One Bottle of Ice Wine - Ice Fantasy fanfiction - Chapter 13

Like children during the Moon Festival, the Applicants rushed into the Armory after the officers. In this treasury of various weapons, armor, and other equipments, they suddenly didn’t even know what to pick. Luckily, He Bian and Lu Shan watched and summoned their own team to put some order in there. Thus, while some chose the armor for themselves, others could comfortably test swords and other weapons. In this noise, everyone was dealing with themselves, which made Bai He the most happy. She had no idea what she wanted or what she should choose, but at least they didn’t pay attention to her. She guessed that no usual outfit was suitable for wearing armor. Those that Jian Ming gave her, were of course out of the question. The practice clothing assigned to all Applicants, two of which she received thanks to Pei Pei’s diligence, was a bit better than nothing. But as she looked at the others, she grimaced bitterly. They seemed to have arrived at the Guard already prepared, with good quality of clothes and proper equipment. She began to rummage aimlessly between the folded garments on the shelves, though she didn't look, just fumbled without any interest. Suddenly she felt soft leather with her fingers among the many canvases. She pulled out the shirt in surprise. She lifted it, held it to herself, and to her greatest delight, it looked good in size. It must have been left there being too small for any men. She spread it on her arm and searched impatiently for the pants. She was sure that whoever made the shirt had not forgotten about them either. She became more and more angry when she found nothing, and checked more and more shelves, rudely pushing others out of the way. All in vain. She found nothing. She stood by the shelves debressed, while the others were not at all puzzled, they had already gathered what they needed, and they were just bragging to each other about their new stuff.

- What is this ruckus? We're in the marketplace? - Kai Xi Wang shouted in the doorway, and everyone froze. - Get yourself in order!

Holding close their belongings, the Applicants looked around the room, and everyone headed for some less crowded corner, looking for a place to get dressed.

- Stupid! - shouted the Captain, so everyone stopped and looked at the other standing by, puzzled. - Have you forgotten what I said? Help each other. You will fail alone anyway.

Shaking his head, he watched as the Applicants scattered in pairs around the Armory, then walked over to the girl, who was trying to hide unnoticed in the shade of the shelves. Bai He looked down with wide eyes at the folded garment, that the Captain pushed into her hands.

- It was my sister's. She always left her stuff around. - Now he pointed behind his back, turned, and blocked the way out of the shelves with arms folded.

Bai He stared at his back in confusion, but as nothing happened, she pulled back, then hitched up the shirt and pants in less than half a minute. The soft leather pampered her body as she smoothed the fabric. She tapped the Captain's shoulder timidly, who pulled himself out a little and walked around the room without looking back, as he began to explain aloud.

- Most pieces can be put on alone. But if you don’t want it to fall off you after an hour of riding or fighting, it’s better to ask someone to fix the ties and check them.

He stopped in front of the leather armor stand, then in a while he pulled out from the back row a piece that was apparently made for women. He handed it to Bai He with a brief remark: - You're not the only one.

And he went on. He showed one of the Applicants how to tie the forearm guard so that the sleeve underneath did not crease or disturb later. Stepping to the other, he tugged on his breastplate with force, then nodded contentedly.

- You will see… If you wear the equipment for a full day, it will be heavier than lead, rougher than the mountain rocks. If you don’t want to get some bruises and blisters as well, you’d better look at the one standing next to you and help him.

He picked up two forearm protectors and held them back to the girl. He continued to speak loudly.

- I want you all have the bow you got with you. But while we're in the Camp, bear a sword or a dagger instead. Don't get tangled up in something in the kitchen.

He Bian allowed himself a half-loud laugh, so Xi Wang grinned maliciously. He stopped in front of the weapon racks, then looked back thoughtfully.

- Even though I've seen you with a sword in your hand before, I don't think that's the best choice. - he remarked softly so Bai He could just nod. She walked over to him, not that she had a better idea. She just looked at the weapons and couldn't decide what would be best. She sighed.

Kai Xi Wang, on the other hand, has already decided. Short for a sword, long for a knife was the dagger he had chosen, but maybe one day it would save the girl's life. His father decorated its grip with a tiny, metallically glittering floral pattern, and whoever made the sleeve tried to stay true to this motif. The tendrils and leaves swirled merrily in the material painted dark green. He set it on one of the nearby tables.

- Wait here. - he told her.

