Author's Introduction:
Well, I'm glad that I could post another chapter before the end of the week. I'm happy that I've had some positive response to the story, it helps with the inspiration to know that your work is appreciated. I'm afraid this is something of a filler chapter, intended to flesh out the main character while I'm trying to ease into the main story arch without making it seem forced. I truly hope that you enjoy this, quite lengthy, chapter while I finish the third one that I promise begins the story for real. And again, constructive criticism is highly encouraged and appreciated and please, if you like it, drop a review. Hope you enjoy.
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Doing his best not to let the elation he felt inside show on his face, Jun inspected the bow with a practiced eye. Testing the string and finding it more difficult to pull back than initially expected he look questionably at the Rhino craftsman.
"It's one of the heavier bows I've made I admit. Not many who can handle one with that much pull, but I suspect that you'll more than grow into it."
Jun let his paw glide over the curve of the bow, felling the strength of the wood, appreciating how the handle, though slightly too large for him now, nevertheless seemed to fit the proportions of his paw perfectly. Slightly taller than him, the bow held the promise of massive force, and the Rhino had seen fit to make a small cut in each end for when he would string it, allowing the bow string to glide into place rather than making him wrestle it there.
It was perfect. Made to suit him, allowing for a little growth for when he got a little older, it was expertly crafted, made to be used and to take a few hits, but still very fine.
The Rhino looked to be sufficiently satisfied with the end product, though he had had to make it while Jun was away as his father, true to his word, had brought him into the workshop in Gonjang the very next time they went.
After having been measured and testing his grip on a few wooden frames, the Rhino had finally decided on a design that he assured them would fit Jun well.
Not having time to wait around, the process of making the bow taking the better part of a day, too long for them to simply go about their business and return later, they had promised to collect it the very next time they came around.
It had not been long. True to its' initial threats, the weather turned ever colder, promising an early and long winter. Barely had they returned home before they set off again, his father wanting to make sure they had plenty of stock so as not to leave them without work for the long winter months where they might be snowed out of the town, and therefore would have to rely on the stock of both food and goods that could be found in the village. Should the villagers need anything fixed, they would have to wait for the thaw, and for the many carpenters and craftsmen that made their living of the expertly made items that they spent the winter months lovingly producing out of the unique trees that surrounded the village, that could prove ruinous.
And so, a little over a week after having made the commission, Jun now held his first ever real bow.
They left the store, Jun making sure to thank the Rhino craftsman profusely, before walking down the busy street where he, fully engrossed in admiring his new toy, did not notice anything different before his father, a small note of concern entering his voice, commented.
"Sure are a lot of soldiers here today."
Torn out of his daydreaming, Jun looked up and, after a short while, realized what his father was talking about.
Standing in clusters or walking around in small groups, he noticed that there was at least fifty or so warriors from the Gongmen city guard, all of them gazelles armed with spears or crossbows, most of them looking quite worn out.
The had the haggard look of people who had been too long on the road out in the cold, and most of them were clustered around the entrance to the tavern, a sign over the door proclaiming that it served the 'Best radish soup in the province!'.
Walking up to a group of them, deep in their own conversation, his father, easily standing both head and shoulders above them, cleared his throat.
"Excuse me?"
The guards turned to look at the stranger who had broken into their conversation, but seemed more surprised than angry at the interruption.
"Yes? How may we be of assistance?"
The question was asked warily, the worn out expression on their faces betraying a bone-deep weariness, their tired, heavy lidded eyes and their sodden uniforms did nothing to improve this image.
"I was just wondering why there were so many guards here. You are from Gongmen right? That's a far ways off for you to be all the way out here. And especially in this season."
The guards shared looks with each other, some of them shrugging, before one, apparently the leader of the group judging by the markings on his shoulder looked from Jun to his father.
"You haven't heard? After lords Shen's defeat, his army has split up and run amok across the countryside, turning to banditry."
One of the other guards scoffed loudly.
"They were always bandits."
Earning himself a withering look from his commander, who turned back to face the two of them before he continued.
"Be that as it may, what remains of the city guard have been hunting them down for months. But, they give as good as they get, and now the damn snow has come in early. For all we know they are hiding up in their toasty little caves in the mountains by now."
Thanking the man for his time, his father quickly finished their business in town before heading home, both of them filled with a sense of urgency they had never had before.
He brushed off the beads of sweat accumulating at the rim of the red band of cloth he had tied around his head, covering his forehead and going around behind his ears, but leaving the fur atop his head free. It served the dual purpose of keeping sweat out of his eyes, and making him look kinda awesome. At least, he thought so himself. Jiang insisted it made him look like an idiot, but then, he would be deep in the cold, dark ground before he took fashion advice from mister no-sleeves.
His breath misted on the cold air, creating patterns in the air, twirling around, rising upwards before quickly dissolving. He gulped in fresh air, the cold clawed at his throat and his lungs, but satisfied his burning need for air. The snow under the canopy of the trees went up to his thighs, making running arduous, but excellent exercise. He had already ploughed a trench through the thick layer from the dozen other times he had completed his impromptu training course, making it progressively less difficult to plunge through the drifts.
He picked up the bundle of arrows that remained near his starting point, finding that the arrows in this case was painted with thin stripes of green.
He had learned early on, that to maximize the number of trips he could make in his impromptu training sessions during the very limited time off he had, it was better to minimize the amount of time spent collecting arrows. So, he had made several batches, each distinguishable from another by the color painted near the bottom.
Rolling his shoulders, he took another couple of deep breaths.
"Come on Jun, last trip, give it everything you've got."
Taking off at a sprint, he nocked the first arrow and, drawing the string and turning his body in one smooth motion, fired at the first target represented by a small circle carved into the body of a tree.
Not waiting to see if he hit it, he drew another arrow from the quiver, nocked it and, jumping over a cluster of rocks taller than himself, he fired the second arrow, while still in the air, at a vaguely wolf-shaped cluster of branches wearing and old shirt.
