One Bottle of Ice Wine - Ice Fantasy fanfiction - Chapter 10

 

When someone was knocking on the door, Bai He was trying to attach the forearm guards to her left arm. She felt better not to touch her bow, so left it rest alone on the table. After today's training, the nervousness took her again to make something meaningful before the evening, making her feel that her career in the Guard was not entirely hopeless. But since she had been bothered with the buckles for half an hour, she finally abandoned the attempt, dragged down the armband and threw it it on the bed grumbling. Then she still tiredly talked to the door with her back:

- I really do not understand why you're bothered about me, Pei Pei. If I know, you have not been given a command to bring me dinner even today.

- I do not know why I'm bothered about you either... little sister. - Jian Ming replied slightly hurt as she entered the room.

Bai He turned astonished, stared at the other, and in her disarray did not know what to say. Jian Ming held a basket in her hand. She took it quickly and put it on the table. But as she looked, she saw no food, only bandages and balm pots. She sighed unwittingly.

- Are you hungry? - Jian Ming asked with a smile.

- Yes.

- There will be no dinner here.

- What? Why not? - Bai He asked, puzzled, but did not receive a reply.

The daughter of the blacksmith started to study her with a searching look.

- How do you feel?

She looked deep into her eyes, grabbed her hair, then lifted her arms and watched Bai He's face. She rested her palm on the other's shoulders and nodded contentedly when she only took a very soft breath.

- So ... how do you feel? Looks like you do not have too much trouble.

- I'm fine ... I guess ... I'm just dead tired.

- And what are you doing to do now?

- What?

Jian Ming laughed.

- Good heavens... Today's agenda was archery, right? Yet you behave like someone who was hit in the head.

- I told you I am tired. - Bai He raged, then turned back angrily.

- What do you want to do?

- Wha... I... what do you mean?

- Do you really want to be a Guardian?

- Yes.

- Here?

- How do you mean here? Here… where…?

- In here? In the barracks?

Bai He looked around. Ever since she came here and had some time or strength, she tried to fight the desolation of this neglected place. Obviously, she did not quite succeed, but Jian Ming did not seem to mean that as she shook her head.

- You will never make a Guardian if you huddle in here. This is not the sanctuary of lost little girls, but the Royal Guard. If you want to be one of them, then forget this room and be with your comrades. I can see that you have nothing wrong. That's why you're coming with me right now.

She took her hand and pulled the girl with her.

- Where are we going?

- Have dinner.

As the sun disappeared behind the trees beyond the Camp, the shadows quickly began to deepen along the walls of the buildings and the air cooled down noticeably. As the two girls crossed between the barracks, others joined them heading toward the middle of the camp. Most of them were still in full gear, but who had been relieved of their armor, they held at least one piece of weapon with them. Bai He was embarrassed when she noticed the bows they previously received on may Applicants’ shoulders. She did not even get along with her armbands, and suddenly she had the feeling again that she did not belong. In the past few days, there were moments when she had to deal with this, but she always successfully depressed it. Jian Ming stopped at one of the buildings, picked up a lonely lantern and pressed it in her hand. Bai He was freed from the capture of dark thoughts, at least for a while, but when they arrived, she tried to hide behind the other's back with her throat tight.

In the middle wide area, where small campfires were lit near each other, almost everyone was sitting there except the guards. They all seemed being occupied with something: picking the fire, or just returning with some firewood. Others were managing their weapons and talking about the training earlier that day. Bai He noticed the cook, who with the help of an orderly shared vegetables and apples with those sitting by the fires. There were no loud words beyond laughter, yet she felt that the strict discipline of the daytime eased. The wind blew the sound of frogs from the river tot he Camp, and the cicadas did their best too, entering the contest with their songs. The evening was buzzing in her ears, so she noticed only in the last minute that Jian Ming was heading straight to her brother. She stopped. The Captain was explaining something to Lu Shan in a low voice, but with wide motions. They have not noticed her yet.

