The General, the Captain, He Bian
and Lu Shan stood next to each other arms folded by the smoking leftovers of
the stables. The main walls, fortunately, remained, making the reconstruction
of the building easier. But a larger part of the roof was destroyed, and thanks
only the orderlies that the horses have been taken out in time and none of the
animals was hurt. Coughing Guardians ran by them with buckets in their hands to
fight the remaining flames. The horses waited nervously pounding in the crowded
stockyards farther at the edge of the Camp, nervously pounding, and two men
were just giving them water. One of the Applicants was supported to the
Healer's house, though he seemed to be able to stand on his feet, even if that
was a bit difficult. Liang Dao said nothing, and a few minutes passed in deep
silence before he finally spoke:
- I knew something was going to
happen. I am not surprised. I just did not think it would so fast... We have to
forget what we discussed yesterday about the Applicants and the Selection.
Other strategies will be needed.
- General, we do not have too
many possibilities to defend ourselves from fireballs falling from the sky upon
our heads.
- Kai Xi Wang, since when do you
have problems with a hopeless fight? - the General asked back, smiling, and the
Captain felt that the other was not talking about fighting Yan Zhu at all.
- Regardless of the lack of time,
let's go on in order. We'll be good without the stables for a whole, the horses
will go on well in the outer stockyards. Now there is no point in wasting our
energies on that. Thanks to the heavens nobody died. Ci Bei takes care of the
few wounded who were not fortunate enough. Now the team is the first.
Xi Wang interrupted impatiently.
- We do not have a chance against
Yan Zhu. She destroyed a whole mountain. The Guard cannot stand before her.
Liang Dao looked at the young
man, then sent the two officers away with a wave, and answered only when they
were away far enough:
- You did not worry about that
much before, my son.
The Captain turned his head and
did not answer.
- Sometimes it seems impossible
to comply your vow to defend the Ice Clan at the cost of your life and the
fact, that you need this life to protect someone else. You're not mistaken. It
really seems impossible. But you know that we do not make any exceptions. You
cannot forget who you are even for a moment.
- I know. - said Xi Wang, with
obvious nervousness in his voice.
- Concentrate your strength on
important things, Captain. We will organize the defence of the Guard, and this
will solve your problem too. But I will not allow our reputation, our security
or our honour to suffer. I can assure you: the sacrifice of our lives will only
be necessary in very well-reasoned cases.
Xi Wang sighed, but then pulled
himself out and returned to the General:
- I'm waiting for the command,
Sir.
- All right, my son. Come on,
we've got a lot of things to do. We're going to do something that I did last
time when I was an Applicant myself.
Bai He did not think too long how
to make herself useful. She would have done anything to occupy herself and divert
her attention from the trembling of her hand and the last words of the Captain.
As soon as she noticed the Healer, she joined her. Passing by the wounded in
front of the house she followed the older woman into the house. Cleanness and
order ruled inside, but Ci Be asked her to rearrange the furniture a bit to
free up more space, so that they could work more comfortably. She told as said.
They emptied every chair, bench and chest, so that more people can sit. There
was also a bed, but as Bai He had observed outside, no one was in such a bad
condition to be in need of it now. They boiled water and fetched Ci Bei's
complete stock of marigold flowers. Fortunately, there was enough willow bark
too, though the Healer made some cynical comments that the otherwise not too
busy Applicants could be sent to pick flowers. There was no shortage of herbs
or dressings, they only had to deal with scratches and some small burns, and
everybody was treated in less than an hour. Bai He looked surprised when they
were finally left alone in the room.
- Let me see you. - the Healer
took her hand and had her sit on the bed next to her.
- I do not... - Bai He protested,
but Ci Bei did not care. Without making any further comments, she looked at the
girl, who was lying in front of her in fever in another room just a few days
ago. Now he saw a woman in a messy, masculine dress, her skin tanned gold by
the sun, with a strange light in her eyes beyond tiredness. She turned her face
toward her, smoothed away the dishevelled hairlocks, and with a clean cloth she
treated the tiny scratches and bruises that Bai He did not even know about.
- I'll give you some balm, use it
on your face for a few days, and these will leave without a trace. What were
you doing on the ground anyway? So many stone scretches...
Bai He looked embarrassed as Ci
Bei cleaned up her hands as well.
- There… You may go now. The
others must be waiting for you. And take care of yourself. I do not want to see
you so often.