Landing with his arms forward, he tucked into a roll that brought him under a low hanging branch that, in his mind, was the blade of a sword threatening to take off his head.
Launching himself back into the sprint, he drew his third arrow and launched it at tightly packed snowball dangling on a piece of string, tying it to a branch hanging high overhead. At the impact, the ball exploded into a drizzle of snow.
Continuing at an increasing pace, he reached out his free paw, grabbing a tall, thick sapling and kicked his feet free from the ground as he used his momentum to shift his direction, twirling around the sapling so he now faced up the hill he had previously run along the foot of.
Now, sprinting up the steep side of the hill instead of along the bottom of it, he could fell the last few laps taking their toll on him. His legs and joints were tingling, fatigue threatening to make them buckle under the exhausting. But he gritted his teeth, he was almost done. Just a few more minutes.
He Drew his fourth arrow, sighting down its length and, slowing down ever so slightly, fired at another painted target, this one placed on a tree that was positioned behind and between two others that, together, made an opening that was just a little wider than three of his fingers.
Coming up near the edge of the tree-line, he drew two more arrows, making sure to hold the spare so he could load it as quickly as possible. He had placed the second to last of his target so that he would have only two small opening to fire at it, the purpose being to learn to fire in quick succession at an elusive target.
Seeing his target, hidden low to the ground and behind a tree, he fired the first, then, in quick succession before the tilt of the hill covered it again, fired the second.
Turning his full attention towards the hastily nearing crest of the hill, he pumped his legs as fast as he could, squeezing out the rest of his energy. Breaching the tree-line he skidded to a halt, drawing his final arrow.
Facing him, was the now bare plateau of what, during the summer, was the biggest stretch of farmland in the village. Now, it was his own private, snow-covered shooting range.
Placed upright in a pile of packed snow, was a wooden pole, a piece of red fabric tied to the top. It was place almost at the very opposite edge of the field. At almost four-hundred paces, his target would have been almost impossible to see, if it wasn't because of the red cloth tied to it.
A fresh breeze hurled the undisturbed snow around, tucking at the fabric of his clothes and turning the sweat trapped in his fur icy.
Taking a few deep breaths to steady his racing heart, he closed his eyes, trying to gauge the wind and its' direction.
Satisfied, he placed the last arrow on the string and slowly, fighting to keep his breaths deep and steady, drew back the string as he brought up the bow, pointing it towards the sky.
Keeping completely still, he could feel his tired muscles protesting their maltreatment, the pull of the bow fighting against his already exhausted arms. He did not have long to wait however. The sudden breeze slacked off and, making a slow last adjustment, he loosened the arrow.
It trailed upwards, flying ever higher and higher before finale beginning to turn earthwards again. Jun tried to gauge the curve, but by now the arrow was naught but a pinprick in against the greyish-white sky.
Slinging his bow across his back, he began trekking across, intent on inspecting the results of the morning training, and beginning the task of collecting his arrows.
It took him a good while crossing the field, the track he had made earlier having been refilled by the snow, the wind racing across the open field sending daggers of cold though his unprotected ears, forcing him to pull up the hood his mother had thoughtfully sewn into the back of his coat.
Once he got there, he smiled broadly. Not only one, but THREE arrows had hit the target this time. A new personal best. Inspecting them he realized that it had been the last, and the third to last that had struck true, most of the others having hit the dirt a feet or two away. He saw that the arrows he had fired using his off-hand on the bow tended to stray a deal to the left, and made a mental note to correct it in the future.
Going back along the trail, he collected his gear, noting how he had done and, with no small measure of pride, could conclude that now, at least, he hit with two-thirds of his shots, the remaining strike close by.
Having practiced with his new bow for the better part of three months, he had had an awful lot to learn in a short time. The pull was much greater, which had initially meant that he had had trouble keeping it at full draw for longer than a few seconds. But with training he had managed to get the necessary strength.
Other things, like it's greater size, thickness and the unfamiliar feel of the string and weight had been something that he had had to get used to. But the end results spoke for themselves.
Thus, immensely pleased with himself, and looking forward to get back inside the warm confines of his home, he summoned the last vestiges of energy to begin Jogging back towards the village.
Walking home through the village, he noticed that it seemed especially quite today. More so than a cold winter day would warrant. Suddenly, picking up the sound of raised voices from somewhere near the western edge of the village, he headed down the side street and, seeing a cart heavily laden with boxes, bags and basket, parked outside the Lee house, a group of villagers clustering around two furiously gesturing figures, decided to go over and investigate.
Coming closer, he recognized Hai Lee and his wife Chun, their new baby clutched to her chest, standing near the carts front, grandma Lee sitting on a chair near the door, seemingly oblivious to the whole scene, while Hai was engaged in a loud conversation with their neighbor, Chin Da, the goose obviously quite upset.
"You can't just leave! You were supposed to make the carvings on the table and chairs for the garrison captain of Fuhua. Now who is going to do it!"
Hai held up his hand pleadingly, trying to quite the angry goose down, all the while eyeing the growing crowd.
"Look I'm sorry, I'll pay you for the trouble, but we can't stay here. I have a responsibility to my family, and if things are as bad as they say, then I owe it to them to keep them safe."
He gestured at his wife and their baby daughter, barely two months old by now. Her small pink cheeks flushed from the cold, although her mother had wrapped her in several protective layers of swaddling.
Chin however, was furious, greying feathers flying left and right as he gestured wildly with his wings.
"I already sold those chairs on commission! I SPECIFICALLY mentioned your name! Now what will I tell him? I'll look like a fool!"
He turned slightly, as if talking more to the gathering crowd than to Hai at this point
"Don't tell me you buy those stories about the bandits running rampant! They have been telling the same stories since I was freshly hatched. Nobody else here believe them, it's just you, who is scared of your own shadow."
That, strictly speaking, was not true. The Lee's were the seventh family to leave after Jun and his father had returned with news of Lord Shen's army ravaging the surrounding lands, a tale that had only been reinforced as trickles of news coming in from people who had heard it from someone who had heard from another told of ambushes, attacks, and a province at war with itself.
