Chapter 164: The Casualties of war 4 (1/2)

The Southern borders

Hanriu looked around before running forward, as he ran into the bushes, he called out in loud whispers, ”Your highness! Your Highness!”

Zhongshan Ling looked towards his right as he heard his name being called, he stepped out from behind the tree when he saw that it was Hanriu. ”Here I am” he whispered.

Hanriu's looked toward the direction, he heard the Crown Prince's voice. His eyes fell on the hand Zhongshan Ling clutched to his chest, he gave Zhongshan Ling a thorough look down before running closer. He bowed at the Crown Prince, ”highness, I am here to take you to safety. While the others keep prince Du and his men entertained”.

Zhongshan Ling looked back, the men were still fighting heavily. They were now evenly matched, unlike much earlier. He turned back to Hanriu and nodded, ”lead the way”.

Hanriu glanced at the hand he clutched to his chest and pursed his lips, Zhongshan Ling followed his gaze down. ”I think a bone is broken, no need for first aid. We can take care of this when we are safe”.

”Your Highness, can you handle the pain. It must be uncomfortable running while holding your injured arm. I have a scarf, I can use it to hold your hands up. That is if you would like that” Hanriu brought out a dark blue scarf from inside his tunic and held it up to the Crown Prince.

Zhongshan Ling nodded, it was more practical to do that. Plus he wanted to be able to run easily without pulling them down. He couldn't possibly run fast while holding his hand up, it was smarter to follow Hanriu's suggestions. Hanriu put his sword into the sheath and spread out the scarf, he folded it into a slimline.

Then holding the Crown Prince's injured arm firmly to his chest. He tied the scarf around, the Crown Prince's injured hands and tied the other end of the scarf before hooking it over his neck and shoulder. ”Sorry your highness”, He said as the Crown Prince hissed silently. He stepped back when he was done and liked up.

”Are you comfortable, your Highness? If you are not, I could adjust the scarf a little_”

”No need, it is okay. Let us go” he whispered looking back to check if they were being followed but everyone was still busy fighting.

Hanriu nodded and pointed to a slim path by their left, ”this way, your highness. I will follow behind in case we are being followed”.

Zhongshan Ling nodded and ran through the path, they kept running. While looking back a few times to check if they were being followed but as far they weren't even after running for close to thirty minutes. Hanriu led him through a few turns through the forest, until they got to a wide field. They stopped by a tree to catch their breath and rear for a few minutes before they continued heading back to the watchtower.

Minutes later, when his heartbeat and breath somewhat settled, patting Hanriu on the shoulder Zhongshan Ling signalled that they should continue. They resumed tuning towards the watchtower, they ran for close to forty minutes. Zhongshan Looked through the forest and noticed that no familiar landmarks were in sight were indicating that they were getting closer to the watchtower.

They had been running for over an hour and a half, as far as he knew they should be getting closer to their destination but there wasn't a tower insight. He suddenly got a gut feeling that danger was up ahead but based on his long history and trust in Hanriu. He couldn't believe that he was betrayed but he was fully convinced of the betrayal as they came out at a small field with a well.

He turned around to Hanriu, ”this isn't the way to the watchtower, Hanriu. After all these years, why betray me?”