Exiting the door Bai He looked
over at herself and grinned. She quickly undusted her clothes and hastily
re-braided her hair. The Applicants gathered in a group near the kitchen, where
everyone got some fresh water. They were discussing the events, loudly guessing
the cause of the fire, so the name of Yan Zhu was mentioned soon. They all knew
the legends, and those young men, who were loud, sure, courageous and
determined, were now pale in lamenting that they might not even live until the
next day. Bai He stopped by but did not join the conversation. She got herself
a cup of water and waited. He Bian and Lu Shan arrived, and made order among
them quickly. Thus by the time General Liang Dao and Xi Wang appeared, the
Applicants stood in a disciplined line silently in front of the building.
- Applicants, ready! - the
Captain shouted, everybody shuddered from his voice, then pulled out as quickly
as possible and forced a serious face.
Liang Dao walked by front of them
with his hands put back, and turned at the end of the line with a half smile on
his face, which made the Applicants calm down a little.
- Why are you here? - he asked
the question unexpectedly, which made the throat of those in front of him
clenched again. They did not dare look at each other and did not have the
courage to answer either. Bai He dropped a look from the corner of her eye to
the others, then spoke quietly, hoping that no one would ever hear it:
- To be Guardians...
The General paused and turning
his back on the Applicants he smiled at the Captain.
- What? I didn't hear you well.
She took a big breath, but she
was mistaken if she thought she was alone: all the Applicants shouted with her
at the same time:
- To be Guardians, sir!
The General nodded with
satisfaction and turned back to them:
- Right. I waited for this
answer. From now on, the Applicants are also required to participate in the
tasks of the Guard. From sunrise to sunset, we will divide you into two groups
to do the tasks needed. Every Applicant is obliged to deliver the expected
performance and it is better to think about it now: whoever makes a mistake
will never be a Guardian.
More people took a deep breath,
which sounded quite clear in the silence. But the General did not mind and
continued:
- From now on, the Applicants
will wear uniforms and weapons as well. Everyone is responsible for their
equipment. You will also take your parts in the night-watch and the kitchen
service. And if you get a command from any officer, you do it right away.
One of the Applicants stepped out
of the line. The Captain waited for him to leave the Guard. He moved to tell
him the best, but the General was ahead and stepped to the young man.
- Yes?
The Applicant glanced at the
others, then set his look ahead, and said clearly:
- Sir! Will we be real Guardians
soon? I thought there were a couple of weeks until the Selection.
Liang Dao saw in the eyes of the
Applicants that they were all curious about this, so he decided to pour pure
water into the glass.
- Today the camp was attacked.
Anyone will be a Guardian who will survive the upcoming days.
The air froze. The General
waited, but as no Applicants fled scared to death from the line before him, he
finally nodded and looked at the Captain:
- Continue. - and left them.
Kai Xi Wang walked in the same
way as the General before, and looked deep into each one's eyes. He did not
make any exceptions with the girl at the end of the line either. After all,
General said so as well. He then gestured toward Bian and Lu Shan.
- I want two equal teams.
Quickly, do it.
The Applicants rushed to the two
officers, obviously everyone to those who they liked since they joined the camp
for any reason. However, those who were not decided in time could no longer
choose. Bai He waited again, as she always did, but now she was very sorry. So
far she didn't realize that there were thirteen of them. This fact was not
overlooked by the others and they began to whisper. So much about the two equal
teams. The words of the General were ringing in her ear, but she actually made
the decision long ago. She pulled himself out, walked by the Captain, and
accepting her situation she joined Lu Shan's team. Let there be what should be.
Kai Xi Wang did not comment. He
nodded at the officers and went after the General.
- In weapons! – He Bian shouted,
and they led the two groups of Applicants to the Armoury.
It was an unbearably long
afternoon. Shi tried to avoid her. He walked around the clearing, went down to
the river again, gave the horse water, and then spent some time finding a
suitable place for it, which is well protected at night. But he was still aware
of her presence even when Jian Ming was in the kitchen making dinner, and he
was right in front of the house. As the hours passed, he fought more and more
intensely with his uncertainty within. He didn't know if he should regret the
moment he let his feelings free. Once he was glad he did so, because he felt he
had not enough power to keep his secrets. Then in half a minute he hated
himself for it, and he considered his case lost because Jian Ming wouldn't
understand it.
The girl did not talk to him. She
didn't look for him, didn't call him into the house, didn't go out to him.
However, when Shi could not pull it any longer and brought the horse-tools into
the house, a cool glass of wine was waiting on the table in the kitchen. Once,
however, the time came when the girl shouted that the dinner was ready, so he
was forced to leave the volunteer watch and go inside. He avoided her gaze as
he sat silently at the table, but as Jian Ming turned her back, he looked at
her. And he couldn't look away any more. He stared at her hair she'd set aside
for cooking, and now it tickled her back put in a single dishevelled knot fixed
with a lonely chopstick. He stared at her slim fingers as she wiped her
forehead with an involuntary move. He stared at the knot that she tied her
apron at her waist. And when the girl lifted the pot from the fireplace where
she cooked the ragout to bring it to the table, his gaze wandered over her
face.
