A Gathering of Heroes series: Anhu

Chapter 12 (Zhang)

I stirred in response to a light, insistent prodding on my shoulder. As my awareness gradually returned, I knew that I was lying on something soft. I shifted position, only to have the prodding resume again. My eyes flew open and found myself face to face with Fuxin, who had a sheepish grin on his face and holding up a stick in mock surrender. "I thought you would never awaken, Zhang-jie. You must have been in a deep sleep for there was drool coming—" He snapped his mouth shut when he saw my expression. I sat up, feeling a bit disorientated. Closing my eyes, I took deep breaths until I felt better. "Where are the others?" I asked, realizing that it was just me and Fuxin. I slowly rose to my feet, dusting off the grass that clung to my robes. I surveyed my surroundings. As far as the eye could see, we were in a field surrounded by a few clusters of trees, providing some shelter at least. The last thing I remembered was being surrounded by marsh and then being suffused in a deep slumber. Then, how did we arrive here?

Fuxin idly twirled the stick in his hands as he babbled, "Don't worry. Everyone is alright. Yijian-shixiong and Ganzorig-ge are gathering the horses. An-jie and Wei-jie are scouting the main road with Gerel. As for Shen-shaoye, he is nearby practicing some sword forms." Fuxin sighed. "It got so boring that I had to wake you up. Wei-jie did not want to leave you by yourself but I vowed that I would guard you with my life. I am not a child anymore." He brandished his stick in mock battle pose. I could not help, but laugh upon seeing his enthusiasm. He grinned in response.

"Hui-jie! You are awake!" I looked in the direction of the voice to see Wei burst through the bushes and embraced me tightly. An came into view then with Gerel perched on her gloved arm, looking worn but alert.

"How was the patrol?" Fuxin asked them, as he helped An settle Gerel onto her usual perch.

"There is nothing out of the ordinary as far as we noticed. It appears that we are a short distance from the capital, Weian. There is a long queue of people outside the capital's main gate," An answered as she removed her gear and weapons. "It appears security is a bit tighter than usual; they are checking people and their goods rather closely. We can't afford to let our guard down."

At this commentary, I felt Wei's arms tighten around me as she whispered, "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you, Hui-jie!"

There was one thing that bothered me. "Wait, An, how did we–?"

I was about to finish my question when Shen-shaoye made his timely appearance. "I thought I heard some familiar voices." We all turned to take in his lackadaisical appearance with his face flushed with exertion and sweat-stained robes. I blushed and hid my face against Wei's shoulder. I could hear An lecturing Shen-shaoye about being unfit to be seen by ladies and how he should have gone to help Ganzorig and Yijian-fashi. The next moment I heard Shen-shaoye begging for mercy from An and Fuxin both of whom ganged up on him. Wei patted my back sympathetically. I just sighed.

By the time Ganzorig and Yijian-fashi returned with our mounts, we more or less settled down. I could tell Ganzorig was not pleased, judging by his glower. Even Shen's jests annoyed him. I watched his back as he silently checked the horses for injuries. I had an inkling that he knew what happened after the marsh had surrounded us. The others had all said that they had no memory of what happened. Apparently, Ganzorig had been the first to awaken. Yet when questioned, he simply said that we had been sent to this spot. He had been silent on the matter thereafter, although occasionally brooding over a elegant-looking ceremonial arrow that he took out of his quiver when he thought that no one was looking.

That left Yijian-fashi to report what they discovered. "Searching for the horses was not difficult, and the trail was easy to follow. However, we came across a gruesome sight: There were a few yaoguai that were devouring their... prey."