Dynasty of Summer

Chapter Eleven: The Bandits

Heavy doors made of bronze stood twenty horses across, with murals gracing half-dozen panels. Bolts the size of five men remained poised to barricade. Once my entourage and I stepped through, we were no longer within the palace.

A horse drawn carriage with silk curtains and gold trim waited. A servant helped me aboard and a maid followed to tend. Once I settled, the carriage swayed and I held gingerly to my seat. It was the first I've been in a drawn vehicle.

After a few moments, I grew accustomed to its rocking and peeked out. Throngs of people milled around us, tending to their business. My maid informed, "We're on the main road, Princess."

A little boy caught my eye and he laughed jovially, strapped to his mother's back. I scanned faces, searching for Winter or Hanming. I realized it was wishful thinking. They were too clever to remain near the palace. But if I saw anyone from the Tai family, would I recognize them innately?

Once we reached the outskirts of Zhenxun, we stopped to rest. Hutu had slept through the excitement of the morning, but now ran in circles trying to catch mice darting between his paws. They disappeared down holes. My dog dug energetically, trying to follow.

Two servants set up a table in the shade of a banyan tree as others prepared a meal. A maid informed, "We're to stay within a settlement near Zhenxun tonight. An inn approved for royalty is expecting us."

I nodded in acknowledgment.

Hutu ran off to play with guards who took their meals on the ground. In the shade of the carriage, their low seats made food an easy target. I used the moment to take in the world outside the palace. The only thing I'd really come in contact with was the banyan tree. It swooped wildly in many directions. Yet, its roots remained firm in the ground. One particular branched arced back to the trunk, creating a perfect circle.

Could my life path be like that branch? I hoped with all my heart one day to return to Zhenxun.

A happy bark broke my reverie. Hutu announced it was time to leave. The maids bowed, clearing away my bowls.

I returned to the carriage with a sigh. As the wheels rolled, I braced myself for a new life. "Mother, I'm doing what's asked of me, but I wish to return to you one day," I murmured to myself.

Yet, I had no control over my life. Or anything. I felt my eyes moisten.

We reached the inn by nightfall. The maids shared a room next to mine. Besides cicadas and last summer crickets, the evening was quiet. Unable to sleep, I peered from my window. I saw the guards slept outside, keeping watch over the carriage. I wondered what families they had and what words they'd said in farewell.

At least they'll return home.

I crawled back to bed, thinking of my mother's stories. Somewhat comforted, I drifted to sleep.

~*~

The next morning, I took a brief breakfast and we were on our way. A hot sun accompanied and I could sense my entourage's misery. I too felt low. "Hand me my pipa," I spoke softly to my maid.

She shuffled through items stored under her seat and soon produced my instrument. I took time tuning and singing chords to myself. Once the notes echoed to my satisfaction, I plucked out simple tunes on the lute.

By the afternoon, I heard a few guards humming to my songs. My lips curled to know I was with people from my father's Empire. I didn't know if the people in my new home would sing the same songs.

"You may sing along if you wish," I said to my maid. She bashfully shook her head.

After the first day's travel outside of Zhenxun, we camped beside a hill where a small stream ran from under a rock. The insignia of our Empire fluttered on a flag nearby. I overheard among the men's chatter that this was where merchants from our Empire often camped.