The Emperor's Head

10. Emptiness

Jun inhaled deeply and stretched his limbs. Bolin said he had slept for almost a full day, which explained his stiff back and neck. It was good they were stopping soon.

He could not walk much around the small boat without getting in Hui's way. The cargo hold bisected the flat-bottomed skiff. The holds wooden walls held up a brightly painted curved red roof with gold trim, and a matching brocade fabric hung down over the front and back served as a loose door. They had left it open to air out the space, allowing him to see Hui and Bolin negotiating the shallow water to the dock. The front of the boat, where Jun stood admiring Yangjin, could fit four men his size lying down but did not provide much room for pacing. Jun sighed again and leaned on the thin rale that prevented any goods from slipping off the front.

The Shua narrowed as they approached Yangjin, and houses lined both sides of the river, but only one side allowed for the mooring of boats. The bustling harbor exuded an energy that revitalized Jun as much as the day of sleeping had.

"You can stay on the sampan. Hui and I will gather what we need." Bolin announced from behind Jun.

"No, I need to walk around a bit." Jun wondered at his own defiance and wondered if his new Keeper would allow him any freedom.

Bolin frowned, then glanced around the small space before nodding slowly.

"Stay with me," Bolin answered at last.

Bolin threw a tie to the awaiting dockhand at Yangjin pier, and Hui came forward with a plank. A few acolytes came forward, and Hui nodded at Bolin and Jun to leave the boat.

"They will unload the cargo. You can go get something to eat," Hui explained.

Bolin escorted Jun to the vendor stalls while Hui worked with the other acolytes to unload and reload their small vessel. As they approached, the exotic smells enticed Jun to explore every stall before Bolin finally ordered stuffed rice buns for him. While he waited for a fresh batch to be steamed, Hui walked up to them and pulled Bolin a few steps back to discuss something.

Immediately after Bolin's attention drew away from him, a beggar appeared before Jun as if waiting for the opportunity. Acolytes rarely carried money to avoid being targets, but many people thought they would be more willing to part with what they had to those in need than their martial companions. Jun only had the coins Bolin had provided to buy his meal. His sympathy for those less fortunate did not extend to inconveniencing the vendor he had ordered from. Jun compromised and offered to give the man part or all of his food. The beggar grew agitated when Jun offered him rice buns instead of coins.

Before Jun could explain that he had only enough to pay the vendor, dirty hands reached for his robe. Jun's mouth went dry as he realized he hadn't asked Bolin for the armguards back. Belatedly, he remembered the dagger the priest had given him, but before he could pull it out, a blade appeared at the beggar's neck, and a droplet of blood escaped towards his collar.

"Do not touch my acolyte," Bolin growled as his sword drew a thin red line further across the still man's neck.

"Keeper, hold!" Jun demanded and grabbed Bolin's arm. "He did not touch me."

"Because my sword stopped him," Bolin fumed.

"Yes. And he will bear the mark of his wrongdoings. Let him go." Jun pulled Bolin's sword arm back from the trembling man. Bolin glared at Jun.

"Your soft heart will get you killed, acolyte Tu," Hui announced coldly as she moved beside Bolin. "This beggar carries a blade." She kicked the beggar's arm, and a rusty knife flew from his hand. "Get your food. We have attracted attention."