A Trial by Halves

Unraveling the Seal 2

Southern Guangxi

Leaving Su Su, to tidy herself up, Cheng Yu returned to the chamber she had been give to check on Lian Song.  She had no idea what the elixir was that Ye Hua had made for him, but whatever it was, it was powerful.  He had not moved since he had fallen into a deep sleep, and though he was a light sleeper, he was also a active one.  He tossed about the bed most of the night and going by the way his face looked the calmest she had ever seen it, she did not expect him to wake until the morning.

Which was just as well, because Ye Hua and Su Su really needed the time alone to talk.  And hearing Ye Hua in the hallway she decided to leave Lian Song for a while to get her bearings.  She still had no idea where they were and she was hungry, which saw her leaving to enter the main chamber to look around.

Ci Hang sat quietly and observed the Goddess with interest, but said nothing as she took in the large wall to wall bookshelves which contained all manner of books from lighthearted novels to much heavier volumes on religious teaching and even war and weaponry.  And like Su Su, she admired the wealth.  The cave itself looked to be a natural formation which Ye Hua had merely decorated.  It definitely gave her the impression that it was a male abode.  But what surprised her, was the lightness and brightness.  It felt warm and inviting rather than cave like and dingy.

Taking a seat on the large plush leather seats, she finally realized that Ci Hang was in the chamber with her, and immediately she felt nervous.  Her initial talk with him, had been more of an interrogation and though he had not mentioned her attack on the Skylord, she was dreading his reaction to it.  What she had done regardless of the lack of intent to cause harm, would absolutely see her punished with death.  And the way he was looking at her, gave her the feeling he was weighing his options.

"I didn't mean to sting him.  I didn't know who he was,  I reacted out of fear because I didn't understand what was happening." she said staring at him openly and had she been anyone else, she would have been considered rude.  

But he knew all about this woman.  She was quite a character, mischievous and spoke her mind which he did not mind so long as there was no disrespect in it and though many found her to be far too forward, he actually liked a woman with a strong disposition which he could see clearly in the way she was looking at him despite the plea for mercy.  The Celestial Goddesses tended to be rather meek and weak, so he was looking forward to seeing how this young womans character and influence played out, because he could see she would definitely have an affect on the younger woman who seemed to like her.

"I know you didn't mean to, but you did all the same.  He is no doubt in a lot of pain right now and will need urgent medical care which you will have to answer to." he stated matter of fact while giving her the impression that she really should be preparing herself for the chopping board rather than running away with two fugitives and dragging Lian Song down with her.

"What can I do?  I want to make things right, but I don't know how." she said before finally lowering her eyes.  She wasn't a woman to normally shed tears, but the past few hours had become an emotional drain on her, and she finally succumbed to them.  They rolled down her cheeks silently along with her lashes being unable to look at him.

 "You sit tight and do nothing." he replied before beckoning her forward to dinner.  

"Nothing?  You mean....." her voice trailed off while remaining seated and staring at him through the tears having thought he might send her back to face punishment.

"I mean, you do nothing.  You have already done enough, the last thing those two need is your death on their minds." he replied before insisting that she come to the table to eat.