Solstice Souls Book 2: Black Fire, White Flame

Friends or Foes?

Lan Zhan's POV

Leaving Cloud Recesses was always difficult for Lan Zhan.

Leaving Cloud Recesses without his headband and his guan, that was so much harder. These were the necessities that he had to get used to not having. His hair was usually perfectly combed and tied up, smoothed with oil...but today, Wei Ying had braided his hair so it looked plain, and still kept out of the way. He hadn't quite known what to do with it.

Their clothes were plain and drab earthy colours, and not the white robes of Gusu...it felt wrong to him.

Saying goodbye to his brother...that was yet another difficult thing.

Out of everyone who lived here in Cloud Recesses, this person was the only one who had steadfastly supported him, and then Wei Ying when they became one. Lan XiChen's guidance was exemplary and would be much missed. He was a natural born leader, someone who could see any situation and immediately be able to decide what should be done.

There was a comfort in knowing that someone stood in front of him, someone he could rely upon. The last shield, the final protection.

Lan Zhan remembered leaving Cloud Recesses on his birthday...with his elder brother. That fateful day was the first time ever he had laid eyes on Wei Ying, seen that beautiful face, albeit hidden behind a raunchy mask. Lan Zhan was pleasantly surprised by that outing indeed.

Perhaps that was the beginning of his transition, the start of his journey into becoming the man he was today.

But today, he was going to have to leave his brother behind. The same thoughts of yesterday that tormented him about not being able to kiss Wei Ying whenever he wanted to, not being able to pick him up whenever he wanted to...this same was true of his brother. Lan Zhan was leaving him here, and Fate alone knew what was in store for Cloud Recesses and for his brother, if their paths were split now.

And yet, Lan Zhan knew he had to be strong. These spiralling thoughts would be of no use to him or his Xiongzhang, or even to Wei Ying. His husband-to-be was already feeling guilty about their mission, and blaming himself for things that were out of his control.

So Lan Zhan mastered his face, and forced himself to focus on the upcoming journey instead.

XiChen hugged them and then they were ready to leave.

Lan Zhan said goodbye to Cloud Recesses by himself, in the quiet spaces of his mind. This connection he had to this place of his birth, it was a private thing. His love for these mountains, his mountains really, and his waterfalls. They would still be here waiting for him, and for his Wei Ying when they returned.

Once he had closed this door on his attachment, he was able to free his mind and look forward.

Their journey would last two full days of travel, and it would have passed uneventfully if not for that wild side of his Wei Ying, that need for his love of excitement to burst out!

"Catch me if you can, Lan Zhan!" he taunted happily and then took Suibian down at breakneck speed.

Was Wei Ying a bird? If he was, he was better than any kestrel, diving in and around the fluffy white clouds, and then zooming down to hover just above the treetops. Faster than an eagle, more graceful than any swan, and surer than a falcon.

His Wei Ying was beauty personified, and just when it looked like Lan Zhan could catch him, Wei Ying flew out of the reach of his hands. Lan Zhan glided after him, at ease on his trusted Bichen.

Sword forms were not only practiced on the grounds of Cloud Recesses, but high up in the sky. A warrior must be adept at fighting, no matter whether in flight or on land, and Lan Zhan had perfected his skills to the highest levels.