Jade War

“I cannot tell you how relieved I was when Hilo turned the street war, even though it meant there was no place or need for me. The Mountain allowed me to remain here in Opia to tend to my health. At first they set guards, supposedly for my protection, but in truth I was a prisoner—more to my own failing body than anything else.” Doru coughed—a long, deep, wracking sound—then he looked up at her with a clear-eyed and serious expression. “Shae-se, even in this place, I hear things—and I always read the clouds. When I heard that the clans were declaring a truce, I was thankful, believe me. But so long as Ayt Mada rules the Mountain, you will never be safe.”

Shae felt his words turn her hands and feet cold. “What should I do?”

“To hold on to power, one must deny it to others. Ayt has no heir. There are prominent families in the Mountain that hope to succeed her, who are following behind like a pack of wolves waiting for a stumble. The Iwe family is in the loyal inner circle, and the Vens are wealthy, but the Koben family has the strongest claim and the most to gain. Ayt is a strong Pillar, but she is still human, and a woman. Find a way to ally with her successor. It will be up to you, Shae-se, to end the war between the clans, to find a way back to real peace.” Doru coughed again; it sounded like pneumonia. “Beyond that, I have only the advice of an old Weather Man to a young one: Listen to everyone, but read the clouds for yourself.”

Shae’s voice felt abruptly tight in her throat. “Do you have anything else to say, Doru-jen?” The time had come; she put her hand on the hilt of her moon blade but did not draw it yet.

Doru reached around his neck and lifted off a chain with four jade stones. He held the gems in his wrinkled, long-fingered hands for a moment, his eyes glistening. “This jade was your grandfather’s,” he said. “It belongs in the Kaul family.” He set it down next to him on the small wooden side table. His familiar jade aura dissipated like smoke coming off a black log; only his slow heartbeat and wheezy breath remained in Shae’s Perception.

Shae felt heavy in her limbs. This encounter was not going as she’d envisioned. She’d hated Doru for years. Coming here, she’d imagined acting swiftly and with cold righteousness to correct the mistake she’d made by sparing him before. She had not expected to find him sick and suffering, most of the way to his grave already. It was time to act, but still she remained standing where she was, unable to move. Doru was a devious old pervert and he had committed treachery at the highest level of the clan, but as he folded his hands in his lap and gazed up at her with calm expectancy, she remembered that he had been an uncle to her, that he was Kaul Sen’s best and dearest friend.

An ache built in her chest, one that seemed to spread to her limbs and turn them to lead. She couldn’t kill Doru. Her grandfather—let the gods recognize him—would never forgive her.

The former Weather Man let out a strangely satisfied sigh. “Ah, Shae-se, I’m afraid you’ve something to learn from your enemy Ayt Madashi. To lead a Green Bone clan, there are times you need to be as cold as steel.” Doru shifted in his chair and opened the drawer of the side table. “Still, it makes me glad to think that, even after all the ways I’ve lost your respect, you have some softness in your heart for your old uncle after all. You were your grandfather’s favorite, and mine as well; I’ve never wanted to cause you any trouble or heartache.” Shae realized what he was about to do an instant before he took out the pistol, put the barrel in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.

The door of the small house slammed open and Woon burst in, moon blade drawn, jade aura blazing with alarm. He made some exclamation that Shae did not hear; the reverberation of the gunshot had turned her world silent. Doru’s body had been flung back against the seat and it slumped there now, long limbs slack, wizened head lolled sideways on the thin neck. Bloody bits of his skull and brains were sprayed across the back of the armchair. Shae’s heart was stampeding so hard she could feel the beat in her throat. Doru had acted so quickly and unhesitatingly, she hadn’t even Perceived it coming. To her surprise and shame, she felt tears prick the backs of her eyes.

Hami came in and stared at the body but said nothing. It was obvious what had happened. Shae had failed, but Doru had accepted the clan’s justice nevertheless.

“Collect the jade on the table; it belongs to the clan,” she said. She couldn’t bring herself to approach the body and claim it undeservedly for herself. Shae turned away and walked back out the door. She heard Woon following after her, but Hami lingered behind. She had damaged his respect for her; she understood that. The huddle of villagers gathered outside shifted back at her appearance, making room as she walked into their midst. “Who’s the headman of this town?” she asked.