Meng's Revenge: Vol.4 of Life Among Clouds WangXian Series

Fathers. Once More.

The first snow's first flakes began to fall, gently and mournfully, around the carnage at the market. Xiao Mian refused to leave until the carefully wrapped body of her mother was placed in a cart and taken to the infirmary. She walked behind, matching her pace to that of the cart, holding a calloused and stiffening hand in hers. This hard hand had never touched her in anger, always soft and kind every day of her life. She could not imagine life without that loving caress.

 Injured as he was, Anshi walked beside her, shivering in shock and supported by Wei's steady hand under his elbow. Lan Zhan led the way and Qing was waiting at the new clinic to receive them all, calm and composed, but her eyes were swollen, giving evidence to her sorrow. She had them place her on a table in a small side room and Qing shuddered at the sight of her dead friend, a woman whose life had been determined by loyalty and love for those close to her. This was not right. Not right at all. 

"How did this happen?" 

Anshi's dull voice answered." Attacked as we entered the market. About twenty-five assassins. Dressed in black. No insignia. Never identified themselves. Over in 15 minutes. only survivers were Xiao Mian, Lan GeBan and myself. ."

 Lan Zhan walked over to his brother and knelt to his level. 

"Anshi, do you remember how you slew the last of the attackers? "

"I am not sure." He struggled with the memories. " I recall trying to hang on, Mian Mian had told me to fight as long as possible. To save my last strength to give Xiao Mian peace and take my own life but only as a last resort. I needed to get to her in order to carry my orders out if needed. They closed around me and I slashed until  I could no longer see. Lan GeBan was fighting and hiding Xiao Mian behind him." I remember little else. A light. A sound. Then seeing Mian Mian bleeding...bleeding..."

Lan Zhan looked up at Lan GeBan, eyes questioning his cousin.

"It is as he says Sect Leader, however, the men had orders to kill us but capture Anshi. No reason was given, just orders. Just as it seemed he would be surrounded, he shot a green light out, an aura of sorts. Then a note, so high it was barely audible. The enemy all collapsed, bleeding from every cranial orifice. Yet no Lan died. Mian Mian, Xiao Mian, and I were not harmed by this sound."

"Has this happened before, Little Brother?"

"Never."

"And this came as you had no other recourse in saving GeBan, Xiao Mian, and Mian Mian?"

Anshi 's eyes filled with tears. "It was too late to help Teacher. Too late, too late." He bent at the waist and began to weep, desolately and painfully. Wei rushed to comfort him and for the first time since she arrived, Xiao Mian left her mother's side and stood, a protective arm around her Anshi. She looked unwaveringly at Lan Zhan.

"He has had enough. More questions can wait, can't they? Dr. Qing, please come and bring what we will need to clean and sew him up and tend his wounds. He has many that need attention. Lan GeBan, you must stay as well. You are wounded too so you must be fixed along with him." 

Lan GeBan responded, "But Xiao Mian, you are just a child."

"I am not a child any longer. Not after today. Today I fought alongside companions who died to save me; my Mother, who gave her life for me. I took several lives to aid my clan members. How can I still be a child after today? I have no idea what to call myself right now. " 

She dipped her piece of linen in the warm water which held a strong astringent and she carefully began to swab the injury on Anshi's head. He stared into space, eyes not even blinking at the pain. He leaned against the slip of a girl and she patted his head, looking sadly at her hero.

"Anshi, Mama would be so proud of you. You fought hard and saved our lives. She was a warrior and knew that at some time she would die in battle. She will not be the last to die in this conflict. Blame those that attacked us, not yourself." After his injuries were cleaned, she turned him over to Qing and she proceeded to tend to Lan GeBan.

"Thank you, GeBan. You placed yourself between me a death today. You are as much of a hero as Anshi was." He blushed in embarrassment.

"Miss, you must rest too. This has been horrible for us all."

She bowed. "Thank you for your concern, but it is my office to tend to my mother's body. After that is done, I will take your advice and try and rest. As soon as Dr. Yue is finished with Anshi, she will stitch you up next. "

His tough soldier's heart was breaking as she entered the small room that held Mian Mian's body and this time she firmly closed the door. He swore to himself that this child would stay safe if he had to pay with his life to ensure it.

After he had checked on the chaotic scene in the alley, Lan Zhan and Wei returned to the clinic. He raised his eyebrows as he saw Anshi and GeBan, bandaged and unsteady, standing firm and determined in front of the door to the room that held Mian Mian's body. He looked at Qing, who was cleaning up.

"Is she with her mother?"

"Yes. And these soldiers refuse to leave their posts."

Lan Zhan looked at their steely resolve. "Fine. Stand guard for two more hours. Then you will be relieved. No arguments." They nodded assent. He walked to Qing.  "Watch them closely. If they become more unsteady, let me know. "

"I will. Where will you be?"

"With my daughter, of course, Wei and I need to be with our girl." 

He placed his arm around the sorrowful Wei and gave him a strong hug and they entered the room together.