One Bottle of Ice Wine - Ice Fantasy fanfiction - Chapter 9

The dawn was beautiful. Jian Ming didn’t waste her time getting dressed. When the song of the flute sounded from outside and awakened her, she immediately got up and walked barefoot to the front of the barrack. She put a shawl over her nightgown, but did not mind the chilly air. It was still early, the western sky was as black as ink. The play of the Guardian being at night shift was a gift to all before the wake-up call, similar to the stars fading over the river, that Jian Ming stared at, until they disappeared from her eyes.

There were rules in the Guard. The alarm trumpets cried out only when the flute became silent. She waited for a few moments, inhaled deeply the fresh air, then looked toward the barrack of the General. As the first sunshine sparkled at the top of the high flagpole, she turned and walked back to the house.

Her father was already up. Jian Ming gave him a clean shirt, then put some flat bread and fruit on the table. By the time Chou Yan had eaten the food, her daughter cleaned up in the sleeping chambers and made herself ready. The whip that she had taken from the dog Chou Lou was lying on the floor beside her sleeping straw mat. She turned her back on it and left. She braided her hair, and then reminded herself to ask for some eggs and oil from the cook for a little treatment on occasion.

- I'll be at the workshop. - said the old blacksmith and stepped out the door.

- I'll bring lunch. – said the girl.

She closed the barrack door behind them, one of them went to the right, the other to the left. After all, there were rules in the Guard.

Jian Ming usually found herself some meaningful things to do as long as her father was in the Camp. She helped the cook around the food, or the orderly in the warehouse, as she was unable only to sit and twiddle her thumbs. She always found time to look after her brother without notice, and there were always enough torn shirts not to be bored in the evenings. Now, however, there was something else she could not ignore. And whatever her brother or the General said, she did not intend to turn her back on the young girl who joined the Guard. Bai He needed more help than she confessed to herself. And Jian Ming has already healed enough sore muscles and bruised skin before. It was time to prepare for being needed again.

The sun was up high when she thought her daily duty was done in the Guard's service, so she got a basketful of bandages and medications from the Healer. Then she set off to the plains over the gates of the Camp, where the archers usually practiced. Thousands of flowers called her in the grass, and by the time she reached the Guardians, there was a bunch of blue bells lying in her basket.

- In line!

He Bian looked with hands behind his back at the Applicants, who were waiting in the stepped-down grass, wearing simple clothings, holding their bows in the hands. Not far from them butts were set with the centre painted red, made of hay, apart from each other in different distances. Lu Shan and another officer had prepared the arrows and put one into the hands of each Applicant. Bai He was again at the end of the line. Jian Ming saw the dark circles beneath her eyes and her bandaged hands, but otherwise she seemed all right. Kai Xi Wang watched the preparation from his horse's saddle. His sister stopped beside him and they glanced at each other. The Captain nodded, made his sister smile, and turned back to the training.

- You will shoot at the nearest target. - He Bian gave the order, as the last Applicant got the arrow as well.

Everyone looked at the other. There were a few who did not hold a bow in their hands for the first time and already were measuring the force of their weapons. The others, including Bai He, tried to imitate them. Officers walked among them and corrected the Applicants’ posture or their grip on the weapon. One of them wanted to put the arrow backwards on the string. Xi Wang looked at his sister, but Jian Ming only pulled her shoulder. After all, you cannot succeed in everything at first.

The practice began, and the Captain slowly moved his horse closer. After some time of practicing everybody managed to hit the closest target. Its edge, at least. None of the Applicants succeeded in taking a closer shot, though He Bian seemed to be satisfied.

- Again! - he shouted and sent two Applicants for the arrows. Until they returned, he waited with his arms crossed and did his best to give a very strict look.

The Applicants stretched their bows again and again.  They just shot and shot until the targets slowly began to fall apart. As the sun climbed up to the zenith, it got hot, butterflies were dancing over the field, and birds were circling in the heights, their cheerful tweeting flew far away. With the practice of several hours everyone managed to learn how to hold and stretch their bows with firm hands, pointing the right end of the arrow to the ground, and hit at least any part of the target.

