Siren Song

Chang tried to pick herself up off the ground, but they wouldn't work right, like rubber she couldn't seem to get a firm foot under herself.

Like a newborn faun or calf, she shakily tried to get to her feet with the assistance of her hands on the ground. Her legs shook as she tried to put weight on them and she ended back on her hands and knees in the dirt. 'C'mon work legs, pleeease.?' Chang tried to will them into working but to no avail, her hips and thigh muscles were so sore they kept jumping and shaking.

Liang Jian Amal bemusedly watched her struggle like a newborn animal to find her footing. When she fell again she looked up at him briefly with helpless, pitiful eyes, and he pulled her up into his arms from the ground.

"This is normal after your first time riding, after some stretching and a hot bath, your legs will be fine again."

Chang nodded her head against his shoulder obediantly. She gripped the front of his white shirt and inhaled his musky comforting smell. 'Hmm feels nice.' Feeling the steady beat of his heart under her hands, and his smell she dozed off for a bit in his arms, exhausted from their day of play.

Liang Jian Amal carried Chang to the water gardens which were in between the medical wing and the main palace complex. The water gardens were some of the most extensive grounds in the palace as they encircled the medical building, and it took him almost twenty minutes find LiHua.

LiHua sat on a swinging wicker bench that hung from a massive Babylonian Willow which protected a small jade pool. Li Hua had her ankles crossed lightly swaying them forward and background rocking the bench. The willow's low hanging wide sweeping branches had almost completely hidden her, if not for the movement he might have missed her at first.

"Li Hua." Liang Jian Amal called out to the woman sitting alone. As if she didnt hear him, she didnt react and kept swaying the bench to and fro.

"Li Hua." He called out in lower tone, as he drew closer, ducking beneath a few of the branches.

He came around to the front of the bench and saw the emotionless, vacant expression on her face.

"Mother.."

Li Hua finally looked up at him recognition pooling in her eyes. She looked down at her daughter breathing shallowly in his arms.

She smiled at the two of them, a small halting smile that almost faltered into a frown.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I wish I could stay with the two of you longer, I wish.." Her words cut off as her voice broke and a few bitter tears rolled down.

"You gave me the chance to have more time. You brought Hao Jin Ying into my life, who has become a good friend. You brought my daughter back to me again, and smiling. She hasn't smiled so brightly since her father passed away. So please dont apologize to me, I am so thankful. I am so grateful that when I pass, I know that my Xiao Xie will have someone by her side. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her alone in this world."