- Light it... - Jian Ming noted over her shoulder and walked to his brother. Bai He grabbed the short stick holding the lantern and quickly turned her back on them.

She looked around desperately, but had no idea where to escape. Nobody cared about her and she did not know whether or not she was happy about it. Having no better hint she went right to the nearest fire place, though she had no idea what to do with the lantern.

- Bai He, you came? - someone behind her talked, that made her so frightened that she dropped the lantern. Fortunately on of the Guardians, who was sitting next to the fire, caught it with lucky hands and lighted it with a tiny woodstick. The flame began dancing cheerfully, though its light could not compete with the campfire. Bai He wanted to turn to see who she was thanking for, but she stumbled and if Pei Pei did not hold her hand, she would have hit the bottom in a way very unworthy of the Guard.

- Did you come to dinner? What do you want to eat? - the boy asked her, as he helped her regain her balance. She opened her mouth, but was interrupted.

- Where are the bowls, Pei Pei? - Lu Shan said, who had just come to them. He sat down and looked up at the girl. - Good evening, Bai He.

She went pale. She did not expect an officer to greet her so simply, moreover in such a direct voice. She bowed politely. Then she turned her back on the small group, planning to find Jian Ming and the bowls. How could she remain invisible for the rest of the evening?

- Hurry up. - Pei Pei urged her to follow and then walked forward. She caught up with some long passes, but by then they already reached the fires. The boy greeted everybody, so whether Bai He wanted it or not, everyone became aware of her presence within five minutes, even those who had not been able to notice her before. Her ear was burning with embarrassment and the attention towards her. Earlier that day, during the trainings and exercises, she did not feel so uncomfortable. She bowed her head and sighed heavily, having no better to do but say hello to everyone.

Pei Pei pointed at a basket when they came to the kitchen.

- We'll take this.

Bai He took one handle of the basket, then glanced up at the other. Something was missing.

- And the chopsticks?

- I'll take them. You can go.

She looked at him outraged, but Pei Pei only pulled his shoulders with a hardly hidden grin on his face

- What? It is not heavy...

Bai He raised the basket full of round bamboo bowls to her waist, and set off, keeping her comments to herself. Pei Pei put the wood rollers, in which the chopsticks were kept into another basket and followed her with a smile.

As Bai He walked by the fires, hands were stretched to her to take the bowls. Around the third or fourth occasion she was able to repay the smiles they thanked her with. She soon returned to the fire place where she left the lantern. Only to face the General and the Captain, who probably had enough of discussions, and now they were sitting by the fire as well.

She bowed, and with her gaze on the ground she handed out the remaining bowls. She remembered what the Captain had told her this afternoon and looked up for a moment. Kai Xi Wang did not smile like the others, only flames glittered in his eyes. Pei Pei came back with the last of chopsticks. As soon as he got rid of them, he dropped himself beside the fire, leaving the last place free, accidentally right next to the Captain.

Kai Xi Wang raised his hand, but could only send a dark look to the young Guardian, as he was already out of range, picking the fire whistling. Bai He swallowed hard but sat down. Then Jian Ming arrived.

- Our father eats in the workshop. - she noted and knelt beside them in the grass. Bai He shuddered, but then Xi Wang cleared his throat, and Pei Pei jumped to give place to her. Jian Ming, however, shook her head laughing.

- At ease, Guardian. The service is over.

- Sit down, Pei Pei. – said the General and added: - You eat.

Then he began to talk quietly to the Captain, while the others replaced the logs they sat on and moved closer to the fire. They dropped pieces of meat and vegetables into the water to cook, and while the food was cooked in the pot, they chatted on about trifles again. From time to time someone reached into the pot with his chopsticks, but mostly he placed the food in the bowl of someone else first, only then picked for himself. Jian Ming began to eat only after she stacked some food in front of her brother.

