The first day of the peace negotiations
The hall of the Ice Palace had been furnished with tables on which recording crystals and scrolls of all kinds were now piled. Servants rushed to attend to the high ranking guests that stood around in small groups. The nightly return to the Ice Palace had been uneventful, despite the size of their entourage. Yan Da was now standing in her chambers with Yue Shen and Xing Gui. The women discussed in which kind of dress the Fire Queen should show up to the Peace Council. It shouldn't seem too warrior-like, but it still had to be imposing. Yan Da finally decided for a long golden yellow dress and a matching sleeveless coat with a high stand-up collar. She let her silky long hair flow openly over her shoulders. The gold of her strands went very well with the rest of her robes. With staff and crown, she looked extremely remarkable. As soon as she had finished dressing, there was a knock on the door, and the servants let Ying Kong Shi enter with his companions. He too had dressed up for the occasion. His hair was tied back in a complex braid pattern. He had chosen not to wear the royal crown as he had not officially resumed royal office. However, after Xing Gui had shown the dignitaries of the Ice Palace the recordings of Ka Suo's last words and, along with Piang Feng, Yue Shen and Huang Tuo, described the events of Ying Kong's Shi's resurrection and Yuan Ji's curse, they had accepted his legitimate claim to the Throne. The coronation had already secretely been scheduled for the time after the peace negotiations.
When Ying Kong Shi entered, he stopped and stared at the beautiful figure in front of him. Yan Da turned completely to face him, and smiled cautiously. Have you ever seen a beautiful princess like me? The flashback seemed to stop time. Finally he smiled, and stepped up to her. "It seems the Fire Queen has found a new style that even suits her more." With that he offered her his arm. Her sweet smile revealed the dimples in her cheeks as she clung to him. Ying Kong Shi felt his heart flutter as he looked down at her. Right now he would have died for a kiss from his beloved fiery companion.
"Your Majesty, is it proper that you take me to the peace negotiations?" So you came to protect me from the sharks in the shark tank? Ying Kong smiled the brief smile with which she had become so familiar. "Nothing less is fitting. You are not only my partner in peace, but also my most important guest. I will leave no doubt that the Ice Tribe is just as interested in the bond between our tribes as the Fire Tribe." With that, the two turned around and left the room. Yue Shen watched them go. When she saw Xing Gui's look, she knew that Ying Kong Shi's words had not only seemed almost like a marriage proposal to her.
When Yan Da entered the throne room with Ying Kong Shi, all participants stood up and greeted the two leaders. Fanfares rang out, and the mostly friendly expressions of the assembled clan leaders mingled with real admiration as they saw the beautiful Queen of Fire in her festive dress.
As soon as they had taken their seats the negotiations began. It soon became clear that all tribes, without exception, were willing to make peace with the Fire Tribe. However, the demands of the clans against the Fire Tribe differed. Ying Kong Shi had to argue a few times to keep the demands from getting too excessive. Most of the time, however, the tribes agreed to help with the reconstruction of destroyed villages or were willing to accept a multi-year tribute payment as compensation. In order not to burden the fire tribe too much shortly after the war, Yan Da was given a two-year period before the first repayments should take place. When the first day of negotiations was successfully over, most of the faces of the leaders present seemed satisfied. Only the Mermaid Saint showed no emotion. Her advisors seemed upset when she left the room. Ying Kong Shi noted the young leader's behavior with discomfort. The Mermaid Clan had demanded the highest recompensations of all tribes. This was not surprising, as this tribe had suffered most from Huo Yi. However, some of the requests seemed inappropriate. Yan Da finally consented after Ying Kong Shi had again moderated the Predor Mermaid when setting the repayments. After that busy day Ying Kong Shi invited his friends and Yan Da to the balcony of Phantom Sky, and they celebrated the successful day together. After the first friendly drink, Yan Da suddenly looked a little unsettled around the group. "Ying Kong Shi told me that you lost your life in the last war. I am so sorry that it was my family that caused this desaster. I wish I could have stopped my father earlier. I understand that you had help by Ying Kong Shi's ancestor, who revived you and used mighty magical items to make this fresh start happen. I would like to meet Xian Xue, who has done you so much good." "That can be arranged," said a voice behind her. When she turned around and saw the Snow Bird Spirit, her face showed boundless astonishment and… recognition. Did I just imagine the flash in her eyes? Ying Kong Shi thought.
