Journey to the East Chapter 18(April)

It was said in the journals of some of her ancestors that it was inevitable for the mind to feel hollow in the wake of a battle’s burning. To feel an emptiness where once the light of the sun had burned. For Gu Xiulan, this could not be more untrue. The fading of her fire that came with the battle's end left her feeling jittery and anxious, an electric charge that would not leave her nerves, even now after the medic’s ministrations, after the debriefing, and speaking with her company and attending to her horse.

But it was true that the pain of her wounds and exertions surged back with a vengeance. The numbness that came after channeling qi through her burned arm contrasted with the terrible ache of strained muscles and recently cracked bones in her other. She was lucky that they had only been hairline fractures sealed and repaired with a mere fortifying tincture rather than anything that needed set. Her shoulder ached badly where it had been dislodged from its socket. At least her lightning marked face and burning Gu blood protected her from the trials of lower born soldiers, who needed salves on their heat and sunburned skin and who would be dealing with the awful itching for many nights to come.

…And even they were luckier than those who fell, whose bodies were now on the pyre’s returning to the air as smoke and dust. Seeing those had put a limit on how much she could bring herself to swagger. She had won so much glory, done her house and family proud. She could not and did not regret that.

Hmph, if only every commander had her puissance and care, then there would be no need for such irritating thoughts.

Gu Xiulan paused for a moment outside the tent flap of fathers command pavilion. Letting the cold night wind brush her face as she observed the camp. Even now with the sun's descent, it was a hive of shouts and activity. The scent of purifying salts drifted from the great billowing columns of gray smoke that rose from the fire pits outside of the camp, mingling with the more pleasant incense of the pyres.

No one was quailing, she did not see or scent fear, only the grim determination of facing a harsh duty. Father truly was a superlative general, was he not?

She only hoped she could continue to live up to that.

Sweeping the cloth flap aside, she stepped into the command tent, her head held high.

Inside were her fathers gathered commanders. Like her, their masked helms were off, showing many heads streaked with gray hairs and faces lined by wrinkles. Some appeared youthful among them, though their power belied that.

But regardless of the differences, each and every one had the sharp features and dark hair of the Gu. Their clan was old and strong, composed of many, many families more than enough to fill the needs of her father’s high command with worthy cultivators. She saw Major Yu there among them, her temporary commander, the annoying, fish eyed man gave her a small nod.

Hmph, some acknowledgement at least. “My daughter, are you well?” Her father, standing at the head of the table, asked. Like them he wore the bulk of his armor, but here Father let his qi flow with less restraint, tongues of fire licked at his brow, and sparks crackled at the corners of his eyes.

She brought her fists together in front of her and bowed. “My wounds are tended to, Father. I am told I will be in my best condition again by the week’s end.”

Father ran armored fingers through his beard once, then nodded gesturing for her to come stand beside him. She looked back at the gathered officers who glanced her way with pride. No more disdain for the unblooded girl at least, she would take that victory. Taking up a place a few steps behind and to Father’s right, she looked down at the table that lay between the standing commanders, on it was pinned a detailed map of the region, numerous chits of painted wood were laid across it. Red and gold for their forces, black and green for the sightings of the dead. Other colors representing the border posts of their neighboring clans.

There was… a great deal of green and black.

“Major Yu, the disposition of our forces?” Father asked, folding his arms behind his back.

“Casualties remain light, and our medical supply means that the majority will be fighting fit within two weeks. Our primary supply line to Phoenix Home remains clear. Three of the regional bases are cut off however, and the warding locations they support are out of contact. If left for too long the Ashwalkers will surely destroy them, degrading our Oasis network,” the annoyingly placid man said crisply, without his usual lethargy. “There are forces here, here and here which are out of communication.”

She watched him tap three locations on the map, a younger solider at his side putting out crimson chits in the middle of seas of black.

“I see, Major Ke, responses from our neighbors?”

“Viscounts Chen and Huang indicate greater forces of the dead as well, though not so significant as this,” said another commander, one of those who seemed youthful, his beautiful androgynous features set in a frown. “Viscount Yang is facing similar trouble in the northeast.”

Father frowned. “And the Han?”

He sounded unhappy speaking the name. Gu Xiulan hunched her shoulders.

“Have indicated that they will have prepared the fifth battalion of the third field army under Han Shang at the end of the month,” Gu Ke replied crisply.

Her father let out a breath, filling the air with drifting sparks.

“However…”

Father pinned the younger man with a look.

“However, through my personal channels, it must be said that Patriarch Han and the Marquis, along with the Gold Tiger, have all been called east… And Grandfather Fortress has deviated from his route.”

Murmurs broke out, filling the tent. Father raises his hand sharply, cutting off the noise. “Understood, thank you Gu Ke.”

“Lord Gu, what may we-”

“We may make nothing of this, yet,” Father said, cutting off the other officer who had spoke. “Speculation will do us no good. Some great matter has emerged. Is it related? Probable, but the Guo are not so irresponsible, and… neither are the Han. I expect Han Shang will arrive with an explanation, if a messenger from Duke Guo does not arrive first. Right now, we must see to this.”

He gestured at the map. “Yu, Jing, Gang, Haoyu. Prepare for me plans by which we might restore contact and regain our depots most effectively. Assume our enemy may be able to generate peer cultivation. Ke, get in contact with Pheonixhome. Command the full first army be raised and the cities defenses activated. Send messengers to the settlements as well, and raise their detachments.”

Gu Xiulan stood silent as Father gave out orders with rapid fire efficiency, quelling immediately the confusion and dread that Gu Ke’s report had brought to the command tent. His presence and words brooking no complaint.

Could she do the same? Almost certainly not. She still had so very far to go.