Deceived by Magic (The Baine Chronicles Book 6) Page 16

  Once the child was settled in, the pirates showed us the hidden footpath to Leniang City. It wound upward across the hill under dense tropical foliage, allowing the pirates to come and go undetected. Smuggling goods were carried by donkey, our guide told us, or moved on small “fishing vessels” under cover of darkness.

  At the top of the hill, we paused at our first sight of the large city and the huge, busting port. Half of the city was perched on the pirate island, at the foot of the steep hills we had just climbed, while the other half stretched out across the harbor on the mainland side. In between, hundreds of ships in various sizes, with colorful sails, were plying the green water.

  “Amazing,” I said as we surveyed it, “I can’t believe this place was completely hidden from the back of the island!” Leniang Port was not quite as huge as Maral, but the hilly island was a much prettier setting. Large falcons were circling overhead, looking for fish or game, and up here, among the lush trees, colorful butterflies flitted around. I took in a deep breath of the humid air, which was fragrant with exotic plants.

  “Yes, it’s impressive.” Iannis took my hand. “Now why don’t we go down there and see it for ourselves?”

  We quickly made our way down the hillside. In less than an hour, we found ourselves at a busy market with stalls selling every imaginable, and unimaginable, kind of goods. There were colorful masks, live toads and frogs, and even snakes—which I guessed were for food—as well as fake coins and other objects that were meant to be burned as funeral goods, raw meat buzzing with flies, and fish still flopping around, gasping for air—the current day’s catch.

  “We need to buy better garments before we go exploring further,” Director Chen reminded us. “We cannot possibly arrive anywhere in these rags.”

  I looked down at my own clothes, then at the others. Chen was exaggerating, but only a little—though we’d magically cleaned our outfits and mended them as best we could, our swim in the muddy river and other adventures had resulted in significant wear and tear.

  “We don’t have time to waste on such trivialities,” Garrett argued. “We can simply transform our clothes before we arrive.”

  Chen stopped dead, then turned sharply toward him. “My sister and her husband are mages, and they would immediately notice the deceit. It is considered terribly gauche to supply your clothing with magic. Did you not see how our lack of fine clothes confused that pirate?”

  Garrett looked like he wanted to argue the point, but he stopped short at the cold anger on Chen’s face. Iannis proclaimed that Chen was right, settling the matter, and she led us toward the market’s textile section. The rows of stalls selling clothing were truly a sight to behold. I’d never seen so many different colors and styles of fabric in my life! Annia would have been in paradise, I reflected wistfully. But despite the sea of shimmering silks and colorful jewels that surrounded us, Director Chen looked unhappy.

  “I don’t see a lot of finished clothes,” I remarked, wondering if that was why she was upset. Most of the stalls were offering rolls of silks, velvets, and other fabrics.

  “That’s just it,” she said. “Everyone who is anyone has their garments made to measure from these fabrics; they can be finished in a single day or two. But we don’t have enough time.”

  “Oh.” I pursed my lips as I surveyed the stalls again. “Surely there has to be someone around here who sells finished clothing.”

  “Yes, but they won’t be nearly as fine as I would like.” She shook her head, then let out a resigned sigh. “Oh well, we’ll just have to make do.”

  Director Chen steered us to a stall that had a sort of wooden shop attached in the back, and to her relief, found a variety of finished clothing there. We purchased robes for all of us that seemed flashy enough to me, and as I stood in the small dressing room, I decided I rather liked the dark red silk of my new outfit. Even so, Director Chen’s lips pressed together as she surveyed us all, disapproval clear in her eyes. But there was nothing better to be had, so she said nothing as we paid for our clothes and left.

  Once we finished procuring some additional supplies, we hired a carriage to take us to the home of Asu, Chen’s sister, who lived with her husband Loku only half an hour from the port. As we bumped along the winding road, I allowed my mind to wander back across the Western Ocean, to Solantha. How were Cirin and Fenris faring, running the city in Iannis’s absence? Was the ether parrot harassing Rylan in my absence? Had Comenius returned from Pernia with his daughter? And, if so, how was she acclimating to the new country? I hoped the little girl would get along with Elania, though it was unlikely they would have a smooth start. Would she have strong magic, since both her parents were hedgewitches?

