Cornered and with no options
1058 Words
The carriage's lantern light wasn't helping Yun's vision much in identifying those men who began to approach with heavy, hurried steps. He tried to keep calm since the driver beside him appeared serene and oblivious to any internal conflict; this was evident from his relaxed forehead, mouth, and eyes.
"Good evening. We're on a very long search because Prince Yun of the Qing dynasty is missing," one of the men commented as he took a lantern to get a better look at them.
"We have an order from Emperor Heng Qing to search every place we deem necessary to take him back to the Forbidden City, including houses, vehicles of all kinds, and privately owned properties," the other man unrolled the scroll to provide evidence that what they were saying was indeed true.
"I can't believe it..." Yun thought as he bit his lower lip. "These are indeed my father's ninjas. They will recognize me immediately once they see me up close. This should make me happy, but there's something in their eyes that I can't decipher. Is it right to go with them if I have this feeling?"
After thinking this, Yun turned to where Siu was, who showed no signs of waking up. Then, he looked at the driver who seemed surprised by the fact that they had encountered these men.
"Well, you see, gentlemen," the driver spoke.
"There is no prince here," Yun said, altering his voice so they wouldn't recognize him. He was somewhat thankful to be wearing a mask and the blue hanfu attire, just like the driver.
"We're not convinced; we must carry out a thorough inspection," one of the men retorted, stepping in front of the carriage, and the other prepared to inspect the back of the carriage.
"Your Highness," the driver whispered, "What are you doing? Shouldn't you go with them? Or are they impostors? They have the royal seal. I'm truly confused."
"They are indeed palace men," Yun replied, "but I don't want them to escort us."
The driver frowned and remained deep in thought, perhaps wondering why Prince Yun was refusing, but he couldn't question or dispute him too much since he was not just anyone.
Meanwhile, the man had inspected the crimson armor in the rear compartment. He called his partner over with his hand to take a look. Both of them were discussing the peculiarity of the armor and also the fact that it was stained with dirt and possibly dried bloodstains.
"Look at this, Kun" the one holding the lantern commented.
"This is odd," the other replied and took the lantern from his companion to shine it further ahead, where they saw the unconscious girl.
The driver seemed to be trembling subtly. He no longer appeared calm and secure. Unable to bear the situation any longer, he dared to speak in a whisper.
"Your Highness, what should I do?" His hands gripped the reins, and the horses started getting agitated in their places.
"You wait" the prince responded, raising his hand to calm the driver's anxiety.
Yun watched the men's movements as they turned to look at each other and then nodded and smiled in a way that he considered sinister.
"Damn it..." Yun was startled as the eyes of those men began to shine.
Fear overcame him once more. His breathing quickened, and a feeling of being cornered filled his being.
"I need you to go to the back, now," Yun whispered as he took the scared driver by the shirt and practically threw him into the back seat, causing him to crash onto the floor, and due to the sudden movement, Siu fell on top of him.
Yun didn't hesitate any longer and pulled on the reins with a strong motion, causing the horses to run and the carriage to be dragged away from the astonished palace men, who became furious and got into the carriage sent by his father to begin chasing them under the dark cloak of night.
"But, what are you doing, Your Highness?" the driver asked, attempting to put Siu back in her place, but the carriage's rough movement made it quite difficult.
"I'm trying to escape for your sake, mine, and the unconscious woman's. I don't have time to explain everything, but I suggest you hold on tightly" Yun responded, agitated by the adrenaline rushing through his body, just thinking that those were the shape-shifting beings, apparently taking on the form of ordinary people.
The horses ran excitedly, perhaps sensing the presence of those men. The carriage rocked violently from side to side, and Yun, the driver, and Siu moved abruptly in the same rough manner. He held onto the girl to prevent her from falling to the ground and getting more hurt than she already was.
Yun occasionally looked back, and for a moment, he breathed a sigh of relief as the horses of the carriage had done a good job; they were quite fast. He pulled on the reins and with his labored breath, he looked to see if the driver and Siu were okay, and then he stuck his head out to see the road behind them, noticing that they had lost their pursuers.
The prince didn't want to take any risks and without hesitation, he got off the carriage to go to the back. He needed to put on the armor and have his sword ready. The driver was trembling with fear and continued to hold Siu without asking any questions, although there were a thousand that he wanted to find answers to. Everything felt extremely dangerous.
Meanwhile, Yun finished putting on the armor, sheathed the sword that was still stained with dirt and dried blood, and looked around. Soon, a light interrupted his tranquility. It was them, but they were no longer in the carriage; they had transformed into the beasts they truly were: jet-black dragons with a devouring hunger.
When the youngest of the Qing turned to look to the other side, panic took hold. Another dragon was coming toward them.
They were undoubtedly cornered and he had to think of something to get out of this mess. Yun didn't hesitate to draw his sword and take a fighting stance; his eyes ignited like fire, and the wind began to emerge from his pores.
"We'll see who comes out of this alive."
- Writer
