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Jing Yuan wasn’t there when the egg hatched. The Luofu’s Preceptor Council and Ten-Lords Commission presided over the whole affair, just delivering a missive informing him that the rebirth was complete.
Dan Feng’s new incarnation was to be absolved of the sins of their predecessor, the forced rebirth punishment enough at the end of all those years of imprisonment in the Shackling Prison, as per the deal made with Caelorum Venti regarding the fate of the previous Imbibitor Lunae.
And yet, according to the missive, the new incarnation was to remain in the Shackling Prison under supervision from the Preceptors and the Ten-Lords Commission. They lacked any memories of their past life, so they would have to receive their education as any other freshly-hatched Vidyadhara.
“Public opinion about the previous Imbibitor Lunae’s actions is still highly negative. It would be best for Dan Feng’s new incarnation to stay out of public view, especially due to the fact they are freshly hatched and the Preceptor Council’s focus on Lady Bailu’s development.”
Jing Yuan stared at the words and felt his blood boil. This wasn’t what they agreed to. The child should be absolved of the sins of his predecessor, such are the customs of the Vidyadhara and such was the deal made with the Yaoqing’s High Elder.
But Jing Yuan wouldn’t have been able to reach the status of Arbiter General without the ability to spot ulterior motives. He knew it was strange for them to insist the child stay under their care, protection used as a guise to continue the imprisonment.
However, his… sentiment for Dan Feng was well known. Should he try and investigate or refute this, it could easily be used to disprove him or to undermine his authority in this situation.
So he sent out a message to the Ten-Lords Commission and to the Preceptors, thanking them for the missive and requesting a visit to the new incarnation, or at the very least their name.
—
Dan Heng.
The new incarnation’s name was Dan Heng.
…Jing Yuan wondered about the similarity. It had to have been intentional, young Vidyadhara are rarely the ones to choose their own names.
No visitation rights were granted.
The Preceptor Council said it was too early judging by his development.
Jing Yuan would have to wait. So wait he did. There were urgent matters to attend to, he couldn’t shirk his duties as the Arbiter General.
He put in another request a month later for a date further in the future.
—
It’s been over a year, nearly two, since he received that first missive before the general was finally cleared for a visitation to Dan Heng.
He hasn't been back to the Shackling Prison in a long time.
Not since Dan Feng’s moulting rebirth verdict was made.
And now he had to go through the standard processing procedure, the one he learned by heart from his few visits to Dan Feng.
Xueyi led him through the processing, his weapon and most belongings confiscated until the time he left the prison.
“The cell is near the bottom of the prison, you will need an escort present with you at all times, General.” the judge said, leading him towards the exit of the scriptorium.
“...Is it the same cell as his predecessor was held in?” Jing Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
“No, General. The egg was transferred after the moulting rebirth for monitoring during the incubation period. After the hatching Dan Heng was placed in a cell with easier access by the wardens, although still in the same sector.” Xueyi answered.
He tried to suppress a shudder as he heard this. Or maybe it was just the cold, damp air of the Shackling Prison.
Jing Yuan was led to meet with the guard who’d serve as his escort and bid Xueyi farewell for now. Poor girl, to continue her existence as a puppet… His heart always broke a little whenever he got to speak to her or her sister.
The descent into the depths of the Shackling Prison continued in silence. Dan Feng was kept in the lowest levels of the building, in the depths that no natural light could reach, deep enough to feel the weight of air pressure changing by the time you arrived. Logically it made sense, the severity of his crimes and his status warranted such conditions, locked up under highest security among the likes of Hoolay or Zaofu.
Some selfish part of him wished that Dan Feng never had to be in that cell.
Still, it seemed like overkill to hold the new incarnation in the same sector. He was a child, was he not? Far from a dangerous criminal, especially since he was supposed to have been absolved of his previous life’s sins.
The elevator finally reached its destination, two levels above where Dan Feng’s cell used to be. Jing Yuan and the guard, Yazhu, exited it and the general allowed the guard to lead him to the cell.
The guard stopped in front of the only door on this floor.
“He’s inside, General. Remember, as per the terms of your visitation, you are not allowed to attempt to cross or disable the barrier, nor are you to aid the prisoner in any way that could facilitate an escape attempt. The visitation will last ten minutes at most, but could be cut short should I or another member of staff deem it necessary. Is that clear, General?” Yazhu asked, his spear somewhat redundantly blocking the sealed door.
“Yes. Shall we continue?” Jing Yuan answered as pleasantly as he could muster considering the circumstances.
The guard nodded, and with a press of his Jade Abacus to a panel next to the door, it slid open.
Jing Yuan’s eyes were greeted by a dim light in the darkness and more of that damp smell that permeated the whole prison. The room was cut in two by an energy barrier, behind which a pair of big, pale, teal eyes stared at him in confusion.
…Fuck he was small.