 He returned with a strange object that he had placed next to the dagger. Then he clapped hands for everyone to pay attention:

- If you practice a few times, you'll soon be able to get dressed in a minute. With the help of your companion, of course. Remember: there is always another one behind all Guardians.

The next moment, he stepped behind Bai He and to be sure placed one hand on her shoulder. He reached his goal because she was paralyzed. Then he raised his other hand as he whispered in her ear.

- Raise your arms.

When the girl obeyed, he picked up the pad from the table, which was once fabricated for herself by a witty Guardian. After all, which leather armor can be comfortable for a woman?

- Hold.

She felt Xi Wang bind the soft material on her back, his fingers moving just as gently as his whispers in her ear.

- This one too…

The breastplate had slight curves here and there, but Bai He knew that without the pad she would regret her decision to be a Guardian after just a few hours.

- Never lay down your weapons. - he said aloud, and Bai He shuddered at his voice. - Never trust someone else, and don't expect to get another one is losing it. That Applicant does better if he doesn’t get in front of my eyes any more.

He looked around the Applicants for a moment. Almost everyone did the final touches on their attire as they slowly fell silent. Being close to the weapons brought out the more serious self from everyone. Kai Xi Wang was pleased with the sight. He clapped his hands again.

- Head to the practice area! Run!

Bai He moved, but the Captain stopped her way.

- Where's your weapon? - he shouted sverely that made the walls of the Armory tremble. Lu Shan, who remained behind, walked out the door with a grin.

Bai He stood nervously in front of the Captain as she glanced at the dagger on the table.

- You have to put it on, Bai He… - Xi Wang said softly. - You have to put it on alone. I always want to be by your side, but I can’t do everything for you.

She swallowed hard, then nodded. Xi Wang smiled faintly and waited for Bai He to wrap the sheath strap around her waist with deep breaths, then tightened and fastened it.

- Thank you, Captain. - she said hoarsely, looking into his eyes for a moment, but when he moved, she ran out of the Armory in the blink of an eye.

Kai Xi Wang preferred to stay for another minute. Only until his heartbeat calmed down.

Arming the Applicants was only the first step. They spent the rest of the day, even the next day, preparing for the upcoming practice. So far, they have not been told more than that. When everyone got their own weapons, armor, sack, water bottle, tents were next. There was a tent for two people, which they had carry by turns. With no surprise Bai He noted that she was getting her own tent, so she would have to carry an extra burden all the time. And by she managed to put up the tent alone in a matter of minutes without any problem, it didn't matter either.

The General finally issued the order for the Supervision.

Thirteen Candidates lined up in the practice area near the flag. Having their hands on their weapons, they pulled themselves tight. The two officers proudly stood beside them at both ends of the line. Hearing the order to line up the General walked curiously out into the sunlight, and seeing the Applicants only his concern kept him from a satisfied smile. He nodded gravely but appreciatively. Kai Xi Wang was already approaching, but as he passed the row, he suddenly noticed something glistening in the air. He stopped immediately. Liang Dao also bowed his head with anger. The Ancestors may forgive him, but now he really did not need the unique appearance of the Prince. He could not have chosen a more inappropriate moment. The Captain might have thought the same thing, but he still could afford the luxury of pulling a sincerely angry face and suppressing a cursing. As the magic crystals were scattered around Ying Kong Shi, Kai Xi Wang was already standing there in front of him. He looked closely at Shi's mortal appearance, his disheveled black hair, his sooty dress, and the circles under his eyes. Then he exclaimed:

- Applicants! Dismissed!

He waited with his arms folded, not looking back, then, when the noises behind him died, he stepped forward. He looked theatrically behind the Prince's back, then back into his eyes, and finally asked:

- Where is my sister… Your Highness?

As Shi kept his gaze on, he gave him a few more seconds. But Shi didn't answer, and Kai Xi sent him to the ground with a single huge blow.

In the deadly silence only the General's boots pounded as he ran toward them. Xi Wang was aware of what to expect. Exile, at least, or even execution… But he did not regret anything. Something had happened, and the fact that the Prince had returned without Jian Ming, to put it mildly in a dishaveled state, could only mean that Shi had failed. And he didn't forgive him that.

However, before anyone could decide what to do, before the Prince wiping the dripping blood off his mouth could get up from the ground, Bai He ran past him. Xi Wang stared at her in shock and the memory almost slammed into his chest: the Prince lying on the floor of the Throne Room, a mortal girl screaming…

However, Bai He stopped beside him and raised one arm defensively in front of… Xi Wang.

