Night had fallen, when most people were sleeping, Chinua sat on the bank overlooking the De-Lia River, a warm breeze blowing across her back. A thoughtful frown creased her brow as she stared at the bronze tally in her hands. The soft footsteps sounded from behind her. She already knew who it was from the familiar rhythm of their approach.
Drystan's voice came from behind her. "Hey, Chinua. Khunbish said you wanted to talk to me." He moved to her right, squatting beside her on the riverbank. "What's happening?"
Chinua didn't answer immediately. Instead, she held out the bronze tally she was staring at. "Have you seen this," she asked, her gaze steady, "before?"
Drystan took it, turning the small object over and over. "Not exactly like this one," he observed, gesturing slightly, "but the character on it is the same." He returned the tally to her, his gaze lingering on the stylized character etched into its surface.
"Is the tally you've seen gold or silver?" Chinua asked.
"Silver," Drystan said. "Why do you ask?"
Chinua turned to look at him. "Was the person who hired you to kill me wearing armor?" she asked.
"Like I told you before," Drystan replied, "I've never seen his face. But I can tell by his voice that he's a very lustful individual." Drystan chuckled. "His voice was soft and sweet. Reminded me... of entertainers who worked in flower houses."
Chinua knew the man Drystan mentioned. A cold certainty washed over her: the man she had always suspected – the one she truly hoped wasn't responsible – was indeed behind her assassination. A wave of pain and anger surged through her. She clenched the bronze tally in her hand, squeezing it hard, and threw it into the river.
"Don't mention this to anyone else," Chinua said, her voice low.
Seeing the grim set to her jaw, Drystan was visibly concerned. "Hey, what's up?" he asked.
"Whatever you told me tonight," Chinua replied, "don't tell anyone else. I need time to process the information. And I don't want anyone else to know about it."
Judging from Chinua's expression, Drystan guessed the person in her mind was someone she knew. Instead of pressing her, he decided to leave it alone. He trusted Chinua would tell him when she was ready. "That's it, right?" he asked gently.
"Thanks," Chinua replied softly.
Drystan sighed, stood up, and turned, walking slowly back towards the tent he shared with the others.
Chinua stared at the moon's reflection in the dark water. Footsteps sounded nearby, and she looked to her right, realizing Hye was walking towards her. He approached steadily in the moonlight. Chinua sighed, the sound quiet on the riverbank, and slowly rose to her feet.
"Don't you want to keep it as evidence?" Hye asked as he came from the right, his voice pragmatic. "If I were you, I'd keep it. You know, you can't accuse someone of a crime without evidence." He stood next to Chinua, looking at her. Even in the darkness, with only the moonlight, Hye could still see tiny traces of tears glistening on her face. He sighed, a soft sound in the quiet night. "Everyone dreams of becoming royal," he murmured, "but they don't see the jealousy and greed that come with it."
Chinua bit her lip until it trembled, fighting to suppress the sobs rising in her throat. With a sudden movement, she turned to Hye, resting her head on his chest. She sobbed softly against him.
Hye knew exactly what Chinua needed most in that moment of vulnerability – a hug, to let her know she wasn't alone. With a sense of fierce protectiveness, he hugged her close, patting the back of her head gently.
"This feeling of betrayal will disappear over time," Hye said, his voice a low comfort. He let out a deep breath, a shared weight in the quiet night, feeling Chinua's tears wet his robe and her soft sobs against his chest.
The next morning, as the sun was just peeking over the horizon, the group set off down the dirt road toward Chono Gate. Chinua rode ahead, her eight subordinates behind her. This morning, seven of them noticed she wasn't her usual lively, positive self. She was unusually quiet. Her expression had given them a clear message: do not disturb.
Khawn frowned. "I think there's something wrong with Chinua," he said softly.
Zhi nodded, his expression sober. "We all saw it."
Khawn hesitated. "Should we just go and ask her what's wrong?"
