Weaves of Ashes

Chapter 103: Chapter 98: The Feast Postponed

Location: Tardide Village - Ryunzo Home

Time: Day 512 | Telia: Day 3 (evening)

Realm: Telia (Lower Realm - Feudal World)

Mrs. Ryunzo took one look at Jayde standing in her doorway—blood-splattered, exhausted, swaying slightly on her feet—and made a sound somewhere between maternal horror and determination.

”Absolutely not.” The older woman’s voice was firm. ”You’re not sitting at my table looking like that. Bath. Now.”

Jayde opened her mouth to protest, but Mrs. Ryunzo was already steering her toward the back of the house with hands that were surprisingly strong for someone so petite. Behind them, Reiko followed with his ears perked forward, tail wagging hopefully.

[Food?] he asked with shameless optimism. [The nice lady has food?]

Assessment: Civilian non-combatant displaying protective behavior. No threat. Accept assistance—strategic value in maintaining positive relations.

(She’s so warm. Like Green, but different. Softer.)

”The water’s already heating,” Mrs. Ryunzo was saying, leading Jayde through a small courtyard where herbs grew in neat rows. ”I saw you coming down the road with that... with that head on your shoulder.” A slight shudder. ”Knew you’d need cleaning up.”

The bathhouse was separate from the main dwelling—a small wooden structure that smelled of cedar and soap. Steam rose from a large copper tub, wisps of it curling in the fading afternoon light that filtered through slatted windows.

”I’ll fetch clean clothes,” Mrs. Ryunzo said, already moving toward the door. ”Your size, I think. Belonged to my niece before she married and moved to Oldstrand.” She paused, looking back. ”Take your time, dear. You’re safe here.”

The door closed with a soft click.

Jayde stood there for a long moment, just breathing. Smelling the clean steam, the herbs Mrs. Ryunzo had added to the water—something floral, something that made her think of the Pavilion gardens. Her arms ached. Her legs felt like they were made of lead. The adrenaline from the hunt had burned off completely, leaving behind bone-deep exhaustion.

(I’m so tired. So, so tired.)

Maintain vigilance. Unknown location. Civilian proximity requires—

(Just for a minute. Please. Just let me rest for one minute.)

Jayde, for once, fell silent.

***

The water was perfect. Hot enough to sting, to make her muscles unclench in stages, to turn her skin pink. Jayde sank down until the water reached her chin and let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Blood swirled away from her hands in dark ribbons. Direwolf blood, mostly. Some of it was hers—scratches from branches during the hunt, a shallow cut on her forearm where an Elder’s claw had gotten through her guard. Nothing serious. Nothing that wouldn’t heal.

(The Alpha’s eyes. The way they went dark so fast.)

She’d killed before. The fighting pits. The Dark Forest hunts. But there was something different about today. Something about making a promise to a grieving mother and then keeping it. About carrying that severed head through the forest, feeling its weight against her shoulder, knowing what it meant.

Vengeance. Closure. Peace.

Mission objective achieved. Civilian threat neutralized. Acceptable outcome.

(But I had to lie. Have to keep lying. About the spatial ring, about collecting the bodies, about Yinxin and the wyrmlings.)

The warm water suddenly felt less comforting.

Reiko’s mental voice brushed against her consciousness, gentle. [You gave her peace, Jayde. That’s what matters. The lies protect those who need protecting.]

(Like protecting you. Like protecting Yinxin.)

[Exactly. Now hurry up—the nice lady promised me treats.]

Despite everything, Jayde smiled.

***

The clothes Mrs. Ryunzo had left were simple but well-made. A long tunic in deep blue, soft trousers that actually fit, and a woven belt. Clean undergarments that smelled like lavender. Jayde dressed slowly, her body protesting every movement.

Physical assessment: Muscle fatigue, minor lacerations, bruising to ribs. Combat effectiveness reduced by approximately fifteen percent. Recommend twelve hours rest minimum.

(Twelve hours. When’s the last time I slept for twelve hours?)

She couldn’t remember.

When she emerged from the bathhouse, Reiko was waiting in the courtyard. He looked... suspiciously pleased with himself. His muzzle had crumbs on it.

”I see Mrs. Ryunzo found you,” Jayde said dryly.

[She has excellent taste in snacks,] Reiko declared with absolute sincerity. [Little cakes with cream inside. She gave me six.]

”Six?”

[She said I was a ’good boy’ and deserved treats for helping you.] He radiated smug satisfaction. [I like this village.]

Note: Shadowbeast displaying attachment to civilian population. Potential security concern if—

(Oh, shut up. He’s allowed to like people.)

Jayde actually seemed surprised by the vehemence of that thought. She couldn’t tell if that was her or Jade. Lately, she has been finding it difficult to tell the difference.

***

Elder Ryunzo was waiting in the main house, seated at the low table in the living room. He stood when Jayde entered, his weathered face breaking into a relieved smile.