- Where's my sister? - she asked with a tight throat.

Shi wiped his lips, then laughed in a dark voice.

- The truth? Well… Princess Yan Da was abducted by Yan Zhu. To my greatest regret… But maybe we should talk inside, Captain…

Kai Xi Wang took a deep breath but did not respond. Bai He felt him move, but in the end he didn't push her arm aside.

Bai He watched as Shi rose from the ground and bowed to them. Her tiny hands in fists and visibly trembling.

- Go, Bai He. - Xi Wang whispered, but she shook her head with a clenched mouth. She swallowed hard, but she still didn't feel brave enough to speak without crying. She was quite sure something was wrong. Xi Wang took her hand and turned to her.

- Do you refuse the order? - the Captain lent forward looking in her eyes. - No one is an exception.

Bai He sighed again and swallowed back tears. For the first time in a long day, she felt that she might have made a mistake when she applied to the Guard. For the first time, the whole thing seemed uninteresting, and her determination was thoroughly tested by the sight of the Prince in front of her. The Captain will surely do his best to find out what happened, and she should do nothing but trust him and do nicely what they tell her. But she was still unable to turn away. Kai Xi Wang squeezed her arm impatiently. She raised her chin and looked into his eyes.

- Jian Ming is my sister. - shi whispered with a dry throat.

Xi Wang shook his head, but the next moment Bai He took his face between her tiny palms, making him the prisoner of his own trap. As he inhaled, his senses were filled with the scent of leather, weapon and flowers emanating from the girl. He had to force himself to keep his eyes open, and not to do for any treasures of the Kingdoms the only thing he wished to do under any other circumstances.

- I want to know what happened. - she continued in a barely audible voice. - Even if I risk…

- Everyone can be a Guardian who survives the days to come. - the Captain interrupted. - My sister wouldn't want you to give up your dreams because of her anyway…

- I'm honestly offended.

They both jerked up as Ying Kong Shi spoke behind their backs. Only his fisted hand showed that he was nervous, yet Bai He thought it better to pull behind the Captain. - Who would have thought that would be the end, when you grabbed that cherry branch, right? ... Bai He…

Xi Wang felt her hand squeeze his arm. He placed his palm on her hand encouragingly for a moment, then spoke with a nice dose of threat in his voice.

- That's enough, Ying Kong Shi. Leave her alone. She suffered enough because of you already.

The Prince stared at them silently. Then he laughed in a ringing tone.

- Well, at last. It took a long time. - he remarked, and the Captain cleared his throat in confusion. Shi fell silent when Liang Dao appeared beside them. He bowed again, but no longer smiled. - General… We have no time to waste. I'll tell you everything inside.

He raised his hand, then paused for a moment. The blue flames flickered hardly noticeably between his fingers. He recalled what the Princess had first said when she regained consciousness. Yun Fei… Not Prince, not Ying Kong Shi… But Yun Fei… He shook his head. Now he couldn’t let things weaken or distract him. He made his decision and bothered no longer to change his look in a spectacular and flaunty way. He stroked his forehead, then his black hair as if he had just swept a leaf off. But the next moment the mortal disguise tore off him with such a rush that Xi Wang, walking behind him, stopped from its strength, and Bai He covered her eyes. Shi just wolked on with quick steps into the General's barrack and didn't look back.

The General sent the guards away from the entrance, then closed the door. When all four were standing at the table, they looked at the Prince expectantly. For the time being however, Shi was still searching for the words within himself. Kai Xi Wang took a deep breath to say something, but Bai He preceded him:

- Who is Yan Da?

Shi raised his head. Maybe it would have been better if this was not the very first quation dropped at him. But considering that sooner or later he had to tell the whole story anyway, he nodded approvingly and pointed at the chairs. As they sat down, he began slowly and stuttering.

- Yan Da was the princess of the Fire Clan… I mean still she is… Although the Fire Clan no longer exists… Still it is so ... And… she is immortal like me.

- This is madness! - exclaimed Xi Wang.

- Calm down, Captain. - the Prince gestured to him. - If you want to know how she became Jian Ming, why she lived next to you as a mortal for so many years, ask your father. I don't know… And honestly I don't even care.

- But I do care. Jian Ming is my sister. I thought I entrusted her life to the strongest immortal. Looks like I was wrong.

