"And tomorrow we're going to need that proposal for Governor Gao," Min told Brother Stone as they neared the Brotherhood compound. It was well after nightfall. Lanterns were hung from the buildings here on Petal 64, a nice change from the multiple ruined and vacant petals they had passed through on their way down from the crown ring.

Min had been in conference with her brother and Riceflower Province officials all day, hashing out the agreement by which Brotherhood members and low-ranked Morning Mist cultivators would assist the Riceflower militia in scouting the lands around the lake to confirm none of the flora and fauna had been affected by the recent tower breach. Her brother had only been there a short time, before leaving the details to his low level functionaries who spent most of the day quibbling over every detail, while Min fought to gain more privileges and payment for the Brotherhood people. She kept finding herself sliding back into her old role as the Brotherhood envoy, like putting on a comfortable pair of slippers. She'd done this hundreds of times in the last four or so years, representing her grandfather, and it gave her a heady feeling of competence and power.

Then she'd slipped off to spend a few minutes beside the bedside of her other grandfather. Her brother Yuan-li had been confirmed as Governor of Riceflower Province two days ago in a subdued ceremony that was doubtless nothing like what he had ever imagined, even though their Grandfather Gao still lived. But it was becoming more and more apparent that Grandfather Gao would never regain consciousness. They were just waiting for his body to die.

Min regretted that, as she regretted not spending more time with him, but he was a shell of his former self, and she found herself fleeing from his side earlier and earlier each evening. She was looking forward to getting back to the Brotherhood House and relaxing. The work she'd been doing this week to help rebuild Vardin City was exactly the sort of thing she'd been raised for, and she was good at it. But sometimes, by the end of the day, she just wanted to curl up on her sleeping pad and pull the covers over her head before anyone asked her for anything else.

At the gate of the compound, Brother Stone bowed to her. "I must go and pay my regards to Grandmaster Noren and ask if he can spare me again tomorrow," he said.

"Of course," Min said. Brother Stone hurried off. She watched him go, surprised as she realized how he had changed in his time as a cultivator. Brother Stone had been one of her grandfather's loyal men since Min was old enough to remember, but he had been a stolid part of the family, not anyone to really notice.

Now he walked with far more confidence. He had actually interjected himself into multiple conversations today, listing the abilities of various Morning Mist disciples, and no one had thought to silence him. Brother Stone was no longer just the fraternal organization's muscle; he was a cultivator, and Min didn't necessarily understand all that meant.

She should. She was married not just to a cultivator, but to a Young Master of the sect, a man intent on progression. And if she kept forgetting that, she was going to find her marriage in even more trouble than it already was.

Sighing, Min hurried to her room, hoping Chang-li would be there and they could have a few words in private, but he wasn't. She changed her finery for a soft robe in Brotherhood colors. Her sect robes hung on a peg, but there would be no sect business tonight. Maybe she could just be Min, not Min of Morning Mist, or Min of the Brotherhood, or Min, sister of the ruler of Riceflower Province. Just someone who was allowed to sit in a corner of the crowded common hall and enjoy her dinner in peace.

With that hope, she slipped over to where the evening meal was being served. Her grandfather was holding court at a high table. Chang-li wasn't there, though Grandmaster Noren was seated beside her grandfather. The two were sharing a bottle together and laughing. Min took a seat at a quiet table, and a servant brought her a bowl of soup.

"Anything specific, Elder Sister?"

"Just what everyone else is eating," Min said. The girl hurried away, and Min began to savor her soup.

Min ate her dinner, trying to relax as she thought of everything she needed to do the next day. She kept a watch for Chang-li. They hadn't exchanged more than a handful of words in the last week. He'd been running from one crisis to another, just like her. She was so proud of how he'd done. Everyone in Vardin City knew who he was.

As the meal began to draw to an end and a servant cleared away Min's tray, her grandfather clapped his hands three times. Chatter died down. All attention went to the front of the room. Grandfather Jiang cleared his throat.

