Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Chou Yee waved a hand at Ahron’s blank face “Hello! Are you alive?” she asked loudly.
Ahron was instantly snapped back to reality “What? What did you say?”
“Nothing yet. What is the matter? You appeared to have dazed off.” She frowned, her brows wrinkling with worried.
“I’m alright now.” He smiled brightly.
Chou Yee tilted her head “Thinking about your love?” she asked “I’ve seen that look before.” She said it almost sadly.
“Really?” he asked with a grin.
“That’s not important. We should be on our way.” She nodded to the trail.
“Eh, eh, eh…I believe you are forgetting something?” he teased while pointing her back to his side.
Chou Yee sighed as she dragged herself back to him “Happy?”
He nodded and began walking. She came into step with him “So why are you here?” he asked again.
“My job.” She replied shortly. Still refusing to tell him the entire truth.
Ahron laughed “I figure that much.”
“The Empress sent me to retrieve the King.” She began “She thought of sending an army but it would cause too much attention.”
“So she sent a girl that could barely handle ten men?” he quipped “The Empress is not a smart lady.”
“How dare you!!” Chou Yee snapped “Must you disrespect her in her own land?”
“Don’t get your nose twisted up in a flare.” He said sarcastically “I only speak of the truth. Do you think you are capable of saving the King from them?”
She lifted her chin bravely “Even if I die, I will guarantee his safety.”
“Oh, I did not know ghosts could save humans?” he mocked with a smirk “Chou Yee, you may be courageous but you cannot defeat an army of hundreds of men.”
“Then help me.” She asked “I’ve seen you fight, you are incredible! The King could use someone like you.” He laughed but she was dead serious. Chou Yee got down on her knees in front of him “Please, I have never begged anyone.”
Ahron’s face fell as he pulled her to her feet “Don’t. I don’t ever want to see you kneel again.” he said solemnly.
“Why?” she questioned “I only kneel to his highness and the Empress. You should feel lucky.”
He wasn’t sure why he said it “I do not want that kind of luck. I will help you.” Her face brightened “But you must listen to everything I say.”
“Done!” Chou Yee nodded firmly “Let’s go!”
“You forget quick!’ he called.
Chou Yee hastily retrieved her steps “Sorry.”
“That’s alright, but do not let it happen again.” He straightened his back and nodded to her with authority.
*********
The king was not treated like a normal prisoner. He sat in his well lit room, the food was made from the best cooks in the city and only the best wine was served. But he grew restless after three days of his captured. Ka Chan was placed in jail while he helplessly watched. The leader of the Red Flower sect entered his room one night “How are you doing, your highness?” he asked with a friendly smile.
“When are you planning to release me?” he asked haughtily.
“When you decide to sign the treaty allowing the Chinese to regain their land.” He replied a matter-of-factly.
The King sat firmly in his chair “I cannot do that!”
“Then I cannot let you go.” The man replied icily “If the Empress cannot save you, you will remain in our hands. But don’t forget, it is not impossible to replace a King. Your uncles and brothers are waiting in line to rule this country.” Her reminded him.
“Say no more! I will not bow to your requests.”
The leader threw daggers at the King, but it was quickly replaced by a smile “As you wish.” He returned to the door and paused “You must be bored from the lack of entertainment. Let me introduce to you Hong Chow’s number one beauty and musician. Fan Yu Lan Siu Jei.” He clapped his hands an a beautiful girl dressed in pink entered the room “Keep his majesty company.” The leader informed.
The King did not bother to look up, he has seen more beauties in his life time and he has married plenty of them. Yu Lan curtsied at the leader “Yes, sir.” When he left the room, she angled herself towards the King “Please excuse my lateness, your highness.”
He was quick on his feet the second he laid eyes on here. Such a rare and classic beauty, he thought to himself. Lifting her up by the elbow, he smiled “Please, do not be polite, we are not in the palace.” She stood up with a smile that could melt hundreds of men hearts.
“Thank you.” She replied shyly “What would you like to hear?” she approached the harpsichord that sat on a lowered table. Her nails grazed the strings as it sent out a beautiful melody.