Jing Yuan knew that the new incarnation was still a child. But to actually see it… he was wearing a too-big raggedy shirt like a tunic, it slid off his shoulder revealing pronounced collarbones, which made him look even smaller, too small for his age. Those thin, bony limbs… his wrists weighed down with heavy shackles that clearly had to have been resized to fit. And so many bruises dotting his pale skin.
The child looked nothing like Dan Feng and so much like him. Messy black hair, pointy ears… and the horns and a tail. The same shade of teal as Dan Feng’s.
His breath hitched for a moment.
The child- Dan Heng just stared at him, completely frozen.
“Hello, Dan Heng.” Jing Yuan said with a smile, approaching the barrier separating them.
“...H-hello, sir.” his voice was so quiet, quivering as if on the verge of tears.
He shouldn’t be here, he carried none of the sin of his previous life. Jing Yuan wanted to rip those shackles off the wall, to grab the child in his arms and leave this place, consequences be damned… but consequences exist, and his attempt would most likely result in himself being locked up in this hell, while Dan Heng would suffer because of another person’s choices yet again. A pit formed in his stomach at the thought.
“Do you know who I am?” He asked instead. He already knew the answer, but he didn’t want to overwhelm the boy.
“...You’re the General…sir.” Dan Heng answered.
The child’s answer came as a surprise to the general. “Oh? You know about me?”.
“...T-they told me you were c-coming. That you knew… the old me.” his voice somehow got quieter. “... I'm sorry, I don't remember…”
Jing Yuan's heart broke just a bit more. Of course they told Dan Heng about Dan Feng, most likely about his crimes as well. Of course that's the only reason the child would know about him coming. Of course he feels the need to apologise for not remembering Jing Yuan. Bits and pieces from his past life must have been brought up enough times without any context for this to be the reaction.
“No need to apologize, Dan F- Dan Heng.” the general bit his tongue in time. “You may call me Jing Yuan.”
Those big, teal eyes just stared at him.
He then turned to Yazhu. “Could you leave us alone for a bit?”
“I cannot, General. You are to remain in my sight at all times.” The guard answered.
Jing Yuan only nodded in response and turned back towards Dan Heng.
“Are they teaching you to read and write?” He inquired.
“...yes, sir.” The child's hands fiddled with the hem of his shirt as he spoke, and Jing Yuan noticed the way his tail coiled in discomfort.
The general’s eyes darted around the small cell. The length of the chains allowed the child access to all parts of it, just short of reaching the barrier separating them. A filthy mat in the corner of the cell served as a makeshift bed… that’s all in terms of what the cell contained. Just a mat, chains, and the child.
He hoped Dan Heng didn’t notice the rage bubbling under his skin.
“Do you like reading?” Gods, Jing Yuan was woefully underprepared for this conversation.
Dan Heng just blinked. “...I do, sir.”
“Then that is something we have in common. How about I ask if the wardens could leave you something to read when you’re alone?”
And Jing Yuan could swear that he saw the kid’s eyes light up for just a brief second.
“...You can ask them? And they’ll listen?” His voice almost sounded hopeful.
“I will see what I can do.” Jing Yuan tried to make his tone as warm as he could muster.
“...Thank you, sir.” Dan Heng said and Jing Yuan could have sworn he saw the barest glint of a smile.
Yazhu’s voice broke him out of the moment.
“The ten minutes are up, General. We must return to the scriptorium.”
Jing Yuan wanted to protest, but only let out a defeated sight. “Of course.”
He turned to Dan Heng and saw the smile drop when he realised Jing Yuan was leaving.
“It was wonderful meeting you, I hope we will get to see each other soon.” The general managed to say.
Dan Heng didn’t answer, or at least Jing Yuan didn’t hear him say anything before the door slid shut. He let out a shuddered breath and watched it dissipate in the cold, damp air.
“Is everything alright, General?” Yazhu turned to face him.
“...Yes. Just… are the shackles necessary? He’s… so small…” Jing Yuan couldn’t gather his thoughts or form a proper argument.
“... He attempted to escape… It’s standard procedure…” He answered, before sighing, “There’s nothing I can do about this, General.”
“I know… Let us be on our way. I still have… duties to attend to.” The general didn’t bother putting on his usual carefree demeanor.
The sight of those pale teal eyes haunted him for a long time, clear in his mind as he filed a formal request for Dan Heng to be given access to books in his spare time. Just to occupy his mind, and it would be good for his development… nothing more.
—
The request for additional reading materials had been conditionally fulfilled.
Jing Yuan knew it would be a while before another visitation request would be accepted, especially since he planned on bringing things into the prison. So instead he waited. Focused on his duties. There was a recent rise in Disciples of Sanctus Medicus activity, and that trade deal with Hyai’i…
And so months passed before Jing Yuan was once again standing at the gates of the Shackling Prison.