  Thinking of Com’s daughter reminded me of Tinari, who was also without a mother now that hers had cruelly rejected her. How was she doing? Had the Guild found her a suitable home yet? I wished we were close enough to send an ether pigeon, so I could inquire after her welfare. I knew Fenris and Rylan would keep their promise to check on the children, and Janta as well. But it would still be nice to know for sure.

  And what about Annia? She had to be down in Southia by now, probably in some seedy bar playing cards and drinking with the locals, or getting into trouble. She’d taken the job so that she could put Noria out of her mind, and for Annia, that meant she’d be partying as hard as she was working. I wished that she was here with me now, taking in the exotic sights of Garai. She would have gotten a kick out of the pirates. Knowing Annia, she probably would have had them wrapped around her finger in ten seconds flat, and gotten them to hand over their dirigible without throwing a single punch.

  “We’re here.” Iannis gently squeezed my thigh, pulling me away from my wistful thoughts. I peered out the window to see that we’d arrived outside a large home that was the equivalent of a Northian mansion. It sat a little higher on the slope of the hill, and I imagined it had a magnificent view of the entire harbor, including the opposite side that connected to the Garaian mainland. Blue-green water reflected the blue sky. Flowering trees and plants everywhere, and at least two hundred different ships moving around or at rest, made for a fascinating backdrop to Asu’s home.

  The house boasted a forbidding outer wall with a gate of carved wood painted red, to protect the privacy of the occupants and discourage trespassers. Once an elderly servant in a long, dark robe had admitted us, and Director Chen explained we wanted to visit with her sister Asu, we crossed a garden with a tiny pool in which colorful carp languidly sunned themselves. These fish were supposed to bring good luck and wealth to the household, Director Chen explained to us.

  “Lalia!” the lady of the house cried, surprise on her pretty face as she met us in the hall. She greeted Director Chen with a deep bow and more respect than I would have expected among sisters. The two of them talked fast in Garaian for a few minutes, and I used the time to study Asu. She was a few inches shorter, and a little curvier, than Chen. She wore her long hair mostly unbound, with only some of the strands near her face pulled back and secured with a gold chain. Since Asu hadn’t been expecting us, I gathered that her beautifully embroidered and perfectly tailored dark blue silk dress was everyday wear for her. It was certainly fancier than anything I’d wear around the house, and I suddenly understood why Director Chen had been so unhappy with the ready-made garments we’d purchased. Chen’s fuchsia robes with blue silk embroidered flowers were beautiful, but they were not even equivalent to what Asu wore now. And we hadn’t brought anything suitable for a grander occasion.

  Finally, Chen and Asu turned back toward us, and Asu bowed again, addressing us in Northian. “Good afternoon, honored guests. My name is Asu Bai, Lalia’s younger sister. I am very pleased to welcome you to my home.”

  “Good afternoon,” Iannis said, bowing in return. “We have been looking forward to meeting you, Mrs. Bai. I am Iannis ar’Sannin, Chief Mage of Solantha, and these are Sunaya Baine, my fiancée, Garrett Toring, who works for the Northian Federal government, and Henning Mog
g, our pilot.” He gestured to each of us as he introduced us, and we bowed as well. “We are here unofficially, so please do not tell outsiders of our visit to your city.”

  I hid a frown at that. Would it not have been better to use pseudonyms, if we didn’t want Asu telling others about us? But then again, it was important that we gain her as an ally and she already knew Director Chen, so lying to her probably wasn’t the best way to go.

  “You are all most welcome to stay for as long as you like.” Asu bowed again, and as she did, I caught a whiff of unease coming off her. She wasn’t being entirely truthful, but I wasn’t going to call her out on it. I couldn’t blame her for her unease—we probably looked like trouble. “My husband is not home right now, but I will introduce you as soon as he comes back. In the meantime, why don’t we have lunch?”

