'Remember your virtue.'
••••
The sickly scent of Myrrhine dancers tickled Xianlan's nose, and she had half the mind to completely rip her arm out of the young lady's grip, which was surprisingly firm on her arm. It was getting unbearably uncomfortable, Xianlan felt as if she was an exotic animal being stared at and observed and she hated it. She can basically feel some of the families making plans to have her as their in-law, it was not something that can be just easily brushed off. Because even if the Wuzung Family was a highly respected family it did not mean that all nobles were content, some had their feathers ruffled quite a bit. Through no fault of the Wuzung Family, although Xianlan knew that some looked down on her father, calling him weak and of low blood, how her mother was blind to pick him as a husband. Her mother had always vehemently defended him in any situation; Xianlan smiled wryly as these thoughts flitted around her head. She was always quite happy that she had inherited the sharp tongue of her mother; although she did inherit the infuriating indifference of her father to slights against her.
The young lady that was hanging on her arm must have mistaken her for a boy, Xianlan could think of no other reason why the young girl was throwing herself at her; Xianlan was flustered though, only human and with someone beautiful on her arm would make anyone flush. Though she tried to reason that it was only the perfume that was making her woozy.
The girl on her arm seemed to be roughly the same age as Xianlan, both in their late teens and going on to be adults soon. The girl had green eyes so vivid though it was not like that of an emerald or something so sparkly, it was a dark green, akin to looking into the forest just as the sun sets or olives just as they're ripe. A straight nose, petal pink lips and long lashes that framed her eyes decorated with the barest hints of glitter; something that was mildly uncommon, though not completely unheard of, as some ladies did decorate their faces.
"My Lady, please let go of my arm—"
"Please help me."
Xianlan stilled her retreat and smiled amicably, leaning down to the other's ear, "Are you in danger?"
"No… not currently. But there's a suitor. He's really insistent, can I stay by your side for the night?"
"What is your name?"
"Aretis Atalante."
"From the south eastern borders?"
"Yes."
"Reason for visiting?"
"Father is thinking of making new relations here as mother wants to move."
Xianlan smiled, "Ah, of course."
Gently she lay her hand on the other girl's waist and pulled her close, gently taking the other hand and putting it on her shoulder as she swayed them both gently. It was not fitting with the music that was played, but it meant that Xianlan could observe the crowd within the room more easily. Looking around it did not take long for her to find the offending suitor as he was glaring from across the room, and even from her distance Xianlan could tell that the glass in his hand was trembling. Catching the man's eye, she levelled a cold glare at him, one that she always had when on the battlefield. He flinched, a dark look in his eyes as he looked to the side.
"What is your suitors name?"
"Leandros Evangelos, second son of the Evangelos Family. Merchants."
"Right, thank you for that," taking a deep breath as the music changed to something that Xianlan is quite fond of, "How good are you with Efluanian folk dance?"
Areti looked up slightly at Xianlan, a question in her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because I love this piece, and I want to dance."
Aretis laughed, quite loudly too as a few heads had turned their way but the two ignored it in favour of going to the middle of the dancefloor where most of the dancers had stopped and cleared to the sides to take a break.
"Kingdom Dance'' is the name. A jovial piece. Please, my Lady Aretis. Hold onto me tight."
Aretis flushed slightly as the two circled around each other, Xianlan's face beamed at her. Wrists touching as they circled each other, a flutter of clothes and a delicate touch on the cheek as they spun away from each other; the two so in sync almost as if they had practised beforehand. With the crescendo the two pranced around each other, laughter spilling from their mouths, spinning and twirling as the audience clapped in time with the tempo of the music.
Xianlan wrapped her arm around Aretis' waist as they spun and changed partners before spinning back into each other's embrace, twisting and dancing as the music stopped abruptly. The two finished in their poses, and Aretis breathless and flushed from laughing, Xianlan slightly more contained but nonetheless also flushed from the dance. She smiled again, and bowed, reaching her hand out.
"Shall we go speak to your father?"
"I don't think we need to," Aretis pointed in the direction as a genial looking elderly man approached them, a gleeful smile on his face, "He's coming over."
The pair walked over, meeting Aretis' father, her mother by his side, a small beautiful smile on her face as she watched the two girls in front of her.
Xianlan bowed first, "Nice to meet you, My Lord, My Lady. I hope you are enjoying the evening."
"Yes, yes I am! I am sure that my daughter has informed you of why we're here?"
"Yes, she has."
"Ah good, good— our Gods had told us she would meet someone who would be her therapon—"
"Father!"
Xianlan looked at Aretis, her eyes holding a dark look, before looking at her father who had an extremely ashamed look on his face. Even Aretis' mother looked astounded.