There were only two of them, they
knew well, and this fact enchanted the world around them. Their promised
silence only made even more striking the silent clicks of the pots, the
crackling of the wood burning at the fireplace, the thumping of the horse
outside the house, and the song of the crickets waking up in the darkening
clearing. Shi began to lose his patience. Nothing else he wanted more to make
up for the awkward and unsuccessful attempts he had so far. He wanted nothing
but a chance, an opportunity that would bring him closer to his goal: to awaken
the Fire Princess and to return her memories.
- Don't you ever blink, Your
Highness? - the girl's voice slapped him in the face, and made him sober in a
moment. He blinked, but he was still looking for her eyes. Jian Ming looked
back at him without knowing, but decided not to make any more remarks.
- Today we can only eat ragout
and rice. I will go tomorrow and fetch some fish. - she said when she was fed
up with the uncomfortable silence. She placed the rice bowl and the chopsticks
in front of the Prince and picked some from the ragout into another bowl. Then
she took the wine jug and poured some into a glass. She also put that it in
front of the other, then looked straight at him. However, Shi didn't hold the
stick, did not start eating and did not reach for the wine. He just stared at
her steadily.
- Okay. It's getting a little
awkward. Feel free to tell, Your Highness, if you are not satisfied with the
service. But you can't get anything else here. I didn't ask you to come here. -
she added quietly when she saw no trace of the slightest reaction on his face,
and she moved to leave.
- Wait. - the Prince said after
her, and she stopped, but didn't want to turn back. - Don't be fooled by my looks.
I still don't even need the heavy and ordinary foods of the mortals. Your
flowers have done their duty. No need to worry.
Jian Ming sighed, then turned
back, and for Shi's gesture she sat down by the table. The ragout was steaming
stolidly on the table, while she made some desperate attempts to bomb the
Prince with unspoken questions. However, Shi still did nothing but smiled.
Finally, she gave up, pulled the food over to her and started eating.
- I'll eat at the doorstep if
Your Highness doesn't stop. - she mumbled between two bites of rice after a
while.
Ying Kong Shi stood up, fetched
another glass and poured wine for the girl.
- Jian Ming ... do you remember
your mother?
The girl started coughing as she
had bite go aside. She stared her eyes wide open into the dark looks of the
other, but Shi leaned back in his chair and waited for the answer. Jian Ming
reached for the cup and emptied it in one pull. The wine burned her throat like
never before. She didn't know why, but she started talking.
- I've never met her... My father
said a disease took her when I was small."
- I'm sorry.
Silence.
- Why…
- Your father is not worried
about you living alone in this house?
- It's not a fake sword, Your
Highness, on the wall in the holder.
More silence.
Jian Ming put her chopsticks down
with a bang. Shi stared at her stunned as she stepped toward the back door,
went out slamming the door behind her with a huge slap. He suppressed a
swearing, but by the time he decided to stand up and go after her, Jian Ming
returned with a handful of wild flowers in one hand and a huge bunch of early
grapes in the other. She put the flowers in a wineglass, and put the bunch of
grapes on the table between them. She picked a piece and looked at the Prince:
- Tell me about Snow Blade City,
Your Highness.
Ying Kong Shi stared back at her
with wide eyes and laughed embarrassedly. Then he picked a piece too and
wondered why this short question became the world's most exciting and stirring
thing so suddenly? He was thinking and he now what he should reply. You see,
Snow Bird... he thought. It's so simple… He took a big breath and was surprised
when he felt the refreshing, clean scent of mint. The dull, uncomfortable feeling
in his stomach left by the flowers of the garden seemed to disappear as if the
wind had blown it away. However, Jian Ming gestured impatiently to talk and
take her chopsticks again.
- The Mortal Kingdom ends
somewhere on the edge of the Hump Filled Plain, because there is a good view of
the Snowfog Forest and the mountains covered by eternal snow, that belonged to
the Ice Clan for millennia. Of course it takes one more day by foot to reach
the City, but who would be such a fool to walk through the Plain…
- Why? - she asked with a full
mouth, and the Prince realized that the girl ate nothing all day. No wonder she
didn't need too much encouragement to eat.
- Firebirds walk around there,
you didn't know? Next time you go that way, think about it. Anyways… If you are
still far away, in clear weather you can see the tallest towers of the City as
the sun shines on them. Then you know you're close.
