#lan xichen

There was a squawk overhead. He looked up to where one of his redstarts was hopping along a winding branch, looking toward the entrance to the aviary. He followed it in time to watch Lan Xichen enter, looking tired and haggard.

"Don't forget to close the door behind you, Xichen-ge," he offered with a welcoming smile.

Lan Xichen nodded and did as requested, then came over to Nie Huaisang's side. He raised an eyebrow. "Mingjue-ge told me to come see you about an idea you had for the Sunshot campaign."

Nie Mingjue had been meeting with various leaders and representatives over the last several days in the run up to fighting back against the Wen, and Lan Xichen had sat in on almost every meeting. No wonder he looked tired and sounded less like his usually calm and comforting self.

"It was just a suggestion I had," he offered as he finished tying off the pigeon's bandage. "But Da-ge seemed to like it. It was an idea to help the various sects communicate with each other. Not everyone has butterflies like the Jin, and besides, the Wen will no doubt spot almost every qi-powered message, whatever the shape of it, and try to intercept it. So I thought, why don't we try it the mundane way?"

He carried his pigeon over to a nearby nest he'd made up for her recuperation, and once she was safe, he pursed his lips to let loose a whistle. Another pigeon flew down to alight upon his outstretched finger. He lifted her up and approached where Lan Xichen was leaning against a table, looking like he was nearly ready to fall asleep then and there.

"This is Po-po," he introduced. "She used to bring me messages from Da-ge and Zonghui when I was in school and she knows the look and feel of Lan disciples. I've been training her and a handful of other pigeons to recognize cultivators from various sects so that they can bring messages from one group to another. Many of the Emperor's field battalions use pigeons as well, so the Wen would have no way of knowing if they're working for us or the Imperial Palace."

Lan Xichen blinked once, twice, then tilted his head. "That's... quite ingenious, actually."

"Not really," he replied, petting the bird with the back of his finger. "Pigeons have been messengers for hundreds of years because they're great at finding their way home. And I happen to have several that are already partially trained. Perhaps... well, my cultivation isn't high, so I've had to think of my own ways of doing things that other cultivators don't."

A gentle hand fell on Nie Huaisang's shoulder. He looked up into Lan Xichen's face, and he could have sworn that he looked proud of him. "It's a very good idea."

He ducked his head, unused to being praised for... anything, really. "I can teach you the correct whistle, that way she will only come to you to deliver messages, or whomever else you teach. I tried teaching Da-ge but you know him, he couldn't hold a tune if his life depended on it."

"Would she be able to bring messages from me to Cloud Recesses?"

Nie Huaisang nodded.

And then Lan Xichen's tired face broke out in a genuine smile that had a hint of mischief to it. "I can't wait to tell Shufu – he and I always suspected you had talents you were keeping hidden from us."

He exaggerated a pout, pleased when Lan Xichen smiled even more in response. "Just as long as Lan Laoshi doesn't test me on it afterwards."

"I will make no promises."

He noticed Lan Xichen's eyes fluttering closed. "Here, let me get Po-po settled for the night and I'll walk you back inside the fortress. I'm sure you're tired after Da-ge's kept you in meetings all day."

"I'm not that tired," Lan Xichen attempted to say, but his words were interrupted by a huge yawn.

Nie Huaisang gave him a skeptical look. "I thought it was against the Lan's rules to lie, Xichen-ge."

A sigh. "All right, perhaps I'm a little tired."

The fact that Lan Xichen didn't argue any further was a testament to his exhaustion.

He settled Po-po in a nest next to the other pigeon, then after making certain there was plenty of food and water, he helped Lan Xichen out of the aviary. There were coos and a couple of chirps as he closed the door. He made a soft whistle, a goodnight of sorts, and received one in return.

He loved his birds more than almost anything. That he was volunteering them for such an important assignment, where if something went wrong, they might not ever come home again... He wondered if that was what his brother felt like, sending disciples out on night hunts or soldiers out on missions against the Wen. His brother, who never left anyone behind, who fought for his disciples more than himself. If the campaign were led by any other general, Nie Huaisang would have never offered up his birds. But with Da-ge in charge, they had a better chance to make it home.

There was no better leader in the world than his brother.

He turned away from the aviary and helped Lan Xichen back inside, and once the other man was on his way to his bed, Nie Huaisang went down to the kitchens to fetch a bottle of wine to settle his mind for the night.