  I can get behind that, I thought as Asu led us down the hall and into her dining room. It was a simple but elegant space, with beautiful scrolls depicting Garaian artwork and characters on the walls. In the center of the room, a long, narrow table of dark wood sat low to the ground. It was already laden with various spicy-smelling dishes, and my stomach grumbled a little in anticipation. Standing off to the side in a single line, with their hands clasped in front of them and their posture perfect, were five children in tailored silk robes who all resembled Asu to varying degrees. They bowed in unison as we entered, and I could scent their nervousness despite the expressionless set of their features.

  “These are my children,” Asu said proudly, and then began to introduce them one by one. The oldest, who looked about fourteen, was Arai, a stunning young woman who, according to her mother, was highly skilled at flower arrangements and also showed signs of strong magic. Next was Busou, twelve, a stocky young boy with intense eyes. He and his younger brother, Kori, were both learning the art of the sword from their father. The two youngest, Shirai and Yusai, were twin girls, and they were adorable with their shy smiles and matching outfits, though Shirai wore green and Yusai wore pink. All of them knew basic Northian. Asu introduced Director Chen as their aunt, and the rest of us as her foreign friends, then we sat down on the legless, but comfortable cushioned chairs to eat our meal.

  “My nieces and nephews are very well behaved,” Director Chen remarked with a smile as we served ourselves. I was thankful for the ivory serving spoons that supplemented the chopsticks—it would have been embarrassing to spill food all over the glossy wood or onto the silk carpet beneath our feet. “You must be very proud.”

  “I am,” Asu agreed, and the children ducked their heads to hide their smiles. “I am pleased that you are finally getting the chance to meet them. You have been gone for several decades. I would have expected you to have a husband and children of your own by now, actually.” Asu gave her a puzzled frown. “Why do you not yet have a family of your own?”

  I bit back a grin as Director Chen’s scent changed, indicating irritation, though her expression remained placid. But before she could answer, a stocky Garaian dressed in bright red robes walked into the room. He wore his long hair in a queue at the nape of his neck, and the pointed tips of his mustache nearly reached his sternum. His black eyes were cold as he measured us, only warming slightly as he looked at his two boys, and Asu stiffened almost imperceptibly as his gaze landed on her. He barked something in Garaian, and Asu and her children immediately rose from their seats. I shifted in my chair, not sure if we should rise as well, but Iannis laid a hand on my thigh, so I stayed seated.

  “This is Loku, my sister’s husband,” Chen murmured as the two exchanged heated words in Garaian. “He did not know that we were coming, and the sight of us in his dining room gave him an unpleasant shock.”

  “Indeed.” Loku turned toward us, hiding his displeasure behind a smug smile. “Do forgive my rudeness, sister-in-law,” he said to Chen in fluent Northian. “I have been out on business since the early hours of the morning, and was expecting to come home to a quiet household.”

  “Of course,” Director Chen said smoothly. “Please allow me to introduce you to my boss, Lord Iannis ar’Sannin, Chief Mage of Canalo.” She gestured to Iannis, who inclined his head, then introduced the rest of us as well.

  “What an unexpected treat—so many guests arriving all at once,” Loku said, a sour note lurking behind his words. “Why don’t we sit and enjoy the rest of this delightful meal?”

  We settled back down to eat, and Loku engaged Iannis and Garrett in small talk, mostly about the principal trade goods shipped from Solantha. He included his eldest son now and then, but ignored Chen and me completely. I forced myself to focus on my food and not betray my anger at Loku’s utter dismissal. I had a feeling, based on the way Asu had reacted when he walked in, and the way he’d smiled so condescendingly at Chen, that he didn’t think very much of women.

  “So, Mr. Bai,” I said loudly when I’d finally had enough, interrupting their conversation and forcing his attention to me. “What sort of business do you run?”

  Annoyance flashed in Loku’s eyes for just a moment before he turned that patronizing smile my way. “I am most invested in the fireworks business,” he said. “They are very popular not only in Garai, but also around the world. I own a factory down here by the wharf, and several others around the country.”