”Young Mistress Jayde. Please, sit. You look much better.”

(Don’t call me that. I’m not... I’m not worthy of titles.)

Accept designation. Maintains cover. Strategic value in elevated social position.

Jayde sat, Reiko settling beside her with a contented sigh. Mrs. Ryunzo appeared with tea—actual tea, the good kind that probably cost more than the Ryunzos should be spending—and a plate piled with those little cakes Reiko had mentioned. She set another plate directly in front of the shadowbeast, earning herself another enthusiastic tail wag.

”Now then,” Elder Ryunzo said once his wife had joined them, ”tell us. How in all the realms did you kill an entire direwolf pack single-handedly?”

Careful. Maintain cover story. Omit spatial ring technology, interdimensional origins, and contractor abilities.

Jayde wrapped her hands around the teacup, letting its warmth seep into her palms. ”It wasn’t single-handed. Reiko helped.”

The shadowbeast paused mid-cake to send her a wave of affection. [Always together.]

”Still,” Elder Ryunzo pressed gently. ”Ten direwolves. Including an Alpha. The hunting parties we sent had seventeen men, and they—” His voice caught. ”They lost three good souls and barely escaped.”

(Because they didn’t have magic. Didn’t have training. Didn’t have centuries of tactical knowledge embedded in their minds.)

”I tracked them first,” Jayde said carefully. ”Watched their patterns. The Alpha was territorial—he patrolled alone. So I separated him from the pack, took him down before the others could respond.”

That much was true. Mostly.

”And the head?” Mrs. Ryunzo asked quietly. ”You... you cut it off for Milta?”

”I promised her the Alpha’s head. I keep my promises.”

Something in Elder Ryunzo’s expression shifted. Respect, maybe. Or recognition. ”Your master taught you well.”

Alert: Cover story probe. Respond with a prepared narrative.

Jayde’s fingers tightened on the teacup. ”My master taught me many things.”

”Where is he now? This master of yours?” Elder Ryunzo’s voice was gentle, but the question hung in the air like smoke.

(Here it comes. The lie that protects the truth.)

”Dead,” Jayde said softly. ”Three months ago.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Mrs. Ryunzo made a small sound of sympathy.

”I’m sorry, child.” Elder Ryunzo’s voice was rough. ”That must’ve been—”

”He was a hermit,” Jayde continued, the words coming easier now that she’d started. ”Lived in the mountains far to the north. Took me in when I was young. Taught me magic, combat, survival.” She paused. ”He was... difficult. Demanding. But he kept me safe.”

Plausible cover. Hermit mages common in local folklore. Explains combat proficiency, magical knowledge, and social awkwardness.

”What happened to him?” Mrs. Ryunzo asked.

”Old age, mostly. And stubbornness.” Jayde managed something that might’ve been a smile. ”He refused to slow down, even when his body was failing. One morning, I woke u,p and he was just... gone. Passed in his sleep.”

(The lie tastes like ash. But it’s necessary. For Yinxin. For the wyrmlings. For the mission.)

Elder Ryunzo nodded slowly. ”And now you wander? Alone?”

”Not alone,” Jayde said, reaching down to touch Reiko’s head. ”Never alone. But yes. Wandering. Trying to figure out what comes next.”

”You could stay here,” Mrs. Ryunzo said suddenly, her voice bright with hope. ”Tardide could use a mage. Someone to protect us, to teach the children, to—”

”I can’t.” The words came out harsher than Jayde intended. She softened her tone. ”I’m sorry. I have... obligations. Things my master left unfinished. I need to honor his memory.”

Good. Maintains mobility. Prevents long-term civilian attachment.

(But I want to stay. This house, these people, the way they look at me like I’m someone worth protecting—)

”I understand,” Elder Ryunzo said, though disappointment flickered across his features. ”But surely you can stay for a celebration? The village wants to honor what you’ve done. A feast tomorrow night—”

”No.” Jayde shook her head quickly. ”I mean, not tomorrow. I still have work to do in the forest. Supplies to gather, preparations to make.” She met his eyes. ”Three days. I promise I’ll return in three days. You can have your feast then.”

Acceptable timeline. Allows for dragon feeding schedule, cultivation practice, and mission objective completion.

Elder Ryunzo deflated slightly, but nodded. ”Three days. We’ll wait three days.” He managed a small smile. ”The village won’t like it—they’re eager to celebrate. But I suppose good things are worth waiting for.”

”Besides,” Mrs. Ryunzo added with surprising pragmatism, ”it’ll give us time to prepare properly. A feast worthy of the young mistress who saved our children.”

(I didn’t save anyone. I just killed monsters. That’s what I’m good at—killing things.)

[You gave them peace,] Reiko reminded her gently. [That’s not nothing.]

