Chapter 148: A Place to Judge

Zen walked back to the camp. His head was filled with questions and his pockets were empty. The questions swirling around in his head overweighed his anger to Shu Nan who dined and dashed.

Shibi leapt to his arms.

“Shibi?” he laughed but then frowned.

“He knows.”

“You were suppose to cover for me.” He said.

“He find out.”

Zen sighed. “Thanks for trying.”

Shibi walked to his shoulder. He got to the camp and Wang Ton was sitting, looking away. “Where were you?”

“In the town…”

“More peaches for Shibi?”

“Y-Yes,” he said.

He got to his feet and turned to him. “Where are they?”

“W-Well, I…”

“You can’t even lie.” He said. “Why were you in the town?” he snapped.

“It was important.”

“How?” he threw his hands in the air. “You know no one there! You know nothing!”

Shibi barred his fangs.

“Tell your vermin to back down.”

“DON’T-“ Zen said, his killing intent rising, “call Shibi vermin! You’re the vermin! Shibi doesn’t bad mouth the memory of my dead brother! He doesn’t hide behind masks like a coward! He doesn’t sleep with other peoples wives and runs away!”

“What? Only three people know about that. Who told yout?” Wang Ton said. “Answer me!”

“Shu Bua’s daughter, Shu Nan.”

“You met with Shu Bua’s people?” Ton said. “You fool! They’re poisoning you against me.”

“I’m no fool! I know about you!” Zen said. “You have no honour! You cannot tell me anything!”

There was silence as they both calmed down. Zen’s killing intent dies to nothing.

“You are a boy, with no place to judge me for my past.” Wang Ton said. “When I agreed to let you come it was at the agreement that you would follow my commands. You’ve proven you can’t, so tomorrow, I will be moving on and you will be staying here.”

“What?”

“I’ll contact Yin Bhiki to send a carriage over to take you to Goixi Academy.”

“But that will draw the Red Dragons to where we are.”

“I’ll risk it.” Ton said. “I’ve worked too long to get justice for my son to allow you to endanger it.”

“I want justice for my brother too!”

“I don’t doubt it ut your deluded to think you will get it how you want to.” He said. “Your overly inflated sense of honour inversely proportionate to your power. You will get yourself killed and you will achieve nothing if you don’t wisen up.” He sighed. “I’ll leave you with enough food to survive until your ride comes.”

Wang Ton returned to his.

Shibi looked at Zen sadly who looked defeated.`

Shu Nan looked at a big building with the symbol of a Brown Feather.

“This the closest you’ve been to this building, Shu Nan.” Zhi Fu said, walking up beside him.

“Zhi Fu.” She said, not taking her eyes off the Brown Fetaher Guild headquarters. “Greetings, Zhi Fu.”

“How is he?”

“Good, if not a little shaken.” Zhi Fu said

“And my my brother.”

“Oh, you know your brother.”

She remained quiet.

“I thought for sure you would attack him tonight.” Zhi Fu said. “You know, take what’s yours.”

She sat down. “Its strange Zhi Fu. All my life I’ve hated that man. You’ve alwaysbeen more of a father to me than him. You’ve always guided and adviced me.”

“Yes, that is because I love you and hate the way he treats you because… well you know.”

“Yes,” she said. She sat down. “I’ve always wanted what is mine but now, I don’t know.”

“What do you mean.” Zhi Fu said in worry.

“I’m not bound to anyone, especially Shu Bua.” She said. “I can persue my destiny, a destiny without revenge.”

“Are you saying what he did to you was right?” Zhi Fu shouted.

“No,” she said. “But maybe I should move on.” She laid back and stared at the stars. “Maybe I won’t. Who knows what destiny has in store for me.”