- It must be very beautiful…
- If you reach the Snowfog
Forest, nothing can be seen from there. Those huge trees cover everything from
your eyes. But don't think anything dreadful. The Snowfog Forest is children's
playground.
Jian Ming chuckled.
- What?
- Uhm… nothing… - she said,
turning away, but Shi saw her smile into her glass.
- Yes. I also played there when I
was small. Ka Suo, my brother took care of me. - he remarked, then went silent.
What else could he say? What kind of story could recall memories?
Jian Ming used the break and
cleared away the rest of the dinner. But she left the wine on the table. She
lit a candle and sat back facing the Prince. She refilled their glasses.
- What is over the Snowfog
Forest?
- The mountains… Then you find
yourself at the Endless Bridge and already arrived in Snow Blade City. The
guards open the huge gates that reach so high that they could not be moved
without magic. Inside the walls there are buildings reaching for the sky,
between them bridges and passages all over.
- I'd definitely get lost. - Jian
Ming remarked, poking the table in front of her.
- Come on. - Shi said, smiling. –
You managed it last time…
He went silent, coughed
embarrassed and turned as if he hadn't said anything. However, Jian Ming heard
it very well. The glass knocked on the table loud in the new silence.
All day long, since she and the
Prince had that strange conversation on the riverbank, some inexplicable
feelings bothered her. It would have been impossible to put into words, but
they itched her skin and whispered to her. It didn't really help that His Highness
was kind to spare her from his presence for a few hours. She found no peace in
cleaning or cooking, because she couldn't even touch the surface of that thing,
not to see it deeply and understand it. But now it's like something happened.
Maybe this is the solution? Allow Ying Kong Shi to speak up? She remembered
their first encounter. Even then, she was sure of something: that the man
himself is the answer to the questions he had awaken in her. Maybe she really
should do nothing but ask.
Ignoring the other's confusion,
she asked the questions:
- How many people live in the
City? Every member of the Ice Clan lives there? And what about the Palace? Is
that the highest tower?
Shi sipped in the wine. He didn't
want to drink, but he had to take a couple of drinks to get himself together.
He did something stupid. No use to confront the girl in such a direct way with
the facts, just to confuse or scare her. Or make her angry. He does not have to
remind her, but to help her wake up her memories. He should pick his words more
careful. And he must be much more patient.
- The Palace of the Ice King is
hidden behind wide stairways and other gates in the middle of the City. The
members of the Clan, the guards, the servants and the peoples of the court
bustle in it as if they never want to sleep. Everything is sparkling in the sun
and even at night, when the Moon, the stars and the Light of the Gods overlay
the towers, the buildings are covered with pale loom. The Six Leaf Ice Crystal
decorates the walls of the Palace, the corridors, the halls, the rooms…
- You can see the Light of Gods
from the Palace?
The Prince nodded.
- You would like it.
- Certainly I would be cold. I
don't think the Ice Clan Palace is a place for me.
Shi started protesting.
- It's more comfortable than you
think. After all, visitors come from every clan. Guests should be welcomed in a
proper way. And many mortals live in the Palace. There's the Royal Guard, and…
- And the mortal servants.
They looked into each other's
eyes.
Jian Ming aimed and hit. It
couldn't have been more perfect. Ying Kong Shi looked pale, but if he wanted to
preserve his authority, he couldn't give up now. He looked in the other's eyes
and waited for the next blow. The faked light-hearted mood was over. The girl chose
the place and time, and she chose well, as the Prince could not escape the
challenge.
- What happened to Bai He, that
suddenly made her feel cold in the Palace?
Shi was disappointed to note that
he was out of luck. There will be no more chances today to chase his own
dreams. He could have also refused to respond, referring to his privilege and
rank. But he wanted her to understand him. To accept him.
- I didn't ask her for anything
and I didn't promise anything. It was her own decision what she did, but I
cannot deny the fact that she got in trouble because of me. There and then I
couldn't help her. And I don't mind at all, that your brother took this task
over from me. I know he will happily do what he has to do.
Jian Ming could not shake off the
screams of the night and bitterly replied:
- She almost died in Snowfog
Forest. She joined the Guard, then almost died again because of a fireball. Her
life is in constant danger because of the immortals. My brother is not that
clever. He cannot be next to her forever.
Shi listened, then said quietly:
- He at least will be able to
love her.
- Yes... I know... - she gave in
and placing her arm on the table she laid her head. She sighed and she wasn't
in the mood to talk any more. She felt the wine start to work and make her
eyelids heavier. Maybe she would have been bouncing out if the Prince didn't
speak again:
- Jian Ming…
- Hm…?
