What are you doing, Mother?

Mother flashes him an impish smile when she notices he is awake but doesn't speak as she takes him out of the nursery. Not that anyone would hear him over Nurse Tansy's snoring. Down some stairs, and a dusty hall, they came out to the dawn sky, and a saddled horse.

"Goodmorning, darling son. Are you ready?" Mother asks. She kisses his cheeks. "Ah, baby boy! It's coming today!" Mother says and tucks him against her chest in her sash. "Do you see that bird, darling?" Mother says as the horse sways beneath them. Dimitri stares at Mother's eyes. They seemed to s.h.i.+mmer more this morning. "Look, darling, that's the Su Manor. A pit of vipers. Minister Su's children all take after him." Mother says.

"Here's the Sun Pavilion. If we have the daylight, I'll stop to buy some soap nuts for your diapers. Do you believe that one can't send servants after such? They won't sell such a treasure unless you have Sun token, which of course is impossible for our servants. I've heard that the Flame Warriors that serve in the Imperial Palace and Enclaves are able to obtain one."

She pauses breathing deeply. "Ah, do you smell that?" Jun Yao glances down at him, "When you're big enough. I'll bring you out for fresh spring rolls, and sweet bean buns." Mother says. "Clan Mother used to give us all a few coins and send us out to buy meals from such stalls when our Jun Tribe entered the cities. She wouldn't have to bother with such in this Empire. No one gives out anything for free" Dimitri relaxes listening as Mother chatted about her tribe, repeating stories he'd heard several times before.

It was nearly 40 minutes later, that Mother frowns. "There's Ning Manor. General Ning is such a fool. He's lucky the Blood King didn't take out his displeasure at the disrespect out on his household." Jun Yao laughs, looking down at him. "Not that the Rimes Clan didn't do that nicely." Jun Yao says, eyes smiling. "They remind me of my Jun Tribe, darling."

Blood King. That should be Imperial Prince Jing. What exactly did the general do, Mother?

Of course, Mother didn't comment on that anymore, her gaze resting on a still but grand castle. "There's Eing Palace. Imperial Prince Eing is rarely in Soso, but his Princess is here for the upcoming festivals. Blue told me that his Princess spoils her children without limit as Imperial Prince Eing is often busy with the navy. " Mother says.

Soon, they pa.s.sed out the city gates, and Mother's eyes fall on a patch of wildflowers.

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"That flower is Sunglory. Its seeds taste well roasted, and its petals can be ground for-." Dimitri begins to tune her out. Attempting to memorize every word out of Mother's mouth was futile and flowers wouldn't enrich his dossiers. Still, Mother revealed quite a bit of data on our drive out of the city. Soso, what an odd name.

After pa.s.sing some fields and farms, Mother guides her horse into a secluded valley, her gaze upon the sky. "It's almost here, darling." Mother kisses his face. "I hope you love as much as I do," Mother closes her eyes, falling silent as she basks in the sun.

It was a warmth from her arms at first. A white glow around Mother, her eyes burning.

What's this? It felt cool water but cozily warm. Why isn't this glow blinding me?

His sight was sharp. Sharper than it had ever been, and he saw everything about him. No longer were things far away fuzzy. No longer were colors indistinct.

Mother s.h.i.+mmers, burns, her body faded seeming more liquid than solid. Dimitri freezes. Wait. Dimitri looks at his hand. It was s.h.i.+mmering, almost translucently white. Mother laughs, her voice silent yet resounding. "Come, darling. Let's play" Mother says, surging up.

Dimitri was caught in her wake. The pull so strong he couldn't move away, not that he knew how to move in his new state.

The wind blew through him flooding his mind with scents and images. Mother took him flying through trees, knowledge about each plant appearing as his s.h.i.+mmering body brushed past. He mixed with smoke, floated over still pond, caressing a green flower that he felt pulsing as if it was his own body, and swept up to join grey clouds.

He could feel the air tingling, his body thrumming. A loud crack makes him jump. Mother laughs. "Just thunder, darling. Our main course is almost here" Mother picks him up, hugging him in her arms. "I love holding you, darling" Mother kisses his face again. Dimitri leans against her.

A pulse. A stillness. Lightning cracked between the clouds, bare feet from him and Mother. Mother s.h.i.+vers, laughing softly. He felt weightless, his body s.h.i.+vering with pleasure as the tang of the lightning rushed into his body. Almost as it was water moving, and tugging you about.

Dimitri laughs.