不怕慢，就怕停 (bú pà màn, jiù pà tíng) — Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still

Dawa stepped outside of the tent she called home for 17 years.

Aunt Bora was waiting for her and as soon as she saw her niece dressed up in formal robes of the Taban tribe complete with maiden braids, she couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked.

She looks just like her mother. Oh Zoren, you would have been so proud of her.

Aunt Bora, eyes glistening with tears, grasped her niece’s hands tightly and smiled brightly.

“You resemble your mother so much. She looked just like you when she married your father.”

Dawa gave a small smile. Her parents had passed away fighting giant glass desert worms in the deep Yhur Plains. The twins were three and can no longer remember their faces. Dawa was ten and was starting to forget them so it was heartening for Aunt Bora to remind her just before she left this place for good.

Would they be proud of me, I wonder?

“I’m glad I have a bit of my deceased parents to take with me.” Dawa’s eyes dropped slightly, “I’ll miss you.”

Aunt Bora sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes. “Oh child, you have no idea how much we will miss you. I helped raise you and the twins after Zoren and Ashere passed away. Even though I couldn’t get married and have children of my own, I consider you a daughter nonetheless.”

“Dear aunt, wipe your tears. You’re presenting me to the Li entourage as my guardian. They will think you’re deplorable.” Dawa smirked.

“Well,” Aunt Bora huffed, “I reckon if they see how unhappy I am giving you away, then they’ll give you back to me.”

“Haha relax aunt. I’m just gonna be a concubine. I’ll probably have quite a lot of freedom to write and visit.”

“You’d better.”

Aunt Bora walked in front of Dawa as it was custom for the Taban tribe for daughters to be presented to suitors by the guardian.

“Did you say goodbye to the twins?” Aunt Dawa asked.

…

“I…had a feeling they were trying to be strong in front of me. I don’t want to break their um…resolve to let me go so I didn’t say a formal goodbye. We acted as if I was going to a priestess event than a giving-away party.” Dawa quietly replied.

…

“Please convey my love and goodbyes.”

…

The two continued to walk in silence to the Elder’s tent where the Li entourage was waiting for Dawa’s arrival, listening to the sand crunch under the weight of their boots as they approached the opening flap.

When they were just outside the opening flap, both Dawa and Aunt Bora can hear some mumbling through the thick material of the tent. The Elder must be speaking with the envoys and establishing some diplomatic ties with them.

During the Taihelong insurrection, the Taban tribe were quick to acknowledge the new dynasty as the more superior force of the land. Being a small tribe in the plains of Yhur or the Western Plains as it is called by the people of Li doesn’t provide much political power to compete with the big nations like Li or the Gong tribe slightly Southwest.

Diplomatic missions like these are rare and when they do occur, the Council of Elders go over and beyond to ensure the tribe’s interests. However, insulting the more powerful nations is not an option so negotiations have to conducted carefully. But weakness cannot be shown if the tribe wishes to keep their autonomy.

Aunt Bora gestures for Dawa to wait outside and she enters the tents to announce her arrival. After a few seconds of silence, the flap is pushed aside, allowing Dawa to enter.

Heart racing with clammy palms, Dawa slowly walks into the Elder’s tent.

What greets her is the Grand Elder standing next to two young men in the tent’s front room.

The young men were around her age or slightly older. The one on the left had a soft face with the kind of handsomeness that people admired for hours on end. He also had a strong brow so, despite the gentle features, this man looked to be willful and stubborn at times. The man on the right had the most confident expression Dawa had ever seen. She suspected he was popular with women or if not, he flirted with women regularly. Handsome too, no doubt, but the kind that made women swoon with the smallest smile.

Dawa discreetly took a glance around the tent, there was no one besides the two men. The Grand Elder had said an envoy will be here to escort her but she knew that Li sent out a convey of men and labour servants to collect important figures. She wasn’t expecting just two young men. Had her research been wrong perhaps?

The two young men kowtowed towards her. “Young maiden Da.”

The Li language was a little unfamiliar to her despite leaning it rigorously but she understood the words clearly.

Da?? That’s not my name…Oh! Do they think that’s my surname? I have to correct them once we get on the road.

