Treasures Of Heaven And Earth

Chenli was pacing up and down, muttering to herself. Dàilán rolled her eyes in exasperation. She was already feeling on edge - she had kept feeling as if someone was watching her intermittently since the Heart of the Sect had dropped them into the Audience Hall; the feeling had only intensified once the Sect Leader had left - and her friend's behaviour was not helping her keep calm.

"What is the matter, Chen'er," she asked finally, after the young Enforcer started on her third circuit of the room, doing her best to keep her tone level and keep her own uneasiness out of her voice.

"Those old vultures out there," grumbled her friend, "They are bound to make unreasonable demands."

"That is an unusual level of disrespect for your Sect Elders, coming from you," the young teen joked, having the oddest feeling that someone else was laughing at the comment as well.

Chenli winced, but shook her head stubbornly in reply, "I have to obey them, but most of them are not worthy of my respect. They have forgotten what it is to be the Knife."

Dàilán sighed, "Do you want to end up with an unqualified Head of Sect, Enforcer Fuan?" asked the young heir, leaning back on the seat casually, while noting that the feeling of being watched suddenly ratcheted up in intensity.

Chenli's mouth opened and closed for a moment. "No. But..."

"Am I qualified?" asked the Heiress quietly, carefully sending out small pulses of Essence out as she spoke. She had not wanted to do this in front of Grandfather and cause offence, but now that he was out of the room and otherwise preoccupied, she thought she could manage it without anyone noticing.

A pained expression crossed her bodyguard's face and Chenli dropped almost violently into a squat in front of her, "Not completely, no…" she replied eventually.

"Then they are within their rights - even their duty - to question," pointed out Dàilán calmly, internally frowning at the lack of returns from the Essence pulses.

Oddly enough, the feeling of being watched lightened slightly and she had the strangest feeling someone was amused. Frowning internally, she kept it out of her expression as she spoke, "not to mention my attention would be split between my duties as Sect Heir and Guan Third House Heir".

"You will be a good Head - you are a good Heir! All of them are the Heads of their own families as well as being Sect Elders and I never heard any question of them giving that up!" protested her friend fiercely.

The young Enforcer waved her hands vigorously. "The whole point of being Heir is to have the time to learn how to be a good Head. You are certainly better than any of those so called geniuses they are supporting - but they will clearly aim at your weak areas and claim you unfit."

"What would my weak areas be?" asked Dàilán with interest, half of her attention on carefully trying stronger pulses of Essence for any hidden watchers, "in terms of being a Sect Heir."

Chenli frowned thoughtfully. "Sect specific knowledge, history, skills. Before the events of the last few weeks, I would have said investigation and politics as well, but…"

The Heiress nodded, as she got an indistinct return from her probes just outside the door that Grandfather and the servant had entered from. "Here is a better question - what would the Sect Elders consider my weakness to be?"

Chenli stood back up and thought about it. "Like the Sect Leader said - you are young, female and Noble. They would think you are martially weak. They might actually think, that if I taught you anything, it would be sect history and specific knowledge. Especially as I have been acting as a bodyguard, that indicates you need me to protect you."

Dàilán frowned, the Essence of the hidden person felt familiar - and there was the oddest sense of approval mixed in with the amus.e.m.e.nt that she felt. "They cannot be that foolish? You are female… I am sure the Sect has many female Enforcers."

Chenli shrugged. "Sure, but we are all from the peasant families. 'Noble' Females are 'useless'."

The Heiress shook her head as her Essence pulses picked up strange formation lines that led much further away, seemingly connected somehow to the Audience Hall. The feelings that were raising the hairs on the back of her neck, shifted into an odd sort of startlement and then an almost… watchful anger? "Cultivator Sects do not usually think that way."

"For women born into the Sects? Sure - their female Cultivators are strong, but - you - are meant to be a regular female Noble with 'Empty Vase' Cultivation techniques," Chenli pointed out.

