Springing the Trap 1

"There. In the trees."

Lin Liushui said that with his chest puffed out, as though he had seen the ambushers already. So although Qin Feng could not be altogether certain that he was bluffing, he didn't have the confidence to call the gallant out on the matter. Despite the fact that he had not seen a thing himself.

Something that he was certain that Lin Liushui had factored into his blatant announcement that an ambush was going to take place.

The group had been traveling for two days since that conversation of theirs at the campfire, and Qin Feng had been taking care to watch his surroundings as they moved along the trail. But, for all of his efforts, he had seen nothing that warned him of any people hidden in the space around the dusty dirt track.

Of course, there was a part of him that wondered if the good-looking fellow was simply bolstering his own reputation, by tossing out observations like these, once in a while. But Qin Feng knew that Lin Liushui's powers of observation were far better than his, so he was not about to call the handsome man out on something like this. Besides, it was to their advantage, since those same observations kept the Second Ducal Prince's Bodyguard on their toes.

Turning his attention back to the armed soldiers, he had to say that they had greatly improved since their trek together earlier, from Changqing to Yanyun. At the least, they seemed to be a lot more confident, despite the fact they were stepping into new territory again. They didn't look as nervous as they had, during that earlier journey.

"Where? What are you talking about? I can't see a thing in the trees."

The one who muttered those words was Du Yan, who looked as if he was totally bored. While this whole matter had been because of him and his intended bride, there was no denying the fact that they were moving a lot slower because of the size of the group. Bringing along thirty fully-armed soldiers did cause certain delays.

Which was probably why the muscular fellow was more than a little impatient, these last few days, as they got closer to their destination. This close to the Shu Kingdom Capital already, and yet to come across the ambush that they had been expecting? That was probably something that was making him all the more agitated, wasn't it?

"That's because you are just looking at the forest, and not paying attention to the little details that would have told you that there are people waiting for us there. But luckily for you, you have me! Luckily for you, I have been blessed with more intelligence that your average military counselor. And more good-looking than your average city heart-throb too."

"Not to mention, with more boasts than an average arrogant bastard," came a low growl from the side. That had everyone's eyes turning to the wagon beside them, only to see a fully geared Li Changhai jump down from the same.

Well, almost fully armored. His spiked helmet was still tied to his belt, and the Ducal Prince had left his polearm tied onto the side of the wagon that was rolling along beside the group. But all in all, Li Changhai looked like the very picture of a minor general, like those that were usually shown on paintings displayed during a storyteller's spiel.

But this particular 'general' got a rude sound greeting his arrival, and from the pair that he called his Brothers no less.

"I thought I told you that you should remain inside the covered wagon until we are attacked. Why have you shown yourself early? This might affect our tactics, you know?"

But the Second Ducal Prince only glared at his 'strategist'. "Do you know how warm it is in there? Not to mention the fact that I am wearing all this armor, with that thick tunic underneath? It is already soaked with my perspiration two, three li* ago!"

Lin Liushui threw out a theatrical sigh at him, in reply. "All for a very good reason. The whole point of the exercise was to keep you out of sight, and fully prepared to face the enemy attack. So long as they could not see you, and can only focus their attention on your carriage, they would not be prepared to deal with your armor.

"And it is the best that your family had in its vaults, isn't it? It should prove problematic for any assassins who are only expecting to find a soft persimmon, wrapped in the normal silken garments of a young, debauched gentleman. Hmmm?"

"A debauched gentleman, your head! Who's a debauched gentleman?"

Du Yan chuckled at the Second Ducal Prince's outburst, and Qin Feng could not help but smile. This was just the sort of argument that he had witnessed time and again, while traveling with the trio. And he had to admit that it was rather amusing, to watch Li Changhai behaving as though he was still a teenager, arguing with his friends.

Then, just as the Second Ducal Prince was about to speak again, there was a loud cry from the five-man-team that had gone on ahead, to scout out the way. And all four of them turned to see arrows raining down on the soldiers, who had thrown up their piddling small shields over their heads, as they charged back towards the rest of the troop, shouting at the top of their voices.

Even as Li Changhai's mouth hung open, at the almost ridiculous sight of his own men coming under attack, Lin Liushui's calm voice could be heard over the cacophony in the distance:

"There! Didn't I tell you to be careful earlier? That the enemy are in the trees? Thank goodness your Captain Wen took my words to heart! At least your soldiers are not going to be surprised. See, they are already falling into formation!

"Now, what were you saying again? About how uncomfortable that armor is?"

* * *

*approx half a kilometer