Xueyi wasn’t there to greet him this time, most likely out there dealing with the Disciples. No, instead he was met with a Foxian woman who introduced herself as Chiyi, an assistant jailer. She nearly had the items he brought confiscated, but everything had been cleared beforehand. The jailer did comment on the contents of his bag as rather unusual, and did have to look through them to ensure no contraband was among them. And then he was allowed to go into the prison.
“General.” Yazhu greeted him.
“Yazhu. It’s great so see you again.” Jing Yuan said with a smile. “I assume you know where I’m going?”
“Yes, General. As previously, I will have to be present at all times.” The guard said as he led him to the elevator.
The way down was just as quiet as the previous time, the change in air pressure from the rapid descent clogging Jing Yuan’s ears.
“...I was informed you’d be bringing something in, but I was not told the contents. May I inquire what it is, General?” Yazhu hesitantly asked.
“Oh, it’s no problem, Yazhu. It’s only natural you’d be curious, I assume items brought in from the outside are rare, especially for… those kept at these levels.”
Jing Yuan unwrapped the bundle of items to present them to the guard. It wasn’t much, but almost impossible to clear it through security even with Jing Yuan’s status on the Luofu.
A chess set. A storybook. And a stuffed toy lion.
There was some understanding in Yazhu’s eyes, enough for him not to question the items outright.
He led the general out of the elevator and towards the now-familiar cell.
“...There is an hour limit, I must make sure you are aware of this, General.” His hand hovered over the lock to the cell door.
“Yes, I am aware. The barrier will be lowered, I presume?” Jing Yuan inquired.
“It will be deactivated, which is why the door to the cell will lock behind us. No, the shackles cannot be removed…” The guard answered before lowering his voice, barely above a whisper, “...unfortunately.”
Jing Yuan only nodded in response.
The door slid open, and the two stepped inside.
Once again Jing Yuan was greeted by a big pair of eyes staring out at him from behind the barrier. Dan Heng let out a quiet gasp and moved deeper into the cell, pressing himself against the wall as the door to the cell closed and Yazhu approached the control panel for the barrier.
Then the barrier disappeared.
“Hello, Dan Heng.” Jing Yuan greeted the boy with a smile.
The dim light of a lamp, the only light source within the cell, was enough for Jing Yuan to see some of the changes in Dan Heng’s appearance since their first meeting. He was a bit taller, but still bony and definitely too small for his age. His hair grew out a bit, especially in the back… and there were still bruises all over his skin and scars around where the shackles rubbed against his skin.
Jing Yuan felt sick at that sight.
“...Hello, General Jing Yuan.” The boy’s quiet voice reached his ears.
“You remembered my name? I appreciate that.” Jing Yuan stepped closer, careful not to further frighten Dan Heng. He stopped right in front of where the barrier would normally be and kneeled onto the cold, damp ground.
If Yazhu made a noise at this blatant breaking of social convention, Jing Yuan pretended not to notice. In here they were not the Arbiter General and a prisoner, but just a man and a scared child.
“...I…I was told you’d come, sir.” The boy said hesitantly, still standing by the wall.
“Yes, I came to see you. I apologise it couldn’t have been earlier, I might be the Arbiter General, but I still need permission to visit you, little one.” He didn’t know where the affectionate nickname came from, but it felt fitting. Maybe to avoid any slip ups from the unfortunate similarity between Dan Heng and…him.
“...Because of the crimes?” Dan Heng asked and Jing Yuan’s heart broke again.
He didn’t know what to reply. What the child had been told.
“...Because some people think it’s best to keep you here. And those same people don’t consider it a good idea for me to visit you.” He said with a sigh.
Dan Heng just blinked at him, opened his mouth to say something, and closed it before any noise escaped.
“Tell me, do the guards bring you books to read? I was told that my request has been fulfilled.” Jing Yuan tried to change the subject.
“...Yes, sir. Only when I behave well.” He answered matter of factly. “...Just like your visit. They say you won’t come if I don’t behave.”
Jing Yuan’s eyelid twitched. He knew there was very little he could do about Dan Heng in the current state of things, with Cauldron Master Yunhua’s…intervention removing any doubt as to why Dan Heng was kept in here. Whether the child could remember anything from Dan Feng’s life, whether he would ever even be able to access those memories, it was enough of an argument to keep him away from the rest of the Luofu.
“There’s nothing you could do to discourage me from coming to you, okay?” The general said as gently as he could.
Dan Heng nodded hesitantly.
Jing Yuan just gave him a reassuring smile and began setting up the chessboard in the middle of the room.
With the press of a button the surface lit up, projecting the pieces with hard light. He looked at Dan Heng’s wide, curious eyes and pointed to the ground on the opposite side of the board.
“Care to join me for a game of chess?” He asked.
The young Vidyadhara looked at the game and slowly approached. He sat down on the floor, and there was just enough length left on the chains binding his wrists to let him reach the whole board.
“...I-I don’t know the rules, sir.” His voice trembled as he spoke.
“That’s no problem, Dan Heng. I can teach you.” Jing Yuan wanted to reassure the boy he was safe with him. To get his mind off of… everything. At least for this brief visit.