Before Chin could continue his assault on Hai, the rumbling, deep voice of Guo interrupted him.
"That is enough Chin. If the Lee's want to leave that is their decision to make."
The large ox towered over everyone, even Jun who was considerably taller than most in the village, his bulging arms crossed, he glowered down at Chin who visibly quaked at the fearsome countenance of the usually quiet and friendly foreman.
He turned towards the couple, his stern expression turning soft, favoring the tiny baby with a warm smile.
"Hai, Chun I wish you luck, and hope that you make a home wherever you end up. If I may ask, where is it you intend to go?"
At the question, Hai looked ready to speak up before suddenly seeming uncertain and, turning to his wife shrugged his shoulders slightly. Apparently catching his meaning, she spoke up, her voice a little quit, as if uncertain.
"I have some family in Xuantou, they'll take us in until we are set up."
Guo nodded at her before, as if only now realizing that half of the village had assembled to witness the fight, he turned angrily towards them all, his voice, forceful and stern.
"Don't you all have something better to do than stand here gawking at other people."
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, Jun ducked and hurried through the crowd, quickly rushing the last few minutes home.
Nearing the workshop, he could hear the sound of a hammer repeatedly striking metal. Glancing around the end, he saw his brother, wearing his apron, almost completely covered in sot, working on what appeared to be a sword.
"You know, the idea of a day off is to… You know. Take the day off?"
His brother turned slightly, acknowledging his presence before returning to his task, placing the glowing iron into the forge.
"look who's talking. You look like you decided to bring home half the forest with you."
Jun looked down himself, realizing that Jiang was not much off. He was caked in leaves and dead moss, a small stray branch sticking out here and there. Shrugging he walked over to help Jiang on his project by working the bellows.
His brother nodded his thanks before resuming his hammering. Then speaking in between the ringing of his strikes.
"I just wanted to get started on this project I had in mind, you know. Well, that, and then the fact that I don't think it's a very good idea to be inside the house right now."
Jun glanced at him questionably before receiving a look loaded with meaning.
"You know. Mom and dad. Alone. Together.
It took a few moments before Jun caught on to his meaning.
"Oh… oohhhhh… OH!"
Jun shuddered, he could easily have lived his entire life without that image.
'Why does he always have to be so… graphic. That is our parents for spirits sake!'
Shaking his head to clear it of the unwanted image, he focused on working the bellows.
Time passed as they both worked in the forge. Jun, deciding that he might as well get some work done now that he was there, took of his sodden outer layer of clothes and put on his own apron before setting to work on mending some tools someone had brought in.
Working in companionable silence, Jun sometimes glanced over to see Jiang work, marveling at the skill with which he seemed to bend the iron to his will. It wasn't that Jun himself was bad, at least not for someone his age, it was just that Jiang was so much more skilled. It had never been any secret that Jiang was the better of the two when it came to smiting, but watching him work, Jun had to admit, that he might even surpass their father. Jiang had always been passionate about his craft, truly loving his job. Unlike himself, Jiang didn't view his time in the forge as a chore, but rather genuinely loved what he was doing.
He had no doubt that if Jiang so desired, he could find work anywhere. Any village, town or city would be lucky to have him. Indeed, he and his father had often been lavished with praise concerning the workmanship of many of Jiang's creations when they went into Gonjang to sell.
However, Jiang had never voiced any desire to set out and make a life for himself. For all Jun knew, he was perfectly happy staying here, in the village, for the rest of his life. In that department, as well as their fashion-sense, the two brothers were complete opposites, and it was best to avoid the subject, or risk starting a fight.
The sound of snow being crunched underpaw alerted them to the presence of their father, making his way over from the house. Entering through the opening, he smiled as he saw his two sons working away in there.
"So this is where you two have been hiding? You know, the idea of a day of is to…"
"Take the day off" they all said in unison.
Looking down, winking mischievously at his brother Jiang said, a slight note of mock reproach in his voice.
"Well, the house was otherwise occupied sooo…"
He didn't know if it was the heat of the forge, but suddenly, Jun felt very uncomfortable. His father on the other hand didn't seem to mind much, only clearing his throat awkwardly before going over to inspect Jiang's work.
"You don't say. You know, maybe it's time you got a girlfriend yourself, you seem to have way too much time on your hands if you have time to make something like this with all the work I give you."
His brother scoffed at that, starting to pack away his tools and cleaning up. Their father nodded towards the house.
"Come on, food is almost ready."
Packing up his own thing, Jun helped his brother clean the rest of the workshop before going down to wash his arms and his face in the cold stream, before rushing back into the house.
Entering his home, he was immediately hit by the smell of his mother's cooking, making his stomach grumble in delight. He sat down at the table, occupying the short side next to his brother.
The whole family assembled, his mother started handing out bowls of soup to each of them, a plate of dumpling and bean buns taking up center position on the table. Having been raised to respect his elders, Jun, to the great dismay of his stomach, waited till after his parents and his brother had taken their first portion of dumplings before taking some for himself, stuffing one of the buns into his pocket for later when he thought no one was looking.
Listening with half an ear to the conversation around the table, he began thinking about trying to design a way to make a couple of his targets move. Sometimes Bo, one of the village boys a year younger than himself who had been happy to pitch for him, would accompany Jun to go shooting, having made archery something of a hobby himself, but over the last few months he had lost interest and Jun didn't know anyone else who would like to come along.
He was going over several ideas on how to make a sort of small catapult, having seen one on a poster in Town, that would pitch for him. He was considering acquiring Jiang's assistance with crafting the more delicate parts of the mechanism when he was rudely brought back to the table by his brother kicking him in the shins.
He started, bringing his feet under his stool to protect them from further attacks, giving his brother a mean look before realizing that they were all looking at him, amusement written on their faces.
"Welcome back to the mortal realm son. For a moment there we feared that you had left your body behind."
