Shards

Chapter 19 - Escapade Part 2

It was dark in the alley. The bright lights did not reach far into the narrow backstreet. Slowly Ghost walked in. He was on high alert and sensed the presence and positions of the three men immediately. He stopped in the middle of the narrow alley.

A large man grunted when he spotted the lone Shard.

"Get out of here boy. This alley is taken."

"No."

"No?" he growled. "I'm not asking, I'm telling you to get out."

Ghost stood his ground assessing the distance and angle between each Target. Quickly, he took note of their height, weight and general build.

"He wants to give us his money, before he goes!" laughed another while rubbing his hands. "A little bonus."

"Not now, we have work to do," the first man said glancing nervously out the alley.

From his line of sight, he determined that the two girls were almost in position. He couldn't see their accomplice. The girls were walking slowly smiling and laughing happily at the skilful jugglers oblivious to the looming danger. The jugglers were tossing lighted sticks at each other, the flames at both ends of each stick making intricate patterns in the air to the delight of the crowd.

"Get rid of him. They are almost here."

"Not if I can help it," muttered the Shard.

The two men rushed Ghost but they never touched him.

Ghost side stepped grabbing the first man's fist. Using his momentum, the Five pulled him hard. The ruffian fell forward. When he lost balance, a sharp knee to his chest and a chop on his neck left him groaning on the ground. His accomplice was in no better shape. After attacking the first man, the Five had immediately spun around to deliver a powerful back kick to the second thug, stunning him. Landing nimbly, Ghost changed stance and followed up with a triple side kick to the felon. Fast powerful hits to the man's knee, stomach and head rendered him useless. The robber collapsed unconscious.

The last man had hardly turned back from his lookout post before he was greeted with precise jabs to his temple. He passed out on impact. Ghost caught his inert body as he fell and pulled him further into the dark alley. The fight was over in less then five minutes.

Looking at his handiwork, Ghost estimated that they would recover in a few hours. Enough time for Shuang and LiQuin to return safely in the Zhai mansion, he thought in satisfaction.

Coming out of the alley into the noisy street, Ghost searched for Key. He spotted the Three almost immediately. Key who was waiting for Ghost to emerged, grinned and jerked his head towards the robber leader. He was slumped on a crate as if he had passed out drunk.

"He will wake up at dawn when the party is over," came Key's voice over the din.

"Good."

Without another word, the Shards continued their surveillance of the two girls.

It was a good thing that they were near. The streets were full of opportunists. Thieves and pick pockets were everywhere but none got close to Shuang and LiQuin after the Shards made their presence known and sent a warning. The two rich girls were protected. They were not worth the trouble.

Word spread fast after Ghost caught a young pick pocket. He wrenched the money pouch which the little thief had lifted from LiQuin and tossed it to Key. Ghost gave a stern warning to the small boy and told him to spread the word that the two girls were off limits. They were official Targets of the Dark Sect. Another attempt would end up with the thief mutilated, disabled or dead. The young boy nodded in fear promising to do so. After that, the girls were left alone.

Key caught the money pouch deftly. LiQuin turned in surprised when he neared her and placed it back in her hand. Rather than just slipping it back onto her person, it would be better to warn her so that she would be more careful.

"Keep your money safe. There are many pick-pockets around," he whispered to the maid whilst keeping his back to Shuang and disappeared into the crowd.

Key was here! Quickly LiQuin scanned the crowd. She caught a glimpse of Ghost. He caught her eye and gave a brief nod before he too vanished from sight. Somehow knowing that the bodyguards were with them in the city made her feel much better. Yet, she wondered if they would tattle on them and get them into trouble the next day.

LiQuin glanced back at her Mistress. Shuang was unaware of the quick exchange. Her eyes were glued to the night sky. She was smiling broadly and pulling on LiQuin's sleeve. Someone had started a fireworks show!

The next few hours went by uneventfully. Shuang and LiQuin walked taking in the sights, entertainers and wares for sale. When they were hungry, they stopped to eat noodles in steaming broth and slippery shrimp dumplings. They also had sweet meats, candied apples on sticks and crunchy sour fruits to snack on. It was lots of fun. LiQuin didn't catch sight of the two bodyguards again but knowing they were somewhere around, stealthily following, guarding and keeping them safe put her mind at ease. It was a good feeling to be so well protected.

They got home safely with no one the wiser, or so Shuang thought. Only when her mistress finally changed into her night clothes and slipped under her covers did LiQuin relax.

"See? I told you no one would notice!" Shuang whispered gleefully. "We had so much fun didn't we? Put all the things we bought in my chest."

"Yes mistress."

"I'm so full and tired now," she yawned. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, mistress. Sweet dreams."

Quietly, LiQuin left her slumbering mistress to make her way to her servant's pallet. It was hidden in the corner of Shuang's room behind a decorative bamboo screen. A servant always slept there to accompany her so that she would be available should the young miss need something in the middle of the night. On her way to bed, she saw a familiar shadow move to stand outside the window.

The maid smiled to herself. Ghost and Key were back too.