Bai He felt the night pulling her in. The scents of smoke and food dazed her, the quiet conversations murmured in her ears, and when Xi Wang's hand moved to put a piece of boiled meat into her bowl, she looked up involuntarily. The Captain looked back at her, only nodding once, then he turned to the General again. She wondered if he was watching him or just sensed her watching him. She put the chopsticks in her mouth and did not even notice that she had nothing to chew. She followed the sparks of fire toward the dark sky with her eyes, and suddenly the simple idea bumped her saying she was here, not alone because the whole Guard was with her. When she reached for water, halfway there someone was already passing her the jar. When she darted toward Jian Ming, she smiled back broadly. And when she had gathered enough courage after a long time to put some food in the Captain's bowl, he gave a surprised but happy look as her reward. However, when the General addressed her in the next moment, she almost choked.

- Have you ever been riding, Bai He?

The Guardians went silent around the fire, everyone looked at the girl, and she swallowed hard to answer, but the General did not really insist on that.

- Captain, it's time to see the Applicants riding tomorrow. Take care that the Patrol will not start before noon.

- Yes, General. - Xi Wang nodded, then turned sideways, and there was no escape for Bai He. - Well? Have you ever been riding?

She shook her head and felt a strong temptation to jump and flee into the night. But she looked at Jian Ming for help in vain, she was shaking her head. She took a deep breath. After all, that was her decision. And if she did not want to run away like a coward, she had to get herself together. But she could not get along with her own thoughts. She still did not find enough time to think about it, what could be so disturbing. She had no idea how to behave in the presence of Kai Xi Wang. As if it was not her, but the Captain himself who would have forgotten the fact from time to time, that Bai He was just an Applicant. All she could do was dig her nails in her palm and sit still.

- Jian Ming, you're singing us tonight, are not you? - He Bian called out from the nearest campfire. Immediately several voices joined him and demanded for the performance. She laughed.

- Rather not. I do not want to.

- Please... - Pei Pei began nag her, and Lu Shan jumped in to follow him.

Bai He's eyes glittered curiously, and looked hopefully at the other girl. But she was still laughing:

- What a soft bunch of you! Since when do you need my lullaby, should I even shake up your pillows too? How will you make a Guardian now? - she teased the others as some of them nearby their bowels began to knock on the bottom of their bowls with their chopsticks.

- You know how it ends, sister. - Xi Wang said, smiling. - Spare the time and give in. You'll get rid of them sooner.

- Okay, one. Just one song...

There was a short cheering, and then they all went silent. Everyone moved closer to the other by the fire to give room for Jian Ming and the Guardian, who came out of nowhere, holding a flute in his hand. They both sat down by the fire. Bai He suddenly noticed that her neighbor pushed closer, so she immediately moved away to the other direction. But her leg came close to the Captain’s, and she could not go anywhere else. She did not know what to do, where to put her hands or to take any more breath. Xi Wang did not look at her, but she knew he was aware of all her movements.

Jian Ming began to hum, and the flute quietly followed the melody. Pei Pei apparently could not hold back his opinion and grinned:

- I knew it... my favorite...

Lu Shan hushed him and slapped his head. Jian Ming was singing with a smile:

