Chapter Text
//He walks slowly through a narrow trench settled deep in the crag of a pair of rocky hills. He is dressed in a Still Suit, he has a dagger made from the tooth of Shai-Hulud, the Sandworm. He is hunting and is being hunted. He vanishes around a bend and then as his hunter comes after him, he pounces and he sees glowing blue eyes before the brilliant moonlight shines on them and their silver light is reflected back at him. He gasps as he is stabbed, but instead of blood, a strange pearlescent blue liquid bleeds from him.
"Dream of me while awake..." a voice that is not a voice whispers and suddenly he is walking up a dune side, a figure walks before him, they are of the third Gender, a Helix. He isn't sure how he knows this, just that he does. "Awaken, a' Zhan..."
A'Zhan!
A'Zhan! A'Zhan!!
Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!!
Lan-er-gege!!
Hanguang-jun.....//
"A'Zhan?" His mother's voice sounded concerned and he blinked his eyes open and sat up slowly. It was night time, it has been over a week since they arrived on Yiling and took over harvesting and production of Spice. The Capital City was named Yiling in honor of their home world. His mother hired a staff maids who were local to the planet. One of them, Meng Shi, was named their Head Maid. She was a soft spoken, if a bit eager woman. She had a son who worked to water the few plants in the garden. Lan Zhan had had an opportunity to talk to Meng Yao at during midday before Lan Qiren hurriedly bustled him into the palace when the twin suns were getting to their hottest point. They had talked about the plants that looked half dead. Lan Zhan had suggested removing them, but Meng Yao had quickly explained that much like water, any plant life, even half dead was very sacred. So much so that the palace was the only place with a 'garden' and it is warded off from the public. There were 10 trees and each one needed enough water for 50 men each daily. Meng Yao has lived on Yiling since his birth and much like many who lived there, but were not Frehman, the natives of Yiling, being exposed to enough Spice gave them the blue on blue eyes. Meng Yao admits he is to be Lan Zhan's tutor for the more personal interactions of daily life on Yiling and even in Yinling, the capital. And Lan Zhan had to admit, Meng Yao was an excellent teacher. He was a bit awkward at first, not use to someone like Lan Zhan, who was attentive, but very quiet. When Lan Zhan asked his questions or spoke, he was very blunt and to the point. It was a shock really, but Meng Yao soon figured out how best to address his student and was often invited with his mother to attend dinners with the royal family.
"You're mind has wandered, Wangji, that is very rude to Meng Yao." Lan Xichen's voice suddenly startles him, Lan Zhan reacting like a startled snake, spins, his short dagger flashing with deadly accuracy, but Lan Xichen, is just as fast, blocking the blow that would otherwise have ended his life, while he and Lan Zhan glare one another down. One smiling and the other being as expressionless as uncarved marble. "Good, you didn't dull while I was away, little brother..." He laughs and they pull their daggers away before Lan Zhan hugs him quick and briefly. Still painfully shy even so close to adulthood.
Meng Yao had startled at the sudden presence of another as well as the much to quick for his liking drawing of weapons. The young man had pulled a fan out to hide half of his face, his pale gold eyes that were surrounded with a light blue glow in the dim lighting of his classroom, narrowed, his other hand slipping a poisoned knife from his arm guard hidden under his robe sleeve, just in case this stranger was a real threat.
"... Forgive this one, Meng-Laoshi..." Lan Zhan bows his head and the slightly older man blinks his eyes in surprise. He hadn't noticed that Lan Zhan had suddenly lost focus during his lecture. He would really need to get to know him better if he wanted to be able to accurately read him like he can read everyone around him. So far the Lans were much nicer to them than the Wens had been, his mother certainly sang Madam Long's praises. Meng Yao has to also admit that the Madam was very nice, though she was frighteningly more preceptive than even himself, but then again she was a Bene Gesseritt. "This is Lan Xichen, this one's cousin and bodyguard."
"Sorry to crash your lesson, but I just got back from the Burial Mounds this morning and Uncle wanted to talk with both of us. I came to get you. Hello Meng Yao, was it? I am Lan Huan, Lan Xichen. It is a pleasure to meet you." The smiling look alike of Lan Zhan's said. "Come Wangji... Meng-Laoshi may come as well, though you will keep that poisoned knife sheathed unless there was a call to arms and you will not turn your blade on anyone I care for or you will not have your life." Lan Xichen's smile takes a frosty edge that both excites and scares Meng Yao, who slowly pulls his hand away from his knife and reveals he his unarmed, for now.
"Xiongzhang." Lan Zhan sighs.