Playing awkwardly with a piece of cabbage floating around in his soup, he made a somewhat halfhearted apology.
"Sorry, I was thinking about… Stuff. Did you say anything?"
His father shifted his gaze over to his mother who looked at her son with a knowing smile.
"Someone in particular you were thinking about?"
He winced, why did they always have to misconstrue his words like that.
"No it's not like that it was just... Stuff."
Apparently, either satisfied with the answer, or her maternal instincts knowing not to press her cub further or risk him refusing to divulge any information at a later point, she changed the subject.
"Anyway, we were talking about what to get you for your birthday."
His ears perked up at that, he hadn't realized it was so late in the year already. Out here, especially in the winter, the days seemed to flow together.
Doing some quick math, backtracking from the last full moon and taking into account a day or two of miscounting, he realized that it was about two weeks till his birthday.
"It will fall quite close to the new year this time. We could… you know. Just wait till then to do something?"
He suggested it lightly, trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal for him to be turning fourteen. But also, he didn't want his parents to go too much out of the way. During the winter, they all had to make some considerations, not knowing when the thaw came. They had plenty of food, but should the snows last for long out of season, as it seemed it would do this year, then they would have to tighten the belt a little.
His father shrugged, playing it off as no big deal, but his mother looked positively outraged.
"Of course we are going to celebrate your birthday. We will do it just the way we use to. You'll have the day off, I'll cook your favorite meal, we'll have to see about getting some candy this year…"
Trailing off, it seemed that she was already making preparations in her mind, thinking of ways to make the day special.
Jun didn't mind. In truth, his mother loved fuzzing over her two cubs, even though Jiang resented being called a cub, and generally went out of her way to make them feel special on their birthday. A task she managed well most of the other days of the year as well.
Still, wanting to divert some of the attention away from himself again, he quietly interjected.
"I was down in the village earlier. Seems that the Lee family is moving."
That silenced everyone for a short while, his father, a bun halfway up to his mouth was the first to recover.
"Well, that explained why he was so anxious to settle his accounts yesterday. Can't say I blame them. Did they say where they were going?"
Jun shrugged slightly, remembering back.
"I think Chun said something about going to live with some of her family."
A low growl escaped Jiang's throat, startling Jun, and drawing the attention of his parents.
"It's not right. Everyone is just leaving. We should arm ourselves, make a militia. If those bandits show up, we'll show them."
His father shook his head, putting away his now empty bowl.
"I don't think you appreciate how dangerous they are. They have experience, training, and they'll feel no remorse about killing defenseless villagers, let alone armed ones."
Jiang scoffed, crossing his arms.
"I have no problem killing them right back. If they come here, we'll defend the village, unlike those cowards who just up's and leaves, only thinking of themselves."
His parents glanced at each other, his mother placing her paw atop his fathers. He glanced at her, the angle hiding his face from Jun, before he turned, as best he could, to look at both him and his brother.
"Actually, your mother and I, we were considering… That is, we have decided it might be best to move."
At this, Jun felt as if his heart skipped several beats. Jiang looked as if he had just been told that the forge had burned down, and that he would have to take up singing as a new profession.
"WHAT!"
His father sat up straighter, placing both his paws on the table and facing Jiang directly.
"We talked it over, and we have decided that perhaps it is best that we move to somewhere closer to the City. Maybe Baoging. They are only two day's travel from Gongmen, and last I heard, the local smith had retired and no one had replaced him."
His mother leaned over to put a calming paw on Jiangs shoulder, before softly adding.
"Jiang, you know both me and your father, we are not as young as we once was, and these trips to town are getting harder and harder."
Still with one of her hands placed on each of the older males in the family she turned so she could look at both of her children.
"And just think, you'll meet new people, and we might even make our own shop. Baoging is a large town, none of us would have to travel to buy or sell, and we wouldn't risk being snowed in every winter."
In truth, Jun didn't need much convincing. He liked the idea, mainly because it meant some excitement, some adventure, but Jiang on the other hand seemed to resent it with every fiber of his being.
Springing to his feet, knocking his chair to the floor, he gestured with his open paw towards the house.
"But this is where we live! This is where we've always lived! We can't just give it up because some mangy wolves start harassing a few farms!"
His father got to his feet, standing tall and looking his son straight in the eyes, he crossed his arms, his voice deep and steady.
"And when we move to Baoging, we'll make a life there. Trust me son, it's better than to pick a fight with these people."
But Jiang wasn't listening, and Jun could see that he wasn't going to let it drop. Leaning on the table with his left paw, he inched his face closer to that of their father.
"So you are just going to roll over for them? Be a good little dog and let them get away with scaring good people from their homes? You might leave. You might refuse to fight for your home. But I'm. staying. Here!"
He underlined each of the last words by jabbing his finger into the hard wood of the table.
Jun could see his father growing angry and, matching his son's stance, he too drew closer so that their noses were just inches from each other.
"Don't be stupid! You want to be a hero? You want to go out and take them on? They'll kill you. And because you stood up to them, they'll take revenge on everybody in the village!"
His brother sneered.
"Me? I'm stupid? Well I would rather be stupid than a coward!"
Jun gasped, suddenly feeling very small siting between the two, much larger men, he drew away from the table, sure that they would come to blows, desperate to stop them, but not knowing how.
A deep growl escaped his father, sounding angrier than anything he had ever heard before, he seemed ready to lash out, his claws scrapping against the surface of the table where he was digging them in to keep control of himself. But suddenly, he seemed to deflate and, slowly, took a step back, exhaling heavily.
That was when Jun noticed his mother, standing next to her husband, one paw soothingly stroking his back, the other, holding on to his arm, while she directed a stern, but sad look towards his brother who, suddenly recalling where he was, and who he was talking to, seemed to calm down a little as well.
"You don't think your father and I know what we are talking about? What kind of people they are? What they are capable of?"