Bai He was the last shooter of the last lap. Her shoulders were already sore and she felt her face burnt by the sun. But her previous shot was near the red-painted circle in the middle, so she tried hard to shoot better. There was nothing wrong while aiming, but when she heard a familiar voice behind her, she turned involuntarily. Bai He panicked as her fingers released the string and realized what exactly she was doing despite her intention.

- Good day, Captain. - Ying Kong Shi greeted Xi Wang, but his words were suppressed by the screams of Jian Ming who had seen the arrow fly towards them. The Prince stepped away, just a little bit, and with his outstretched hand he easily caught the arrow. Right in front of her nose. With a proud and bewildering look he smiled at her, as the Captain noted:

- Welcome, Your Highness. What’s the honourable occasion, if I may ask?

Ying Kong Shi let go off the not-so-polite comment. But he was obliged to pay attention to another, more silent voice:

- Your Highness... Can I get back the arrow?

The Applicants mumbled and stirred when the Prince appeared, and the officers did not see such a disorder with kind eyes. The Captain was angry about it - among other things - though he tried to choke back his anger as deep as possible, and only his dark eyes betrayed him. He was not very pleased at all, that the appearances of the Prince always caused trouble and turmoil, but there must be order in the Guard, so he decided to speak to the General about the matter. Prince or not, something should be done.

Bai He did not dare to look up. Not at the Prince, not at the Captain. She knew that she had made a big mistake and knew that at least some of the people present were aware of the cause. Ying Kong Shi looked thoughtfully at the mortal girl.

- Did you mean to kill someone?

Every word hit painfully in Bai He's heart. She dropped herself to the ground and shaking her head in tears she began to apologize:

- Your Highness ... I'm not ... Jian Ming, I’m sorry. Please ... I did not want to ...

Shi dropped the arrow on the ground.

- You wanted to be the master of yourself, right? Then do not let anything divert your attention.

Then he turned his back on her.

- Are you alright? – he asked Jian Ming, who nodded reluctantly, as she did not like the previous behaviour of the Prince. Shi calmly looked at the Captain: - I want to talk to the General.

- He's in the Camp, Your Highness. - Xi Wang replied and gestured to his sister to accompany the Prince. Jian Ming left without a word.

Kai Xi Wang did not speak until they moved further. Then he dismounted his horse, and dropped the reins to the waiting orderly nearby.

- Today's practice is over! - he exclaimed, and all Applicants turned to him hearing his voice. Bai He stood up and wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt. - Do not estimate the benefits of any practice. You made the first step, now it’s up to you. When we return to the Camp, everyone will get their own weapon. In the afternoon you will practice how to take care of it, and repair it if necessary. And now back to the Camp.

- Yes sir! - the Applicants shouted as one.

The Captain looked everyone in the eyes as they walked past him. But he missed someone. Bai He - the last in the line – was clasping her weapon with a hanging nose. Xi Wang stopped her when she reached next to him. She paused, but still did not look up. He had to touch her face and raise her head. Bai He swallowed hard, but as the other did not let go, she finally had to raise her look. Xi Wang sighed with satisfaction and spoke only after a few moments:

- A Guardian never lowers her head.

Her eyes widened. She waited for scolding and punishment, but instead she received only a touch, too gentle for the Guard. Xi Wang looked in her eyes until he thought that he had not yet broke any written or unwritten rules, and only then let go of her face. He pulled himself out and forced sternness on his face.

- Off you go! - he shouted to the officers and jumped back into the saddle of his horse. As soon as he made sure Bai He was still watching him, he galloped off.

