For Hiroko, the days soon blurred into weeks. She no longer chafed at her imprisonment. Twice a week, she dined with Governor Jah and his court and found a growing appreciation for their witty and sophisticated conversations. She truly had found herself in an outpost of civilization here at the edge of the empire. Each time, at the end of the meal, he would invite her to sit beside him and quiz her deeply on how she was finding her stay. He'd ask other questions too. It all seemed to take on a dreamy quality for Hiroko. The walls around her were no longer a cage, but a protective shell.

One afternoon, following her lesson, Dowager Perl Akiya said in passing, "— But I am sure you miss your betrothed."

Hiroko had found herself blinking at the other young woman, trying hard to fathom what she was talking about. "Betrothed? Yes, of course." She was betrothed. He was… someone she couldn't recall just now. He must be a strong cultivator to be worthy of a princess like herself. "It's been so long," she mumbled, and thankfully, Akiya seemed content with that answer.

That evening, in her room, Hiroko sat in front of the mirror, staring at herself, trying to place what seemed wrong. The woman looking back at her wasn't her; somehow she looked tired and docile, but maybe that was how Hiroko looked to everyone else's eyes.

Jostling her jewelry tray, she found a slip of paper under it and stared down, unthinking at the words, You are surrounded by enemies. Take care. Trust no one. Hiroko held the paper in her hands for a long moment, agonizing over what to do with it, and what it could mean. At last, she thrust it beneath her pillow.

The next afternoon, Akiya took her to the lux repository. The two of them presented their passes to the men on guard, a pair of the Makar guards, who bowed very low to both women as they scrutinized the passes. One handed back Akiya's, and she entered. Hiroko held out her hand for hers, but the man hesitated. "Princess," he said softly, "I have fought beside your father in the past. If you have any need of us…"

"Thank you," she said, smiling at him as he handed her the pass. "But I am well cared-for here." Then she entered.

This lux repository was also a bathhouse, with hot water piped in from outside. Hiroko disrobed and joined Akiya in a warm pool. They didn't have to worry about being disturbed; Akiya had arranged for no one else to enter as they refreshed their lux and their bodies.

Hiroko sat, inhaling the sweet-smelling fog, and cycled.

"Princess," Akiya said in a low voice, as though she feared being overheard, which was ridiculous, because there was no one else here, "I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine," Hiroko said dreamily.

She cast herself off into the water, laying on her back with her face tilted upward toward the ceiling. Warm mists floated around her. Her hair fanned out all around.

"Princess," Akiya said, "I don't know what's happened, but I've sensed a change in you these past weeks. And then two days ago, in his counsel, Governor Jah let slip that he was happy with your progress, whatever that means."

"Perhaps he's referring to my lessons with Parvah," Hiroko guessed. She felt languid, all of her worries far away.

"Yes," Akiya said. "That's what I'm afraid of. Princess, blue lux touches the mind, doesn't it?"

"Of course it does."

"And I've noticed in the last few weeks you carry only blue lux in your core. None of the other colors."

"That's to let me practice it better," Hiroko said.

"Yes, but..." There was worry in Akiya's voice.

Hiroko thought she should reassure the young Dowager, but it seemed too much effort. Instead, she lay dreamily, soaking in the water.

Akiya cleared her throat. "Princess." Her tone became more businesslike. "You have had the advantage of Imperial training. I've been having a difficulty with my cycling. I've been trying a meditative pattern that is said to also aid with mending wounds. I've been feeling rather ill lately. My constitution is weak. No doubt that is why I suffered my — misfortune. I wondered if you might help me recognize what I'm doing wrong with my pattern."

Hiroko sat up. It would be nice to help her friend. She swam over to the edge and pulled herself out, dripping water onto the white-tiled floor of the spa. The lux around them was not nearly as dense as in a tower, but it would be enough for this.

Akiya was cycling, awkwardly. Her pattern halted and stuttered. Hiroko pursed her lips together. Surely, whatever sect Akiya had come from, it had given her a better foundation than that.

"Try this," she suggested, and began Purification of Mind and Soul.

Akiya started, stopped partway. "Please keep showing me," she urged. "I see it more easily as you cycle."

Hiroko kept up the cycling, feeling all seven colors of lux sliding through her. The red lux felt particularly good, as was to be expected. There were things to be said for physical lux, whatever Parvah's lectures.

"Where did you learn this?" Akiya asked. "I don't remember seeing anyone in the Imperial Palace tell me."

