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Chapter Text

Having long since finished his preparations for the day and collected their breakfast, Wei Ying was making tea as Lan Zhan tucked the final intricate silver comb into his hair. Events usually happened the other way around, but Wei Ying had ambushed his partner in the bathhouse, resulting in Lan Zhan needing to change his clothing. Even after all these years, it fascinated Wei Ying that his lover could be such an active person, and yet take such pains over his appearance. He found it even more amazing that, while Wei Ying frequently returned from their night hunts looking as though he had been beat up by a demon (which was often the reality), LanZhan usually looked as though he had just stepped away from his dressing table.

Now Lan Zhan rose gracefully to his feet, shaking out long sleeves as he crossed to their dining table, and bent to place a tender kiss upon Wei Ying's lips before settling opposite, in a float of white cotton and silk.

Wei Ying grinned. "Going to a funeral today? What happened to the blue?"

Lan Zhan set small china cups on intricately chased silver saucers, with his usual delicate precision. "It needs laundering."

"Aaaah. Blood?"

"Tea."

Wei Ying ducked his head to hide a blush, helping himself to a steamed bun as Lan Zhan poured. Their lovemaking of the previous evening had been particularly heated, and more than tea had been spilled. After this morning's exercise, which had resulted in another change of clothing, Wei Ying was beginning to wonder if his partner was going to run out of clean, dry garments.

A light tap at the door preceded a softly spoken, "Your Excellency? Senior Wei?"

Lan Zhan looked to the open door. "What is it, Lan Jingyi?"

The junior straightened. "Clan Leader Ze Wu Jun has sent me to request your presence. A message has arrived."

Wei Ying spoke around a mouthful of steamed bun. "What kind of message?"

Lan Jingyi frowned, whether from surprise that anyone would question his clan leader, or from the fact that Wei Ying was breaking the rule of talking while eating, was unclear. "I do not know, but he asks if you would attend him once you are free. He also said to tell you that the matter is not urgent."

When Lan Zhan would have collected himself to stand at once, Wei Ying grabbed his wrist across the table, almost toppling a small vase of flowers. "He said, 'not urgent'. You don't eat enough. Here." He commandeered Lan Zhan's hand, slapping a bun into it with some force, and Jingyi ducked his head to hide a smile. He knew of nobody, beyond master Wei, who would dare to be so bold with the awe inspiring Han Guang Jun.

A deep breath, and Lan Zhan subsided, although he narrowed pale eyes when he noted Jingyi's poorly hidden expression. "Please tell my brother that we shall be with him shortly." Under that icy gaze, Jingyi sobered at once, offering another bow to both before making his hurried escape.

Lan Zhan took a sip of his rose petal tea. "It does not engender respect among the juniors."

Wei Ying adopted his most innocent expression. It was one he had practiced upon his sister for years, and had always found very effective. "What doesn't?"

The sharp glance that his partner shot his way gave him to know that Lan Zhan was no aLi. Wei Ying shrugged. "Students need to know that even you are human, WangJi. You should tear a sleeve every now and again. Muss your hair." He grinned. "Or spill your tea."

The ice in Hang Guang Jun's eyes turned to fire and Wei Ying took a hasty gulp of tea, hissing as it burned his tongue.

Two hours later, a smiling Ze Wu Jun invited them to a seat at his table. "Thank you for coming. Would you like tea?"

For Wei Ying, the question required little contemplation. The usual tea served at Cloud Recesses always seemed to taste of medicine. "Not for me, thank you, Lan Xichen. We have just eaten breakfast."

Ze Wu Jun bit back a smile, his eyes sparkling, for it was almost noon. He was also very aware of Wei Ying's opinions on tea and the two had turned it into a game. Ze Wu Jun would offer tea and Wei Ying would come up with some reason to reject it. Sometimes the reasons were logical, as today. On other occasions, Wei Wuxian would give his mischievous streak full rein. Only last week, he had claimed a terrible aversion to the fine white porcelain cups Lan Xichen used...something to do with the content of the glaze making the tea taste odd. In response, Ze Wu Jun had switched to green cups, and watched with some amusement, as Wei Wuxian was forced to accept the tea.

Well aware of their friendly contest, Lan Zhan let out the very tiniest of sighs. "Why have you invited us?"

All business now, Ze Wu Jun picked through a small pile of correspondence before him, finally selecting a missive bound between fine, silk-covered card. Despite the expensive cover, it was written in an obviously hurried and slightly untidy hand. "I received this today. Jin Rulan is being kept quite busy of late and requests our aid on a matter in his provinces."

Wei Ying was all attention now. He considered Jin Ling a nephew, even if they were not joined by blood. "What of Jiang Cheng?"

It was Lan Zhan who answered this time. "He has troubles of his own. Heavy rains this spring caused flooding. Jin Rulan will not wish to worry him."

Wei Ying rolled his eyes. "He is growing up at last. Worrying his uncle used to be one of his favourite occupations."

Lan Zhan nodded. "Gaining responsibilities makes him more aware of those of others. What is his problem?"

"He says a small village is being harassed by many strange creatures." Ze Wu Jun frowned slightly as he handed over the letter to his brother, and Wei Ying leaned in to read over one white-clad shoulder, surreptitiously taking the opportunity to inhale sandalwood and snow.

Wei Ying frowned. "He doesn't say much."

As newly appointed Excellency, such matters should have been beneath Lan Zhan's attention, but now he flowed to his feet, as though simply growing out of the floor. His reply was more statement than question, and testament to his love for anyone loved by Wei Ying. "Please inform Jin Rulan that we are on our way."

Even the mighty Han Guang Jun would have struggled to convey both of them, by sword, all the way to Lin territory, so they rode. The village they eventually arrived in had obviously been a prosperous place at one time. Surrounded by farmland, the houses were large and sturdily built...those that were still standing. As Lan Zhan dismounted neatly, Wei Ying patted his mount's head before joining him. They had ridden in, through a plain of flat farmland, and passed several ruined properties, and some cleared spaces that looked as though they had once held houses. The village main street seemed to have a similar problem.

Within moments of their arrival, a small but relatively well dressed man hurried forward, to bow respectfully to the pair. "Greetings, Childe. Welcome to Zhauze-Fujin, such as it is. My name is Jiang Mingsheng, and I am the village elder."

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying bowed in return then, as was often the case, Wei Ying took on the role of spokesman. "Greetings Master Jiang. I am Wei Wuxian and this is Han Guang Jun. Leader Jin Rulan said you had some trouble and he sent us to help."

Jiang Mingsheng's eyes widened at mention of Han Guang Jun and Wei Ying bit back a smile. By now he was used to this reaction to his partner's name, and more than a little relieved that his own was less well known among the common folk. Chengching was safely tucked into the back of his belt at present, but he did not like to consider what reaction they would have garnered if he had been recognised as the Yiling Patriarch. Fortunately, over time, the title had become detached from the person, and nowadays “His Excellency” garnered more attention than he.

“We were told to expect someone.” Jiang Mingsheng bowed even lower, “But we did not expect His Excellency to attend in person.”

The use of his title did not produce even a flicker of reaction from Lan Zhan, who turned about slowly, surveying the street. "Have you an inn?"

Jiang Mingsheng bowed yet again. "Apologies Childe, but our inn is no more." He nodded to a large area of cleared land to their left. If one looked carefully, the stone foundations of what had once been a large building, with several other outbuildings, could just be made out among the mud and weeds. "We get few visitors these days. I hope you will accept lodging with my family." Taking Han Guang Jun's lack of response as disapproval he hastened to add, "You will be made most welcome in our humble manor. We have stabling for your horses, my lady wife keeps a very tidy home, and she is an excellent cook."

A loud crack, followed by a series of creaks, pops and rumbles, had all three spinning to their right. A small building seemed to tremble for a moment and then, unexpectedly, began to slowly fold in upon itself, like a paper lantern suddenly deprived of its ribs. There was a loud wail and an elderly grandmother tottered out of the door.

Wei Ying was there first, grabbing her close and running out of range of the collapsing walls. The lady pushed against him ineffectually, all the while crying "Boqin! Boqin!"

It was Lan Zhan who made the connection, darting through a door already swinging off one creaking hinge. Behind him, the wall began to bow outward at an alarming angle and the sound of collapsing floors could be heard from within. Wei Ying held his breath, letting it out explosively as Lan Zhan re-appeared, carrying a white-haired old man on his back. He ran, dodging roof tiles and wooden beams with an agility Wei Ying would never have been able to match, even at the height of his cultivation skills. When he set down the elder next to his lady the couple hugged tightly, before turning to watch their home finally collapse in a slide of moss covered roof tiles, splinters and dust.

