Chapter Two: A Simple Request

The boat jerked slightly to a stop as it docked. Ting was waiting on the deck and walked onto the dock as soon as she was able. Walking into the streets of Gongmen City, the peahen admired how the city had changed since she had last been there, over twenty years ago. The buildings grew taller and brighter. More important structures grew larger and bustled with activity. Houses and apartments seemed to have multiplied since she had last visited.

She started walking toward the site of the Tower. She couldn't help but notice the looks she was getting from those she was passing by. The feeling of resentment pierced the air as if a late winter frost suddenly struck. Other travelers quickly moved away from her and hurried on to another street.

In spite of all this, Ting held her head high and refused to look to either side, determined to arrive at her destination.

She soon arrived at the Tower's gate and was surrounded by the antelope guards, each pointing a spear at her. Ting remained calm.

"I come with a request for Masters Ox and Croc," she told the guards.

"D-do you have an a-appointment?" one of the guards asked.

"Yes, I do," Ting answered, taking a scroll from her bag.

Another one of the guards cautiously inched forward and took the scroll Ting handed him before racing back to his position. He opened the scroll and read it quickly.

"Sorry, but it won't do," he told the peahen.

"Hmm," Ting replied. "There must be some misunderstanding. Are you worried that I'll do to them what he did to Master Flying Rhino? If that is the case, then you'll have no need to fear."

The guards remained adamant. Ting began to be annoyed, but she knew she had to remain peaceful, or her efforts would be for naught. Could they really be this cautious about every peafowl that comes their way?

Ting was about to say something when the gate doors swung open.

"Stand down," a deep voice boomed.

The guards immediately returned to their posts as Ox and Croc walked toward Ting. The peahen bowed to them.

"Our apologies for ze guards," Croc told her.

"They apparently don't know how to treat an honored guest," Ox said.

The guards refused to make eye contact.

"Oh, don't punish them," Ting said. "They were only doing their duty. Too well, perhaps."

"May we continue this conversation inside?" Ox asked.

"Of course."

"You want to rebuild ze Tower of Sacred Flame?" Croc asked, shocked.

"I can't say I'm surprised, Ting," Ox said. "I felt like we've just been waiting for someone to come and request the rebuild."

The three of them were in a small hut that was built in a corner of the Tower's yard. Even though the Tower no longer stood, Ox and Croc still had a city to protect. Small living quarters was better than none.

"But?" Ting asked. "I can sense something lingers on your mind."

"Ze people," Croc told her, "zey may not like having you coming in and doing whatever you want here."

"Please," Ting answered him, not fazed in the least, "I've dealt with worse racism than that. And once the Tower is built, I'll simply disappear and they won't have to worry about me again."

This intrigued the Masters.

"You'll just disappear?" Ox asked. "Why?"

"I just want to rebuild the Tower," Ting told him.

"Nothing else?" Croc asked.

"If you're asking about leadership," Ting said, "that isn't really my choice. If it was, I wouldn't change a thing."

There was a pause.

"You have our permission to rebuild the Tower," Ox said. "We will organize building crews and bring you the supplies you need. When do you need them?"

"As soon as possible," Ting told him.

"What's your rush?" Croc asked, surprised.

"I'm not rushed," Ting responded. "I just feel like Gongmen has had too much time without it. As long as it is gone, it remains a scar from Shen. And, the sooner I disappear, the sooner the public can calm down. As you implied, almost no one around here prefers the presence of peafowl anymore."

"The rebuild will start in two or three days," Ox said. "You're welcome to lodge here while the Tower is in progress."

"Thank you both," Ting said. "You're kindness is greatly appreciated."