Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 180

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voyages
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Lam, Haidee - 14
“You don’t look like a Scholar.” Someone quietly interrupted my train of thought as my head whipped
around to face a boy of my own age. His hair was cleanly cut, but his mouth was downturned in disapproval
and his eyes were accusing. I rearranged my expression so I didn’t appear surprised, even though I was.
“I work for the crew,” I replied briskly, wrapping the cloak around me tightly. “What about you?”
The boy snickered, finding the idea outrageous. “Work for the crew? Any crew member would at least
require some muscle, but you don’t have any. Besides, you’re a girl, and girls don’t do manly jobs.”
My temper flared up as I recalled the miles that I had sprinted to be on this ship. To escape from my
arranged marriage and my filthy husband. “Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t do such jobs. Besides,
you don’t look so muscular yourself.”
The boy sighed, giving in to my retort. “You’d better get off before they catch you. The crew will be
arriving.”
I couldn’t go back, back to my family who had traditional beliefs and forced arranged marriages upon their
daughters. Instantly, my irritation for the boy vanished, leaving me trembling and exhausted. “I need to stay
here. I can’t go back.” The thought of my relatives’ fake smiles as I stood in my blood red gown left me
quaking in fear for what would happen if I chose to return home.
The boy pursed his lips slightly before crossing his arms. “What’s your name?”
“Jia,” I sighed. “What’s yours?”
“Kit,” He snapped. “Now follow me, and don’t attract any attention.”
I followed him with unsteady footsteps until we reached his room. He rotated his head twice before closing
the door with an audible thud.
“Where are we right now?” I questioned, taking in my surroundings. Rickety oak lined the walls and floors,
dimming the room to a comforting gloom. A scratchy handwoven mat was hastily placed against the bed
frame while a roll out mat leaned against the closet on my right. A tabletop on my left was scattered with
papers and diagrams, the reed yellow colour contrasting against the dark chocolate colour of the tabletop.
“You’re currently on Zheng He’s treasure fleet of his 3 rd voyage.” He paused before flitting his eyes to the
black cloak shrouding my figure. “People can’t know that you’re here. You have to remain hidden.”
“What about you?” I asked, fidgeting with my cloak. “Are you supposed to be here?”
“I work for the crew,” he snapped. “I need to be here.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, suddenly feeling meek.
“The crew is headed to Champa. However, we will be making stops at Siam, Malacca, Semudera, and
Ceylon.” His eyes flickered towards the door, his expression cautious and guarded. “If someone comes in,
hide in the closet. If they ask you of your whereabouts, tell them that you’re Kit’s maiden.”
“I refuse to be anyone’s maiden.” I shuddered at the thought of serving my future husband. “I belong to
myself and no one else.”
“Fine,” Kit snapped, his tone icy. “If you are so adamant about being independent, then stay cooped up in
this little room so no one will see you.” He then stormed out of the room as the door slammed shut.