Ying Kong Shi did not even bother to prove to himself the cause for coming to the Camp again. After all, he did what he wanted and he wanted to come here. He also made a good excuse to talk to Kai the Blacksmith. And why not ask her daughter where he finds the old man? He had to rely only on his feelings to spell himself to exactly where Jian Ming was. His pompous smile was not wiped off by the arrogant Captain, nor by the new intercession because of the mortal girl. But his joy survived only a few minutes, because as they walked alone to the Camp, Jian Ming refused to speak or move one step closer to him. Shi felt the boiling steam of anger coming from her, despite the silence. He considered it a better idea to remain silent and force a serious look on his face.

 The General was immediately informed by the guards at shift that Prince Ying Kong Shi came to the Camp again. Shi himself thought that the fuss was a bit too much, as the Guardians gathered around them, casting curious or scared looks, but it was too late. And he could only read the same from the face of Xi Wang, who was just jumping off the back of the running horse. But he was the Prince of the Ice Clan, for whom the Guardians should have given their lives. Why he should not deserve being honoured?

Liang Dao bowed before him:

- Welcome, Your Highness. Please follow me. I think it would be better to have a word inside.

He gave a meaningful look to the Captain who put his hand on his sister's arm. They both stayed out of the barrack.

- Your Highness, I hope you allow me and will not misunderstand, if I'm absolutely honest now. - the General said at the moment the door was closed behind him. - The Royal Guard has swore eternal loyalty to the Ice Clan. Nothing will change that. But the Guard's discipline is strongly tested ... so to speak ... by the unexpected appearance of a high-ranking visitor. Please remember, Your Highness, this is the Mortal Realm. The immortals were always special to us. And I feel it would be better to have our meetings in the Palace. You know you only have to call me.

Shi watched silently as the grey-haired soldier spoke to him. As he listened, he was slowly sensing the weight of the years passed over the General, no matter how insignificant these were compared to his own. And slowly even the words of Liang Dao gained a different meaning. He could have thought that the old man was disrespectful and instructive. But he knew it was not the case. He also knew that the General was led by his loyalty just as much as by his goodwill. And when the other paused, he simply bowed instead of any further unnecessary speech.

 We can not say, that Ying Kong Shi did it only for the sake of the General, what came next. He smiled faintly, then closed his eyes. His snow-white hair became shorter and thicker, then suddenly turned black as the night, yet his hair locks still tickled his shoulder. The Prince's crown disappeared without a trace, as well as his ornate gowns, leaving behind only the simple clothing of a mortal. Shi had worn such outfit before, and now after so many years he was comforted by the familiar feeling of the fabric on his skin. Finally, he opened his eyes slowly. The General cleared his throat looking into the dark eyes, as he lost his voice for a moment from the power of the spell and the sudden decision of the Prince. But since this was a kind of solution to the problem, he took the matter as taken care of.

- Thank you, Your Highness. I know this means discomfort, but it will save you a lot of problems. And now, please tell me how can I be at your service.

Shi had since long decided to introduce the General to the mysterious complications around the sword. He just did not know where to start. With Yan Zhu's appearance only chaos became bigger. He felt that while the case seemed quite simple, the circle of people who could be at risk grew frightfully.

He sighed.

- It's simple and complicated at the same time. I will try to summarize at least some part of it, for the benefits of us, but I'm afraid I will not be able to tell you all now, General. I have no intention of concealing it. But that is the case.

- I see, Your Highness.

- And I may be sorry, but perhaps Kai Xi Wang should hear it too.

Liang Dao smiled, then stood up and called out the door.

- Captain ... And bring us some wine, my daughter.

Jian Ming spoke faster than she would have liked:

- But General...

- Thank you. - Liang Dao replied in the most natural voice, then closed the door in front of her nose. Jian Ming headed toward the kitchen grumbling.

While listening to the explanation of the General, the Captain could consider it only a partial success, that the Prince willingly chose a more discreet look. He still was nettled about the fact that he was here, in the Camp, again. Ying Kong Shi however came for help, and he did not intend to fall out with the Captain for the time being. He behaved according to this and did not pick up the gloves because of the upcoming remarks fraught with malice. He began to speak slowly, pausing here and there, calculating each word well.