"So, they might be inclined to turn this into a physical competition of the same generation, thinking I would lose. But I could probably win it, unless they have people in my generation that can take on a Grass Captain," pointed out Dàilán as she tried to figure out what she was sensing. "How hard would it be to turn this into a trial by combat?"

Chenli frowned, then nodded, sitting down on the bench beside her friend. "It could work. I am sure you could match well up against anyone under Master rank. Those with your Cultivation are at least two years older and most have not yet passed their Novice Enforcer examination. But we would have to make them think it was their idea - if we push for it, they would smell a trap."

"So, try to make it look like we are avoiding any physical competition, but not obviously?" The Heiress nodded in understanding, while noting that the intensity of the focus of whatever it was seemed to have moved away from them - those Formations leading away from the Audience Hall seemed to have caught its interest, "I will try. I just worry - if they pick opponents who - are - qualified Enforcers in my Generation?"

Chenli snorted, turning to sit beside her friend. "Few of those and even fewer who are any good. You would slap the face of most of them and fight on equal grounds with the best." She paused, considering, "I can beat almost all of them and those a year or so older, so that is my opinion, but I could have missed something."

The two of them sat side by side quietly. Dàilán could hear the noise level in the audience chamber growing quickly as they sat on the comfortable seat, although the privacy formations muffled any specific sound unintelligible. She was more concerned with that odd sense of there being something watching them - although, now that it was not focused directly on her, it felt oddly familiar.

Dàilán hummed as a thought occurred to her. "You mentioned Sect History - there was a question I wanted to ask you since I saw the Sect Motto - I have an idea in my head as to the answer, but…"

Chenli blinked. "What about the Sect Motto?"

"Why did your Founder choose the word 'knife'? Surely a 'blade' fits the line better - 'Truth is a blade that cuts both ways'." The Heir sat forward, her brows creased as she suddenly felt the unseen watcher's focus snap very close at her words, "What do they tell you is the answer to that question?"

Chenli started and twisted her body to look at her friend. "How did you know? All of us ask that question at some point."

"What is the answer you are given?" inquired Dàilán, feeling an odd sense of slyness sweep through that odd sense she kept feeling.

"Oh, some nonsense about - 'once you understand what it is to be a knife, you will have the answer'," Chenli said in a faux-pretentious voice, obviously quoting someone. "I never understood why either - I think 'blade' would make more sense too. Why, what is the answer you are thinking of?"

The Heiress scratched her nose, wondering why the sense of the watcher 'felt' vastly amused by Chenli's response. "I am probably overthinking it."

"Now I am curious," prodded the young Enforcer, "What are you thinking?"

Dàilán g.r.o.a.n.e.d, internally wondering if she was starting to lose her mind "...it sounds stupid when I say it out loud. Too simple."

Chenli rolled her eyes and poked her friend in the ribs. "You have not said - anything - tell!."

"Fine…" acquiesced Dàilán, "just do not laugh, OK?"

Chenli nodded. "Yes, of course."

Dàilán shrugged as the feeling of being paid attention to grew very sharp - from both the odd sense and the watcher by the door. "A knife is a tool. You can do a lot of things with it besides cut - eat, repair, clean - like that. A blade, it just cuts. Nothing else." She frowned, pulling her hands into her sleeves next to the hilts of the daggers still sheathed there, "Maybe it is better to say - a knife can do many things - but a blade is only for killing?"

The Heiress looked down abashed as a very strong sense of excitement and approval suddenly flooded through her, leaving Dàilán feeling very disconcerted and working hard to keep anything showing on her face as she continued speaking, "It is only my own thought… maybe the Founder could have wanted to remind his descendants the Sect are not assassins?" She looked up and seeing Chenli's stunned expression, with her mouth slightly open and eyes wide, shook her head. "En, I am probably thinking too much. I did not mean to give offence, Chen'er."

The sound of clapping startled both girls. Dàilán fought back her instinctive reaction to roll off the bench into a defensive posture as she realised it was the person who had been just beyond the door, but she gripped the sheathed Essence daggers in her sleeves - as Chenli snapped up into a standing position and stepped defensively towards the sound, keeping her body between it and her charge.