"What is a therapon?"
The word was foreign to Xianlan, and she was mighty sure she had butchered the pronunciation of the word. Given that there was a stifled "pft-" from Aretis.
"Well? I am waiting for an answer."
"It is a close friend. Only one that we are to have."
"Interesting. Were you given any more details on them?"
"No. But I would instantly know."
"How?"
"Because there would be an instinctual knowledge of it."
"That is an intriguing tradition of yours. Tell me more of it," Xianlan paused for a second, "Well, I mean— you-you don't have to! I just—"
Aretis stopped Xianlan rambling by smiling and grabbing her hand, tightly yet gently, looking deeply into Xianlan's eyes, "I would simply love to."
"O-okay."
••••
Xianlan and Aretis were now rarely seen without each other by each other's side, seemingly they were doing everything together. Whether the task be something minimal or running an errand for the Imperial Family they seemed to be doing it together, of course there was some jealousy about the two's relationship such as Wuzung Kai, slightly younger of the two wanted to be included on their outings, to which Xianlan had refused because she was trying to encourage him to make friends with children of his age, and they had a disagreement to which Aretis had stepped in helping the two absolve them of it. Allowing Wuzung Kai to join them on their little voyages and adventures.
Another four summers passed in a blink of an eye, and the two were fully fledged adults Aretis now also a duchess of Slovenia.
Xianlan was visiting Slovenia, and upon exiting the carriage she was not given much warning before a loud, clear voice, each symbol of her name pronounced with clarity although not without a slight accent.
"Xianlan!"
Looking up the steps she saw Aretis, decked out fully in her country's uniform. Looking every bit as graceful and celestial as her God's wanted her to be. Sometimes it was hard to think that they were from different countries due to how well the two had clicked initially. Although, Xianlan herself would never say it was Fate or something whimsical like that, but more often than not she would never tell what she thought.
Beaming she ran up the stairs two at a time and embraced her long time friend.
The two stayed like that for a while before Xianlan pulled back and observed the other's face.
"You've grown so much," whispered so reverently and so fondly by Xianlan that Aretis hid the flush on her face by burying her face in Xianlan's neck, huffing.
"Come! I have so much to show you!"
The excitement that exuded from Aretis was infectious, so grabbing Kai with her the two followed Aretis, Xianlan not noticing the dark glares being exchanged by the two. The soldiers watched with mild amusement and a lot of apprehension, they did not need two powerful individuals being restless.
••••
Aretis was talking to Xianlan as the two talked under the stars, enjoying the silence and the constellations overhead. The peace was something that they rarely got to experience because of their duties that always kept them busy in the day, and there was something of a bustling urgency around her palace; Xianlan had seen many of the advisors rushing about the palace, and many times Aretis had been late to their designated meeting times. Sometimes so late that Xianlan had retired to her room, tired of waiting. She was irritated, of course she was, at her best friend. Even when Xianlan uttered that in her mind, something in her chest made her grimace, the unpleasant feeling then spreading like ivy on the castle walls.
"What are you thinking?"
"Whether it was a bad time to visit you."
Aretis sat up slightly at this, "I know and I'm sorry. Things have been happening."
"Such as?"
"One of my allies had their wives stolen in the night. I am bound to take our troops to war, under oath."
Xianlan knew something had happened, but it was not of her country's importance, they did not fight other's wars and only offered medical attention and provided a place for refugees to go.
She closed her eyes, "You should have told me earlier."
"What would you have done?"
The warmth of Aretis' body was now close, and burrowed into Xianlan's side, she could smell Aretis' scent, smelling of olives and hyacinths. It was a nice subtle smell, something that was very Aretis'.
"I could become your therapon, officially."
A long pause. Until it became unbearable to Xianlan who finally opened her eyes, only to be greeted with a crying Aretis. Panic coursed through her veins as she immediately brought Aretis close, holding her tightly in her embrace.
"What's wrong? I am sorry if I misspoke, but—"
Something was gently pressed against Xianlan's lips before it was gone just as quickly as it came. Xianlan was frozen, only moving, but moving too slowly. Too slow to stop Aretis from running, flitting away back to the castle and leaving her there under the moon, as the cold seeped into her bones; god she was so foolish—
Her heart twisted something nasty in her chest, Xianlan must have read the situation wrong. Everything hurt, and she never thought that this type of rejection would be more painful than an arrowhead through the shoulder or a serrated blade in her side; all the wounds she had accumulated from her time on the battlefield didn't seem to prepare her for the jarring agony of such a rejection, and the shame boiled like acid in her stomach. Rising like bile up her throat.
Please, let her not hate me.
