40 The Road To Familiar Shores

The warm afternoon sun dappled its light through makeshift awnings as Chinua and Khawn through the bustling souk, filled with antiques and handicrafts. A vendor hawked brightly flashing the jewelry to passing crowd to Chinua and Khawn's left, his voice a booming chant that mingle with sharp laughter. 

To Chinua and Khawn's right, a hawker held a glistening silk scarf aloft in his left hand, letting the afternoon sun catch its vibrant threads. Then he quickly grabbed a handful of pearl necklaces, their surface glittering dazzlingly in the light, put them down, grabbed a handful of bracelets, and waved his fine jewelry and silk scarves to passers-by.

The dazzling cuff bangles caught Khawn's attention, and he quickly walked towards the hawker. Khawn's eyes were immediately drawn to a piece of jewelry on the edge—an exquisite silver bracelet with a beautifully cut blue gem in the center. He picked up the cuff bangle and smiled.

"Young man," the hawker said with a smile. "You have good eyes."

Khawn looked at the hawker. "How much?" he asked.

The hawker smiled brightly. "This silver cuff bangle itself cost ten pieces of silver to make," he said. "And this blue gem is a rare gem. Fifty silver coins." He looked at Khawn, realizing he could fool him.

Khawn opened his money bag. He found he didn't have fifty silver coins—only ten silver coins and two gold coins. He took out a gold coin. "I don't have fifty silver coins," he said. "Can I use this gold coin to buy the cuff bangle?"

"Of course," the hawker replied with a sly grin hidden beneath his bushy mustache. Smoothly, he took the gold coin from Khawn's hand.

Khawn turned, realizing he'd unknowingly left Chinua to visit the jewelry stall. He searched the open market with his eyes and finally spotted her not far away, talking to a female hawker. He walked quickly towards Chinua.

The hawker handed Chinua a wrapped package. Chinua thanked her and walked out of the market with Khawn.

Khawn looked at the large, neatly wrapped package in Chinua's hand. "What did you buy?" he asked.

"I saw four beautiful dresses," Chinua said. "In yellow, light green, blue, and red. So, I bought them."

"But Chinua," Khawn began, "you don't wear dresses."

Chinua stopped and looked at him. "I bought them for Yingzi," she said.

Khawn smiled, saying shyly, "I thought you'd finally decided to wear one."

Chinua sneered coldly. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, looking at him. "So, what did you buy?"

"I bought a silver cuff bangle," Khawn said, holding it up for her to see.

Chinua looked at it. "You know this cuff bangle is for a woman, right?" she asked.

Khawn nodded innocently.

"Then why did you buy it?" Chinua pressed.

Khawn blushed, realizing he'd said too much. "I just like the way it looks," he mumbled. He turned his head left and right, noticing how late it was. "It's time to go back to the inn. We have to get up early tomorrow." He quickened his pace and walked ahead of Chinua.

"Hey! Khawn!" Chinua yelled. "What's her name?" She saw he'd disappeared into the crowd. She giggled. "Or his name." She shook her head, slowly walking towards the inn while admiring the bustling street.

On the morning of the tenth day after returning from the south, Chinua found herself at a crossroads. She handed her last letter to Captain Yaman.

Yaman took the letter, stuffing it into his robe. He bowed slightly. "Chinua," he said, "I will definitely complete the task you give me."

Chinua smiled. "I never doubted you, Captain," she replied. "Traveling south with you this time was enjoyable. I'm sure we'll meet again."

Yaman smiled, took a step back, and gently bowed. "May you return safely to Pojin Village, Chinua."

"Your journey is longer than mine," Chinua said. "Be careful, Captain." Chinua and her men mounted their horses.

The sun had not yet broken through the clouds, and the morning mist still shrouded the soldiers at the intersection of the dirt road.

Chinua touched the reins and nodded silently to Captain Yaman and the soldiers standing by the road. She rode forward, followed by her eight subordinates. The rhythmic sound of hooves continued as they rode east, towards the horizon.

As Yaman watched Chinua and her men slowly disappear into the mist, the sound of their horses faded into the distance. He sighed. "For kindness shown and courage deep," he murmured. "Admiration I will keep. A silent nod, a heartfelt praise. You move through life in worthy ways." He sighed again. "May the spirit of our ancestors always watch over you."

On the fifth day, as the sun peeked over the morning horizon, casting different rays of light over the small mountaineering area, the mixed sounds of sheep braying and copper bells could be heard in the distance. Chinua and her eight subordinates were approaching the outskirt of Pojin Village.

