Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 61

Nuwa chatted happily to her Mother, feeling relieved to see her again. She had only caught a glimpse of her the other day, when she had dropped off her brother. Nuwa had felt hurt that Mother hadn't stayed longer, but she had made up for that now, by making a special visit just to see her.

She inhaled the fresh air appreciatively as she walked. It had been a long time since she could just walk outside! The birds were singing, the sky was blue, fluffy white clouds floated dreamily above, and the summer sun felt warm on her back. Nuwa couldn't stop smiling.

"That's nice, dear" Mother commented as she tried to describe to her the things she had learned about Dongting Lake. "Hold on a minute" she requested.

Mother turned to her servant. "After we cross the river, head West and lay a false trail that way" Mother directed her.

The servant nodded, following that instruction. Mother pulled Nuwa a short distance into the water, and then had her walk in the water for what seemed like a long ways.

"Why are we doing this, Mother?" Nuwa asked.

"We have to make sure that people can't follow us to your doctor, Dear" Mother replied.

"Why not?" Nuwa wondered.

"Someone could go back after we leave and try to get information out of him about you. We wouldn't want that, now would we, Dear?" Mother pointed out.

They finally got out of the river, trudging up to the opposite bank. Nuwa was starting to feel quite tired.

"How much further is it, Mother?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

Mother grabbed onto her arm with a surprisingly strong grip, helping to prop her up.

"Just a bit further now, Dear" Mother told her.

Mother waved into the distance. Nuwa looked over to see a shadowy figure, wearing all black, dart out of the woods and take off in an easterly direction.

"Hold on to my hand now, Dear" Mother requested. "We are going to fly the rest of the way."

"Yes, Mother" Nuwa complied gratefully. She hadn't walked this far in a long time, and the baby took a lot of her energy.

As they took off in flight, Nuwa thought it curious that Mother's magic left a red comtrail, instead of yellow like usual. They landed by a small cottage, very far South of Dongting Lake, and Nuwa studied her Mother curiously.

"Go on inside now, Dear" Mother said, gesturing towards the door.

"Mother?" Nuwa asked, not sure how to put her question into words.

"Yes, Dear?" Mother replied, her smile strained.

"What's in the cottage?" Nuwa asked.

"I told you, Dear, your doctor" Mother said, pulling Nuwa towards the door.

Nuwa was feeling reluctant to go inside, but Mother was being quite insistent. She didn't want to be unfilial.

"Can we just sit outside for a minute?" Nuwa requested.

"No-o, you don't want to keep him wait-ing" Mother replied in a sing-songy voice.

Nuwa tried to think up more excuses, when the door to the cottage opened up from the inside.

"Nuwa!" cried the voice of Tangyue.

Nuwa froze, slowly moving her gaze to the figure at the door. Her heart stood still as she recognized his face.

"Mother! Why would you bring me here?" Nuwa asked, feeling fearful and bewildered.

"We are rescuing you" said another voice, one she didn't recognize.