Chapter 3: Preparations for the Pilgrimage to Vale

Alright, back to seriousness here. I'm sorry for not updating.

"I think I heard Isaac speak of Vale when I saw him last in the Inn." Feizhi mused to herself. "This...'Vale' is northeast of here, according to this map...it's far..."

"Feizhi, what are you doing?" Feh's curt voice cut the air.

"Oh, Father! I was just...studying my geography!"

"Well, do not forget that you must sleep sometime. It is something I'd ask you to do now."

"Father, just let me finish studying! I promise I will go to sleep as soon as I finish."

"Very well. But remember: sleep as soon as you finish."

"Yes, Father."

"Then I will return to the students."

Feizhi sighed. "So the quickest way would be to...let me see...follow the road north...cross the bridge...hmm...ah...the Alpine Crossing...Lama Temple...I can go see Master Hama on the way...see what she says about my love...ah! The Lamakan Desert! It is very dangerous. But there is no other way. Mogall Forest is impassable. I must cross the Lamakan. I will ask Hsu to join me. Then comes...ah! If I follow the road, I will reach Kalay! And then north of Kalay is...Vault! Then west of Vault comes Vale! It is easier than I thought! I will be able to walk to Vale in ten days. Now I am done. I must go to sleep, or Father will be cross with me. I must seek his permission tomorrow."

So saying, Feizhi fell into a deep slumber, hair cascading over the table.

"Feizhi? Are you still studying the maps, daughter? Oh...look at her. She must be asleep. I will put her on her bed." Feh whispered. "Now I must go to bed as well. Tomorrow there will be much to do." Feh delicately placed his daughter into her bed and went to his own. He just sat down when he heard a faint crumpling sound.

"What is this? Oh, my daughter's journal. I will put it on the table for her. Tomorrow." Feh tossed the diary in a random direction before blowing out the lanterns.

The birds chirped happily at the coming of morning and a new day. Feizhi cursed the sun for rising just as she got to sleep. Feh simply snored.

"Ahh, it is morning anyways. When my father wakes I will ask him permission to travel to Vale, where I am sure my love sleeps even now." Feizhi whispered tiredly to herself as she walked half-asleep to the river.

"Ahhh! Very nice day! I just hope that Feizhi does not come running to me asking to cross the Lamakan Desert again! That would ruin my day!" Feh stretched, walked down to the river and started washing.

"Father..." Feizhi began as Feh finished cleaning himself in the river.

"Yes, my daughter?" Inwardly Feh was hoping that this wasn't one of her runaway schemes.

"I must ask you something." They started walking back to the school.

"What is it, Feizhi? You seem nervous."

"Father...how did you meet Mother?"

Feh was taken aback. "Your mother...?"

"Yes, Father. Surely you are not afraid to tell me?"

"No, Feizhi. I will tell you." As they reached the school, Feh opened the door.

"Well...?"

"Your mother...she lived in...another town. It was very far away. I do not remember the name now. But I so loved her that I came to her town and took her back here." Feh said.

"But how did you meet?" Feizhi inquired.

"Ahh...she...came to Xian many years ago. She left, however, and I never saw her until the day I walked up to her village."

"Father, may I ask you something else?"

"What is it, daughter?"

"Would you deny me my true love?"

Feh was, once again, surprised. "Of course not. After all, I made a great sacrifice for my wife."

It was Feizhi's turn to be surprised. "What was it?"

"Your grandfather...your grandparents...they disowned me. They disapproved of my marriage so much that they would not recognize me as their son. Even into death. I was not to attend their funeral."

"WHAT?" Feizhi was immediately consumed by new hate for her grandparents.

"I know you want a husband from the outside. Do not hesitate. You may go."

"Even if it means crossing the Lamakan?"

"The Lamakan has cooled down considerably. I would ask Hsu to go with you."

"Father...thank you."

"No thanks necessary."

Feizhi immediately sought out Hsu, who was found eating (again).

"Hsu!" Feizhi yelled.

"Oh! Feizhi!"

"Hsu, will you escort me across the Lamakan?"

"Well...why? You want to meet Hammet early?"

"No! I must see someone!"

"...hmm...I will escort you across the Lamakan. But no farther."

"That is fine; I intended to go the rest of the distance alone."

"Very well. When do we leave?"

"Right after I pack!"

Packing, for Feizhi, was extremely hurried. She dragged random bags out and stuffed them with clothing and other stuff necessary for a trip. As soon as she finished with one bag, it was tossed aside as another was filled. All in all, it made for...

"...a mess!" Feizhi wailed. "I can't take all this!"

"Then pack neatly. That will use fewer bags, making it easier to carry." Feh said, entering the room. "Wow. This is a mess. It will make problems."

"That's okay! I will pack neatly, and then fewer bags will be used! Thank you, father!"

"You're welcome..." he muttered incredulously as he left.

Feizhi started emptying the bags hurriedly, rushing as she didn't have all day to waste. She folded her clothes neatly, put them into two bags, and set them by the door. "That was an improvement! Before, it was seven bags!" Feizhi breathed as she set to work packing food and money.

Before long, all she needed for her little trip to Vale, bags lined up neatly next to the door. As for the rest of the bags...

Feizhi took care of that nicely. She just shoved it under her bed.

Master Feh poked his head through the door. "I see you have finished packing. You still have time enough to make it to the Lamakan Desert today, if you hurry. Hsu has been waiting for hours, you know."

"Very well, Father. I will leave now."

"Goodbye, Feizhi! Return with your true love!"

"I will, Father. I will."

Hsu took some of Feizhi's bags, turned and left. Feizhi followed.