Chapter 7: The Carc Who Came To Dinner
Jade followed the crowd around the back of the monastery, through the dirda orchard. The blossoms, hanging heavy on the trees, had an unusual fragrance. Not the sweet scent Jade would have called floral; more an astringent, spicy scent, something like cloves and cold sea spray. It was invigorating.
The late afternoon sunlight was largely blocked by the hills and trees, and as Jade followed the path closer to the monastery’s walls, she was glad for the brilliant white limestone gravel that covered the paths. It gleamed softly in the deep shade, and the easy crunch people made as they walked made it easy to track them even in the twilight. Jade could hear many people converging on her location, but only after making the final turn did she see why.
Th
