KongArt Week Stories

The Emperor's Secret - Part Three

This was insane. Everything was insane. One minute he was being made to climb out the window, the next, jumping from the second floor into the arms of his master and now, he was riding a horse. Well technically Kong was the one riding the horse, he was merely trapped between the other’s arms as he expertly steered the horse in the darkness. 

Oak was nowhere to be seen and who even was this Aim person that Kong was talking to just now? All this time, it had always just been the three of them, save for the other slaves that Kong rescued from time to time. Where did this Aim character even come from? Arthit had questions. So many of them. But he knew, from the way Kong’s heart pounded against his back, that it was not the time to ask them. 

The sound of more galloping soon neared in on them and Arthit’s heart raced. The voices of the men could now be heard. And they were not the voices of anyone he remembered. The odds that these men were not friends but foes scared him. 

“Arthit, when I let go, I need you to continue holding on to the reins and to keep riding on straight okay? I’ll catch up.” Kong whispered in his ear.

“Wait wait. Kong, wait!”

“Three.. Two.. Hang on tight.”

“Kong!” Arthit screamed, holding the reins tightly. He tried turning but he didn’t know how to ride a horse! As it was, it was taking everything to not fall off as the powerful beast galloped steadily. 

The sound of swords clanging behind him echoed through the silence of the nights and horrific yells could be heard not soon after. The sharp clash of metal against metal continued for a moment before there was utter silence. All Arthit could hear was the wind and his own heartbeat. Where was Kong?

“Kong? KONG!” Arthit tried to yell out as loudly as he could, turning his head as far back as he could to try to peer into the darkness. There was no response from Kong and it was scaring him. What if he had gotten hurt or worse, killed? The thought scared him more than he ever imagined it would. 

A light gallop could soon be heard closing in on him and Arthit whirled around to catch a glimpse of the rider. “Kong! Kong!” He called out. “Is that you?”

“Arthit, are you okay?” Kong asked, steering his horse nearer to Arthit’s.

“I’m fine, are you?” Arthit asked hurriedly, trying to spot any injuries on the other. 

“En,” Kong nodded as he reached out to grab hold of the rein’s in Arthit’s hands. “Hold on tight, don’t fall.” With a small push of his legs, Kong swiftly manoeuvred himself behind Arthit once again, still gripping onto the other horse’s reins. 

Arthit gripped upon Kong’s arms tightly, thankful that the other was alright, only for Kong to let out a slight hiss. Arthit felt a warm liquid on his hands and peered at them hard under the dim light of the moonlight.

“Oh my god Kong! You’re hurt!”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a small injury.” Kong assured him, nuzzling lightly into Arthit’s neck. He was feeling sleepy, so very sleepy. 

“Kong? Kong?” Arthit tapped on the other’s hand in a frenzy. “Don’t sleep Kong. Talk to me please!”

“En.” 

“Kong, don’t sleep! Where are we supposed to go now? We need to get you looked at!” 

“Zhou Jing is just right up ahead. We’re.. Supposed to meet Oak and Aim there.” Kong heaved. 

“Don’t sleep Kong, just keep talking to me.” Arthit pleaded. Being stuck on a horse, there was nothing he could do other than to tap on the other’s uninjured hand and talking to him.