The sun was high in the sky, shining a blinding glare over Dragon Lake, when the party of peace negotiators approached the Chu camp. As they drew near, they could hear the distant sound of soldiers shouting and the clanging of swords against shields.
An arrow flew past Tun causing the young dragon to cast a deafening screech as he glided above the camps watchtower. Lao Longzi and Danzi followed him, dodging iron arrows. Danzi brought his claws to the scaffold watch tower where the arrows were shot and pulled out one of the guards with his talons.
"No!" Lord Cao, seated uncomfortably behind Lao Longzi yelled. "No, we come in peace! Tell Danzi to put the man down."
Drop him to the ground. Lao commanded of Danzi.
Danzi dropped the man from talon to talon in a sort of twisted play game before gently placing the man on the ground below. Lord Cao cried out loud, "We come in peace! Please! We come in peace! Bring your leader out to us."
The soldiers around Danzi looked puzzled and terrified as they exchanged glances with one another behind their pointed spears. Hei Lei and Anh flew above at that point, delighting the soldiers to one of Hei Lei's blistering screeches.
"Are you deaf?" Anh yelled at the men.
"Bring us your leader!" Lord Cao demanded as he unfastened himself from Danzi. It was lucky some of the soldiers had dashed off to the find their leader. Lord Cao had made quite an entrance, but his wobbly and clumsy gait diminished any credit he had going on for himself as a bold dragon rider.
The rest of the party landed in the clearing by the watchtower. Tun, however, had flown far off to the other side of the lake.
Where's he going? Bong inquired.
Spooked by a flimsy arrow. Hei Lei muttered.
Those arrows are tipped with iron, Danzi said. As are the spears and swords. We must advise their leaders to place away their weapons during peace talks.
Bong groaned. I don't think they will agree to that.
The party waited half an hour before a posse of soldiers came out from the barracks. They were accompanied by a particularly odd looking man with kohl around his eyes and lips.
A eunuch. Danzi said as if reading Anh's mind.
Probably still has bigger balls than his false emperor. Hei Lei chimed.
The eunuch did not bow to the party, but instead studied them sternly. In a practiced Qin accent he advised the party of their leaders willingness to meet them.
"Just one thing," Lao said. "The dragons can't be around iron. It harms them."
The eunuch's gaze darkened. "You come to our camp uninvited, throw one of our men from a tower, and demand our leader to your bequest. Now, you ask us to lay down our weapons?"
"Not all of them." Anh said.
"Just those in the meeting, perhaps?" Bong pleaded.
"No." The eunuch said firmly. "If your dragons are afraid of iron, then perhaps you should rethink your principles on war again before breaking your codes." Anh could see Lao Longzi gritting his teeth. The eunuch beckoned the party to the posse. "Come – General Xiang Ji awaits."
The party drew glances at each other, hesitant. The Dragon Keepers looked to their dragons, the council to themselves. Each man and dragon nodded before walking between the posse and into the Chu camp.
Anh had never been to a war camp before – judging by Bong and Lao's demeanour, he guessed they hadn't, neither. The negotiators walked with purpose, however, their heads held high and their faces calm and collected. Lord Cao walked ahead, carrying a white flag of truce in one hand and a scroll in the other. Inside the camp, they were greeted by the sight of hundreds of soldiers, armed and ready for battle. The negotiators remained undaunted and continued walking.
Jiang let out a small cry. It hurts. She said. Anh knew she was talking about the iron.
Bong placed a hand under her chin and walked on solemnly. Anh inched closer to Hei Lei.
Are you okay?
Lots of iron. Small chance of peace talks running smoothly. I'm great! Hei Lei snorted.
Anh couldn't help but grin at Hei Lei's sarcasm. You forgot high chance of dying.
Hei Lei tinkled. Wonderful!
They came to the centre of the camp, where a great tent larger than Lord Cao's home, was established. There, they were met by a grizzled warrior with a fierce scowl. He and Lord Cao exchanged a wary glance before the eunuch stepped forward.
"You stand in the presence of General Xiang Ji." His voiced roared proudly. "General of the Chu army. Leader of the rebel forces. Hegemon King of Chu and Hand to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Gaozu."
Anh frowned. I thought the conquerors name was Liu Bang?
Lao responded, He's obviously canonized himself now as an Emperor.
There was a short silence after the eunuch announced their host. The Tinkling men glanced awkwardly among each other before Tieze stepped forward.
"Erm," He said clearing his throat. "This is Lord Cao of Tinkling Village."
Another awkward silence.