Other villagers appeared, to stand and stare or comfort the elderly couple, and Wei Ying found it strange that none seemed to be overly surprised at the event. Lan Zhan frowned...or at least his brows puckered slightly. Once the dust had settled sufficiently he stepped closer, dropping to one knee to touch a thick supporting timber. His finger brushed the grain then, at the tiniest of pressures, sank deep. He snatched it back at once, and Wei Ying watched in astonishment as the beam, as thick as a young girl's waist, simply crumbled away to dust before his eyes. Lan Zhan would have examined further it but Mingsheng tugged him away...a maneuver that would not have succeeded had Lan Zhan wished to resist. Now his frown deepened and he turned it upon Jiang Boqin.

The elder tucked his weeping wife beneath his arm as he dared to meet that pale gaze. He made a shallow obeisance, obviously hampered by age. "My thanks to you, Childe."

Wei Ying stepped in at once to slip his own arms beneath those of this elder. "We did little, Sir." He waved at several other large piles of rubble up and down the obviously once prosperous street. "Is such an occurrence common in your village? I've never seen a house collapse so quickly, unless by some earthquake."

It was Mingsheng who replied. "It was not common before, but it is more and more frequent here these days. It is why we have requested your aid."

Lan Zhan suddenly sprang into action, obviously having spotted something in the rubble. He dug through a pile of wood that crumbled in his hands, even as he tried to move it. Wei Ying followed, gasping as Lan Zhan's action revealed a wriggling pile of fat, pale larva, who burrowed away into the dirt as soon as they were exposed to the light. When Wei Ying would have bent to catch one, Mingsheng used a surprisingly strong grip to snatch his hand away. "Careful, Childe. Their skin secretes a poisonous slime."

Both turned questioning eyes upon him but he only beckoned them down the street, toward a large manor. Behind them, a young couple arrived, leading the sobbing elderly householders away. Wei Ying questioned as they walked, Lan Zhan shadowing silent but attentive, as usual.

"Poisonous, you say? But they looked like ordinary termites, and they're not poisonous. They're also usually discovered long before they can cause that much damage."

Mingsheng held open wide double doors, waving them into a light and airy courtyard and turning left into a well appointed room. A servant accepted the reins of their horses and led them away. "I'm afraid things are no longer usual here." A statuesque lady entered from another doorway, her clothes simple but spotless, and not a hair on her head out of place. Mingsheng smiled. "My wife, Jiang Bai. Bai, these are the Childe sent by our clan leader. Please fetch tea. They have had a long journey."

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying bowed to the lady and she blushed, returning their polite greeting with a deep dip of her own. "Welcome to our home, Childe. I have a room ready for you, and our daughter will fill a bath while you take tea." She shot a pointed look to her husband. "Discussion of our problem can wait until after you have refreshed yourselves."

Wei Ying felt his partner stiffen and surreptitiously tapped a finger against one white-bound wrist. It was his experience that more information could be gleaned by allowing people to relate their tale in their own words, and their own time. "You are very kind, lady. I, for one, would very much appreciate a bath and some good food. I smell of horse, and your husband promised us that you set a good table."

As he had hoped would be the case, Jiang Bai's proud smile widened and she left hurriedly, no doubt to make arrangements for both food and baths. As Jiang Mingsheng offered seats, Wei Ying hoped they had a proper bath house. In their travels he considered he had endured more than his fill of standing in a basin, trying to bathe with just a ladle and bucket of lukewarm water. Additionally, he had quickly discovered that travelling by horse was a slow and smelly business and, not for the first time, missed travelling by sword. Every time Lan Zhan unprotestingly rode or walked at his side Wei Ying's heart warmed.

Tea was brought, served with tiny honey wafers, and drunk amid light conversation about the weather or the journey. Wei Ying had not failed to notice that although they had ridden through lush fields for many miles, within about one mile of Zhaoze-Fujin the vegetation became stunted, disappearing completely within the village boundaries. What cattle he spied were pastured well beyond the village, and Wei Ying thought he had even spotted men burying a couple of animal carcasses in one of the closer fields.

After a polite interval Jiang Bai led them through the house to a comfortable room at the quiet rear of the property. "I shall send our daughter, Jiang Chun, to show you to our bath house when all is ready. If you need anything, Childe, you need only call. aChun and I will be in the kitchen, nearby."

Once she had departed, Wei Ying unfastened the small pack slung across his shoulder, dropping it upon one of the beds. Lan Zhan carried no pack, instead crossing the room to run his palm along a couple of wooden wall supports in a way that had Wei Ying eyeing both walls and ceiling. Apparently satisfied, Lan Zhan settled, cross legged, at a table.

Wei Ying sprawled opposite. "The house is not about to collapse on us, then?"

Lan Zhan nodded. "I detect no infestations."

Wei Ying shuddered. "Good. Being buried alive isn't the death I was hoping for this time around."

His partner's cold gaze threatened but Wei Ying only grinned. "I know I shall be safe with you around to protect me, oh great Han Guang Jun. But just how good are you at slicing and dicing termites?"

Lan Zhan closed his eyes, resting a hand upon each knee, his first finger and thumb forming elegant and perfect gyan mudra. "The killing of insects is forbidden."

WeiYing snorted. "If it's them or me, I'll take my punishment. But I wonder why they are so particularly vicious here?"

"Insufficient information at present."

Chapter Text

The Jiang manor was not as large as some Wei Ying had encountered, but it turned out to be as comfortably appointed as any inn, if not more so. A servant showed Lan Zhan and Wei Ying to a fine bathhouse, across a small courtyard to the rear of their room, where plenty of hot water was provided. An hour later both were clean and Wei Ying at least was more than a little hungry. If Lan Zhan was, nobody would ever know. In their time together, Wei Ying had never even heard his stomach rumble. Maybe that was part of Lan training. He grinned at the thought that no Lan disciple's stomach would dare to make such unruly sounds.

It was the daughter of the household, Jiang Chun, who led them to the dining table. Wei Ying was secretly amused when Wangi's eyes homed in on the teapot, from which drifted the unmistakeable scent of rose petals. It was one of the few things guaranteed to lure LanZhan to a dining table. Jiang Bai lived up to her husband's claims and that table almost groaned with the weight of dishes. If the contents of most were based around chicken and root vegetables the two visitors made no complaint, for the dishes were cooked to perfection and plentiful.

Jiang Chun, was very attentive to Lan Zhan in particular, and Wei Ying enjoyed watching his lover trying to avoid her frank and obviously approving gaze. On more than one occasion he noted her mother tap her wrist when judging aChun overly besotted. Wei Ying could hardly blame the girl. Lan Zhan's were the kind of looks that would draw a crowd in the middle of a desert. At one time Wei Ying would have felt a possessive tinge of jealousy, but Lan Zhan had long since made it very clear that he had eyes for only one person, and Wei Ying was that fortunate one.

It was some time before the chewing slowed enough to permit conversation although, of course, Lan Zhan had set down his chopsticks some time ago, and was now sipping contentedly on his fourth cup of rose petal tea. WeiYing smiled inwardly, for he was about to break one of his partner's most sacred rules. Talking at the dinner table was frowned upon in Cloud Recesses. He had no idea why. Family chat's around the dining table were some of Wei Ying's most treasured childhood memories, as long as the lady Yu Zi Yuan did not deign to join them. He cleared a lump from his throat, offering up a silent contrition as he recalled the finely carved plaque in the family memorial hall.

Jiang Bai offered a sweet dainty and Wei Ying accepted readily. "I think this is the best meal I have tasted for some time, Lady Jiang Bai. Thank you for your hospitality." He held back a grin as Lan Zhan declined a sweet wafer, offered by aChun.

Jiang Bai blushed at the title, and it was her husband who replied. "It is the least we can do to repay you for your coming efforts, Childe Wei, Your Excellency."

"Speaking of our efforts...what exactly is your problem, Master Jiang? You surely have not invited us to deal with your termite problem."

Jiang Mingsheng squirmed a little. "Actually, in a way, yes. The termites are just part of a bigger problem."