Like the waves on the water

Your soft voice in my heart

Like the bird flying with the wind

Gentle kiss on my lips

And like open fountains

Sparkling in moonlight

My dark eyes on your skin

Like Saturn I am within your rings

From my dreams I’m not rising

Like the moon pulls the ocean

Your strong hands hold me close

Like the seasons run in circles

Spinning top is my heart

And like open fountains

Sparkling in moonlight

My dark eyes on your skin

Like Saturn I am within your rings

From my dreams I’m not rising

Kai Xi Wang felt as if all his nerves got tense and threatened to split in two. On one side Liang Dao, the General of the Royal Guard was sitting with an all-knowing smile, thus allowing the Guardians out of service to spend the evening with such common vanities as listening to love songs. On the other side there was a girl, young and fragile, beaming a weird, stubborn and inexplicable force, together with all its inconsistency. As Bai He touched him, he shuddered, and he was already ashamed of himself. And he had hoped that no-one noticed. To conceal himself, he thought of having a drink. As he could not use his closer arm, he was forced to stretch out the other. However when he straightened and looked back, it was like a strike of lightning. Bai He was staring at him, and her look was one huge question mark. Xi Wang swallowed hard. He was now revealed, but here and now he was helpless. Having nothing better to do he took a deep breath, turned back to the fire, he gently put his hand, which no-one could see on Bai He's waist and smiled to himself.

Jian Ming did not sing another song, which finally made the others bored of picking at her, and everyone returned to their dinner. Those who finished, stayed a little longer, then as the fire went out slowly, they all went back to the barracks one by one. Only the two siblings and the General remained, who continued the discussion of next day’s tasks with the Captain. Bai He, who felt more and more exhausted, did not dare move. Xi Wang's hand was still resting on her waist secretly, and somehow did not want to leave. She gave in and remained. She began to count the stars, and Xi Wang soon felt that her head weighed on his shoulder.

- It's late and tomorrow is another day. Good night. - the General said suddenly, he stood up, and in the next moment he was gone in the dark. The rest of ember now lost battle against the lantern light, Jian Ming could hardly find his brother's outlines in the dark.

- Have you thought about it, brother? - she whispered at the moment that the General walked far enough from them.

- I do not know what you're talking about. - Kai Xi Wang said, but he pulled the sleeping girl closer to him, as her head was threatening them with falling down, and wake her up.

- You know it well. If you make the decision, you have to take the responsibility.

- I'm pretty sure my common sense will not have a word in it.

Jian Ming shook her head, but then said nothing. They just sat in the dark and listened to Bai He breathing.

- It's dark, nobody sees you. - Jian Ming finally muttered and stood up. - Hurry up. Her shoulders still hurt.

Kai Xi Wang looked back at his sister, but remained silent. His sister took the lantern with her and all sank into darkness. He took a deep breath and moved cautiously. Then he turned aside very slowly and put his free arm under her knees. He lifted her up and started slowly toward the barracks. Burning torches between the houses showed him the way, but he was careful to stay away from the bright circles. As he reached the barracks, he stopped. There will be no more such occasions, he persuaded himself, and before his conscience could protest, he kissed her forehead.

Bai He shivered and Xi Wang felt her arms tighten around his neck. He opened the door with his foot and laid the girl on the bed carefully. He covered her and he was in his own bed just a minute later.

- Responsibility... - he whispered, then turned sideways, though he doubted he would be able to sleep at all.

- Isn’t this heart-warming? - Yan Zhu noted as she was hanging her legs from the tree. She was on one of the nearest oak trees at the edge of the Camp, from where she could see the people sitting by the fire. She confirmed with a satisfied grin when Snow Bird appeared next to her, accompanied by a cool breeze, but he replied only when Jian Ming finished the song.

- The mortals?

- No! When did the mortals ever interested me? You know me. I speak of the Fire Princess.

Snow Bird did not answer, and did not look into the other's eyes.

- Whom do you want to protect me with your silence, Guardian? Do not think that you and your little prince can prevent me from recovering what's mine.

- What do you want, Yan Zhu? Why are you here at all?

Some dim glow was crawling out of Yan Zhu's body. Until now Snow Bird was replying to the Ancient Spirit of the Fire Clan from a nice distance, with his back pushed against the tree trunk. Now he straightened himself with a stretch and prepared for the firestorm. But the glow did not leave Yan Zhu's body, it just wrapped her around like a blanket. Now it was uncovered that she was wearing a simple-cut, light-brown dress, more common than those of the mortals. She would have looked like a young girl only, if Snow Bird did not see the flames of the uncontrollable fire in her eyes. Now she could no longer deceive him.