Khunbish spoke firmly. "No," he said. "Leave Chinua alone. When something is bothering her and she's trying to find a solution, she goes into a withdrawal mood. Just give her time. When she finally figures out what she needs to do next, she'll get out of it."
"Last night, I didn't say anything to offend her," Drystan said, his brow furrowed.
"Last night, what did you and Chinua talk about?" Naksh asked, looking curious.
"She just asked me some questions about the people who hired me to kill her," Drystan replied. "After I told her everything I knew, she asked me not to tell anyone about our conversation."
ye scoffed, a sharp sound. "And here you are," he said, "telling us everything."
"I didn't promise her," Drystan defended flatly.
"Time will heal her," Hye murmured, looking out at the road ahead. All seven men looked at Hye.
Khunbish asked, "So, you know what's wrong with Chinua?"
Jeet urged, "Tell us."
Hye met their gazes. "It's not my place to tell you what's wrong with Chinua," he said firmly. "If she wants to tell you, she'll tell you herself."
At the front of the group, Yaman rode next to Chinua as they approached the final mountain pass. "Chinua," Yaman said, gesturing toward the peaks. "Over the other side of this mountain is the small city of Hlu. Most of the citizens there are Tanggolian descendants. Hlu is the closest city to Chono Gate, and Tanggolians and southerners often trade there. But first, we have to cross the pass." Hearing no response, he turned to look at her face. Chinua stared straight ahead, her eyes distant. "Chinua...?" he prompted gently.
Chinua let out a long sigh. "I heard," she said quietly. "Tell me, though, are there any good places to eat in Hlu?"
I've eaten in some restaurants," Yaman replied promptly. "The food is really good." He hesitated, then added, "Though I often pass through Hlu, I've never taken the time to enjoy it, so I don't know how many famous restaurants there are." He looked at her expectantly. "Does Chinua prefer to rest in the city instead of going on to Chono Gate?"
"I'll leave the decision up to you," Chinua said, her voice flat. "Have you forgotten, I'm just a follower who tags alongside you."
"In that case," Yaman replied, "I will ask Princess Ankhtsetseg and Prince Geming."
Chinua nodded. Yaman turned his horse's head and rode towards the only carriage. After a while, having spoken with the Princess and Prince, he rode back to the front beside Chinua.
"So," she asked, "what did the two Highnesses decide?"
"Prince Geming said not to disturb the people and ordered us to camp in front of the mountain pass," Yaman reported. "Tomorrow, they will leave to Chono Gate and head to Qijing City."
"Okay, so I guess we'd better find a good place to make camp for the day," Chinua said, her voice regaining some of its usual directness. She turned around and saw her eight men riding quietly far away from her. "Hey!" She shouted.
An arrow shot straight at Chinua just as she prepared to give the order to camp. Her quick turn the moment before saved her; the shaft merely tore her clothes and left a thin scratch on her upper arm. But it didn't stop. The arrow flew past her and punched into the chest of the soldier riding directly behind her.
Khunbish and Khenbish quickly grabbed their bows. Arrows whizzed back towards the moving grass. Just then, a volley of twelve arrows shot from the tall grass at the Magolis. The Magoli soldiers had already drawn their bows and began unleashing their own arrows towards the attackers in the grass.
Just moments after the arrow volley, a group of thirty men, clad in black with covered faces, stormed out from the tall grass and charged directly at the soldiers.
It seemed the situation was the same as before. If Chinua showed mercy to these assassins again, they were likely to come back and continue their sneak attacks. Chinua had had enough and was looking for ways to relieve her anger.
"Encircle them and let no one escape!" Chinua roared, her voice thick with anger. With a cry, she spurred her horse on the assassins, the ground thundering beneath her. Behind her, seven of her men charged in different directions, joining the Magoli soldiers as they plunged into the fray.