***

They talked for another hour as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Elder Ryunzo told stories about Tardide’s history—back when it was prosperous, before the warlord wars broke everything. Mrs. Ryunzo shared news about village families, about children growing up, about hopes for better harvests next season.

Normal things. Peaceful things.

Jayde found herself relaxing despite the constant tactical assessment running in the back of her mind. The way Mrs. Ryunzo’s hands moved when she talked, the laugh lines around Elder Ryunzo’s eyes, and the comfortable silence between them that spoke of decades together.

(This is what family looks like. Real family. Not like the Freehold clan—not forced, not political. Just... real.)

Eventually, the light began to fade from gold to amber to the deep purple of early evening.

”I should go,” Jayde said, standing. Reiko stretched and yawned, showing every one of his impressive teeth.

”So soon?” Mrs. Ryunzo looked disappointed.

”The forest is safer to travel at dusk. And I have a camp to reach before full dark.”

Strategic withdrawal. Maintain cover story. Avoid further questioning.

Elder Ryunzo walked them to the door. ”Three days then. You promise?”

”I promise.” Jayde meant it. ”And thank you. For the bath, the clothes, the tea. For everything.”

Mrs. Ryunzo pulled her into an unexpected hug. It was brief—barely more than a squeeze—but it made something in Jayde’s chest crack.

(Warm. She’s so warm. Like mothers are supposed to be.)

”You stay safe out there, child,” Mrs. Ryunzo whispered. ”And if you need anything—anything at all—you come right back here. Understand?”

Jayde could only nod, not trusting her voice.

***

The village was quiet as they made their way back toward the forest. A few people called out greetings—word had spread fast about the direwolf pack’s destruction. Children waved from doorways. An old man raised a hand in salute.

Jayde nodded to each of them but didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. If she stayed any longer, she might not leave at all.

The forest welcomed them back like an old friend. Trees closing overhead, familiar shadows deepening, the scent of earth and growing things replacing woodsmoke and humanity.

[You’re thinking too loud,] Reiko observed as they picked up speed, moving deeper into the woods.

”Am I?”

[You always think loud when you’re upset.]

(I’m not upset. I’m just—)

Processing emotional response to civilian attachment. Recommend mental compartmentalization.

(I’m just tired of lying.)

They moved in silence for a while, following the path only Jayde could see—the route back to Yinxin’s cave, to the dragons who waited there. The sun had fully set by the time they reached the ward-concealed entrance.

[Yinxin?] Reiko called mentally as they passed through the protective barrier. [We’re back!]

The response was immediate—a surge of relief and welcome, followed by three smaller, brighter presences.

[Jayde! Jayde came back!] Tianxin’s mental voice was pure joy. [You were gone so long! Did you bring food? Are you hurt? Mama said you were fighting the bad wolves—]

Jayde stepped into the cave and was immediately mobbed by wyrmlings.

Tianxin wrapped around her legs, silver scales gleaming in the low light. Shenxin and Huaxin chirped from where they perched on a rock ledge, their eyes—bright and curious—fixed on her face.

Yinxin watched from deeper in the cave, her massive form radiating warmth. [You kept your promise to the human mother.]

”I did.”

[And now you’ve returned to us.] The dragon’s golden eyes seemed to see right through Jayde’s exhaustion, her tangled emotions, the weight of lies she carried. [You honor both your promises, young one. That is no small thing.]

(But the lies—)

[Are necessary to protect those who cannot protect themselves.] Yinxin’s mental voice was gentle but firm. [You think I don’t understand the burden of that? I’ve lived centuries hiding what I am, pretending to be less, to avoid those who would hunt me and mine.]

Tianxin butted his head against Jayde’s hand, demanding attention. [You smell like weird human food. And flowers. But also like you—so that’s okay.]

Despite everything, Jayde laughed. She sank down onto the cave floor, letting the wyrmlings climb over her while Reiko settled at her side.

Recommendation: Rest period. Resume operations in eight hours.

For once, Jayde didn’t argue with the tactical voice.

”Three days,” she said to Yinxin. ”I promised them three days before I return for a feast. That gives us time to—”

[To hunt, to strengthen, to prepare,] Yinxin finished. [Good. We’ll need the supplies. And you, little one, need rest.]

”I’m fine—”

[You’re swaying where you sit.] Yinxin lowered her great head until one golden eye was level with Jayde’s face. [Rest. The wyrmlings will guard you. Reiko will watch. And I will ensure nothing disturbs our cave.]

(But the mission—)

[Will still be there when you wake.]

Jayde wanted to protest further, but her body had other ideas. The moment she lay back against the smooth cave floor, exhaustion crashed over her like a wave.

The last thing she felt before sleep claimed her was Tianxin curling up against her side, warm and solid and real, while somewhere in the distance Reiko’s contented purr rumbled like distant thunder.

(Three days. Then the feast. Then figure out what comes next.)

The cave was dark and safe and smelled like dragon-fire and home.

For tonight, that was enough.