Snarling Jaguar"s summons arrived an hour later. “Infinite be with you, Lady Matriarch Water. I suggest you bring the Lord General Guarding Bear to my camp this afternoon, in stealth if possible. Short of an incursion into the city, my forces stand ready to help. Please inform. I request that you attend personally. I have a proposition for your ears only.”
I sent my niece Sparkling Stream to the camp with a plan to get Guarding Bear out of the city. Not long after that, Flying Arrow ordered all travelers stopped at the city gates. Supposedly, thieves plundered a shipment of rare jewels just before dawn. This ruse deceived no one.
Searching for Silent Whisper, I looked out the door. In the morning sun, the procession of two palanquins and fifty warriors assembled on the front lawn of the