Is it going well so far…? Bong asked.
"We come in peace," Lord Cao announced in a firm, yet gentle, voice. "We seek you out to ask for a lasting peace between us and spare our town from hardship."
The enemy leader eyed the party suspiciously but made no move to attack. "And what terms do you have to offer to my hungry, needy army?" He said.
Lord Cao bowed. "Treasures. Tinkling Village is a prosperous village of artists and trade. We offer to part our wealth with you in exchange for peace."
Xiang Ji looked over the dragons. "Are the dragons part of your wealth?" He asked.
"No." Lao Longzi said firmly.
"I thought dragons and their keepers remained neutral in war." He said with a smirk.
Lao breathed in heavily. "There can be no neutrality where peace is absent."
General Xiang Ji eyed each of the dragons before settling on Hei Lei and his pack. "What's in the packs?"
"Treasures." Lord Cao answered.
The general snorted, but his eyes flickered with interest as he studied the packs. "You think you can buy my loyalty with trinkets?" he sneered.
Lord Cao shook his head. "No, my lord. I do not seek to buy your loyalty, but to earn your respect. Let us work together to create a world where strength and beauty can coexist, where war and violence are no longer the only solutions."
Anh climbed upon Hei Lei's back and untied one of the smaller packs. He withdrew some of the treasures inside: a jade flask, a gold nugget the size of his head, and a small cask of foreign wine from Indus.
The soldiers surrounding the party looked at the small sampling of treasures with wonder. His Qi was still rough, but he could make out some of their conversation.
"That jade flask would be worth more than my house!" One said
"What my Ba would say if I told him of the Indus wine." Another cooed.
General Xiang Ji studied the items for a long while then slowly nodded. "Very well," he said. "Let us see if we can find a way to work together." He gestured his advisors inside the tent. He followed suite with them.
The eunuch stood before the party. "General Xiang Ji is pleased with what you have to offer, and will accept you into his tent to discuss peace further." Two guards held the tent open, inviting the party in.
"The dragons?" Anh asked.
"Room can be made." The eunuch said.
"No. Will the iron weapons be removed?" Anh said.
The eunuch looked up to him. He was a head shorter than Anh but fierce. "No." He said before leaving them.
It was just the dragons and their keepers standing out now. Soldiers watched them, holding spears and swords of iron at their sides.
In or out? Bong asked.
Danzi looked between them. Those who wish to remain outside, go find Tun. Otherwise, join us in the tent. Bong went with Jiang to find Tun. Ming went inside.
Danzi turned to Anh and Hei Lei. Remove the treasures before joining us inside.
Who made you boss? Hei Lei grumbled.
Danzi pressed his face into Hei Lei's snout and growled.
Hei Lei raised a brow. You're getting less patient these days, Lung Danzi. He said bracing himself ready for a fight. Perhaps it is time to relinquish your role as leader?
"Hei Lei!" Anh said standing between the two dragons.
Out of the way, Anh! Hei Lei roared.
You couldn't handle being leader, Hei Lei. Danzi roared. You're impertinent; impatient; bashful.
Those are big words. It's a shame you can't run the Haven with the same conviction.
Hei Lei! Anh said pushing his chest.
Let's talk about the Haven, Danzi. Hei Lei said puffing out his chest. Let's talk about how there are less dragons now. Let's talk about how the other dragons don't feel safe laying stones!
This is not the time for this discussion. Lao said standing between both dragons now and pushing Danzi.
When then! Hei Lei cried.
Patience is a virtue. Danzi said.
Enough with your baseless affirmations. Anh cried. Just tell him!
Hei Lei stopped pushing against Anh, and instead looked down at the boy.
Tell me what? Hei Lei seethed.
Anh looked behind him to Lao and Danzi. Lao was shaking his head. Danzi said nothing for a while.
Tell me what? Hei Lei spat.
Lu Yu and I are with egg. Danzi admitted, finally.
Hei Lei looked between Anh, Danzi and Lao. He began to calm down, but Anh could see in his heart that the old dragon felt betrayed. Danzi didn't want Hei Lei to know about the dragonling yet; and Anh had known but kept the knowledge from him.
Lao Longzi huffed before punching one of the wooden posts holding up the tent. "Unpack!" He said before storming inside. Danzi remained out for a moment looking at Hei Lei. When words didn't come, he too went inside the tent.
Anh leaned against the post Lao had punched earlier and sighed. I'm sorry, Hei Lei.
Hei Lei said nothing but bent his knees until he was laying so Anh could unpack him. It took him ten minutes. When he was done, he tried to apologise again.