Hiroko shook her head. "No, my betrothed, Joshi, showed me. He..."

And then, like a dam breaking, memory flooded into her. Memories that hadn't been missing, just locked up behind a strange veil. She cried out.

"Keep cycling!" Akiya said sharply. "Hiroko, whatever you do, keep cycling."

Hiroko gasped for breath as she forced Purification of Mind and Soul throughout her body. It hurt now; the cycling technique actively fighting against something that had been set up inside her own mind. Hiroko fought against it, but it was strong, like being smothered under heavy pillows. She felt like she was drowning, and lost her cycling pattern.

"No!" Akiya shouted. "No, hold tight, Princess. You can do this."

Hiroko cried out. She forced everything she had into Purification of Mind and Soul, drowning herself in its repetition, and then, like breaking through the surface of the water, she gasped for air and blinked.

She felt lighter now, like she'd been wearing heavy layers and now stood naked, freed of the weight.

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"Are you all right?" Akiya asked, looking at her worriedly.

"I am." Hiroko took a deep breath, inhaling lux. "What was that?" She thought back and realized she'd been in a fog for days, maybe weeks now. She turned desperately to Akiya. "How long? How long has it been? How long have I been here?"

Akiya studied her. "Eight weeks."

"Eight weeks." Hiroko shook her head in dismay. "Parvah put me under some sort of mind control." It must have taken multiple sessions. Parvah's touch had been so light. Hiroko hadn't sensed it, but she had opened herself fully to the woman, allowing her to dictate how and when and what she cycled.

Hiroko cursed herself for a fool. Of course, she should have known better than to trust the sectless cultivator. After all, Governor Jah had arranged for the tutoring in the first place.

She turned to Akiya, desperate for an ally, but terrified now that she could truly no longer trust anyone.

Akiya gazed back, her eyes burning. "I want you to trust me, Princess," she said quietly, "and I know that you cannot. It's all right. I'll aid you anyway."

Hiroko got to her feet, her core filled with lux. "I need to take action now."

"Wait," Akiya urged. "Before you do, take a moment to plan. There's no one in here now."

"I have to get away from here before Parvah and Jah put me under their control again. What do they want, do you know?"

Akiya nodded grimly. "Jah is scheming. I'm almost certain he's working with the rebel Prisms. There have been strange cultivators coming to the palace late at night to speak to him. I haven't been able to overhear. He speaks of ruling this province, truly, not just as its governor. You would be a weapon to use against your father. They... I heard them speaking. Someone is coming for you tomorrow night. That's why I had to risk action now."

Hiroko's mind raced. She needed to get away from here. But she couldn't just run, she needed a destination, and she needed help. Where would she be safe?

If she could find Joshi... but she discarded that plan ruthlessly. She didn't know where he was or how to reach him. There was only one possibility open to her. "I must reach my father."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Our reports from the front are not detailed, but he continues his actions there. The caravans go out to Samark and are distributed to the troops from there. You can probably get word of him in Samark, but that's two weeks from here by caravan. You'll never make it alone."

"I'm not going to be alone," Hiroko said. "I have allies." I hope. She looked at Akiya as the other woman met her eyes. They stood naked and dripping on the tiles. Akiya looked very young and vulnerable. "He'll guess it was you who aided me."

Akiya looked away. "I'm hoping he will not dare to move against a Dowager Pearl."

Hiroko shook her head. "Your position is precarious already, as a Blighted. All he has to do is arrange for you to be caught with a man, and then you'll be executed. He'll be the judge in charge of that trial."

Akiya's mouth dropped open in an O.

"So," Hiroko said, plunging on, "you'll come with me to find my father."

Akiya's voice rose in panic. "Forgive me, Highness, and I will do anything in my power to aid you, but I'm no more equipped to flee to the frontier than you are."

"True," Hiroko said, "but my allies are."

She strode to where she'd left her clothes, Akiya trailing after her. When they were both dressed, Hiroko took the time to fix her hair and make herself look like a woman in charge of herself rather than a half-drowned rat. Then she stepped out of the spa and looked the pair of guards in the eyes.

"You," she said to the one who had spoken to her before, "you served with my father. Well, his daughter has need of you now. I am surrounded by my enemies. Are you a friend prepared to help?"

At once, both men dropped to their knees.

"Anything, Princess, for General Li's daughter."

"Get up," she said. "We can't be seen. I need an escort out of here tonight."

"Tonight?" Their eyes were wide. "That's very tight timing."

"I must get to Samark and then find my father. I cannot wait any longer. My enemies already have plans in motion for me, and I do not wish to be there when it happens."