Her words were softly spoken, but nevertheless still carried a huge weight. Hearing the saddened tone of her voice, both Jun and his brother looked at her concerned. Their father turned around, protectively putting his left arm around her, before he said, his voice now once again calm and collected.
"We came to this village twenty years ago, looking to rebuild our lives. If need be, we can do it again somewhere else. But I'm not going to seek a fight with these people. If there is one thing I know, it's that nothing good ever comes out of killing others."
Then, planting a kiss on his wife's forehead, he suddenly turned around, and walked out the door, brushing past Jiang who stood motionless, looking at his feet. From where he was standing, Jun could see the silhouette of their father, walking down towards the village, plowing through the fresh snow that had started to fall while they were sat eating their dinner.
A few short seconds later, Jiang announced that he was going to work in the forge, before he too departed, leaving Jun and his mother alone.
Helping her clean up after dinner, Jun tried to wrap his head around what he had just heard and, not able to make sense of it, asked his mother what they had meant with 'rebuilding their lives again'?
She had refused to answer, stating that 'He would know when the time was right'.
Several hours passed, and since neither his Jiang or his father returned, he was forced to go to bed, the matter, unresolved. Tossing and turning, trying to force himself to sleep, he found the same thought kept him awake. What had his dad meant? Why had they had to 'rebuild' their lives?
Thinking things through, it suddenly struck him as obvious that his parents hadn't lived their entire lives in the village. They were the only tigers there! Of course he had, when he had been younger, asked about his grandparents, but had just been told that they had 'passed on' or 'lived somewhere far away'. But he had always just taken for granted that his family lived in the village, just assuming that his dad had maybe met his mother when he was serving the emperor, and had brought her back her.
But now, thinking things through, it became increasingly clear that they both had had to come from somewhere else, and had only recently, recently being a relative term, moved here.
Apparently, his brother hadn't known about it, or maybe he was just a better actor than Jun gave him credit, the fact remained that he had suddenly become aware, that there was a huge gap in his knowledge about his family history.
Those thoughts kept him from sleep long into the night before the exhaustion of the day finally crept up on him and he, still wondering why his family had ended up there, drifted off to sleep.
It had been four days since the fight and things were still a little awkward around the house. His dad and Jiang would spend all day in the forge, only talking to each other about the work they were doing. Otherwise, they stayed silent, both perhaps unwilling to be the first to talk, or maybe because they really had nothing to say to each other that didn't sound hollow and forced.
Jun too suffered under this. Forced to endure long hours of sitting in the forge, usually filled with the taunting voices and jeers that they all made at each other, with hardly a word spoken was grueling, boring and the constant feeling of treading on eggshells grated on his nerves, making his fuse just as short as the others.
Throughout it all, his mother managed to keep the peace in the small household, acting as a mediator and making sure that everyone got some much needed space. If all else failed, she proved imaginative, coming up with 'urgent chores' that required the hand of one or the other of the warring parties in the house. That these chores left them all more exhausted than ever, and way too tired to continue fighting, was most likely the main objective. But even so, Jun had to admit, that the house and the workshop had never looked better.
And so, it was on the fifth day, walking into the workshop after having spent the better part of the morning settling his account, paying his debt and returning the commissions of the villagers, that their father made the announcement.
"I've talked to Huang, and he has agreed to sell us his cart. I have settled our businesses, and I told Guo yesterday about us moving. As soon as the spring thaws hits, I'll travel to Baoging and see about getting us a house. Then, when I return, we'll leave."
Jun looked up, ready to try and head off any real arguments that might rise. He nervously glanced over at his brother, awaiting his response. Jiang at first acted like he hadn't heard. Then after a couple of seconds, he angrily tossed the hammer he had been using onto the table, creating quite a noticeable dent, before he, arms crossed, his back turned to their father, addressed the opposite wall.
"So that's it then? We really are just going to abandon all these people?"
His voice filled with a mixture of emotions, most notably anger. But also something else that sounded like resignation.
His father sighed heavily, spreading out his arms gesturing to both of them.
"You knew this was going to happen."
Jun, who had now completely stopped working on sharpening a set of knives and axes, looked back and forth between the two, considering if this was the sign that he should step in.
Jiang kept staring at the wall, seeming to think about something before he turned around, looking their father in his eyes and said, his voice steady and calm.
"You know, I could just stay. I'm old enough now to make my own decision, I'm not a cub anymore. If I decided to remain, you couldn't stop me."
It wasn't voiced as a challenge, more as a statement of fact. For a moment his father looked lost for words. Jun waited for him to say something, but he only started to walk around the forge, inspecting some of the projects that was waiting for some finishing touches. Swords, spearheads, axes, tools and the odd metal figurine. Many of them made by his own hand, but a good deal more made by Jiang, his skill beginning to surpass that of their father.
He ran a paw over an especially beautiful sword that Jun knew that his brother had spent many long days perfecting, even going so far as to make the pommel and hilt resemble two dragons intertwined, each of their heads making up one half of the guard, their lower bodies turning into the hilt, their tails making a round pommel.
He then turned around, his eyes locking on Jiang's. His lips formed into a sad, but proud smile.
"You are right. You are not a cub anymore. You are a grown man."
He took down the sword, admiring it, feeling its balance and checking its weight.
"You have been a man for a long time, but I haven't been acting like it."
Replacing the sword, he walked over and gently pulled his oldest son into a loving embrace. When he broke it, Jun thought he saw tears at the edge of his eyes. The look on his brother's face told him that this was the last thing he had expected to happen.
"I can't force you to come along. I won't. I'll just ask you, as one man to another, if you would consider it. I know that you feel responsible for this village, but please, just… Think about it."
And with that, he turned and left, walking back towards the village, leaving both of them stunned. Jun sat and starred after him, not really knowing what to say or do now.
"wow…"
The word was out before he knew he had said it, seemingly ringing around the forge that was suddenly very silent.
"Yeah… Wow."
Jiang still stood, arms hanging loosely down his sides, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Suddenly, he turned around, rubbing at his eyes with his left paw.
