The Emperor's Head

2. An Unknown Enemy

At some point, the boy fell asleep. Bolin shifted the boy's weight and then corrected his thoughts.

Jun is young and slight but not a child. He cannot be much younger than me, more a young man than a boy.

Bolin had not wanted to spare young Lord Yewan, but teacher Oyun had insisted he give Jun a choice.

He is more than I thought he would be. His reaction to this night's events indicates intelligence or possibly cunning. I could feel his fear, but his face never showed it.

Jun's choice hadn't surprised Bolin. He was young, and the young craved life. But Jun had hesitated and contemplated his other options before making his choice.

Teacher Oyun predicted Jun's response. Who is he to my teacher?

The cold fire of jealousy threatened to rise in his chest, and Bolin pushed it down. His teacher had many students. Perhaps Jun's true father had been one of them. Most of the teacher's clan remained near the sanctuary, protected from the Emperor by Teacher Oyun's strength, but some had ventured out.

Jun shifted. The movement against Bolin's thigh sent an undesired tingling through his body. Taking a cleansing breath, Bolin suppressed his physical response. Suifeng stomped, acknowledging his fatigue and distracting Bolin from his thoughts.

Despite his mount's need to rest, they had to press on to the waypoint. But, they were close enough that Bolin slowed their pace. Suifeng was loyal and robust but stubborn. If he decided Bolin was ignoring his needs, he would take the initiative, and then no amount of cajoling would get the horse to move until fully rested. He placed both reins in one hand and rubbed Suifeng's neck with the other. Suifeng relaxed his withers at the reassuring gesture.

Just a little longer, brother Suifeng.

Bolin chose to take the main road between the Martial Academy and the Fanrong Villiage, expediency outweighing secrecy. At their current speed, they should reach the waypoint before the sun peaked. The ground began to roll as they approached the hills surrounding the small river that supplied the waypoint and flowed through Fanrong. The tall bamboo surrounding them let light stream through their leaves, but the forest remained dark.

No one should be following them. Bolin had been cautious. Still, he remained alert. The Emperor had likely already heard of his son's demise and sent everyone he could to search for Jun. Bolin looked down at the sleeping figure in his arm. Jun's delicate features held none of their sharp edges when he slept.

A branch broke nearby. Suifeng tensed at the sound. Bolin felt the hair stand at the back of his neck.

Someone watches us, but is it a friend or foe?

Bolin lightly flicked his wrist to activate his darts. The sword strapped at his back would be useless if the man did not come closer.

Should I wake him?

"What is wrong?" Jun whispered before Bolin could act on his thoughts. His large brown eyes stared up at him with concern.

"We are being watched, and I do not know by whom yet. Stay as you are but be ready to fight," Bolin hissed. Jun blinked in acknowledgment and did not make any other movement. Jun's response showed some understanding of the risk. Maybe this young man had been in danger before, unlike some of his pampered schoolmates.

Perhaps my teacher was right about you.

It has been too long; an ally would have identified himself by now. Bolin pulled his force back from Suifeng and Jun. Both slumped from their loss, but Bolin needed to focus elsewhere.