I'm going to look for Tun. Hei Lei said. He turned and ran briefly, terrifying some of the Chu soldiers before soaring sky high.
Anh took a seat on one of the packs, and placed his head between his hands, pulling at his short hair. He loved Hei Lei, but to challenge Danzi so baselessly like that? Surely he must know he'd never win. He'd never accept such humiliation from defeat, either. Hei Lei always ran away from issues, never confronted them. He'd very well take Anh with him, and they'd never be allowed back in the Haven again.
They were walking on eggshells, and Anh keeping secrets from Hei Lei only added gasoline to his fire of hatred against Danzi. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back from his ears. "Qin fight with Chu; Dragons fight with dragons." He muttered.
A toast came from inside the tent. The negotiations were underway. With nothing left to do, he entered the tent of General Xiang Ji and, reluctantly, took a seat between Lao Longzi and Danzi.
The negotiations were stalemate.
The evening was intense. General Xiang Ji was a man of honour, however, and invited the party to rest in their camp and continue the following day. They were provided meagre food, but the ale was a welcome comfort.
The following morning Anh skipped sitting in on the negotiations in order to find Hei Lei. Bong and Jiang had returned the previous evening saying he and Tun were on the western edge of the lake, hunting. Bong and Jiang flew Anh to where they rested. Hei Lei was gnawing on a reindeer.
Good morning Hei Lei. Anh said. Hei Lei didn't look at him and continued chewing on the deer. Don't suppose you have any venetian for me, too?
Anh half expected Hei Lei to respond with a snort, but instead he was met with complete silence. He crossed his arms over his chest. Are you going to carry on then like a big baby?
Nothing! Not a snort, an eyeroll or sardonic response. Hei Lei really was mad at him. The last time Hei Lei had ever acted this foul was when Anh started out as a Dragon Keeper and taunted Hei Lei with a centipede. Then again, Anh couldn't blame him for being mad. He had kept a secret from him. He'd broken his trust with Danzi.
Will you two return the camp with us? Jiang asked boldly.
Tun groaned and buried his face into the sand.
Come on Tun. Bong ushed gently. No arrows will fly out at you this time.
Not a chance in Hell. Tun said. He made a sound reminiscent of a sad flute.
With Hei Lei ignoring him, Anh sat down next to Tun. Jiang rubbed her cheek against Tun's and uttered words of encouragement in dragon speech. Tun was only young and had not been around humans much. Nor had he been around settlements often, either. The experience with the army spooked him.
They're not going to hurt you. Anh said softly.
A snort came from Hei Lei nearby. Anh looked sharply at the dragon. Oh, nice to hear from you!
Humans, Hei Lei said, care only for their own interests.
That's not true. Bong said.
Don't listen to him, Tun. Anh said laying a hand on the young dragons head. His horns were almost fully developed now. He's just being a grump.
Tun whinnied. I want to go back to The Summer Haven.
Bong sighed. What about the packs?
We'll take it. Anh said looking back at Hei Lei.
I'd rather shit in my paws, then clap. Hei Lei responded.
Anh gritted his teeth. You agreed to help me with Tinkling Village because you know it's the right thing to do. Don't turn your back on them now, just because you're mad at me.
Hei Lei huffed. You turned your back on me.
Anh stood as a wave of qi rushed through him. He was about ready to shoot a bolt at Hei Lei when Bong clapped his hands loudly. Anh, don't. Bong stood and began leading Anh towards the packs that Tun had removed the night before. Sort out your problems another time. Remember who we're really fighting for here.
Yes. Who are we fighting for, Anh? Hei Lei huffed as Bong and Anh strapped the packs to him. Tun flew towards the Haven shortly after, meanwhile Anh, Hei Lei, Bong and Jiang returned to the Chu camp.
The mood in the camp was still tense, but the second pack brought more treasures for the Chu men to ogle about. If General Xiang Ji wasn't bought over with wealth, his men sure were. They joined in on the peace talks that evening which at last was breaking its stalemate.
Finally, in the early hours of the morning, a peace agreement was reached.
The eunuch read the Chu terms to the army assembled after day break. "Here say, His Grace, General Xiang Ji, on April the 1st in the second year under the reign of His Imperial Majesty…"
It took everything within Anh to not groan as the eunuch laid out the formalities. He was standing between Bong and Hei Lei.
The war will be over before he finishes. Bong sighed.
The eunuch continued, "…has agreed to make peace with the Qin men and women of Tinkling Village under the following conditions."