The two looked at each other. "Tonight," they agreed, "but we cannot enter the gardens."

Hiroko turned to Akiya, who, looking pale but firm now, gave a nod. "I can get you out to the stables, and we'll go from there."

"Very well," the guard said. They both rose. "We will be waiting for you."

"For both of us." Hiroko indicated Akiya as well as herself. "You must help us both."

"Two is far harder than one, princess."

She lifted her chin. "You are loyal to my father, and I know it must be because of how great a general he is. Would he abandon someone who had risked her life to save his? No? Then neither will I."

"As you wish."

She left them there, not daring to look back. After bidding Akiya to make whatever preparations she needed, Hiroko returned alone to her quarters full of hope and terror all tied up together.

When she entered, she found Governor Jah already waiting for her.

Hiroko started.

The governor rose, his eyes narrowing. "Is something amiss, Princess?" he said, his tone calm and like an adult speaking with a child.

Hiroko let her eyelids droop quickly, remembering that she was supposed to be under his spell. She worried; was Parvah here, watching from beneath a veil of shadows?

She allowed herself to spin out her connections technique, studying the governor. There were all the bonds she expected; strands of power connecting him with his guards and servants. And there, a dark chain, tying him to someone far more powerful than himself. It stank of fear and lust and avarice. That must be his bond with the rebel Prism.

She saw several connections that might bind him to Parvah, but none of them led to anyone nearby. Satisfied that Parvah was not watching, Hiroko took a deeper step into the room.

"I was not expecting a social call, Governor. To what do I owe this honor?"

"I was just checking that all of your needs have been met, Princess."

What should she say? Hiroko thought as fast as she ever had. The ensorcellment had been like a thick, woolen blanket over her feelings, making her feel tired and happy and secure. She didn't remember any deep-laid plans that he would be looking for her to respond to.

So instead, she smiled in what she hoped was a foolish sort of way.

"I'm so happy here, Governor. The gardens here are nearly as luscious as those of my divine grandfather. It's been hard living out in the world beyond the harem walls, and I am so glad for this respite."

"Ah, Hiroko, I am so pleased to hear that. Will you sit down?" He nodded to the cushions beside him.

Hiroko knelt, placing her hands gently on her knees.

"Now, Hiroko," he said, his humoring-a-child tone growing even more frustrating, "I have good news for you."

She looked up at him, eyes widening. "Good news?"

"Yes. I've had word from your father. He is sending some of his men to escort you to him tomorrow."

Hiroko clapped her hands together to her breast. "He is! Oh, Governor, thank you!"

"I thought you would be pleased to hear that," Governor Jah said, with a little smile. "I will miss your company, of course, but... it is time for us to say goodbye." He reached into his breast.

Hiroko tensed. He paused. She forced herself to relax. From inside his robes, he pulled out a script and set it on the table. "Just something to remember me by," he said, and then placed a small lux crystal beside it. He crushed the lux crystal against the script.

Hiroko watched in horror as the script activated. Blue lux swirled out, reaching toward her with grasping tendrils. It wound all around her, concentrating itself near her head.

Hiroko gasped. She fell back on Purification of Mind and Soul, cycling red lux through her body to fortify herself.

As if from a long way away, she heard the governor speak. "Hiroko, I've been a good friend to you, haven't I?"

She felt a pressure against her mind as his words pushed hard on her. But she would not give in to the same trick twice.

"You've been a good friend to me," she repeated, the red lux a barrier protecting her, and felt the pressure ease. Purification of Mind and Soul was her armor, keeping her safe from this foul technique.

"You trust me."

"I trust you," she repeated.

"If I send word to you, you will heed it."

"If you send word to me, I will heed it."

"You will know my message because I will refer to the pair of peacocks in my garden. Any message from me will refer to those peacocks."

"Your true messages will remind me of the peacocks in your garden," Hiroko repeated obediently.

"No matter what anyone else tells you, if you hear from me, you will remember our friendship and how much you trust me."

"I will remember how much I trust you," Hiroko repeated. At last, the blue lux dissipated. She breathed carefully, still cycling.

The governor sat back on his heels, looking satisfied. "Well, Hiroko, it has been a true pleasure having you here. I will miss our dinners together. Until we meet again."

He rose and went out.

Hiroko remained where she was, cycling Purification of Heaven and Earth for a long time. When she did rise, she was pleased to see her chambers already growing dark.

It was time, and past time, that she escaped from this prison.

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