- Tell me, Xian Xue ... You knew that it was not the princes of the Ice Clan, who have pushed me into the Infinite Space, did you not? Did you know that the stupid luck a mortal brought death upon me?

- Yes.

- I must erase this disgraceful memory from my soul, and I must have revenge for having violated my pride.

- Revenge... Is there nothing else in your heart, just the cold vengeance?

Yan Zhu's ringing laughter flew far into the night. Snow Bird looked around, but she only waved.

- They can not hear us. I wanted to be alone. - she added silently.

- You destroyed the Sacred Snow Mountain, with every mortal on it. Only out of vengeance, because you did not find the sword. And now you are here lurking near the mortals. Do you really want to revenge the old strike you've suffered on them?

- I told you I was not interested in mortals. - Yan Zhu hissed angrily, and the light cover flashed around her. - I want what's mine. The other half of my soul.

Snow Bird was listening stunned and tried to understand the truth hidden behind the words. He did not understand everything, but he did not want to confess his insecurity.

- Oh yes, you think right. Princess Yan Da is the one I want. Your little prince has done me the favor of awakening her in the Infinite Space. He just forgot to look after her again. Yan Da told me everything on Earth. I listened to her... I understood her...

Snow Bird watched nervously that the dim light cover on Yan Zhu's skin began to blink, and with each word of the girl there was something flashing. She did not shout, yet it was even more clear that she is angrier. Xian Xue did not move from the tree trunk, but he thought it would do better to prepare for all possibilities.

- Yan Zhu... - he was trying. - She is just a mortal there. Jian Ming is her name, a blacksmith's daughter, and she has no idea that her soul has ever belonged to the Princess of the Fire Clan. You can take away nothing from her.

- Really? Maybe I should be more patient this time?

No matter how surreal it was, Snow Bird shivered. He shook his head, but Yan Zhu laughed.

- Your little prince will hopefully be so kind and awaken the Fire Princess again for me. And before he can betray her for the third time, before my princess can sacrifice her life for the third time, I'll save her.

- Yan Zhu...

- Too late, Xian Xue. You had a couple of thousand years to think about it. I do not care anymore, if you ever understand what you've done to me. It does not matter anymore... Because I'm about to end this unfortunate case now.

Snow Bird pushed away from the tree trunk, but he was late, as Yan Zhu turned into a thousand small sparks, and with a hissing sound she melted into the sea of ​​night stars.

- Ying Kong Shi... – Snow Bird whispered, after reciting the names of some especially repulsive swimming monsters, which ever floated in the Endless Sea. - I think it's time for another conversation.

The sunbeams shining through the windows drew razor-sharp stripes on the floor of Mirage Hall, but it was not the morning light that awakened the Prince. Snow Bird came at such a speed that he had changed into his human form only by the Prince's bed, accompanied by a little snowstorm. Shi blinked, trying to wake up as the blue flames of a protective spell already blurred around him. Of course he was not fast enough. The first thing for Snow Bird was to freeze all doors and windows. Shi stared at him with surprise, but he was just pacing up and down, as though he did not know where to start.

- What…

- Shut up! – Snow Bird stopped him. - Now I ask, and you answer.

Shi swallowed and nodded. He dropped his hand and the spell faded away.

- What was the last thing you said to Princess Yan Da on Earth?

Silence.

- I’m listening to you…

Still silence.

Snow Bird moved one step forward, so Shi shook his head confused.

- Nothing? Seriously? It's the truth? Did the Princess really die without having a good word from you?

Shi bowed his head, then emerged from the bed in the shadow of the other’s accusing gaze. He stopped in the middle of the hall and stared at the Six Leaf Ice Crystal pattern on the floor.

- Brave Prince. Or rather conceited... and boastful... There you were crying to me at the Northern Ice Peak that you wanted to give back her old life. What do you think she will tell you when you wake her up? Will she run into your arms with a grateful heart after you've hurt her so? I would not be surprised if she would break your neck with her pretty hands.

