Abide With Me

Linghun Qiezei*

Lan Zhan braced himself for more pain. None, however was forthcoming! In honeyed tones, Lori asked Lan Zhan how he was feeling, speaking chaste Mandarin! Lan Zhan clenched his fist and Wei Ying could now clearly hear what was happening inside the emerald mine.

" Ni shi shei, ni Xiang Yao shenme?" 

"She is asking who he is and what he wants," translated  Wei Ying to SaMi and Pranith. 

"Wo shi jiaoyi yuan, wo xuyao qian hui jiā." 

"He says he is a trader and needs money to go home," Wei Ying added. 

"Is he hurt?" asked SaMi apprehensively. 

"Not physically," answered  Wei Ying grimly, "I am just moments away from confirming my suspicions about why he was in pain."

This time Lori could finally look into Lan Zhan's honey-gold eyes. In spite of all her experience and worldliness, her heart gave a tiny flutter at so much beauty in one package! Wei Ying managed to sense even that and red flickered briefly in his eyes as his pace suddenly picked up, leaving SaMi and Pranith chasing his fleeting robes! 

"Not so fast, you Moldy Featherbag!  He's MINE!" muttered Wei Ying and there, Lan Zhan cleared his throat, ears reddening rapidly. Foreseeing some very uncomfortable explanations in future conversations with Wei Ying, Lan Zhan quietly said, "Always yours!", but Wei Ying was not pacified that easily, he broke into a run, SaMi and Pranith trailing.

Lori gazed deep into Lan Zhan's eyes. 

"Empathy" Lan Zhan told Wei Ying in his mind. 

"Remember our first trip to Ciayi after we got married?!" asked Wei Ying and SaMi's eyes widened and she giggled. "Aish, Naughty Girl, it's not what you are thinking! blushed Wei Ying and swatted her playfully and Pranith went 'hehehe'. 

"Shameless!' came back Lan Zhan, predictably!

 
"Lan  Zhan!" hissed Wei Ying hurriedly, "Focus only on happy times we've shared, not one other thought! Focus!" Wei Ying ordered.

 "Mmn" agreed Lan Zhan but Wei Ying saw his golden eyes blaze with unspoken sweet nothings.

"Now for our plan," continued Wei Ying, "SaMi and I will go and rescue Lan Zhan and Pranith..."

 
"I will go find Jayawardena Mama and try to find out where the missing miners are being held," said Pranith eagerly. "Once I find out something important, I will send you a pearl." 

SaMi shook her head and pointed out, "No water inside these tunnels."  

Wei Ying reached inside his sleeve and produced several delicate black paper butterflies with red feelers that came alive the instant he whispered to them. They came to roost on a delighted Pranith's forefinger and SaMi smiled and held her palm out. A couple floated over to her.  

"Fine, we are all set, just whisper to them they'll find me or Lan Zhan."

Pranith sidled up and after a moment's hesitation, flung his arms around a surprised  Wei Ying and swore fiercely, "I will not rest until I find Velanda Mama and bring him back you! You just don't cry, ok?" 

Wei Ying smiled and hugged him, patted his head, and said, " Go, be careful!"

 
SaMi made barfing sounds and said "Shooo!" loudly. Pranith veered off at the next turn in the tunnels and scampered toward the area he expected Jayawardene to be.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, fingers intertwined, arms swinging, skipping through the streets of Ciayi town. Lan Zhan threading a string of red roses into  Wei Ying's silken tresses. Wei Ying shooting down all the targets at the archery stall, winning Lan Zhan a fuzzy black toy Bunny. Lan Zhan watching Wei Ying slurp spicy noodles, his attention divided between that devilishly delicious mole and his bunny grin. Wei Ying running into Lan Zhan's embrace, when dogs began barking on the street corner. Wei Ying's warm hug, the heady smell of lotuses. His dimples, the twinkling eyes full of mischief, his skin soft as dew on petals. His own hands spanning Wei Ying's tiny waist, wait... nope! Not even in Empathy was Lan Zhan going to let anyone see more than that! Thus Lori was offered a jumble of images, all cheerful, bubbly and disgustingly happy! Not one hint of fear or insecurity.