Anshi and Lan Zhan had finally agreed to an excursion suggested by Lan XiChen and agreed to by Gan Chono. They had done this, d espite the concerns regarding their safety. The two men had discovered a mutual love of fishing, and each sensed a kindred soul in the other. It had been a decision fraught with trepidation for their security The Sect Leader and the Chieftain knew that their brothers needed the utmost privacy for this outing; details had not been given to the nervous younger siblings, however, the request had come close to a plea that nearly broke  Anshi's heart. He did not want Gan Chono in the position of ever having to beg for any slice of space if he needed it. In this case, he seemed as if he was edging toward that kind of desperation. Whatever the two needed to speak about, also needed to remain between themselves. Consequently, Han volunteered to gather his Guardians and to personally accompany them, swearing to surround them at a discreet, but solidly protective distance. That, in addition to the promise of a quiet spell from Lan XiChen, calmed everyone's fears and concerns.

They borrowed a tiny wagon and a pony and piled their meditation pillows, a luncheon packed by Dawa Tuya, and thier fishing rods, nets and bait, into it. As they walked, Gan Chono pointed out the Monastery where Chinua lived in his tower library. He was in awe of this reclusive brother. His lone struggle against loss and impending blindness seemed so daunting and Chono's pride in his survival and his ascendency over it all was an inspiration to the wounded  man. He wished for that kind of resiliency in his own battle. He felt sadly lacking.

The early monring walk was invigorating and he breathed deeply, the fresh air clearing his mind a bit. He had been surprised by the invitation from Lan XiChen, but he was comfortable in the quiet Master's presence. He sensed a strange commonality the moment he had met him. He could not pinpoint what it was, but there was a sadness in those soft brown eyes that sometimes carried the hint of darker shadows deep within. If one spoke to him in those moments, XiChen would brighten and chase those shadows away, but eventually, left to his own thoughts, they often returned. Gan Chono felt safe in his presence as well. Despite his fears he was learning to accept these Lans and he was learning quickly, of their generosity and their desire to help those that Anshi held dear. 

After a short time, and  still within sight of the camp, they arrived at a cove with a tiny beach of smooth pebbles and several bigger rocks they could settle on. Gan Chono was startled as a rather large group of monks, armed with bows, emerged from the forest on the other side of the river. One spoke across the rushing water. 

"Brother Chinua sent us ahead to secure the woods from intruders. All is clear. Enjoy your day and be at peace." With a nod, they withdrew. blending silently into the wilderness behind them. That signaled the encirclement of the area by Minister Han and his men, leaving them out of earshot but close enough to repel attack.

Gan Chono looked at Lan XiChen with a question in his eyes. Xi Chen grinned ruefully. "Our brothers are nothing  if not thorough when ensuring our protection." 

"My Emerald has grown into quite a man, despite his hardships."

"He had a good example with his own elder brothers."

"Tarkhan and Batbayan were very much like my father, determined warriors. Chinua and Davaajav are scholars and mystics as well as fighters in their own rights. I can never compare."

"You do. You just cannot see that right now. Lets grab our gear and wet our lines. I want to bring some fish back to add to Dawa Tuya's pots."

"I thought you Lan do not eat meat."

"We Lan have learned to be flexible since the Wen Conflicts. While we will eat our rice and vegetables, we must also adapt to our hosts habits and help feed the caravan. We should have brought Wei Ying with us. He catches the fish by hand and tosses them ashore. It's a sight to see! Hilarious. He gets soaked from head to toe and so does anyone around him."

They settled on a large rock overhanging the river, careful to avoid casting shadows on  the water and alerting the fish below. They threw out their lines and began to wait. The sun soaked into Gan Chono's bones. He could not get enough of it and was glad that the tall man beside him had gently persisted on bringing him on this outing. His heart  yearned for this feeling of freedom yet his fear and shrunken spirit wanted to stay hidden and away from discovery. Invisibility meant safety.

"What is Cloud Recesses like?" He asked., trying to turn Lan XiChen's attention away from himself.

"Ah!. It is home. High in the mountains to the East. White and blue, everywhere. "

"Even in your dress."

"Yes.  The sun is bright there but it is slow in melting the winter into spring. We have much time away from other Sects, so we live simply, study. Train and cultivate through music. We live serenely but within strict guidelines. We enter night hunts and fight Chaos for other communities."

"It sounds lovely'.

 "It is, once more. But we had to fight hard to regain that peace. We were nearly destroyed, and it has taken us a long time to recover."

Gan Chono sighed deeply. "I cannot imagine it. I watch you and the others. Your serenity and dignity astonishes me. It seems so out of touch, so above the filth that surrounds what I know."

XiChen was silent for a moment. "Do not make the mistake of deifying me or the others. We have had our share of despair and near-annelation as well. I have misjudged, endangered my true loved ones. Caused heartache and death. Sainthood is far from my grasp. And I fight within to contain and control my anger and resentment at those who tried to wipe our culture off the face of this earth. I am fairly successful, but it is a daily battle within me. There will be many lifetimes ahead, set for my atonement. I have also found myself in ...situations... that plunged me into self-harm and debasement so deep that i could find no escape. It is hard to talk about."

Gan Chono whispered. "Then do not speak of it."

XiChen laid down his rod.  and turned to look deeply into the other man's eyes, the carnelian irises had turned a murky purple and he could sense that this was his only chance.

"I think I must. And I think you need to hear from someone who also went through it . Can you trust me?"

There was something so compelling in the Sect Master's plea, that Gan Chono found himself nodding.