The Birth of the War Goddess

-How was it?- asks Wei curious

-Nothing I haven't done before before...- says Hua checking out his nails

-Oh come on! Give us more details! Only you guys will be attending, we wanna know!-

-Why don't you ask Lai'Er? Hu... Apparently there are two main dancer and I already saw her talking alone with him- he smirk staring in my direction with the tail of his eyes, quite amused.

-Uhhh spicy! You will surely drag the Royals attention- he giggles

-I don't know what you are talking about-

-You should have seen how beautiful they were! The best costumes are theirs and I can't imagine with all the makeup and hair just how gorgeous it will be!

Sadly that dude didn't show his face but he looked pretty hot dancing with her!-

-Now I want to watch the show too! It looks so interesting uff!-

-You guys are imagining things again- I pinch both by the ears

-Ah ha ahy!-

-It's just a play for the Royals amusement-

-Let us have some fun imagining things since we are closed here everyday!- yells Wei freeing himself

-You two will be eating good and having fun with all the most important peoples of the world... I'm so envious! Let me at least watch you practice from time to time-

-Sure... I wake up at 5 am for that if you want-

-I take it back, good luck guys!- he says falling on his bed and covering himself up

-Hahaha you're lazy!- mocks him Hua

-I'm human you know?!-

...

The next day for me start as always with some personal training, just a bit earlier so I can sneak away and train with the Taoist Master before practicing my dance alone

-Do you feel anything?-

-No... Except for that annoying sound-

-Sound?-

-Yeah all themmetal clenching from the soldiers or guards nearby-

-At this hours almost everyone is still asleep Miss...-

-How come...? I always thought the Generals were training at this hour-

-Could you explain better what you are saying?- he sits down listening with closed eyew... Nodding slowly.

-Well... I've been told that the Generals and the instructors have their own dormitory just at the foot of this hill. So I thought the noise I always hear, when I am here, was them practicing before going to teach at each Section...-

-So there have been an improvement afterall, uhm...- he caress his beard in a repetitive motion lost in thoughts -What is it exactly that you hear?-

-Like Uhm... Swords clenching, yells, horses walking... Things like those-

-I really wonder what is it that you actually hear...

It is coming from somewhere, that's for sure, but... Nobody is training nearby at this hour.

I'll need to talk with your General, we are done for today...-

Ans so he leaves.

I take a broken branch I find on the ground near me and begin practicing a bit out of focus.

"Was it like this...?" I look at my arm since the position feels wrong "Maybe like this?"

-I can't remember at all! Let's try from the beginning again-

I step back twisting the piece of wood looking around.

"What could possibly be that noise I hear...? Maybe it's in my head but It felt way too real..."

-Ahz! Uh?- I look at my hand to find a drop of blood dripping down my skin -I seriously cut myself with wood while dancing? This is a big hit for my pride...- I whisper to myself facepalming.

...

Today again we get ready and depart for our dance training.

-What's that?- asks Dong pointing at my hand

-Nothing- I hide it away

-A wound is not nothing- his eyes get serious

-Nothing that concern you then-

-How did you got hurt? Weren't you the best soldier of the section?- he mocks, making me bite on my tongue in attempt not punch his face on the spot

-I got distracted, mistakes happen to anyone-

We arrive last and rush to get changed after a quick apology to the choreographers.

Hua is quickly dressed leaving me behind to tie all the strings of my clothes...

-Let me guess... You were practicing alone and hurt yourself, since you are no more good at dosing your strength and act delicate having gained too much muscles... Or something like that?-

I finish to knot my clothes and look up to find the other main dancer leaning on the door with crossed arms

-Oh good evening Linghe, I suppose you got me ah...- I sigh -Don't spill on me please... It would be really awkward-

-I wouldn't dare, don't you worry... Come, use this- he gets closer, taking my hand but I move back a little.

-I'm not going to hurt you...- he takes my hand, ignoring my cautiousness, and cover it with a bendv-At least it won't get worse for now... Don't go away right after we are done, I'll give you some herbs to help it heal, I just don't have it with me right now-

-Uhm... Sure... Thanks-

-Don't worry, let's go now they are waiting-

...

After practice I get changed and head out to search for Linghe

-Lai'Er, where are you going? We have to head back before they close the doors, it's getting late!-

-Oh Hua'Ge... Go without me, I have something to do-

-But the General...!-

-Tell him I stayed back to practice more-

-Mhm... Sure...- he looks a bit worried as I depart from him.

...

I find Linghe waiting at the entrance of the courtyard resting on a pilar now dressed in casual clothes, not too rich nor too poor but still red with his hair tied up now and no mask

-Sorry for making you wait-

-I don't mind... Let's go now-

-Go?-

-I have to get the herbs... Hope you don't mind a little deviation while going back to your camp-

-Oh no not at all-

...

-So... How is the life of a woman in there?- he asks casually, walking between the trees

-Not bad actually... But nevermind, I don't want to bother you with such a boring topic... Let's talk about you maybe?-

-I'm afraid I have nothing exciting to say either-

-That can't be true, you seem very interesting actually- I say gaining a sparkle from his cold silver eyes, probably the first reaction I've seen from him...

-Is that supposed to an attempt to flirting?-

-No not at all haha sorry, I didn't meant to- I chuckle

-Then what did you mean?-

-A refugee from such a destroyed land, who wanders around the capital's streets as a mysterious dancer with cold eyes... One could write a book about it-

He chuckles -It's not that amusing when you experience it on your own skin... But I suppose it can catch others attention, perhaps it caught yours too?- he ask with a small smirk

-Somehow... I tend to be always curious when it comes to the refugees lives-

-Why's that so?-

-I once had a refugee friend who was full of secrets... And the more people I meet, the more I want to know about them.

The north is such a far away land and things are so different from here... Your peoples seems to be more gentle too.

Ah don't mind me, why am I even telling you all this blabbering in the first place?-

-Uhm...- he nods, bending down to gran some herbs

-Is that...?-

-You know this plant?-

-Yes-

He takes out a bottle and begin preparing it before standing back up and taking my hand, he begins to lose the bendate on it while talking -I used to always take some paste with me but this plant is rare around here, so we'll have to make this work...

I too used to hurt often at the beginning- he spread the paste gently, rubbing on the skin

-I rarely wound myself... I was too distracted and quite new to sword dance so...-

-Then let me help you... If you want the performance to be perfect, of course-

-Do you mean now?-

-Now and everyday- he state without flinching -The more we practice together the more we will sync... Here- he passes my hand on his other one, before coming to hold my shoulder from behind with the other hand.

-This pose for example... This is how you do it- he whispers -Let me help you, this performance is quite important and you surely wouldn't want it be a failure... Let's do our best without further distractions-

-Mmhn... Let's do it-