…Some deep, selfish part of him looked for him in Dan Heng’s mannerisms. Yunhua’s “healing”... no. Let bygones be bygones. This never should have happened.
He started picking up the pieces, explaining their movement and the basic rules of the game. Dan Heng’s amazement as he grabbed the weightless pieces with his little hands seemed to radiate such joy, a point of warmth in the cold depths of the Shackling Prison.
Slowly, Jing Yuan guided him through the game, and Dan Heng started catching on. At that point, he removed the storybook from the bundle and showed it to the young Vidyadhara.
“How about we play a game? If you win, you get to keep this book.” He said with a smile.
The boy looked unsure. “...Keep it?”
“Yes. It will be yours. You will not have to give it back.” Jing Yuan reassured, noting the glint in Dan Heng’s eyes at the realisation.
“...C-can we play?” Dan Heng asked, and Jing Yuan gestured to him to take the first move.
The boy was smart, Jing Yuan had to admit. He got the hang of the rules quickly, and even though he lost despite Jing Yuan's attempts at throwing the game, it was clear he had a knack for this. Still, watching his eyes tremble once he was check-mated…
“Oh dear. Don’t worry, you did well! You could try again if you want?” He said, forcing a laugh.
Dan Heng just looked at him, then nodded. “...Please…”
The board reset, and Jing Yuan took extra care to subtly guide Dan Heng to the correct moves. A few blatant mistakes here and there and…
“Looks like you won, little one.” He said with a smile.
Dan Heng’s eyes lit up as he looked up at Jing Yuan, his gaze full of disbelief as the general handed him the storybook.
“I did promise. You won, so the book is yours.” Jing Yuan said, holding the book in front of the child.
Small, trembling hands reached out and clutched the book, and the general let it go.
“...It’s mine?” there was a hint of hope in his voice that filled Jing Yuan with warmth.
Dragons are possessive creatures. And his draconic side was always so prominent… No. Shut up. Focus on the kid.
“All yours.” Jing Yuan reassured him.
…It’s the first time he’s seen Dan Heng smile.
It wasn’t really a smile, not by the standard definition. Barely noticeable, his mouth still more parted in shock than curved upwards.
But his eyes.
Those big, pale teal eyes welling with tears.
“...T-thank you…” Dan Heng’s voice trembled.
He clutched the book to his chest, and Jing Yuan could only watch with a smile.
“...General.” Yazhu’s voice cut through the blissful moment.
“...y-you need to go?” Dan Heng’s quiet voice reached his ears before he could speak.
Jing Yuan let out a deep sigh.
“...I’m sorry. I have to…” He picked up the chessboard and placed it in the bundle.
In the same move, he pulled the stuffed lion toy out and held it in front of Dan Heng. The child looked at it, trembling eyes filled with tears and on the edge of crying.
“It’s for you. So you don’t have to be alone.” Jing Yuan explained.
“...b-but I didn’t…” The boy tried to say
“It’s a gift. I’m choosing to give it to you. It’s yours and there doesn’t have to be a reason.” He tried to keep his voice from betraying his emotions.
One hand still clutching the book, the other reached out to the toy. Bony fingers touched the white fabric and the boy let out a shuddered gasp. Then, almost immediately, he clutched it to his chest.
He thanked Jing Yuan over and over, words half-formed through shuddered breaths.
But Jing Yuan had to leave him in the cell again.
The barrier was raised, the door closed.
Jing Yuan took a sharp breath.
“Yazhu?”
“Yes, General?” The guard asked.
“I have already gotten permission to leave these items with Dan Heng, but should anyone have any issues with them… Do remind them that the items were authorised and are gifts from the Arbiter General.”
“...I understand, General.” Yazhu nodded as he called for the elevator.
Jing Yuan still had a few things to discuss in the scriptorium before he could leave, but he hoped that at least Dan Heng felt less alone in the darkness of the cell.
He was already arranging for when the next visit could be. Hopefully soon.
—
It wasn’t.
The next few attempts had all been shot down by the Ten-Lords Commission, never citing any particular reason. Jing Yuan knew it was due to the nature of his relationship with Dan Feng, and with the risk of his memories resurfacing after the “healing arts” performed on Dan Heng by Cauldron Master Yunhua, as well as many Preceptors’s insistence on referring to the child as “the sinner Dan Feng” despite him, by their own custom, being a different person…
It was a mess.
His request for updates on Dan Heng’s “education” was occasionally fulfilled, in that once in a while he’d receive a short report on the boy’s “progress”. Apparently whoever was responsible for compiling those reports considered it a priority to report on any behavioural issues, as if trying to justify why he should be kept under key in the Shackling Prison.
He didn’t respond when spoken to, or was too quiet.
Barely made eye contact, disrespectfully averting his gaze from the speaker.
Ignored or actively defied instructions.
All these accusations piled up in each new report, over a year of denied visitations that used those reports as arguments for why the Arbiter General shouldn’t be in the child’s vicinity.