He paused and Shi looked up.

- Did you finish?

Snow Bird threw ice cubes on him, that the Prince turned into snowflakes easily.

- No, I have not finished yet. Last night Yan Zhu and I had a little chat by the campfire.

- What?

- Oh yes. - he smiled, but his eyes were still angry. - And she was kind enough to share her thoughts with me. You know, about how she will conquer the world and how she will regain the last pieces of her power.

- But she does not know where the sword is. - the Prince objected. - That's why she was so angry, right? Because the sword was not on Sacred Snow Mountain.

- You're stupid! Your father's sword is only one thing. Yan Zhu is hunting for her soul right now.

Shi stared in front of himself, then shook his head.

- That is impossible. Absurd!

- You can deny it, but in vain.

- Xian Xue... would it be possible that on Earth when Yan Zhu invaded the Princess, she left a piece of her soul there?

Xian Xue laughed bitterly.

- I wish it would be so simple... I wish we could get away with it so easily…

- Get away with it? We? You and me…?

Snow Bird sighed, walked past the Prince and sat down on the bed. Then he glanced beside him. Shi stared back, then shrugged and sat down beside him.

- Yan Zhu has always been strong as the Ancient Spirit of the Fire Clan. Yet, the time came when she betrayed those who were important to her out of weakness and whim.

He went silent, but Shi felt that he hasn’t finished yet, so did not intervene. Both of them sat silently on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. Eventually, Snow Bird broke the silence and gathering his courage continued:

- Yan Zhu loved me. But I could not appreciate this love and I could not keep her from being disappointed and lonely. When I sacrificed myself on the Rock of Prison to save She Mi, she lost all her hopes. And to protect herself from further pain, she tore out of her soul everything that was the source of her suffering.

- No...- Shi groaned, but Snow Bird only waved.

- Yan Da being the Princess of the Fire Clan inherited a heart from the Ancient Spirit, that treasured the desire to love and to be loved behind the shield of toughness. Even death could not be strong enough to destroy it. When you gave her a new life in the Infinite Space, she probably repelled with joy of becoming another chance. But she failed again. And Yan Zhu, who probably kept her on a short leash, found out everything when she invaded her body. She’s not angry only at me any more, Ying Kong Shi. But you also. For everything you did to the Princess. More specifically, for what you did not do for her.

She took his head in his palm.

- Yan Da is in danger. She saw her in the Camp, right?

- You are wrong. Jian Ming is safe. Yan Zhu cannot reach her until she's just a mare mortal.

Now it was the Prince’s turn to laugh.

- That's it? Leave the Princess in peace and Yan Zhu will be weak? Find the sword and she has absolutely no chance? Defeat her in the easiest and simplest way possible?

- Good idea. – Snow Bird nodded, and as he did well, he stood up. - We'll do this.

Ying Kong Shi jumped up and started arguing with anger.

- No way! I will not make the same mistake for the third time. And you? Are you ready to give up?

Snow Bird turned his back on him.

- If you awaken the Princess, there is nothing that we can do. - he whispered. - Neither the strength of the Ice-Fire Clan nor your stubbornness will help. We will all be vulnerable to Yan Da's feelings. And if the Fire Princess decides not to fight anymore, if she gives up, then Yan Zhu takes back that was hers with a delicate flick of the wrist, and the Princess will just be destroyed.

- Snow Bird… - Shi tried. - What if the circumstances were different this time?  What if we did this time what we should have done long ago?

- You're stubborn and confident, Prince. Are you so sure you will be able to persuade the Princess that she is no longer alone?

- I'm not sure. But I have to try. And you should try too, Snow Bird.

- Any why?

- You said so. Yan Zhu loved you. You just have to convince her that there is now nothing to distract you from her any more. She does not need the Princess's feelings. But yours.

 Snow Bird turned and looked into Ying Kong Shi's eyes. Then he lifted his hand and removed the ice blocks from the walls of Mirage Hall.

