Chương 8: Chapter 54: Rudolph

Song was barely out of the yurt before Wook and Tae were on him. They flanked Song on either side and walked with him. Wook's short black hair was even spikier than usual, and his face was grim. His off-kilter horns lacked their usual shine, and Song realized with shock that the most indomitable of his brothers looked afraid. Tae just looked like Tae. Somehow beautiful and well-put together even in an emergency… just quieter. For once he wasn't making any quips.

"You're not going to stop me?" Song asked into the stoney silence, unable to hold himself back any longer.

"No. Fool. We're going to help you get ready," Wook pulled Song into a headlock, trapping his little brother's head within his massive forearm. Then he rubbed his knuckles on Song's forehead for good measure.

"You're right. You're the best person for it, even Elder Eunji knows it. She's also right that it's a terrible idea."

"Hey!" Song protested, and pulled himself free. He brushed his hair aside, and glowered at Wook.

"You know, I was looking forward to when you wouldn't be able to do that anymore because of my horns."

"And I'm looking forward to doing it to you again when you make it home to us," Wook replied, grinning.

"Just think, if you make it, you'll be a real hero, like in the martial tales," Tae commented.

"Focus on that, not the imminent danger and certain doom."

"They'll call it 'Lee Song and the Mysterious Peddler of Chengdu," Wook said, grinning.

"And some famed scholar will put it in a book chronicling your tales." Tae pulled off as they approached Song's yurt.

"I'll go get the horse tack. You help Song get ready. Make sure he dresses warm."

"I can just put on a coat." Song complained, then stopped halfway through. No. He couldn't. Not if he wanted enough light to guide Bongbong's way. He was going to need to do the entire trip with his chest and stomach revealed. Overhead the dark clouds roiled, and there was a sudden gust of wind. Song felt a chill down to his bones and shivered. Wook caught it, and grimaced.

"Just realized did you? You're not just contending with the grasswolves. The weather's going to be the real danger." ["Master Crane's first lesson - even the strongest cultivator is weak to the elements. That seems to come up a lot for you, huh? Maybe we should find a treasure that keeps you warm."] Cyrus said. It would certainly come in handy… When they arrived, Song quickly threw on several sets of woolen pants and shoes, enough that he felt overly hot, but not so many that it inhibited his movement.

Wook grabbed his thickest brown winter deel and rammed his arms into it then fastened the two buttons at the right shoulder. From there, Wook gathered up the fabric starting around Song's pecs and pulled it all behind Song's back, where he tied it together with the belt that usually wound around his waist. When the belt started to slip, Wook picked up the bottom and stuck it up and over the belt before pulling the knot of fabric tight. When they were done, Wook examined his handiwork and let out a bark of laughter.

"Hah! You'll need to hope that everybody talks about the content of your heroic tale, little brother, and not what you looked like doing it."

"Is it that bad?" Song asked, walking over to the mirror until he could see himself, poofy pants and strange pec-revealing deel and all. The glowing lines of his meridian shone free on his stomach, chest, uncovered forearm and palm. Not even a member of the Beggar Sect would be caught dead looking like this. ["It's that bad."] Cyrus agreed. ["You should be glad the rest of the village is asleep. Especially Jo Harin."] ["Thanks."] Song grumbled back. ["Y'know this reminds me of something…"] Cyrus commented.

["What was it? Uh… Oh! Rudolph!"] Song's face scrunched up in confusion. ["Who's Rudolph?"] ["He was, uh, a noble steed for one of the most famous people in my world. He had, um…"] Cyrus hesitated for a moment before continuing. ["He could shine too. And he used it to help his master perform a great deed every year."] Song imagined a shade beast, like Nam Gwansoo's Black Bean Noodle, but with a Sign of bright starlight similar to his own.

A noble stallion, flying across the sea of the grasslands like a meteor in flight. A smile came unbidden to his lips at the thought. ["What kind of deed?"] Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ["He delivered toys to every child in the world in a single night."] Song let out a snort. ["Impossible. Even for a True Immortal."] ["No! Really! And he was one of those whatchamacallit immortals. Honestly he was probably the single most famous person in my old world. Everybody knew Santa. From a one-year-old child to the oldest of grandpas. And hey! You delivered toys too!"] ["So why not call me Santa then, instead of after his horse?"] ["Reindeer, technically, but.. well… Santa was an ancient fat old man with a big white beard who wore a red suit with white trim. You don't exactly match the description."] Song looked down at himself. The smooth bare belly of a young man, with a bright light shining from his navel and meridians.

Several pairs of rough woolen pants stacked atop each other, and a brown winter deel wrapped tightly around his chest and arms. No. He definitely didn't match the picture.