"My brothers and sisters," he called. "Today we celebrate! According to the regular officials and sect masters, Vardin City is now safe. The last remnants of the tower breach have been removed, thanks in large part to those of our brotherhood who have taken a step into the realm of cultivation."

Cheers went up all around the room. People raised their cups and offered toasts. There was a whole table of Morning Mist disciples up near the front, all of them beaming with pride. Min knew their names, most of them. She had greeted them on their admission to the sect, all loyal brotherhood people now setting off on a new adventure.

"But the end of this crisis does not mark the return to what we once knew as normal," Grandfather Jiang continued. "Vardin City has many years of struggle ahead. We will need to work hand in hand with other groups throughout the city, from the scribes and bureaucrats of the government to the other brotherhoods at work here, trade guilds, and associations, to ensure the safety of all of us. To that end, I have asked Master Noren of Morning Mist to aid us in raising up more cultivators. These cultivators will not be brotherhood cultivators," he called. "As part of the sect of Morning Mist, they will serve all in Vardin City and the Empire. But drawn from the best the Riceflower has to offer, they will work ceaselessly to ensure our safety."

Another cheer. Min frowned. How many new acolytes did her grandfather intend to accommodate? They would need housing, and though Noren had certainly taken over much training, Chang-li would feel obligated to help. He was already pushed to his limits, in her opinion, neglecting his own advancement for the sake of helping new acolytes.

"Therefore," Grandfather Jiang said, "I will let Master Noren address you. Remember, anything the master of Morning Mist asks of the Brotherhood, he shall be granted."

Another round of applause. Min waited as Noren stood up. The man bowed deeply to everyone in the room.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he called. "The people of Vardin City have opened their arms and their hearts to me and my sect. We are proud to have stood and fought at your side in the hour of crisis. But that hour is merely a warning of what will come."

A hush fell over the room. Min bit her lip, feeling uncomfortable. She had been privy to plenty of meetings in the last week between imperial investigators, the leaders of other sects, and her brother's functionaries. She knew what Noren was hinting at, but how far would he go?

"My friends, you know that a prism has taken action against the emperor," Noren said. That got a buzz of whispers around the room. Min tensed. So Noren was willing to bring up that terrible prospect, a prism war.

"The emperor has sent his finest to pursue the rebel prism, but we all must recognize that when a prism rebels, it can mark the start of a dark era. I fear a prism war may follow. But take heart. My sect will train hard to protect all those here." He smiled around the room, seeing as the impression his words made sank in. "So I am announcing that one week from today, my acolytes and I will depart this city for Arinat Point, where we will train hard along with our newest rank of disciples. We shall return ready to defend the city and spread our knowledge to others."

Min had to sit on her hands to keep from jumping up. This was the sort of decision that should be made with Chang-li and Joshi and herself. It impacted all of them. Or had Joshi and Chang-li already agreed to this in her absence? She had been neglecting her sect duties to help with Vardin City's recovery. Now she worried she'd split her focus and made the wrong choice.

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On the other hand, Chang-li had not liked the idea of Arinat Point. They'd been told it wouldn't offer him enough of a challenge to aid his progression. Had her grandfather brought his influence to bear? Arinat Point was close to Vardin City and would be easy to fund even for so many people. But Noren was still speaking.

"In addition, my two senior disciples, Young Master Joshi and Young Master Chang-li, are departing at once on a training journey to challenge themselves to reach new heights. By the time we are reunited, they shall have achieved marvelous things. I know you, along with me, wish them the very best."

Min could stand it no longer. She got to her feet, moving up the edge of the room toward the head table. As the crowd began to rise from their meals, Noren sat back down beside her grandfather. Min pushed her way in. She knelt behind her grandfather and Noren and said, "Grandmaster Noren, when was this decided?"

He looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. "Just this evening. Chang-li and Joshi came to me with their plan, and I have blessed it. You know that they stand at the threshold of the Peak of Spiritual Refinement. Like many cultivators, they require focus and commitment in order to reach their goal. We have agreed on a plan for this training journey."