"Jun, you mind doing something else a few minutes? I need to think for a while."
Nodding, understanding that he needed some space, he quickly placed the tools he had been working with on the table and made a quick exit.
Stepping out, he noticed that the weather, having been horrible for most of the past week, was finally clearing up a bit. The sun was shining from a sky that was finally free of the dark clouds that had been punishing them with a thick drizzle of snow, its rays reflecting off the sparkling snow. Although it was still bitterly cold, Jun Took it as a good sign for things to come. Sniffing, he caught the scent of food being prepared, and decided to go see if there was anything to eat in the kitchen.
Walking inside, he saw his mother working in the kitchen, while he could hear his father clattering around in the room he shared with her.
He went over to see what she was making, since it smelled delicious, and to his delight it seemed that it was noodles. Seeing him approach, and probably knowing the mind of her youngest, she reached up and grabbed a plate with some bean-buns and put them on the table in front of him.
"If you are hungry you mind helping me by eating these? They are about to go bad."
He shoved most of one of the dry buns in his mouth as way of an answer, his mouth bulging with the dough. His mother tsk and gave him a disapproving look.
"With manners like that people would think you had been raced in the wild."
He shrugged, managing to swallow most of it before lamenting.
"But I was hungry."
This only earned him another reprimand.
"And no talking with your mouth full!"
Knowing better than to answer back, he just settled with taking smaller bites, which seemed to make her happy, but did not mollify her enough to let her simply let him leave. She put down a knife and some vegetables in front of him, nodding her head at the pot, now simmering slightly over the stove.
Thinking that at least it was better than being made to scrub the floor of the house again, already having done that twice this week, he did not protest but simply resigned himself to eating in between slicing the greenery.
After a while, his father emerged from where he had been hiding, carrying what seemed to be a list of some sort.
He looked thoughtful before, a sharpened piece of coal in his hand, he crossed of something or other.
"Darling, do you remember if Chin Da ever paid for that…"
He was interrupted by a load slow knock on the door. Jun, still holding the knife and a bean bun, began moving towards it to open it, but his dad waved him off, putting aside the list and went to see for himself.
Opening the door, his father had to look up before meeting their visitor's eyes, he stood still for a moment, before he stepped aside, gesturing with his paw.
"Oh, come in Guo, take a seat. I think I know why you are here."
The large Ox, having to stoop to fit his frame under the door that, truthfully, was a tight fit for the large man, nodded at his father.
"Thank you Rong, hello Shu, nice to see you. Hey Jun."
He smiled as he greeted each of them in turn, before taking a seat on one of the chairs that creaked ominously under his weight, his mother bringing him a cup of tea that she seemed to procure from thin air, before she returned to supervise Jun, while continuing with the noodles.
"If you think I'm here to try and talk you out of moving, you are wrong. It's your decision, your choice, I won't force anyone to stay."
His dad looked surprised for a moment, before quickly regaining his composure.
"Oh, then to what do we owe the pleasure?"
Guo, taking a sip from the tea in front of him, and making a satisfied sound as the warm brew entered his system, gently nodded towards the door.
"I'm going up to the grove. You know, the one over by Ning's farm. A lot of the villagers need some of the timber for projects and I didn't have time to fill up the stores this year. I need some help cutting it down and taking it to the village, and with the break in the weather I figured now is the time to do it. Of course, I'll pay for the trouble."
Gao, by far the biggest resident in the village, usually worked as a lumberjack. His great size and strength allowing him to work the wood and drag it from the nearby groves and forests into town, the different craftsmen being very particular about the size of the block they needed sometimes. However, it wasn't always a one-man job and in a village populated by sheep, geese and pigs, he would sometimes enlist the help of his older brother or father, all of them possessing great strength compared to the other villagers.
His father looked to consider it for a moment, then glancing over at the list he had been reading earlier, he shook his head slightly.
"I'm sorry Guo, both me and Jiang just have to much to do today, but maybe Jun could help?"
At the mention of his name Jun, who had previously tried to appear deeply interested in his task chopping vegetables, turned slightly around so that he could look at the adults. Guo too, turned his gaze towards him, eyeing him appraisingly. His father went on.
"He is strong enough to help, and he's a good worker, I guaranty that."
He gestured for Jun to come closer, which he did, putting down the knife and wiping his paws off on his trousers.
Guo looked him up and down one more time before he, grunting, finished his tea.
"Well, sure looks strong enough. What do you say Jun, wanna give me a hand?"
Jun nodded, he was more than willing to assist the ox in his task, it would do him some good with some fresh air, and besides, he could use a little time away from the house. A little alone time. Or, at least some time away from the others. Guo stood up, looking satisfied.
"Good, always happy to get a hand from the Xun family, you know about hard work. Meet me down by my house, bring some warm clothes, I'll bring tools."
Nodding to his father, and thanking his mother for the tea, he turned and left, squeezing back out through the door. Once he had gone, his dad turned to him, making a shooing motion.
"Quickly now, he doesn't like when people are late. And remember, you address him as sir, or mister Han."
'Really, they didn't think he knew how to behave in public? How old did they think he was?'
Jun just nodded and went to his room and put on his coat, he went back out and made to leave before his mother called after him.
"You are not leaving the house like that! It's freezing out there!"
Standing with his back to her, he risked rolling his eyes before turning, going back and putting on a grey buff and throw the cloak he usually wore when he travelled with his father over his shoulders. he walked over to her, awaiting her approval, half tempted to have put on half his wardrobe if he didn't think she would make him wear it.
She handed him a couple of the buns, which he stuffed into a pocket, before adjusting his cloak, she quickly licked her finger and brushed away a spot of dirt on his cheek, making him draw away sharply.
"Mom!"
He wiped of his chin on his arm, and left, while she shouted after him.
"Remember, be polite!"
Closing the door, he gave a deep, weary sigh before heading down towards the village.