- It's late. Go to sleep.
The girl stood up from the table
with embarrassment. Maybe she shouldn't have forgotten who she was in his
house.
- I am sorry, Your Highness. -
she muttered lowering her head clumsily. - The guest room is ready of course. -
She pointed at the door leading to the other room. - Good rest.
Jian Ming took a deep breath as
the door closed behind him. She became not smarter at all. She quickly closed
the exterior doors and retired to her own room. Lying in bed, she remembered
that she could bring in her sword, but by the time she could decide what to do,
dream took over.
Ying Kong Shi woke up for being
in deep silence. There was no wind to make trees rustle, or no bees flying
around collecting honey from the flowers of the garden, no birds that were so
loud the day before that they annoyed him to death. Yet he was more disturbed
to hear nothing from the kitchen. He took a deep breath and woke up some tiny
flames in his palm just in case he needed them…
Jian Ming stood by the table. Her
hair was down, Shi didn't even remember that red shadows were hiding between
her hairlocks. But as he looked at her, he immediately realized that something
was wrong. She was barefoot. Her dress, though she tied up an apron, could have
made a nightgown. The apron stripe was simply knotted instead of the tiny bow
of yesterday. In front of her, on the table, vegetables were swimming a bowl of
water. Sometimes she took one, put it on the cutting board in front of her and
started cleaning it. But beside the chopping board there was a bare sword. He
called her name, but she did not answer, just poking on the vegetables
stubbornly. Shi stepped closer, now magic dancing in both palms, but stopped by
her when he noticed that the front door was open, and on the door there was a
horse tail hanging, drawing bloody lines down, with a pond of blood dried dark
below the door.
Gasping for air he turned to the
girl, who still didn't move from the table. He decided to sacrifice some
valuable seconds, and that instant he spelled himself to the top of the house.
Although he knew it was too late. Whoever was there that night could not get
into the house. And he was gone, maybe hours ago. It was a tiny consolation
that it was worth spending half the afternoon with placing protecting spells
all around. Their lives were spared for now, and it was certain that the wicked
one would only scare them. If stronger, he could have easily got into the
house. He jumped back to the girl immediately.
Jian Ming seemed not to notice at
all.
He shouted at her three times.
Nothing.
He began to curse the monsters of
the Endless Sea loud and he started with taking the knife out of her hand. He
was horrified when he felt that her fingers were ice-cold. Then he pulled up a
chair and sat her down. He looked into her eyes, but as if nobody was inside.
He grabbed her shoulders and shook, but he only could make her lower her head,
her hair falling into the face.
Shi began to fall in despair. He
had no idea how he could help. Having no better he did what at least calmed him
down. Kneeling beside the chair, he bent the girl's arms around his own neck,
then hugged her waist and held her close.
He was wearing only a thin shirt,
so he felt that she was breathing in tiny sips, her heart beating so loud that
he could hear it clearly. In addition, she was shivering all over. She was
probably scared to death when she opened the door and faced the bloody trophy.
He was no longer trying to speak. A few minutes later, Jian Ming's arms
suddenly pulled tighter around his neck, so he sighed relieved. He felt the
girl take a deep breath, then blew out shaking. Shi didn't hear the first
words, but didn't miss anything because she repeated them again and again,
louder each time:
- He was here… Someone was here…
At night…
He wouldn't have let her go for
all the treasures of the Kingdoms now, but Jian Ming seemed to be getting more
and more out of the shock, because after the necessarily long shouting she
pushed the Prince away.
- How could I be so stupid? - she
started shouting at him directly now, still kneeling on the floor. - Why did I
think these locks would protect us? I don't understand why he didn't come in
and cut our throats. Why had an unfortunate animal…
She paused to swallow her tears.
Shi watched her prevented them from falling with serious efforts. He had to say
something.
- I surrounded the house with
protecting spells and I didn't neglect the locks wither. - He looked deep into
her eyes and held her face in his palms. - That's exactly what he wanted to do.
To scare you. To make you uncertain. Pull yourself together. He's already gone.
Jian Ming sniffed one.
- It wasn't Chou Lou.
- I know. - Shi nodded.
- That monster... He killed the
horse...
- Jian Ming…
- We can't stay here. It's too
dangerous. It was just a warning.
- Jian Ming…
- He will come back! - the girl
was shouting again, but Shi didn't let her go.
- Jian Ming… Please… Calm down.
It's over.
