Tai woke up. His neck hurt. He had fallen asleep at his desk after he tried to do what Jingli had said to try. He sat there trying to do some complex math in his head. He looked at himself. His clothes were a mess. He got up and picked out of his wardrobe his University uniform. Loose pants and loose shirt made of cotton. Getting himself dressed he walked down to the formal dining room where the breakfast buffet was being set up. He got a plate and picked out what he wanted and sat down to eat. He ate quickly and handed the plate to the servant that past by. He walked to the door where a guard handed him his pack. Nodding at the guard in thanks, he walked out. A guard waited for him at the door. The Golden cat carried a bow and arrow, a short sword, and a dagger. The guard bowed low and introduced himself to Tai.

"Good day, sir, I am Shang. An archer for the Guard. Your father asked me if I can teach your archery after your studies. He also asked that I go with you to and from school. Perhaps he thought it will give you a bit of security."

Tai eyed the guard. He was dressed in the normal light armor of an archer. A half inch thick leather armor over the black tunic. His arms were bear, though he wore metal bracers and black gloves with holes at the end for his claws to extend in battle. He wore leather leggings that gave protection, yet still allowed him to move fluidly.

"Why didn't my dad send you earlier?"

Shang lowered his voice.

"The Council wouldn't approve it. I am here by your father's order only. He hopes that my presence will scare Curo away. If he still comes to fight, I will do as much as I can, but if I go too far, Curo will go to his father. You know how that would go."

Tai blinked. If that did happen, things would go badly indeed. It would be a direct violation from the Council resulting in the loss of his father's position and the death of Shang. Curo too was royalty, though his father wasn't as powerful as Kun. Curo's father had many of the Council at his back.

"Thank you ahead of time, Shang," said Tai.

Shang bowed.

"And you don't need to treat me like royalty outside the Palace walls. Treat me as a friend."

Shang smiled.

"That is why I serve the Shandian Household. They don't give into pompous ways of past leaders. Now let's get going! You know, I can't believe your still in school."

"I'm at the University," said Tai, defending himself.

"Oh, that kind of school. I was a bit confused when Lord Kun said school. I was thinking you were older."

Tai hesitated before continuing. "Yes, I am older." His age was something he was embarrassed about. Dropping the subject, the two felines walked to the University on the far side of the City.

The day went by quickly. Tai sat by himself like usual at the lunch hour, yet still felt jubilant. Waiting for his upcoming archery lessons with Shang and then going to library. School finally let out. Looking for Curo, he saw the rhino leaving for the Training grounds. He looked for Shang.

"Looking for me?"

Tai whirled. No one was behind him.

"Up here."

Standing on the roof was Shang. Jumping up, Shang back flipped off the roof and then twisted in the air to land right in front of Tai. Tai's eyes were wide and he marveled at the control the Golden cat had in the air.

"Come on; let's go pick you a bow."

Shang led Tai to the armory. The duo walked over to a section of the wall that held bows of numerous shapes and sizes. Reaching up, Shang picked one off the wall. It was a simple bow – nothing more than the standard of the army. Tai looked doubtful at Shang.

"Go on. I know the other bows look prettier and look more powerful, but you'll find it's just for show. This is the style I trained on. It won't fail you, guaranteed."

"You sound like a businessman," commented Tai.

"Ah, but I am. It's my business to teach you archery."

Shaking his head in exasperation, Tai took the bow. He had seen the Guard archers do it a lot, so he put his paws in the position he thought they were supposed to go.

"Not so fast. First, we gotta fit you with a bracer. Helps protect your wrists. Also, in the Guard, they can have some hidden weapons in them." Shang winked at Tai and took the bow out of Tai's paws. Standing behind Tai, he put the tiger's paws in the correct position – after putting on the bracer.

"Pull back on the bow."

Tai did so with ease. Shang shocked him by pulling the bow out of his grasp and grabbing another one.

"Try this one."

Tai did so with ease. Shang again switched out bows. Tai again pulled back on the bow. This time, it was much harder. Finally, he pulled it back to the correct position.

"Perfect!" exclaimed Shang. "Now, let's find you a long bow. These are bit harder to pull back on, but, they have much better range and accuracy."

Shang walked down the wall and selected a longbow.

