Kazuri counted the strips he had carved on the edge of his work table—ten lines. Logging the passing days was odd to him, yet he had been doing it. He'd only started ten days ago, right after Gat Kida left for Aradack.

He couldn't understand why he'd done it—the counting and the waiting. He had always been too immersed in his work to notice the date, losing track of time while deep in his project. He couldn't even remember the recent departure of the Kahani and the Matu. Was it yesterday, or was it two days ago? Yet here he was, staring at those lines on his table and knowing exactly when Gat Kida left. Odd, he thought.

Now if everything had gone well and according to plan, today would be the day of Gat Kida's return.

A longing built up inside him—an incalculable emotion, like an unknown formula. One that could be the key to unlocking a new world. Though the feeling made his chest ache, he liked it.

It was already late in the morning, near noon, and Kazuri hadn't done any work at all. Last night, he couldn't even sleep because of those lines. One more line—the one he had carved out only moments ago.

Kazuri stepped away from the table and walked out of his workshop, descending a spiral staircase leading him to the courtyard, where he walked across the path to reach the palace gates.

"Master Kazuri." Kapitan Huckana, the Keeper of the guards, was making his rounds and caught up with Kazuri at the gates.

Kazuri stopped and turned to the captain, flanked by two guards. The three wore their dark hair short, their faces clean and shaven, and they all fashioned their moss-shade livery. The only difference is the captain's sleeve on the upper arm had four black stripes, indicating his rank.

The three men stopped before Kazuri and bowed with their right hands to their chests. Kazuri returned the greeting.

"Kapitan Huckana, beautiful blue skies." Kazuri smiled. He didn't think they would stop him from leaving the palace, but it was not unexpected. Master Hatari had forbidden him from leaving because he, as they described, was too valuable.

"Master Kazuri. May I ask where you are going?" the captain asked. They both stood by the gates, where four more guards stood in position.

"I thought I'd go for a stroll," Kazuri said, his smile not faltering.

"Forgive me, Master, but we have orders not to let you out of these walls." Kapitan Huckana didn't return the smile, setting his lips into a grim line.

"I'm not a prisoner, Kapitan. I won't leave the city. I'll be back."

"It's not safe outside the palace."

"If my safety is the concern, then provide me an escort." Kazuri gestured to the men flanking the captain.

Kapitan Huckana regarded Kazuri for a long moment. Kazuri thought the captain would restrain him there, but when he sighed and nodded, Kazuri grinned.

"Thank you," Kazuri said, relieved.

The captain commanded the two guards to follow Kazuri, keeping a few paces behind him.

Kazuri went to the city of Kazima below, remembering the roads and alleys as if he had only been sauntering in them yesterday. The people he passed on the street stared at him, intrigued by the unusual shade of his karkan—a Master's robe not in red, not in green, but in blue. He heard them whisper, but he didn't care, and the only thought that mattered to him at the moment was finding his way to the western water port.

He passed merchants and peddlers who shoved their products in front of him to make sales, and he sidestepped to evade them. He passed brothels where women in too short attires called out to him in teasing manners, and he turned his gaze away.

When he finally reached the port, the air smelled of gunk and sea—the scent coated thickly over his nose and tongue. Despite the thin fabric of his robe, he had started to sweat because of the humid air. And he could no longer tell if the manly aroma came from the people around him or himself.

It was a gray day, and the horizon looked heavy with threatening rain. Kazuri thanked the clouds for some shelter against the sun. On brighter days, the hot weather would have been worse.

The grounds of the port raised a few feet from the water level where the seawall railed the edge of the land, opening only for the boardwalk entries. From there, Kazuri saw a ship large enough to be of personal use for someone of high rank. Its masts gave an immensity to its massive hull.

But when Kazuri looked farther down the port, he saw another ship of the same size and grandeur, and beside it was another just as significant. He perceived several vessels that Gat Kida could have taken for her trip.

So now, how was he going to find her?

