Unexpected

After coming back from the Battlefield I hop down of my horse and remove the helmet, shaking my hair. I look around and take a good scroll of all the men, smiling and tired... Their morale is clearly higher than how it used to be, their health is a bit better too since we are approaching the warmer season. I smile to myself and take my weapons off from the horse

-ChangLai- an arm lowers on my horse, beside my hand, and Xu Lei figure appear from the other side of it

-What is it? Speak quickly I have things to do- I say not, looking at him

-Another win... The men are all saying that since your arrival we began to win-

-And what about it?-

-Rumors spread-

I roll my eyes -Rumors, Voices, Stories... Is the battlefield any different from a Tea House at this point?-

He chuckles -One day they believe you are a Ghost, one day a Goddess, another day you're a Spy...- he says looking away

-Weak minds, that's what they are-

-Looking down on others?- he looks at me amused

I finally face him -Those who believe in made up stories are simple pawns for the ones spreading them-

He turns around the horse and stops in front of me -Now I see why your friend Qin Luo is so worried...-

-What do you mean?-

-You're changing... But not for the better of your people-

-I've always resented half of the people I know- I sigh taking my sword off the horse finally

-But you always still gave it all in this War, for a better and more free future-

My hand tighten on the hilt -I'm still here fighting for it, don't let your imagination run wild-

-But do you want it? To me you just look like you are trying to prove something to yourself-

-I...- I stop midway clicking my tongue -I see what's going on here- He rise an eyebrow and cross his arms, listening to me -You're testing me... You are trying to see where my determination lays, go report to your superior that even if I fail along the way I'm still determined in ending this War-

He smiles content as I turn to leave -Exactly what I wanted to hear... But not what some others might want to hear-

I rise my head and face him again -What do you mean? Who wouldn't...?-

He turns serious and grabs my wrist coming to whisper inside my ear -Be careful...- his eyes seems to change for a moment, losing that sinister sparkle they always have -I cannot openly help you... I can't do much, even less against some peoples- He warns me in a whisper and with one last pull on my wrist he lets go, regaining that shine in the eyes -Well then, I'll be going... Hope to see you at the "banquet" tonight- and he's gone.

I keep staring at his figure, worried... Many questions pops up in my mind "If until now be hasn't warned me... Then it is not his superior the one directly troubling him, who could that be...?"

...

At the "banquet", which is nothing much different than a normal dinner with simply a bit more of meat than usual, I seat down somewhere with a cup of wine... Still thinking back at those words, about what the meaning of Xu's warning could be...

-Lai'Er!-

-Uh? Oh He Rang... What is it?- I rise my eyes

-Ah nothing, I'm just drunk i believe... Was... Searching for somewhere to seat down and... Saw you so...-

-Mhn, come here- I make some place for him on the wooden box

-Thanks...- he seats down and passes an arm over my shoulders -We... Are so lucky to have you, hehe-

-Mhn-

-Sorry... For, GH! My manners...- he laughs letting me go -What's wrong...?- he asks after my cold reply

-Ah nothing, I was just recalling something and got lost in thoughts-

-Uh... You are not enjoying the feast tho...!-

-It's fine, I already drink too much on my own- I chuckle helping him seat up straight

-Ohh but drinking alone... Means that, ighk... Something is wrong, right?-

-Uhmm... I guess it does- I sigh -Nevermind, I'll go wash up... Lay down you! Before you fall- I secure him on the box, giving him more space once I stand up

...

After a few steps I get stopped by the Tian General -Miss Ying! Come drink with us!- he reaches foward, clearly drunk.

I dodge his arm and turn to face the 3 men -I'm sorry Generals, I need to go wash off the alcohol-

Lord Cai nods -Take care of yourself Miss-

-Sure will- I bow down about to leave, but Qin Luo's stare catches mine, his eyebrows knotted in worry and his legs ready to follow me. I gesture him not to and leave -Have a fun night, we all earned it- says Lord Cai dragging Tian XuWen away.

...

I kneel down by the water and reach to splash some on my face... After freshening up I seat on my heels, staring down

-It is still so difficult to control you for me...- I whisper with one hand inside the small river, talking about the water element -So much I can do and so much I yet cannot...- I sigh standing back up. Finding a place steady enough, i seat with crossed legs and empty my mind... Somehow I walked quite far away from the Camp, so the area is silent and tranquil enough for me to practice.

Once I find my usual connection I take out my sword and begin to force water upon it, little drops leave the river and languidly reach the blade... Walking and dragging themselves on the metal, they cover it for its whole length. Pressing my lips i stare at the water sword... I already reached this much progress, but never made it past it. stand up and begin sparring with the air, weighting the now heavier sword and getting used to control it...

...

After having completely lost track of time i finally begin to see some improvements, moving my sword to the sides I see the current in the river following in its direction, so I rise it higher and a small barrier of water elevates from the riverbed. I widen my eyes in awe, the layer is thin and the height isn't much... But the moonligh breaking into pieces and reflecting all over the water is truly beautiful. I let go of it and try again, aiming for a thicker layer... Then again, and again, perfecting it each time...

Once I'm satisfied enough I practice in maintaining it, still looking at the sparkling creation in from of me... The water inside the "wall" flows in many different directions, fighting for freedom against my weak ability to control it -Finally... I'm on the right path to control it...!- I murmur content but some hands clapping makes me lose control of it.

"I didn't hear anyone approaching...?" As the water falls back down, joining the calm river's flow again, I turn around unsheathing my sword which meets the mysterious man's throat. I widen my eyes, finding myself completely at a loss of words for who I am facing...

-Dong... Hu?-

-It's been a while, Miss Ying- he smirks