The Travels Of Xiang, Episode 8

It was a chilly night.  Xiang sat outside the city gate reflecting on the days events.  First, her undergarments were stolen, then rescued a child from a thug, then her own family.  She sighed and said, "What a day."

Then, the girl came out of the city and plopped down next to her.  She was clad in a new dress Xiang had bought her to replace the tatters she was wearing earlier.  At ten coins, it wasn't cheap, but it made the girl happy and she needed new clothes.

"You should be back at the inn," Xiang said.  "It's too dangerous for you to be out alone."

"I got bored," the girl said.  There was a brief silence before the girl asked, "Are you cold?"

"I take it you're referring to how I'm dressed," Xiang said.  "I'm fine.  I'm a farm girl and a martial artist, so a little cold doesn't bother me.  I never really wear more than this."

"But you're so pretty," the girl said.  "Don't you want to wear nice dresses sometimes?"

Xiang shook her head.  "Like I said, I'm a farm girl.  Where I come from, extravagant clothes are far too expensive and impractical.  They would just get torn or dirty, so it really wasn't worth the expense.  Most people out there just wear whatever is comfortable.  Also, a pretty dress or flash clothing doesn't really help me as a martial artist.  If an opponent were to grab it or if it got snagged on something, the consequences could be quite dire."

"Oh, I see," the girl said.  "So what was that thing you did with your hands earlier.  The way you sent that man flying back in the alley...or the way you broke that broom my father attacked you with.  I've never seen anything like it."

"Oh, that?  It's called the Burst Fist technique.  It was created to by the monks of Tzezhange Island as a skill that disarms by breaking weapons.  While it's not meant to be used on people, you  great control to avoid killing them."

"Oh, I've read about Tzezhange Island in books," the girl said, her face lighting up.  "Is that where you're from?"

"No, but that's where my descendants are from," Xiang said.  "I'm from Shao, a village founded by Tzezhange settlers.  It's to the east, about a week on foot."

"Whoa, you walked a whole week to get here?" the girl asked.  "Aren't your legs tired?"

Xiang nodded.  "Very much so.  I don't even want to stand up right now."  She wasn't lying.  Her calves were on fire.  If she hadn't paid for the room at the inn, she probably wouldn't have bothered going back in.

"It's not good for a pretty woman to be alone in or near this city," the girl said.

Xiang started to wonder.  "Where were you planning on going?"

The girl looked confused.  "What do you mean?"

"When you ran out of the alley.  Assuming you had gotten away, where would you have gone?  You don't seem to keen on this city and based on what I know about your parents, I doubt you would have gone back home.  What was your next move?"

"I...don't know," the girl said, lowering her head.  "I just want to get away.  I don't know where.  Just...away."

"It's a dangerous world out here.  The elements, monsters, and crappy human beings are all seeking their next victim.  A little girl would have no chance against all that."

"I don't care!" the girl screeched.  "I don't want to live here anymore!  If I can't leave, then...I don't want to live."  She started to cry.

What had this poor girl been through?  Xiang remembered what she was doing at her age and it didn't resemble this.  How did a girl this young get to this point?  It almost made her want to cry.  "You really don't care where you go?  You don't even care if you get there?"

The girl shook her head.  "No..."

Maybe it was possible.  "Perhaps you might like Shao Village."

"The place you came from?" the girl asked.  "But it's a week away.  How will I get there?"

"I'll pay a cargo transporter to take you there.  It's not going to be like living in a big city.  If you don't like fresh air, open fields, or animals, let me know right now."

"Animal?" the girl asked.  "Will there be horses?  How about cats?"  She continued on, asking about assorted animals.

That was her answer right there.  She wouldn't miss this place and Xiang could understand why.  "Okay, I'll set things up tonight.  Your new life begins tomorrow.  And when you arrive, tell them Xiang Wenling sent you."

"Yay!" the girl cheered.  Then, she stood and bowed.  "Thank you!  Well, I'm going back to the inn.I want to make sure I'm up nice and early for the trip."  She started to walk away, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder.  "By the way, my name's Rosalie."

Xiang smiled.  "Rosalie, huh?  A beautiful name for a beautiful girl headed to a beautiful village.  I'm sure you'll do fine."  She could help but shake from the good feelings she felt.  She actually helped someone.