- Captain… - said the General. - Patience. His Majesty will tell us everything. True? - he looked at the Prince, his face showing only the least respect necessary.

- Yan Zhu is the Ancient Spirit of the Fire Clan, who was just waiting for the first opportunity to get closer to Yan Da. The Princess is barely a tool in her hands to increase her power.

- I do not understand. - Xi Wang stumbled. - Jian Ming… that is… Yan Da… immortal? But how? Why now? Yan Zhu changed her?

- Yan Da… sort of… woke up… Slowly regaining her memory. Yan Zhu was waiting only for that. The Princess has also regained her strength, and the two of them are really capable of anything. All the power of the Fire Clan is theirs…

- Will she hurt her? - Bai He asked her voice trembling with fear.

- I do not think so. After all, Yan Da is her daughter.

- What? - the Captain moaned. - This is madness. Children's tales...

- Dear Captain… A little more faith, if I may… Princess Yan Da owes her rebirth to the eternally burning fire. - He cleared his throat. - At least in part… Yan Zhu is this fire.

- We understand, Your Highness. But what happened? Did you manage to track down the sword?

The Prince shook his head.

- Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time. Someone visited the house, but he just wanted to rub our vulnerability under our noses. He slaughtered the horse, but stayed away from us and left no clues. I'm sure it wasn't Yan Zhu. And not a fan of Yan Da eigther… That means, we became not smarter by a bit.

- Bai He… - Xi Wang said with a sigh. - Please… Bring us some wine. And some snack too.

The girl wanted to protest at first, but it was enough to look the Captain in the eye and she swallowed the words back. She nodded resignedly and left.

Kai Xi Wang spoke only when the door closed.

- What will Yan Zhu do to my sister? Kill her? Take her strength? Turning her against us?

Ying Kong Shi answered with deadly calmness.

- While I'm here, I won't let her being hurt.

The Captain shook his head impatiently.

- The Guard will be ready for the journey tomorrow. We go up the Elm Heights…

- Your Highness, - the General interrupted. - The Guard, of course, has its duty to protect the Ice Clan. But we are unfortunately forced to keep the Applicants away from the danger posed by the Ancient Spirit. Otherwise, the Guard would soon disappear from the face of the earth. I will immediately send the majority of the team to Snow Blade City to protect the Palace.

Ying Kong Shi nodded.

- General, I will not override your decision.  Anyway, I doubt Yan Zhu would attack Snow Blade City. Not now…

- So the sword is still with the thief. - Xi Wang remarked. - If at least we had a clue… We could scout a single lonely person even with the Applicants.

- All right. - Shi smiled. - Good idea.

The Captain stared wide-eyed at the Prince for giving his consent so simply.

- What is that? I have no reason to underestimate your abilities, Captain. It will be easy to hunt with so many people.

- We do not know…

- But yes. We know. Anyone who left that bloody message can’t disappear from my sight. It only takes a little while to find him.

- We don't know he has the sword…

- We just don't know who he is. We have to catch him and look well in the eye…

Kai Xi Wang sighed.

- So be it. I have no better ideas yet.

Liang Dao nodded in agreement.

- Bai He's coming back soon, Captain. - Shi remarked, interrupting the thoughts of the others. -Is it really a good idea to take her to the mountains too?

Xi Wang wanted to answer, but a soft sound of pop interrupted him. Then something began to shine above the table, no bigger than an apple, and as its light began to fade, it was already clear that it was forming a cube.

- Yu Yan's Dream Cube! - Shi jumped up from his chair excitedly. - He finally found something.

He held out his hand, palms up, and the Cube floated slowly toward him, then finally rested a few inches above his palms. As the three of them leaned closer, a voice whispered:

- Someone saw him…

A twilight surrounded the Cube, and a figure was seen inside the faint sphere of light. The strange outlines of his dark robe were foreign to the General and the Captain, who looked at each other helplessly. However, Shi just watched and waited. After a while, more details became visible, until he finally saw that it was a man wearing a hood on his head, and though he had two twin blades strapped to his back, he held a third sword in his hand. Shi held his hand closer, holding his breath, then shouted triumphantly.

- Damn you!

He waved and the room was flooded with a glow, and the image in the Cube multiplying in size, unfolded before them with the help of the Prince's magic.

- Hui Heise… That sleazy thief… I've always suspected him from the very first moment I saw him.

- Who? - the General and the Captain asked at the same time.