"Where are they going?" Min demanded.

"Perhaps you should ask your husband that," Grandfather Jiang said. "Now, Min, while they are gone, I'm wondering if it would be better to keep you here by my side. You have been more valuable than I could have possibly expected this past week in dealing with your brother. It's not good for me to be seen having too much influence on the new governor, but he is in need of guidance. I am pleased with how well he was listening to you."

"On the other hand," Grandmaster Noren drawled, "I would be more than happy to have Lady Morning Mist accompany me to Arinat Point. I could use a steady hand to keep the disciples on the correct path, and she can work on her own progression as well. You are far from the Peak of Bodily Refinement, but a few weeks of dedicated work could fix that."

She shook her head. "I need to go speak to Chang-li," she said. He'd made this decision without even speaking to her. It ripped at her heart. But she needed to have a private conversation with him before she revealed any of her inner turmoil to anyone else. She got up. "Thank you, Grandfather, Grandmaster," she said and bowed before hurrying out of the room.

Chang-li was in the quarters they shared, bent over a pair of parchment scrolls, sketching from one to the next. One she recognized at once as the map she'd found at Fai-Lan City. He looked up, his eyes wide.

"Min, how late is it?"

"It's past dinner," she said.

"I got distracted working on this. Look." He held up one of the parchments he'd been working on, a square two feet on a side. It was a map. "Grandmaster Noren gave me the clue. I'm deciphering the Morning Mist map you found. It's going to lead me straight to their keep. I'm certain I can find it now."

"You're going to this place?" she asked, folding her legs under her as she knelt on the mat beside him and looked over his shoulder. The map was incredibly well put together, with Chang-li's typical beautiful calligraphy and attention to detail. She recognized landforms at once.

"Joshi and I need to train," Chang-li said. "I'm so close and so far from the next step at the same time." He made a gesture with his hands, indicating his dissatisfaction. "I have to keep going, Min. I can't stop now. Master Noren has helped me see what it is I'm missing." He shook his head. "Just a few words with him have helped me alter my entire view."

"He's not really a master," Min reminded Chang-li, even though that brought up the bitter memory of how she had failed to warn him of the fraudulent master's arrival in time.

Chang-li grinned up at her. "He may not have been the master of Morning Mist, but he is a cultivator with great knowledge, and he's helping me. I would be a fool not to acknowledge that."

"So you and Joshi are heading for this place, wherever it is?" She pointed to his map. "Alone?"

Chang-li frowned. "Noren is planning to remain behind and train more acolytes for your grandfather." There was no hint of bitterness in his voice, but Min rankled nonetheless.

"What do you hope to find there?" Min asked, trying to keep her tone level.

"Scrolls and techniques from the ancient sect," Chang-li said, returning to his drafting. He was wearing that distracted look Min recognized. He was completely absorbed in what he was doing. "I don't even know. Sects have secrets, right? Think of everything we found at the library. I'm hoping for that and more. Texts and techniques suitable for the Peak of Spiritual Refinement and beyond." He looked up, his eyes gleaming. "Master Noren told me just a little about the tiers of cultivation beyond the Peak of Spiritual Refinement. I'm eager to learn more, keep going. But it's more critical than ever that my foundation be solid. I'm beginning to understand what I need to do next."

Min cleared her throat. "So, the plan is to leave when?"

"Tomorrow morning. Master Noren said he'd speak to your grandfather to arrange the details. That's why I've got to get my map ready. I'll take it along with me and continue to work as I go, of course. But I want to be certain I know where we're headed."

"We," Min jolted alert. "Are you—that is," she cleared her throat, "shall I pack my things?"

Chang-li stared at her, his brush falling forgotten from his fingers. "You? I never thought—I mean — you have work here, don't you?"

And she had her answer. Her heart tore, and she faked a smile. "Yes, of course. I see. This is for you and Joshi."

"He and I are both facing the same handicap. We need knowledge we don't have. It's not going to be a pleasure trip," he assured Min. "We'll be seeking a long-lost sect's headquarters. If it hasn't been found already, then it must be deep in the wilderness. Dangerous."

