"It is my sect," he explains. "Lan is the family name, and Gusu the location. My home is the Cloud Recesses. It sits high on a mountain in Gusu."

He looks out at the lake, watching the moonlight on the water.

"It is beautiful there," he says, after a moment. "Clear mountain streams and mist in the trees; crisp air and snow in winter, flowers and green in summer."

He pauses, and slants a glance at her to see if he should go on.