13_ The Girl.

The girl opened her eyes and observed her environment intricately. Her cold hands felt the warm grass as she took in the wonderful smell of fresh air .She was not in the prison anymore . She was now finally free.

She wanted to get up but her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. Determined to get up , she stood on shaky legs and managed to rise only to fall down again.

A shadow was cast infront of her that was not her own. Glancing up , she was face to face with Lucian who now squatted to reach her present height. He held out his hand to assist her in rising and she accepted.

"Thank you." She said emotionless. Lucian searched her face for even the slightest expression but found none.

Lucian spoke to this strange girl who was getting even stranger, as he arranged his saddle. "You are not in any debt to me and neither am I , You." Facing her , he bowed slightly. "I believe I need introduce myself . I am Lucian Cyran" Lucian said omitting his last name. "And you are?"

The girl made no move to answer his question but instead answered back ""A name is just a mask presented to the world. What can not be named can not be Known and what can not be Known can not be hurt."

Hikaru glanced around the position of the sun in th sky and rolled up his map. "If we start walking now, we can get to the Fuyo Empire by three days."

"You are riding with me." When he received no answer, he took her silence for consent and helped her onto his Stallion and seated himself behind her.

"Come on Hikaru." He said as he gripped the horse by the reins and increased his pace." "Time waits for no man."

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"Who is to tell the Emperor?" Pei Leng one of the Imperial Officers that had been unable to forestall the Crowned Prince's escape told his fellow man.

"I do not want to lose my head." Shei Go replied holding his neck. "My son is too young to be without a father."

"The Emperor is known for his raging tempers , so whoever delivers the news should prepare for imminent death." Pei Leng said again.

"Then you are the best man to do it." Tau Yai concluded hastily .

Li Huang tapped his fingers anxiously against the arm of the Royal throne. The wound inflicted upon him by his Son still hurt terribly.

A Rebellion?!

What insidious behaviour!

The head guard came in and took off his helmet. He went down on one knee in front of the Emperor as was the accorded Gesture.

"Tell me of your findings. Where is the Prince Lu Cyran Huang?" Li Huang barked."

"Your Imperial Majesty , Prince Lu has escaped the Palace walls with the help of his servant boy, Hikaru. They have successfully avoided our guards and made their way through the Main Outer gates and escaped." The Head guard trembled as he said this as Li Huang had little or no patience for unfavorable news.

He was however astonished to see a considerable change in his Lordship expression. There was a sinister grin on the Emperor's face but that for Pei Leng that was good tidings because it seemed that he would not be executed after all.

"You Servant ...State your name?" Li Huang ordered.

"Um ...My name is Pei Leng, Your Majesty." The Head guard stammered.

"You are to go and retrieve the girl and my Errant son , Lu and return him to this Dynasty by any means possible but He must be brought to me alive ... Both should be alive and breathing when they are returned to this palace ."

"How can only I succeed at such a great task , Your Imperial Majesty ?" Pei Leng interrupted.

"If you would keep silent , maybe the thought of cutting out your tongue would not occur the me." The Monarch growled but resumed. "You are to select twelve of my best men and take them with you to bring Lu Cyran Huang back to this Dynasty."

"What of Hikaru , My Lord?"

Li Huang leaned back on his throne and look down on the guard as if he was insignificant as who he was speaking of.

Because he was.

"What about him?" He asked.

"Should we also bring him back alive or ..." Pei stuttered in spite of himself.

"Alive or dead , it matters not. Do whatever you deem fit to him for he is none of my concern. Do not fail me Pei Leng ; Otherwise it will be your head that is served on a platter ." He stated. "Begone."

The Guard bowed and hurried out of the throne room leaving Li Huang to his thoughts.

"I'm coming for you Lu..."