Chapter Two

Matsunai, Nasimani Province. (3, Caróg, 593 AP. Afternoon.)
Vividly painted buildings with elegant iron scrollwork balconies overlook the Nakahi River as it flows through the bustling river port, their curved roof tiles glistening in the bright sun. Arched stone bridges connect the bustling market built across the river, and fleets of small boats that travel up and down the river laden with wares from all over Eshana line its docks, selling their treasures. A cacophony of shouting, laughter, and jazz floated over the market day and night, joined by the mingling smells of exotic spices, fruit, and fish both raw and cooked in a collaborative effort to overwhelm the senses.
Moyako watched the large, gaudily dressed merchants argue in front of her stand with a bored expression. She was never going to sell anything with these fools in her way. A flash of red caught her eye in the crowd behind them. A short, muscular figure with skin like jasper casually bumped into one of the merchants, neatly divesting him of his coin purse even as he apologized. They resumed their argument as he stepped away, palming the purse to Moyako with a wink as he passed.
She blinked, discreetly weighing the purse as she tucked it away. From the feel, it held more than she’d make with her candles in days, perhaps a week. She smiled as she watched her benefactor move away through the crowd, his bright silken sash weaving like a tail behind him. A Red Sash Raider. Of all the River Lords they were best known for looking after the poor and oppressed. The ballads and tales of their exploits were as heroic as they were infamous. While the Tributary Council deliberated itself into inaction, the river pirates took justice into their own hands, redistributing wealth from the upper classes to the common people. The people loved them as much as the council despised them.
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Kaito loved the market. How its expansive parade of colors, sounds, and people wove into an ever-changing tapestry of life and chaos. Unfortunately, he wasn’t here to enjoy the market, he’d been sent for.
He strolled down one of the side-streets, eventually emerging in the musicians quarter. A large stone fountain stood in the center of the brightly lit plaza, a small crowd gathered around the band playing there. One of the players, a young girl playing the clarinet, danced along the rim of the fountain as she played, the sunlight flashing off of her many bangles, and her red sash swirling around her as she moved. He smiled, pausing to watch her for a moment, and clapping with the rest once the song finished. Toffee eyes met his, and Michiko grinned, her straight midnight-black hair swishing as she nodded her head to a building with ivy green shutters, where a smiling middle-aged petite woman in sky-blue robes stood waiting. Kaito tossed a coin over the crowd to his little sister and stopped in front of the woman, bowing with a flourish.
“Your ever dutiful son, as always, mother.” He said, kissing her on the cheek.
“My ever cheeky son more like.” Bright caramel eyes that mirrored his own crinkled as Miku smiled. She brushed his floppy fringe of Ink black hair aside and peered at his face “Oh good, you do still have eyes under there. I was beginning to think your hair had eaten them.” She teased. “Hello darling, at least one of you responds when I call for you.” Her voice was soft and faintly musical.
“What happened?”
“You’d better come inside.” She led him through a wrought iron door, into a compact but tidy room. Stairs led up the left wall, and the rest of the room doubled as kitchen and living room combined. The furniture was worn but well kept, with bright cushions and blankets. Books, scrolls, and instruments lined the shelves and hung on the walls. He could smell rice cooking on the stove. She began, gesturing for him to sit at the table and busying herself with the kettle. “What kept your father from coming himself?”
“Great-uncle Kemuri asked for help first. Something going on down river. He said it was important.”
“Of course he did,” she sighed, exasperation coloring her tone, as she set out the tea things, “your uncle’s timing remains impeccable as ever, the impudent scamp.”
“Takeshi was going lead a band to investigate, but father wasn’t sure she was ready to lead them on her own yet. They headed out yesterday.”
“Hmph. More likely he didn’t want left out. Two of a kind your father and sister; fearless to the point of foolhardy.” She sat down, still fussing with the tea.
Kaito watched frowning. She’s only this restless when she’s worried. “Mother, what happened?”
“It's about your grandparents.”
Kaito nearly dropped his cup. “What? What happened?”
“According to their neighbors, they had a burglar about a month ago and your grandmother insisted they had tried to steal one of her maps. Whoever it was got away and nothing was missing so none of their neighbors thought anything of it. Except for Akemi.” She frowned. “She kept going on about some grand conspiracy and saying people were after her maps. And then they just disappeared one night, like they used to whenever your grandmother got it into her head that she needed to update her maps. I was hoping Akio might have some idea what got into them.” Miku looked at him seriously. “I would prefer to send your father, but perhaps this is better. She’s always liked you Kaito, you grew up playing with her maps, you know them better than anyone else. Maybe you’ll see something in that mess to indicate where they might’ve gone?”
“I can head there now. I’ll do my best.”
Miku smiled. “That I don’t doubt. Be careful.”