He unravelled a scroll which a scribe had painstakingly written and rewritten. Anh looked over the scribe nearby who was stretching out his wrist. Anh had always wanted to learn to read and write, but perhaps it was just as well it wasn't his calling.
"The first – We, the Chu, accept the gifts provided by Lord Cao and his men as a gesture of goodwill and peace. In line with this, we recognise and appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of Tinkling Village, which will from here on craft weaponry to the Chu and Han armies."
There was a murmur among the infantry. It was a hard bargain that caused pain to Lord Cao for he, nor his men, were blacksmiths. But it was a start.
"The second – " The eunuch continued. "A promise of a visit from His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Gouzu, to Tinkling Village as a sign of his commitment to peace will be made within the month of May. In turn, the supply route between Tinkling Village and Xiangyang will be reopened."
That was a big win for Tinkling Village. Opening the supply route to the city allows for grain to travel back to Tinkling Village. More food on the table, in return for supplying weapons to the capital.
Anh shifted about uncomfortably. He wasn't a fan of the third term. In fact, the third term was what lead to the stalemate on the second day.
"The third – Under His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Gouzu, we recognise the diversity of a soon to be unified Han Empire. To fully receive this, a marriage alliance between noble members of Tinkling Village will be arranged for our bravest of warriors in the Chu camp."
An echo of whoops and cheers sounded among the Chu soldiers. Anh saw a few men receiving a ribbing from their comrades. He looked sideways to the stoic Lord Cao whom this term had pained especially. He had two daughters of marriageable age who would likely marry into the Chu. There were three other nobles in Tinkling Village who he would now facilitate marriage terms too. It was a dirty business to go behind their backs, and Lord Cao knew full well blood would be on his hands.
"Finally," The eunuch boomed. "We vow to bring no harm to any civilians whilst traveling through Tinkling Village. By agreeing to these conditions, we, the Chu, and the Qin men and women of Tinkling Village pledge to uphold peace and honour the treaty between our peoples under the banner of the Han Empire."
"Huzzah!" Everyone, Anh included, roared. "Huzzah!" And with that, the camp erupted into cheers. With promises to consolidate in Tinkling Village on the first day of Summer, the party left the Chu camp before noon. It was a quicker journey back to the village compared to arriving as they were not weighed down by treasures. Nor were the Tinkling men as concerned about riding on dragon back as before.
They arrived before the setting of the sun. Danzi made quite a show upon descending, roaring and chiming loudly, ensuring all of the villagers knew they were arriving. Lord Cao, who was clinging for dear life behind Lao, cried out "Victory! Victory!"
Anh had never seen Danzi fly in such a way before. He moved through the sky above the village as if it were water. It was a like a dance. He couldn't help but join in on the excitement cheering with joy.
Show off. Hei Lei muttered.
They landed outside the gates and were greeted with a jubilant celebration. "Peace is ours!" Lord Cao revered. Villagers surrounded the party, waving banners and cheering at the top of their lungs. Music filled the air, the sound of drums and flutes blending together in a joyous cacophony.
Though weary from their journey, the party made their way through the throngs of well-wishers. The dragons were showered with flowers (even Hei Lei!) and the men received hugs and kisses. Children scampered around the feet of the dragons, and the few elderly survivors clapped the men on the back.
Amidst the revelry, Anh caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd. Yara stood among the villagers with her mother and brother, her eyes sparkling with happiness at the return of her father. For a moment, Anh's heart skipped a beat. With the taste of victory on his lips, he felt emboldened to approach her, even with her father next to her. It was no secret now, after all!
Taking a deep breath, Anh stepped forward and made his way towards Yara. As he drew closer, she looked up and saw him. Her smile widened, and in that moment, as the cheers of the crowd filled the air and the sun sank lower in the sky, Anh knew that he had found his true home - not just in this town, or in the Haven nearby, but in her heart.
He was shy of ten metres from the woman he loved when Bong blocked his way. "Minh Huyn is here."
Anh blinked as Bong's words settled. "In Tinkling?" He asked.
"Jiang says she saw him and Bai Xue land on Jade Mountain just now." Bong smiled. He grabbed Anh's arm. "Come on!"
Anh looked over towards Yara who was so close. She was watching him – so was her father. His eyes met hers and he nodded before allowing himself to be dragged away by Bong. She should have her night with her father, Anh thought. Then he smiled as he thought of what he would do when he saw her next. An idea had been weighing on him since flying to the Chu camp. Now, as he and Hei Lei flew towards Jade Mountain, the plan cemented.