"Master Kazuri?" someone spoke behind him—the voice he had longed to hear. He turned around, feeling a smile grow on his face.

"It is you," Gat Kida said with a beaming grin, wearing her green karkan. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I... I was out for a walk," Kazuri said. His face heated with the lie. Since when did he take walks? He rarely left his workshop.

Gat Kida regarded him. Her smile was steady. "I see. Well, it's good to see you've finally decided to come out."

Kazuri's grin widened, and he found the courage to admit his real intention. "I also came to welcome you back."

"How did you know which ship we would be on?" Gat Kida asked.

Kazuri looked past Gat Kida's shoulder. The crew members on the ship behind her walked up and down the ramp, to and from the deck, to disembark bags, sacks, and boxes. And Master Hatari in red karkan walked down the same gangway, her long white hair flying in the wind.

"One would never fail to see that ugly red robe from far away," Kazuri said, keeping his eyes on the older Master.

When Gat Kida followed his gaze and found Master Hatari, she laughed, shuddering her shoulders. Kazuri had been working with her for months, but this was the first time he heard her laugh, and the sound pleased his ears. He stared at her smile, hypnotized as if she was a sorceress who had enchanted him.

Gat Kida was part Darish. He knew and heard stories of their abilities, but he didn't believe in enchantments. Kazuri believed in the sciences.

"Are you alright, Master Kazuri?" Gat Kida asked, and Kazuri realized that he was staring.

Before Kazuri could answer, Master Hatari walked up to them. "Master Kazuri?" the old woman said. The strands of her white hair spilled over her deep cheeks when she bowed. "What are you doing here?"

Kazuri bowed the same way with his right hand pressed over his heart. He noted that he and Gat Kida hadn't exchanged a respectful greeting. He should have initiated it with her, but he hadn't. He thought of two possible reasons; either his excitement to see her made him forget his manners, or they had both grown comfortable with each other and were past formalities.

"He's come to welcome us back, Master Hatari," Gat Kida said.

"That is—" Master Hatari raised a brow, "—very good." She said nothing more about it and glanced around, her irritation coming clear on her face. "Where is the carriage?" She looked toward the seawall where the wheeled vehicle parked—vine patterns in jadeite decorated its doors. "Ah, there it is. Come along. I hope to speak with the Kahani at once."

"I'm afraid you will have to wait, Master Hatari. The Kahani has gone on a little trip," Kazuri informed the old woman.

"What?"

"Queen Ara and Prince Reiji left to visit Zircka."

"I see." Master Hatari looked down in thought. Then she glanced from Gat Kida to Kazuri. "I still prefer not to stand here any longer. The scent of the port is not—" her eyes looked from left to right, and with a low tone, she finished, "—appealing."

"Of course, Master Hatari," Kazuri said as he waved toward the carriage, gesturing for the older Master to walk first. The Maestra did, and Gat Kida followed behind her.

The two guards that followed Kazuri climbed up the front with the driver as they entered the carriage large enough to fit four passengers. Master Hatari sat in the front quarter while Kazuri and Gat Kida sat together in the rear, their shoulders touching as they settled in.

When the nyxes pulled at the harnesses, they growled, and the carriage wheels began to turn on the bumpy road. The guards who escorted Kazuri marched outside.

"Master Kazuri," Master Hatari spoke. "I do hope that you are not ignoring your other studies while you are working on this project of yours."

"I have no other studies, Master," Kazuri said. "I have given all my focus to alchemy and machinery."

"Only two?" Master Hatari's voice came surprised. "I am baffled, and I'm more confused with your decision to take Eskolar Kida as your assistant." The woman looked at the girl beside him.

"Why would I not?" Kazuri found his tone disagreeing but tried his hardest to keep his words polite. "Gat Kida is capable, and she has been adequate as my assistant for the past months. She is as good as any other Eskolar, perhaps even the best. She's given me all the help I need, and my latest discovery would not have come to me if not for her." Gat Kida's shoulder tensed beside him.

