horses on terrain that had transitioned from lustrous sand to a rocky stretch. Moonlit shadows
pranced beside the horses, as if they were dancing to the rhythm of their hooves. Wei slowly tilted
his head up and glanced at the sky. There was still decent time left before the crack of dawn.
Behind him, the other men were in a trance, sleeping, yet dimly aware of their surroundings.
Now, Wei had time to ponder upon the task at hand. He had gained information that there had
been a conspiracy, to kill the King. He had been told that the winter palace was to be burnt down,
while the King was occupying it. Who would do such a thing? The winner in a battle prevails
because of his fighting, and not deception. Such an act of deception was not only cruel, but
unrighteous as well. He needed to reach the palace before dawn.
That morning’s sunrise presented itself as a breathtaking display of radiant colours. Bright
streaks of red, pink and orange radiated from the horizon, and slowly overcame the twilight sky.
Penetrated by golden shards of light the air slowly began to warm up. Wei had not been sleeping
– he had been waiting the whole journey, anxiously praying that disaster would be averted. One
of the bandits behind him shouted in an excited voice “We’re here!” Suddenly, Wei was alarmed.
He saw a sight in front of him, so peculiar that horror began to plague his veins. It seemed that
there were two suns on the horizon, one brighter than the other. No. The very thought of what
was happening forced fear into Wei’s mind. With a sharp movement he commanded his horse to
run forward. A high-pitched gallop resounded through the desert. Driven by greed the bandits
followed him, although reluctantly.
What had seemed like a second sun came closer and closer, until one could delineate the
object. Inside of his mind, Wei screamed. The palace was already alight, and most of it was ablaze.
With a rapid movement he got off his horse, and ran into the palace through what would have
been the main gate. I must find the king. What he feared might as well be very likely, but he
affirmed to himself, the king is still alive! The bandits behind him were also instilled with fear
and they held back, watching Wei, uncertain of what he was planning to do. Wearily, they turned
back. Uncaring of his own life he sprinted to the door ahead of him, and violently shoved it open.
What had once been the symbol of royalty was now smouldering. Wei was one of the king’s most
trusted men, and therefore he knew every corner of the Winter Palace. The king must be in his
chamber! His mind barked orders. He ran like prey from a predator. In front of him a fiery pillar
collapsed. The palace was falling apart, engulfed in a torrent of fire. He should be here, thought
Wei. His mind was racing. Across the chamber he saw a silhouette, laying on the ground. He
bolted towards it. Yes! Here he is! For a moment Wei was overcome with joy, but it quickly faded
away. The king was immobile, his eyes closed, and his face was lined with ash and dust. Around
him the fire grew in size, expressing it’s rage and knocking down the pillars that were holding the
palace together. On the left, the fire compromised a wall, opening up the entire side of the palace.
The thick, dark smoke that had built up exited the chamber, and allowed in light, apart from that
of the fire. Wei glanced at the opening. With a fluid yet brisk movement, he carried the king upon
his shoulder, and scampered out.
As soon as Wei once again saw the barren landscape in front of him, he lay the king on the
ground. His body was limp, and his face emotionless, with a look of death. Unblinking, Wei stared
at the King. No. No. No! I have failed! Thought Wei with both dread and panic. He grappled with
the small satchel on his waist, and retrieved a container of water. He opened it with haste, and
sprayed some of it on the vacuous face of his king. For a while, Wei remained there, waiting, and
terrified. As he continued staring, he noticed that the king’s eyes began to twitch.
Slowly, they opened.