Lan Zhan set down his cup, pale eyes skewering their host in a way that had Mingsheng squirming again. "You see, it is not just the termites. There are the poisonous toads, and the crickets that eat all our crops. The bath houses must be checked regularly for snakes too; snakes that are not usually venomous but have suddenly become so. They are killing the cattle and will attack people too. It is as though the whole of nature has suddenly turned against our poor village."

Jiang Bai nodded. "I still say it's the swamp. Nobody dare go near it nowadays, and it is spreading." She shuddered. "They say strange lights haunt it at night."

Mingsheng patted her hand. "Now, aBai. That swamp has been there for generations. It's just that." He turned an apologetic gaze to the watchful Lan Zhan. "She pays too much attention to gossip and legend, I'm afraid, Childe."

Wei Ying bit into his delicious little desert, pausing to lick honey from his lips before asking, "What legend would that be? Han Guang Jun here is a collector of strange legends." He glanced aside in time to see the infinitesimal narrowing of WangJi's eyes, and hid his smile behind the pretence of dabbing his mouth with a napkin. From the first moment they met, when still teens, teasing WangJi had been one of his favourite occupations.

Finding herself with an attentive audience, Jiang Bai leaned in. "Since before I was born, it has been said that the swamp is haunted. My mother used to say that when she was a girl it was only half the size it is now, and every year it spreads nearer to the village."

"That's just imagination, mixed with heavier rains in the past few years," Mingsheng observed with a sniff. "Pay no attention to her, Childe. I don't know what is causing our problems but I'm certain it's not a bit of extra water on the land."

Jiang Bai would not be put off however. "You weren't raised here, Mingsheng. I know what I know, and I know that the swamp used to stop at the other side of the Qinchi road. It's only ten years ago that they had to divert the road to go around the new boundary. And old Boqin says he will no longer collect reeds from it. He says they are all rotten at the centre and of no use for thatch."

Wei Ying used a finger to wipe the final delicious drop of honey from his dish. "Perhaps we shall take a look at this swamp tomorrow. If you have no other ideas, it will be as good a place as any to begin our search."

Mingsheng shrugged, although Bai threw a smug smile her husband's way. "You know best, Childe. Would you like me to show you the way tomorrow morning?"

"No. We will manage," Lan Zhan replied. Below the table, Wei Ying flicked a finger at his thigh in admonishment. Lan Zhan did not so much as blink at the sting.

Wei Ying tried to softened his partner's abrupt words. "We don't want to take you away from your work. You no doubt have much to do. If the swamp is as big as you imply it should not be difficult for us to find. In fact I believe I spotted it in the distance as we rode in."

"When the wind is in the wrong direction, you'll smell it before you see it," Jiang Bai observed, wrinkling her nose. "Just take the main road north."

"Thank you. Now I think we have imposed on you for too long. We will go to our beds so that we can start our investigations early." Wei Ying stood and Lan Zhan flowed smoothly to his feet at his side. The two bowed to their hosts.

Once back in their room Wei Ying flopped onto a bed, amid the detritus of his pack. WangJi remained standing. Used to the pregnant silences of his partner Wei Ying grinned. "What is it you want to say?"

"Hauntings do not usually occur in daylight."

Wei Ying's grin widened. "Of course not. But I didn't want Jiang Mingsheng offering to come with us. We shall give them a couple of hours to get settled and then let ourselves out quietly."

Lan Zhan moved to the other bed, settling himself cross-legged and closing his eyes. Wei Ying pouted. "Are you just going to meditate?"

"What would you suggest?"

"Well. It is two hours." He climbed to his feet, crossing the room to join Lan Zhan, who's eyes popped open as he allowed himself to be tackled onto his back.

Three hours later Wei Ying inhaled, then grimaced. "I think we're getting near that swamp." He grinned, tapping Lan Zhan on the arm. "It reminds me of a certain vegetable garden."

It was dark, so Lan Zhan allowed himself the luxury of rolling his eyes.

Wei Ying's grimace morphed into a grin. "I saw that." He gasped as his chest suddenly slammed into Lan Zhan's strong arm. "Ouch! Lan Zhan!"

"Cow pat."

Wei Ying rubbed at what he suspected would be a bruised rib in the morning. "No need to get rude, Lan Zhan."

Lan Zhan pointed to the ground, one step ahead of his partner, where a particularly large and juicy cow pat had been deposited sometime recently. Without his swift action, Wei Ying would have stepped in it. Lan Zhan tugged gently and Wei Ying did a very precise sidestep. "Thank you, Lan Zhan. That could have been nasty."

If the pair thought such an unpleasant smell was to be their only worry they were mistaken. Around the next bend in the road they discovered the depositor of that cow pat. It was sprawled on its side in the ditch, very dead and already starting to bloat in the humid summer evening air. Lan Zhan frowned then turned to continue down the road, with Wei Ying running to catch up, whilst vainly trying to hold his breath against the stench. Wei Ying nearly ran into him again when Lan Zhan halted suddenly, narrowly avoiding another encounter between his ribs and Lan Zhan's arm. "Lan Zhan. We need some kind of signalling system for when you're going to do that."

"A fork."

Sure enough, the road split, with one branch leading left and the other right. Wei Ying turned his head this way and that, sniffing as deeply as he dared. "I think we need to go left."

Lan Zhan turned right. For a moment Wei Ying put his hands on narrow hips and scowled. Then he realised that Lan Zhan could not see him. There was no point scowling if there was nobody there to appreciate the effort. "Wait for me!" He turned right.

Half an hour later the two stood before a poorly constructed road block, beyond which could be heard the croaking and chirping of a great many insects and frogs. A sudden intensity to the breeze brought with it a foetid stench that had Wei Ying turning his head aside to retch. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "I ate too much."

"As always."

"Not all of us can exist on music and tea."

Lan Zhan levitated elegantly over the barrier, to land neatly upon the other side. Not to be outdone, Wei Ying used a similar tactic, offering a cheeky bow to his partner as he landed. He noticed that Lan Zhan managed to resist the temptation to roll his eyes this time, if only barely.

This time it was Wei Ying who stopped Lan Zhan, by grabbing his sleeve. "It's gone very quiet." It had, indeed, become quiet. All the chirps and croaks had stopped, the only sound now the soft sigh of a foul breeze forcing its way through tall tufts and banks of dry, rustling reeds. Both looked around but could see nothing out of the ordinary. In truth, it was almost impossible to see anything at all. The combination of darkness and pale ribbons of mist curling in the air about them, made it difficult to pick a way through the sucking mud and potentially ankle-twisting tussocks of dry grass.

Now it was Wei Ying who threw out an arm, and Lan Zhan stopped easily, a hairs breadth away from touching. It always amused Wei Ying that outside of their shared bed, his lover still had an aversion to being touched. He pointed ahead, to where a pale globe of blue light hovered in the rising mist. "What's that?"

Lan Zhan narrowed his gaze. "I do not know."

From long habit, Wei Ying touched the tassel of the flute, tucked into his belt. "That's good. I thought it was just me."

Lan Zhan picked his way on nimble feet, directly toward the strange blue glow. Wei Ying tried to follow his path, as the luminous sphere bobbed ahead, always just on the edge of their vision. The surrounding silence encouraged him to drop his voice. "Lan Zhan, we could be walking into a trap."

"Other options?”

"No. I just thought I'd point it out. Ouch!"

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just tripped on a stone. It wa ... Lan Zhan, there's another one."

Lan Zhan looked down. Sure enough, a line of stones, half submerged in mud and moss, ran alongside their path. "A wall," he observed.

"It was." The mist swirled and Wei Ying pointed a little further away. "There's another."

Lan Zhan turned back to study their path. The globe of light hovered, too and fro, still beckoning them deeper into the swamp. "Follow?"

Wei Ying nodded. "Just keep Bichen handy. I don't like this."

"Is there a “weak and feeble” man in need of protection?"

Wei Ying laughed, the sound seeming to echo back hollowly from the surrounding mist. "WangJi! You pick the oddest times to make a joke." Wei Ying glanced behind. "There are more of them." There were, indeed, more of them. They were gradually being surrounded by a flock of sickly pale bobbing lights. "Ghosts?"

"Perhaps." LanZhan held out Bichen and Wei Ying accepted it without hesitation, one of the few people trusted to hold that sword. A broad wave of his wide-sleeved arm, and Lan Zhan's qin hovered, expectantly, before his waist. A stilling breath, and Lan Zhan set fingers to pale strings. Carefully trimmed nails plucked a series of melodic notes. They were followed by the slither of Bichen being drawn, as Wei Ying, stationed at his back, pointed it toward one particular ball of light, that he judged to have drifted too close. Light reflected dimly upon the blade for a moment, then withdrew.

