Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 11: Journey To The Summit

[Shi Han Jun]

Mian Feng stayed alert as he watched over Han Jun. The snow was still falling heavily. The wind howled viciously outside. Mian Feng knew they couldn't count on the emperor to rescue them. They were on their own.

Han Jun stirred. "Mian Feng," he said sleepily.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Where are we?" He asked as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"We're in a cave, Your Majesty," Mian Feng answered.

"How did we get here?"

"You don't remember?"

Han Jun shook his head.

"We were ambushed and we fled to this cave."

"Where is everyone else?" He yawned.

"Not sure. I don't know because there is a huge blizzard happening right now".

"What?" Shi Han Jun sat up, suddenly wide awake. "You're telling me they're still stuck in the storm?"

"It's likely."

"We have to save them!" He said as he threw off Mian Feng's cloak and shot to his feet.

Mian Feng also got to his feet but he ran in front of Shi Han Jun and put an arm up to block him. "Where are you going, Your Majesty? You can barely preserve your own life and you still have time to worry about others!"

"They are my people. If I can't keep the Imperial guards safe, what kind of prince am I? Get out of my way," Han Jun said sternly.

Mian Feng refused to budge.

"Are you going to disobey my orders too?"

"Your Majesty, under normal circumstances, I would listen to you. But this is not a normal circumstance. Please return to your seat," Mian Feng said as he held out his arm to show Han Jun the way back to where he was sitting.

"How dare you! Get out of my way!" Han Jun stretched his arm out as he started to push Mian Feng away. Mian Feng, however, grabbed his arm and with one smooth movement, twisted Shi Han Jun's arm behind his back.

"Owww!! Mian Feng! You're hurting me! Let go!" Han Jun yelped.

"Are you staying, or are you not staying?" Mian Feng asked.

Although most of the time Mian Feng liked to mess around, when he did get serious, there was no way anyone could go against his command. He was that type of person that when he got serious, it felt impossible to disobey his orders.

"Staying! I'm staying!" Han Jun said quickly.

Mian Feng released him.

Han Jun rubbed his arm. "Mian Feng! How dare you do that to me?! I'm going to take all your payment for this month away!"

"You can do that, but at least I didn't fail the emperor!"

Han Jun rolled his eyes. Here we go again.

"The Emperor told me that my biggest duty in life was to protect you, and I havn't failed yet. Don't plan on it either."

Han Jun sighed.

"Alright. Let's wait until the snow slows down. Then we can go out,"Han Jun said.

"That's a better plan," Mian Feng approved.

Han Jun took a seat on the cold cave floor and leaned against the wall.

Mian Feng took to a seat opposite of Han Jun. They stared at each other in silence for a moment. "Third Prince, what is your plan after the snow stops?"