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“Why are you telling me these things?” Ying asked.

ShaoShu shrugged, his little shoulders rising over the roof's edge. “Because it's the right thing to do.”

Ying scoffed. “How did you know I would be passing through this alleyway?”

“This is the way I would have come if I wanted to stay out of everyone's sight,” ShaoShu said. “This is the closest alley to the canal front.”

“How did you get here before me?”

“Shortcuts. I know a million of them.”

“So, you know the city streets well?”

“Better than anyone,” ShaoShu said.

“What about the canal?” Ying asked. “Can you handle a boat?”

“I know the canal as well as the streets, and I can handle a boat. I've, uh, borrowed one or two before.”

Ying smirked. He might just have a way out of here yet. “If I describe a certain skiff to you and tell you where it is docked, do you think you could take it down the canal for me?”

“Sure,” ShaoShu said. “But why would I?”

Ying picked up his bag of coins. “Because I'll give you half of these.”

“It's a deal!” ShaoShu said.

“Good,” Ying said. “Is there a spot downriver that I can walk to quickly in relative security and you can travel to in the skiff?”

“Yes,” ShaoShu replied. “I know the perfect place. There is a fancy park about two It downstream from where we are now. You can follow side streets and alleys south along the canal until you reach it. There is an old elm tree on this side of the canal that hangs low over the water. I will take the skiff down the canal and beach it under the tree for you.”

Ying looked up at him. “Where will you be?”

“Inside the skiff, waiting for you.”

“Why?”

ShaoShu looked confused. “Because I'm coming with you.”

Ying's carved brow rose. “No, you're not.”

“Yes, I am,” ShaoShu said, “or I'm not going to help you. I hate it here. I want to go somewhere else.”

“Well, you aren't staying with me.”

“I won't stay with you. You are mean. I'll find a dry corner in some other city, just like I had here. I only want a ride out of here.”

Ying gave up. “Fine. Are you sure I can trust you to deliver the skiff to the park?”

“Of course,” ShaoShu said. “I have to trust you, too, you know. You're the one who wanted to break my hand.”

Ying nodded. He had a point. “All right, then. Let's get on with it.” Ying turned to walk away.

“Hey, where are you going?” ShaoShu asked.

Ying looked up at him as if he were crazy. “To the park.”

ShaoShu's eyes widened with surprise. “What about your friend?”

“What about her?”

“Isn't she going, too?”

“No.”

“You are just going to leave her here?” ShaoShu said. “You can't. The soldiers are looking for her, too. I told you that.” He glared at Ying.

Ying lowered his head and rubbed his temples. His headache was coming back. “All right, you go get the skiff and head downstream. I'll go find her.”

ShaoShu didn't reply.

Ying looked up and saw that ShaoShu was staring farther back into the alley, over Ying's shoulder. Ying spun around and was shocked to see Hok walking silently toward him.

“How did you find me?” Ying asked her.

“I have been following you,” Hok replied. “You are very good at traveling undetected, but I am better.”

Ying frowned. “How long have you been standing back there?”

“Long enough,” Hok said. She locked eyes with him. “I am glad that you decided to look for me. Thank you.”

Ying looked away. He didn't know what to say.

“The polite response would be ‘You're welcome,’ ” Hok said.

Ying shuffled his feet and looked at her. “You're welcome.”

Hok nodded and looked up at ShaoShu. “My name is Hok, ShaoShu, and his name is Ying. Do as he said and go get the skiff now. We will meet you downstream as you suggested. Hurry.”

At daybreak, Ying and Hok found ShaoShu right where he said he would be, with the skiff. Except for a few elderly individuals exercising, they had the entire park to themselves. ShaoShu looked at Ying, and a huge grin spread across the boy's face.

“What?” Ying asked.

“I told you that you could trust me,” ShaoShu said.

“I suppose you are right,” Ying said. “I'll keep my end of the bargain, too, to show that you can trust me. You may remain with us. Just make sure you stay out of the way.”


Tags: Jeff Stone Five Ancestors Fantasy