Cold Sands

X Outing

♚♔

I witness the glory that is Murong Yu’s army once again. 

The three Wings of his army, with their spears raised, stand row upon row before the platform and roar to the sky in formation. The thundering war drums. The blazing signal fires. The picture is one of burning magnificence. Murong Yu steps on to the general’s platform, his cape billowing wildly in the winds of the North. He slowly raises his dazzling white sword to the brilliant skies of the frontiers. Sunlight strikes down on his armour and ivory-white helmet like a sharp blade. His ink-black warhorse lets out a wild neigh as it rears up. Murong Yu quickly turns to the other direction, red-tassel spear in hand, and directs his horse around. The cavalry trails like thunder behind him, kicking up a sandstorm. The earth below seems to shake and bellow in ire. 

I watch them recede like waves to the distance from a tower and heave a deep sigh. I’m not sure what I feel right now. I turn to leave only to hear quick and sporadic footsteps behind me as I descend. 

“Careful,” I peer out the corner of my eye. “You might trip.” 

I hear giggles. “Nuh-uh. I always do this on the steps in the palace and I’ve never tripped.” 

Xiao Qinyun jumps out from behind me. Her sapphire blue dress makes her skin appear fair and goes well with her complexion. 

“And even if I do,” she tilts her head. “You’d catch me, so I’ve got nothing to worry about.” 

I smile awkwardly, not sure how to respond to that. 

Murong Yu was already in a stormy mood several days ago, and then she broke the last straw with all her mischief so he decided to punish her. She was terrified. Seeing that, I couldn’t just watch so I ended up being the mediator. Not long after, she has learned to come to me for help whenever she gets into trouble. 

“Please try to behave while His Highness isn’t present. If you get into trouble again, I’m afraid even I’ll get punished.” 

“I forbid any mentioning of him!” She interrupts me, stomping furiously. “It’s driving me nuts. He doesn’t let me go anywhere! I’m bored to tears.” 

I shrug as if to say ‘There’s nothing you can do.’ How could you let a little girl out at a time of war? Murong Yu would most likely be the one that the Left Prime Minister would blame if anything went wrong. 

She suddenly starts giggling. “Didn’t you say there are towns nearby? Since my darling Yu’s not here anyways, let’s go on an adventure!” 

I almost choke on my own spit hearing this. In my opinion, it would be best—the best—to just wrap her up and send her back to the Yan capital. 

“Come on, pleeease?” She grabs my arm and starts shaking it. 

“My Duchess,” I frown and pull my arm away. “It’s not terribly safe outside the camp. Please don’t make it harder for me than it already is. Not to mention, I’m merely a prisoner after all—rumours might spread if you act like this.” 

She pouts unhappily and sticks her nose up in the air. 

“I don’t care what you Rui people do, but interaction between the sexes has never been taboo for us. And a prisoner, you say?” Her brows arch up in a devious way. “Han Xin, I order you to go to the stable and prepare a horse to accompany me on an outing!” 

I didn’t expect her to say such a thing but in the end I can’t do anything even if I wanted to. Beggars can’t be choosers. I’m not so dumb that I can’t see that the odds are against me. So I choose to put up with it. 

She laughs when I don’t respond and hurries off towards the stable. I shake my head and race after her. Murong Yu has taken his men to the battlefront, leaving only a small fraction here. He had told me to keep my eye on her and make sure she stays put. 

“Hurry, Han Xin!” 

“Be quiet or the whole camp’s going to know that the duchess is going out!” 

She shoots me a hard look before turning back to the horses. I glance at them and put my fingers in between my lips and blow. Shrill! All the horses stamp their hooves and look towards me. Xiao Qinyun looks at me, shocked. 

“It’d be best if you got changed, my Duchess,” I suggest as I untie two horses. “You’re too noticeable.” 

First change. I shake my head. 

“This won’t do, my Duchess. You’re going on an outing-in-disguise, not a blind date.” 

She has on a cream-coloured ruqun that shows off her slender figure and luxuriant hair. Pearls and emeralds clink against rings and pendants. Hearing my comment, she glares at me before stomping back to her room. 

Second change. I don’t even bother saying anything this time. I just shake my head.