Shards

Chapter 18 - Escapade Part 1

Key was cheerful and resourceful, always keeping Lady Shuang engaged in challenges, both mental and emotional. Ghost was more quiet and often played the devils advocate, but his calm presence itself was comforting. He sometimes sided with Key but also sometimes with Shuang, giving her support when the situation warranted it. He used logic and facts to state his case, subtly influencing Shuang's way of approaching her arguments with reason rather than emotions.

She had no choice but to improve. Her bodyguards made a lethal team.

The Shards could do that because they were more worldly and street smart, having been exposed to the real world and situations she had never encountered. To her amazement, her two lowly peasant shadows seemed to know quite a number of topics. It occurred to her that although poor, the commoners might lead interesting lives. Ghost and Key gave her a glimpse of that life, it was not all work, toiling in the hot sun or wondering where the next meal was coming from.

There was beauty in nature and all around. All this time, she only noticed the beauty of glittering jewels, pretty dresses, paintings, flowers and of course people. She appreciated beautiful girls and good-looking men, as long as she was prettier.

But Ghost and Key pointed out to her the vibrant colours of her favourite lake and the majestic gold orangey sunsets. The sweet singing of the birds and the warm comforting rays of the sun when it came out. She appreciated it more now that it was winter and the weather was so cold. They also shared with her simple joys of life, like the satisfying heat from a hot bowl of soup on her cold fingers and the smiles of maids as they were praised for jobs well done. 

She also learned the joys of winning a game without cheating and being a good sport when she lost. Exercise, teamwork and trust building came in the form of playing catch and 'pass the ball'. The Shards played Go and chess with her, strengthening her mental abilities and teaching her many strategies she would not have thought of. In the beginning, it was always Key against Ghost and her. She didn't realize when Ghost faded into the background, letting her make her own moves to determine her game. 

It was all very interesting and her relationship with her bodyguards improved greatly. However, after another week, Lady Shuang got bored.

One evening, she waited until her two bodyguards had stepped outside for a bit. Quickly she waved LiQuin nearer.

"LiQuin ..."

Her maid immediately stepped closer and bent her head towards her Mistress.

"What is it Mistress?"

"I'm so bored. Get everything ready. I'm going out to the City tonight."

"B-but Lady Shuang!"

"Shhh! Don't alert those two!" she hushed LiQuin. "I'll just go out for a few hours. The delegates have started arriving in Zinnu. The City must be very lively and exciting!"

Lady Shuang smiled in anticipation. "I've been so good lately, I'll treat myself to a night out. I feel so cooped up here. It's my last chance to have some fun."

LiQuin frowned, worried. The last time they went out, they had to bribe the guards to let them back in. Not only that, the two Elite guards assigned to protect Lady Shuang were dismissed for failing their duty when Lord Zhai found out. She did not want Ghost and Key to be replaced. She liked having them around.

So much had changed for the better since they had started guarding Lady Shuang. Her Mistress' temperament had improved greatly as she learned the gentle ways expected of her rank and position.

This escapade was a setback, thought LiQuin. Still, she had to obey her Mistress.

"Prepare everything and wait for me at the South gate," whispered Shuang. "I will pretend to sleep and sneak out later."

"Are you sure? Those two may get fired ..."

"Shhh, they are coming back in," Shuang cautioned her maid. "Just a few hours, we will be back before dawn. No one will notice we were gone, not even them. What could possibly go wrong?"

-----

Later that night, Lady Shuang peeked from under her blankets. She saw Ghost's shadow outside her window. His messy hairstyle and long warrior's ponytail gave him away. Where was Key? Never mind, if he was not around, it would make it easier for her. They too had to eat, sleep and bathe but they had done so unobtrusively so far. She didn't even know when they did, they were always around.

Quietly, she slid out from under her goose down blankets and got up. She was fully dressed. Looking around the dim room, she pushed her pillows under her blanket and shaped it to look like a body. Heart pounding loudly, she made her way to the outer room. There was a side window behind some screens. Opening it, the youngest daughter of House Zhai climbed out the window and made her escape. In less than twenty minutes, she met LiQuin at the South gates.

"See? I made it. Bodyguards or not, they didn't even notice me sneaking out," laughed Shuang in delight.

"Are you sure?" asked LiQuin worriedly.

She couldn't believe that Lady Shuang could evade Ghost and Key so easily. She had half hoped to get caught and end this adventure before they got out the gates. Unlike the other times she had accompanied Lady Shuang, this time she did not feel the excitement of freedom of a night in town. On the other hand, she felt nervous and apprehensive.

"C'mon! Stop dwadling." Lady Shuang pulled LiQuin's hand excitedly as she waved the gate guards aside. "Let's go!"

Earlier, LiQuin had given them a few gold coins to let them pass. The bribe plus the rank of a member of House Zhai ensured their passage. They moved aside allowing the two girls out of the large Zhai estates.