Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Ahron silently crept up behind her, he noticed she was watching intently as the scene unfolded before her. Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked “Anything interesting?”
She threw him an exasperated look “What does it look like?”
His brow arched up “Are all women that moody?”
“No, just me.” She snapped and snuck up closer until she was within ear shot.
“My fellow brothers!!” the obvious leader of the Red Flower sect announced “This man is the famous Manchu Dog! He has ripped us of our homes and land. Left us with no dignity or place to stay. Does he deserve to die??!!” the powerful booming voice commanded to hundreds of men roaring in answer.
“YES!!!”
The King stood his ground, courageous when put in a life threatening situation. He snickered and it was loud enough for the leader to hear. He turned and whipped his backhand at the King’s face. Chou Yee was stunned at how they treated the most powerful man in the country, taking a step forward she growled “How dare they!”
Ahron had expected her behavior as he pulled her back effortlessly “Calm down, there’s more.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously “How do you know so much?” his only response was a crooked smile that left her wondering for more.
“You people say I am an unworthy King. Do you have evidence?” he asked daringly in the face of death.
The sect leader laughed with his head thrown back “Evidence? This is proof!!” he pointed amongst his men and they slowly opened up allowing someone to walk through.
The King’s face paled as he felt a pang of betrayal “Ka Chan?”
He smiled wickedly “You would never guess. Men!” he turned to his fellow people “I have been placed undercover working as this Manchu Dog for the past three years. He did nothing but complain about the laws that were given to him to look over. Always spending his time with his thirty something wives but it’s never satisfying. He does nothing for the people!!”
The King was speechless, his most trustworthy eunuch was condemning him for the things he did which he had a helping hand in. When the King wanted to read over the laws, Ka Chan would be there insisting that he take a rest and visit with the queens. It had been a trap the whole time? He shook his head in disbelief “Betrayed by my own…” he refused to look them in the eye.
“See! He admits it!!!” Ka Chan pointed.
“Burn him to the stake!!” one man cried causing a wave of agreements.
Chou Yee watched as they placed the King in the center of the wooden stake, Ka Chan tied him with the ready ropes “Regretting?” he asked the King when he was silent.
“No, hurt.” He replied.
“Maybe you should have worked harder then.” Ka Chan snickered before jumping off the wooden stand.
Chou Yee turned to Ahron “Now?” rushing him to do something.
He looked up to the sky for a few seconds and turned to her “Now.” He confirmed and she sprinted out from the hiding space and attacked the men without warning. Ahron smiled “No patience.” He shook his head and quickly ran out to join her.
After they defeated a good fifteen men, the leader retrieved his people “Who are you?!!” he asked with authority.
“Your worse nightmare!!” Chou Yee replied “Let the King go. His army will be here in a few minutes, your men will be wiped out.” She threatened.
Some of the men looked scared as they gasped and stepped back, some turning their heads to watch their backs. Ga Chan laughed as he raised a hand to silence them “Don’t believe her. She is just a little bodyguard that has no power to control an army. She is clearly bluffing!”
The leader nodded as he stepped forward, closer enough to strangle Chou Yee with his bare hands “I agree.” His hand whipped towards her as he attempted to capture her, instead he was met with Ahron’s blocking hand.
“Such a noble man would attack a young girl without warning? I did not know the Red Flower Sect were made from cowards.” Ahron tempted their anger. The leader only grew angrier as he whipped another hand towards Chou Yee, who was pulled behind Ahron as he entwined in the art of kung fu.
Again, she found herself admiring his ability to manipulate the opponent’s power against himself. Ahron made no motive to harm the leader but he did embarrass him in front of his men. Using his block, Ahron twisted the leader’s wrist upward and slapped his left cheek with his own hand. Chou Yee was the only person enjoying it as she laughed “An apology will do, you do not need to slap yourself.” She mocked.
Ahron turned to her with a smile “It was well deserved.” Winking at her as he turned to the leader “Please, forgive me.” His fist rested under his palm as he bowed to the leader with respect.
“Such a great talent, why must you work for this useless King?” the leader spat, his hand barely acknowledging the King.
“It is how it is.” It was a deep meaning that he expected no one to understand fully “The past has passed, so why must you challenge it? He may not be the best ruler but I know he will try his best. All countries have rules, you have broken too many in one night. There is a saying as long as you live under my roof, you will obey by my rules.” Ahron smiled “Unless you no longer want to live?”
The Leader placed his hands thoughtfully behind his back as he contemplated the wise words from a young man. He realized that Ahron meant no harm and will continue to protect the King. Eventually he nodded “You are right. It should not matter who rules this country as long as the people are living happily. I want him to promise with his own mouth that he will do his best.”
Chou Yee received a nod from Ahron as she jumped onto the tiny stage and cut the King’s ropes. Bowing her head, she apologized “Please forgive me for being so late.”
“Better late than never.” He replied with a grin, happy to see a familiar face.
Ahron turned to the King with a slight bow “I believe you owe these people a promise.”
The King nodded in agreement “I cannot guarantee the goodness of everyone’s lives but I can guarantee that I will try my best to spread the richest amongst the cities that need it most. The next ruler will be much better and my son will continue to help the people and make this country prosper until there is no more poverty.”
