Legend of the Dragon Princess

Chapter 11.1: Path of Thorns

Overhead were seamless periwinkle clusters of clouds, clutching in what would be later rainstorms.  Still, the milky skies grumbled, with the cool caressing wind against our faces.  Even for a moment and from below, the tiny black specks of birds spreading their wings could be seen and admired.  I shivered, following Xin Yi's taller stature, his black cladded outfit being starkly prominent when seen with my plain, sand-patched uniform.  To be honest, wearing this specific set of clothing was a bit itchy to the skin; however, I have no room to complain.  Still, at least, Lan's servant attire was much softer and comfortable to wear.  I noted that important detail to myself whenever I want to eventually explore the palace—

"Lizhi! Longyan!" A short but skinny man's sun-bronzed hands stuck out in front of me, holding a mixed bundle of small, round fruits with red and brown bark-like peelings.  He shook them, eagerly, as Xin Yi pulled me away from the merchant. "Fresh fruits of the day, young sirs! Lizhi! Longyan!"

Everywhere I looked—the marketplace was bursting with life, rosy-cheeked laughter, vigorous yelling, and rows and rows of wooden stands, along with make-shift cloth covers—either torn or patched—ropes to keep everything together, fathers carrying large crates of goods, mothers shouting out what there is to sell, and children running about with hard-heeled feet and crusted mud.  As for the smell of the substantial sector, I was not sure what to compare it with but of old tawny earth, nose-wrinkling scraps of rotten food, sweet-filling rice wine, and of sour body odors from no baths for days—all somehow topped by overwhelming aromas of intertwined fresh cooking from the restaurants and outdoor seating.  There were even traveling musicians, plopping down in the central part of the dirt road or in front of stalls.  Then, they would start playing their pai xiao or hulusi instruments, one made of interconnected small bamboo pipes and another of a bottle gourd with three bamboo pipes that ran through it.

Due to my initially sheltered life, I had never seen so many people in one place before—with hundreds—or maybe thousands— of bodies almost always touching each other or towering figures looming over my path as I huddled close to Xin Yi, Captain Lu, and his four men.  There was bustling chaos; yet, I also found this new stream of rhythmic living as a freer, pleasant change.  I nearly stumbled, and to my surprise, a gentle but firm hand closed over mine.  He tugged me toward his squared back, the icy wind breathing through his short, curly hair and across his fair skin.  He didn't give me a glance. 

"Be careful...Wei." Xin Yi swallowed, turning his face.  To this, I nodded in agreement.  Then, in a louder tone, the bodyguard called out to the Captain walking in front of us, "You never gave us an answer, Captain!  You're defying the Major's orders in that Wei and—"

Without time to lose, the man whirled around, only to be promptly flanked by his four soldiers, all of them wearing midnight-black attires from their tunic and long pants down to their matching boots.

"Well, Major Tang isn't here, and I'm the one in charge now." With this, the young Captain shrugged, causing the clean plum-purple tunic to scrunch up for a second. "Besides, it was the Major's idea in that...Jing Li...and Ming Wei were prohibited from entering the capitol due to their misconduct with a civilian, but if you both don't breathe a word—my men and I can turn the blind eye for this one." He paused, seeing that Xin Yi's face remained unchanged. "Our Wei...has always been like a younger brother to me—not that I expect you to believe me, judging from your expression." Then, catching a downward glimpse, the man added, "Though I see that you have quickly warmed up to him.  At least, that puts me at ease with you guarding him."

Immediately, Xin Yi let go of my hand, realizing that he was still holding it this whole time.  I felt my neck scorch itself, the slow warmth making its way to my ears even.