Rain of Fish: Part 4 of 4

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#Wss366 Map / #ScribesAndMakers Tell us a fish story

“Wait, we wouldn’t want to inconvenience the Grand Commandant,” an unfamiliar voice said. “We were just surprised the Moon Prince trusted you so much. Forgive us.” There was the rustle of robes, signaling that the three men were bowing.

“Perhaps you should give them another chance,” Chou said. To Mao, her voice sounded too sweet.

She turned and found the town leaders bowed as far as they could go. Inwardly, she sighed. What a farce. But if this is what it took to earn that mandrake, she could put up with it.

“Very well. Rise,” she said.

“It is cold, so let me be brief,” Mao said. “The day Ao Guang sent his people among you, there was a storm?” Mao asked.

“Yes,” the guild master said. He may have thought it a stupid question, but the threat of Kan Lakan’s presence still weighed on him. He could picture the whole town in flames.

“And it came from the north so that it beat against the cliffs?”

“Yes, your ladyship. It was so strong that Ao Guang sucked several ships down to his palace.”

“You say, ‘sucked,’ not ‘sank?’ Were there whirlpools?”

“Yes, and spouts as well.”

“Let me consult the oracle I brought,” Mao said and gestured to Chou to join her in the carriage.

When they emerged, Mao bowed. “I’ve spoken with the Dragon of the East Sea. He is upset with your greed. There are too many ships that take his people. Who will serve him if you pull them all from the sea? He’s also displeased with the people’s disloyalty. He wonders how they could listen to a moon-addled Frank who rails against the Son of the Heavens, the Sun Prince. If you take this warning and are satisfied with the gifts Ao Guang offers, he will become generous again in time. Take too much, and next time the sea itself will rise up and take you to serve in his court.”

The three men bowed again. Mao couldn’t tell if she had convinced them, but she didn’t really care. It was cold, and she was eager to load up the presents they had brought. Chou’s earlier descriptions of the seafood the town produced made her eager to sample them.

The town delegation was more than happy to oblige, and Mao and her two companions were soon on their way.

“So what really happened?” Chou asked as she happily chewed on some dried squid.

“Water spouts. The wind and currents get trapped against the cliff. Now pass me those pickled sardines.”

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Rain of Fish: Part 3 of 4

#FanFic #TheApothecaryDiaries
#Wss366 Map / #ScribesAndMakers Tell us a fish story

By the time Mao’s coach reached the overlook to the town, she was thoroughly tired of Chou's conversation about the salted fish and dried squid she had eaten from there. Seafood appeared to be a popular export. At least Steele was quiet, she privately thought.

The three alighted from the carriage and looked out over the town, laid out like a #map. Narrow streets wandered like the muddy, frayed edge of a gray sheet, for that is what the bay looked like. Light filtered through scudding clouds, and blowing mist had turned the harbor water a dull iron. On its surface, a vast fleet of fishing vessels crowded under tall cliffs to the south. The mist swirled against these crags, blown by the wind.

Mao turned to the men who had come to receive them: the magistrate, the harbor master, and the head of the fishermen’s guild. None looked happy to be out on such a blustery day, but the Moon Prince's summons couldn’t be ignored.

“You’re the prince’s envoy?” the magistrate said after Mao introduced herself. His dismissive tone was one she was used to. How dare he be called out to meet a mere woman?

“It seemed better than sending the Grand Commandant Kan, but I can see that was an error,” she replied.

She turned toward the coach, moving to leave. As she did so, she noted her companions’ faces. Chou had a wide grin, while a smile tugged at Steele’s lips. “Might as well take advantage of the Old Bastard,” Mao thought.

[Continued in next post]

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Rain of Fish: Part 2 of 3

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#Wss366 South / #ScribesAndMakers Tell us a fish story

When Mao and Steele arrived at Jinshi’s office, he beckoned Mao to sample the tangerines, rice crackers, and wine Suiren had laid out. It was an offer that Mao immediately took up.

“Are you still having headaches?” The prince asked as Mao settled.

She sipped her wine and considered. Would admitting to the headaches get her out of whatever Jinshi had in mind, or would it lead to more interference in her life?

Chou, who had stood in the corner unobserved, took the choice from her. “She winces frequently and often uses herbs.”

The prince made a wry face and said, “I wouldn’t bother you then, except I have a problem that you can solve. It’s just the kind of thing you are good at: unraveling mysteries that look supernatural from the outside. If there were anyone else, I wouldn’t ask you. You will, of course, receive an appropriate reward for your efforts. I have a mandrake that I am told is exceptionally powerful.”

Mao’s eyes lit up. It was a fine specimen, so lifelike it almost looked as if someone had carved it. She, of course, wouldn’t use it to curse someone, but medicine made from it would fetch a premium price.

Jinshi knew the apothecary was hooked when Mao reached for it. “After you finish the job,” he said, moving it out of her reach.

“I just want to touch it,” she protested.

Behind her, Chue giggled, while Jinshi shook his head.

“What do you need me to do?” Mao asked.

“There has been some trouble in the #south. Ao Guang has been less generous to the fishermen, and one of The Mad Frank’s acolytes took advantage of that, preaching that it was due to the Emperor’s lack of faith in the Frankish god. We seized him, of course, and that should have been the end of it.”

“But?” Mao asked, reaching for some dry, salted plums.

“What I have been told is that a week ago the dragon king rode among the clouds, drinking from the ocean, and sowing his servants in displeasure upon the townspeople. There is no stopping the common folk now from repeating the Frankish prophet’s words.”

“You mean fish rained from the heavens?”

Jinshi nodded unhappily.

“And you wish me to determine what really happened and to quell these rumors?”

Jinshi nodded again.

[Continued Tomorrow]

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