Love and Honor

Part 2

King Alfred found himself haunted by the memory of the Chinese warrior princess, her fierce beauty and skill with a sword leaving an indelible mark on his mind. Night after night, he would dream of her, imagining himself riding by her side, battling side-by-side against foes both real and imagined.

As he lay in bed, unable to sleep, Alfred could not help but wonder about the woman who had so captivated him. Who was she? What was her story? And most importantly, how could he learn more about her?

It was then that he remembered a young servant boy, who had once taught him a smattering of Chinese characters and phrases. The boy had been a gifted player of Chinese chess, and Alfred had spent many hours in his company, learning the intricacies of the game.

With a sudden burst of inspiration, Alfred called for the servant boy, who now worked as a scribe in his court. When the boy arrived, Alfred greeted him warmly, asking him if he remembered the Chinese phrases he had taught him.

The boy smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Of course, Your Majesty," he replied. "You were always a quick learner. But why do you ask now?"

Alfred hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reveal his true intentions. But then he remembered the warrior princess, and the fire that burned within him flared up once more.

"I need to know more about China," he said. "I need to understand its language, its customs, its people. And I need your help to do it."

The boy nodded, his face alight with excitement. "I would be honored to help, Your Majesty," he said. "And perhaps, while we study together, I could teach you a few more things about Chinese chess."

Alfred smiled, feeling a flicker of happiness in his chest. With this boy's help, he might be able to unlock the secrets of the warrior princess and finally understand the fire that burned within him.