QingYu: A Wuxia Tale (Going Through Reediting)

A Walk with A Keeper

(Qing's POV)

I just changed into my uniform and we set to go...

We walked, jogged, ran, jumped, skipped and hopped along the foot of the mountain. Sometimes going down to skip along the stream. We don't use the clear path, we use the rocky, muddy, bug infested track on the mountain.

I am not raising sissies on my company.
We left with the sun rising to the sky. We stopped during midday so they can drink and eat.

I look for the boy. He is behind of the soldiers of course, with small packs around him and carrying all those swords (fifteen in all) it's no surprise that he is lagging behind.

When I saw him put the swords carefully to the ground, I throw a rice ball to him. "Eat,"

He caught it and nod, "Thank you Captain."

We ate in silence. I look around to survey our surrounding. A soldier must be alert but a Captain must always be sure that no enemies are lurking around.

The boy was done eating, he ate fast. After he drank some water from a bamboo canteen he asked me, "Captain, why don't you let me carry your pack and swords too?" such innocence in his tone and expression.

"Cause I am not a lazy bastard who can't carry my own things. And I don't trust you. What if you are an enemy, why would I hand over my weapon to you? So you can use it on me." I answered with a raise eyebrow.

All my soldiers choked on their rice balls. They sighed tiredly and grumbled resignedly as one by one they pick up their own packs and swords from the ground where the boy place them.

The boy followed their movements with wide eyes like he can't believe he won't carry anything now.

"I am not an enemy," he said while the soldiers passed him. They ignored him of course.

The boy looked helplessly as he look down on his free hands.

"On our way back, gather some woods for the camp. You can carry them." I said to the boy.

He readily nodded. Looking close to a puppy eager to please his master.

After a bit more rest, I roused the soldiers to walk again. Now they are sour on the boy who is now free from his burden a while ago.

Instead of walking at the back, now the boy walk on the side of the lined soldiers. Looking around the trees like he is just strolling leisurely. He even tore up a thin branch from a tree and swish it around like he is brandishing a sword. He looks pathetic.

"Let's go down on the stream again. Fill up your canteens!" I ordered and they followed me down the mountain.

The stream's flow is not that heavy as the day before. The water is crystal clear and you can see the bed of rocks underneath it. There are shallow and deep parts on the stream. I watch as the men filled up their bamboo canteen.

The boy on the other hand cupped his hand on the water to drink. He then washed the dirt and soot clinging on his arms, neck and shoulders. His dark gray robe is so dirty, I think it will be a waste to wash and salvage it. Better use it as a rag instead.

I watch as one of my more playful soldier walk slowly behind the boy and without any warning pushed him into the water.

Everyone laughed as the boy made a loud splash when he hit the water. I can't help my smile when he emerged from the knee deep water spluttering and gasping. He stood up, angry.