"Pull back on it again."

Tai put the other bow down and pulled on this one. It was even harder than the one he had just put down.

"This….is….really hard!" panted Tai.

"Good! It'll build your strength." Shang looked at Tai's thin arms. They were nothing near the normal size of a tiger his age. "You'll need it. Now, I'll teach you how to pick your arrows."

Shang showed him how to select his arrows and they went to the range.

"Why is no one here?" asked Tai.

"Not many of the Master's use the bow. They prefer a hand-to-hand combat weapon, which is rather logical as that is what they trained for." Shang chuckled. "Nock an arrow, and let's get started."

Tai nocked an arrow and aimed at the target.

"Woah! Before you start, I gotta show you how to aim and fire before you start shooting arrows."

Shang then lectured Tai on how to shoot, reload, put away the bow, care for it, and aiming with it. To Tai, this was a class in school and he took it like it. Tai asked a few questions, but always listened, taking in everything his newfound friend said. Shang let Tai have a go, showing him were to look down and moving Tai's body so that way he was in a correct position. Tai let go. The arrow flew through the air. It struck the inner edges of the target, no where near the center. Tai was elated! He hadn't missed the target! Shang nodded his approval.

"Again. You have listened to me talk and talk about what to do, now, show me you took it all it."

Tai nodded a grin on his face. He nocked another arrow and fired. The arrow flew and struck the left side of the target. No where near the center, but closer than the first. All throughout the afternoon, Tai fired arrows from both the longbow and the normal bow. Shang motioned for Tai to stop three hours later.

"You must be tired. Let's go to that library you wanted to go to."

They packed up the bows. Shang started walking to the library.

"Aren't we going to return them?"

Shang looked back at Tai.

"They are yours now."

Tai put both bows on his back like Shang and caught up with him. Shang looked at Tai.

"So, you ever been in the library?"

"Nope," said Tai.

"Me either. I've heard it is a wonderful place. Filled with scrolls about almost anything you can imagine. Stories, techniques of fighting, and so much more."

"Yeah, it certainly seems to be an incredible place. So, what are you going to read first?"

"Nothing. I can't read or write," stated the Golden cat flatly. His expression was hard. "Soldiers are taught to accept orders and not to ask questions. We don't need to read. Our faith should be in the commander. We can barely read maps, in case we get lost, but other than that, soldiers cannot read." Shang's expression softened. "But I would love to learn."

"Let me teach you. I can grab a scroll that will help me and I can help you learn to read. It will help both of us."

"No. If anyone found out, I would not be allowed to fight anymore in the military. I would be cast out."

"Then I will stick up for you. You are risking your honor and neck as it is right now for me. I will help you. I will teach you."

Shang suddenly laughed.

"You are a bold one when it comes to learning and your friends. They are lucky to have you as a friend."

"I don't have friends," said Tai quietly.

"Oh. Well, I accept your offer, You Majesty."

"Don't call me that."

Shang winked.

"Deal."

The library was tall. It was two stories high and had pillars with books carved into them to make it appear as if the knowledge of the books was enough to hold up the building. The doors were smaller though, wide enough for four to pass through, but only seven feet tall. The inside was just as grand. The beams that held up the roof had intricate designs in them. The shelves were filled with books. The second story was mainly an overhang above the first floor where the main bulk of the books were kept. Two grand staircases led up to the overhangs. The guardrails had the shape of a long dragon going around the top of it, from one end to the other. The tiger and Golden cat marveled at the sight. Tai showed the Keeper his pass and told her that Shang was with him and they were admitted in. Tai walked with Shang to a section on arithmetic and history. Tai grabbed two smaller volumes, though they were among the most revered of mathematicians and historians. Shang followed to the top of the stairs and to a table at the back of the second floor. There, Tai began teaching Shang how to read and write. Shang struggled, yet Tai was patient. They made progress that day; Shang memorizing the characters with unbridled zealotry and Tai studying the complex equations and numbers that were presented in the scrolls.

It was dark when they left, but each was filled with a renewed energy. Tai was having one of the best days of his life. Shang also felt better, almost as if something that was missing had been found. They walked in silence, letting the cool breeze go through their fur. Both felt as if they had found a lifelong friend that had been missing for a long time.

