Rescue Me, My Love

The Gauntlet is Thrown

     Ci Hang was shown into the great hall for tea while he waited for Mo Yuan.  He was no fool and he noticed the heightened security.  Mo Yuan came in with Ye Hua by his side.  He sat on his dais with the boy right beside him.  "Ci Hang, do what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"  "I'm sure you have your spies in place so I want need to tell your much.  HaoDe is planning something.  I'm thinking he's going to try to kidnap Ye Hua.  My suggestion is to close down this mountain immediately.  Let only those you trust in.  I was sent to check on the progress he has made concerning his dragon senses.  I'm sure you know by now that he was taught virtually nothing beforehand.  Am I safe to assume that he is also an apex dragon such as yourself?"  "Yes, he is.  He is black.  I'm gold.  Father stripped his gold color for the lotus he was in for so long.  That doesn't mean he is any less powerful though.  He is just as powerful.  I'm aware of the plotting to get Ye Hua back.  That is why he is by my side always.  As for security, I know you are already aware of that too.  I hope he thinks he can try.  I'm not weak by a long shot.  I have enough power to tear down all of the nine heavens.  Just go back and tell him you saw Ye Hua training with me.  That should put the fear in him.  He has learned a lot this month already.  Show him, Ye Hua."  Without moving a muscle, he opened his dragon senses and probed his old master.  He smelled the throne room on him and growled.  "What did you sense, Ye Hua?"  "He has been near HaoDe.  I can smell him there.  Also he is afraid of something.  That's all I see, Da ge."  "So Ci Hang, is he correct?"  Ci Hang wasn't expecting that at all.  HaoDe is right to fear the boy now.  "Yes, I was called into the throne room.  As to fear, I feel after today, my life is worthless.  I know Yang Cao followed me.  I also know he will probably try to kill me.  He is after all his father's lackey.  HaoDe is using me to find out information on just how young Ye Hua is faring.  I could keep up the pretense for a while if you allow me to.  I too disapproved of the boy's treatment.  I can see he is much better off here.  He will no doubt make an excellent ruler some day. And congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.  May I ask who is the lucky bride?"  "Bai Qian of Qing Qui."  "Ah yes!  Perfect!"
     Ci Hang was about to take his leave when Die Feng came in holding a disheveled Yang Cao by the collar.  "Shifu, we found this person skulking around the entrance trying to get passed your barrier."  Mo Yuan walked around him with his arms behind his back.  "So you thought you would test security measures on Kunlun.  Let me assure you now.  This mountain is locked down and a fly won't get through my barrier.  Ye Hua is with me and he will stay with me.  Isn't that right, Ye Hua?"  The boy walked up to his brother and took his hand.  He looked at the man he had called father and felt disgusted.  He looked at him and his dragon growled.  Loudly.  His grip tightened and Mo Yuan smiled down at him.  "I can see that you now know how Ye Hua really feels about you.  He has me now and I can most assuredly tell you that he is happy here.  He will never be thrown into an empty room alone again.  Show him what you think of him Ye Hua!"  Ye Hua stepped to the side and threw a spell at Yang Cao.  He flew against the wall.  The fear and surprise on his face was all that needed to be said.  "Escort him out, Die Feng.  Good day!"  Die Feng grabbed him and escorted him out.  Ci Hang turned and bowed.  "I take my leave.  I am more than pleased to see the young Prince doing so well!  I will report that too!" 
     Mo Yuan took Ye Hua by the hand and brought him to the dais again.  "Ye Hua, Da ge is very proud of you today.  I saw that you had no fear when you faced Yang Cao.  Also your power behind that spell surprised me a little.  Have you been practicing?"  "Da ge, I opened my dragon to enhance my power.  Is that ok?"  "Ye Hua, that is exactly what I have been teaching you.  You needed to show force so you opened your dragon and gave it to him head on.  Once you learn to use your own judgement on such things, you will be able to tell when it is right and when it is wrong.  I can see that you learn fast and we need to move you up in training.  How about some dragon combat now?  I'm sure you are ready."  "Really Da ge?  You think so?"  "Come!  Its time for some classroom work.  I have some books for you to read on the subject.  Lets go to the library now, shall we?"
