Episode Three

"Kai, I called you earlier but you just stood there and ignored me. Are you alright?" The worried look crosses Li Jen's face again.

Kai's smile flutters and his mouth open and close, wondering if he should tell Li Jen all that he saw and the strange feeling that took over his body, along with the mysterious voice he heard.

He reaches out and uses his thumb to caress Li Jen's cheek. He didn't like to see the beautiful woman that was standing in front of him, which he considered as his senior sister, sad or in this case worried for him. He likes to see the smile that would bring any man to his knees, and her smile that almost out shines the sun. So he did the best thing that would bring back that smile, and besides, maybe he had been hallucinating everything he saw because of all the bright colours the men were wearing.

   "Ah, I was just intrigued by the men over there." He pointed to where the twelve men were standing and talking to Li Jen's parents and her older brother, Li Jie.

Li Jen mouth forms in an O shape before her bright smile graced her lips once more.

"The Prospectors."

    "The what?" Kai asks, confused.

     "The Prospectors." Li Jen repeated again.

     "No, sorry. Never heard of them."

Li Jen only smiled at Kai's silliness, before taking his hand and leading him inside the palace and out onto a balcony where they can see all that is happening out onto the courtyard.

   "Li Jen, can you please tell me more about the prospectors." 

   "I will soon, but I wanted to give you this first." Kai looks away from the balcony, and turns to face Li Jen.

His face morphed into surprise, when he saw the beautifully wrapped box Li Jen is holding out to him.

    "Happy birthday Kai." Li Jen hugged him.

   "Y-you remembered." Tears formed in Kai's eyes. Tracing his fingers over the pattern of the beautiful gold and silver wrapping paper.

    "Don't I always remember your birthday." Li Jen laugh sweetly. Her small nose scrunch up in amusement.

She handed the gift to Kai, and walk over to the small marble top table at the far end of the balcony and sat down in one of the two chair around it. He gently took the wrapping paper off, afraid of damaging the elegant paper.

Kai gasp in delight when he saw the most spectacular dagger he had ever seen in his life. It's handle was made from the finest gems, and coated with gold and silver specs. It was aligned with two rubies and two emerald, both at the back and front of the handle. While the blade was made from the best metal, and has this white sheen to it. The dagger almost looked enchanted.

Kai took out the dagger, and ran the smooth blade over his palm.

   "Oh, be careful. It is very sharp." Li Jen gasp out in horror when she saw Kai's action.

   "Li Jen, it's beautiful. But why-"

   "I see you practice with mine everyday." Li Jen interrupted him, already know the question he was going to ask. "And never the less, I always see you watching the disciples, guards and warriors practice in the courtyard, and also that time you told Li Jie that one day you would want to be a warrior but he laugh." She use the back of her hand to brush a stray tear from Kai's cheek. "He told you that you will always be something common, mediocre even, because you aren't like us. But even though you might not get to charge with a sword one day, I wanted to give you this dagger as a reminder that you are special and brave. And you can do just about anything you set your mind to, whether that is to become a warrior or work in the stables the rest of your life. You are anything but mediocre Kai, and I will be so proud when you bring even the bravest of kings to their knees." 

Kai pouted before hugging Li Jen.

    "Li Jen, you are speaking like it's the last time we are going to see each other."

Li Jen smile and unwrapped her small frame from Kai almost small physique, and the smile turned into a small frown as she made her way back to the balcony and stare down into the crowd that had formed in the middle of the courtyard.

"Li Jen, are you alright ?" Kai question worriedly as he went and stood behind her, looking over her shoulder, trying to see what she is staring at. "Li Jen?" He called her again.

Li Jen turn to face him with a solemn look on her face.

   "Kai, I know it is your birthday. And it is wrong of me to ask you to grant me this wish-"

    "Oh Li Jen, I will do anything for you. You have done so much for me and I will always be in your debt." Kai bow.

      "I do all that I do for you Kai, because you are like a junior brother to me. So cunning and sweet at the same time. You remind me of the person I want to be, but is afraid to. The things that I do for you, I expect nothing in return. Expect for this one favor that I ask."

Kai nodded his head, and Li Jen swallowed hard before speaking.

     "Kai, we look so much alike."

    "Yes. The first time we met, I almost thought that we were related. But my heart sunk when mother told me that I am a half Korean descent. And furthermore, I have no sort of power.

    "My little Kai, you will always be my little brother. Whether blood or not. But for now, the favour that I ask, is for us to switch roles."

     "Switch roles?" Kai questioned confusingly. "What do you mean Li Jen?"

   "I want to switch lives with you for a day."