A thin string of notes dropped into the stillness. Even the wind seemed to have faded, here, at the centre of the swamp. Wei Ying risked a glance behind him, to whisper in LanZhan's ear. "What did you ask?"

"Who are you?"

"The answer?"

"Nobody."

Wei Ying shook his head, even as he turned to point Bichen's cold blade toward another cold light that had drifted close. "Helpful. Why do ghosts always speak in riddles?"

Lan Zhan's brows puckered slightly. "They do not. They answer precisely what I ask."

"Ahh. Meaning you have not asked the right question."

"Or that it has no body?"

"Prevarication. Clever."

A slightly different fall of notes declared LanZhan's next attempt, followed moments later by an answering line.

"I asked it's name. It replied, 'Lei Feng'."

"It's a start. Ask why he is here."

The qin spoke and the gap was quite long this time, followed by a short, sharp reply. Lan Zhan's voice was low. "He says this is his home."

A gust of air and an eddy in the fog revealed that they stood at the centre of a series of tumbled ruins. Wei Ying narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of the remains. "This was a village!"

There was a brief exchange of notes. "It was called Baifan."

"Have you heard of it?"

"No."

"Me neither. Although I don't know the name of every village in Lin territory. Try asking him what happened to the village."

More notes, that bounced eerily off the returning mist. "A clan war."

Wei Ying sighed. "Let me guess. A war between the Lei and the Jiang clans?"

Lan Zhan relayed the question, receiving a terse reply. "Yes."

Wei Ying continued to wave Bichen in a wide semi-circle, distrustful of the intentions of the lights. "From the look of these ruins, the battle was long ago. Why have they only recently begun to haunt Zhaoze-Fujin?"

Wei Ying was unsure whether it was his imagination, but the reply now sounded angry. By contrast, Lan Zhan's voice was calm, as always. "They were bound to the land, and forgotten."

"Bound? How? Why? And who released them now? Why were they forgotten?"

"Wei Ying! One question at a time to receive clear answers." Nonetheless, his fingers plucked query, his notes calm and measured whilst the replies became increasingly frantic.

The lights grew agitated, dancing closer and circling, as though seeking some opening in Wei Ying's defence. "I don't like the sound of that, WangJi"

"The entire clan was killed. Then thrown into a pit, without proper rites or memorial. A binding was performed, sealing them to the ground." Wei Ying stepped away from his partner slightly, to give himself room to swing Bichen, for the lights were dancing ever closer. "Recent flooding broke the seal."

"And now they're angry," Wei Ying finished for him. "And I don't think they're bothered about who they take their revenge on." He waved Bichen at a particularly persistent blob of light. "You'd better take Bichen. I think they know you're more of a threat with it than I."

A flutter of white caught his eye and the qin disappeared. Strong fingers wrapped about his, taking both blade and sheath easily from his grasp. The lights danced back a few paces and Wei Ying tugged Chengching free of his belt. In a fight against spirits his weapon may be of more use than even Bichen's glittering blade.

Chapter Text

Even as he touched his bottom lip to cool, dark wood, the light's spun closer, weaving a complex dance. Wei Ying recognised their tactic at once. "Lan Zhan, don't follow their movements. They're trying to enchant."

At his back, Lan Zhan blinked, shaking his head as he relaxed his grip upon Bichen's chased hilt. In matters pertaining to the darker spirit world, Wei Ying knew his partner trusted him implicitly, but still he glanced behind to verify that Lan Zhan had, indeed, dropped his gaze to perceive the lights only in peripheral vision, where they had less opportunity to mesmerise.

On some unspoken signal they swept in and the Yling Patriarch's flute spoke, shrill and commanding. Shadow chased light even as Lan Zhan's blade described a shimmering blue arc, slicing apart the first ghostly blob that came within range, but the two halves of the light merely bobbed away, reforming into one a few yards distant. Beneath the strident melody of Chengching, Wei Ying was aware of a cacophony of sound returning in challenge. The swamp was marshalling it's army. Clouds of insects arose, so that he was soon fully occupied keeping them at bay.

At his back, Lan Zhan chopped the head from a snake that had sneaked within his guard. "We need to leave."

Wei Ying was too busy to spare breath for a reply, but when Lan Zhan moved he followed as closely as he could. They had long since perfected their dance, and he ducked as Bichen whistled over his head to dice a strange looking bird, leaped as the blade swept through the air where his legs had been, to skewer a bloated white toad. Baifan's residents were giving no quarter and would get none in return from Han Guang Jun. Experience had clearly taught him that there was a time for rules about killing, and there was a time to abandon those rules.

A sharp gasp from LanZhan, and Wei Ying shot him a startled glance, but his companion continued to whirl and thrust. Perhaps he had lost his footing momentarily in the sucking mud. Wei Ying concentrated upon his melody, and sticking close within the safe circle of Lan Zhan's blade as they retraced their steps to dry land. The journey seemed to take an age, and WeiYing was beginning to wonder if Lan Zhan had mistaken their direction, when a slight thinning of the mist revealed the line of the first wall they had found upon entry.

He spared a breath to point it out to Lan Zhan, turning to impart the news, and his eyes widened. His partner's face was grey and perspiration dripped into glazed eyes. The hand that wielded Bichen was swollen and dark, but still he moved, protecting them both. Even as Wei Ying watched, that protection failed as pale eyes rolled up, and Lan Zhan crumpled to the ground before Wei Ying could reach out to catch him.

A final shriek of Chengching and Wei Ying grabbed Lan Zhan, tugging him up and over his shoulder as he pulled together all his core strength and took them both, in one mighty leap, up past the barrier and several yards along the road. There, he laid Lan Zhan down carefully, cradling his head in his lap as he turned to check for any pursuit. Although the ghosts bobbed in a huddle at the other side of the barrier, they seemed reluctant to go any further and began to wink out, one by one. Wei Ying tried not to speculate upon whether they could not pass the barrier, or whether they simply thought they had achieved their goal, and need not pass.

Wei Ying bent to examine his partner, lifting one slack eyelid then touching three fingers to a mud-caked wrist. To his relief, although life pulsed way too fast and erratic, it did pulse.

At any other time he would have found the usually pristine Han Guang Jun's current state amusing, for he was caked, head to toe, in sticky black slime, with barely an inch spared from the mire. Now Wei Ying sheathed Bichen and lifted the swollen hand, using a corner of his own comparatively clean under-robe to wipe away some of the slime. There, at the centre of the back were two tiny puncture wounds, from which trickled a little blood.

He tapped one cheek. "Lan Zhan? WangJi?" There was no response at first but then slack eyelids fluttered and lifted to reveal unfocused eyes, their pale iris' almost swallowed by wide black pupils.

The whispered, "I'm fine" was at best pathetic and at worst more than a little worrying, drawing forth as it did, memories of another time.

"Of course you are. But I'm still going to carry you." Wei Ying tugged Lan Zhan to his feet, grabbing Bichen and wrapping the uninjured arm about his shoulders.

"Not necessary."

"Necessary," Wei Ying insisted as he bent to slide his arm beneath Lan Zhan's knees and hoist him up against his chest.

"Wa...!" Lan Zhan squirmed.

"Lan Zhan! You've been poisoned. Walking will spread it too quickly. If you don't sit still I shall fall and that will hurt both of us. And if I trip over these fancy robes that you insist on wearing I swear I shall rip them off you."

In response, Lan Zhan turned his head away and was violently sick. Wei Ying tried to make light of their predicament, although he was actually very concerned. "Thank you for turning away at least. I thought we'd got past the point of you spitting up if I suggest undressing."

Lan Zhan gave a very uncharacteristic moan, dropping his head onto his captor's shoulder. Wei Ying began to walk. At first he tried talking, attempting to keep Lan Zhan conscious, jostling him every time he felt no response, but after a while he simply had not the energy to spare.

Lan Zhan was sick several times, each time leaving him weaker, and Wei Ying was extremely worried by the time he kicked frantically upon the manor's sturdy and firmly locked door. "Jiang Mingsheng! Open the door!"