- After the honouring celebration, High Counsellor Liu Shu summoned the leaders of the largest clans. However, despite the fact that everything seemed to be all right in the Realms, a very important problem came to light soon during the negotiations. An object was guarded in Sacred Snow Mountain, a sword. Suddenly the soldiers of the Ice Clan did not send any more reports, and the contact with the Royal Guard's patrol that was sent there was also interrupted. I thought I'd better go there.

- Alone? - the General interjected in surprise, with some concern in his voice. Shi clutched in his hair embarrassed:

- I was not alone. But unfortunately I have to say that the Ice Clan soldiers are as dead as the Guardians. We cannot do anything more.

- What could have happened? - the Captain asked.

Shi sighed heavily. But some things were still to be talked about.

- There was once a clan, the Fire Clan, being the sworn enemy of the Ice Clan. In the last great fight we won and the Fire Clan was erased. But the Ancient Spirit of the Clan, Yan Zhu, continued existing in the Infinite Space and waited for the opportunity to return. Well, it looks like she's here now. And she was strong enough to destroy the whole Sacred Snow Mountain from mere tantrum.

He stopped, but no one wanted to talk, so he went on.

- The sword guarded in the Mountain belonged to Yuan Ji. My father ... he was the King of the Ice-Fire Clan. He tried to regain his power, with the defeat of the other clans of course, but his plan failed. Yet there still can be some power in his sword. That's why the Ice Clan was cautious, and that’s why they tried to keep it safe. Surely it is no coincidence that Yan Zhu appeared. If she wants to revive the Fire Clan, then such a weapon can come in handy.

- How could an extinct clan be revived? - Xi Wang said.

- Last time... - the Prince began, then he paused to figure out what to say- ...well, Yan Zhu is able to occupy the weaker ones, to rule them with the power of Living Fire, to make them stand on her side, and then they will be her puppets…

- We are the weakest. - the General stated the fact, that neither of them wanted to say out loud, when the Prince went silent. The Captain would have liked to protest a bit of course, but Liang Dao was glad to see that he was doing his best to act according to his mind.

- The Royal Guard's greatest responsibility is defence. Whether it is to support the Ice Clan, or the Mortal Realm. - he looked at the General, who nodded with acknowledgement. - But we lost two dozen people in total with the troops sent to the Mountain. We have to bring the Selection of Applicants forward. And even if we find some new Guardians at last, I will not be calm yet. This Guard has never fought against immortals.

- I'm not sure they're ready. - the General noted.

- They're not ready. - acknowledged the Captain. - But they will get two weeks. And from now on we all have to take part in the training.

- What do you mean, son?

- Sir ... I will practice with them. And that's what I ask of you.

Liang Dao nodded.

- Thank you, Captain. - Ying Kong Shi said, then stretched out his hand to the other. – But I want to be there too.

Xi Wang stared at his hand, stunned. He looked into the Prince's eyes, but the mortal he had seen was very different from the cold, superior leader of the Ice Clan, and he already felt more willing to cooperate. He grabbed the hand offered to him.

The returning Jian Ming marvelled at seeing an unknown young man sitting at the table with the General and her brother. The General did not consider the stunned look odd, that she gave staring at the man when placing the wine jug on the table. Ying Kong Shi, however, looked back at her. And he waited. It was a cunning attempt, but he did not want to leave anything to chance. Xian Xue said Princess Yan Da will remember if she wants to. And he will help her remember.

The girl looked unsure at her brother, though he did not want to give any explanation to his sister. He took the wine bottle out of her hand and said:

- Find our father.

Jian Ming's tongue was paralysed by courtesy. In fact, she did not want to ask about the missing Prince, who was again callous to her friend, but she was angry, as she supposed they held back important things from her. On the other hand she could not start chatting, when she was so clearly told what to do. Yet, they did not tell her to put a nice face on.