"Oh shush, Wangji. I know you've been aware of his weapons, but you are too trusting." Xichen huffs, lightly tapping his brow with a finger.
"He wouldn't be alive if he was a threat." Lan Zhan says calmly. "However, allowed him to keep them because he seemed more relaxed knowing he could protest himself."
Meng Yao gapes in shock for just a moment before he gives a low bow, putting his fan away as well, "Forgive this insolent one."
"Nothing to forgive. The Wens are a brutal and blood thirsty Clan. They are needlessly cruel and enjoy bringing suffering to those under their rule, even those in their own families are not spared." Lan Zhan says calmly. "If this one was in Meng-Laoshi's position and him in this one's; would be wary as well. Would not trust blindly, would be ready to assassinate if these strangers suddenly prove they are as bad if not worse than the Wens."
"Auntie's teachings are very thorough." Lan Huan chuckles as he slips his own weapons back into their places and relaxes himself to his usual smiling self, the frosty edge gone, but ready to pull out again. Meng Yao bows and apologizes once more, but agrees with Lan Wangji's assessment of his own thoughts and precautions.
After that the three make their way to Lan Hailang's office. They walk in to find Lan Qiren standing beside their grim, but well meaning captain of the guard, Song Lan, who narrows his eyes at the three of them. Lan Hailang, or Qingchen-Jun as he was more often called by, looked up and gives them both a warm smile and a confused look.
"Meng-Laoshi?" He asks.
"He was willing to kill me if I hurt Wangji, figured we could use him as a neutral party and perhaps extra protection if this meeting goes sideways, Uncle."
"A stranger, Xichen?" Song Lan growls, his face getting grimmer, but Xichen just laughs.
"Calm down, cousin! I would never endanger Wangji like that. Besides if Meng Yao is even allowed to keep working here, it means Auntie has already vetted him. Nothing gets past her when it comes to Wangji's wellness and safety. As much as she loves Uncle, if Uncle were to ever harm her son... I doubt even he would survive her wrath." Xichen points out and everyone nods. Lady Long was a very sweet and soft woman, but was a real monster when it came to her child's safety and well being.
"Indeed, Miyoung has threatened me several times when she gave birth that if I ever step out of line. Not even Lan'er dares to go against her." Qingchen-jun laughs. "Very well, Meng Yao, forgive us, we are not normally so sneaky or underhanded. But you have to understand: To suddenly be given rule over Yiling, when for more than 3 generations, Qishan Wen had ruled. We would be very stupid to not take every precaution. My lady is personally vetting everyone out, so far we have caught 5 spies and found 3 would be assassins. My wife has personally taught our son at her knee, I am no slouch either. Every man you see in this room, and even some you do not, are all very well trained, will kill first and ask later when it comes to the safety of those they care about. I personally believe the Emperor finds me as a threat to his rule and sent my family here, knowing the Wens will be infuriated by this and will retaliate. I hope to form a peace pact if not an agreement to call to arms with those who live in the Burial Mounds. There is no telling when the attack will happen and I want to minimalize the amount of deaths if possible."
"I see..." Meng Yao says, flicking out his fan and tapping it against his chin as he paces, thinking. He feels their eyes on him, but he is processing and he has to admit this suddenness had been very suspicious. Meng Yao would admit that he would be extremely cautious if he had been in their place. Madam Long was clearly someone to fear so the enemy would target her and Heir Lan to cripple Lord Lan. 5 spies and 3 would be assassin... He suddenly paused in thought, his brows knitting together, he needed to get a message out to Da-ge. But didn't the smiling twin not say he just returned from the Burial Mounds? How, only those of the Frehman blood could get in and out of there and only with the Laozu's blessing. Shai-Hulud was both merciful and cruel to those who lived there. Blinking his eyes, he looks up just as the door opens and his nose catches the raw scent of Spice and his eyes warm up seeing Da-ge. So he was here and that means... hopefully something will be agreed upon. Da-ge hated the Wens for what they've been doing to their people for generations, they have all lost someone and there were a few Wens in their tribes now, those that had been deemed traitors for one reason or another and dumped into the desert to die.
"I am no dog to be summoned." Da-ge growls out, He is a mountain of a man and the fact they do not hear him as he walks towards them has set many on edge. Song Lan growls and gets in his path, but Xichen is quick to quell him.
"Clan Leader Nie, this one greets you and apologizes. This is the Uncle, this one spoke of. Uncle, this is Clan Leader, Nie Mingjue. He leads all of the Desert Dwellers. These are Lan Qiren, our Tactical expert, Song Lan, our captain of the Guard and this is my cousin and the one I call my brother, Lan Wangji." Xichen is careful to not give birth names, he bows and touches first his heart before touching his forehead and making an offering motion with the same hand. His Uncle notes this and calmly copies him as he gives his own greetings.
