Shadows on Water
Though you knew this day would come, you never dreamed you would say yes. As soon as you have said the words you feel energized. The hairs on your neck rise and your skin seems to crackle. Low down to the west the sun's light is sifted by the edge of a dark cloud, strange shadows reach out across the old garden. Fang smiles, " I will tell the emperor of your answer."
"Come inside, stay a while. We can leave together. Bring your men in too. We must drink!"
Fang hesitates for a moment, then does as you say and beckons his men inside. Perhaps he was led to believe Huan Tan was a stubborn old curmudgeon. Perhaps he was.
But year upon year spent happily in this old shack now seem years wasted. The four of you huddle over a small table in the main room, you place a bottle of wine in the centre. You itch to be leaving, but the storm is breaking, and there are preparations to be made. Tonight you will talk with these strangers, these strangers you have just called friends, and you will talk more in one night than you have in all these past few years. And for all that is said, in days to come you will remember none of it, save that it was the night before you left to meet the emperor.
"Come inside, stay a while. We can leave together. Bring your men in too. We must drink!"
Fang hesitates for a moment, then does as you say and beckons his men inside. Perhaps he was led to believe Huan Tan was a stubborn old curmudgeon. Perhaps he was.
But year upon year spent happily in this old shack now seem years wasted. The four of you huddle over a small table in the main room, you place a bottle of wine in the centre. You itch to be leaving, but the storm is breaking, and there are preparations to be made. Tonight you will talk with these strangers, these strangers you have just called friends, and you will talk more in one night than you have in all these past few years. And for all that is said, in days to come you will remember none of it, save that it was the night before you left to meet the emperor.