"I really did nothing. I only told you about my brother's situation. I'm sure you would have made the discovery otherwise," Gat Kida said, humbly hanging her head.

Kazuri turned to see Gat Kida beside him. A hint of red color flashed on her brown cheeks. Then his eyes fell on her throat where the golden flower pin with jadeite stones should have been. He frowned, wondering if something had happened. Gat Kida had always worn it like the thread of bones that hung at her waist.

"I did not say that Gat Kida is incapable, and I'm sure she is adequate to assist you. I only meant that your courses are not in line. She is mastering philosophy, history, biology, arts, and literature. Your courses are very much different." Master Hatari explained, her eyes searching Gat Kida.

"Quite the contrary," Kazuri said, returning to the Maestra. "Those are the things I've taken into account to qualify her to be my assistant. At least two of Gat Kida's studies are of use to me. You may not understand it, but I have utilized her knowledge of biology and history."

The young Eskolar stirred in her seat before she turned to look up at him. Kazuri dared a glance and saw that her eyes were fiery orange.

"Is that why you've asked me so much about the history of Daracka?" Gat Kida asked.

"Yes," Kazuri answered her, averting his eyes and looking at Master Hatari instead. "You see, Master Taoro studied history himself. That is why he became intrigued with the power of lakar. It was the power of the old kings."

"Oh," Gat Kida exclaimed. "When you asked me to tell you stories of the old kings and the old kingdom, you were researching." She gave a realized laugh.

"Very well," Master Hatari said. "I am convinced. But I do hope, Eskolar Kida, that you will not get too distracted by this. The other Masters told me that you've had some lags. You should also prioritize your studies if you want to become a Maestra."

"Yes, Master Hatari," Gat Kida answered, nodding. "I will make sure to keep up with my studies."

Kazuri humphed at that.

"What is it, Master Kazuri?" Master Hatari asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. I— I just—" He hesitated, but when he glanced at Gat Kida, who looked expectant, he continued. "Well, I have never focused on my studies. I have focused on things that mattered in my work. I learned with a purpose, but I never studied what was not of use to me. Yet, here I am, a Maestro."

"We cannot all be like you, Master Kazuri. Some of us are not as talented." Master Hatari spoke to Kazuri, but she was staring at Gat Kida.

"Shame," Kazuri said. "We all fight for mastery, and yet true knowledge opens itself only to those who are enthusiastic enough to be amateurs."

Right then, the carriage halted. Master Hatari opened her mouth to respond, but the door had already opened, and the coachman assisted them at the step. They arrived in the courtyard of the palace.

Gat Kida came down first, followed by Master Hatari, and as always, Kazuri came out last.

"I'll take my leave now. I need to get some." Gat Kida turned to the Maestra. "Your company was a pleasure, Master Hatari. Thank you for it."

"Correction, Eskolar Kida," the old woman said. "It is you who accompanied me, but you are welcome nonetheless."

Gat Kida smiled at the Maestra before she turned to Kazuri. "Thank you for meeting us at the docks. I'll be at your workshop after my rest."

"Take your time," Kazuri said, studying her face.

Gat Kida bobbed her head and then turned to leave, her green karkan shifting with her movement.

"Master Kazuri," the Maestra said before Kazuri could also take his leave. "It is the Kahani's wish that you remain in the palace, but we do not intend to imprison you here. So, the next time you leave the palace grounds, make sure to wear a red karkan. It is our tradition to fashion in red, to show that we are people of knowledge. And as a Maestro, you are subject to this."

Master Hatari didn't wait for Kazuri to respond. She left immediately after scolding him about his attire. And Kazuri was grateful, for he had nothing to say to that.

He didn't like red—a color that meant nothing to him. Blue, on the other hand, reminded him of the vast ocean and the endless sky. It reminded him of freedom.

Kazuri had done what he needed to do. He walked back to his workshop, renewed to continue his project. He caught himself whistling a joyous note as he crossed the courtyard. In his mind, that note tangled with a single word—Kida. 

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