Ankhtsetseg was sitting in the carriage with Geming, Wang Yong, and Yagaan. Fear seized her – she was afraid the situation this time would be the same as the last time assassins came charging in to rob the carriage. On impulse, she lifted the door curtain and walked out quickly.
Geming didn't seem to care; he made no move to stop Ankhtsetseg. Seeing this, Yagaan felt she had no choice but to follow her.
"Your Highness," Yagaan said in confusion, her voice tight. "I think it's better to stay in the carriage with Prince Geming."
Ankhtsetseg's eyes were wide with fear. "I don't want to be like last time," she said fiercely. Seeing Hye still riding on horseback, Ankhtsetseg quickly descended the carriage steps and walked urgently in his direction. "Hye! Hye!" She shouted, her voice strained.
A shout cut through the sounds of combat – Ankhtsetseg was calling his name. Hye turned. She and Yagaan were walking towards him. "What are you doing?" he yelled, alarm in his voice. "Get back in the carriage!"
He assessed the fight; Chinua's group had the upper hand; they were killing the last few assassins. It was better than he'd expected. He swung off his horse and went to them on foot.
"You shouldn't be out here," he said, reaching Ankhtsetseg and Yagaan. "It's much safer in the carriage with Prince Geming and his guards."
Ankhtsetseg lowered her voice slightly. "I personally think it's safer to be with you," she said to Hye, "than the Tanggolians."
Yagaan shrieked. A wounded assassin, blade in hand, burst from the tall grass beside the road, lunging at Hye and Ankhtsetseg.
The wounded assassin grabbed Hye by the back collar, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. Hye froze as the glint of a knife appeared against his throat. Holding the blade steady, the assassin slowly backed away from Ankhtsetseg and Yagaan.
At this time, Geming and Wang Yong had already gotten off the carriage. Chinua and her seven remaining men, along with the Magoli soldiers, all walked towards Hye and Ankhtsetseg with determined strides.
With the knife held steady against his throat, Hye showed no outward fear. "I suggest you let me go," he told the assassin, his voice level, "while escape is still possible."
"I'll kill him if you come any closer!" the assassin shrieked, tightening his grip.
Chinua stepped forward slightly, her gaze fixed on the knife. "Release him," she commanded, her voice hard. "And I will spare your life."
The assassin backed away another step. "I'll release him," he said, his eyes darting, "when I'm in a safe place."
Chinua stared at the assassin, her teeth gritted. "Then let's see which is more important," she said, voice tight with anger, "you or my hostage." She threw the spear to her left hand and, with a fierce swing, sent its tip arcing straight towards Ankhtsetseg's neck.
"Chinua!" Geming roared, watching the spearhead fall on Ankhtsetseg's neck.
Chinua stared at the assassin. Hesitation flickered in his eyes. At this moment, she had confirmed: the person behind her multiple assassinations was indeed the person she had always suspected.
Seeing the stalemate between Chinua and the assassin, Khunbish watched as the wounded man slowly removed the knife from Hye's neck. At that crucial moment, Khunbish let go of the bow string, the arrow leaving it with a sharp twang. The projectile went straight through the man's head, causing him to immediately fall to the ground.
"Chi...Chi...Chinua... Chinua..." Yaman's voice was shaky with shock. "Now that all the assassins are dead, please put the spear down from the neck of Princess Ankhtsetseg." He continued to walk slowly towards her, watching her expression.
Chinua's spear clattered to the ground. She crumpled to her knees, spitting a mouthful of blood. Yaman instantly moved to her side, grabbing her arm to keep her from falling forward.
"Chinua!" Khunbish cried, his voice filled with alarm. He pushed Yaman aside and pulled her into a fierce hug. "Chinua!"
Hye rushed to Chinua and Khunbish. He quickly checked her, finding no other wounds besides the small cut on her left upper arm. His breath hitched. He saw unnaturally black blood oozing from the wound and instantly realized Chinua had been poisoned.