Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 220

“Feiyan…is that…?”
“Oh, this?” She looked up temporarily to answer his question, and fingered the piece of jade hanging from
her sleeve. “It was a token to protect me. I have enough protection as it is, however, so I decided to give it
to you. You’ll need it for your journey.”
The once-admiral received it silently, remembering the choice he was forced to make between the two
stones and hesitated, but still pocketed it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Quick! Get into the boat. I have ordered maidservants to stock it with supplies, so you
should be safe for a while until you reach land.” Feiyan paused, before adding, “Contact me at once after
you are safe. When the time is right, we will meet again.” At that, she clasped his hand desperately. “Hurry,
before it’s too late!”
That was the last Zheng saw of her, or anyone, for that matter. Despite him being an excellent sailor, the
flimsy fishing boat couldn’t hold against the fury of nature, and a storm rocked the boat, before a wave that
night swallowed it whole and the man could see no more.
And thus was his tale of voyage and treasure. Zheng He stared out to sea, wondering about the fate of the
two women he had met on his travels, which he had already forgotten.
Alas, everything began with a memory…