Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following morning, Chou Yee decided that it would be best if they traveled to Seung Yeung City to ask the General for help. They came across a tiny town with very little people. Ahron instantly noticed the strange glances they received when walking into a restaurant. The two settled in their seats and ordered food.
Chou Yee sipped her tea slowly and she saw Ahron’s unsettling face “Hong Gor, are you alright?” she asked with concern.
He looked around the place “This place is a little different.” He frowned when a group of men leered at him.
She followed his gaze but noticed everything was normal “The people are a little quiet but nothing out of the ordinary.” Ahron continued to look cautious while Chou Yee sighed “We’re out of the Red Flower Sect’s eyes. We should be safe here.” She assured him. Their ordered dishes came, Chou Yee decided to test the food to show Ahron that they were in no danger “See? No poison.” She pointed to her clean needle.
He couldn’t shake the eerie feeling away but decided to eat since they would need energy to continue to Seung Yeung in two days. Chou Yee was finished halfway with her bowl of rice when she felt a throbbing pain shooting through her head. Before she could react, she dropped the bowl and toppled over the table. Ahron turned to her “Chou Yee!” he shook her but realized that maybe the tea was poisoned. Quickly faking his own unconsciousness, he landed his head next to Chou Yee.
She woke up to a splitting headache, barely realizing the hay below her feet. Chou Yee began to analyze their surroundings. It was a dungeon like atmosphere, panic quickly taking over as she noticed Ahron unconscious beside her. His arms rested comfortably behind his head “Ah Hong!! Wake up!! We’ve been captured!” she shook him violently.
Groaning painfully as he peeked through one eye “I know. I’m trying to get some sleep.” His lips opened into a wide yawn as he sat up “But I am awake now.” He added after noticing the scowl on her face.
“What are we going to do?” she asked frantically.
Ahron laughed, “I don’t think there is anything we can do.”
“Why are you so amused by this?!” she demanded.
He quickly let his laughs fade away “Nothing.” He cleared his throat “But it looks like it will take a miracle to get us out of here.” He turned his head towards the wooden bars “I wonder if they are going to feed us? I didn’t have enough to eat.”
She was outraged by his behavior “How could you think of eating at a time like this?? What if we are stuck in here for years?”
“Then we would have little Ah Hong and little Chou Yee running around.” He joked but regretted when her eyes fired with fury “I’m just trying to make the best of the moment.” He pointed it.
She didn’t have time for his nonsense as she pushed herself over to the jail door, her arms wrapping around them “Let me out!!!” shrieking at the top of her lungs.
“No one can hear you.” A male voice replied sadly.
Chou Yee backed away as she turned to Ahron “Who was that?” she whispered.
“The voice in the wall.” Ahron pointed to the wall on his left. She looked frightened at the thought of a ghost but she walked over to where he stood.
The voice again answered, “I’ve been here for almost ten years.”
“Oh my Heavens! Did you hear that?” Ahron exclaimed, startling Chou Yee.
“Don’t be silly.” She scolded and pulled her head through between two wooden bars and peeked into the stall next door “Mister, do you know a way out of here?”
Ahron laughed hysterically while she threw him a dirty look “If he could get out, you would really be talking to a stone wall.”
She smiled embarrassingly “That’s true.” Sighing, Chou Yee took a seat against the wall “How will I ever report to the Empress?”
“You might not have to. If you do not return, they will assume you are dead.” Ahron reasoned.
“You two are from the kingdom?” The old prisoner asked.
Chou Yee replied “Yes. I am the first female bodyguard to the king.”
“Times have changed.” The man sighed “I was too a guard but fell into the enemy’s hands. They have kept me breathing and only gave me enough food for a half day energy.”
She sat upright as she turned to the wall “Are you the famous guard Lee Ka Wai years ago that escorted the young prince Kong Lung when he was traveling to Seung Yeung? Rumors were that you had mysteriously disappeared.” she recalled hearing the news when she was a young girl.
“Unfortunately.”
“You were a legend!” Chou Yee exclaimed, “My father always talked about you.”
“Your father?” the man showed sign of interest.
She smiled “Yes, Chou Lun!”
“He is your father?” Lee Ka Wai asked. She confirmed and he laughed merrily “Your old man was a very good friend of mine, how is he?
Chou Yee’s smile faded “He passed away during a fight with the Red Flower Sect while trying to protect his highness. He died with honor, as he always hoped.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He was saddened when hearing the news about his old friend.
Ahron turned to her “Do you want to get out?”
She tilted her head questioningly “Of course.” He smiled and looked up at her braided hair. Pulling out a hairpin, he got up to use the pointed edge and picked the lock. She got up and watched him work with care “You can’t possibly get that…” her words faded as she saw him open the lock and push the door open.
