BigMountain arrived two days later, but there was still so much to do in order to guarantee that the villagers would be safe, that they only set to depart the following day, granting Snow more than enough time to restore all the village’s fields back to what they used to be.

Nox¹Literally nox (night). Where Nox is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province. ZaiWin²Literally zai (blade) + win (chaos). was sitting on an old wood bench with a map in his hands, re-checking the route ZenTar³Literally zen (silent) + tar (wind) had discussed with him the previous night, when a tall, lean figure shadowed him from the sun.

“Do you have a moment?”

Giving her a gentle smile, he offered her the seat beside him and carefully folded the map.

With a deep sigh, VinWei⁴Literally vin (hard) + wei (crystal) accepted his silent invitation and, for a while, they just sat there, watching the villagers go about their tasks.

Looking at the village now, no one would have ever guessed that just three days ago it had been on the verge of becoming a huge mass grave. Now the streets were lively again, the smell of freshly baked bread reaching them from the small house across the street.

“Snow?” she asked, noticing he was nowhere to be found, and ZaiWin leaned back, tilting his head, allowing the sun to warm his face.

“With MenTar⁵Literally men (lake) + tar (wind), checking our horses. If allowed he’d even sleep there.”

VinWei smiled at the idea and nodded.

“You’re probably right.”

She took a deep breath and ZaiWin peered at her sideways. Knowing her the way he did, he could already guess what she wanted to tell him.

“You’ve decided to go back.”

“You always do that!” she accused him with a brief pout and sighed again. “I just feel that I should report what happened here to my father in person. Not only because I really want to help these people get back on their feet, but because father will want to know all the details. He won’t simply seat still while our lands are overran by feimao⁶Literally fei (raging / furious) + mao (beast / monster). Raving beasts that appear in unbalanced, ungoverned lands. They possess destructive markings that in turn corrupt the land even further. Hard to explain in just 2 lines -_-; Anyway. Bad, vicious things that need to be killed.. If it is like you say, and they’re coming from Tei, then I’m sure he’ll have something to say about that.”

“I am sure he will. Be it Nox or Wei⁷Literally wei (crystal / precious stone). Wei is the name of the Clan (family name), also the name of a Province., we both have ungoverned Provinces as our neighbors. It is expected that trouble should arise from those territories. But Tei⁸Literally tei (metal). Where Tei is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province. has had a Governor for a long time. There’s no excuse for something like this.”

“Something like this shouldn’t even be possible to begin with. And that’s another reason why I’ve decided to go back. If it is confirmed that the feimao came from Tei, I’ll have to alert the Temple to the possibility of two Tein’Elhar⁹Literally tien (Heaven) + el (supreme) + har (girl child). The Heavenly Beings also known as Celestials in the common language. being in very poor health.”

“You really believe that?” he asked with a doubtful expression. “That the presence or not of those things is connected to the bond between a Chosen One and a Celestial?”

“It’s not a matter of believing or not. Is just the way it is. And I know you despise all things Tien’Elhar-related, but certain matters are simply unquestionable, as I’m sure you’ve concluded for yourself by now. If someone is blessed by a Tien’Elhar, all their Province is blessed as well. Would aunt CalWei¹⁰Literally cal (bright) + wei (crystal) have agreed to give her only daughter in marriage to the El’Dur¹¹Literally el (supreme) + dur (ruler). Name given to the Emperor if not? It’s been a long time since Wei has had a Celestial to watch over our lands. And everyone is hoping that El’Lin¹²Literally el (supreme) + gin (gold). Name given to the male children of the Emperor. Could be translated into prince in the common language. Wen¹³Literally wen (sun). Name of one of the three Empires, Wen, Ran and Sen. (Sun, Moon and Star). Also used as surname by the members of the Imperial Family with ascending rights to the throne NimWan¹⁴Literally nim (gentle) + wan (fire) will become a Chosen One in the future. Right now there’s a young, unbounded Tien’Elhar staying at the Palace’s Temple, and every soul in Wei is praying that, in a few years, she’ll choose our El’Lin as her Chosen One. That’s also why the El’Dur is allowed to take on so many Janwan¹⁵Literally jan (flower) + wan (fire). Could be translated as Concubine., but can only marry one of each Province, in order to make sure that the blessings are divided throughout the entire Empire.”

“And yet he ordered the death of all the members of the Pon¹⁶Literally pon (mountain). Where Pon is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province. Clan,” ZaiWin pointed out sarcastically.

“It’s also known that the El’Dur tends to choose his Janwan from the Provinces he finds more useful to the Empire,” VinWei sighed. “Since long ago Pon has had little to contribute to the stability or growth of the Empire.”

“And so they could just be thrown away. The same way they did with Nox, until the situation became unbearable.”