'Honestly, I'm almost fourteen, but they still treat me like a little cub'
An icy wind hit him in the face, the cold leaching the heat from his skin, forced him to pull up his hood and draw his scarf up all the way to his eyes.
'Alright, so maybe it is a little colder than I anticipated.'
Working in the forge all day, running back and forth between the house and the workshop, it was easy to forget just how cold it was when one spent more than a few seconds outside at a time.
Picking up his pace, he walked through the rut that Guo had ploughed through the snow in his trip back and forth from the village, finding it easier than blazing his own path through the snow. It didn't take long before he reached the village foreman's house, a four wheeled cart standing outside, a multitude of tools piled into it.
He had just reached it when Guo steeped out, now wearing some clothes quite similar to Jun's own, although a few sizes larger of course.
"Well, it's nice to see that you don't waste time."
He nodded towards the cart, but when Jun made to start pulling it, he gently pushed him away.
"Hold on kid, I'm not that old yet, although I appreciate the enthusiasm. I'll pull the cart there. Be plenty of time for you earn your keep."
Jun nodded, making sure to speak clearly through the scarf so that it didn't muffle his voice too much.
"Yes Mr. Han. What exactly am I going to be doing if you don't mind me asking sir?"
It was hard to tell with all the clothes, but it almost looked like Guo winched.
"No need for all that. Just call me Guo. And concerning what you'll be doing, it's easier just to show you."
Thinking that that made sense, he just followed after the large ox, answering the occasional question about his family, about their future plans and what he intended to do later.
Taking notice of where they were going, he felt more than saw that the terrain seemed to slope slightly as they walked down through the valley, the opposite direction he usually went when he had to travel to the town.
The village grew smaller behind them as they passed various small farmhouses, smoke trailing out of chimneys showing that they were indeed occupied, and as they drew closer to their destination, the open farmland that dominated the lower end of the valley gave way to more and more dense forest, thankfully shielding them from the wind.
"I'm guessing that you are looking forward to moving. Must be kinda boring her for a young one like yourself."
Jun thought about it for a moment, not wanting to sound too enthusiastic about leaving, but having no intention of lying.
"I think it's going to be an adventure. We'll be close to Gongmen, maybe I could even travel there and see it."
Guo nodded at that.
"It's a beautiful city alright, and the fireworks are definably worth seeing."
Jun perked up at that, suddenly remembering that Guo had been to Gongmen city more than a few times.
"What's it like? I have never been anywhere larger than Gonjang, but I don't think it's the same thing."
Guo laughed at that, the sound resembling more a rockslide than a man who was amused.
"No kid, they are not the same. Gongmen is huge, the biggest city I've ever seen. Definably worth visiting."
Suddenly, Guo went off to the side, drawing the cart with him down a side trail that they followed for a little while before coming up to a small clearing, tree-stumps making small bumps under the layer of snow. Jun could see a deep pit had been dug in the middle of the clearing, easily four meters long, two wide and easily three deep, a thick, flat piece of wood placed at each end.
Guo explained the work.
"Alright, here it is. We cut down a tree, de-branch it, drag it to the pit, one of us goes in and work the other end of the tandem saw. We make the timber nice and square, cutting away the sides, put it on the cart, and when we have enough, we go back. Easy as can be."
Jun glanced at the trees around him, noticing that the vast majority of them were much too wide for him to be able to get his hands around. But, his pride prevented him from commenting on it, refusing to show weakness when he hadn't even begun the work yet.
He simply nodded and Guo, seeing there were no questions, removed the tools from the cart.
"Let's get to it then.
The work proved to be much more arduous than even his most pessimistic predictions had foreseen. True, it was easy enough cutting the trees down and cutting of all the branches. But then, after sawing them into length no more than six meters long, it proved a struggle of gargantuan proportions pushing it into alignment with the pit, before they rolled the timber into position.
Then, one of them jumping into the pit, while the other stood, straddling the edge and the tree, they would begin sawing. It took a while before Jun learned to work with the rhythm that Guo patiently taught him, but even when he had, his muscles and back still ached and complained with the strain and the awkward position.
Jun had considered himself inured to hard labor, being used to work with his father and brother in the forge all day, and his mother finding plenty of work in the house the days he didn't, but this proved to be an altogether different kind of work. laboring with the saw and the wood took a whole different kind of muscle set, and he soon felt his hands blistering and cracking. Something they hadn't done in a long time.
But he refused to show weakness. For some reason he found it very important to him that Guo should think him tough, and that he showed that he was as valuable and dependable a worker as his father had made him out to be.
Slowly, beginning to get a feel for the work, he began working with the tree, not against it, letting the saw do most of the work. He learned to tie his scarf around his face when he was in the pit to keep sawdust from falling into his eyes, and he and Guo got better and better at predicting each other's moves, the movement of the saw growing fluid and fast.
Having shed most of his clothes, now standing in just his pants and a shirt, he still sweated profusely and was somehow gratified when he saw Guo, in a similar state of dress, was showing equal signs of the work affecting him.
Soon, there was a respectable pile on top of the cart, but Guo made no motion to stop the work, instead beginning a new pile besides it. Jun, not wanting to let him down, continued working right alongside him, sneaking in a few bites and a couple sips of water here and there.
Then, the sun beginning to ride quite low in the sky, Guo called a halt. Jun, relieved beyond words, jumped out of the pit, his powerful legs making the leap almost effortless. He walked over to the ox, about to confess that he didn't have the energy to continue anymore, but Guo beat him to it, sitting down heavily on a half-finished piece of timber, he drew out a piece of cloth and wiped his brow.
"Damn kid, your father wasn't lying when he said you were a hard worker."
Exhausted, Jun sat down next to him, watching his red, blistered paws as drops of blood ran between his fingers from where the blisters had burst. He winched. Experience told him that they were going to sting for days. Well, more than they hurt now anyway
Guo looked over at the cart, piled high with the pieces of timber.
"You up for helping me get the cart back to town? Then I think we'll call it a day."
Jun nodded, almost too tired to speak, dreading the long trip.
