After walking through the narrow path, Ying Yue and the other noble ladies finally reached what looked like the exit to the cave. Reaching the end of the road; Ying Yue is hit with a ray of sun light the moment she stepped out of the cave. Slowly opening their eyes, everyone was amazed at the scenery. Zhi Ruo could barely contain herself, she smiled from ear to ear, turned to the other noble girls and looked to see if they all were seeing the same thing.
"Can you guys see what I see?!"
Zhi Ruo had never seen anything so beautiful before. From where they all stood, vast lands could be seen. Empty green fields of green grass, fresh air, animals ran freely and birds all flocked together in groups, it was truly a scene. Unlike everyone else, Ying Yue remained silent. The scenery was all too familiar. Ying Yue knew she had seen it somewhere. It finally clicked; these were things she had seen in her dreams involving the red haired man. Breaking out of her trance, Ying Yue knew everyone was hungry and reaching their limits. She had to find shelter for the night as the sun was slowly setting.
"Come, we need to find food and shelter before night falls."
With everyone following Ying Yue, she knew she couldn't afford to let her guard down. There was a chance they could be attack by the dragon clan at any moment. After walking for a good hour, Ying Yue spotted a abandoned shack. It looked like something hunters use during the winter to hide from the cold. It was near a stream with clean, and clear water so it was perfect for the night. Feeling rather proud of herself, Ying Yue turns to the others with a smile.
"Everyone, we will rest here tonight."
Some other noble ladies did not want to stay in a dirty building, and wanted Ying Yue to keep looking. Ying Yue was tired at this point as well, feeling hungry and irritated she was not in the mood to argue. The other noble lady Yu Wei and her trio of friends, Su Xin, Lei Ju and Feng Mian all also argued saying they didn't want to stay there. Zhi Ruo had to speak up.
"Ladies, it's fine. It will cover us if it rains, and it's a roof over our head. It's not the best, but it's better than nothing."
"Hmph, don't bother talking to them Zhi Ruo. If they want to go off on their own I won't stop them. I bet they can't even start a fire on their own."
The noble girls all stared at each other. They wouldn't dare go off on their own. They had no survival skills and knew if they were to be attacked by the dragon clan, they wouldn't be able to fight back. Sucking in their pride they could only remain silent and agree to what Ying Yue wants.
"Ah, Ying Yue don't be mad. We are just all in an unfamiliar place right now. I think everyone here is just hungry."
"Whatever you say Zhi Ruo. I'm going to go around and look for something for us to eat. In the meantime, Zhi Ruo, see if there is anything in the shack that we can use to cook."
Ying Yue stayed nearby the shack in case of an emergency. After walking around for a good fifteen minutes, Ying Yue was able to catch two rabbits. She noticed herbs nearby that could be used to add flavors to the rabbits. Along the way she made sure to grab some peaches that were growing on a tree nearby. Unlike back home, food was easy to find here.
"Zhi Ruo, I'm back. Did you find anything in the shack?"
"Welcome back Ying Yue, I found a small pot, two butcher knives, some kitchen utensils and some salt. There's also some blankets and pillows in there. Looks like this shack isn't abandoned. Are you sure it's ok to use it?"
"It's fine, these are normally used in the winter. We should be fine using it for a night. It's Autumn right now, so we have time. I found these two rabbits and herbs. I will cook them, knowing those noble girls they would burn the place down if I had them cook."
Ying Yue walks to the side of the shack and starts cooking, she didn't always have maids around and her father never bothered about her or her mother until she won the last war. Cleaning, cooking and sewing; Ying Yue did it all. Whatever her mother taught her, she made sure to remember. After thirty minutes of cooking the food was finally ready. The sun had just set and night was rolling in. Keeping a small fire going, Ying Yue and everyone came and sat by it to warm up before bed.
Zhi Ruo noticed Ying Yue being silent, she walked over to Ying Yue and sat next to Ying Yue. In a soft whisper, Zhi Ruo asked what Ying Yue was thinking.
"Ying Yue, what's wrong?"
"Zhi Ruo, this place is weird....I... I've seen this place before."
"What do you mean? You've been to the dragon lands before?"
"No, not like that. I've had dreams of this place before. Its all starting to make sense now."
"Tell me Ying Yue, I don't understand."
"You see, when I was thirteen. I started having these really vivid dreams of a man. He looked no older than twenty-five, and he was always dressed in black with beautiful gold embroidery. He had long red hair, a beautiful face, and a sharp gaze. Every time he called my name, he would have the softest gaze and smile. Every time I saw him in my dreams, I was standing in fields like these."
"Wow, that really is fascinating! Do you think they mean something Ying Yue?"
"I don't know Zhi Ruo, I think that man is from this land, but then again I don't even know if he really exists or not."
"Hmmm...I'm sure everything will make sense one day Ying Yue, it's getting late now, we should get some sleep. Everyone has left already."
"You're right, you go ahead. I'll keep watch a while longer."
Zhi Ruo turns to leave, and heads for the shack where the other ladies were resting. Ying Yue takes out the golden leaf she had stuffed in her sash. Glancing at it over and over, trying to understand why no one else could see it. The moment the moonlight touched the golden leaf it shined, It was so bright that it took Ying Yue off guard, Trying to cover up the light, Ying Yue shoved it back into her sash.
"Oh man, what was that about?"
