18 The Journey to West Province |Part 1| (2/2)
Young lord Bai sighed as he ordered the group to start walking. This was going to be a long journey.
When night arrived, the party set up camp in the plains.
XieRong and FeiHong huddled close by the fire as a strong wind blew past.
”FeiHong, Jie has somewhere she wants to take you tonight. Do you trust Jie?”
FeiHong nodded her head.
”Then close your eyes and keep your mind free of thoughts,” XieRong said, taking her sister's hand in hers and willing both of them into her spatial ring.
The space inside the ring was as neat as ever.
”Grandfather, we've come!”
XieRong looked around for her grandfather holding FeiHong's hand.
”So you have,” he said, fading in slowly.
”This granddaughter greets grandfather,” she greeted, politely.
”No need for formalities between us,” he said, waving his hand about.
”So, this is FeiHong,” he said looking over FeiHong.
”FeiHong greets grandfather,” FeiHong said looking at the old man in puzzlement.
”Jie, why is grandfather...”
”Alive? He isn't. This is just a part of his spirit which he had trapped here.”
”Come, let's sit children. We have a lot to talk about.”
XieRong told FeiHong and her grandfather everything from how she'd met the crown prince until how she had helped him.
”I see you take after your mother,” grandfather said, at last.
”Your mother was one of the most intelligent woman I've had the pleasure of meeting in my life time. She possessed wisdom beyond her years. Sadly, she perished in the hands of my family.”
XieRong patted her sister's head who had been listening with rapt attention.
”XieRong, why don't you go look around? Grandfather wants to talk to FeiHong alone.”
XieRong left the table to explore more of the space thinking her grandfather wanted some time to bond with FeiHong.
The shelves in the space were arranged from newest to oldest. She had already explored the newer parts with grandfather so she went to start with the oldest.
She found many books on cultivation techniques which she moved to the newer section. XieRong moved anything that could be of use to her to the newer section while moving things she wouldn't require for a while to the older one.
XieRong had just started reading a book when she felt a presence approach her body in the actual world.
”FeiHong, we need to leave!” she shouted urgently as she willed her consciousness back.
XieRong opened her eyes and got up.
”Eighth prince, it isn't polite to sneak around when people are sleeping,” she whispered, drawing her dagger close.
”You,” he said,”who are you? Why do you look so similar to the girl who came a week ago?” He had his short sword pointed at XieRong.
”Hm, I'll answer your question if you answer mine first. Did your brother send you here to keep an eye on me?”
”I asked first.”
The air between the two turned tense.
”We'll talk tomorrow, young prince. You should know better than anyone that there are always ears hunting for secrets in the dark. Go to sleep,” XieRong said, moving the sword away with the back of her hand.
”This isn't over,” The prince warned, going back to his tent to sleep.