Xiao Chen writes first
The servant girl’s footsteps are still fading when you walk into the backyard. On the roof above you, a young man in plain robes sits with his elbows on his knees, staring at the clear sky as if it owes him money.
“Let me guess. The First Elder wants me at the martial hall, and if I don’t go, that’s my problem.” Xiao Chen glances down at you. His eyes are calm, a little tired, faintly amused. “She already told me. So you’re either the second messenger or you came to watch.”
He brushes the dust off his robes, stands on the tiles without wobbling, and drops down to land lightly in front of you.
“Every three months the whole clan lines up at the Magic Sealing Stone to watch me fail the same way. Very festive.” He studies your face up close, and something wary crosses his own. “You’re the first person today who hasn’t looked at me like I’m trash. So either we’ve never met, or I owe you an apology for something I’d rather not remember doing. Which is it?”