Ying Kong Shi suddenly noticed that he was left alone with the girl outside the barrack. Now that nothing else had distracted him, he could finally observe her straining every nerve. But almost immediately a voice sounded in his mind:

- What do you want to do?

Snow Bird chose the worst moment to disturb his thoughts. And as the Prince could not answer, he laughed. Shi blinked and tried to ignore Xian Xue's voice in his head. Yan Da, that is, Jian Ming walked in front of him with straight shoulders on the road through the camp between the buildings. She greeted some friends, but did not turn back. He followed her with hands behind his back and with his head lowered, so when she stopped by the forge and turned back to him, Shi did not notice it and simply hit her. They both lost their balance. And they both tried to stand on their feet without clinging to the other.

- Uhm... sorry... -  Shi stammered, then became silent. As they were forced to look deep into each other’s eyes, his voice was gone. He tried so many times to avid the look of the Princess of the Fire Clan before countlessly. Now he did not even think about turning at all.

Jian Ming simply forgot why she was angry. She was overwhelmed again by the strange feeling that surrounded her since she and Bai He came to the Camp. Just the same, when she first saw the Prince of the Ice Clan, she felt now that she met a familiar person she had not seen for a long time. She frowned. A thick fog hid the past from her and did not allow to remember. She felt, rather than knew that they already met, but she had no idea when and where. As she looked into his dark eyes, an unknown force caught her. She realized nervously that all she wanted was to jump into the depth, willingly, just to get the answers to her questions from there. Who is the Prince anyway? Why does he always appear when no-one calls him? What is it that she should know, but forgot about it? And why does this thing seem more important than anything else?

Ying Kong Shi watched her. In that moment the distance, or rather the lack of it between them became very obvious. He was almost one head higher than Jian Ming. She had to lift her head to look into his eyes. The world around them became obscure and colourless, and Shi only saw her face clearly before him. If anyone asks him now, he will certainly say that the girl standing in front of him is not a mortal but the Princess of the Fire Clan. And as he watched the girl, the idea woke up in him to say that it would be enough to bend just a bit closer and he could already...

- What do you want to do?

Shi clenched his fist, closed his eyes and swallowed hard. The voice of Snow Bird pulled him back to reality, and he missed only with a little to spit on him with some kind of outrageous discourtesy. He sighed, and when he opened his eyes again, Jian Ming stood in the open door and waited for him. He cleared his throat, walked past her, and walked into the workshop.

Inside there was dim light, warmth and a smoky smell of ever-burning fire. Shi expected the metallic sound of hammering and the crackling of the fire, but there was silence. As he rounded the stove built in the centre of the workshop, where ember was glowing hot red, another obstacle blocked him: a grey-haired man wearing a sooty apron, who pointed the tip of a sword to his throat.

- Who is this? - Chou Yan asked his daughter, but did not wait for the answer. He turned the sword, pressed the handle into Shi's hand, then tossed him a piece of leather. - Here, clean it.

- Father… - Jian Ming said with some embarrassment in her voice, but the old blacksmith broke it.

- Did not you forget the lunch, my daughter?

Jian Ming glanced at the other, but Shi only pulled his shoulder wryly. She made a face, but then nodded politely to her father and stormed out.

Shi looked around. There were no chairs, only two logs on the floor. He blinked at the old man, who blinked back. He took a deep breath, but did not say a word, sat down and laid the sword on his knees. The blacksmith sniffed and left him there. He started to fiddle around the stand by the wall, then sat down with another blade and a honing stone in his hand. Shi first became nervous about the nerve-racking sounds, but later he was amused. He knew the old man was watching him. But he did not have a sword in his hand for the first time, so why not work properly? They sat beside each other in deep silence, only the quiet sounds of their movements were lurking in the workshop. When Jian Ming returned with a basket in her hand, with the steaming food inside, Chou Yan took the sword from Shi's hand. He turned the blade toward the light, checked it from right to left, then caught a suitable scabbard and slid it there.