When Mingsheng opened to them his eyes widened as he took in their state. Wei Ying considered offering his most winning smile, then settled for shouldering past his host instead. His arms were burning with the effort of carrying his partner, but there was no way he would have abandoned him.

"What happened?" Jiang Mingsheng hurriedly stepped aside to allow them entrance.

"We took a quick look at the swamp."

Jiang Bai appeared from another room, blinking as she saw Wei Ying, with the silent and now totally unresponsive Lan Zhan in his arms. "Never mind that. Can't you see one of them is injured? Come in, Childe. Mingsheng, go and wake the doctor. I shall wake aChun and get her to prepare the bath house. We need to get Childe Han Guang Jun clean before the doctor can work on him." Had he the energy, Wei Ying could have kissed the practical and collected lady.

Jiang Mingsheng grabbed his lantern and hurried out, while Jiang Bai led them to their room. Stripping off the bedding, she spread an old sheet before signalling for Wei Ying to lower his burden. "Is he wounded?"

Wei Ying grabbed a nearby towel and began trying to wipe away the dirt from Lan Zhan's hand. "I think he was bitten by something."

Jiang Bai watched over Wei Ying's shoulder as the hand was revealed. "Snake bite," she announced with a tut and a shake of her head. She rubbed away some of the dried mud with her fingers before laying a gentle hand upon Lan Zhan's brow. "He's brewing a fever but he's a strong one, so it may not kill him. I'll fetch water while you get him out of those clothes. aFeng's old robes will be a little short but they'll do for now." She gave Wei Ying a quick appraisal. "Are you injured?"

"I'm unhurt."

"Your clothes are dirty too. I'll be back in a few minutes with clean clothes for both of you."

Wei Ying looked down at his garments. A great deal of mud had transferred from Lan Zhan's robes so he decided to lose the outer layer at least, or any efforts to clean up his partner would be fruitless.

Lan Zhan had been lying still but now he rolled onto his side and brought up a quantity of dark blood. Wei Ying was there at once, helping him to settle back. "There now. That will help you feel better." At least WangJi was conscious again, if only barely.

"No," was all Lan Zhan said in reply, closing his eyes.

He was trembling now and Wei Ying began to worry about venom that could build a fever so swiftly. He tried to keep his tone light, although he wondered whether it was for his own sake or WangJi's. "Then maybe getting you out of all this filth will. I know how you feel about being dirty."

Having dropped his own outer robe Wei Ying began to unravel Lan Zhan from the many layers of thickly crusted clothing. It was no easy matter, for the mud had begun to dry and the fine layers of cotton and silk were sticking together. He had only succeeded in removing one outer garment by the time Bai returned, with a large wooden bowl of water and a selection of rags and towels.

When she saw Wei Ying hesitate over removing more of Lan Zhan's clothing she snorted. "I've been married for many years, young Childe. Men's bodies hold no secrets for me, and very little fascination at my age." She set down the basin and a pile of clothing. "Let me help you."

If Wei Ying thought his partner was unconscious again he was mistaken, for Lan Zhan's eyes opened wide, his head rolling toward Madam Bai. "I can manage." His voice was little more than a husk.

"I don't think so. If that is a bite from the coral banded snake you'll be as weak as a new born kitten for days." When Lan Zhan tried to draw away from her touch she sighed. "Young Childe, I have a son your age. If it makes you feel any better I shall call you aFeng and pretend you are he."

Wei Ying could not help a smile. "It will be easier with two of us, Lan Zhan..er...aFeng. I don't think you want to wear these clothes for any longer." He unfastened sash and robe then drew Lan Zhan to rest against his chest. Jiang Bai tugged at sleeves and within moments Lan Zhan was down to his under garments. Wei Ying and Jiang Bai worked together to remove boots and then, much to Lan Zhan's apparent relief, Jiang Bai turned her back as Wei Ying wrangled his partner out of the last layers and wrapped him loosely in one of the robes provided.

At a signal from Wei Ying, Jiang Bai turned back and wet a cloth in the basin. "The water's not very warm at the moment, but aChun is stoking the bath house fire. We'll have plenty of hot water soon." She began to wipe, gently but determinedly, to reveal Lan Zhan's too-pale face, while Wei Ying made another attempt to clean the injured hand. He tempered his efforts when Lan Zhan moaned. The hand was very swollen and the two puncture marks were now oozing a mixture of thick, pale green fluid, and blood.

To Wei Ying's surprise, when she saw it, Jiang Bai smiled. "That's a good sign. He's forcing the venom from his body. Make sure you don't touch the fluid directly. It can blister."

A hasty swallow warned Wei Ying that their charge's stomach was about to rebel again, and he rolled Lan Zhan onto his side, so that he threw up onto the pile of already ruined clothing. Lan Zhan's stomach had long since emptied, so it was only a little bile and Wei Ying assumed the fact that there was no blood was promising. Once finished, Wei Ying rolled him back and Jiang Bai efficiently gathered up the clothing with a reassuring smile and, "That's better, aFeng. I'll have these washed and returned to you by tomorrow evening. I'll go and check on the bath house now. You'll both need a proper cleaning."

A little while later there was a light tap at the door and Bai admitted her husband and an ancient and wizened gentleman, carrying the obligatory doctor's box. Both bowed and Wei Ying climbed stiffly to his feet to make his reply. Jiang Mingsheng introduced the other. "This is Jiang Chung. He has been our doctor for as long as I can remember, and is very wise." Jiang Mingsheng brought a small table to the bedside and Jiang Chung began to set out his equipment while Wei Ying fetched him a stool.

Standing with a proprietory hand upon LanZhan's shoulder, Wei Ying watched Jiang Chung at his work. Any misgivings he may have had about this country doctor were soon dispelled. Jiang Chung set a small pad upon his knee, then placed Lan Zhan's wrist upon it, so that he could touch three fingers to the pulse points there. "You took quite a dose, Childe. It is fortunate that you are young and healthy." Lan Zhan's only response was a flicker of his eyelids. Jiang Chung laid the hand back upon Lan Zhan's chest and lifted the loose dressing Wei Ying had placed on the injured one. "Yes. Your body already rejects some of the poison."

Whether Lan Zhan understood the doctors words was debatable. His eyes were closed and he looked to still be fighting an urge to be sick, but the physician's tone was calm and gentle, bringing peace to all the souls within its range. "I shall apply a salve to draw out more, and some needling to ease the discomfort and fever. But first..." He turned to Wei Ying. "Would you be so good as to raise your companion to a sitting position, Childe?"

Wei Ying did so, only too willingly slipping onto the bed so that Lan Zhan's head rested against his shoulder. The doctor produced a small basin, then with surprising strength and speed, stabbed two straight fingers at a point on his patient's upper chest. Lan Zhan convulsed violently, spitting up a large quantity of very dark blood, then collapsed, gasping, into Wei Ying's ready embrace. The doctor studied his charge for a moment, nodding, before examining the contents of the basin. "Very good. We may need to do that again later, but that has cleared some of the congested blood." He offered Lan Zhan a sip of water, then dabbed away the last traces of blood from his lips. "You can lay him down again, now. Remove the robe and roll him onto his stomach please."

Jiang Chung helped to part the borrowed robe, sliding the edges aside until Lan Zhan's shoulders and torso were bared. For a moment he considered the mark left by the Wen iron, palpating the ridged scars. "I have seen too many of these in my time. This has been slow to heal, I think, but time will fade it further." This was news to Wei Ying, who had only recently learned that it had been self-inflicted many years ago, and he assumed that Lan Zhan's tough physique would have brushed off such an injury within days.

Soon Lan Zhan was comfortably settled, his injured hand dressed and resting upon a pad. Wei Ying brushed the still matted hair to one side as the doctor heated and then wiped his needles with some pale blue fluid. When Jiang Chung looked up from his work he blinked, a map-work of caning scars probably the last thing he had been expecting to see on Han Guang Jun's fair form. The glare from Wei Ying worked, however, and he asked no questions. His first hair-fine needle slid home between shoulder blade and spine, narrowly missing one of those marks. There was not a flinch from Lan Zhan, although Wei Ying swallowed loudly. Jiang Chung selected another. "Young Childe, if you intend to be ill I suggest you leave the room. At my age I cannot catch you if you faint, and I do not wish to have two patients."

Wei Ying clenched his jaw. "I'm alright."