VinWei didn’t counter him.

“Politics are always a dirty thing.”

“So you mean to say that if Wei had a Celestial the feimao wouldn’t have entered your lands?”

“If the Tien’Elhar was healthy and well cared for, no.”

“I suppose you’re not talking about catching a cold or something like that.”

She laughed lightly and shook her head.

“You really have skipped all the Tien’Elhar chapters of your education.”

“I forbade ZenTar to even uttering that word!”

She gave him a glare of condemnation and took a deep breath.

“The bond we are always talking about is a two way doorway, if you want. Tien’Elhar are holy, heavenly beings and, through their Chosen One, they grant Heaven’s blessings to the land and its people. But the same way they give, they also receive. And that’s why we say a Chosen One must lead a righteous life, and why they’re normally kept away from the battle fields. Any impure act, any action that might darken one’s heart, that may harm one’s mind, will be transferred to the Tien’Elhar and, with time, will corrupt their light. Eventually they get sick, and they stop being able to bless the land. If the land then is taken by some disaster, like war, or a plague, or even an invasion of feimao, it will further taint the Tien’Elhar and so forth, until the day they end up dying. When a Tien’Elhar dies from this kind of disease, her Chosen One always dies as well. If her Chosen One is the last member of the ruling Clan, then the Province becomes ungoverned, until the El’Dur decides to bestow its administration onto someone else. Until then, of course, the people will suffer. The longer a Province remains ungoverned the worse it gets, since the corruption of the land always tends to spread, including to their neighboring Provinces.”

“So basically if a Chosen One is a fair, righteous person all is good, the land is blessed, everyone’s happy. If the Chosen One is a self-serving bastard, not only they’ll end up killing their Celestial, the people are the one’s who will end up paying the price. Pray tell, how is it that those fucking royals haven’t killed all their Tien’Elhar by now? Those golden-haired dolls are more resilient than I gave them credit for …”

“ZaiWin!” she reprimanded with a scowl but ended up sighing, knowing that getting angry at him because of that would amount to nothing. “That’s also why they’re kept in the Palace. It’s not only because the Tien’Elhar are safer there. Gathering all the Chosen Ones in one place also makes it easier to keep an eye on them, and to make sure they’re kept … happy. That way they won’t feel the need to use their power and influence, which could only complicate matters if done improperly.”

“So they just keep them happy by granting them whatever they want? I guess being a useless snob doesn’t go against that righteous label of yours. Not that I’m one to speak. These Tien’Elhar of yours really know how to choose. If I really accepted this shit, taking into account all you said, the brat would be dead in a matter of days.”

“Well, it’s true that you live what could be called a risky life for a Chosen One. You’re always wiping up other people’s messes and having to make choices and decisions regarding other people’s lives. But I believe with all my heart that, even when your hands get bloody, you’re still righteous and fair. Snow must have seen it too, even though he didn’t realize it. After all, he chose you in the middle of a battle field, surrounded by all that goes against a Tien’Elhar’s nature. He must have seen something good, when he looked at you.”

“Either that or he was just too weak and scared. A look at me and he could only think about prostrating himself at my feet and begging for his life. It’s not like someone had ever told him that he couldn’t kneel in front of other people, or that he’d be bound to them for the rest of their lives if he did.”

“That’s not how it works and you know it. No one needs to tell them that they mustn’t kneel before other people, because they just can’t do it even if they want to.”

Nox looked away as if he wanted to ignore her answer.

“Besides, Tien’Elhar are peaceful, simple creatures. They don’t demand their Chosen Ones to be flawless heroes. From what I’ve learned about them, I dare guess they’d be just as happy living with a farmer or a fisherman as their Chosen One. But they’re apparently attracted to royal and noble blood.”

“Ah! I can’t even imagine it! Those perfect, useless dolls spending an entire day under the sun, harvesting the land, or mending fishing nets!” he declared sarcastically and VinWei gave him a malicious smile.

“And yet your Tien’Elhar spent hours under the sun, walking back and forth until he couldn’t walk anymore.”

“He’s not my anything!” ZaiWin quickly corrected with a frown. “And besides, the damn brat has some serious defects, as anyone can see. Or we wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with.”

“I agree that he is rather peculiar in more than one aspect. And I’m not only talking about his outer appearance. That’s also why I’ve decided to return to Weiin¹⁷Literally wei (crystal / precious stone) + suffix in (center), meaning the center of the Province of Wei, in other words, Wei’s Capital. All Capitals of all Provinces are named as such.. When I left before, I was in a bit of a hurry, fearing what you two barbarians might do to a young, defenseless girl. Now that I’m sure that you won’t just kill him or sell him off to the first slave trader that crosses your path, I want to go back and take a closer, more careful look at the old books in the Temple’s library. There might be something there able to help us solve this problem.”