••••
Kai knew something had changed again in his mother when she had attended breakfast with him in the morning. They were greeted warmly by the others who were also having breakfast in the hall. He sat close to his mother, quietly cutting her pieces of an apple and peeling an orange for her before placing it next to her. Xianlan nodded her thanks, and returned to her food quietly, today Kai observed that she was only wearing a thin silk shirt with riding breeches and boots already on. Not the sandals that were the norm for mother when she would visit.
"Would you like to accompany me for some light hunting, my dear?"
"Don't… don't you have plans with Aretis?"
"I will not bother her today. She is extremely busy with her countries and other people's problems."
"Oh, right! Okay, I will go and hurry to get myself ready," preventing himself from asking more even when curiosity seemed to burn in him.
"I will go out into the stables first and get our designated horses."
All throughout the morning Aretis had sat at a different table, interacting with some of the other girls who were looking up at her, hanging off every word that she said; some even going as far to try and impress her with playing dice. Aretis smiled at them, the same smile she had worn for most years of her life; although it did get extremely difficult during the morning as she had sat away from Xianlan and unrest grew in her heart. Aretis disliked how the other people seemed to be taking up her time, wherein the past she would have patiently dealt with all of these people, they couldn't help themselves when she had been blessed by the Gods themselves; however, now she wanted nothing more than to run to Xianlan, to apologise and beg for forgiveness for her own cowardice.
Aretis watched from the corner of her eye as Xianlan and her adopted son left the hall. Aretis had seen the way the boy looked at her. It was sometimes amusing to watch Xianlan so oblivious and sometimes more painful. Now continuing to converse halfheartedly with the heirs of the advisors and families. Her mind is occupied by pleasant brown eyes, and calloused hands accompanied by a gentle touch.
••••
Time had passed quickly, and soon the sun was at its zenith above them.
The foliage around them turned into a blur as they galloped further into the forest, bow drawn Xianlan let it fly. The arrow left the bow, flying straight and true right into the legs of one of the young fawns legs; this would be provided for the kitchen later, something they have the full skill to turn most meats into a delicacy, even if they seldom have it.
Riding up to the carcass, she nimbly got off her horse, and whilst strapping the fawn's carcass to Kai's horse, walking through some of the simpler motions of hunting and explained some things about the type of deer to Kai; although simple these things seemingly were, they all fascinated Kai anyways. For selfish reasons as he loved hearing his mother talk and explain things to them; Kai had always felt that they never had enough time together.
"Stay here. Look after the horses, I will go down to the beach."
Only now did Kai hear the screech of the gulls overhead, and the distinct salty smell of the sea — something that he had never really allowed himself to enjoy — the gentle crashing and lulling of waves against the sand and some of the rocks further down from them; slowly Xianlan walked down to the beach, sand soft under her shoes, and the sun beamed down her face, almost glaring down at her, forcing Xianlan to shield her eyes against the suns rays.
The sea stretched out in front of her, colossal and vast, twinkling under the sun and turning crystalline to the gaze of the onlooker. Slowly she walked towards the edge of the water, where the sea stretches out furthest to. Before calling out to Kai, who had not really listened to his mother's orders and had led the horses down.
"What is it?"
"We can play in the sea for a short while, but because of our kill we'd have to get back quickly."
"Okay, mother," this was said with such affection Xianlan turned around and ruffled his hair.
"Thank you, for being so patient with me Kai."
"Always mother."
Xianlan huffed a laugh, "Wait, before we go play in the water, leave the horses tied to the trees and not just let them be. Horses, although trained, can still wander, the corpse also needs to be left in a cooler area to slow down decomposition."
Xianlan watched Kai take the horses back into the forest, and it was quite a long while before he came back, shoes off and trousers pulled up slightly. Xianlan herself also had pulled her trousers up; well, the best she could in riding breeches and stepped into the sea. Welcoming the coolness of the sea that wrapped around her ankles and calves. The breeze ruffled her hair, blowing away the hair from her face as Xianlan simply closed her eyes. Breeze soft and gently like a lover's touch; it made Xianlan yearn for a life-long companion as well.
Before she bent down and created a wave that soaked Kai from head to toe. Kai looked stunned, water dripping down his face and hair stuck to his head, his shirt now sticking to him. Xianlan was cackling until she felt seawater enter her mouth and she hacked the water back out. With a playful smile she splashed him back harder this time, before tackling him into the shallows, rolling around with him in the water before pinning him in the sand and the waves rolled around them. Peals of laughter leaving the both of them.
"Mother," Kai's voice was hesitant, "Can you… can you tell me what it was like for you?"
"What was?"
"…war."