The most recent one, however…
“An escape attempt?” Jing Yuan whispered, looking at the report in disbelief.
He was back in the scriptorium, discussing the matter with Chiyi. He did have a conditional visit approved before this report, and while they couldn’t exactly stop the Arbiter General from entering the prison, there were still rules and regulations…
“A week ago. He managed to slip past the guards during a medical checkup and was cornered by the wardens in one of the upper levels.” Chiyi summarised the situation.
Jing Yuan had to suppress a shudder. The mental image of Dan Heng running through these halls, to be anywhere but that cell…
“...I assume this means an increase in security measures?” The general asked.
“Yes. It’s standard procedure. More guards would have to be present with you, should your visit be permitted, General.” The jailer answered in that dry tone of hers.
“It has been permitted for today’s date.” He put the report down.
“I am aware, General, however considering the circumstances-”
“The Ten-Lords Commission approved of this visit and has not yet rescinded that decision, Miss Chiyi.” Jing Yuan cut her off, putting on an authoritative tone. “Therefore I see no reason why the visit should be postponed or otherwise canceled.”
Chiyi looked perplexed, then just let out a defeated sigh.
“...I will arrange for guards to escort you to the cell. No outside items shall be permitted inside, and there will be a limit of ten minutes for the visit’s duration. If you could please wait here, General?”
“Of course.” Jing Yuan answered.
He waited for a few minutes, went through the standard pat-down and left all “forbidden” items in the scriptorium’s hold.
Three guards came to escort him, and the general quickly noticed a familiar face among them.
“Greetings, Yazhu. It is always a pleasure to see you again.” He said with a pleasant smile on his face.
“Likewise, General.” the guard said with a nod, “I assume you have been informed of the conditions of your visit?”
“Yes. Let us not waste any more time.” Jing Yuan gestured at them to lead the way.
As always, the way down was quiet and filled the general with dread.
Standing in front of the door to the cell, he requested that two of the guards stand by the entrance, while only Yazhu accompanied him inside. The cell was small, after all. Not enough space for four full-grown adults.
Reluctantly they agreed. This didn’t violate any rules per se…
The door slid open, and it was dark inside. None of the usual dim lighting from an overhead lamp. No, the cell was in complete darkness, and only a pair of eyes reflected the light from the entryway before shutting close.
“...Dan Heng?” He tried to say as softly as he could.
The kid didn’t answer.
All Jing Yuan heard was the clanking of chains from whatever movement he made.
“...Hey, it’s okay…” the general slowly approached the barrier in the middle of the room.
He gestured to Yazhu to lower the barrier.
The guard hesitated, but took one look at the child and pressed the control panel. The hard light dissipated, and Jing Yuan stepped over to the other half of the room before kneeling down a few feet away from Dan Heng.
“...J-Jing Yuan?” the boy’s quiet, trembling voice was almost inaudible.
“I’m here… what happened?” Jing Yuan said barely above a whisper.
He had no idea what to do. So much for Divine Foresight, he came here without a plan and did not know how to comfort the child.
“...I-i’m…I’m s-sorry…didn’t mean to…m’sorry…” Dan Heng kept apologising, his face buried in his knees.
“...It’s okay, little one.” Jing Yuan tried to calm him down.
“...I-I wanted to- they were- it hurt...” he said, stumbling over his words between gasps of air.
The medical checkup. It must have scared him… Jing Yuan hoped it was just that.
By the Reignbow, he was in way over his head.
“Shhhh… where’s your little friend? The one I gave you?” He asked. Maybe the toy would provide some comfo-
“...t-they took it…i’m sorry it’s my f-fault for r-running-” the boy started sobbing.
Of course they fucking did.
“Hey, it’s okay…it’s fine…I’m not angry-” Jing Yuan reached out towards Dan Heng.
“Who authorised the inner barrier to be lowered?!” An angry female voice came from the doorway.
Dan Heng’s head snapped up, causing Jing Yuan’s hand to brush up against his skin. The child yelped at the touch, tried to move away, raised his hand in defence-
And something grazed Jing Yuan’s face.
Suddenly the general was being dragged away, the barrier raised-
Dan Heng was staring at him in frozen shock, breathing heavily, the glow of his irises fading.
Cloudhymn Magic.
Shit.
And the stone door slammed.
“W-wait. He didn’t-” Jing Yuan tried to argue as he got up to his feet.
He was suddenly faced with a Vidyadhara in Ten-Lords Commission robes. The same one who yelled from the doorway.
“You lowered the barrier without authorisation.” She hissed out. “The sinner Dan Feng attacked you, Arbiter General.”
Jing Yuan touched his cheek, fingers coming away bloody.
“It was an accident. Dan Heng was scared, he didn’t intend to-”
“General. There is nothing to discuss.” She cut him off.
