Light and Shadow

Chapter 22 - Terrible Nightmares

One month had passed since Cao Cao departed Xu to fight against Yuan Shao's forces at Guandu. Xun Yu could still remember the warmth of his embrace as they said one final goodbye in the early hours of dawn on the day of his departure. Xun Yu sighed as he sat behind the desk in his office absent mindedly gazing at a scroll that reported on the welfare and economy of Puyang, another area that was under Cao Cao's control. He couldn't bring himself to focus at the moment, something else was weighing heavily on his mind, filling him with unease.

For the past week Xun Yu had the same dream, and it never failed to disturb him and leave him feeling highly uneasy. It was a horrible nightmare, one that began with him taking a casual walk in a wood that he had never set foot in, before leading him to an abandoned shack in the middle of the woods that was shrouded in a dense, heavy fog. With each day that went by, the dream repeated, adding on more events to the one that took place before it.

Xun Yu felt his skin chill and tingle as he recalled the pale face of a woman draped in black with her eyes covered by a bloodied white cloth; blood trickled down her face from beneath the makeshift bandage and her lips were a pale shade of blue, the corners of which were tinged red from crusted blood. He remembered her ghastly scream and jumped as Xun You called his name.

"Xun Yu?" Xun You questioned with a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to startle you."

Xun Yu smiled sheepishly.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to jump. I was just lost in thought." Xun Yu replied.

Xun You still looked at him with concern evident in his gaze.

"Wenruo, would you like to take a walk with me? Perhaps fresh air would be good for you. You haven't left this room all day and evening is fast approaching." Xun You stated.

Xun Yu looked up at Xun You from the scroll with a slightly panicked expression. In my nightmares it is always evening that morphs into the blackest night, obscuring everything from sight. I know that this fear of mine is irrational. It's just a dream after all, maybe accepting Xun You's offer would not hurt. Xun Yu nodded and stood up from behind the desk, quickly placing a hand on its corner to steady himself as his vision filled with blackness. He stood there for a few moments to regain his vision before walking over to Xun You and joining him for a walk.

The two exited the palace and walked through the city, passing by several citizens and a handful of merchants as they did so. The smell of food lingered in the air, wafting over them from the nearby restaurants and food merchants. Xun Yu's stomach involuntarily growled, and Xun You turned to look at him with concern evident in his gaze.

"Xun Yu, we can stop and get something to eat, if you would like." Xun You said with a gentle and concerned voice.

"There is no need, I am fine. I ate something earlier." Xun Yu replied meekly. At least, I think I ate something earlier. What was it? Oh, it was a small bowl of cabbage, white radish, and soybean sprouts. I also had a cup of oolong tea.

Xun You's face morphed back to its normal expression, and he turned his attention to the path in front of him just in time to avoid colliding with someone who was hurriedly walking in his direction. He watched as the man quickly walked by and he shook his head disapprovingly. I guess I need to be more attentive. I have Xun Yu with me today after all, and he does not appear to be doing that well lately. Well, I mean, he appears to be doing worse than he already was. Jia Xu came to me and asked about his welfare the other day after he nearly fainted and had to catch him before he fell onto the ground while they were talking outside. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell him much because, although Xun Yu and I are somewhat related, I do not converse with him often. I should try to talk to him more. He could probably use a friend, or at least a good acquaintance.