VENTURE AT NIGHT

She was daughter of capable General who was more famous than King, she had big name to support her, slightly inferior to King.

She got lively and her caretaker packed up her things carefully and also for herself. Early morning they headed toward North.

Henan and her caretaker were in chamber of chariot and Qi Jian was leading on horse with hundreds of soldiers in front and behind.

After one day of travel they saw green fields and small patches of forests which came into view because of fertile land.

There were villagers working in the fields and some small villages where farmers live with their families, in deed it was wonderful place to live except of the oppression of landlords everything was appealing.

She was excited by all.

Wan Hu led her toward a village, it was small but beautiful, there were only few houses of farmers and one of them belonged to a widow.

She was middle aged woman and she was well known for her embroidery and sewing work. They approached in front cleanly kept house appearance.

Wan Hu left other soldiers on distance, he knocked on the door, finely dressed woman opened the door, she was around forty, "May I know what these two strangers here?" she asked politely. "I am Wan Hu Shang and this Henan Zhong, she wanted to learn some household with your guidance," Wan Hu introduced and explained casually.

She had heard of name of Crown Prince Wan Hu Shang and he was very capable too but this sudden appearance left her speechless, "Old Nie pays respect to Crown Prince," she hurriedly paid greetings with a smile.

"It will be my honor to guide Henan Zhong," she simply accepted because prince said simply without alarming anything which was agreeable too.

She led them and prince bade farewell on promise that he would visit her off and on. Old Nie thought that girl would be arrogant being noble but soon forget this idea because Henan was lively and friendly.

Henan talked to her like both were acquaintance from long time.

Though Henan was little interested to learn household but still she paid attention toward what Old Nie taught her.

She walked in the fields and farms in the day to see the beauties on nature, she learned many pathways which lead to different parts of north sight, she met few women in the fields working side by side with their men, and she was spirited to see this harmony.

Old Nie was also got surprised to see her Archery practice.

Third night of her arrival she came out from village house and head toward north where forteBi was under construction.

She kept herself unnoticed during her snitch walk.

The construction site was truly impressive, she intended to cross the resources stores of extreme north and then run the other side of mini jungle. Fangs were divided in many groups and they live in their unorganized settlements, she decided to spy their activities.

It was dry cold but construction site where workers were doing hard and heavy labor they were warm as normal day.

She crossed big grass field then small soil hills one after another and next small patch of jungle, dry leaves which came in contact under her feet mad small cracking sounds.

She was care full. Because of hustle and bustle on the north border, Fang groups retreated away from the border two month ago; they were currently not in position to go against so many armed soldiers.

Their dwellings were not in proper shapes or structures or they lack resources to build them anew. Their houses were silent from one or two housed some voices could be heard. But there was no activity of broke out.

She stayed and observed overnight, there was no movement. Weather was dry cold and she was barely stopping her sneeze.

She decided to venture forward next night, crossed small patch of forest and then small hills of soil these hills would be part of Kingdom after construction of forteBi.

She was near resources stores now when she heard some low whisper, she immediately hid behind packs, she tried to find the source of whisper and she sight of two soldiers who were binding someone.

She looked on ground from silhouette she was girl whose mouth was stuffed with cloth and her hands were at her back.

First soldier gestured to other and he stood on distance with his back facing them, two big drops of tears from girl's eyes, she was pleading perhaps with her stuffed mouth.

The soldier who was staring at her closely, started to undress himself and then extend his hand to pull hers, meanwhile an arrow stuck in his throat and he could not make any sound before his death. The other man turned and saw this but next moment an arrow pierce through his heart. They were both dead.

Henan was completely in her black hunter robs and her face was veiled. She came toward girl, she was shivering with fear, Henan looked at her straight into her eyes, there was unknown sparkle which caught the girl heart and she became at ease.

Henan untied the girl. The girl was in comma due to fear of being assaulted by these two soldiers but looking at her savior she was getting herself.

Henan waited for her to compose herself then she gestured her to follow and asked by gesture where she lived. She accompanied her to her house, and waved her hand and disappeared in the dark.

Next day someone reported to Wan Hu that two soldiers were murdered in resources stores and one of them was naked dead.

Wan Hu personally visited the place, there was also piece of girl clothing.

He ordered to investigate movements of these two soldiers in last 24 hours.

They might be involved in some grave matter.

He collected the two arrows, half meter length these arrows were unique and these were manufactured within Kingdom because there iron stamp on rear. He ordered hundred men to be high alert at resources site.

Fifth day Wan Hu came to visit Henan.