pause for our luncheon, and I will tell you what I am able.” Jiao Tu frowned at Karvari’s words, but the cart had grown heavy, and it was the part of the cycle when they usually paused. So he and Karvari directed their carts off the road to a grassy patch under

Episode 3.15

“The fact that she already knows me so well suggests that Karari is conducting this test not for herself, but on someone else’s behalf.” Jiao Tu turned toward the tigress. Her enigmatic smile gave very little away, but it did suggest that he was still on the correct track. “Let us hypothesize, apprentice. Suppose that