The servant that had brought in the tray earlier, walked in from the same doorway that he had entered and left from previously - the one that did not lead to the Audience Hall, still clapping with an approving expression on his face.

"There are Sect Elders out there, who never worked out the meaning of our Founder's words for themselves and had to have it explained to them," the man spoke in a resonating bass as he walked slowly towards them, "The Heir saw the motto for the first time less than a shi ago and has already grasped the root."

He stopped clapping, stood still an arms-length from Chenli and bowed. "As expected of the daughter of Xiùyīng and the Heir to the Knife Sect. I am the Head Guard. My honour to serve, Heir."

Chenli took one pace to the left, inclining her head. "Heir Guard greets the Head Guard."

The young Heiress released her grip on her daggers and stood smoothly, returning the bow, internally working to hide the consternation at the - continuing - feeling of being watched; now strongly tinged with approval. "Our apologies for not recognising you previously, Head Guard. I presume the Elders are ready for us?"

The older man straightened up, chuckling in his deep voice. "No, I do not think they are. But I am to present you anyway." He winked slyly and touched an index finger to the side of his nose, "Do not worry about not recognising me - you were not meant to."

The slight man who had seemed so unassuming before hesitated fractionally, before continuing, "I sometimes teach lessons in the Sect. Might I have permission to share your observations on the Founder's words, Heir? They show wisdom - especially when said by someone who has never read the Founder's writings."

Dàilán blinked in surprise and bowed hastily. "If you truly think my passing thoughts worthwhile, Head Guard, I am honoured - you may share them as you see fit." Straightening up she picked up her gloves from the bench and pulled them on neatly as Chenli followed suit. The watching sense seemed to focus very sharply on them as they did so and again she thought it felt strangely familiar.

Another sly wink and a surprisingly mischievous expression crossed his face as the Head Guard bowed again. "My thanks, Heir." Straightening back up, he gestured towards the door to the Audience Hall, "I will announce you - please enter immediately after."

The Head Guard walked to the door to the Audience Chamber with the two of them following - Dàilán two paces behind with Chenli a pace behind her - and opened it smoothly, walking through without breaking stride, his voice booming like a drum; "The famed 'Mist Orchid' of Hujian, Daughter of Xiùyīng and Heir to the Knife - Guan Dàilán!"

The young Heiress felt her stride hitch involuntarily as a snort of suppressed laughter came from behind her left shoulder where Chenli walked. Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance as a matching pulse of hilarity came from the unseen watcher.

"Well - they will definitely take you for an 'Empty Vase' now," muttered Chenli.

Dàilán blinked and smoothed her face to a practised mask of mild civility as they crossed back into the suddenly silent audience hall, noticing that the sense of being watched seemed to diffuse outward - as if it was being spread over a larger area.

As they moved across the hall behind the Head Guard, she saw that below her Grandfather's seat was an empty chair placed in front of it on the floor just below the dais, facing outward in the same direction as his as he glowered out across the hall.

Arranged in a wide semicircle in front of the dais were another twelve chairs, all occupied by older Cultivators - two of them women. Their eyes tracked Dàilán's progress across the floor with various degrees of interest - ranging from curious to disdainful.

Following the Head Guard's gesture, the Heiress stood in front of the empty chair below her Grandfather's slightly higher seat, facing the semicircle of older Cultivators. Chenli stepped slightly behind and to the left of Dàilán's chair - her presence a silent reassurance. The Head Guard bowed and then started to step back toward her Grandfather's seat - obviously to take up the same position as Chenli had, but next to her Grandfather.

There was a quiet rustling as the older Cultivators shifted in their seats, evidently preparing to speak, but taking advantage of the moment before the Head Guard reached his position, Dàilán turned and bowed towards her Grandfather, ignoring the sense of approval she felt, "Sect Heir greets the Sect Leader."

Dàilán heard the rustles behind her stop as her Grandfather stopped glowering; his lips twitched upward slightly as he inclined his head towards her. As the Head Guard reached his position, Dàilán felt a… pulse… of encouraging approval of her actions. Taking advantage of the surprise her greeting had generated, straightening up and turning to face the seated Cultivators and bowing again, "Sect Heir greets the Elders."