The doctor studied him for a long moment and Wei Ying met his gaze evenly. "Yes. I think you are. Very well. I shall continue. Perhaps your companion would benefit from your touch," he added, perceptively. "Come and sit at the other side of me and place your hand on the small of his back, here." Wei Ying complied, smiling when Lan Zhan released a soft sigh at his touch.

Half an hour later Lan Zhan's body had sprouted several needles and the bandage on his hand was stained green again. Jiang Bai returned. If she noticed the scars on Lan Zhan's back she said nothing. "The bath house is ready, Childe. aChun has set out towels and clean robes. Do you need help getting there?"

The doctor nodded. "That would be best. I have done all I can and hot water will do more to draw the poison and break the fever than my needles, now. How are you feeling, Childe Lan? How is the nausea?"

Lan Zhan's nod was slow and careful. "Better. Thank you."

When the doctor would have taken him at his word and reached out to remove a needle, Wei Ying stopped him. "WangJi, are you telling the truth? Have you really stopped feeling sick?"

His partner's deadpan face belied the gentle humour he managed to muster in the response, "No more clothing to remove."

WeiYing's intense relief was clear in his laugh. "You can remove the needles, doctor."

When they were alone at last Wei Ying helped him from the bed, but when he would have scooped him into his arms once more, LanZhan tottered aside. "I can walk."

For a moment, WeiYing considered arguing, then he only stepped back, folding his arms. "Alright."

LanZhan took a wobbly step, frown deepening as he tried another. His knees buckled and he would have folded to the floor if WeiYing had not stepped in swiftly to hold him up. "Now that we've proved you can't, I shall carry you."

LanZhan's mouth, which had opened to protest, instead gave a most ungentlemanly yelp as WeiYing forestalled him, gathering him into his arms once more.

"LanZhan, you're heavy. Nobody would believe how little you eat if they had to carry you."

LanZhan concentrated upon tugging the loose robe he wore, into a form that preserved what little was left of his dignity. "I did not ask you to carry me."

WeiYing smiled, grunting as he hitched Lan Zhan higher. "It was my turn."

Chapter Text

Wei Ying was really beginning to feel Lan Zhan's weight by the time they reached the bath house. His arms and shoulders were burning and the small of his back was a tight knot of pain. The tall warrior may look as slender as the lilly stem, but every inch was solid muscle, and it was some relief to set his charge down onto a stool at the bath side.

As promised, Jiang Bai had left lots of towels, a couple more clean robes, and other items that bespoke her pride in caring for guests. There were bathing beans, perfumed with lilly and lemons and a large jug holding rice water. Wei Ying grinned, for Lan Zhan always rinsed his hair in rice water. It was one of his little pleasures.

Lan Zhan stood to unfasten his robe, holding on to the edge of the bath when he swayed drunkenly, and gasping as the action put pressure on his swollen hand. Wei Ying sighed, moving in to help. "You are such a nuisance sometimes. I wonder why I put up with you." This only raised what passed for a frown from Lan Zhan, and he tried to push away Wei Ying's pestering hands, but with one injured and the other now grasping the side of the tub for support, he was out manoeuvred easily.

Wei Ying held in a smug smile as, with the minimum of resistance, he managed to force Lan Zhan to sit again. “If you don't want to be sitting in muddy water you'd better let me rinse your hair before you get in the tub.” He filled a large jug with warm water and brought a basin. “Lean back.” Settling on a stool, he coaxed Lan Zhan back to lie across his lap, head hanging over a basin on the floor at Wei Ying's feet. Lan Zhan's eyes slid closed as nimble fingers began to pick at elaborate combs and ties. “Honestly, WangJi, I don't know why you insist on filling your hair with all this hardware."

"It is expected."

Wei Ying had performed this operation often enough by now, that it was truly not a difficult task to remove each comb and tie, despite Lan Zhan's usually glossy hair now being liberally coated in dried mud. Once released from its confinement Wei Ying finger combed the tangled mess as best he could, pouring warm water to sluice away the worst of the mud into the waiting basin.

When he had done as much as he could with water and fingers alone, Wei Ying helped him sit up, to slip out of the borrowed robe, then took a moment to remove his own clothes before helping Lan Zhan into the tub. They had discovered earlier that the tub was big enough for two so, after helping Lan Zhan in, Wei Ying joined him. "Shuffle forward, so I can get behind you and finish washing all this hair. Tilt your head back."

Lan Zhan complied, closing his eyes as Wei Ying used a ladle to pour hot water onto his crown, and sighing as strong fingers massaged cleansing beans into his scalp and then combed down to the ends. Wei Ying allowed his smile to slip as his fingers stroked and circled his lover's scalp. For all his light words in the past hours, seeing the usually so capable Han Guang Jun this vulnerable, was more than a little frightening. He broke from reverie to find pale eyes staring up into his. "I am fine, Wei Ying."

"Of course you are. All this was just a trick to get me to wash your hair." He patted Lan Zhan's shoulder. "Let's get this rice water on, then it can soak while I get the rest of you clean."

The rice water was freshly made, so it was still tepid and Lan Zhan all but purred as it was poured slowly from root to tip. "I can wash myself. You need to bathe too."

Wei Ying took up a handful of cleansing beans and wrapped them in a muslin cloth. "Maybe you can, but you're going to let me do it." At the moment he was too tired to waste time proving it. When he began to rub across Lan Zhan's broad shoulders, the lack of further protest brought a return of the worry. "If you feel sick again let me know. There's a basin."

Lan Zhan's, "I do not," was mumbled into his chest as Wei Ying brushed his hair to one side to use cleansing ball and fingers upon his nape. Warm water worked its magic on an already weakened body and Lan Zhan bent his head to allow him easy access, permitting Wei Ying to wash every inch of him.

Unlike their earlier experience in the bath, there was no sexual intent in his actions, but every stroke bespoke love and he could feel Lan Zhan relaxing more and more beneath his care. When he had finished, Wei Ying gave one final rinse to the long dark hair and then, easing him to rest against the side of the tub, took a quick five minutes to wash himself. When he turned back he could see that Lan Zhan was on the edge of sleep, so he climbed out, hastily drying and donning one of the robes. It was too short, ending just below his knees, but could easily have wrapped around his trim hips twice.

"Come on, sleepy. Let me help you out before that water goes cold or you drown yourself." Weakness and warm water seemed to melt the usually upright and contained Lan Zhan, and Wei Ying struggled to manoeuvre his lax frame onto the stool, so that he could towel dry and wrap him in the other clean robe. Wei Ying bit back a smile. Han Guang Jun would be horrified if his students could see him now, sprawled in a boneless pose that would have given any Lan elder apoplexy, drowsy eyes peeping from behind a loose veiling curtain of towel-tousled hair, and a robe that fell only to his knees and hung open to the waist. He bent to wrap it closed and cinch the sash tighter, before lifting Lan Zhan into his arms again. There was no protest this time and Lan Zhan's head dropped onto Wei Ying's shoulder.

Mingsheng held the door for them as they returned to the manor. "Jiang Bai has left fresh bandages and the doctor sent a salve to help draw the rest of the venom. There's a sedative too, but from the look of His Excellency you won't need it."

"Thank you, Master Jiang." Wei Ying lowered his burden onto the bed, draping Lan Zhan in a soft quilt. Out of long habit, Lan Zhan folded his hands upon his chest, the slightest narrowing of his eyes letting Wei Ying know that the movement had caused pain.

"Will you need anything else, Childe?"

Lan Zhan was clearly beyond caring so it was Wei Ying who replied, clasping hands before him and offering a shallow bow. "There is nothing. Thank you again, and please pass on our thanks to your lady. I think the best cure now is sleep. We will talk about our discoveries tomorrow."

Mingsheng's eyes lit up. "You found something?"

Wei Ying lowered himself wearily, to sit upon the edge of the bed. "We did. But it can wait until tomorrow."

"Of course, Childe. Goodnight." Wei Ying sighed in relief as Mingsheng closed the door. He was almost as tired as Lan Zhan by now, but he took time to tend to the snake bite before stepping over his partner to slip beneath the quilt with him. There was no way he was leaving Lan Zhan to sleep alone tonight.

Lan Zhan's eyes were closed, his breathing slow and even, but he rolled onto his side as soon as Wei Ying settled. Wei Ying smiled, placing a tender kiss upon soft lips before wrapping arms about his partner and drawing the damp head to his shoulder. This was an unexpected pleasure, for it was usually Wei Ying who sought the comfort of enfolding arms. At his collarbone he felt the lightest brush of lips, before he too, dipped into sleep.

