The caravans of people were increasing daily, and Wei Ying was concerned. If this many people were leaving the south, just what was going on?

Most of them only wanted to continue travelling, and they didn't stop to chat, even though Wei Ying tried his best to engage them. They were looking tired and worn out, and he wondered how long they had been on the road.

In some places, the forest opened up into shallow clearings where people could camp, and it was at one of these sites that they were able to glean more information.

Hongse and her sisters had a routine now to keep Dunshi and Dashi out of the spotlight and not attract any unwanted attention. If groups passed them by, they would only see Wei Ying, Lan Zhan and Hongse. Sometimes the children would be present but Li XiWang didn't like the curious looks people gave her or Rumi, and she was quite protective of him.

After their incident with the witch and she had found out that Rumi had saved them both, she had hugged him for a very long time. They seemed even closer now.

Xiao Zei was a wily one, sometimes joining them and sometimes preferring to stay with Dunshi and their blossoming friendship was nice to see. They would pass by taverns and inns, and that's when he made himself useful by working for a few hours and getting valuable information.

On this one evening, in that special time as daylight said her goodbyes and night time opened her arms, they came upon a camp of soldiers.

They were quite serious looking, sitting around a fire, having just finished a meal when Wei Ying and Lan Zhan approached with Hongse. Xiao Zei had cried off after seeing their red and gold uniforms.

There was about eight of them, and they looked up apprehensively when Wei Ying came closer.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Their leader asked in a harsh tone.

His friend put a hand on his knee to calm him.

"I am sorry. I may have been a little abrupt with you. These are trying times." He sighed heavily.

"We are merely travellers." Wei Ying told him, honestly. "But as we are travelling down south, we were wondering if you have any news of what we should expect."

"Why are you going there?" The leader asked tiredly. "Haven't you seen how many people are trying to get away from there?"

"That's precisely what has us worried." Wei Ying told him honestly. "We've never been there and don't know anything about what lies beyond this road. Everything is new for us. And your uniforms are very nice."

"We have come from the kingdom of Wang Luzhou, Zhengui de Chengshi. Our King has ruled over us for nearly twenty years. " the leader began saying.

"And he is a good king?" Wei Ying asked.

The leader pulled out his sword; but Bichen was faster. Lan Zhan stood ready with the tip of Bichen just under his chin ready to slice at his jugular. The soldier dropped his sword immediately.

"You're not very good soldiers." Wei Ying remarked.

"No, we're not." The leader agreed.

Wei Ying looked at him in surprise.

"We're actually scouts. You must have heard from people passing by, there will soon be a war, and we have been sent out by our King to see if we can find anything out." He answered. His voice was soft and gentle, definitely not the loud and commanding type generally found in armies.

"Why draw your weapon then?" Lan Zhan asked in a hard voice.

"No one is allowed to discuss our King in a derogatory manner. What you asked was impossible for us to answer." He looked down.

"Do you promise not to draw your weapon against us?" Wei Ying asked him. "You've already seen how proficient my man is. The next time, he won't be stopped."

"Promise."

"Lan Zhan..." Wei Ying covered his hand with his own. "It's okay. He's promised."

Lan Zhan put Bichen away, but his eyes were smouldering for an entirely different reason. Wei Ying forced himself to look at the lads in uniform.

They sat back down and Wei Ying decided not to talk about their King. After all, any answer they might have given would be biased and it was always better to decide for oneself anyway.

"Why don't you explain the situation? That might give us a better idea of what's going on, and how we can avoid getting involved." He said instead.

"Alright." The leader nodded. "Our kingdom is very new, as kingdoms go. Around twenty years ago, two brothers found an oasis in the middle of the desert. Luzhou and Youmu Minzu. They considered the oasis to be a fertile land upon which they could expand and create a city. They began to charge people, weary travellers and the like for resting at the oasis, and using their facilities such as stables for animals and such. That's how the kingdom flourished and became what it is now."

His friend handed him a cup of water.

"Travellers came from far and wide, for the desert is long and wide and few can cross without aid. The oasis provides an excellent rest stop, hence its popularity. Wang Luzhou fell in love with the daughter of a camel caravan owner. Problems arose when he thought his brother had designs on his wife."

Wei Ying made a face.

"Was that true?"

"Does it matter?" The scout asked instead.

"I suppose you're right. What happened next?"

"Wang Luzhou caught his brother coming out from his queen's quarters. Youmu Minzu claimed he had gotten a message to meet him there, but Wang Luzhou disagreed, and said he would never ask to meet there. Both brothers thought the other was being dishonest and they fought. Wang Luzhou being the older and stronger of the two, won the fight and would have killed his brother, but he stopped himself and let his brother go. Now his brother has amassed a huge army, larger than the entire population of Zhengui De Chengshi and the King is worried about what is going to happen."

"From what you say, it seems as if your King has a big problem. And if you're losing residents..." Wei Ying stopped speaking, not wanting to cause any more trouble with these fellows.

"Anyway, we wish you well." He stood up. "Good night."

They all bowed and these three left. They entered the forest where the other sisters were waiting with their children and the rest of their group.

Before they reached them, Lan Zhan spoke.

"Go on ahead, we will join you in a moment."

Hongse smiled at Wei Ying and walked off without looking back.

"Lan Zhan, why-"

Lan Zhan pushed him up against a tree and captured his lips, and Wei Ying wasn't going to complain, for this was beyond amazing. Those soft velvet lips covering his, biting and sucking his way into his mouth, pleasures rippling through both of them, as Lan Zhan showed him with precise dedication how much he enjoyed kissing Wei Ying.

Wei Ying was in rapturous delight, gleefully delighting in the wonderful sensations, his heart thudding with joy. When they broke apart, both were out of breath. Lan WangJi rested his head against Wei Ying's shoulder, while Wei Ying's fingers played with the ends of his forehead ribbon.

"Not that that wasn't great, but care to explain?" Wei Ying asked, as soon as he was able to.

Lan Zhan's ear was right next to his cheek, and he could already feel it getting hot.

"Wei Ying said...my man."

Wei Ying giggled in delight.

"You didn't like that? But you are, you know. Just as I am yours."

"Liked it. Too much." Lan Zhan told him, turning his face to kiss the underside of Wei Ying's jaw.

"We have to get back to the children and the others, as it is, they'll be worried about us." Wei Ying reminded him gently.

Lan Zhan took his hand and they walked further, following the path that Hongse had taken.

"But you're super hot when you get riled up. Next time, I totally won't stop you."