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

The Village and the Keep

Their arrival at the village was low keyed. The people living in this simple place had seen too much in the last 5 years, since Meng Shi and her minions had taken over the Keep and began taking crops, livestock and, finally their children.

They were subdued and cautious as the Lans and their allies moved in, Word spread quickly about the troops. The commanders had expressly forbidden looting, confiscation of stock and supplies, and harm to any citizen, They had never heard of that sort of military before and were dubious and frightened. Lan Xi Chen had already selected a small squad of the most intuitive men and women to patrol the streets, and gave orders that anyone needing help should be offered it, since most were elderly and widowed with no young people left to care for them. Meng Shi's men had stripped them of every thing. Enough food had been planned for the villagers needs as well. These people were emaciated and on the verge of starvation. They slowly began to come out of their shocked shells and a few approached Wei Ying and Lan Zhan as they dismounted.

"Sirs. our children? Can you help us find our children? "'

Wei's eyes widened in distress, and he looked at Lan Zhan. The low voice of the Sect Leader reached out and fell like a comforting blanket.

"We will do our best. Meng Shi took them with her as she marched south over the winter. We will gather all intelligence that we can to see if they returned with her and if so, we will bring them back to you. As soon as we have information, you will have it. In the meantime, return to the safety of your homes. We  \will start to bring firewood to each house. As soon as we get upacked, food will be prepared for the village and the troops. If we eat, then so do you. Nobody goes without. You have asked for help. We will be honored if you accept ours." He joined the village chief and they retired to discussion the aid to the village and plans for the siege.

Lan XiChen and General Hu Ming gathered several scouts and headed out to do reconnaissance. First, they send messages to the large mountain behind the keep and let Jiang Chen know of their arrival. A return butterfly welcomed them, assuring the general of the health and readiness of the archers, perched hidden above treeline.  The small squad left behind had been eliminated. The cowering leader was alive and had been very compliant in sending reports about the security of the keep back to Meng Shi as her people marched North. Considering how single-minded and persuasive Jiang Cheng could be, they were confident that he was playing ball with the Jiang Sect Master.

They stayed hidden as they observed the Keep for the first time in person. It sat, dark and evil against the backdrop of these beautiful mountains. The misery of those that had suffered here was almost a living, breathing aura and it surrounded the squalid edifice. It sent a chill down Lan XiChen's spine. This malignant, cold place had been the scene of the cruel and systematic attempt to destroy his precious brother. He could now envision it all more clearly. How desperate and hopeless Lan Zhan must have been when he looked at that final form, she had imprisoned him within? How had he even remained the slightest bit sane?  He now fully saw in his own mind, why his brother broke and chose not to return. He understood and his hatred of that woman knew no bounds. His eyes hardened. She would not live through this battle. She would pay for his brother's suffering and the suffering of all she had killed; the lives she had ruined; the families ripped apart and those she had enslaved. This human cancer needed to die. There would be no quarter for her and her leadership. The Meng threat would be eradicated.

He signaled to his vanguard, and they rode off, back to the village. Meng Shi was 48 hours away. As they rode, Ming noticed his cold eyes and the white knuckles as his tapered fingers clutched his mount's reins.

"Are you alright?"

"It was hard. But I am alright. I will see that bitch dead. I watched him struggle every day to stay firmly on the path to normalcy. The constant awareness that he is not safe eats at all of us. He has changed for the good in many ways, overcome it and grown in empathy and warmth, but at the cost of security and confidence. His core waits in dread that she will find a way to snatch him again, or worse, one of us, and he fears for us all. Every life that passes in the next few days will be carried on his shoulders for the rest of his life. So, I worry for him."

"There are few stronger than our Lan Zhan. He will win over her and come back fully. We will support him afterward, no matter the outcome."

Lan XiChen looked at his General Wife and smiled.

"You are right. You always are. "

She grinned mischievously at her husband.

"Of course, I am! And I am right about another thing as well. When we get back, I want to start a third child. QinYenay needs to learn she is not the center of the universe after all!"

"I agree! Except, why wait for Cloud Recesses? Isn't that what Quiet spells are for?"

"Lan XiChen, you are too cheeky!"

"We will discuss this in private, to night, Wife."

Ming gave a surprisingly un-General-like giggle and spurred her horse forward, leaving her mate in a cloud of dust, her laughter echoing in his red ears!

"Meet you back at the tent. Why should we wait until tonight?!"

He urged his own steed forward and gained ground.

Captain Ge Ban shook his head and took up the rear with the troop following him. These two were a bigger hand-full that a squad of juniors. And they all felt a bit of envy as they watch the brilliant couple fly ahead.