Peace of Mind

Beginnings: Unfortunate Reunion

It really is fortunate that Boqin found the Tang Monk when he did. You sit on the monk's shoulder, the hunter guiding his horse to his home in a mountain village. The poor monk is exhausted, and you're grateful to have come across someone willing to house him for the night. Even if said host nearly killed you.

Still, you are glad that Boqin is here. Tripitaka should be safe for the night in his home. If there was any doubt before, the hunter settled your worries by killing a tiger on your way to his home. He carries the animal by its ear in one hand while keeping the horse's reins in his other hand. After witnessing that, you honestly feel a little terrified of Boqin.

You all arrive outside Boqin's home, the hunter helps the Tang Monk dismount from his horse. Once the monk has his feet on the ground, the hunter turns towards his home. "Boys! Come on out here."

At his call, four boys run out of the house, the youngest being maybe seven, two who look around ten, and the oldest possibly sixteen. "We have a guest joining us tonight. Take his steed to the stables and bring this beast to the shed." Their father instructs, tossing the tiger to his children. "We can skin it for supper."

The boys carry out their orders while their father takes the Great Monk into his home. Inside, the monk meets the hunter's wife and mother, his family is as kind and hospitable as him. You're silently perched on the Tang Monk's shoulder the whole time, watching as they prepare their dinner.

The family enjoys the tiger and a variety of other meats together while the monk has soup and some rice mixed with millet and corn. You find it sweet of the hunter's wife to cook a separate meal for the vegetarian. What you find even sweeter is Tripitaka setting aside some of his meal for you at the edge of the table. Since taking sole duty of watching the monk, you haven't exactly been eating as regularly as you should, so the gesture is greatly appreciated. Sleep is something that has also been evading your person, perhaps spending the night in this home will make up for that.

After dinner, Boqin gives the monk a tour of his estate while you stay in the room his family lends to the traveller. For the first time in a while, you feel as though you can have a rest without being concerned for your travelling companion. You sit on the corner of the bed to get some sleep– still as a dove, of course. It would be awkward for anyone to walk in and find a seemingly strange woman resting in their guest room.

By the time you wake up, dawn cracks over the horizon. The monk is still fast asleep, and you take the opportunity to go out and forage for the morning before he gets up. The morning is peaceful, and when you return to rejoin the monk, he and the hunter are already outside with his sons.

"I was wondering where you went this morning, little friend." The monk hums when you take your place on his shoulder. He scratches your head, and you almost want to laugh. It's funny how he frets over a seemingly wild bird, but it is sweet.

As Boqin and his sons begin to lead the monk's over the mountain, you think that maybe it would not have been so bad to approach him sooner, before the incident with those demons. You certainly feel less bored now. Having someone to actually interact with will do that, you suppose. Aside from being a little tired, you're getting used to the two of you taking on the journey together. So of course, that's when it happens.

The moment you have been dreading finally arrives about halfway through the day, when your group stops to admire the view of another mountain. It has to be one of the tallest mountains you've come across with the monk so far, it's as though it reaches up to the heavens itself. The sun directly above it creates a gorgeous painting, its light shining down on the mountain's greenery. While you all look out to enjoy the tableau, the beautiful moment is abruptly cut by a call so thunderous it shakes the ground.