It proved a grueling journey back to the village. While Guo pulled the cart Jun pushed it from behind, really beginning to appreciate just how much a small incline could add to such a task.
His view blocked by the cart, he could only gauge their progress by markers in the terrain. When the trees started thinning, giving way to the snow-covered fields, he almost wanted to scream in frustration at their lack of progress. His arm felt like they were ready to fall off, he doubted that his back would ever be the same again, and he dearly lamented that he had ever agreed to do this.
Up ahead he could hear Guo grunting and straining as he dragged with all his might, while Jun pushed for all he was worth at the rear and slowly, the terrain started to flatten out, and the cart began rolling forward of its own volition. But still, the sun had set long before they made it back to Guo's house, both of them relieved that the ordeal was over. The moon shone bright from the cloudless sky, providing some light for them as they came to a halt.
Leaning back against the wall of his house, Guo ran his hand across his brow, wiping away the sweat while Jun was resting against the front of the wagon, his eyes closed, concentrating on his breathing, trying to ignore all is aching muscles.
After a few minutes, Guo decided he had had a long enough break and disappeared into his house, but before disappearing completely he called out through the open door.
"Wait just a minute kid, I've got something for you!"
It wasn't long before Jun heard the unmistakable sound of a fire being lit, and the soft orange glow that was visible though the open door seemed to confirm that.
After a few minutes' inactivity the cold had started to seep through Jun's clothing, and he was now becoming aware of just how much colder it was without the sun and the work keeping him warm. He was beginning to grow impatient, longing for a hot meal and a bed when the ox reappeared, holding a small bag in his hand.
He held it out to Jun who took it and was surprised to feel it's weight. Inside, several small coins clinked. He didn't have to count them to know there were a good deal more than what they had agreed on.
"Well can't say you didn't earn it. Plus a little extra for the effort. Might just come around again next time I need a hand. If you're up for it of course."
Jun nodded, a little dazed. He was glad that Guo recognized his hard work, but he didn't feel comfortable being giving an unearned reward.
"This is too much, I did the same work you did and we agreed on the pay before we started…"
Guo shook his head and held up his hand before interrupting.
"You earned it, besides, I reckon your mother will have my hide for keeping you this late. Maybe this way I get to live."
His lips spread in a grin at his own joke before he gave Jun a gently push towards his home.
"You better get home. I can handle the rest of the timber myself tomorrow, so you won't have to worry about me coming around. And again, thanks for the help. We'll make a woodsman out of you yet."
With that he closed the door, leaving Jun out in the cold. He gathered his cloak around him and hurried home, the moon providing plenty of light for him to navigate.
Walking through the door, he found his family sitting around the table, eating. They all looked up at him as he entered and threw off the extra layers of clothes, going over to sit heavily on his chair.
"Finally! I was about to send your father out to look for you. The sun went down ages ago."
He shrugged, gratefully grabbing the bowl of noodles he was offered, wincing as it scrapped against the raw skin of his blisters.
"We forgot the time is all. But we got a lot of work done. Mr. Han was very satisfied with the job."
He smiled despite himself, feeling quite pleased with his own effort. He gently put down the bag of yuan in front of his father. As the head of the household he was in charge of the money that they earned.
His father lifted it up, gauging its weight, looking slightly surprised.
"He must have been impressed with your effort if he paid you this much."
He glanced over at his mother a moment before pushing the bag back to Jun, smiling at the confusion he showed.
"You earned it, you keep it. I don't think we are quite so bad off that we need to steal our cub's wages."
Stunned, it took him a moment to realize that the bag was his. Normally they would all pool their money, they all had to contribute after all. But not this time it seemed. Grateful, and a little overwhelmed he gingerly grabbed it, again winching at the pain. This caught his mother's attention and she walked over to inspect her sons mangled hands, giving him a stern look.
"Look what you have done to yourself. Why didn't you say something?"
He tried to brush her off, but she stubbornly refused to let him go.
"It's just a few blisters. Nothing to worry about".
Oh please don't bring out the alcohol.
She walked over to a shelf, procuring a bottle of cloudy white liquid and a few rolls of bandage. Jun sighed, knowing what was about to happen. As she walked back and took up position in front of him, he obediently held out his paws, palms upwards. She sprinkled some of the liquid on the surface of his hands which he then rubbed together.
He fought as best he could, forcing his lips not to move, but a pained whimper still escaped him as the strong rice wine shot fire up through his blistered hands. When she was satisfied that he had rubbed it in sufficiently, she wrapped his hands in a thin layer of bandage. Warning him to keep them clean.
His brother, having stayed unusually silent through most of the evening, stood up and cleared his throat.
"I have made a decision."
His tone was solemn, but his voice was firm, earning him the unwavering attention of the three others. Taking a deep breath, he began.
"I have decided to come with you to Baoging."
He held up his paw to forestall any interruption that was about to erupt from their father, who had a look of joy on his face. Seeing that he would be allowed to continue, he went on.
"I'm still not convinced that this is the right course of action however. But, my duty to my family comes first."
He sat back down, allowing his parents a moment to consider what he had said. His mother looked happy but concerned, his father nodded at Jiang understandingly, but seemingly grateful.
"I'm glad that you made this decision son. It's important that we stick together at a time like this."
Jiang nodded unenthusiastically.
Jun was happy with his brother's decision. He felt a weight lift off of him that he hadn't known was there, fearing perhaps that Jiang would actually leave, or rather, that they would leave him, had proven a bigger concern than he had been aware of.
Now though he could feel everyone's mood improving. The pall that had hung over the household the last few days seemed to disappear, and despite most of the rest of the meal continuing in silence, it seemed that the others could also feel the change.
Finishing his meal, Jun made to stand and immediately felt his legs protesting the sudden weight put on them. He groaned inwardly.
'Oh I'm going to feel that tomorrow.'
Deciding that perhaps it was best to call it a day and go to bed, he bid the others good night, went to his room, crept under the covers, and almost immediately fell asleep.