- It will do. - he murmured. – You can come tomorrow.

Shi's eyes widened at the comment on the old man, but because he was having fun, he did not answer, only smiled. Jian Ming took two bowls of rice and meat from her basket. She gave one to her father, and as the old man nodded, she pressed the other into Shi's hand. She handed chopsticks to them and kneeled down bending her skirt under her feet.

- You do not eat? - Shi asked with a questioning look, which made her drop her look embarrassed. Her father replied instead.

- My daughter will eat in the kitchen.

Shi cleared his throat.

- Master Kai... I did not come here to eat someone else’s lunch, but to find answers... about a sword. - He handed the bowl to the girl and stood up. - About the sword that was kept on Sacred Snow Mountain.

Chou Yan did not answer, but began to eat and, under the weight of his strict gaze, her daughter took a small bite out of her bowl too. The Prince decided not to disturb the upcoming silence. He walked away and leaned against the wall near the door. He waited patiently, looking at the girl, who, in turn, felt more and more uncomfortable about this. After a few small bites she put the bowl aside and took out a jar from the basket. Shi shoved himself from the wall when Jian Ming poured some wine for her father, but he shook his head when she offered him a glass. The old blacksmith took a big sip, then looked at the Prince:

- Sacred Snow Mountain, you say? It was kept you say?

Shi stepped closer and smiled as he knelt in front of the blacksmith, accidentally right beside the girl.

- The Sacred Snow Mountain is no more. It has been destroyed. Where's the sword, old man?

Jian Ming blinked at her father frightened, as the young man began to interrogate indecently. But the old blacksmith did not mind this kind of behaviour at all. As if nothing had happened, he took a sip of the wine, then said:

- Where's the sword, daughter?

Jian Ming looked up at them with horror. The two of them seemed to understand each other very well, even though they met for the first time theoretically. But she had to answer to her father, especially when she was the one who already mentioned the sword before. She waited a bit, but she did not know why, because it was in vain. Finally, she decided not to have any arguments with her father. And since it was almost true, she replied,

- I do not know.

Old Chou Yan looked thoughtfully, finally nodded.

- You may go.

By the time Shi noticed, she was pulling him out of the forge by his wrist. But they did not stop there. Jian Ming almost ran along the barracks, and then suddenly came to a halt between two buildings by accident, where no-one could see them. Shi glanced at his wrist, which she was still holding. But he did not try to get away because he was very curious when he will be let go. She was gasping nervously, her eyes jumping to and fro at the buildings around them, then looked back at him. She opened her mouth several times, but apparently she could not decide what to say. Shi watched her and wondered if he had ever seen the Princess so insecure.

- What's going on? - she finally said. - Let me hear. Who are you...? And how do you know my father?

Shi felt an irresistible temptation to start talking about the past, but then decided not to. While she was looking up at him, she folded her arms and seemed to be getting angry. He glimpsed to the sky, where the light of the afternoon sun was clouded from time to time. He sighed.

- What are you sighing? - she asked, and he turned his head at the familiar words.

- Why did your father ask you about the sword? Maybe you know the answer? - he looked at her.

- What is this sword? Why are you looking for it? - Jian Ming looked back.

Shi bowed his head.

- This will be so difficult... - he muttered and started. But her hand stopped him:

- I will not let you get my father into trouble.

- Your father is a smart man. Maybe he's wiser than all of us. We should listen to him.

The girl let go of his hand, and he became serious. He stepped back slightly and continued in a cool voice:

- Help me.

- Why?

- Because I'll ask you to.

- I'm not a Guardian, I'm not bound by the Vow.

Shi smiled to see if he managed to get a better answer, but her next comment hit him just like her whip on that long gone day:

- And I'm not Bai He either.

The Prince turned pale and his throat closed up.

