The group set up tents on a clearing after the sunsets. The sounds of rustling leaves and the occasional roar and howl of beasts reverberating in the mountains and yet...
Feng Jiao Xue glanced around and saw that everyone was acting like everything is normal.
Aside from the occasional flinches here and there by those with less experience.
Feng Jiao Xue sat on a rock, Yin Xiao by her side, a bowl of apples she foraged earlier in front of him.
She cleaned and sharpened her dagger as Yin Xiao munches on the apples by her side.
The evening light softened, casting a warm amber glow across the sprawling forest as Feng Jiao Xue and the others found a suitable clearing to set up camp. Towering trees encircled the site, their ancient trunks standing like silent sentries, and a trickling brook nearby promised fresh water. Shadows danced around them, and the occasional call of a distant bird punctuated the quiet, lending an otherworldly serenity to the place.
Without needing to say much, each member of the group moved with practiced efficiency. Chen Long, the burly swordsman, stacked logs in a makeshift fire pit, his powerful frame silhouetted against the last vestiges of daylight. Beside him, Xia Lian, the red-haired girl with a fiery spirit, struck her flint against steel until sparks ignited the kindling, gradually coaxing the flames to life. She shielded her eyes from the flare, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile as the fire crackled to life.
Feng Jiao Xue concluded that they are a group or in the terms of adventurers, a party.
Looking around again, there are also others in the area. Taking into account their dynamics, there should be seven to ten groups around. It appears that the guards of the crown prince are the ones responsible for night watch.
Speaking of the crown prince....
The crown prince, moving with a grace that belied his noble upbringing, laid out supplies brought from the capital. He worked silently, his silver hair catching the fading light, casting a quiet dignity over his every movement. Beneath his fine gloves, he revealed provisions carefully wrapped and stored,dried meats, rice, and herbal tea, preparing to share a humble meal with the others.
As if noticing her gaze, the prince looked up and waved at her.
Ming Xiue offered a polite nod intending to cut her interaction with the prince as short as possible.
It appears that the prince has another plan however. Putting the things he was sitting aside, the prince walks towards her.
Yin Xiao raised his head, doe like eyes warily observing the approaching figure.
"Hey, I mean no harm" The crown prince raised his hand to show that he was harmless.
"Ngrough..." Yin Xiao grunted but still went back to shaking as the prince sat on a rock beside Feng Jiao Xue.
Feng Jiao Xue frowned but opted to fiddle with her sword. It's not something that she intends to keep long term but for now, it will serve her well.
It was the prince that break the silence.
" Do you need help with that?" The crown prince asked, pointing at her still stacked up firewood.
Truthfully, Feng Jiao Xue does not. she knows how to use rocks and the sticks themselves to start a fire but still she nodded.
" Can you do it?" She asked with a raised brow.
The prince proudly raised his head reminding Feng Jiao Xue of a mix between a proud cat and an eager to please puppy.
Disregarding his royal title, albeit he was not aware that she knew, the crown prince knelt down on one knee as he set the woods in front of her, really placing them in a circle.
He snapped his fingers, a sharp sound cracked in the air, not just from the sound made from his fingers, a thin lightning zapped out of his hand and lit the woods on fire.
He tended to the flames before sitting back down on a log. "There we go. The woods can be cold at night, you should also eat while the sun is still up. The trees make it faster for the light to be out." he rambled with a gentle grin.
Feng Jiao Xue looked at the prince in bewilderment. 'Why is he talking to her?'
As if reading the unasked question behind her gaze, the prince laughed lightly.
"You remind me of someone very special to me" He explained which earned a raised brow.
She, or the previous her, was not aware that there was anybody
"You really aren't that much of a talker are you?" he chuckles. "She is very shy too. The sweetest girl I know"
"Oh?" She asked, her disinterest clear in her voice yet the prince kept talking.
"Yeah. Her voice is as soft as an angel's and she is so timid that you just want to wrap her up in your arms and protect her from the world. Like a little bunny. She also has the softest, silky hair that you just want to pet " The prince bragged, not noticing the stiff awkward person he is talking to.
'Why are you telling me this?' Feng Jiao Xue internally sighed.
"You feel like her" Feng Jiao Xue stiffened further at that while the oblivious prince just kept going. "You don't look like her" his smile turned sad at that. "But if... if she didn't get into that accident, she would have looked as beautiful as you. Not that she isn't beautiful " his smile softened. "In my eyes, she will always be as beautiful as a snowflake."
"Right, I never got to introduce myself. I'm Liang Feng, you are?" He asked curiously.
Feng Jiao Xue thought about it before replying "Xue You".
Xue for her name and the You for phantom or ghost because in another sense, she is but a living ghost. It also nods at the possible meaning of "You". Silent, Depth, dark and such.
"You also have the Xue character like her!" He exclaimed in surprise.
Before he could continue talking however, his head knight headed over and whispered to the prince that he shouldn't be talking to unknown and possibly dangerous people.
Feng Jiao Xue pretended not to hear as the prince gave her an apologetic look.
"Sorry, Xiao You, looks like I'm needed back." He gave her a sincere smile. " "If you need anything, just come and find me anytime"
He waved goodbye enthusiastically as his knight dragged him away.
As the night deepened, the light from the flames danced on their faces. Feng Jiao Xue sat apart from the group, her gaze scanning their surroundings as she sharpened her dagger with methodical strokes. The firelight cast flickering shadows over her face, accentuating her cool, focused expression. The others threw curious glances her way, still uncertain about her cold demeanor, but her presence brought a strange calm, as if her very existence assured them that they were in capable hands.
Chen Long broke the silence when he and his group joined the solidary girl, stretching his shoulders with a laugh. "Who knew a simple escort mission could turn into an expedition? Maybe if we're lucky, we'll catch a glimpse of the rare beasts of these mountains."
"Better to catch a glimpse than face them head-on," murmured Lin Feng, a quiet yet keen observer of the group, as he poked at the fire. "These lands hold many secrets."
Xia Lian leaned forward, her red hair glinting in the firelight. "True, but isn't that part of the thrill? I didn't sign up for a peaceful stroll. What's an adventure without some mystery?"
Feng Jiao Xue listened carefully before looking up when a girl handed her some food.
"His high--- my young master wanted to make sure you eat something." The bobbed haired girl wears a simple maid dress that covers her up modestly.
Feng Jiao Xue glanced at the girl and silently scented, observed and sensed the dishes as she took it.
"Inform him that I send my gratitude" Feng Jiao Xue replied as she took the simple yet well crafted meat and vegetable dishes.
The maid nodded and left as swift as she had come.
She looked back at the groups wondering looks but did not bother to explain herself.
She discreetly used a silver needle to check for poison as well as a wisp of her magic to secretly scan for any sign of impurity or poison before eating. Taking the soup she pushed the others dishes to the group to share making them appreciate the gesture.
After a modest meal, they each settled into their positions, some reclining on rolled mats while others kept vigilant watch. The night was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant howl of creatures prowling the woods.
In the shadows of the forest, just beyond the firelight, Feng Jiao Xue took first watch. She let her gaze drift across the camp, noting each figure. Xia Lian's form curled up beside her Embermane Lion, Chen Long leaning against a tree trunk with his weapon at his side, and the prince resting peacefully, yet vigilant even in sleep. For now, they were safe but she knew all too well that peace was often fleeting.