Abide With Me

ShuiTa SaMi

The delta was a beautifully green and busy place bursting with life. There were otters, ducks, beavers, kingfishers and of course varieties of colourful fish. Creatures from the air, water and land all came forward and bowed their greetings to the Princess. Greeting many by name, fondling little ones and inquiring about those absent, it was clear the Princess was close to her people. Who then would want to hurt such a popular couple? thought Lan Zhan.

Reaching up the riverbank they came up to a curious structure. Bamboo and other plants had been planted criss-cross right across the water channel. Moss, vines and aquatic creepers, shells, clay and twigs, all seemingly haphazardly interwoven into the wall effectively creating a living barricade that stopped the flow of water. At the far end there was a small hatch that could be raised to release the water.

"This is a Haili Ba*, a Beaver dam. It is used for holding water crabs and other livestock," explained the Princess. As they moved forward from the bank, the ground became swampy and they kept to the channels of water indicated by the Princess. They came to a large clearing with a tall watch tower at one end and strong reinforced wooden palisades all around it.

Two militants looking Gulls swooped down sharply, landing directly in their path. Lan Zhan was unsurprised. He reached into his Qiankun pouch and pulled out a Gusu clan Jade token and handed it wordlessly to the gull nearest to him. "Identification," he said to Wei Ying, who was watching them in amusement. The other gull passed over an official-looking envelope to the Princess and saluted smartly.

"The Campus of Ampara welcomes Her Highness Princess Zise de Yanjing of the Aquatic Realm!"

Nodding graciously, the Princess replied, "Sergeant, we would like an audience with the Chieftain of the Avian BirdForce and Advisor ShuiTa SaMi*, it is a matter of some urgency!!"

"This way please!" the Sergeant let them past the barricades and the gates swung shut immediately.

"I must insist you all keep up with me!  Keep to the designated pathway. Do not stop, stray or step onto runways!" intoned the Sergeant strictly.

Nodding in understanding, Lan Zhan said, "This is a restricted area, we will respect your rules!"

This earned him a smart salute,"Sir, yes Sir!"

On one side large Cormorants and Albatrosses carrying parcels secured with waterproof covering were systematically taking off from smooth clay -topped runways. On the other side, Otters and Beavers, many in khaki uniforms were marching in and out of small buildings with camouflage painted roofs. The Sergeant halted at the second building and waved the group in.

Inside, they were seated in a comfortable room with both water troughs and wooden seats. Soon, a young Otter, wearing her hair in two long plaits and a slightly worried look, dashed out and flung her arms around the Princess. "My dear Zise!  That was quite fast!"

"I came as fast as I could, SaMi!" The Princess wrung her handkerchief looking hopefully at the young otter who was staring at Lan Zhan and Wei Ying.

The Sergeant stepped forward, saluted and announced, "Hanguang Jun, Master Lan Zhan, Second Jade of Gusu Clan, Mountains of the Orient lands! His husband, Master Wei Ying, White Lotus of Yunmeng, Lakes of the Orient lands."

The young otter squealed,   "Hanguang Jun, Yiling Laozu, welcome to Ampara!!" 

Responding to their surprised looks, SaMi elaborated, "The Prince of the Aquatic Realm is my classmate. We studied Life Sciences and Foreign Policy together. Our books on the Orient Lands are filled with your exploits!" she grinned, bowing to them.

Wei Ying hurried forward saying, "Now, now, none of that! We are simply here to help a friend," he smiled, gesturing towards the Princess. "But you are just a teenager," cried Wei Ying, "so how are you the Prince's classmate?"