The impact of my body hitting the liquid surface flushed the breath from my lungs, only for it to be replaced with water. Desperate, I thrashed my arms around and kicked my legs every which way. My head surfaced above water and I gasped loudly, grateful for a chance to breathe. Righting myself to a vertical position, I realized the water level only came to my hips, allowing me to stand with my feet safely planted on the ground.

     My breath came out in raspy pants and the bruises all over my body screamed at me to rest but I could not let my guard down. Through the wet locks of hair stuck to my face, I scanned my surroundings with a watchful eye. Over the soft sigh of the gentle stream and the buzz of the cicadas in the nearby forest, I heard nothing else. My gaze traveled up the steep slope that led to the forest, noting the small traces of evidence that pointed to my roll down the incline.

     I squinted, trying to make out any hidden shadows lurking behind the tall trees but the darkness cast by the approaching evening sky did little to help. For all I knew, my assassins might be on their way towards me. Swallowing the panic rising within me, I recollected my thoughts, focusing on one thing only – my survival.

     Before the chaos that erupted with the appearance of the three assassins, Li Wai had mentioned a village not far from here. If I could just get there, I might be able to find shelter and food. Having a goal in mind, my old survival instinct kicked in and I lay flat on my back, allowing the current to drag me along. With my head above water, I timed my breathing with the flow of the water, keeping my gaze steady and focused downstream.

     Should there be a village, my only hope was for it to be down river. Traveling this way was less than ideal, but I needed to put as much distance between myself and my pursuers without leaving any tracks. My effort might be for naught since they were likely to know my destination but one could only hope.

      The only one who could anticipate my actions fully would be Li Wai but I couldn’t decide whether that was a fortunate or unfortunate circumstance. Pushing me down the slope was a calculated decision on his part that could only mean that his intention was to save me. Yet did I really know him well enough for me to say that?

     The look in his eyes when he apologized to me played over and over again in my mind, dredging up countless buried memories that threw my heart into turmoil. From the time that he introduced himself as Captain Li Wai until now, a single question remained forefront in my thoughts. It had been on the tip of my tongue but try as I could, it never left my lips. Were I to see him again, could I finally bring myself to ask?

     A looming boulder in the stream interrupted my train of thought, switching my focus back to the current situation. I was heading straight for it, unable to veer away. Every second I wasted not doing anything was a second towards imminent danger. I made a quick decision. I tucked my body in, my head dipping under water for a split second before I resurfaced. Sputtering, I planted my feet on the water bed but the current drove me forward until my outstretched hands hit the surface of the cold boulder. The impact stung but my battered body was immune to any additional pain.

     I lifted my head up and the sight that greeted me brought instant relief. Several yards away lay the village, its array of twinkling lights beckoning me forward. A weak smile broke across my lips at the thought of a warm fire and solid food to ease my body and soul. Just a little more and I would be there-

     “Empress.”

     I froze in place, my heart dropping in despair. So close was I to freedom only for it to be snatched away so suddenly. I turned my head cautiously towards the source of the voice. My hand dropped to my side as I discretely searched for a weapon of sorts. Not more than a few feet to my right lay a man sprawled on a cluster of rocks, blood seeping out from various cuts on his torso, the Tufan soldier’s garb he wore in tatters.

     When his gaze met mine, an involuntary gasp left my lips as I recognized Li Wai’s bloodied face. His steely grey eyes were glazed over and as he stumbled towards me, it was apparent that he had lost a lot of blood. Though the inner child in me yearned to rush to his aid, I suppressed my old instincts and remained stock still. Obscured from his view, my left hand rummaged until it brushed against a rough, wooden surface. Grabbing hold of it, I realized it was one of many branches that hugged the side of the boulder. With a sharp twist of my wrist, it snapped into two and I held it close to my body, poising to strike.

     “I… found… this,” Li Wai wheezed, his right hand reaching behind him as he neared me.

     His movement triggered my refined senses and I whipped out the only weapon I had, slashing upwards as I aimed for his torso. The broken branch cut across his skin, but with my weakened state, it only drew blood from his shoulder blade. Still, it dealt enough damage as Li Wai staggered backwards, his hand falling to his side, balled in a fist.

     He looked at me through half-opened eyelids, a wry smile on his face as he opened his trembling hand, revealing an ankle bracelet with a small peach. My eyes widened and as he crumpled towards the ground, the last words that left his lips sent me flying towards him.

     小猪 (Little pig)….