The first snow of Wolf Mountain still came, in the end. Wei Zhixi curled up inside a sheltered cave, the wind …
The first snow of Wolf Mountain still came, in the end.
Wei Zhixi curled up inside a sheltered cave, the wind howling outside, faint cries echoing in the night.
But what she kept seeing, over and over, was the night she first met him, a rundown temple, wind and rain, dust swirling, cobwebs everywhere... a truly miserable beginning.
But that had all been by her own design.
Her father used to say that in troubled times, he couldn't protect her forever.
Her mother said a woman needed someone she could rely on.
That's why they arranged a meeting she never wanted.
She'd always scoffed at that.
Some birds, she thought, are born to fly.
No one can make them fall.
And yet, in this first snowfall on Wolf Mountain, she found herself thinking about that man again.
She remembered how carefully he chose his words, how cautious he was; she remembered the way the firelight flickered over his half-hidden face.
She hadn't really disliked him, even then.
He was nothing like her. He had grand ambitions, to govern, to bring peace to the world. She, on the other hand, only longed for freedom, to live by the sword and roam wherever she pleased.
But there was something steady about him, something that made her feel safe. Yes, steadiness. He'd listened patiently to all her tales of Jianghu, watched her ride off again and again without a word of complaint, always waiting for her return at every ferry. Even now, facing what might be their final parting, he remained the same.
"I have to get that Canglang Sword Manual. I won't be stopped!"
"How long will you be gone this time?"
"I don't know. If the snow blocks the mountain passes... who knows when I'll be back." She regretted those words as soon as she spoke them. She'd always left plenty of room for retreat, never once making a promise. But he'd always waited for her... and suddenly, she felt she shouldn't take that for granted anymore.
"Maybe... don't wait for me this time?"
Outside the temple, the rain poured down. Inside, the fire flickered. He was silent for a moment, then simply handed her a roasted sweet potato. "It's hot. Eat slowly."
That was the last time they parted. She never truly knew how he felt, but she'd made up her mind not to see him again when she returned. But with the Khitan invading and people displaced, she'd grown tired of her journey. And after exhaustion came longing.
The wind and snow still howled outside. But for a moment, everything seemed to pause.
Wei Zhixi felt it and looked up. The man who should have been a thousand miles away, who should have been leading his troops to pacify Huainan, was standing right there.
"I've come to take you home," he said.
Wei Zhixi was quiet for a moment, then smiled.
This time, the wild bird wanted to return to its nest.