87 87. Shadow

"We found a new problem. Those that were playing against the kingdom work together with the neighboring country. It was their duty to undermine and weaken the borders." The seriousness of his words made Wen Delun break in a cold sweat.

Lord Ka turned his eyes towards the Main House and walked away quickly.

Wen Delun was furious. Are they crazy? I'm not around for a few months and they are getting bigheaded. He started ranting from the depth of his heart while pressing his lips. "It seems we must prepare."

Bolin snickered. "We are ready. That child made sure that most of the towns provided food and clothes for the army and themselves. That friend of hers has many connections. She wanted to make sure that food really arrives at all border stations as she didn't trust City Lord's. No wonder she sometimes feels weak, she took on her shoulders so much out worry."

Wen Delun nodded. "This country should appreciate her. If they don't, I will take her away and bring her to a place that would love and respect her, as she deserves."

His words were loud enough to let the hidden guards hear it. He knew for a long time that they planted many hidden guards as this place was outside the city and a huge target.

She was just a small kid, but the responsibility she took over was not something anyone can handle. Even the grown-ups had respect from her.

Suddenly a strange sound could be heard. Deep rumbling and almost growl were followed by a strong wind. Not long after a whole river of water fell over the town, stopping everything and everyone.

Luckily rain lasted for just a short time, but the problem was, right after the rain, it started showing.

Shu Ya had a dark expression. "This is very bad. I knew my premonition was right."

They looked at her as she stared at the outside with furrowed eyebrows. Minister Ying had a heavy expression. "First rain than snow. All plants under the snow will freeze and animals won't have anything to eat."

That is the scariest thing. In winter animals would dig snow and try gathering some of the dried grass under it. But if there is a crust of ice covering precious food, many animals will die this winter.

"I sent a message to the Lu trader. He told me all the cities have sent real food and clothes for the army and got enough food in case of bad weather. Except for one town. But his friend there chose to gather food and clothes from his stores and bring to the army station. He said that their situation was so serious that the soldiers cried as they saw food. So he called the neighboring town and few tribes to help to gather more food and warm clothes and they are set for winter." She read the report and pressed her lips as vein popped on her pretty forehead. "The City Lord got so angry that he kicked him and his family out of the town and now he is living together with soldiers in barracks. The City Lord can't touch him there as the new General from the Palace arrived a few days ago. There must be a bigger story behind this."

Suddenly one of the guards that were usually standing on the gates came near the main house and spoke. "Lady Ying, there is a young man on the main door. He is asking to see you."

Shu Ya rose her eyebrow. "Interesting. Bring him in."

Minister Ying was about to stop her when Lord Ka saw a slight smile on her lips. "Don't interfere. She is not dumb."

So the two men just calmly drank their teas and snacked on some dried fruit, when they saw a tall youngling coming forward.

He had long braided hair in the style of tribes and his fur clothes seemed to be from expensive animals. His features were soft, but as he grows, he will become a good looking young man.

He bowed deeply and rose his phoenix eyes towards her. "I am here. As you called."

"How is this even possible?" She Ya stood up and rushed out, making everyone stare at her with questions written all over their faces.

She smiled at the young man brightly and then clapped her hands. "It's truly you!"

Same eyes, same hair... She suddenly rushed pass him, stunning him silly and let guards open the door.

What next happened stunned absolutely everyone. A beautiful black horse stormed inside and stepped right in front of her, scaring everyone witless.

She Ya rose her hand and under their astonished eyes, they saw an amazing sight. The horse calmed down and bowed his head so Shu Ya could pat him. "You are here. Yes, you are here."

Now it was youth's time to stand there frozen as he understood many things. He snapped out the daze and started laughing. "Now I understand. That is the reason he let me catch him. And that is the reason he came straight here. Wow, a horse used the Grand ME to get to a little girl. How amazing. This child is indeed interesting. Lady Ying, my name is Lord Loyang. My home is the big house nearby, I hope to meet you often from now on."

Shu Ya blinked at him and saw him taking a small whistle out of his clothes. "This is the sound he can hear from very far away. He chose you as his master. As I am the only person he would let near, I recommend letting someone like me take care of him as he accepts only me. At least until the spring."

He calmly put the whistle on her, ignoring the death glares from the surrounding people. As his face came near to her he whispered. "My people will watch over you while I go and gather the tribes. This weather is bad. When I come back I'll give you a report."

Shu Ya unnoticeably nodded. She smiled at him as she looked at the whistle. "So cute. But my Shadow is cuter. Right?'

Shadow started nudging her and sniffling her body. She remembered and turned her head to Mingli. " Can you go to the kitchen and bring me some rock sugar and apple."

Mingli rushed away and not long after he stood next to her and was astonished by the horse. From far it was just a beautiful black horse, but when he came nearby he saw him having silver eyes and his fur being more bluish than black.

"He is indeed beautiful." He stood far enough from him not to bother, but near enough to rush near Shu Ya to take her away in case of danger. What stunned him most was how he nudged Shu Ya to pat him more and more.

Lord Loyang stood there and smiled brightly at her, but she completely ignored him. A young man stood next to him and shook his head. "Don't even try. I'll kill you."

His low growl made Lord Loyang look at him in wonder. "What? What are you talking about?"

Qiang Ka turned his gaze from Shu Ya and coldly smiled. "I'll protect my sister from all kinds of creeps. She is just a little baby. Don't even try to get too close. She won't fall for that pretty face of yours?".

" Oh? Do you think I am pretty? That means you like me?" Lord Loyang hugged his shoulder with one hand and chuckled. "Too bad, I like women."

"Huh?" Qiang Ka was fist frozen stiff but then broke out the daze. "You... you...!" He couldn't even curse as Shu Ya turned her head towards them. With white knuckles, he stood there and shook all over his body.

Shu Ya rolled her eyes and came near, followed by the Shadow. "Lord Loyang, stop teasing my brother. By the way, Shadow is a female. Lord Loyang, as she is a wild horse she will need lots of free space. Could you protect her well over the wintertime."

Shu Ya could clearly see that Shadow was calm only around her and Lord Loyang. Not only that. He might seem like a simple person. But what simple person can gather the tribes without a problem? The power that backed him up isn't simple at all.

He became serious. "Don't worry. No one would dare to touch her. I'll make sure she has enough walk every day. Knowing her nature, she will knock in your door often."

Shu Ya chuckled and felt her nudging. She smiled at the horse and patted her head. "You need to learn many things as I am just a small child. Lord Loyang will teach you how to protect me. You can come to visit me often. In spring I will start to lean riding. Please learn well, so we can ride far and wide from now on. OK?"

The horse stomped her feet and nodded, making her chuckle. "Good girl."

If there was anyone else, they would think nothing of it as she was just a tiny girl. But Lord Loyang was by the minute more and more amazed by this child. Not only did she accept his presence, but he could also see the thoughts behind those calm eyes.

What else was amazing is that she recognized him. Even tho most people wouldn't be able to remember his face, but she still recognized him.

On other hand, Shin Young had a strange feeling that he saw him somewhere before as well. But no matter how much he thought about it, he was not sure from where. Maybe he looked similar to someone he met in past.?

He shook his head. Never mind in that case. There are always people that look similar.

Right?