"Let me introduce you to my friend Jingli. He owns a shop along this road."

"Actually, I can't. I'm on the Day Guard and have to be back at the barracks in like now, so I'll see you tomorrow."

Shang shook hands with Tai, and then ran off, trying to get back in time. Tai continued walking to Jingli's. Knocking on the door, Jingli answered it and bowed.

"What is the honor of royalty visiting my humble shop?"

"Just saying hello to an old friend."

"And old he is getting, no?" said Jingli with a chuckle. "You must have had a good day. No bruises, no new bumps, no long face either. Almost one that was, dare I say it, happy!"

Tai blinked his answer.

"It was the best day I have ever had in my life so far. I finally have a friend! After all these years! And he is a Guard, go figure. My father told him to escort me places, hoping his presence would frighten of Curo, though I doubt it. Still, it is nice. He is friendly and he took to me as a father would to a son, only, not. That would be weird." Tai's voice haltered as he stumbled on the analogy he used. After a second of silence, he started back up again, "He is one of the few who will call me friend, one who disregards my royalty and accepts me for who I am. He also seems to look past my, quote, nerd atmosphere."

Jingli nodded his approve at Tai's newfound friend. He looked at the bows on Tai's back.

"Have you taken up archery? I thought you didn't like violence?"

"I don't," replied Tai quickly. "My father thought it would help. Just as a sport. Nothing else. Something to take my mind of the day. Also, he showed me how to incorporate what I love into this. I can finally use math in something. My father also gave me a pass to the library, it is such a wonderful place."

Tai leaned back in the chair he had come to sit on while telling Jingli of his day.

"School went by as normal. But after that, nothing wrong seemed to happen. It was peaceful almost. Archery and then the library; and the library is incredible, scrolls everywhere, filling the shelves that reach to the roof! You would probably like it there."

Jingli looked at Tai. Then got up and went behind his check-out table. Lifting something heavy onto the table, he opened it. Reaching in, he pulled out an intricate quill pen. Next, he pulled out some parchment paper, some of the best quality Tai had ever seen. Finally, he pulled out two small glass jars shaped as water drops hitting the ground filled with ink.

"I ran across this awhile back. Someone probably had mixed up the order and didn't know where it went. Well, if they came to me, I could tell them, but they didn't! So, I kept the box. What was in the box you ask? I answer, what is right in front of you. A stack of the finest quality paper, a rather beautiful quill pen, and finally, the glass jars of ink. I didn't know what to do with it, other than not to sell it. So, I hid it."

"Why?"

"Well, it was too valuable to just put on the self. I didn't want to see this used for just number and figures for a business. It was my wife though that gave me the idea. She said if someone was willing enough to learn and happened to walk into my store, I should offer it to them. I laughed at the idea then, calling her crazy, but nonetheless I did what she said. It sat there. No one ever came with the description my wife gave me, so I never sold it."

Tai dipped his head down and looked at the crane. The crane didn't notice but kept on talking.

"I forgot about it. It wasn't until now that you come to me with the word library coming from your mouth that I remember this. So, Tai, I give this to you. No charge. Think of it as a celebration gift for today."

Tai put the things back in the box and shut the lid tightly.

"Thank you so much."

"Think nothing of it; you will use it more than anyone else in this city. Other than the Master Scholars perhaps…."

Jingli trailed off, staring into the distance. The crane blinked once then snapped back to attention.

"It is late and someone as old as I should get lots of sleep. I wish you a good night and a pleasant future!"

"And you," said Tai.

Tai looked up at the stars as he walked home.

"Thank you," he whispered to the stars. They twinkled back at him, almost as if saying, you're welcome.

Box in hand he walked into the Palace. He walked to his room and set the box down beside his desk. Taking everything out carefully, he placed the items in specific spots on his desk for quick access. Settling down in his chair, he picked up the quill pen and studied it. Its tip was like any normal tip, shaped for writing, but it was the feather that impressed him. Gold wrapped around the stalk of the pure white feather. Despite its older age, the feathers still were in good condition. A bit mangled, but other than that, everything seemed as it had been just made. The ink, he assumed was Jingli's doing. He probably filled the ink when he got the box. The paper was fine, but strong – unlike any paper he had seen. Dipping the quill into the ink, he started writing…