Thinking nothing much of it Ying Yue heads into the shack and decides to call it a night. Unaware of what she did, Ying Yue didn't know she had just signaled the dragon clan.
Day breaks and everyone was awakened by now. Ying Yue stretching out her thin arms, and rubs her eyes open. Lightly pushing herself off the straw bed inside the shack, she makes her way to the front door. Everyone was awake now and refreshing up by the stream. Zhi Ruo sees Ying Yue and offers her a wet cloth they got from the shack.
"Here, Ying Yue. Ha Ha don't worry, it's clean."
"Thanks, Zhi Ruo, when did everyone get up?"
"Just a little over ten minutes before you did. Are you going out hunting again?"
"Yeah, it'll be roasted fish. I saw some swimming around a little down the stream last night. Can you get the fire started? You saw how I did it last night right?"
"Yep! Leave it to me."
Ying Yue heads out after washing her face. After walking for ten minutes, Ying Yue finally reaches her destination. As she was about to take off her shoes to get into the water, Ying Yue heard rustling noises. Thinking that maybe one of the girls followed her, Ying Yue didn't think much of it. Until she heard the voice again that she heard in the cave.
"Ying Yue..you need to find me....."
Ying Yue paused for a moment, took her sword out again and started looking around her surroundings. Not a single person in sight.
"Clank Clank."
"What was that?"
Ying Yue slowly walks towards the noises, and there it was. She had found the dragon clan army. Everyone was dressed in red armor, with their blonde hair and jade eyes. Just like in the stories her mother told her, they were truly a sight to be seen. There had to be at least three hundred of them. Thinking they must've found out about them being there, Ying Yue slowly crawls away. Remaining hidden using trees and bushes, Ying Yue slowly crawls away, trying to not be noticed. Once out of sight, Ying Yue ran like her life depended on it. Running as fast as her thin legs could carry her. Ying Yue makes it back to camp, Zhi Ruo still working on the fire sees Ying Yues running back to camp with a pale face.
"Ying Yue? What's wrong?"
"Everyone we need to leave! The dragon army is coming! We need to go now! Hurry!"
Everyone's face turned paled, panicking they quickly ran towards the location Ying Yue was pointing to. They ran and ran for what seemed like an eternity. One of the noble ladies; Wang Shu ran and accidently tripped over some wet grass that she didn't see, and accidently twisting her ankle in the process.
"Ah! My ankle hurts!"
Wincing in pain, and falling to the ground. Wang Shu tears up and looks at Ying Yue in fear. Unable to even walk, much less run. Ying Yue quickly pulls her onto her back. After running for what seemed like an eternity, Ying Yue and the girls finally came to a stop. Ying Yue finally calms down after she could no longer hear the dragon army. After five minutes of resting, it was time to continue moving in the opposite of the army.
"Ladies we have to keep moving, every break we take only brings them closer to us."
"Ying Yue, the other ladies are tired and one is unable to run. What are we going to do?"
"We have to keep moving Zhi Ruo. I saw the dragon army and there is at least three hundred of them. I can't fight that many by myself, no matter how strong I am. I can't fight them all if I have to protect you all too. I will continue to carry Wang Shu, let's get going."
Two hours of walking, feeling that they were far enough from the army now. Ying Yue brings the girls to a secluded area. Shrouded by large trees and a small lake, it was perfect place to hide for a while.
"We will rest here for a while. I believe we are far enough out now."
"I've never ran so much in my life Ying Yue."
Ying Yue wasn't sure what to do about Wang Shu. She was slowing everyone down, but Ying Yue knew she couldn't abandon her. Meanwhile, the dragon army was closing in on Ying Yue and the girls. The army only finally started moving, making their way passed the shack. The current general leading the small army had everyone check the surrounding area for anything. His name was Zi Tai. A well-respected man within the dragon clan.
"Sir! I found a hairpin inside the shack!"
"Hm..well..well. I think this confirms what the head priest told us. There are human women on our land. Solider, tell the men to stop looking, they are no longer here. Seeing as how they left traces of leaving in a hurry, they must know we are here. We need to keep moving. "
The sun has passed the afternoon mark now. Hungry and tired from carrying Wang Shu, Ying Yue decided she had to find something to eat that didn't require making a fire.
"Zhi Ruo, you all stay put. I'm going to see if there's any fruit nearby. Sorry we can't have fish today; I don't want to attract anything."
"Alright Ying Yue, be careful."
Ying Yue looked around and even went around the small lake looking for anything. All she could find were peaches. Thinking they were better than nothing, Ying Yue picks what she can and carries it back to the girls. As everyone ate the peaches, Ying Yue glances over to the girl and notices Zhi Ruo was missing her hair pin.
"Zhi Ruo, where's your hairpin?"
"Huh? Right here."
Zhi Ruo digs into her sash, but it was missing. Unable to say anything, Zhi Ruo looks at Ying Yue.
"Don't tell me you dropped it."
"I really don't know Ying Yue, It was right here! I was fixing my hair at the shack earlier and to make sure I didn't lose it, I stuffed it into my sash."
"Sigh, you lost it. There's a good chance the dragon army has found the shack and your hair pin. They know we are here. We can't stay here anymore. We need to keep moving."
The other noble girls were throwing a fit. Unable to move anymore, with their sore feet's. Lei Ju and her trio had never walked so much in their life in one day. Refusing to move anymore, Ying Yue had no choice, but to stay.