LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 121: I'll Go With You

The sky starts to brighten. A cool, alpine breeze blows through the trees, nudging you awake. You open your bleary eyes. You see a tall, straight figure walking towards you. The events of the past few days have wound you up, tight as a fiddle string. It all comes back to you, and you sit bolt upright.

Fu Heng: Bad dream? Don't worry, I'm here.

His tone is gentle and puts you at ease. When he comes into view, you laugh.

Xiu Ying: Oh, I nearly forgot! It's Fu Heng, my Lord and savior!

Fu Heng: You've been through a lot, but I'm here now. You'll be fine.

He hands you a piece of fruit and sits down next to you. You lower your eyelashes to conceal just how happy you are to see him.

Xiu Ying: Did the Emperor send you after me?

Fu Heng: Yeah... Whatever possessed you to volunteer for this mission? Do you realize how dangerous it is?

You finished the fruit and try to compose yourself before answering him.

Xiu Ying: [Laughing lightly] It doesn't matter, as long as you're here I'll be fine!

He turns silently to look at you. You avoid his gaze, afraid he will see how vulnerable you are right now.

Xiu Ying: [Pausing briefly] I don't want to take risks, but what else can I do? I'm running out of options, Fu Heng. I can't turn back now.

Fu Heng: The Emperor didn't say much. He just told me to accompany you to Western Liang. I didn't want to ask too many questions in case he decided not to send me... Has something happened?

[He loses his patience after you decide to be silent about it]

Fu Heng:  Xiu Ying, WHEN will you learn to trust me?!

Xiu Ying: It's not that I don't trust you, Fu Heng. It's just... I don't know how to explain it. It started when I was ordered to attend the ritual on Mount Tianchi...

You tell him about the astrologer's prophesy and your need to regain the Emperor's trust. He stands up abruptly, hacks a leaf off a tree with his sword, and the struggles to get his anger under control.

Fu Heng: Nonsense!

Xiu Ying: I didn't really have a choice...

Fu Heng: It's not right! The Emperor is jumping at shadows. He's been very hard on you.

Xiu Ying: Don't worry. I feel a lot better now that you're here.

Fu Heng: Come with me.

He looks at you with ruthless honesty. You know he's completely serious. You stand there rooted to the spot, lost for words.

Fu Heng: There's unrest in Western Liang. Prince Jin is a monster. The Emperor has been wanting to send someone there for some time, but no one has put their hand up... until you did. That's why I say, come with me. We can go anywhere you like, just not Western Liang.

The backlight bounces off Fu Heng's broad shoulders. He looks as solid and unapproachable as a mountain. You can hardly believe your ears – that such a man would defend you to the ends of the earth.

Xiu Ying: Thank you, Fu Heng. If it was just me, I would flee... but there's my family to consider. You have family too. Hui Xin is waiting for you back at the palace. We can't just run away.

You hold his gaze. As he listens to your words, his expression becomes one of self-hatred and remorse.

Fu Heng: [Hoarsely] I didn't think it through. Sorry.

Xiu Ying: It's okay. You've lifted my spirits anyway. Thank you.

Fu Heng: Seeing we don't have much of a choice. I will protect you and return home with you when the mission is complete.

THE MISSION

First light filters through the trees, setting the birds to singing. You and Fu Heng ride through the forest, your horses crunching the leaves under hoof.

Xiu Ying: Oh yeah. How did the Emperor explain my absence?

Fu Heng: He said you had died... violently. The Empress thought he'd had you killed. She seemed quite pleased about it. Don't worry about Shi Lian. I made appropriate arrangements for her before I left.

Xiu Ying: Good... By the time I get back, she'll have cried herself to half to death. I never got a chance to say goodbye to her.

You notice Fu Heng is looking at you out of the corner of his eye. Puzzled, you ask him what's wrong.

Fu Heng: Oh, nothing. Just a bit of ash on your face.

Xiu Ying: Oh yeah, that reminds me... You asked me why I always get into trouble? It's because I'm so good-looking!

Fu Heng: Okaaaaay.

You ignore him and finish your thought.

Xiu Ying: That's why I think I should try to change my appearance.

Fu Heng: A disguise?

Xiu Ying: Yes! Exactly.

Later that day your reach a small township where you find a mask maker. He claims he can make you both excellent masks.

Boss: Don't worry, Miss. I'll make you a face that will launch a thousand ships...

Xiu Ying: I don't know about that. Make me an ugly one...

Boss: If you want ugly, why not just walk right now?

Xiu Ying: [You think you must have misheard him. You look at Fu Heng] Did he just call me ugly?

Boss: [Insincerely] No, no. A man's got to make a living. Miss... I promise I'll make you the ugliest mug you've ever seen, okay!

His cruel remarks make you feel quite sad, but he knows his business and very quickly you both have a brand new mask.