"Not for a cultivator," she pointed out.

"No, of course. Joshi and I will be fine."

He hadn't even thought of asking if she wanted to come along. Min looked away. "You're right," she said. "I would just be in your way."

"I never said that," he protested.

No, he hadn't. And that was the best she could hope for: to be thought of as not in the way. "You don't trust me, do you? This is a secret you're not willing to share with my grandfather."

Now, Chang-li was looking irritated. "Can you blame me? We came here, and the next thing I know, the sect has been co-opted. Your grandfather brought in a grandmaster from who knew where, added dozens of disciples whose names I don't even know. It's not the Morning Mist sect now. It's a brotherhood sect in Morning Mist robes. If I'm to find out who I am as a cultivator, I need to stand on my own and learn my identity."

"My grandfather would be willing to help."

"He's already offered," Chang-li interrupted. "I turned him down. He offered to fund my advancement as far as it could go. But don't you see, Min?" He leaned forward, his eyes blazing. "I need to know who I am as a cultivator, and I can't do that with your grandfather there, looking over my shoulder, counting coins, making sure I'm properly indebted to him."

"That's not what he means," Min said, though she understood exactly what Chang-li was worried about. "You're a member of the family with strong promise. Of course he's going to try to promote you. That's how families work. You've told me yourself that your brother and your uncle worked to get you into scribing school and to pay the fees. This would be no different."

"But it is different," Chang-li interrupted. Min bit off her answer because he was right. Instead, Min bowed her head in acceptance.

"What can I do to help you?" she asked. "I know you think my loyalties are divided, but I truly do believe that the sect is stronger now than it was when we came to Vardin City."

"Of course it's stronger," he said, "but it's not as simple as that."

Min looked at him. She cleared her throat. It took three tries to get the words out. "Are you planning to come back?"

He didn't answer at once, confirming all her worst fears. At last, he said, "Do you want me to? You have status now—a cultivator husband, a sect to be the head of, the connections your grandfather wants. You've got Noren here to be sect leader—"

"Of course I want you to come back," she interrupted. "I don't want the name and rank. I want you."

"But you don't need me You've proven yourself. Your grandfather wants you to be his heir. And Min, I don't know what my future holds, but I do know I am not a Brotherhood of the Oaken Band cultivator. I would rather be sectless. There are ways to overcome that, especially with what Joshi has in mind. I can't be tied here to Vardin City, to your grandfather, and you. Your loyalties lie here with your family."

"And your loyalties lie with your family," she countered. "But here you are. I want to," her voice caught, "I want to cultivate beside you. I understand your path's taking you away for now. But I want you to come back for me."

"I won't be staying in Vardin City if I do return," he told her quietly.

"I understand." She bowed her head.

Chang-li hesitated "If I find what I'm looking for here, Joshi and I are already talking about the next tower we want to attempt. We may not be able to return. If I send you word, would you be able to come to me?"

She nodded. "Of course. Anywhere you ask."

He didn't look completely convinced. Min didn't know what more to say. He turned back to his scroll and began putting down more details. Min watched him for a long moment, then said, "Then you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes. I—"

There was a knock on the door. Min, glad for the interruption, got up. An Oaken Band sister stood there. She bowed her head.

"Elder sister, your grandfather commanded me to bring you word that the preparations have been made for Cultivator Wu's journey. Everything is in order."

"Good," Chang-li said. "Thank you."

Min closed the door in the girl's face and turned back to Chang-li. "You're leaving in the morning then."

"I'll be ready." He put down his brush, looking between his maps again. "There's a lot more work to do here. I'll have to keep going on the way. I need to pack my journals. I've been making a first pass through the sect records. Most of them I'll leave here in your keeping. You'll be able to help the disciples, whatever Noren needs."

Min crossed and knelt beside him. She put a hand on his shoulder. Their eyes met. She leaned in and kissed him. "Don't you think you have something better to do than worry about your map?"

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