“You really believe so?” he asked, unable to hide his hopeful tone, and VinWei nodded.

“Even though the existence of Tein’Elhar predates the foundation of the Temple, the Temple has since then been in charge of taking care of all matters related to them. And you’re right. They do dictate and change the scriptures according to their personal opinions.”

“According to what’s useful and profitable, you mean.”

VinWei ignored his ironic remark and went on.

“As a result, the whole faith surrounding the Tien’Elhar has also had its evolution. Things that are now accepted as divine truths weren’t even mentioned in the beginning. Maybe the opposite is also true, and there’s something in the old scriptures that has, since then, been forgotten.”

“Or deliberately erased.”

“In any case, I believe is worth checking it out. But you have to promise me that nothing will happen to that child until I contact you again!”

“Is that a strategy to make me roam the world for the next ten years while a wait for you to contact me? Because if it is, I don’t think I'll manage to keep my neck will intact for that long.”

“If my name were ZaiWin I’d most certainly say yes!” she retorted, her purplish eyes gleaming dangerously, and he gave her a forced smile.

“Yes, well … about that …”

“Save it! You’d only be making up excuses anyway. You’re traveling to Sur¹⁸Literally sur (plain). Where Sur is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province., right? I’ll take one of Zen’s feathered friends. He can send me a message once you reach Woodbridge. I’ll give you an answer by then.”

ZaiWin nodded and took a deep breath.

“The brat is going to miss you …”

She bumped her shoulder into his and smiled.

“I’m going to miss you too,” she replied with a malicious smile and stood up. Turning to look at him, she bowed down respectfully, which left him rather surprised.

“Since neither my father nor our Clan Leader is here, in the name of the entire Wei Clan, I thank you for allowing your Tien’Elhar to care for and bless our Province of Wei. Even if no one ever learns about what happened here, I will be sure to never forget.”

ZaiWin stood up, gently holding her shoulders to help her straighten her back.

“There’s absolutely no need for any of that. I’ve been in the Nai Calzai¹⁹Literally nai (transparent / translucent) plus cal (bright) + zai (blade), or Blade of Light. It can be translated in common language as Invisible General, one of military leaders of the Empire. Each Province has it’s own Calzai. To distinguish them they were given different colors. The Nai Calzai refers to RimMyu from Wei.’s debt many times.”

“And the same could be said about us. Or you think that because I live in the Temple I’m not aware of our Wei’s troubles and doings?”

He smiled at her offended expression.

“I would never dare assume such thing. But since it is as you said, you can simply put it as two friendly neighbors helping each other in times of need. Besides, it’s not like I did anything. This was all the brat’s doing.”

“But you still allowed him to do it. Do you have any idea how rarely that happens? A Tien’Elhar being sent to help and bless another Province? It’s a great honor and a debt that can never be repaid.”

“Another of those stupid Temple’s rules, I bet. If there’s need of help and someone who can provide it, why not simply allow it? And you have to stop talking as if he’s my Celestial! I didn’t allow him to do anything. He simply did as he pleased. If you want to bow down to someone, then go bow down to him.”

Standing on the tip of her toes, VinWei leaned into him and placed a quick kiss on his annoyed face.

“I’m still grateful. And if my father ever learns about this, he’ll be too. And he is your Tien’Elhar, ZaiWin. Even if you manage to break this bond, even is you go your separate ways, he will always be your Tien’Elhar. And you better keep that in mind and accept it. That way you won’t regret it later on, when there’s no way to turn back. After all the hardships and sadness you’ve endured, the Heavens have finally blessed you.”

“Cursed me, you mean!” he grunted, crossing his arms and averting his gaze. “If they really wanted to bless me they should have sent me one of those useless dolls, so that I could live the rest of my life lying on my back, on a comfortable bed in the Palace!”

She laughed and gently patted his arm.

“As if you’d ever spend the rest of your life lying on your back even if they allowed you to. And the Heavens know what they’re doing. If they had sent you a useless doll like you say, you would have killed her the moment you set your eyes on her. Snow, on the other hand, is a perfect match for you. He’s even managed to worm his way into your heart a bit.”

ZaiWin frowned at that, his jaw set as if he’d just been punched and refused to let it show.

“Don’t worry. I care for you too much, to allow you to commit such hideous crime. And not only because it would mean a huge loss for the entire Empire, or because he is actually a good, lovable kid. But because I don’t want you to add another sorrow to that already wounded heart of yours.”

She patted him again and turned around, leaving him there, standing unmoving like a dark statue.

Silvareiel

I'm so going to miss VinWei ...! Who's going to smack ZaiWin now,when he misbehaves? ?