They rode along the dirt road. From the distance, Chinua saw many white flocks of sheep grazing on the mountainside. From that distance, those white flocks looked like white clouds painted on the mountain.

Drystan breathed in the fresh mountain air. He exhaled with a smile. "There is no air so fresh as the air of Pojin Village," he said.

When they were almost at the intersection, Chinua stopped her horse and led it next to Zhi. She first untied the package on the horse's back and threw it to him.

"You don't have to come back to camp with us," Chinua said. "You've been away from home long enough. I bet your kids and parents must miss you." She paused. "See you in four days. If anything changes, I'll send Khawn to get you."

Zhi looked at the neatly wrapped package. "What is this?" he asked.

"New clothes," Chinua said with a smile, "bought for Yingzi."

"In four days, I'll come to camp," Zhi confirmed.

Chinua smiled at him and rode up the hill with the others, while Zhi rode straight towards the houses ahead.

Riding beside Chinua, Hye said, "You only brought a gift for Yingzi. Are you afraid others will be jealous?"

"Anyone jealous of a little girl should be punished," Chinua replied.

Hye laughed.

As they approached the barracks, soldiers were already conducting morning training on the ground.

"It seems Captain Haitao did a great job," Hye commented. He smiled and turned to look at Chinua. "You made the right decision keeping him with the soldiers."

Chinua smiled and turned to look at Salran Hill. She noticed houses had been built there, where none stood before. "Hye," she said, "it seems some new houses have been built at the foot of Salran Hill."

Hye turned to the left. "Huh... has Behrouz finally decided to abandon Salran Hill?" he questioned.

"We'll find out," Chinua said.

Chinua and the others rode down the hill toward the military camp. When they were almost at the front gate, Haitao came out to greet them.

"Welcome back," Haitao said with a smile. He noticed Zhi wasn't with them. "Where's Zhi?"

"I told him to go home," Chinua replied. "He'll be back in four days." Chinua got off her horse, and a soldier ran over, taking the leash. "Captain," she said, "I see a lot of newly built houses at the foot of Salran Hill."

"They're villagers from Ntxoo village," he sighed. "One day, Chief Behrouz brought these people here from Ntxoo Village. With help from the men of Salran Hill and the soldiers, we helped them build those houses."

"Are these villagers fleeing the floods from the south?" Chinua asked.

"Yes," Haitao replied. "Many said they would never go back south. They want to settle here permanently."

"How many are there?" Chinua asked.

"A lot," Haitao said. "More than two hundred households." He sighed. "We tried our best to give them a home."

"Although Pojin is large," Hye commented, "not all the land is suitable for farming and building houses. You're very good at improvising, Haitao."

Later that night, in her private tent, Chinua looked at a map of the eastern border of Hmagol. She was trying to figure out where to station troops or build watchtowers when her eyes fell on Nue-Li City. She hadn't been there, but she understood why the kingdoms of Hmagol and Gimsong would fight over a city half the size of Pojin Village. Just as she was getting ready for bed, the tent curtains were pushed open.

"I see your light is still on," Hye said. He looked towards Chinua, then saw the map of Nue-Li City on the table. "What are you doing?"

"I wonder why everyone wants to live in Nue-Li City but not here," Chinua said.

Hye smiled. "Who would want to live in a mountain range in the wasteland of Hmagol when they could live in a rich, modern city surrounded by gold and luxury?" He walked over and sat across from Chinua at the table.

Chinua smiled. "You're right," she said. "Most people would immediately choose a wealthy modern city over this wasteland."

Hye smiled again. "But I like this wasteland better than any wealthy city," he said. "Although it's not grand or luxurious, I'll be warmly embraced wherever I go. That's why I like it more. When I die, I want my ashes scattered here."

Chinua looked at him. "Hye," she said, "I want to build a columbarium."

Hye laughed. "Then it'll become the largest columbarium the world ever known!" he teased with a smile. "Of all the buildings you could build, why choose a columbarium?"

"I don't want my soldiers forgotten through time," Chinua explained. "I want people to remember those who fought for their freedom and the price they paid to gain it."

"You are so thoughtful," Hye said. "I'm sold." He chuckled.

"Since your hand-drawings are so good," Chinua said, "why don't you design one for me?"

"Where will you get the funds to build such a magnificent columbarium?" Hye asked.

"I have a lot of soldiers under me who can help," Chinua replied with a smile.

Hye broke into laughter. "Then your columbarium will probably be built of mud and collapse during every rainy season!" he said. He chuckled again and picked up the paintbrush. "Okay, please tell me how big you want your columbarium to be, or what you want it to contain."

Chinua began describing the columbarium she wanted to Hye, and he began writing down the details.