Silence on the Lake

Silence like this must be the most beautiful sound in the world.

Xuxian drew a deep breath. They were floating on their backs in the lake, looking up at the sky. Tired out, but happy, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the coolness of the water surrounding him, feeling more restful than he had for a long time. Now and then when the water lapped against him Suzhen's fingertips would brush against his. He had finally learnt how to float in the water and the feeling was like nothing he had ever felt before, as if he was suspended between sky and earth, caught in a dream-like world where time stood still.

A bird cruised across the sky, calling mournfully. The sound made him open his eyes, pulling him back gradually to reality. That bird always called when the sun was starting to sink.

Could it really be so late?

He gazed at the sky and realized the beautiful golden light that made it the colour of a ripe butternut squash was starting to turn dull. The shadows on the water were darkening, and for the first time he realized the air had started to get colder.

"Suzhen. It's late. The air is getting colder, and we could catch a cold if we stay too long in the water. We should probably go."

He looked around and saw her floating motionless besides him, arms spread open. Her sleeves trailed slowly in the water like water spirits dancing, and her hair streamed in a halo of dark ribbons around her pale face. There was a faint, dreamy smile on her lips, and her eyes were closed as if she was sleeping.

Xuxian made his way over and put an arm gently behind her, raising her slightly out of the water. He half expected his arm to go through her, as if she was transparent; she looked so unreal. "Suzhen. Come, it's getting cold. Let's go."

Suzhen opened her eyes, not understanding him. She had almost fallen asleep, it was so peaceful. The cold was making her drowsy; her body, even in human form, was used to adapting itself to the outside temperature.

She nodded and said slowly, "Of course, we can always come again if you want it."

As they made their way slowly to the bank and climbed out of the water the wind hit them with an unpleasant sharpness.

Xuxian shivered. "It was foolish of me to stay so long in the water. We could catch cold easily in our soaked clothes." He reached out his hand to help Suzhen as she struggled in her wet robes, and started. It was icy cold.

"You are freezing! Why didn't you tell me you were so cold?"

She turned surprised eyes up at him. "But we were in the water for so long, of course we are cold. Aren't you cold as well?"

Xuxian was trying wildly to warm her hands. He turned to her with alarm in his face. "Not this cold. You must be ill. Quick, we must hurry. I never thought that you might be sensitive to cold. I might have made you ill with all that swimming."

Anxiously, he helped her up the bank, almost dragging her along in his hurry. "Come back to my hut with me. I have a tonic for driving out cold, and some wine that might help as well. Hurry, the wind is getting colder. The longer you are exposed to the air in these wet clothes, the greater chance you might fall ill. Let's walk faster."

Suzhen stumbled in her damp clothes, kicking the heavy folds out of her way. She sighed, thinking how much faster it would be if she could use her powers to levitate. "It will take forever getting down the mountain in these things," she said disconsolately. "Wet clothes are such a bother to walk in, I had no idea."

"Suzhen. If you don't mind, let me carry you. I am quite strong, though I may look puny. You clearly don't have much energy."

She looked up at him, startled, and could not help but feel touched when she saw the anxiety in his face. "But Xuxian, I would burden you." she said gently.

He brushed it away. "You could not burden me. The longer you are out in the cold the more dangerous it is for you. Steady, now. Put your arms around my neck." Without ado he picked her up in his arms.

Suzhen gave a gasp and stiffened as she felt herself hoisted into the air. Never had anyone, let alone a mere mortal, swept her off her feet. For one moment she almost pushed him off in shock. But the steady pulsing of his heart was somehow reassuring and she gradually relaxed against him.

"How cold you are!" he muttered worriedly as she leaned her head against him.

Suzhen tightened her arms around his neck. Ah, what contentment it was to be in his arms like this! She closed her eyes in bliss. It was regrettable that he had to labour so when she could have easily levitated the two of them with her powers, but she was realizing for the first time the value of what no amount of cultivation could replace.

"Hold on, Suzhen. We are almost there. I won't let you get sick."

She nodded happily.

Breathing hard, Xuxian made his way hastily down the mountain, the waves of panic distracting him from the cold more than the strongest alcohol could. He caught a glimpse of Suzhen's face against his chest and wondered frantically if she had always been this pale. How stupid of him. He remembered her fair complexion and the coolness of her touch, and cursed himself for not diagnosing her earlier as having a constitution sensitive to the cold. For someone like that, swimming in the water for hours and then trudging through the cold wind when the sun was setting might very well be fatal. He groaned to himself, and held her a little tighter.

A good fire, and blankets. Some wine first, or maybe he should immediately brew the tonic for her. And warm her feet, and hands--they were icy.

What would he do if she was sick?