Xian Xue's face, however, was not nearly as controlled as Ying Kong Shi knew it from his ancestor. He stepped up to Yan Da with slow steps and bowed. A light wind came up and moved the feathers in his hair. They stood facing each other for a long time when she finally offered her hand to him. "Welcome, respected elder. I want to thank you for giving all of us here this new beginning. Without your Six Leaf Ice Crystal, which Ying Kong Shi used to heal me, I would no longer be alive. "Xian Xue broke out of his numbness and smiled. "Thank you, your Highness! Believe me when I tell you that since the day you were saved there has not been a moment that I have not enjoyed seeing you live happily. Your ancestor was very close to me, and I am glad that with your life I can give back at least something of what she once gave to me." Ying Kong Shi was amazed to see that his ancestor's hands trembled slightly as he took out a narrow wooden box. "I brought you a gift on the occasion of your coronation." With these words he presented to her a quill that ended in a silver-plated point on the keel. "This is one of my head feathers. If you write with it, you don't need any ink, because the feather feeds on my blood. Everything you write I will know. Rest assure that I will always watch over you and Ying Kong Shi and will rush to your aid if you notify me. "The friends approached in admiration as Yan Da accepted the quill with great awe. "What a wonderful gift," she whispered. "I will always carry it with me, Xian Xue." Ying Kong Shi watched the scene in front of him with mixed feelings. He found the two of them to be quite close, considering the short time they had known each other. On the other hand, he could also see how a heavy weight seemed to fall from the shoulders of his ancestor. His lips were pressed together as he looked at Yan Da. He still loves her after all this time. Why has he not returned to his own time with the might of the Blood Red Lotus and the might of the Withered Blood Red Lotus? Then he would now be with Yan Zhu ... Why did he give us this chance instead? As Yue Shen went around refilling the glasses, the almost epic mood visibly lifted and laughter and happiness filled the Phantom Sky. That evening it wasn't just one drink. When the new friends finally separated, none of them had any more doubts about creating a better future together.
Late at night, after everyone had gone to rest, Ying Kong Shi sneaked back into Yan Da's rooms. He only longed to be peacefully by her side, watching her in her sleep. He didn't want her to question him about the past again. That had to wait until after the peace negotiations. His hopes were in vain as he found her sitting in her bed, cuddled between white furs and pillows. She was reading his book and had a big smile on her face. When she saw him, she patted the space by her side. The Ice Prince smiled and made himself comfortable next to her. "Will you give Yun Fei my thanks when you see him? Yesterday he surprised me with the best present of all." She said teasingly. Ying Kong Shi grinned and nodded. "I wonder… what did the leader of the Bear Clan whisper in your ear?" asked Ying Kong Shi curiously. "He told me that he was very sorry that there was a time when I was treated badly by his clan. He said that he would give me the opportunity to compete against him at any time, so that all the men of his clan can witness my honor in battle and my martial arts." Ying Kong Shi raised his eyebrows and nodded appreciatively. "Why didn't you visit me after my coronation?" She suddenly changed the subject. "I needed some fresh air after all the festivities. Have I offended you?" She shook her head. "I was just worried that our last conversation might be the cause of you avoiding me. Even before the coronation, I hardly saw you." He looked into her eyes and his heart grew heavy. "Yan Da, I have to confess something to you. I still haven't told you everything. I know that I owe it to you not to leave you in the dark about the past. But I have committed terrible deeds. I am absolutely sure that you can't forgive me all of it, no matter how much you love me. That's why I was so scared about your suggestion on that morning a few days ago. What if I confess everything to you, but you hate me afterwards? What if you can't see me anymore as the man you've chosen to love? The Fire Queen gave him a thoughtful look. Then she raised her hand and pinched his cheek. "Don't worry too much! I'm used to a lot from Ying Kong Shi. You've treated me badly in the past and yet I fell in love with you. And even if you had treated me a thousand times worse, still I would find a way not to hate all of you. For example, I could leave Ying Kong Shi behind and build a house at the lake with Yun Fei. We'd start a family with lots of children. Or … I would go on a journey with Li Tian Jin and explore the wonders of Illusion God Mountain. I would care for him, so his madness and desires would torture him less." She smiled broadly at him, and he forced himself to smile back. "So be it. I promise you, Yan Da, that after the peace negotiations, I will tell you the rest. Is that acceptable to you? "After she had said yes, he took her in the crook of his arm, and he read the book to her until they both fell asleep.