She tried her hand at attempting the Li language, “Please rise.” Dawa cringed for she knew her accent must be horrendous but the two men seemed to understand; they rose from their kowtow.

“It is a pleasure to meet the young masters escorting me to Li. I look forward to the journey ahead.”

The man on the right gave a slight smirk which caused his partner on his left to slightly jab him with his elbow. The movements were small but Dawa caught them. She had to use all the muscles in her face to prevent herself from giggling; these two young men were going to be quite entertaining.

The Grand Elder spoke, “I know I told you that an envoy will bring you to Li but after some discussion, we have decided to send some of our people with you.”

My people will be going?? This is very odd indeed. It was agreed that I leave everything behind on the day I was to go to Li.

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

She nodded solemnly, then turned to Aunt Bora, “Prepare the palanquin for her departure.”

Aunt Bora bowed slightly and gestured to the young men and Dawa to exit the Elder’s tent. One by one, they all left the opening flap to face the winds of the desert.

Once they were free from the confines of propriety, the stiff formal air dissipated and Dawa turned to the two young men behind her, wearing a smirk on her face.

“I saw that smirk.” She said facing the man on her right, “and I saw you jab him.” She continued, now facing the man on her left. “I thought I was going to get a huge entourage of Li people that I wouldn’t know but I’m glad it’s my people and just the two of you.”

The young men were stunned. Never in their lives have they met a woman who was so outspoken and dare say, friendly. They also didn’t know what to say about the large entourage since they were only told that the Taban priestess was originally going to get one escort but she has two now. How did she know that Li normally sends a huge convoy to collect brides and important people from places outside Li?

Dawa continued, “What are your names? Since we are not using swords to travel, we will be on the road for a while so it’s best if I know what they are if we are going to be companions.”

Both men didn’t speak for a while then the man on the left managed to sputter, “Zi Siwei, but you can call me young master Zi.”

“Oh!” Dawa suddenly interrupted, “I don’t want to call you ‘young master’ because I think you guys are older and I don’t think you’re high nobles so I’d rather call you by name or some title or seniority that is familiar.”

“Alright.” Zi Siwei spoke slowly, “You can call me by name with seniority since I AM older than you.”

“Great!” Dawa brightened, “I will call you Siwei-xiong. That’s what you call men older than you right?”

The two men wore surprised expressions. This woman was exasperating! They didn’t even have the strength to correct her…

“Um…sure!” The man on Dawa’s right managed to voice out. “But it’s better to call him Siwei-shixiong since you’re not close to him and we are cultivators studying the same cultivation techniques.”

He put his fist on his chest, “My name is Bai Haoxia so you can call me Haoxia-shixiong.”

Dawa nodded vigorously, “Siwei-shixiong, Haoxia-shixiong, it’s a pleasure to meet both of you. I hope we get along!” Dawa cheerily replied.

Aunt Bora sighed as she listened to the chatty youths do their introductions, totally ignoring protocol among potential concubines and non-members of the Emperor’s household.

Even when she’s about to go on the most daunting journey of her life, she tries to make the best out of it. I believe she will bring light to the Li Court and among the cultivation sects there too.

She stopped and turned around to glance at the three youngsters, hands on her hips.

“Only when we’re out of the Elder’s sight, then you all decide to have a party huh??” She lightly scolded.

The youths were stunned into silence before Aunt Bora broke into a throaty laugh, “I’m just messing with you. It’s good to be happy when you’re about to go on a long trip. Since we’re using a palanquin, there will be a few preparations that will delay the departure. You kids should wander around the village before you leave; it’ll be a few shichen. Have some fun! I encourage it.”

Zi Siwei and Bai Haoxia were beyond shocked. Due to all the last-minute changes on both sides, they will have some time to relax before their trip back to Li. It was unlike any other diplomatic mission they have ever been on, with such a tight schedule that there was no time to enjoy the culture. The new Emperor’s tendency for spontaneity had allowed them freedoms that they wouldn’t have otherwise. The court may not like it but it was useful in a way.

Dawa seemed happy with the prospect of showing the two generals around the village and the customs that she grew up with so this delay suited her too.

It was going to be a wonderful wait.