"If you're done admiring yourself in the mirror, you still need boots," Wook called.

"Where are they? Why haven't you unpacked your room yet?"

"I was busy helping other people with theirs, remember?" Song growled.

"I distinctly remember being ordered by you to organize all your underwear by size." So with escalating desperate swearing, he and Wook completely tore the yurt apart looking for his thickest winter boots. They found them in chest buried under some dirty clothes, then jammed them on his feet and ran for the stables. In their panicked scamper, they scared an owl that'd taken up roost on the yurt beside Song's and it flapped off with hooting scolds.

"Damnit," Wook hissed, making a shooing motion in the direction of the hoots.

"Not now." ["Are owls considered unlucky?"] Cyrus asked. ["Bad omen. Death."] Song replied, frowning. Cyrus gave a nervous laugh. ["Not yours, right?"] Song didn't have an answer for him. They found Tae waiting with Bongbong saddled and ready to go. His trusty steed looked annoyed at being woken up, and the brown gelding's snorting and flared nostrils promised nips and stepped-on toes later. Beside him stood Seojoon, Aunt Haru, Mother, Father, and Juwon.

Song was glad that the rest of the clan hadn't shown up to see him off – he'd already made enough fanfare for the night. But he knew they'd all be watching from their yurts, praying to their shared ancestors and any watching True Immortals that he'd make it to the waystation safely.

"Song…" Aunt Haru said. Her red rimmed eyes stood stark against her thin face, which was white with fear. She gave a deep bow even while her entire body trembled, and Soejoon followed suit a moment later. Song was struck in that moment by how different they looked, Seojoon rugged and handsome, and Haru so willowy and vulnerable looking, even with her horns.

"Mother, Father," Song said hesitantly.

"I'm going." Unlike her sister-in-law, Chohee stood straight, her long black hair flowing in the breeze and her face a mask of calm. She hugged her arms across her chest and gave her youngest son a stern nod.

"We'll see you again soon, my little star." Only the crack in her voice betrayed the emotions churning within her.

"Don't you dare be late, or you'll go without breakfast."

"You'd better make it safely, Song," Juwon hissed.

"If you die, it's going to be a real headache for the rest of us, understand?" Song let out a puff of laughter.

"Understood, elder brother."

"You listen to Juwon. You're still on punishment duty, remember? You need to obey any Lee who tells you what to do. If Juwon says stay safe, you'll do it." San said sternly. He hesitated for a moment, then pulled his grasswolf cloak off and laid it across Song's shoulders.

"Take this. It's made of the foundation beast that nearly took my eye, so mayhaps if you come across any they'll be scared off by it." The enormous hunk of fur hung heavy on Song's shoulders and he ran a hand through it with awe. He pushed his cheek into it, and could smell spring grasses mixed with the musk of animal and the familiar scent of his family. This was his father's most prized possession; he and his brothers weren't even allowed to touch it.

Unable to fully express the turmoil in his heart, Song managed a small, "Thank you, Father." Tae cleared his throat.

"I don't want to be the dung in this dumpling, but aren't we in a hurry?" Everyone glared at Tae for ruining the moment, but he was right. Song clambered up onto Bongbong and checked all his equipment one last time. He had eight poison orbs in his belt pouch, his slingstaff was in good condition, and his stirrups and saddle were polished and well-maintained. He stood tall in his stirrups and gave a small flick of the reins, sending Bongbong trotting down to the gate of the village.

"Goodbye, everyone! I'll be back soon!" He called over his shoulder. His family waved until he was out of sight and down the hill. ["Man, you look so freaking' cool!"] Cyrus crowed. ["I really hope we aren't about to die!"] Song had to admit – he really did too. Then they were at the entrance to the village. The gate had already been opened for him, and it stood like a yawning mouth into the swirling grasses of the moonless plains.

Beyond was death, glory, failure, and salvation all in one and yet the only thing Song felt at this moment was anticipation. He would deliver the message to Nam Gwansoo. Nothing in this world would stop him. Song flared his dantian, and light stretched out ahead of them. In that moment, he felt like he could see every invisible little 'particle' of light, as they came together to form a bridge of starlight within the darkness.

The entire space in front of the gate was awash in white, the shadows and fear stripped away by the Dark Dreamers light. Tall stones left shadows like silent watchers, and a suddenly visible marmot screamed and rubbed at its face before scrambling away.

"Can you see it, Bongbong?" Song asked, leaning in to whisper into his beloved companion's ear.

"It's a bridge that'll take you where you need to go." Bongbong could see, even if he couldn't step upon it. He reared up, then surged forward as his master commanded, charging into the pitch-black night.