- Leader of the Shadow Cave Clan. I entrusted Yu Yan the Dreamweaver to keep his eyes open. And he aapearently has succeeded, someone saw this figure and dreamed of it.

The door opened and Bai He appeared with a jar and a bowl of cold meat in her hand. Xi Wang walked over to her and took the jug out of her hand. He smiled at the girl, then turned back to the others.

- What is the next step?

It only took half an hour for Shi to discuss the key details with the help of the General and the Captain. They agreed that Shi would return to the Palace to give instructions to the Clan Chiefs for the days to come, so that they would not be unprepared for anything that Yan Zhu might have devised to divert their attention or share their strength. A squad of the Guard follows him into the Palace to strengthen the protection of the Ice Clan. They will be led by General Liang Dao. Anyone spying on them would be convinced that the Guard supports the Clan with all its might. Meanwhile, the Captain marches with the Applicants and a few officers to the Elm Heights, as if they were just continuing their training by a little field practice. Which was true, thought Bai He, who listened silently throughout the discussion, having nothing else better to do. Kai Xi Wang smiled encouragingly at her several times when he thought the others weren't paying attention. Her nervousness hadn't passed though.

- And what about my sister? - she asked as everyone fell silent. She looked accusingly at the Prince for not saying a word about rescuing Jian Ming. - Leave her to her fate?

Shi turned to the mortal girl with a dark expression.

- You know you can trust me, Bai He. I know what I'm doing. If I have arranged everything in the Palace, will I go after her without delay.

- And that's a good idea? - Xi Wang interrupted. - No matter how worried I am about my sister, I do not consider it wise to face Yan Zhu alone, Your Highness.

- Perhaps you're worried about me, Captain? - Shi smiled, then shook his head. - I'm not stupid. When I’m done, we’ll meet upon the Elm Heights as soon as we can.

He stood up with one last nod and held out his palm to the Guards. Then he bowed and disappeared from their sight. Xi Wang sighed.

- Well, the time has come.

He pulled himself together and gestured to the girl. Leaving the barrack, he shouted immediately after his two officers. When He Bian and Lu Shan appeared, he began handing out orders to them. There were now four of them walking side by side through the practice area as the Guard woke up around them. It showed only now, what the training really ment. The General lined up with his own men only a few minutes later in full readiness. Liang Dao gave the Captain a few more final pieces of advice, then they mounted on horseback and marched off toward Snow Blade City.

He Bian and Lu Shan summoned their own squad. Bai He paused as everyone headed elsewhere, wishing to follow the Captain, but Lu Shan called at her, so she ran quickly after him.

The Applicants reminded of a pack of birds drenched by rainfall, as they lined up next to the stables, still managing their armor, felt still unusual, talking softly to each other. Kai Xi Wang surveyed them as he tried to sort out his thoughts. Obviously, it wasn’t necessary for him to tell them every little detail, and to tell the truth, he didn’t even trust them enough. The Selection could not be held in the usual way, which would otherwise have been the best opportunity to get to know those, to whom he would have to entrust his life. He swept aside the worried thoughts and pulled himself out.

- Applicants! Attention! You get ten minutes. By then, everyone should be on horseback in full riding gear. We're leaving off to the Selection.

The future Guardians began to shout excitedly and hurried for their belongings. Kai Xi Wang had already packed at dawn. He had also checked the equipment of his horse several times and also took a look at the horse he selected for Bai He. Just in case.

The two officers lined up with their squad, and left unreplied any impatient questions about either exactly where they were going or when they would get there. The Applicants fell silent when the Captain appeared.

- On horseback! – that was all he shouted, and they set off.

A silent, motionless warmth surrounded the girl, who was lying or rather floating in the seemingly non-existing middle of nowhere. She couldn't open her eyes, but she didn't have the will either. Nor was she sure whether what surrounded her was reality at all, or whether she herself existed at all? She heard a whisper and the warmth moved. Maybe it was the wind? The whisper suddenly began to speak clearly and repeated:

-Yan Da… Yan Da…

Maybe it called her? Why? Is that her name? It could also be that she is only a dream… Someone else is dreaming about her…

- Princess Yan Da… Wake up!

The force she felt in each of her joint gently shook her, then yanked her to her feet. She could now feel the rocks beneath her feet, and as she opened her eyes, the reddish lights evoked memories inside her.

- You're finally home, Princess. - the laughter sounded behind her. - I hope you are happy.