Camping, Part II

"Miss Wang, why do you keep your sword wrapped in black cloth?" Mo Xian asked as he sat down against a tree about two meters away from Wang Jingyuan. "It is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship and seems to me like a weapon of the highest tier. Don't martial artists like to show off their weapons, especially one as good as yours?"

He watched as Wang Jingyuan paused her movements before continuing to wrap her sword with the cloth. "It draws a lot of attention," she finally said. "I don't want any trouble."

Mo Xian could hear the caution in her voice. Wang Jingyuan's guard was up. But he was curious about her and her life before he met her. "You mean, trouble from other sects?"

Wang Jingyuan nodded. She tugged on the cloth to make sure it was securely wrapped around the sheath. "Childe Mo, you're not part of the martial arts sector, so you may not know of the feuds between the sects. Before he died, my mentor warned me to stay out of them. Of course, as a martial artist, that's impossible." She looked at Mo Xian, whose gaze was locked on her. "Since I'm still new to the martial arts sector, I don't know who is on my side and who wants me dead. It's better to be safe than sorry."

"You're worried that someone will recognize the sword, and in turn, recognize you," Mo Xian realized. "But why? What have you done to have turned the entire martial arts sector against you?"

"Well, I haven't done anything. And I really hope that not everyone in the martial arts sector is out to get me."

"Is it something relating to your sect? Perhaps, something that your mentor did?" Mo Xian was very intelligent and guessed immediately. He knew that a lot of times, grievances continued for generations, long after the initial participants had died. "I never asked you. Which sect are you from, Miss Wang?"

Wang Jingyuan stared into the flames. "Childe Mo, it's better that you don't know," she said quietly. "You're not part of the martial arts sector. You don't need to be dragged into this, and I don't want to accidentally bring harm unto you simply because you're with me." She actually was regretting traveling with Mo Xian a little bit. Just by being with her, he was in danger from all the sects that were looking for her.

Mo Xian was touched that she didn't want to hurt him accidentally. He felt bad not telling her that she, too, was in danger just by being with him. She didn't want to drag him into her mess, but little did she know, he already dragged her into his. He was silent for a little while, before speaking again.

"But you can't live your entire life by avoiding conflict, Miss Wang. Eventually, you will have to confront someone and engage in combat. The moment you run into someone who recognizes the sword, your cover will be blown."

"I know. I'm just hoping I can lay low until I get to the Capital and find my senior brother. I hope that he would know what to do from now on." Wang Jingyuan hugged her sword to her chest.

The conversation ended. The forest was quiet except for the chirping of crickets and the cackling of the fire. Both Wang Jingyuan and Mo Xian sank into their own thoughts, and the secrets they were not telling the other.

When Mo Xian opened his eyes again, the fire had died. A pale lonely moon hung high in the sky, shining through the gaps in the treetops. He looked over at Wang Jingyuan, who was fast asleep. Her head drooped. She was still hugging her sword.

A night breeze blew by, and Wang Jingyuan shifted in her sleep to curl up more. Seeing this, Mo Xian took off his overcoat, quietly walked over, and draped it softly over her. Then he returned to the fire pit and restarted the fire. Finally, when a medium-sized campfire was burning brightly again, he returned to his spot and slowly dozed off again, the last thing in his sight being Wang Jingyuan's sleeping form.

* * * * *

The noisy chirping of birds woke Wang Jingyuan. Her neck was sore from drooping all night, and her back felt stiff after leaning against the tree trunk for so long. She stretched, and something slipped off of her. Blinking the sleep away, she saw that it was a light blue overcoat. Wang Jingyuan realized with a start that it could only belong to one person—Mo Xian.

How sweet of him to give her his robe as a blanket! Wang Jingyuan's heart somersaulted again. She was holding the overcoat in thought when Mo Xian entered the clearing, holding a water canteen. He smiled when he caught sight of Wang Jingyuan.

"Good morning, Miss Wang. I found a little stream nearby and refilled on water. How was your sleep?"

"It was good, thank you." Wang Jingyuan replied. She noticed that Mo Xian was only wearing the inner layer of his hanfu, which was short sleeved. "Childe Mo, you shouldn't have given me your overcoat. You must have been cold last night."

"No, not at all. The fire kept me warm all night." Mo Xian offered the canteen to Wang Jingyuan. "Have some water, Miss Wang."

"Thank you." Wang Jingyuan took the canteen and handed Mo Xian his overcoat back. She took a few sips of the cold water.

"Let's get going, shall we? Our goal should be to not be stranded in the wilderness again tonight." Mo Xian kicked some dirt over the remains of their campfire and walked over to untie the grazing horse from the tree. "Would you like to ride in front today, Miss Wang?"

"Um…" Truth be told, Wang Jingyuan wanted to sit behind Mo Xian again and hold on tight to him as the horse galloped.

"Don't worry, steering the horse is easy. I will help you." Mo Xian took her hesitation as worry about not being able to control the horse. Wang Jingyuan nodded slowly.

"Alright then. I'll give it a try."

They led the horse out of the forest and back to the open road. This time, Wang Jingyuan got up in the saddle first, with a small boost from Mo Xian. She gripped the reins tightly as Mo Xian sat down behind her. The horse took a few steps, and Wang Jingyuan wobbled. "Woah!"

Strong arms looped around her waist and steadied her. "Don't worry, Miss Wang. I won't let you fall." Mo Xian's voice, deep and rich like honey, sounded by her ear. Once again, Wang Jingyuan felt herself blushing pink. The butterflies in her stomach flew around wildly.

"Now, hold the reins like this." Mo Xian's hands covered hers lightly and showed her the correct way to grip the reins. His hands were large, and warm. "Ready to go, Miss Wang?"

"Yes." Wang Jingyuan's voice was soft, but Mo Xian heard. He dug his heels into the side of the horse.

"Hya!" The pair thundered down the road again, leaving a trail of unsettled dust behind them.