She looked back at him with tears
in her eyes. She was struggling visibly against herself, and who knows from
where she gathered so much strength that her breathing calmed down, her eyes
hardened, and now she wanted to stand up. Shi let her go with a frustrated
sigh. He waited for the other to start fighting, questioning him for not
fulfilling his promise to take care, for not guarding the house well. Or for
hugging her in an incomplete attire. But Jian Ming did not comment. She took
another last, deep breath, then turned to the Prince and stretched her hand
toward him. Shi took it and stood up.
- Your Highness… Please… Help me…
- she could not finish the sentence because her throat was squeezed again, but
Shi understood it. He nodded and went out to remove all the traces of the night
attacker's cruelty.
When he returned to the house,
she washed up, dressed, and put breakfast on the table. But her sword was tied
to her waist.
Ying Kong Shi watched with
concern. This change was too quick for him. He snapped once and charmed himself
into more orderly cloths. He drew a hand into his hair taming the black locks,
which were not long enough to spell the usual plaits into.
Jian Ming stood in front of him
and bowed deeply.
- Please forgive me, Your
Highness. I shouldn't have behaved like that. I apologize for my disrespect.
Shi stood in shock in front of
her. He stretched out his hand, but before he touched her, she straightened.
She raised her palm with a small jewel in it. It was a simple hairpiece, for
men rather than women.
- It was my brothers. I don't
know when he left it here. But I found it, and maybe Your Highness could use
it. I know it's not so up-to-date and it's not made of moon-silver…
- Thank you. - Shi interrupted,
then took the gift.
She bowed, then escaped into
cleaning. The Prince let her go. But this time he accurately made sure to
always stay within sight. It reassured him when he saw Jian Ming glance at him
regularly as if she was checking out. However, the house could not be wiped
forever and Jian Ming was forced to sit down next to the kitchen table. Shi
immediately appeared and pulled out a chair.
They sat in silence for a while,
but Shi was just waiting for her to take a deep breath and immediately
overtaken her:
- Are you okay?
- Yes. - Jian Ming replied too
quickly, then lowered her head. - Your Highness, I...
- I have a name.
- What? - She raised her head.
- I have a name. - Shi repeated.
- Do you not think that slowly this address should be completely neglected? Not
only because someone could overhear us. Think about sitting with a mortal at
the table and call my name.
- I… - Jian Ming paused. Earlier
she spoke with the Prince of mere anger and disrespect in an inappropriate way.
But after what happened it would have been strange not to reduce the distance
she had tried to maintain with so much effort. Ying Kong Shi touched her,
hugged her and tried to comfort her when she was scared to death. She didn't
know the reason, but she thought she wouldn't understand it with her mind. As
she couldn't explain why his closeness was so calming, and why it was so
familiar.
She sighed. So be it.
-Ying Kong Shi… I'll go ... check
the vineyard.
Shi stood up with a serious face:
- I'm going too.
Bypassing her, he walked toward
the garden door, avoiding any possible protests.
The vineyard was planted by the
old blacksmith many years before, but then, as he spent his time in the village
and in the Camp, his work was left to his daughter. Jian Ming didn't mind,
after all she accustomed to having fun at work, and when one of his father's
friends suggested that she could try to make ice wine, she couldn't think of
anything else. It took a few years and lots of failure, but it was a success at
the end. Now, however, it was too early for real work, and only because of some
early matures bunches it was not her intention to do too much. In fact, she
just wanted to hit the time, because she couldn't start too much with the vines
now.
As they walked through the
garden, Shi was left behind. She looked back at him several times, but since the
Prince followed her, even if she was afar, she didn't worry. Her sword was with
her anyway. She was already at the back, behind the vegetable garden, in the
middle of a vines raised up to the height of a man when Shi caught up. Jian
Ming looked at him and saw the man breathing deeply. At first she thought he
felt ill, but the other smiled, and when he finally looked at her, his eyes
glittered strangely. She shrugged and pulled out the knife out of the sheath
hanging from her waist.
She stroked the tendrils, where
the bunches were hiding between the broad, deep green leaves, and cut off those
that were found to be unnecessary. Some she simply tore away by hand.
- What are you doing? - the
Prince asked with a strange expression. It was as if he doubted that she knew
what she was doing.
- The sun needs to touch the
grapes. If autumn comes, there would be less light. They need to sunbathe until
they can.
- Harvest is in the autumn, isn't
it? - Then why?
- Harvest here is at the
beginning of winter. Making ice wine.
- Oh… - Shi muttered, and
suddenly, despite all his knowledge, he felt stupid. Jian Ming tried to ease
the tension of the moment.
- If the first frost sets in, the
grapes will sweeten better. The wine's aroma will be different...
- If they need ice, I can help it
quickly. – Shi said with a flash in his eyes, and raised his hand.