“Play as you wish.” The King’s barriers were lifted as he enjoyed a beautiful lady’s presence “I am sure it will be magnificent whatever you decide.”
“You are too kind.” Yu Lan smiled, showing off her dimple. Her fingers lifted over the instrument and they made magical music with each pick and stroke. The King was enjoying each note as he sat still and closed his eyes to take in the song he knew would be hard to forget.
*********
Ahron and Chou Yee had traveled for hours until they both settled at a deserted temple “Why don’t we stay at a motel?” Ahron wondered out loud.
“And give them a chance to attack?” Chou Yee snickered “Do not be naïve.”
“This is their region, no matter where we go, they will be sure to know.” Ahron replied logically.
She knew he had a good point “What do you suppose we do?”
“Disguises.” He replied with a grin.
“As what?” she asked.
Ahron shrugged “An old married couple?” her face twinged with disgust and he found it endearing “We’ll decide tomorrow.”
She nodded in agreement “That’s a good idea.” Taking a seat against a pillar, she leaned her head back and rested her eyes shut.
He laid across the room from her with his head propped up on his elbow “What are you thinking of?”
Chou Yee opened her eyes “Sleep.” She replied curtly.
“I can’t sleep. Let’s stay up all night and talk.” He pulled himself in a seated position.
Her brows wrinkled “I’m tired.”
“I’m not.” Ahron smiled “Tell me about your human life.”
She smiled at the interesting way he worded the question “Human life? Don’t we all have that? Why did you specify?”
He quickly caught himself “Just answer me.”
Chou Yee sighed, “It’s quite boring. Are you sure you want to hear it?” He nodded with a grin “When I was born, my mother had passed away. My father adored me and he taught me everything he knew except martial arts. He worked as a master who trained all the men who were in charge of protecting the royal family. He was amazing at his work and was treated with much respect. I use to sneak in the studies and watch him train, he wouldn’t let me learn because ladies were not suppose to fight. But I was always curious. I was even better than some of his students. I was not allowed to enter the Royal Garden but one day, I decided to take a tour. I ran into the King at that time, but did not know he was the King. He was a few years my elder and we began to bicker. I ran home and told my dad what rude people the Palace had.”
“Did your father find out?” Ahron smiled at the troublemaker.
“Yes. I was in trouble and he realized after my description that it was the King. I thought it was absurd because the King has to be older to reign a whole country?” Chou Yee laughed as she remembered that day clearly “He made me apologize and actually took me to the Empress and told her everything. She was not only polite, she did not punish me. I’m not sure what good impression I left in her head but she asked if I would come and keep her company each afternoon. We had to talking and she learned that I loved martial arts. She asked me to perform for her and I did, right when my father entered the garden. He was furious.”
“I bet.” Ahron laughed, “Were you punished?”
She shook her head “The Empress would not allow him to lay a hand on me. Instead, she asked that I be trained as one of the King’s personal bodyguard. Hence, I became the first female bodyguard of the royal family.” Chou Yee concluded with a proud grin.
Ahron nodded “I see. So, what happened to your father?”
“He passed away not too long ago.” She sighed, “I do miss him terribly but I know he is proud of my accomplishments.” He smiled in agreement and it was her turn to question “How about you?”
He shook his head “My life is quite boring.” He rested his head on the ground and prepared to sleep “Good night.”
“That’s not fair!” she blurted out “You know my life, why can’t I know about yours?”
“Because it’s boring.” He said simply with his eyes shut “Didn’t you understand it the first time?”
Chou Yee shook her head in defeat “Yes, sir.” She stared at the smile on his face. Something about it was oddly familiar “I didn’t thank you for saving my life.”
He peeked one eye open “You already did.”
She frowned “I don’t recall it.”
“But you did.” He insisted.
She smiled “You are definitely NOT from this neck of the woods.”
“How do you know?” he asked with both eyes opened.
Chou Yee shrugged, it left him wondering this time “Just a hunch. Good night.” She closed her eyes and dozed off to sleep.