"Oh," Xianlan paused for a second, and her heart thumped loudly in her ears, and all of a sudden the breeze felt a tiny bit too cold and the sea seemed to chill around her, "It was… Well, what part do you want to know?"
"I don't know. Please, mum, forget I asked."
"Alright, but I don't mind if you would want to go into soldiery."
"I will keep that in mind, mum."
The sky had become tinted orange and the yellow around the sun had become more muted, turning into a golden colour. Indicating that they had been out for long enough, and soon they had to start going back if they want to be able to give the fawn to the kitchen and have time to clean up and go to dinner. The two had already missed lunch and were quite famished, trotting along and conversing idly through the thicket.
The duo neared the gates and waved to the guards as they unloaded the fawn and took it to the kitchen, thanking the Efluanian pair.
"I shall see you at our normal table Kai."
"Okay, see you in a bit mum," a playful lilt in his voice to which Xianlan smiled at.
She watched him walk the other way to his room, and watched him until he disappeared around the corner. Only then did Xianlan start towards her own room, the hallways were quiet except from the occasional maid that rushed past her with a bow of acknowledgement. Xianlan lost in her thoughts until her door was in front of her, sighing again and ignoring the individual who had left a pit in her stomach who constantly plagued her mind — sweet looks and smiles, soft whispering voice, and a strong unrelenting embrace — Xianlan washed herself quickly before laying on her bed in her towel, uncaring if she got the sheets wet.
Closing her eyes and letting her mind relax into bed, the bed was better than the pallets that Xianlan had to sleep on during her time in the front. Pushing away the more painful memories of the front she thought of the times she had bonded with her soldiers, how she had sparred with them and they gladly taught their captain what they knew of hunting and random little tricks that had used to make their stay a little better; she had known them, and knew them too.
Opening her eyes again, she forced herself to take a breath and wipe away the tears that had threatened to leave her eyes.
Deciding that she had dallied long enough, it would be time for dinner now. Xianlan was sure that Kai was already seated at the table and waiting for her slow arse to get over there. The loyal boy would probably not have started eating without her. Looking around hurriedly she threw on a linen shirt and let her damp hair fall around her, she still donned her riding breeches from the day and briskly headed towards the dining hall.
Looking around the dining hall, an expression that had held ease was now warped into a guarded expression. She could see Kai sitting at their usual table, but now around it was also Aretis' normal entourage. Although the table was nearly full there was still one seat left, and Xianlan hurriedly sat by Kai's side, who smiled with relief upon seeing his mother next to him. Quietly, ignoring some of the gazes from the entourage and quietly plated some food onto her plate, and by habit some on Kai's too.
Xianlan was too focused on the food to notice the look of triumph Kai had given Aretis, although he was not graced with a look or response he saw her hand tightening around her goblet as she drank slowly and deliberately from it, sipping the wine.
Xianlan was focused on the food, she did not understand why it tasted much more vibrant from the times she had food before. Sighing, she straightened her shoulders and rolled them back, stretching her arms and hearing her spine clicking with satisfaction, letting out a breath of immense pleasure.
"Mum? You alright?"
"Yeah. Just some aches."
"Ah, okay. Would you like some figs?"
"Hm," Xianlan thought for a second, "Yeah. Sure."
Some of it was put into her bowl, and Xianlan excused herself from the table, sneakily taking a decanter of wine and left the dining hall. Easily blending in with some of the other people that were also leaving the hall.
Aretis frowned lightly, and ignored as Kai also rose to leave. However, one of her entourage had stopped him. A young boy who had a flush to his cheeks as he looked at Kai, stuttering out a question that was kindly rejected. Sitting at the edge as some of his friends crowded around the younger boy, who was heavily flushed.
••••
"Come on captain! Spar with me again!"
"Alright, just don't cry when I beat you!"
The soldiers around them roared with laughter, whooping and cheering when Xianlan entered the box and the two readied themselves and fought with a good-hearted vigour. Although the soldier was fighting with his all, wanting to be able to beat the captain.
Clashing of metal against metal rang loudly in the area from the two, leaping away from one another. One heavily flushed and breathing heavily the other, also breathing heavily though not as flushed.
Xianlan smiled, enjoying the ache in her body as she barrelled towards the other soldier and knocking him over, before twisting his arm around and pinning him to the ground.
All around them the soldiers roared out, cheering as well.
Getting up, Xianlan then helped the other soldier up, patting him down, getting rid of the dust.
"What is your name?"
"Minocrates, miss!"
"You fought well. Keep up the good work," she squeezed his shoulder and walked off to retrieve her bowl of figs that she had saved from dinner.
"Are you going now captain?"
"Yes," Xianlan paused, "I have some things that I need to attend to in my home country. I will have to leave early in the morning. Do not tell Aretis."