Morning arrived late for most of the household, after the previous evening's drama. Unusually, it was Wei Ying who awoke first, to discover that at some point during the night, Lan Zhan had rolled onto his back. He took that as a good sign.

Before climbing over his partner, Wei Ying unwrapped the injured hand. The puncture wounds had sealed and the swelling was much reduced, so he decided not to replace the dressing. As he was sitting, rolling the bandage, Lan Zhan opened heavy eyes, revealing pupils that had shrunk to their normal size, and Wei Ying bent to lay a chaste kiss upon one pale and sculpted cheek. "How do you feel?"

When Lan Zhan opened his mouth to reply, Wei Ying interjected with, "And don't say, 'fine'. How do you really feel?"

"Not sick."

"Well, that's an improvement. Can you move your hand?"

Lan Zhan lifted his hand just a few inches and made a rather poor attempt at a fist. "Yes."

Wei Ying chuckled. "But not very well. No sword fighting for you today." He helped his partner sit up, propping him with spare cushions. "I wonder what time it is? I can hear the family moving around, so I'll go and fetch you some food." He stood, stepping neatly over Lan Zhan's legs.

Lan Zhan made to remove the quilt but Wei Ying stopped him. "Oh, no you don't. The doctor said you should at least spend today in bed."

Lan Zhan simply ignored him, setting his feet upon the floor and then looking down in confusion at the short robe he wore, which had parted and ridden up to immodest levels with his movement. He plucked at it. "Where are my clothes?"

Wei Ying shook his head. "Probably in the laundry, if they haven't been burned. You were a bit of a mess when I carried you back."

Lan Zhan's eyes widened and so did WeiYing's grin. "Yes. You are heavier than you look, Han Guang Jun." He put a hand to the small of his back and flexed from side to side, then circled a shoulder. "My back may never recover."

"You carried me." It was part statement of fact and part accusation.

"WangJi! You were in no fit state to walk, and with the poison in your body you should not have been moving at all."

There was a light tap at the door and both men adjusted clothing before Wei Ying called, "Come in."

It was Jiang Bai who entered, her face breaking into a smile when she saw her guests alert. "Good morning, Childe. I would have waited a little longer but the doctor has returned to check upon Master Han Guang Jun.” Her smile dimpled. “It is good to see you looking better. Your clothes will be returned to you later today. Until then I hope you will continue to wear my son's robes." Now she bestowed her smile upon Wei Ying. "Your under clothes at least are clean but the outer ones are also being laundered." She handed over a small pile of clean under clothing. Wei Ying decided not to ask when she had collected them. "These only needed pressing."

Wei Ying accepted them with a bow, trying not to laugh as, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lan Zhan twitch the quilt over a bare leg. "If you will allow us a moment, I shall dress before the doctor enters."

Jiang Bai nodded, leaving. A few minutes later Wei Ying had dressed and persuaded Lan Zhan that in his current state of undress, remaining in bed was the best option after all. The doctor was as ancient and wizened as Wei Ying remembered from the night before. He was also as efficient, checking several pulse points before nodding. "You are much recovered, Childe. Your core is already repairing the damage, and you should be able to leave your bed for a little while this evening, as long as you rest thoroughly for the remainder of the day. I recommend that you take life easy for several days. You are strong but even your body can only do so much."

Lan Zhan's glare could be intimidating, but even he demurred when the doctor met his eyes squarely. "Would you like me to administer a sedative to aid with that?"

"Not necessary."

Wei Ying shook his head. "Don't worry, doctor. At present he's so weak I could probably hold him down with one hand." He also ignored the glare Lan Zhan sent his way, folding his arms and refusing to back down. "But if you'd like to leave that sedative, I shall make sure to use it on him if I have to."

As it happened, the sedative was not required. After a light meal taken in bed, Lan Zhan surrendered, lying down again, and was asleep within minutes.

Several hours later, having finally dressed in their own, freshly cleaned clothes, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan arrived at the dinner table looking much more presentable. Although Lan Zhan was obviously much improved from a full day's rest, he did not avoid the supporting arm Wei Ying laid unobtrusively about his waist.

Wei Ying noted that the daughter was absent, and when he sent an enquiring glance to her empty place Jiang Bai smiled at Lan Zhan. “Our daughter, aChun, asks to be excused. I decided it was time she visited her aunt.” Lan Zhan's body relaxed infinitesimally.

As it had been on the previous evening, the table was crowded with plates and bowls, full of delicious food. Lan Zhan did not eat much, but it was difficult to know whether this was habit or a lingering upset digestive system. His hand was still a little stiff, although that would not be noticeable to anyone other than Wei Ying, and he managed his chopsticks competently enough. Unlike the previous evening, however, polite small talk was pushed aside in favour of more serious conversation.

Mingsheng broached the subject first, helping himself to one of the vegetable dishes. "I hope you are feeling better, Your Excellency."

"Thank you for your care." Lan Zhan poured tea and Wei Ying took the opportunity to slip a little piece of chicken into his partner's rice dish. Lan Zhan only blinked.

"You have been a little economical with your village history, Jiang Mingsheng." Wei Ying was usually the more diplomatic of the two, but the serious nature of WangJi's injury and the lingering weakness still left him feeling scared, disorientated, and angry. They could have almost lost each other again.

Jiang Bai stabbed her chopsticks in her husband's direction. "I told him. But he never listens to me."

Mingsheng scowled at his wife. "I don't pay attention to silly stories if that's what you mean." It was clear that a lack of sleep the night before did not sit well with him.

"They're not silly stories. They're history." Jiang Bai addressed herself to Wei Ying. "You should forgive my husband. His family left the village before he was born and only returned when his grandparents died. He did not grow up on the stories as I did."

Wei Ying nodded. "I take it you're referring to the feud between the Lei and the Jiang clans." Noting that Lan Zhan had eaten the chicken, WeiYing dropped a second piece into his bowl, earning himself another slow blink and the beginnings of a frown. He didn't care. Lan Zhan needed protein to heal. "You have heard of it, then? And you did not think it important to tell us?"

"How long ago was the last battle?" Lan Zhan asked, as he deliberately pushed the meat to one side and took a sip of tea.

"It was before my grand-parents day," Jiang Bai replied. "But not too many generations. I always think it seems longer because nobody talks about it. They took a vow, you know?"

"A vow?" Lan Zhan helped himself to a piece of carrot, cleverly carved into the shape a rose, studying it for a moment before popping it into his mouth.

Bai sighed. "Nobody knows what the original argument was about, but the fighting went on for several generations. Baifan was always the smaller village, so it was obvious they would be the losers. Anyway, there was one final fight and almost every one of them was killed." She shook her head, setting down her chopsticks. "Women and children too. I think that's why we Jiang's vowed never to speak of it again. It was a shameful act. The few Lei's who remained either moved away or married into the Jiang's."

"As I heard it, the Lei's weren't blameless either," Mingsheng grumbled under his breath.

"Whatever the reasons or the rights and wrongs of the feud, the actions afterwards were certainly not honourable," Wei Ying declared firmly. "Their souls were bound!"

Jiang Mingsheng bridled, tossing down his own chopsticks. "That was not our fault. How can we be to blame, when it all took place long before any of us was born, even the old folk?"

Lan Zhan's calm voice cut through the rising anger. "Each generation has a duty to both those who go before, and those who come after."

Wei Ying smiled as he recognised a paraphrasing of one of Cloud Recesses many rules. Even after much mellowing by events over the past few years, if pressed Lan Zhan could quote both rule and number from the very long list. Fortunately, Ze Wu Jun was now revising and reducing their volume, a process that other Lan elders fought, but Wei Ying heartily approved of.

Jiang Mingsheng deflated on a sigh. "You're right, Childe. But why have all these ghosts suddenly appeared; and there's the poisoning of everything. The feud was long ago and all this has only happened over the last few years." Somewhere, a timber creaked as it settled in the cooling evening air, and everyone glanced about, checking wall and ceiling beams. When there was no further sound and no indication of collapse, conversation resumed.

When Wei Ying would have dropped a further morsel of chicken into Lan Zhan's bowl, his victim quickly lifted the bowl away, and Wei Ying had to drop it into his own instead, or appear to have no table manners. "Yesterday you mentioned some recent flooding. The softening of the ground caused by that has released the binding on their spirits."