- What do you mean? - he asked in a hushed voice and stepped one towards her, but the girl resisted the urge in turn and did not move. She glanced up at him, but then, as if she had made up her mind, retreated:

- Forget it... Your Highness...

She shook her head, and dropping her tired look on the ground she started.

Shi stood stunned and just watched as she walked away a few steps, but before she reached the narrow passage between the barracks, he took the lead with a small spell and stopped the girl.

- You did well to see through the magic in spite of your mortal existence. - he remarked quietly, with acknowledgement in his voice.

Jian Ming pulled her shoulder but avoided his gaze.

- It was not hard. Some things never change.

Shi looked thoughtfully after her. In the last few moments, his heart had been shifting restlessly in his chest. He still could not figure out what was happening to him. He still did not know what to do with finding out the fact, that she might have been in contact with the sword earlier.

Suddenly he stopped.

If this really happened, then Yan Zhu...

At a glance, he was next to her.

- If I tell you, that not only the Ice Clan, not only the Guard, but the Three Realms are at risk as well, would you be willing to help me out?

Jian Ming turned to him and put her hands on her hips.

- Should I feel honoured that a future king, an immortal is begging for my weak mortal help?

- I'm not begging you. - Ying Kong Shi said.

- You do.

- I do not...

She laughed victoriously.

- Right then. Let's finish that conversation we started. Let's go find my brother.

When Jian Ming entered the door, followed by Ying Kong Shi still in his moral form, the Captain and the General were busy in an intense argument. There were several expanded bamboo scrolls in front of them, the map stand was pulled closer to the table, and they did not even bother to put away their weapons. They likely have not eaten, Jian Ming thought when she saw the half-bitten apples on the table.

- We can not count on them. - Xi Wang said. - Only a few of them are capable of passing the Selection. And even those few will be called a true Guardian only months later. In a serious situation they would have no chance. They would not survive the first fight.

- We have to fill in the empty positions. Even if we're putting beginners there.

- Six men. That’s my bet. No more than six.

- Maybe I should lead the Selection this year, Captain... - Liang Dao laughed and glanced at the door. - Ah, I see we will not need that courier.

- General... Captain... - Ying Kong Shi nodded toward them and walked to the table. Xi Wang took a half look at his sibling, but as she only picked up an apple without a word, he rather asked no questions.

- Your Majesty... I think you came just in time. We have already agreed that the Guard is not strong enough in the present situation. Our death surely would be quite heroic if, at the command of Your Highness, we must attack a strong opponent, who was able to destroy Sacred Snow Mountain. Still, it might be more useful...

- ...finding a different solution. - Shi finished the sentence. - Of course. No doubt. But first we have to clarify something. Yan Zhu went to Sacred Snow Mountain to fetch my father’s sword. She thinks it has still enough power to raise the Fire Clan. But the fact that she choked the Mountain and a team of Guardians in flames could only mean she was too late.

- Yan Zhu? - Jian Ming approached and swallowed the bite. - The Fire Princess? It has been told in the village...

- What? What are you talking about, little sister? - the Captain questioned. - Yan Zhu is not a princess.

- We are now facing the Ancient Spirit of the Fire Clan - Shi explained to her. - And let's agree she’s not in a good mood.

- I wonder why? - Jian Ming asked, and took another bite from the apple.

Shi did not answer, but cleared his throat.

- Who was the one who called you Fire Princess all the time, sister? Do you remember, that bumptious villager...

- Chou Lou, right? - added the General, who always remembered the details at Jian Ming's annoyance. - The guy who attacked you? And who was accompanied by a third man in a strange dress and an even stranger sword on his side?

Ying Kong Shi nodded toward her, with a wide and satisfied grin on his face.

- I knew it.

Jian Ming pulled her lips.

- I did not lie. I really do not know where the guy is. Or his sword. And anyway, what are the chances that he has it?

- How determined this Chou Lou can be? Would he be willing to give another chance for his Princess?