  “Fireworks, huh?” I smiled back, just as patronizingly. “I’m guessing that means you do a lot of shipping, since you said you sell to other countries. Does that mean you own ships?”

  “Not exactly,” Loku said, his eyes narrowing a little even though his smile did not waver. “My business is vast and complicated. It would take too long to explain to someone like you.”

  “Oh, do you mean because I’m a woman?” I said sweetly, then stabbed a piece of meat with my chopsticks, which I knew was very rude.

  “Why don’t we discuss business over tea later?” Asu said swiftly, glancing at her children. The children had been glancing back and forth between Asu and me like they were watching a tennis match, their eyes wide.

  “That is a good idea,” Iannis said firmly. “He may be an ass, but you should still pick your battles,” he said to me in mindspeak, though he didn’t so much as glance at me. I stifled the urge to stick my tongue out at him, focusing my efforts on clearing my plate instead.

  We finished the rest of the meal in peace, then adjourned to a sitting room furnished in pink silk wallpaper and black lacquer accessories, where we were served hot tea. Deciding it was best not to ask for coffee, which they probably didn’t have anyway, I gingerly cradled the hot cup of tea in my hands and blew on it as the others sipped. The fragrance, I had to admit, was growing on me—the trace of dried flowers amongst the tea leaves was pleasant to my sensitive nose.

  “So, Mr. Bai,” Garrett said, setting his cup down on the low table with an audible chink of ceramic against wood. “Have you heard anything about a factory in these parts supplying guns to rebels in the Northian Federation?”

  “I may have heard something,” Loku conceded, arching his brows. “May I ask what your interest is? I did not think mages from your country would be interested in illegal firearms.”

  “We are when they are being used to terrorize our own citizens,” Garrett said. “The Northian government, for which all of us work in some capacity, takes a dim view of smuggling proscribed arms, Mr. Bai. It can only harm relations between our countries. Surely you would see fit to help us with this.”

  “I care not for relations between countries,” Loku said with an airy wave of his hand. “What I do care about is money, and, unfortunately for you, it is not in my best interests to help you with this matter.”

  “Why, because you’re secretly smuggling in the guns yourself?” I accused. My hand itched to slap the smug bastard, and it was all I could do bury it in my lap.

  Loku gave Iannis an unpleasant smile. “Does your fiancée always talk this much? Such forwardness is a very unattractive quality in a woman.”

  “Why you—” My leg muscles bunched as I prepared to
jump to my feet, but Director Chen grabbed my wrist. Surprised, I glanced in her direction—she’d never laid a hand on me before. Her face was expressionless, but the tension in her grip gave me pause, and I reluctantly settled back down.

  “Northian women are very different from Garaians,” Iannis said, sipping from his cup of tea and looking very relaxed. “But Sunaya does raise an interesting question. Are you directly involved in the gun-smuggling trade, Mr. Bai?”

  “Of course not,” Loku said, smiling. “I am a law-abiding citizen.”

  “He’s lying,” I said dryly. “I don’t even need my shifter nose to confirm that.”

  Loku’s smile dropped. “I do not appreciate such baseless accusations.”

  “We mean no offense,” Iannis said. “However, it is obvious that you know something. The use of firearms is meant to undermine mages’ control of the population, though the main victims are helpless humans and shifters. They will be angry with Garai when it becomes generally known where those illegal arms come from. If you know anything useful, it is in your own interest as a mage to help us put a stop to this gun-running.”

  “I have a human partner,” Loku said slowly, “named Ma-San, who may be involved, though this is only a suspicion and has nothing to do with me. I lease one of my warehouses to him, so he can conduct business safely without being harassed. What he keeps there is his own affair.”

  “So you are involved, then.” Garrett’s green eyes darkened. “The Federation will not stand for such treachery, Mr. Bai. You and your partner must cease providing guns to the rebels, immediately!”

  Loku laughed. “You have no authority to forbid anything here, and I doubt you’ll want to bring it to the attention of the Imperial Palace,” he said. “Then you would have to admit to conducting a clandestine operation without the approval of the Garaian government.”