- We're both crazy. We want to persuade two souls of burning vengeance to choose us instead of war and destruction, us, who have betrayed them and pushed them away.

Shi grinned wide.

- You see? This is the easiest and simplest solution.

When Xian Xue left, Shi called the guards and asked for the High Counsellor. Liu Shu bowed in front of the Prince with a perfect self-control, but he allowed curiosity to sparkle unveiled in his look. The Prince's behavior in the last few days was a bit weird, at least, as far as he could observe. Shi smiled suspiciously.

- High Counsellor... I bid you a fair good morning.

Liu Shu stepped back with an elegant move, and in the next moment a strong freezing spell sparked at the end of his wand, which surprised the Prince.

- Three heartbeats... Before I'm alerting the guards. You get that much time to tell what happened to Prince Ying Kong Shi.

Shi straightened and smiled. First he changed himself into the figure of the High Counsellor, who lowered his wand dumbfounded seeing himself, then he changed back, and as he walked closer to Liu Shu, turquoise snakes climbed down from the walls of Mirage Hall to crawl up Shi’s back and cover his shoulders like a robe.

- High Counsellor... We should rather talk about where the Sacred Snow Mountain disappeared from our map.

Liu Shu blew out the air loud and kneeled.

- I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness. There are so many gossips in the Palace lately.

- We do not have more time, High Counsellor. We cannot wait for the clan chiefs any longer. Our opponent is not a faceless figure, but Yan Zhu herself. The question is no longer who is stronger, but who is faster. By whatever methods we can gain advantage, it can mean survival.

- I see, Your Highness. It is a fortune that the rumors proved to be untrue. I would have been sad if it was true that the last member of the royal family turned his back on the Ice Clan for a mortal.

- A mortal? - Shi asked, but then in the next moment he added with complete self-confidence. - That's not it. Not that anyone else has a word say in it.

Liu Shu politely bowed.

- I’m listening to your orders, Your Highness. The clan chiefs are already on their way here.

- All of them?

- Unfortunately not. Hui Heise has not returned ever since.

Shi walked to the balcony door thinking. He stared at the snow-covered peaks painted by the pink morning lights and argued with his own thoughts. That's too simple... Hui Heise would be a traitor? A thief who stole his father's sword right under Yan Zhu's nose? A lonely warrior who was willing to lower himself to some earth-bound mortals just to hide? And what does he want to do with the sword? Nobody can be so foolish to throw gloves by himself in the face of an Ancient Spirit. He turned back to the High Counsellor.

- We have to get him. Tell Qian Zhenzhu Praedor and Hei Zhao to gather their best soldiers and send them to the Shadow Cave. I'd be surprised if that rogue had stuck his plans under the nose of his men. For now, it's even better if he follows it alone. The Praedor and the Bear should keep back the clan members from any rash steps. Mi Feng Hua should go to the Royal Guard. They will soon need his knowledge if the Guardians are forced to fight. All Healers will be needed. Yu Yan will stay with you here in the Palace. He and his clan get the most difficult task. I want to know about each and every thought, whoever's mind raised that dream, that can threaten our loyal clans or the Mortal Kingdom. Let him send me a Dreamcube when he finds something.

- And where is Your Highness heading? - Liu Shu asked as the Prince finished.

- I'll be with the Guard. There's a trace I cannot let disappear. I want to check it.

- I understand, Your Highness. Everything will be as you wish.

Shi nodded to acknowledge the High Counsellor’s bow, and after Liu Shu left, he walked back to the balcony.

- Ka Suo, my dear brother... I think now I could use your experience and your wisdom. - he whispered to the wind. - No matter how much I want to do good, I'm afraid this will not be enough.

The wind however did only its job. It blew away the morning mist toward the Endless Sea, and did not waste a moment to chat with a young, snowwhite-haired man about transience.

⤻ Listen to Yan Da's Song here: 💖