     Die Feng found them there when he came back up the mountain.  "Shifu, report!"  Mo Yuan raised his head and smiled.  It was no ordinary smile though.  It was his war god smile.  The sharp, calculating smile of a mind in motion.  "Report."  "Shifu, I have increased patrols and security around our perimeter.  I also think we should increase barrier strength.  Our overall plan seems to be holding."  "Very good.  Close down the mountain.  Only important visitors are allowed.  Any wedding business I will let Zhi Zhi handle.  Only five more days!  Surely we can make it through that!  As planned, I want one of you to stay close to Ye Hua at all times, especially since he is leading the wedding party." 
     The stack of books was neatly being transferred from one side to the other.  When the last one was finished, Mo Yuan was amazed.  It must be true.  Ye Hua is a genius.  "Alright Ye Hua, let's see what you have learned", he thought to himself.  He rose and went to stand in front of him.  He fired off one question after another and got the correct answer every time.  He literally  quoted the book verbatim.  Mo Yuan was astounded.  His Didi was a child prodigy!  " I see you have a very sharp mind.  I give you permission to read the books in here on warfare.  When you finish, let me know and I will test you.  Let's go find JieJie, shall we?"  Ye Hua jumped up and skipped out toward the great hall.  Mo Yuan smiled to himself.  He was coming back to being a little boy slowly but surely.
     Bai Qian and her mother were in a heated argument over the robe color for Ye Hua and the disciples to wear when the party comes to retrieve her.  Ye Hua skipped up to her mother and hugged her.  She looked down and cupped his smiling face with her hand.  "What do you think, Ye Hua?  What color should your robes be?"  He thought for just a second.  "Blue.  The official color of Kunlun Mountain.  Just like Da ge's official robes that he wears to court."  Both women looked at the boy like he had stumbled across the solution.  "Why, Ye Hua, what an excellent idea!  Blue it shall be!!"  Mo Yuan stepped next to Bai Qian and hugged her close.  He smiled down at her.  "Only five more days!!  Then you will be mine!  I can't wait!  Would you like to help me surprise Ye Hua now?  His quarters are finished now.  I waited until they were complete to show him.  I also have another surprise for him.  Shall we?  Zhi Zhi, if you would excuse us for a moment?  Ye Hua!  Come here!  I have a surprise for you!" 
     Ye Hua came running over to him.  "Let me show you something."  They walked toward the back of the mountain toward Mo Yuan's rooms.  Right down the hallway, was an ornately carved door with a black dragon with blue eyes.  "Open it", Mo Yuan said softly.  Ye Hua looked up at him for reassurance.  He pushed him toward the door.  He opened the door and walked in.  His mouth fell open as he looked around.  The room had been decorated in style for the Crown Prince.  His black dragon insignia was everywhere.  He even had a shelf with the toys that the disciples had made for him.  He turned to look at Mo Yuan with pure joy in his eyes.  " Is it mine?  Is it really mine, Da ge? "  "Yes, Ye Hua.  This is your room from now on.  I will begin teaching you proper etiquette for you to observe as Crown Prince.  These are your apartments now.  As you can see, you have a study, an office and meeting area and your own bed.  Come here and let me show you another surprise!"  He brought him to his bed where a set of black robes were laid out.  The dragon motif was embroidered on the robe and along the sleeve.  "You are the black dragon.  There is not another one.  As you can see, the dragon motif is now your seal.  Welcome, Taizi Dianxia!"  Mo Yuan bowed to him.  Bai Qian bowed.  Ye Hua grabbed his brother around his legs and smiled the biggest smile Mo Yuan had ever seen.  "There are books over there on your desk on protocol and proper etiquette for a prince to follow.  You can read them at your leisure.  I also bought you pens and ink for yourself.  Do you like it?"  "Do I like it?!?  I'm so happy!  My own things.  Look!  You got me a stand for my sword!  Ci Hang gave it to me.  It's called Qing Ming!  Purely shining bright!"  "Yes it is.  One day you and that sword will shine bright for the nine heavens and be a beacon for all that is good!"   "I love you, Da ge!"  He started running around his room like a tornado.  Mo Yuan reached up to wipe a tear off of his own lashes.  Bai Qian put her hands around his waist.  "Mo Yuan, this is the best thing you could have ever done for him.  Look how happy he is!"  "Wait until he finds the paints and drawing material I got him.  His third uncle told me he likes to draw."  Mo Yuan was about to call him when Ye Hua found the drawing supplies.  "Da ge!  Look!  Drawing paper!  And paint!  Can I get lessons now?  HaoDe wouldn't let me.  Can I?"  "Yes you can!  In fact, there is a disciple here that would love to teach you!  How about that?"  "I'll set up your schedule for them to begin right away.  You're one busy little prince!"