“You were saying?” he asked with a winning smile.
“That’s impossible.” She shook her head, unable to believe what she witnessed.
“Okay, it was impossible.” Ahron shrugged as he walked back into the jail and sat down “It never happened.” He said logically.
Chou Yee shook her head at him strangely “You are a peculiar man.” For a millisecond, her comment reminded him of Azariah. She use to say that to him “Ah Hong!” she had been calling him when he dazed away again “We must go before they discover.” She whispered loudly.
He nodded and got up to lead the way out when she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder “What?” he asked shortly.
“How about Lee Suk Suk?” she pointed to the prisoner next to them.
“Right, I almost forgot. Go outside first.” He made sure she was gone. Ahron approached the door. His hands on the lock as he used his powers and yanked it from its chain. He quickly pulled the frumpy man to his feet “Pretend you didn’t see that.”
“No one would believe me even if I told them.” The man replied with a secretive grin.
“That’s the idea!” Ahron chuckled as he helped support the man outside. The coast was clear as they escaped to the nearest hideout, after all they were still within enemy territory.
**********
The King was enjoying yet another starry night with the full round moon, it was perfect. Yu Lan was playing the harpsichord when the soft music stopped abruptly. He turned to her with a questioning gaze “Is something the matter?”
Yu Lan shook her head as she got up and curtsied in front of him “I am sorry for ruining your moment, your highness. But Yu Lan is not in the mood to play this song.”
“Why?” he asked while motioning for her to straighten up.
“It reminds me of the poverty life that I have lived most of young days. My parents were poor and we barely had enough to survive from day to day. My mother use to play this song for me and reminded me that when I grew up, I had to have a better life.” Tears brimming the corner of her round eyes "I have disappointed her."
He was touched by her story “I am sorry to hear that.” The King stepped over to her as he collected her soft hands into his own “I promise you, when I return to the Kingdom, I will reward you with the biggest home and more riches than you can ever imagine.”
She smiled at his kindness “Is that a proposal?” His eyes dodged hers as he let go of her hand “I’m sorry-” she began and he paused her with a lifted hand.
“I may be the King of a whole country but it is not I that hold the power. The Empress is in control of whom I marry. I have countless concubines but I do not love them.” He turned to her with warm eyes “Not the way I have fallen for you.” She lowered her head shyly as he pushed it up with his fingers “If I could, I would marry you and only you but alas, I do not dare disobey her.”
Yu Lan dared to step closer as she leaned onto his chest delicately “If it means being able to see you everyday, I would not mind being your maid.”
He shook his head “No, that is not fair.”
“Nothing is fair, your highness.” She reminded him.
He was determined to turn her life around “No. I cannot let you continue to live your life like this. When I get out of here, I will marry you regardless what anyone has to say. If the Empress disagrees, I shall resign from being King.”
She shook her head vehemently, her eyes bulging out “No, you mustn’t give up your destiny for me. I am but a mere pheasant, I am not worthy of your love.” She pushed him away and turned to hide her red eyes.
“This is outrageous! I am a King! I should be able to love whomever I want!” he growled angrily. He had lived under their commands for too long.
Ahron and Chou Yee sat on the rooftop of the Red Flower Sect’s hideout. She wasn’t sure how Ahron knew exactly where they kept the King. She made a mental note to question him when they had a chance. They heard the entire conversation with the King and the beautiful woman sent to seduce him “Looks like he’s enjoying the captured life.” Ahron snickered.
She snapped her head at him “He is obviously being seduced.”
“And obviously wants more.” Ahron pointed out.
“You would fall for a beautiful woman too.” She argued.
He laughed “My dear, I would know how to fall in love with another woman.”
She looked disappointed but refused to show him her weakness “Right, you already found the love of your life, it is a wonder—” he quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and lowered her so that they were lying on the roof. He heard footsteps come near as they barged into the King’s quarters. The two remained still as they overheard the leader of the Sect claimed the King was to be punished for his wrong rulings. They would burn him at the stake that very night.
Her eyes widened as she turned to Ahron, he looked unbothered as he placed a finger to his lips. They watched as the King was escorted by the guards and Yu Lan watched helplessly as she begged the leader to let him go “She acts well.”
“Maybe she IS in love with him!” Chou Yee hissed. She didn’t understand why he needed to be so negative when it came to love.
“Do you want to argue about a subject you know nothing about or do you want to save the King?” he pointed as the group left through the back door.
She was offended but knew her place was to protect the King. Jumping off the roof, she didn’t bother answering him. Chou Yee followed them close until they reached a vacant wooded area, lighted by random torches set in a circled setting. It looked like a meeting.