He was escorted to the scriptorium, and he had to report on what happened. Jing Yuan argued as best he could for Dan Heng’s innocence, but the escape attempt, the general’s history with Dan Feng, and the bleeding cut on his cheek… and now they knew Dan Heng could use Cloudhymn Magic.
It didn’t take a master strategist to recognise he was in the losing position despite his status.
Jing Yuan was let off with a warning, it wasn’t exactly plausible to go after the Arbiter General for an incident like this, but it was clear he was on thin ice. Any chances of seeing Dan Heng anytime soon were as good as gone.
…He really fucked up, didn’t he?
There was no way the kid would avoid consequences for this. Accident or not, this would be an excuse to…
He didn’t want to think about it.
He didn’t want to think about those terrified eyes…
…Sleep didn’t come easy to him that night. Or the next…
Not for a long time.
—
The cut left a faint scar on Jing Yuan’s cheek, hidden by the hair framing his face most of the time.
Most people didn’t even know it was there, word of the incident didn’t exactly have the opportunity to spread.
The reports continued, painting a picture of insubordination and defiance from the child.
It built up over the months, reports of Dan Heng refusing to speak, avoiding people, complaining about something…
Jing Yuan could only see the distress in those eyes as the door between them slammed shut.
And then he had an inspection of the scriptorium scheduled.
That was unexpected, to say the least. But Jing Yuan found himself yet again in the Shackling Prison’s scriptorium. This time, however, it wasn’t Chiyi or even Xueyi awaiting him. Apparently Chiyi had been tangled up in some urgent matters relating to her recent promotion, so instead he was met with the Ten-Lords Commission’s most skilled interrogator, Hanya.
It appeared she was the one who signed off on the visit, meant to discuss matters regarding the reports on prisoner conduct.
“...There have been some issues with him.” She said after the usual greetings and explaining the formalities.
“I have read the reports, Miss Hanya.” Jing Yuan replied “Unless you are suggesting they are not reflective of the actual situation.”
Hanya just sighed, putting down whatever paperwork she was looking through.
“I never met with the prisoner, so I cannot make an accurate judgement on the matter, however the reports coming from personnel assigned to him are… unusual. They do not align with active defiance, and have only started two weeks ago, so they appear unrelated to the incident during your last visit.”
Jing Yuan could only nod in understanding as she spoke.
“...One of the guards assigned to him has also stated that he responds positively to your presence, despite him attacking you, General.” Hanya admitted.
“I have to assure you, Miss Hanya, the attack was an accident on the boy’s part.” Jing Yuan immediately tried to defend Dan Heng.
“...Whatever it was, General, it happened and resulted in harm to a high official of the Xianzhou Alliance directly caused by a prisoner. Your visits should have by all means been preemptively denied, but no official communication has been sent regarding the matter, hence your presence here today.” Hanya explained, her eyes drifting back to the stacks of paper and reports she still had to process.
Jing Yuan was good at reading people, part of what made him a good strategist both in terms of military tactics and navigating the contrivances of society. Hanya wasn’t telling him the whole truth, or perhaps was avoiding something.
“I did not come here for a visit, Miss Hanya, at least it was not my intention. If you would allow one on such short notice…”
Hanya just looked at him in silence. She let out a quiet sigh, and turned her sight to a permit she began filling out.
“...They speak of him the same way they speak of my sister… If he truly responds well to your presence, perhaps you can… maybe he’ll be more inclined to listen to you, General.” Her voice was quiet, almost timid.
She slid the permit his way. Just a few minutes, enough to speak to him. Permission to lower the internal barrier if necessary.
“...Thank you, Miss Hanya.” Jing Yuan said, returning the permit to her hands. “Do send Xueyi my regards when you see her.”
“I will, General. Someone should be here in a few minutes to escort you.” She said with a nod, fingers tapping away at the hard light screen by her desk.
A few minutes later, he was met with a familiar Foxian guard.
“Yazhu.” The general greeted him.
“...I was not informed you’d be visiting today, General.” Yazhu said in response.
“The visit was not planned, but I was in the scriptorium already, so I might as well check up on Dan Heng while I’m here.” Jing Yuan answered with some nonchalance. “Shall we?”
There weren’t many things that made the Arbiter General of the Luofu truly nervous. But descending into the depths of the prison to face Dan Heng after last time, dreading what the consequences of his outburst might have been, on top of the consequences for an escape attempt?
A deep pit formed in Jing Yuan’s stomach.
…The cell was open, and two guards were stationed by the door.
Someone was in there. That Vidyadhara woman from the Ten-Lords Commision who interrupted them last time. Luo Shun, as he had learned when she chewed him out that day.
She turned around when she heard Jing Yuan approach.
“General. Why are you here?” She asked, her tone clipped as she emerged from the cell to meet him.
“This visit has been authorised. I have been notified of some concerning reports regarding Dan Heng’s behaviour.” Jing Yuan tried to keep his voice as neutral as possible. “I requested a visit to confirm these reports, and it has been granted. The permit is in the scriptorium, should you wish to see it, Madam Luo Shun.”
