the embroidered clouds on your clothing

Chapter 1 - The Escape

The man hurried forwards, without looking back. Even though he was moving at such a high pace, he was almost soundless. His face, which usually carried a gentle smile, was distorted in fear. Countless thoughts came to his mind, just to be instantly interrupted by another, even worse scenario. He was a highly skilled man. Throughout his youth, he was taught by some of the best material artists in the world, in one of the strictest sects. Still, at the very moment, he knew nothing. The only thing he could do to calm his nerves was to convince himself, that everyone he had left behind was going to be alright. He saw again how Cloud Recesses burst into flames and fell to ashes, and he wished one time more, that he hadn't agreed to leave his home and family.

Suddenly, he remembered the ancient scrolls he had with him and slowed down for a moment. As long as those scrolls existed, the Lan Clan of Gusu would persist as well. Lan Xichen stopped, took a deep breath, and reminded himself that he was the current leader of his clan. It was his responsibility, and his responsibility alone, that the Lan Clan would have a legacy. He didn't remember how long he has been fleeing from the attack, but it has been long enough that he couldn't see the flames anymore as he finally turned around and looked back. The precious scrolls of the library were safe for now.

At first sight, Lan Xichen couldn't recognize where he was located. It has already gotten dark, and his surrounding was only a dark blur. He sighed and tried to consider if he could dare to rest for the night, or if the henchmen of Wen Clan would catch up. As he wasn't able to detect which way he should go due to the darkness, he concluded it would be wise to gather strength so he could continue his path as soon as the sun was rising.

He nodded slightly, as he wanted to convince himself that it was the best decision. Carefully, he walked up to one of the trees that surrounded him and sat down at its roots to find shelter from the icy wind that was dragging his snow-white robes. Xichen put himself into the lotus position and laid his still slightly shaking hands onto his knees. With closed eyes, he started to breathe conscious and constantly. But as hard as he tried, he was not able to focus his thoughts. He continued attempting to meditate but wasn't capable to succeed.

Memories from the past day appeared again, more and more. He squinted his eyes together with more force and tried to let go of the horrifying thoughts that extended inside of his mind. One last time, he gathered all his concentration and power of volition to get rid of them.

Finally, he overcame his terrors and his mind came to ease, just to fall into long-needed dormancy.

But his carefreeness wouldn't last for long since his subconscious hasn't been ready to suppress what was been experienced that day.

The charred grass crushed beneath his careful steps. In disbelief and horror, Lan Xichen let his eyes wander through the ruins that were once his home. If he hadn't known that this was the place where Cloud Recesses was located, he wouldn't have recognized it. The elaborately built residence was nothing more than a heap of rubble. His sensory conception was dulled, his eyesight was flickering as he couldn't process what he was seeing. As he entered through the main gate, he spotted a motionless body, lying flat on his belly.

The clan leader let out a sound of dismay, rushed instantly next to it, and dropped to the floor. With one motion he turned it around to identify it. It was one of the younger disciples of the Lan clan. Dried blood was at the temples of the young man, and his expression was full of fear.

Lan Xichen receded in shock and gazed further round. More and more corpses seemed to pile up around him. Horrified, he started to look for survivors, but his throat started to dry out more at every burned body.

Wen Clan had lived up to its promise.

He got up, tilted his head towards the wide sky, and started to sob quietly. Everything was lost. Where is the difference if he died as well?

Everything was as quiet as a grave. Even the flush of the nearby rivers fell silent. Seconds seem to pass like hours. Nothing happened, when a silent sound suddenly was noticed by Xichen. In Alert, he grabbed Shuoyue but didn't unsheathe it.

He tried to figure out where the sound was coming from and it started to sound like someone was struggling to breathe.

Lan Xichen opened up his eyes and saw someone a few meters away, battling against his injuries. The white robe of the Lan clan was torn and stained with blood and ashes. Next to the unknown man was a sword. Bichen.

"Wangj!".

The standing man cried out for his younger brother and raced towards him. It felt like it took an eternity to overcome the several meters which separated the Twin Jades of Lan. When he finally arrived, Lan Wanji turned his head slowly to look into the Clan leader's face. With great effort and struggling, he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. With shaking hands Lan Xichen reached for his face.

It was sooty and grey, his eyes were slightly reddish and watery due to the smoke. The long, raven hair was tangled and when the older brother touched it he could feel that it was sticky with blood.

"Wanji!" he cried out again.

The one with the called-out name gathered all his strength that was left and grabbed his white sleeve.

"T-Tilted", he whispered under his breath, "Put it right".

Lan Xichen's eyes started to burn and his vision went blurry when he realized what Lan Zhan was referring to. The one-finger wide headband of him was tilted and he wasn't able to correct it by himself.

His whole body was trembling when he adjusted the precious hair ribbon of his brother.

Lan Wanji let out a sigh of relief and Lan Xichen couldn't do anything else than just hold his dying brother inside his arms.

One last time a wave of shivers went through his body and he reared up to cough blood.

Then, he tried one last time to fill his lungs with air, but all his strength had left his body. Struggling he looked up to the crying older brother that was holding him, and his body became stiff.

He was gone.

At the place where he had been holding the white sleeve of Lan Huan, was a bloody handprint.

Lan Huan let the dead man's head sink onto his lap and screamed a soundless cry into the void. He felt how his consciousness was slowly slipping away. Full of desperation he clung to the dead body in his arms. Tears ran down his cheeks, as everything started to turn around him.

Gasping, Lan Xichen woke up. He could feel his heart racing inside of his chest. His eyes were wide open.

It was just a dream, he tried to convince himself. Wanji and his Uncle would be alright. Wen clan would not dare to kill them, would they? He lifted his right hand and saw how heavily he was shaking. He clenched his fist together, but couldn't control himself.

Every muscle seemed to tense, and pressure built up. Panic spread inside of him. He gasped for air and felt how he was about to blackout when someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder and shook it slightly.

"Clan leader Lan, please calm down."