Information

At the heart of Black Water was the Royal Palace. Standing tall and overseeing all. Surrounding the giant mountain that housed the royal family and the courts. Was Black Water Village split into three parts. All thanks to the many streams and rivers running from the center to the tribe border. Like roots spreading out from the trunk.

Houses littered about. Some by the water bed and others nestled in within the forest. Yet the Village was clear of shrubs and nature. Aside from the legs of water that would cross through the road and behind stores.

Many footbridges were erected to help cross the streams. Many choose to jump their way instead and others waded through. Especially on hotter days.

The streams were a subject of Jiang Ying Yue's fascination. As a child, she would run along the streams that peeked from one store and disappeared behind another. Using makeshift boats of leaves and bark and following along. Squealing in delight when the water creatures would make an appearance. Playing with those that weren't poisonous, only when her brothers & sister were watching, when they turned their backs it was a different story.

As she got older and the expectations of the people she grew up around began to chip away any childish tendencies she had.

Even now, late at night, the glowing fish were swimming around. Lighting up the water with a brilliant shade of purple. Children and young women couldn't help but gather around and watch the spectacle. No matter how many years. The attraction was still there.

But as a waste, it was frowned upon, a mere extension of disappointment to be seen so carefree.

Disguised in black, a hat, a veil. There was a chance to do what Ying Yue has always watched and only ever done as a child. But ahead, there was an air of urgency about her brother, that held her tongue and kept her following.

Even though her gaze lingered behind.

Jiang Min was popular in Black Water. As were the Jiang family. Feats that had been recognized and praised by the Royal Family. Held high in the eyes of their neighbours and townsfolk. Even Jiang Ying Yue was mentioned as much as her siblings. Only the whispers were wrought with disappointment and pitty.

The Demon Warrior.

Every woman, man and child knew the name and face. Women would watch his every move. Frozen still in enrapture. Men looked on with jealousy and admiration. Children in fear and worship. Even now, as the siblings crossed through the village, bypassing the late night shoppers. Eyes followed them.

Ying Yue could feel the weight of their gazes on her back. Peering at her. It was different than normal. Everyone knew she was the Demon Warrior's little sister and gave her a bypassed glance. Now, they didn't know if the veiled companion was a man or a woman. To be walking so close and to capture his attention so easily only grew their intrigue. Some, unable to hold their curiosity, began to follow.

Ying Yue rolled her eyes.

It didn't take long for them to find the restaurant the maid was returned to. Lilac Roots.

"Interesting name." Ying Yue spoke under her breath.

Jiang Min glanced her way. She could tell he wanted to say something but refrained himself last minute. The Demon had to keep up his appearance.

Hunching over and entering through the small door. Ying Yue just slipped through before it closed on her. Blinking twice. She gaped at the inside. Unlike the outside that was dark and rustic. The sign, made of metal and wood, hanging above the door belied it's softer inside. Material draped over the walls. Tables were covered with flowers. Unwilting. Jars holding colourful liquid were strung upside down. Coiled with a rope that platted with the same type of material that was placed on the walls.

"Right this way, right this way. We have a private section just for people of your calibre." A short stout man appeared from behind the table. Bouncing on his little feet as he led the famous Demon Warrior and his companion to the second floor.

Walking ahead. She felt her brother tap on her shoulder. She is here.

"That woman over there with the pink flower in her hair. We would like her to wait on us."

Surprise flickered on the man's face as he paused above the stairs.

"Of course. Right away. Just head down there. Empty room by the fourth."

Nodding. Jiang Min took lead. Taking them both to the fourth room down.

Folding herself into the seat. Making sure to keep the hat and veil on. Jiang Ying Yue glanced at her brother. Who tapped his arm six times. Counting six men that stood out to him as someone who was looking for more than a bite to eat. She shook her head.

"The owner was very welcoming."

"Oh?" He cocked his head.

"Perhaps if you looked at people instead of scowling. You would have noticed."

"I leave that for people like you."

Seven people. The owner was hiding something. There was something twisted with his flow.

He tapped his chin as he glanced towards her with a raised eyebrow. If only she could part her veil and just poke her tongue at him. The man could face a small army without hesitation and yet seven people caused him to worry. All because she was in the equation.

When the mental thirty-second timer ended. Both turned to the door. Just as a woman with a pink flower in her hair appeared with tea. The very one they are after.

"You're late."

Bowing low. Holding the tray steady. She apologized. Her hand trembled slightly as she set about her job. Offering tea to her guest.

A pale hand reached beneath the veil and brought the steaming cup to her face. Immediately the heavy scent of Valerian root and lavender wafted through her nose. Barely concealed by the soft fragrance of vanilla and flowers. The high-level dosage would not only damage the equilibrium of a high warrior but also weaken his body. These people were prepared for the Prince to send people after her.

"You were a palace maid?" Ying Yue asked, softening her voice, slipping the untouched tea back on the table.

"I was a prince's consort contender maid," she hung her head. "I was recently kicked out."

"Why?"

"I'm sorry. I cannot say." She knelt down on her knees. "Please forgive me. What happens in the palace should not be uttered unless given permission by one of the royal family."

"Are you aware that there are men here ready to kill you?" Ying Yue asked.

She had expected an outburst and franticness. Aside from the widening of eyes and the tremble in her hand. The young maid merely nodded.

"I have noticed them."

"What were your plans?"

"I---I was planning on escaping before you requested me here. I have my jewels. No family. Head out of Black Water."

"You'd be dead before you could step out from here." Jiang Min remarked.

The young maid dropped to her knees.

"I know," she whispered. "But I have to try."

Jiang Ying Yue glanced to her brother. Nodding for him to take over now.

"I can get you safely from here if you give me information in return."

He wasn't exactly the consoling or the persuading type. But then again, he had a reputation that made it easy to demand what he wanted without compromise.

"What do you want to know?"

"Where did you find the scroll?"

"It was found in personal belongings." Was all she permitted to say.

"Who was the maid that took it off you?"

"I don't know her name. There was so many of us who suddenly was appointed to the two towers. But I know that she wasn't sent away like the rest of us. Some man came and collected her. They walked back into the Palace when everyone had left. I forgot something and had turned back when I saw it."

"Is there anything about her that makes her stand out from the rest of the maids?" Ying Yue asked.

The maid paused. Thinking back. Ying Yue tried to keep patient. Yet, the longer they were there, the more danger they were in.

"There was a scar on her neck that she kept covered with her hair. Every now and then you'd see it. It looks like..." She glanced about her to show the marking. Suddenly using the tea and pressing it into the cloth. "That."

A curved line swung underneath three dots. It wasn't a symbol that she was familiar with. Glancing at her brother. The slight downturn of his lips. He too didn't know what it meant.

"Does anyone else know about the girl returning to the palace?"

"I don't think so. The only person that oversees us is the Stewardess and whoever we were assigned too. I'm pretty sure it was a man who took her back. I didn't get a good look."

Ying Yue swiped across the table. Signalling to her brother it was time to go. She got the information she needed. Just as they stood up. The maid held out her hand. Stopping them from moving.

"Hang on there was something that the other maid said to me that seemed odd at the time but maybe it could count as the information you want."

Ying Yue motioned for her to continue.

"Just as she grabbed the scroll from me. She leaned over to me and...."

Suddenly the ground shook as orange smoke billowed in the room. A crash from above plundered down on top of them. A hand struck out and grabbed onto her veil. A blood-curdling scream sounded off next to her.

They had miscalculated their timing.