There was a slight pause, then a chorus of acceptances - a few grudging, from the sound of it - but as she had hoped, none of the Elders were willing to appear defiant or lose face by appearing discourteous after the Sect Leader had already openly accepted her greeting as Sect Heir.

Calmly she swept her robes forward and sat gracefully in the empty chair behind her with the perfect noble poise and posture that her Grandmother had insisted she learn, despite the odd sensations she was feeling. She would have to make appropriate apologies to her later.

Resting her gloved hands on the arm rests she projected her voice across the hall, halting another round of seat shifting from some of the Elders.

"I have come at the Order of the Sect Leader to accept my duties as Heir to the Sect. I am honoured that the Elders have shown their approval of this by requesting to attend. I feel more assured that I will be able to meet my obligations with your support."

Some of the Elders shifted uncomfortably, looking at one another. One of the Elders, a solemn looking man, coughed and spoke carefully, "Lady Guan…"

"My pardon Elder," interrupted Dàilán calmly, ignoring the sensations she was feeling in the back of her head, "but I am only the Heir to the Third House. The title of Lady Guan belongs to my Eldest Uncle's first wife. As we are discussing Sect and not Clan business, perhaps it would be more appropriate to address each other by our Sect position?"

She paused as Chenli's fingers tapped out a message on her shoulder blade where her finger's movement was hidden from the semicircle of Elders, then carried on brightly as the older Cultivator was drawing in a breath to reply, "Unless I have misunderstood the appropriate protocol - should we be addressing each other by family rank? Forgive me for not recognising your Clan or House, Landholder Chin - these Sect Robes are not terribly helpful in that regard."

The questioning Elder flushed as a couple of the other Elders smothered laughs, matching her sense of the strange observer. Her Grandfather's voice rumbled out from above her like distant thunder, "You have not misunderstood the protocol, Heir." There was a pregnant pause as the Elders stilled, "Further foolish attempts to diminish the Heir's standing will not be tolerated."

The Hall was frozen for a moment and the Heiress had to hide a smirk at the sudden smug sensation she felt. The mystery watcher seemed to be on her side, so she relaxed somewhat as another Elder stood, respectfully inclining his head. "It is precisely because she is not a member of the Sect that brings into question her standing."

"Oh? In what way is my granddaughter - and daughter of one of the most accomplished Enforcers seen in the last ten generations - not a member of the Sect?" The rumble of thunder in the Sect Leader's voice seemed much closer now and was matched by the sudden spike of anger she felt, although she could not honestly say if it was the watcher's or her own.

"She was not raised…"

Dàilán's voice snapped across the Elder's, any of her hesitation overridden by the anger she felt, hot on the back of her neck. "My mother gave her life for this Sect only five years past - be very careful in your implications, Senior. I assure you, I have been raised aware of my duty."

This Elder was made of sterner stuff. His eyes widened, but he bowed smoothly in apology. "No disrespect to Enforcer Xiùyīng was intended, but…"

"Forgive my youth, perhaps I misunderstood you," interrupted Dàilán again as an almost familiar feeling of snarling seemed to growl at the back of her head, "but it seemed you were indicating that my mother's raising and training for the majority of my life would be in some way inadequate? Or perhaps," her voice slowed, biting off each word, "you are suggesting I would be so disrespectful as to ignore my mother's teachings or her wishes - after she died for them?"

The Elder paled, unconsciously sitting as Dàilán stood from her seat, sensing the very strong angry focus from the unknown watcher cheering her on. "Allow me to make clear, that I was raised by my Mother in training to be the next Heir as she was taught. Any suggestion that her absence in the last five years has rendered that training somehow inadequate - I consider an intolerable insult."

Her Grandfather's Cultivation pressed down heavily in the hall. "As do I. Anyone else who suggests that my daughter or granddaughter somehow neglected their duties is seeking their own death."