"Mm, this one greets you... why did you wish to speak?" He demands, ignoring how the guards around the room tense, Song Lan looks like he wants to cut his head form his shoulders, but Qingchen is keeping him calm. Nie Mingjue sees Meng Yao hiding off to the side, clearly he was brought in for something. He was his most trusted spy and lover, it was good to see he was clearly not distressed though he had a look in his pale golden eyes. He would speak to him later, much later, and get his opinion.
"As I'm sure you can guess, I am not Wen Rouhan, nor am I or anyone who follows me, related to them. The Emperor has stationed my entire Clan here to supervise the continued collection and production of Spice. This was very sudden and I would be foolish to think this is not some ploy to have my entire clan wiped out either from civil unrest by the people who have grown tired of oppression and would not wish to be subjected to more tyranny or by the Wens themselves, who will be furious at suddenly losing their vice grip on the Empire. After all the one who controls Yiling, controls the Empire. You have no reason to believe me, but I am to make things better for the people of Yiling as well as keep the Empire satisfied for as long as I draw breath. However, war is coming and I would like for us to aid one another. If this is too much to ask, then I at least ask for protection for those who are innocent in this. From my Household, I wish for this to cover my beloved and our son."
Lan Zhan tensed and snapped his head at his father. Identical golden eyes calmly looked back and Lan Zhan slowly looks down, fists tight. His father knows he will not survive this ploy and it infuriates him. His father is making him out to be some helpless child, hoping to earn sympathy for him. He slowly looks up and Nie Mingjue is looking at him and his eyes, a deep green hazed over by the blue glow shine brighter as he leans back, his face shadowed and the glow is in full effect. Like this it is hard to see what he is thinking, but Lan Zhan does not drop his gaze. When he leans forward once more he spits at the table. Song Lan nearly lunges at the disrespectful act, but Xichen grabs him back and shakes him hard. The older man, yelps like a pup being reprimanded.
"Calm down, you idiot! He is not being rude! Think about it, this is a Desert Planet! Water of any kind is very precious! So to willingly spit is a sign of great respect!!" Xichen scolds and they startle hearing Qingchen also spit.
To them it is strange because spitting is a deplorable habit, but in this case it is an act of respect being reciprocated. Lan Hailang wipes his mouth with a cloth, ignoring the shocked faces around him as he looks at Nie Mingjue, who smirks back.
"I like you... survive another week and I might consider your offer... But I do not hold out much hope, Yiling is cruel to even us who are of her salt. Only the Shai-Hulud is spared... I shall speak with the Laozu, if they approve, I shall be back in one week... Survive, you are clearly strong. It would be a shame if you died." He turns and leaves without waiting to be dismissed and Xichen has to shake Song Lan once more when the man gets angry at the clear lack of respect the Clan Leader has.
"The Laozu? I thought you said he was the Leader of the Desert Clans, Xichen?" Lan Qiren's eyes turn full white as he processes the information gleaned form the conversation as well researching his own memory banks for any kind of information on some called the Laozu.
"He is... I have no idea who the Laozu is. I've been with them since I left over a year ago. I spent 3 months searching for them. They had found me my first night in the Burial Mounds and watched me for three months. When they deemed me strong enough, trust worthy enough, they brought me to one of their safe havens. I was introduced to Nie Mingjue and they taught me their ways. As much as they shared with me, they kept even more to themselves. The Laozu is one such thing since I did not know about it until now. I am assuming the Laozu is someone with a lot more say and power than even Clan Leader Nie." Xichen admits, not sure how he feels about his friend not telling him about this Laozu before now.
Meng Yao, on the other hand, hid his shock behind his fan. His lover deemed them worthy enough to speak with a'Xian!? He wonders how Clan Leader Jiang feels about that. A'Xian is one of their best kept secrets besides where their hidden caches and settlements are. He could commune with the Burial Mounds, could call the various monsters and demons that inhabited their home to bend to his will. When one said desert power, many assumed using the winds and the sand to their advantage, but when you said desert power to a Frehman? They think of Shai-Hulud and a'Xian. Meng Yao would need to send a letter to his lover asking him to make sure a'Yang was keeping a close eye on a'Xian since Meng Yao was on his mission. As much as NIe Mingjue complained about how annoying and bratty Xue Yang could be, he trusts very few others than him to keep a'Xian safe. Glancing at the Lans, he help to ensure that at least one of them survived. Things have been very quiet since their arrival, it is only a matter of time before the enemy makes their move...