“I understand, General.” She definitely did not want him here, not after last time. “He’s been… difficult since his last escape attempt, and especially in recent weeks. Uncooperative, ignoring when spoken to… Not unlike his previous-”
“Can you step aside so that I may see him?” He cut her off. He won’t stand for those comparisons, especially not now.
She reluctantly did so. “See for yourself, General.”
The boy was curled up in the corner, his body more bruised than usual. He somehow looked paler than normal, his skin visibly clammy. He could barely keep his eyes open.
“Dan Heng?” Jing Yuan asked through the barrier.
He didn’t react.
This was bad.
“Yazhu. Lower the barrier.” He ordered, not looking away from Dan Heng.
“General! The sinner Dan Feng’s lack of cooperation is no reason to-” Luo Shun tried to say.
“It’s been authorised, Madam Luo Shun. Lower the barrier.” He said with all the authority that his position gave him.
Yazhu didn’t say anything. The barrier fizzled out, and Jing Yuan was immediately by Dan Heng’s side.
The boy’s eyes opened, an unfocused gaze looking at the general.
“...J-...jing…yu-yuan…” he said, voice weak and trembling.
“I’m here, little one.” Jing Yuan tried to calm him down.
From up close it was obvious he was ill. His hair stuck to his sweat-covered forehead, and he was burning up with a fever. There was a strange smell in the cell, one often surrounding the seriously ill.
“He needs a doctor!” Jing Yuan raised his voice.
He turned his head around to face the others. Luo Shun was staring at him in shock, and the three guards seemed frozen in place.
“General, there is no need for-”
“I said he needs a doctor, Madam Luo Shun! Urgently! You will not be undermining my authority when a child’s life may be at stake! Go fetch a doctor. Yazhu, make sure she hurries.” Jing Yuan commanded, blood boiling in his veins.
Dan Heng just looked at him bleary-eyed.
“...hurts…” the child whimpered and tried to curl up even more.
“Where does it hurt?” Jing Yuan could hear his own heartbeat hammering away at his chest.
Dan Heng didn’t react.
He just let out a sharp gasp.
“Where does it hurt, Dan Heng?” The general repeated.
“...i-it hurts…m’not l-lying…” the boy responded between gasps for air that turned into sobs.
“I trust you, little one, but you need to tell me where-” Jing Yuan stopped mid sentence as he noticed that there was some liquid leaking out of the young Vidyadhara’s ear. It appeared severely inflamed, and so did the other one.
“Shit. Can you hear me Dan Heng?” He said, panic rising in his voice.
The boy just stared at his lips with unfocused, tear-filled eyes.
“...m’not…l-lying… it hurts…it hurts…” he just kept repeating in a weak voice as his little body was wracked with sobs.
Jing Yuan just wiped the sweat off the child’s forehead. He had no idea what to do, the situation was bad, and the mere thought of how this was allowed to happen in the first place. That they allowed the illness to get to this point and most likely wouldn’t have done anything to fix this.
He’s been “difficult”.
The words made him livid. How dare they? How dare they treat this child’s distress as just him being difficult? Just because of a crime he didn’t commit. Just because…just because of him.
Jing Yuan’s hands almost unconsciously embraced the small figure, feeling Dan Heng tense up at the touch. He didn’t let go, running one hand through the neglected hair, the other holding the too-bony body tight, feeling each sob making its way through the child, the heat of his fever seeping through the general’s clothes, the way he clutched onto Jing Yuan as if he were the only thing keeping him alive.
Soon the boy calmed down, drifting off into a half-conscious state.
“Shhhh…I’m here…it will be okay.” Jing Yuan whispered, rubbing little circles into Dan Heng’s back. “...it will be okay…you will be okay…”
—
Dan Heng recovered, albeit not well. Jing Yuan spent as much time as he could by his side after the medic finally cleared him for transport to the prison’s sick bay, personally carrying the boy there since he wouldn’t let go of him.
The young Vidyadhara’s ankle was chained to the bed, of course it was. In their eyes he was a prisoner, and would be treated as such.
He was unconscious for a while, the fever temporarily brought down with medicine, but it was clear it would take a long time to heal. He was administered painkillers for the ear pain, but that led to the biggest complication.
Permanent hearing loss. More intense in his left ear than the right, but neither would be capable of hearing with any clarity.
Jing Yuan could feel a thunderstorm under his skin, a rage he hasn’t experienced in so long. This could have been avoided if it was caught earlier. If they took care of the boy who wasn’t supposed to be a prisoner.
Even if he was a prisoner, this was unacceptable negligence on the part of the wardens, something he very sternly informed them of. But the Arbiter General wasn’t allowed to lose his temper, couldn’t scream until his throat went raw.
No. Deep breaths. Authority and all that.
Try not to lose it, not to give them another reason to doubt his judgments.