Jian Ming jumped in front of him,
frightened, holding up one of her arms protecting in from of the vines,
grabbing the man's hand to stop him.
- Are you mad? They haven't even
matured enough! If you now freeze the grapes for me, you will not only ruin
this year's harvest, but all the others coming later.
Shi looked at her smiling. She
just didn't think that he wouldn't have heard about it in a few thousand years?
He didn't want to do anything wrong, but his goal was achieved. Jian Ming took
his hand voluntarily. He pulled her arm toward him, so the girl was forced to
move closer.
- I won't hurt your vine. - He
said softly, and he also stepped forward. He lowered his head to get his face
closer to hers. - What am I going to drink then?
Jian Ming thought, if she took a
deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, she would have the power to move
away from the Prince and get her hand back. But she couldn't move. He did not
move, but she still felt as though he was getting closer to her, as if he had
been covering the whole world around her, and something whispered to her that
it was what she was missing all the time, that she wanted to get.
But what was whispering inside?
Shi, with his free hand, pulled a
hairlock away from her face before grasping her hand with it. Next to the green
of the vines the girl's hair seemed to be reddish from the touching sunshine,
and he had no need to call up his imagination to make sure Yan Da Princess was
in front of him. He felt the sleeping fire flowing in the deep, just like when
she sacrificed much of her vitality to save him, and she hardly had the
strength to stay on her feet. Even then she had some of the eternally burning
fire. And the flames in his chest wished nothing better than returning to their
brothers and sisters. Nothing would have been close enough now. He didn't move
either, because he couldn't think clearly and didn't know what would be the
most appropriate next step. He knew well what would happen if he walked through
the flowers, but he could not resist the temptation. Now he was more attentive
and prepared, so now there was no ill feeling. But he couldn't count on his
sanity right now.
Suddenly Jian Ming shuddered, and
in the next moment Shi felt that something wet was falling upon them. They were
too busy to deal with the weather, so none of them noticed the gathering
clouds, and now a sudden, hot shower fell into their neck. The girl pulled the
Prince with her, and still holding each other's hands they ran back toward the
house through the flower garden. Still, they became drenched tot he skin. When
reaching the house Jian Ming stopped under the wide roof facing the garden,
they both were gasping for air. She looked at the Prince and smiled. Then she
laughed, though she tried to hold it back with placing her hand in front of her
mouth, and Shi, he didn't know why, became serious with embarrassed.
He looked at her, gazing at the
water drops falling from her hair to her shoulder, then through her clothes. He
was almost angry for her fingers covering her face, which she could have
watched for days without stopping. He raised his hand and, as he pushed away
the wet hairlocks from her forehead, Jian Ming lowered her hand in surprise.
Shi's fingers wandered through her hair, but they didn't stop at her neck, on
her shoulder, or on her back unless for the short moment when the Prince pulled
her closer. By the time they reached her waist, Shi's eyes began to follow his
other hand, wiping off some raindrops on her face, and when he was already there,
he touched her half-open lips for a moment. Jian Ming took deep breaths after
the run, but now she seemed to have forgotten to breathe. The gaze of the
Prince rising above her was captivated, just like his arm holding her waist.
She sighed deeply, but she had no time to decide if she wanted to ask
something, or only her body demanded the air it deserved.
Ying Kong Shi in this moment felt
that he was emptied of all, the power of the Ice-Fire Clan, the duties and
tasks awaiting him, Snow Bird's warnings, the threats of Yan Zhu, the memories
of his brother and his family, the Guard and the mortals, and only one faintly
twinkling feeling remained. This feeling then filled the sudden emptiness with
joy and left no chance for anything else. And that feeling was the sheer
desire, and it was so easy to obey and kiss the Fire Princess.
She saw her just as clearly with
his eyes closed as if he was still looking at her. He lightly held her face
with his fingers as he searched her mouth with his. Her lips were hot and wet
from the rain. And so soft, that Shi forced himself to let her go, just to
enjoy the moment when they touched again. He kissed her again and smiled
because Yan Da hadn't pushed him away or shook his arm from her waist. When she
sighed deeply, Shi involuntarily pulled her closer, his hand sliding from her
waist to the back of her head to support her, when he demanded another tasting
of her lips.
Then he felt the awakening fire.
Not in the girl and not in himself, but somewhere between them and around them.