The Red Flower Sect seemed to be pleased by his promise as they unanimously knelt on one knee “We apologize for the mistreatment and accusations, your highness.” The leader said with much feeling.
The King lifted the man to his feet by his elbow “Please, this is not the Kingdom.”
“We will leave now. Please, be careful…we are not the only people that wanted you dead.” He warned before waving to his men along.
Ka Chan turned slowly as he lowered his head in shame. Chou Yee knew of the close bond between he and the King “He was just doing his job.” She assured him.
“I know.” The King sighed as he turned to her “I assume the Empress is furious.”
“No…she is more worried.” Chou Yee chose her words carefully. She smiled when remembering Ahron “Oh, this is my friend I met along the journey, Hong Gor… although I never got his surname?” she turned to him curiously.
“I don’t have one. But please call me Ah Hong.” He said to the King humbly.
The King nodded briefly before turning to Chou Yee “The way back to the Kingdom will be a dangerous one. We do not know if those people will change their minds.”
She smiled when hearing rumbling footsteps against the earth “That is what I was thinking. General Chan is here.” She announced with a quick nod behind the King. When he turned, he was faced with hundreds of soldiers kneeling at his command.
“We should be punished for coming late, your highness!” the General apologized.
“You should be if I were dead, but I am not. Please, stand up.” The King smiled as he felt more at ease with the army there to protect him. Then he did the unexpected “Men, take this man away!” he pointed at Ahron.
Chou Yee’s bewildered expression was beyond shock “Your Highness!” she knelt down as they took the calm Ahron in custody.
“I have decided!” he bellowed and waved a hand as they escorted him back to Seung Yeung. In the General's home, the King rested in the living room chair as a servant rushed out with a ready hot cup of tea.
Chou Yee continued to beg for his mercy “Please, he did nothing but help you, why must you do this? Is this how you repay a deed?!” instantly remembering her place as she lowered her head when the King whipped his angry eyes at her “I apologize.” She said weakly and knelt down.
“Do not think that you my bodyguard and I will not punish you. He was working with the Red Flower Sect to destroy me!” he growled angrily “Did you not see what had happened? They tried to burn me at the stake.”
“But he saved you.” Chou Yee reminded him again.
“That is irrelevant.” He stood up and towered over Chou Yee’s kneeling body “I have learned a very sharp lesson. Do not trust anyone.” She understood he was hurt from Ka Chan’s betrayal “Those people will be destroyed.” He warned viciously.
Her head snapped up “But you made a promise!” she argued, he was being uncompromising and breaking every ethical code of the humans.
“I am the King. What I say goes. Now get some rest, we have to leave early tomorrow morning.” She looked at him pleadingly while he snapped “Get up or I will have the General escort you out!”
She was fuming as she stood up and stomped her way out the door. She paused when hearing the King ask about Fan Yu Lan. Spinning her head at him, she dared to make a comment “That woman was sent to seduce you, she does not love you.” Before he had a chance to stand up for his love, she had walked out the door.
Chou Yee didn’t know what time it was but she could not sleep. The foreign bed was uncomfortable but she was more worried about Ahron. What if the King planned to kill him? The thought brought goosebumps on her skin. It was then that she decided to break into jail and free him. Putting on a black outfit, she hid half her face with a black cloth. Slipping through the guards would not be as easy as she quickly distracted them with rocks thrown in different directions. They left their posts long enough for her to sneak through the door.
Another three guards stood guard as she quickly froze them with a touch of her finger on the freeze point located below the left shoulder. She approached each jail until she found Ahron “Hong Gor!” she hissed. He was sleeping comfortably on the hay “Hong Gor!” she called louder.
He turned to the girl in black “You can be killed if he finds out.”
“I do not care! He cannot punish you after all that you have done for him.” She reasoned while using the keys she stole from one of the guards to unlock the chain “Come, we must leave.”
The wooden door open as she reached down and took his hand but he gave a little tug back “I cannot let you do this. He will not let you off that easily.”
“I am not longer the King’s bodyguard.” She replied with earnest eyes “I realized how stubborn he is, maybe Ka Chan is right, he is not a good King. He is planning to wipe out the Red Flower Sect!”
Ahron shook his head “The more reason for us not to leave.” He pulled his hand away from her grasp as he settled his place on the hay “Who will stop the King if we are gone?”
She knew he had a point but did not want to see Ahron being tortured for something he did not do “I know you have good reason, but there are times you need to be selfish and save your own life. He will not be kind, trust me. I overheard the General advising that they should behead you to give a warning to the Red Flower Sect.”
“Chou Yee…” he sighed. She smiled abruptly and Ahron was confused “What is so funny?”
“It is very rare that you say my name. I like it.” She smiled shyly.
“I should say it more than.” He grinned in return and slowly let it fade when he realize he had flirted with a human. She could not fall in love with him and he with her. Was this the test of lust? Ahron shook his head “There is nothing you can say to change my mind.”
“Fine.” Chou Yee said as she got up and closed the gate with her inside. Using the key, she locked the chain and tossed the key far away. He got up and looked at her in shock while she smiled “We’re in this together.”
He could not disagree with the admiring heart while he saw the courage in her eyes and determination smile “I guess it is too late to disagree.”