   The three mortals were staring at the Prince, who was still smiling at the girl. The guy is not that crazy at all, he though, if he called her the Fire Princess...

- It's too dangerous. - the General was the first to speak.

Kai Xi Wang on the other hand was still debating. They have already considered their chances with the General long enough to know that the traditional methods are useless. But he did not want  to use his own sister as a bait. On the other hand, Ying Kong Shi was the strongest one he knew. He could easily deal with three mortals.

- Then the Prince will take care of her. - he said as he decided on the question.

- What? - Shi and Jian Ming asked at the same time, with a similar expression on their faces.

- Come on ... We only have to lure him out somehow, discreet. If he gets out of the bag, the General and I will make sure he tells us where his unique friend is.

- No way. - she protested.

- All right. - Shi said at the same moment. In exchange Jian Ming looked back at him so, that Shi was sure she would throw the apple at him in the next moment.

- Your Highness, we do not know how long it would take. - the General said. – There are probably more important tasks in the Palace...

- Thank you, General, for your senses. – the Prince interrupted the words of Liang Dao as polite as possible. - Leave that to me. There is one more discussion I need to attend, but when we gathered ourselves on all sides, this plan is feasible. We can finally find out where the sword is, and we will still have time to strengthen the Guard. I'm not even trying to predict Yan Zhu's next move. She’s unpredictable, like living fire.

- I don’t like it. - Jian Ming said softly.

Xi Wang walked over to her and hugged her shoulders.

- My sister, I thought you can handle such guys like Chou Lou. If I do not know you, I would think you're scared.

- Shut your mouth, Kai Xi Wang. - she snapped, hitting the shoulder of her brother with fiery eyes.

- I take that as a yes. - the Captain grinned and nodded toward Shi.

Ying Kong Shi was perfectly satisfied. He barely managed to hold back himself to not show it.

- I have to go back to the Palace. - he said, and following his words he ran one of his hands in front of his face.

By the spell dancing at the tip of his fingers the mortal disguise slowly faded out. He could not resist searching for Jian Ming's look, who was looking at him angrily, yet impressed. However when the Prince’s snow-silver crown glittered up among Shi’s hair locks turning white, a strange shadow darkened her eyes. Shi did not believe what he had seen, otherwise he would have said she was sad. He bowed lightly and they only heard his voice as he disappeared from their eyes:

- Tomorrow...

In the quiet silence, the jar fell to the ground with a crazy thud and broke into a thousand pieces. In her trembling left hand, Bai He held the cup, water drops flowing down its side.

- Your water, Captain. - the mortal girl whispered but stared at the spot where the Prince disappeared.

- I'll get the broom. - Jian Ming sighed and went out.

Kai Xi Wang swore so hard, that even the General could not leave it without a word, but the Captain spared him from the unnecessary speech, kneeling in front of him immediately and bowing to the ground:

- I admit that I made a mistake, General, and I accept the punishment. Five minutes later, I'll be at the stables.

Liang Dao nodded and left them there.

Xi Wang got up and went to the girl. He took the cup out of her hand, but he did not drink the water, just put it down on the table. Instead, he looked at the girl who was tired and exhausted. She did not speak and did not move, but as he saw she would not faint this time, he finally called her in a soft voice.

- Bai He...

She shivered and looked at the other as if she had been awake from a dream. She blinked big, then rubbed her brow.

- Sorry...

- Are you okay? - Xi Wang asked.

Bai He looked at him and closed her eyes. He gripped her arms frightened. But his concern was unnecessary. She held herself hard and nodded with a deep breath.

- Where's Pei Pei?

- He insisted on bringing me dinner. – She moved, so Xi Wang released her reluctantly.

- Thank you for the water. - he said to the girl who had pulled herself, then bowed and left.

He turned back to the table and looked around the scattered scrolls once more. Then he sighed. He should be more disciplined, especially in the presence of the General. He shook his head and began to unload his weapons and the parts of his armour. Anyway, in the stables, one would only need a pitchfork.