"And they're looking for revenge?" Bai filled and held out a bowl of thin but tasty soup to Lan Zhan, who was too polite to decline. It appeared there was no slipping past a mother's attention. "I can see that being the case with the ghosts, but what of the insects," she nodded to Lan Zhan's still slightly swollen hand, "And the snakes?"

Nowadays, Lan Zhan deferred to his companion in matters of darker magic and he glanced aside now. Wei Ying nodded unspoken acknowledgement. "The spirits are still gaining strength. A binding is rarely broken all at once. It unravels over time. At first the only way the trapped spirits could affect the outer world was through the simpler minds of insects and other lower creatures. Although, if you go out to the swamp now, you will find, that they are taking on more individual form. Eventually, the spirits themselves will float free of the confining borders, if nothing is done to prevent it."

Jiang Bai shuddered. "What can we do to stop that from happening?"

Lan Zhan pushed his now half empty soup bowl aside. "First liberate."

Wei Ying considered the fact that Lan Zhan had drunk even half of the fine broth to be a small victory. He met Jiang Bai's eyes across the table, shooting a grateful smile her way as she gave a small conspiratorial nod. "In a way, they're already liberated and that's not working. Suppress?"

"Perhaps. Their resentment is deep. Suppression may not work." Lan Zhan looked thoughtfully at his partner.

"In this case, elimination seems harsh. I was wondering about the first one, again. Liberate."

Lan Zhan sipped his tea. "What do the Lei's want?"

Wei Ying's eyes lit up, his smile bursting forth. "Don't you remember your conversation. They were bound and forgotten. Perhaps what they need is to be remembered."

Jiang Bai frowned. "But we do remember the feud. At least, most of us do, even if we don't talk about it."

Wei Ying shook his head. "You remember the event, but do you remember the people? The graves have been lost beneath water, and no marker lists their names. Even the village name no longer exists."

Mingsheng's face brightened. "You mean, all we have to do is erect a sign toward where the village was, and a stone with their family name?"

"I'm not sure that would be enough." Wei Ying fixed Mingsheng with a stern gaze. "It should be done as properly as possible. There must be lists of family names somewhere. You say that there was some inter-marriage after the last battle. Is it possible that genealogy lists still exist for Baifan village?"

It was Jiang Bai who replied. "I know of at least one. Boqin had an ancestral list. It may not have survived the destruction of his home, but he used to be able to recite it from memory when he was younger. I'm sure there will be others."

"A good place to begin," Lan Zhan observed. His quiet observation drew Wei Ying's gaze, and he noted that his partner's posture was not as upright as usual. His face was also beginning to pale. "Perhaps you could get together with your neighbours tomorrow to produce a list of the Lei clan. For now, Lan Zhan needs to rest again."

Lan Zhan lowered his cup to the table with an audible click, his lips tight. "Wei Ying!" To anyone else that would indicate mild censure. For the tightly controlled Han Guang Jun it was a display of temper that spoke volumes.

Wei Ying's response was also deceptively bland. "Lan Zhan." Now he stood, offering a hand to help his partner up. The food was almost untouched, but Lan Zhan always ate too little, anyway. "You almost died. Your body needs to rest, even if your mind doesn't want to. Don't forget that the journey home will be longer on horseback."

The Jiang's were immediately supportive. "Of course! The doctor has left medicine for you, and will return to check on your progress tomorrow. You should rest, Childe Lan."

Lan Zhan's lips tightened even further and he still ignored Wei Ying's offer of aid, but he did rise slowly to his feet. Half way down the hallway, Lan Zhan staggered, then surprised Wei Ying when he did not protest his uninjured arm being drawn across his partner's shoulder to walk the rest of the way. Once in their room, however, he pulled away when Wei Ying began to pick at the fastenings of his sash. "I can manage."

Wei Ying leaned in to lay a gentle hand over the heart that beat beneath a white clad chest. "I know you can. But let me do this for you. You have looked after me so many times. Now give me a chance to return that love." Such a plea was perhaps the only thing that would have broken down Lan Zhan's independence, and he dropped the hand he had raised to fend him off.

Wei Ying bent to the ties once more and Lan Zhan stood still as he was tenderly dis-robed, layer by layer. When he was down to his underclothes there was a light knock upon the sliding door that provided privacy from the rest of the house. Wei Ying answered, as Lan Zhan lowered himself to sit upon the bedside with a small sigh.

Jiang Bai stood in the hall, holding a tray on which rested a small bowl and a plate of dainty sweets. She held it out. "This is the medicine the doctor prescribed. He says it will strengthen and also help Childe Lan to sleep. It tastes quite sour so I brought these to chase away the taste.” She lowered her voice, “And I noticed that he did not eat much at dinner."

Wei Ying accepted the tray with a small bow. "Thank you, madam. I am sorry we did not do justice to your excellent cooking." Then he leaned in closer to whisper, “But thank you for your efforts with the soup. He ate more than I hoped he would.”

Jiang Bai smiled then waved a hand. "It was understandable, in the circumstances. I don't think any of us had much of an appetite. I have left some snacks under a cover upon the kitchen table if you feel hungry later. If you'll forgive me for pressing, Childe Lan needs to eat more if he is to rebuild his strength."

Wei Ying grinned. "I swear he lives on tea and fresh air, but I will try to get him to eat something later. At the moment what he needs most is rest."

Jiang Bai dropped a courtesy. "Good night, young sirs. May you be blessed with sweet dreams." She closed the door.

Lan Zhan still sat upon the bed, although his eyelids were drooping now. Wei Ying handed over the bowl, with it's dark brown liquid, surprised when there was no protest and it was downed in three large gulps. Lan Zhan's lips dipped down at the corners and he needed no prompting to take a bite of the little cake Wei Ying offered. Curious, Wei Ying dipped a finger in the dregs of the medicine and shuddered as he tasted. "Lan Zhan, that stuff is vile!"

Lan Zhan swallowed the last of the cake. "The cake does not improve it."

"Well, maybe you can sleep away the taste. Come on. Lie down, then maybe I can help with some medicine of my own." When Lan Zhan blinked, Wei Ying laughed, drawing Chengching from his belt. "Music, WangJi. Ze Wu Jun has been helping me perfect my cleansing music."

This was a healing WangJi understood. He needed no further persuading and Wei Ying sat, cross-legged, upon the bed at his feet. The music was soft and sweet, filling the whole house with moonlight and flowing water, soft breezes and quiet forests. More than just Lan Zhan would have pleasant and peaceful dreams this night. By the time he let the last note fade there was no other sound within the walls of the small manor house. Wei Ying undressed and slipped into bed, resting one hand upon Lan Zhan's chest, and fell asleep counting the steady beats beneath his palm.

The following day, Wei Ying resorted to coaxing and cajoling Lan Zhan into taking the sedative, but a brief walk down the street proved to everyone, including Lan Zhan, that there was much healing still to be done. For a few minutes, he and Wei Ying watched as villagers came, one by one, to add names to a growing list overseen by Mingsheng. Then Lan Zhan stretched out on the bed, and by the time Wei Ying looked in half an hour later, he was deeply asleep.

It was noon the following day, before both Childe and all the remaining villagers gathered on the road, at the edge of the swamp. A large wooden plaque was erected, containing a long list of names, and bowls of fruit and wine were set below it.

Jiang Mingsheng and several of the village elders lit incense and made obeisance. "People of Baifan, our ancestors have wronged you, but now we come to make amends on their behalf. This memorial is temporary. A stone one is being carved to ensure that your names will be remembered for all time. We, the elders of Zhauze-Fujin pledge to bring offerings each day and to offer prayers for your repose. Please look upon us with favour and withdraw your anger." Jiang Mingsheng poured a cup of wine onto the earth, watching as it trickled away to merge with the water of the marsh.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan joined the villagers in bowing low before the little altar. Then the pair turned away and Wei Ying drew Lan Zhan toward the waiting horses. "Time to go. We've a long journey, and I intend to make you rest at every inn we pass."

Only Wei Ying, and perhaps Lan Xichen, would have heard the exasperation contained in the words, “I am fine.”

Wei Ying grinned broadly. “Of course you are. But I intend to treat myself to a sample of all the liquors for sale, between here and Cloud Recesses, so you'll have to put up with the delay. We should report in to Jin Ling too.”

They mounted their horses and left quietly, as the villagers continued to make their offerings. Behind them, from somewhere deep within the swamp, a bird burst into sweet song.

END