BOOK 10. There are two tales at the beginning. Zhao Yunlan is searching for a lost artefact while Black Robe is searching for the same thing in a different world. One story is partly an illusion, while the other is very real and when they merge...
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Shen Wei was tired, he needed to go somewhere to think clearly and informed Guo Ying that he would be leaving as soon as Yunlan came home from work and where they would be going. Ying knew that he'd be safe and was relieved to see him taking a break after everything he had been through recently. Wei did some packing choosing warm clothing, while Ava prepared some easy cooked food for them to take, so that when Yunlan arrived home, they were ready to leave immediately afterwards, and when he asked where they were going, Wei only answered with one word. Camping.
Yunlan looked at the forest below as he stood on the plateau in front of the cave where they would be staying for a few days. He hated the thought of crawling in and out of a nylon tent while the rain battered down, but this was Wei's style of camping and he was impressed with everything. The cave looked as if it had been adapted through time, large rocks were appropriately placed as seats, a table and a bed while the largest one outside would seal them in when it was moved into position, closing the entrance.
The view from where he was standing looked incredible. Beyond the forest he could see the city lights in the distance, appearing as small dots which merged with the stars on the horizon. The only difference was that the stars moved, and the city lights didn't, and he loved it. Wei approached him and stood behind as he wrapped his arms around Yunlan's waist, and held him while he rested his chin on his shoulder.
"This is my most favourite place in the whole world, what do you think?" He asked as he felt the stillness of the air around them.
"The view is stunning, how did you find this place and the cave?" Yunlan asked while he held Wei's hands in front of him comfortably.
"The Spirit brought me here. It's in his memories but it is also linked to your past from a very long time ago."
Wei didn't need to explain how far back he meant, because Yunlan had already assumed that it was centuries ago, and he was happy just standing with the feel of Wei's arms around him as he breathed beautiful clean fresh air, until his stomach grumbled.
"Come and eat. Ava packed our food and there's a small spring in the corner of the cave we can use."
Wei took him by the hand and led Yunlan inside before they rolled the huge stone over the doorway, sealing themselves in for the night. The smell of fresh coffee was a surprise and Yunlan was given a cup before Wei cradled his tea as they sat beside a small fire with a kettle of boiling water. Ava had pre-cooked some dishes while other containers were just finger food and they had a look to see what else was available before they settled down for the night.
Two sleeping bags were joined to make a large double allowing them to share body heat and stay warm while they slept, along with the fire which helped keep the temp raised inside, with the smoke drawn towards a small outlet at the rear of the cave. Yunlan held on firmly and could feel his eyes closing with tiredness as he tried to speak to Wei.
