v7c34: Metal to Water

We spent the night on the island, camping under the stars on a collection of blankets and towels. It was lovely, being able to just kick back, Meimei resting her head on my chest and Zhuye in the crook of my arm. No biting insects dared to bother us; not a single whine of mosquito wings distracted us from the beautiful song of frogs and other insects, singing their hearts out.

Babe was conked out next to us in the sand, Sunny, his plow, on the blankets rather than him, and Washy was coiled in a ring all around our campsite. Both Yanjing and Suyan were using the dragon as a backrest; originally the Auditor was going to sleep in the boat… but he swiftly aborted that plan when he saw the Lord Magistrate, Lady Wu, and Xue Ji retire to those quarters. Finally, Washy’s horns were adorned with all the bees, the girls ever vigilant for any mosquitos.

We woke up early to the songbirds taking over for the frogs; The lights of the fireflies slowly disappeared, and the sun crested the horizon, bringing with it a new set of actors.

Azure Spear Fishers dove from their perches into the water, the small birds doing as their names suggested and impaling fish that stayed near the shores. They looked like little bolts of blue lightning, striking with speed and precision, flashing their brilliantly colored feathers and chirping with glee.

Just as they assaulted the schools of minnows from the heavens, so too were they harried from below. Giant bass prowled beneath the waves—some of them had to be at least twenty pounds, and they smashed the surface like hammers, devouring anything caught in their path.

Turtles lounged on branches, soaking up the first rays of the sun, including a titanic snapping turtle; it was as big as my torso, its back full of ridges and crags, and its hide a gnarled hulk.

Squirrels chattered from the trees. Butterflies flitted around. Snakes cruised through the underbrush, and dragonflies zipped across the surface of the water.

Finally, an eagle looked out imperiously from its nest in one of the trees beside us. A Pale Moon Eagle—its plumage was mostly black, but it was woven through with silver. A round spot featured prominently on its chest, and little specks of colour made it look like the night sky. It spared us a glance, raised its crest, and then, with seeming disdain, it turned its back on the dragon that was napping under its house and took off, soaring into the sky.

“It smells so different here,” Meimei said, taking it all in.

She was right. The air of our farm was sweet and light; the wild air of Pale Moon Lake was heavier, for lack of a better word, filled with the smell of lakeweed and mossy trees. It wasn’t bad at all.

I turned to look at her. Her smile, staring out at the mist-covered lake. It made the morning just perfect.

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“Thank you, Suyan,” I said, passing a plate of grilled fish off to our maid. She had gone out again this morning to catch us some more fish, and I was doing the grilling. ‘Dad privilege’, I had declared, and that had gotten a chuckle. Washy was watching from the sidelines, eagerly waiting for the food to be done, Yanjing still dozing against his flank. Mei and Zhuye were splashing in the water again.

“It is my pleasure, Master,” she said with a small smile.

“How’s the selection compared to the Howling Fangs?” I asked.

“Oh, the fish are much bigger here! Much more variety. Though I do miss the mountain trout. Their flesh was the sweetest in fall—it was nearly candy,” she replied. “Though braving the streams and mountain lakes was much more dangerous. Frost Serpents occasionally like to rest at the bottom, and they attack whatever disturbs them. Much less agreeable than the serpents in this lake.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, the ones I have seen only get as long as you, Master, and they kept their distance. Though they are not true serpents. They have flippers. Fish eaters, I think. Their mouths are too small to take a man.”

Right, I remember Biyu saying something about the Nessie knock-offs.

We chatted about seafood for a little; Suyan was comfortable enough with me to shoot the breeze. No rods, just spears and her hands. A spear to the head killed a fish instantly and made it taste better, according to her experience; occasionally she would use illusions as well, so her prey wouldn’t even know she was there.

We chatted and cooked, and soon enough our last three companions joined us. Lady Wu and the Lord Magistrate walked slowly from the cabin, followed by Xue Ji. The Lord and Lady of Verdant Hill had relaxed, dreamy smiles on their faces, and Xue Ji looked supremely satisfied.

“Good night?” I asked with a smirk.

“Divine,” Lady Wu declared, sitting down close by. The Lord Magistrate let out a contented sigh, clapped me on the shoulder, and sat down on the log beside me with a thump. Xue Ji slid in primly between the two of them and said not a word… but her smile and wagging fox tail said enough.

Well, all three of them had clearly enjoyed themselves.

I was just putting some finishing touches on our own meal, when everyone’s attention was grabbed.

“Nuuuuuh!” Zhuye whined.

“No, you can’t eat that,” Meimei said, gently taking the beach sand that he had been trying to put in his mouth away from him. He tried to eat it again, and once more momma’s fingers denied him his prize.

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Zhuye pouted mightily. He stomped his little feet and scowled. “Da!” he rebuked his own mother. He turned to me, and pointed.

I raised an eyebrow at him, and shook my head.

My son recoiled at being denied a second time. He looked around for another, to tell him it was all right, but the bees made sure to stay out of his vision… so they wouldn’t have to tell him no. Eventually he looked to the person who normally denied him nothing, but Suyan was resolute.

“Come now, Young Master. None of that. The earth is not tasty. Here, try this, it’s very tasty,” she said, her voice gentle. She held out some steaming, flaky fish.

Three times denied, his face wobbled, caught between tantrum and interest in the fish. He turned to the final arbiter, Washy.

The great dragon scooped up a handful of sand, and stuck some in his mouth. He chewed consideringly… and then spat it out, sticking out his tongue and making an exaggerated face of disgust.

“Blech. The decomposing plant matter and the water of the lake is interesting, but unsuitable for little brother’s palate,” he declared imperiously.

That was the final and most important verdict apparently. Zhuye stared at his sand-covered hands… and dropped the small amount he had managed to grab. He made the same disgusted face as the dragon.

Then he started wiping his hands on his own pants.

“Thank you, Wa Shi,” Meiling said.

The dragon preened. “Natrually, Little Brother knows well my power! Here, let me get the rest of the sand off, then you may feast upon this bounty!” Water rose around him in streams, and gently washed Zhuye’s hands.

“You’re a good big brother,” I told the dragon, after we tucked in.

“The best, naturally,” Washy replied, but under his arrogance was a certain amount of bashful pleasure.

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After our meal, we took the boat back to the city, first; Yanjing only had the one day, and now it was back to work. Teacher, Lady Wu, and Xue Ji joined him.

And then, we went back out onto the lake. We ended up on another island, one that felt… right. Some tiny shards of Dragon Vein were still there on it, and I got to work. There were no big expressions of power this time, as we connected the mainland to this little island… and a couple of hours later, Tianlan had more of a foothold.

Then I slipped into the water. Just like before, in the Ironfields. No techniques, not yet. Just… exploring, wherever I could go.