He met with a representative of the Ten-Lords Commission. Apparently his visit should not have been authorised, but the memo never reached the Shackling Prison. Miss Hanya knew nothing of any suggestion from the other judges, which is why she signed off on that permit.
If the general was on thin ice before, the water has all nearly melted by now.
Their stance was clear. They couldn’t do anything, but with the frequency of his visits and the incidents associated with them… one report to the Marshal and he’d be in for an even bigger mess. So no more visits.
He couldn’t be there for Dan Heng anymore. Especially now, with his hearing permanently damaged the kid would need some form of support. But the decision was final. No more visitation rights for Jing Yuan, and in turn they would ensure that the boy receives hearing aids and is taught sign language.
It was not fair, not in the slightest. The entire arrangement was based on a balance of threats and blackmail. They wouldn’t inform the Marshal of Jing Yuan breaking protocol with these visits, he wouldn’t officially go after the parties responsible for negligence. He wouldn’t take any official action against the Ten-Lords Commission regarding this matter, and they wouldn’t start publicly undermining his authority by leaking information regarding his visits. They would admit that Dan Heng’s “attack” was an accident, and Jing Yuan would pretend he didn’t want to commit an unpardonable sin when they admitted they still had the plushie, but would not be returning it as it was “lost” among other contraband.
And he couldn’t even say goodbye.
He was forced to leave when Dan Heng was still asleep.
A few weeks later he was informed that Dan Heng recovered well enough to be returned to his cell. Following it was a transfer request from Yazhu, seeking permission to be reassigned to the Xianzhou Yaoqing cloudknights.
The general knew the request wasn’t put in voluntarily. He signed off on it without a second thought and even penned a quick letter of recommendation. Feixiao definitely owed him a favour for something, not that he could care at that point. All his rage had boiled over into numbness that followed him for months.
—
Jing Yuan would continue to receive occasional updates regarding Dan Heng’s health and progress in learning sign language, but he wouldn’t see him again for a long time.
Not until the day he stepped back into the lightless depths of the Shackling Prison and saw a young man bound in chains.
He’d been moved to the lowest level of the prison again. Back to Dan Feng's old cell.
The young man looked almost identical to Dan Feng, wearing his tattered robes and staring back at Jing Yuan with a mix of confusion, fondness, and vitriol.
He couldn’t hear the general, his hearing aids having been confiscated as part of some punishment for whatever transgression he supposedly committed. Yet he seemed aware of what was being said to him, his eyes drifting to the speaker’s lips as he nodded and responded in quiet, clipped answers.
Someone went to fetch the hearing aids, leaving Jing Yuan almost alone with the young man. The guard wouldn’t be able to see Jing Yuan’s face…
“...I’m sorry. This is the best I could do.” he whispered, hoping that his suspicions regarding Dan Heng’s ability to read lips were correct.
No response. Just a tired glance.
Then the hearing aids were returned to Dan Heng. He squinted in discomfort once he could hear, as if the sound itself was a painful experience.
The general read out the terms of the exile. In 24 system hours he would be escorted to one of the ports, placed in a starskiff with some rations, and sent out into the stars, never to return.
Dan Heng just said he understood.
Then they parted yet again.
Jing Yuan was there when he was being escorted out the next day, waiting by the starskiff. Surrounded by guards and a sea of onlookers and wearing the same tattered robes that belonged to Dan Feng, he looked so much like him when he was initially arrested.
There were whispers and insults among the crowd’s chatter, Dan Feng’s name and Sinner spoken in the same breath.
He stopped mid-step, his gaze lost somewhere in the crowd, before being pushed to move forward. Jing Yuan’s gaze followed, and for a split second he noticed a flash of someone small and purple disappearing in the sea of people.
Dan Heng was finally led to the end of the dock, where Jing Yuan awaited him.
“For the crimes of your predecessor, Imbibitor Lunae Dan Feng, with the Reignbow as our witness, Dan Heng, you are hereby exiled from the Xianzhou Alliance. From the moment you leave the Luofu’s borders, you are not to return to the Xianzhou Luofu, nor are you to seek asylum on any of the Hexfleet’s ships.” Jing Yuan read out the exile order.
The Vidyadhara’s shackles were removed, and he looked at Jing Yuan a final time.
“...Good luck.” the general whispered as the young man was forced on board the starskiff.
He watched as the engine fired up, sending the starskiff through the Jade Gate and out into the stars.
And just like that it was over.
Dan Heng was free, the outcome that Jing Yuan wanted for so long finally came to be, but why did it feel so… hollow? Why was he full of dread over the unknown? Was this just sending Dan Heng to his death?
He was alone in that starskiff, just like he was alone in that cell.
All he was given was some rations, a change of mis-matched, most likely ill-fitting clothes, and Dan Feng’s spear, as cursed as its owner and cast out for the same reason.
… Jing Yuan just hoped he’ll be less lonely once he finds the raggedy toy lion the general managed to track down and hide under the rations.
It’s all he could do.