Love Concurs Destiny

Like Sand in My Hand

The village passes quickly with the party resting only for food and water before they drag themselves till their village comes in view.

Everyone is relieved to finally be in a safe place, at home. Xie Yun warns them not to talk about the ambush and the leading arrangements as a precaution. They could have been followed, words could reach places they aren’t supposed to.

No one wants to take that risk.

The Xie siblings decide to lay low for a while. Liying stops visiting the forest for a while, Xie Yun doesn’t ask about new trades for sometime. Their morning market is affected and so Xie Yun asks for more classes at the Li Manor. One look at him and Madam Li agrees. They have better things to argue about.

Liying is worried. Xie Yun has doubled down her practice since their return, the other disciples at Manor are actually terrified of her now. She throws herself into practice, the fear and memory gripping her heart and mind at each waking moment.

What would have happened, were it not for her brother? What could have happened, if Xie Yun didn’t know how to fight?
Would he have also left her, just like their parents did? Would Xie Liying loose her last family to bloodshed too?

The questions plagued her mind. Xie Yun never told her exactly how their parents died but from the nightmares her brother and she herself occasionally had, Liying had an inkling that they were killed in a fight. And the matter was somehow connected to Madam Li.
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🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

The past three days have been fitful. There’s no other way to describe the hollow feeling and bone-deep tiredness Ji Chong carries with him, without even trying.

He would have liked to act lethargic and sick when the old aunties gave him menial tasks or one of the children were being difficult. It was easy to handle the tantrums when the little terrors were focused on something else, convenient to act and be treated like a family when they had none. Everyone had a purpose, coming and living with him, a place clear of political webs and greedy ditches.

It wasn’t family though.

Ji Chong had learned very quickly that those who bowed and pledged to him today would also do so tomorrow to someone else, their thick tongue and oily words honed to fool anyone for survival; and a few more coins. So it was only fair that Ji Chong turned his back to such traitors when situations became difficult and choices must be made.

After all, people didn’t call him a cold hearted leader in the past for nothing.
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“Chong ge! Chong ge!”
Little feet pattered on uneven rocks, grubby hands clasping the already dirty cape. Ji Chong was least bothered with his state of dressing though, more focused on keeping his eyes and brain awake.

“Hm? A Hua, why are you running like that? Didn’t popo tell you not to run under sun? Your feet will burn!”

The little girl laughed, an innocent joy on her face. She was young enough to not understand the complex layers of her life, the soup from the market and a new robe being the limit of her imagination. Ji Chong hopes the girl finds a good life someday. She has potential.

He spends the morning and the noon playing with kids and keeping them our of harm’s line while the elders prepare food and discuss the share of Ji Chong’s latest bounty between them. He had divided the sacks of grains and fabrics and left a few coins for them to share. The man with a scarred eye has this look ion his face, Ji Chong thinks it’s time for another decision to be made.

It’s late when the thoughts first start circling his mind.

A flash of clover green robes and a ponytail, the feel of plush and softest pair of lips he could ever taste.

“Augh...why now?”
The flare in his heart burns, a choking sensation lighting up his chest and Ji Chong curses mentally as the pain has him tossing and turning for a while.

The same old pain.

After what feels like eternity the pain goes away, leaving Ji Chong gasping. Weakly he gets up, chugging down the water from his waters kin before deciding.

It’s time. He needs to do this.

Getting up, Ji Chong grabbed his sword and other things before nudging Zhui Ri awake. The hawk was ready to go in a second, used to late night adventures. Silently, they both sneaked out of the settlement. Once they were far enough to not wake up anyone, Ji Chong nudged his black mare and the horse took off running.

For a while, he just let himself run through the forest, content to bask in the stillness of night and the sounds of crickets. But soon the dull ache appeared and Ji Chong stopped.

“Zhui Ri” the hawk gave a soft whistle before landing on his outstretched hand, looking at him critically. Ji Chong ignored the look.