Contents
CHAPTER 7: The Weather Man’s Persuasion
Overview
Shae rekindles her personal life with professor Tau Maro, whose candid aversion to dueling contrasts with clan norms, while their discussion underscores rising Espenia–Ygutan tensions. The next morning, Shae confronts Hilo after his training with Master Aido and convinces him to enter truce talks with Ayt, aiming to rebuild strength for a longer game.
Summary
Shae slips into Tau Maro’s international relations lecture at Jan Royal University, then joins him for dinner at the Golyaani Kitchen. Their conversation turns to the Tun–Ygutan pact and how Espenia’s posture will pressure Kekon, pushing clans toward national concerns. Maro reveals his academic ambitions and limited jade background; Shae reflects on Anden abroad and her own uncertainties.
When the Lantern Man owner offers the meal free as a clan courtesy, Maro insists on paying, positioning their outing as personal rather than clan business. Walking afterward, Maro confesses he avoided dueling and is not a clan loyalist, yet admits he’s fallen for Shae despite likely disapproval. Shae responds with protective affection; they kiss, take a taxi to his apartment, and make love.
At dawn, feeling restored, Shae prepares to leave; Maro briefly introduces his family photo by mention, and Shae departs, saying she must sway the Pillar.
She finds Hilo training blindfolded with Master Aido. Aido praises Hilo’s improving knife work; Hilo remains brooding about never being the same. Over breakfast, Shae relays Ree Tura’s message that Ayt seeks talks. Hilo rejects trusting Ayt, arguing a truce only lets the Mountain regroup.
Shae counters with No Peak’s limits, public fatigue, economic strain, surging crime, and the risk of an Espenia–Ygutan confrontation around jade. Appealing to broader national interests and Lan’s likely wishes, she urges a long-game rebuild under a formal pause. After stewing, Hilo concedes to discuss terms—telling Shae to set the meeting through Ree after his Uwiwa Islands trip.
Who Appears
- Kaul ShaeWeather Man of No Peak; begins a romance with Tau Maro and persuades Hilo to accept truce talks with the Mountain.
- Tau Maro (Tau Marosun)Young foreign studies professor and Royal Council advisor; candid about avoiding duels; pays for dinner; sleeps with Shae.
- Kaul HiloPillar of No Peak; trains intensely with Master Aido, resists but ultimately agrees to truce talks after Shae’s persuasion.
- Master AidoIndependent jade trainer; spars with Hilo blindfolded and assesses his improving knife work.
- Ree TuraMountain negotiator who contacted Shae; conduit for arranging formal truce talks.
- Golyaani Kitchen ownerLantern Man restaurateur who offers a free meal out of clan loyalty; defers when Maro insists on paying.
- KyanlaKaul household staff; serves breakfast while Shae and Hilo discuss strategy.