As he moved, the flames also moved. But they only started to grow bigger when
Yan Da's hand moved, and drifted into Shi's hair. The Prince lowered his head
down, and after a sip of air, he dived into the kiss again, so the girl hugged
his neck with her other hand and leaned against him on tiptoe. Shi's breath
stuck as he realized that the power that took him might not be what he felt for
her, only he could not put it into words yet. But it is exactly the power of
magic. He didn't know what would happen, and he knew that he might be afraid,
but he didn't have time for it at present. Ka Suo… maybe he felt the same when
Li Luo became his? Was it the same happiness just because of a few touches? The
flames were shining under his skin fed by Yan Da's vitality, and he felt in the
girl the fire feeding upon his won power, that he had brought her back to life
with thousands of years ago.
He knew something was happening
now. But he felt helpless. The Three Kingdoms could have been destroyed, Snow
Blade City could have fallen into the Endless Sea, and Yan Zhu and Snow Bird
could have ruled forever, for Yan Da was in his arms and she kissed him back in
spite of all the failures, all the suffering and all the tears of the past.
But then she pulled away, laid her
hands on his chest and pushed him away gently. Just enough to be able to look
into his eyes. She smiled, and Shi was willing to show some patience only for
that reason. He wouldn't want to let go any further.
Yan Da said smiling:
- I thought I'd never see you
again... Yun Fei…
The flames rose high around them,
and a mocking laugh sounded behind their back from the garden. Shi turned
hugging the Princess close to himself, and faced Yan Zhu, who burned the flower
garden with small movements of her hands with a broad smile.
- Did you believer, little
Prince? Did you believe that the Fire Princess would not call the great Prince
Ying Kong Shi, the heir of Ice-Fire Clan, the most powerful immortal, when she
wakes up, but a mortal servant? Are you not a little disappointed at all?
Shi pushed the girl behind her,
gazing carefully.
- Princess Yan Da... I thought I
wouldn't see you again. But thanks to the Prince, we can finally be together
again. We shouldn't waste any time, right? Come closer, don't be afraid of me.
- Yan Zhu laughed.
- Yun Fei… Who is this? – the
girl whispered, shaking slightly his arms, which she clung to. But the Ancient
Spirit heard it well.
- Who am I? Princess, have you
forgotten, that I was the one who took care of you when everyone else left you?
Have you forgotten, that you got all your strength from me?
She shook her head and tried to
hide behind the Prince's back.
- Where are you hiding? You did
remember his name, maybe you remember what he did to you too? How ungrateful
he was?
Yan Da shook her head, but when
Shi wanted to turn to her to stop her, she shook off his lifted hand simply and
stepped away. There was a lot of doubt and confusion in her eyes.
- Princess, do you remember that
this is not Yun Fei, but actually Prince Ying Kong Shi? The one who left you
dead? What's more, even twice?
Yan Da's eyes widened in horror
and fluttered between the Ancient Spirit and Shi. The Prince tried to speak,
but Yan Zhu laughed again and silenced him. Shi watched the girl paled as she
took her head as if she was trying to tame the whirling thoughts inside.
- I don't know… I don't know… -
she muttered. Shi and Yan Zhu were moving toward her at the same time, but she
pulled away from them, and as far as the flames of the burning garden let her
she began to retreat. The rain had already stopped, the humidity of the air
quickly burned by the fire, and fog was everywhere.
Shi reached out to her.
- Yan Da ... Please wait, hear me
out. Don't listen to the Ancient Spirit. She just wants to use you.
- You lie again. - Said Yan Zhu
and pulled her shoulder. - I wish I knew why you trusted so much that the
Princess would forgive you?
- My name is... my name ... – the
girl was searching for the words as if she hadn't heard the other two. She
shook her head desperately and tried to find the answers, but she was dizzy and
unable to think. - Kai Jian Ming… No… My dad…
- You belong to me, Fire
Princess. - Yan Zhu said, and Yan Da looked at the Prince in vain, Ying Kong
Shi lowered his head. He could not deny the truth. And he didn't want to lie
either. - You're the Princess of the Fire Clan, and that's why you are mine.
Come with me. I'll tell you everything and explain everything. You don't have
to be afraid of me. I will help you regain all your strength.
- No… - Shi shouted, but on his
first move Yan Zhu waved once, and the flames went high again behind them. He
stopped. What a foolish mistake he made. He never thought about whether Yan Da
had preserved er immortality. It didn't seem important. But if she is still
just a mortal, she can be injured. Yan Zhu knew exactly what he meant, because
she laughed again with triumph.
- We're leaving now, Prince. Do
not follow us if I may ask.
She gestured, so some flames
sprang out from the tomb of burnt flowers, and surrounded Yan Da Princess, who
apparently was not hurt by Shi's relief. So she is still immortal. He couldn't
do much about it. Time was up. Yan Zhu herself dressed in a fire cloak as well,
and in the next moment the Prince was left alone.
