Death Wish

15. Childhood friends

Jian had been traveling on horseback with eunuch Nam for over a week now they were abruptly approaching their destination. Winter was approaching as the days became shorter and colder. It was a sleepy night when The eunuch and the Prince had reached their destination, they could see the lit tents and fires from afar telling them they had reached their point.

"We finally made it, come on let's go find General Wei!" Jian said getting of his black horse.

The two left their horse at the stables near the entrance to the camp, before walking around the camp to find general Wei. They spotted a soldier on the way and stopped him to ask where exactly general Weis tent resided.

"Where can we find General Wei's tent?" Asked Eunuch Nam.
"You are standing right behind it", the soldier pointed at the tent behind Jian before walking off.
Jian hurriedly barges in to the tent in excitement to finally see the general after three long years.
"General!" He shouted but he could not see the general anywhere his eyes widened when instead he could see a young man peacefully sleeping on the wooden bed in the tent. The mans skin was pale yet her glowed of warmth and comfort, his dark hair contrasting his soft features. Jian had never seen a man look so feminine. The young man slowly got up annoyed that someone had disturbed his peaceful sleep.

Bao sat up on the wooden bed groaning quickly opening her eyes to see the unknown figure standing before her. Her eyes widened when she seen him, his long brunette hair falling down to his shoulders neatly combed, piercing brown eyes boring in to her own, and that warm skin tone that outshines her pale skin.
They looked at each other in silent for a moment before eunuch Nam entered the tent.

"Your highness what is going on? Where is general Wei?" Eunuch Nam asked.
"That's right, can I ask you where is general Wei since we were told that this is his tent?" Jian asked Bao.

"Don't you know? My father died....you must be the crown prince I assume?" Bao sighed.
"What? General Wei died? When? How?" The prince said swallowing.
"Recently, anyway he left me in charge of the troops I'm his son Wei B... I mean Wei Hong", Bao quickly said mentally cursing herself for nearly blowing her cover.

"I know who you are!" Jian laughed.
"You do?" Bao said uncomfortably letting out a nervous fake laugh.
"Yes from school when we were ten! Don't you remember master Yun? Those were the days!" The prince laughed ecstatically.
Bao paused for a moment trying to think back if her brother ever mentioned a man called Master Yun.

"Ahh yes of course master Yun! Right great man he was...yeah", The girl said awkwardly averting her gaze to the floor.
"We have lots to catch up on, this is going to be great! Nam leave us!" Jian chuckled shooing his eunuch away.
"Your highness where am I to go? I barely know this place!" The old man asked in confusion.

"Find something to do! Me and my friend here have a lot to talk about!" The prince said rolling his eyes at the eunuch.
Bao was avoiding at all costs to have to talk to the prince, she had to come up with an excuse fast.

"Actually your highness, you see it's really late and you must be tired from your journey so I think it's best if I show you to your tent and leave you to rest for the night we have plenty to catch up on tomorrow morning", Bao said forcing a smile.
She quickly got up from her bed to put on her brown boots.

"Follow my lead", The young lady said exiting the tent.
The Prince and the eunuch followed Bao as she led the way to their tent. When they arrived she Showed them in to the tent.

"This is where you will reside from now on the beds are over there, the study is there, if you need to go to the lavatory there's a hut near the stables,to bath there's a hot springs nearby ask one of the men to bring you, and finally if you need any help at all there's me, commander Lee, and Physician Jo", Said Bao.

The two men nodded s they looked around the tent.
"Thank you so much my liege, we shall see you tomorrow", Eunuch Nam said bowing graciously.
Bao smiled before turning to walk out of the tent,just when she was about to leave Prince Jian grabs her hand, she instantly became alarmed turning her head to shoot a look up at him and hurriedly pulled her hand away from him. Jian was scared at the Hongs sudden behaviour he was not sure what he had done wrong.

"WHAT?!" Bao said sharply.
Jian began shaking in fear, fear of the man standing before him. "Err....I was.... just asking where's the army uniform?" Jian mustered to say.
"Oh right, I'll have someone send you a uniform tomorrow morning, now please if you don't mind I'd like to get going?" Bao said quietly knowing she scared the poor prince.
"Right uh-Yes goodnight", the prince said as he watched Bao leave.

"Goodnight", Bao said turning to smile at him.