Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 168

I could hardly forget how my brother shouted at me that I was being overly emotional and protective. I will
never forget how our argument was so large scale, they had to move Yuanjun to another boat to prevent us
from having another argument, how he had yelled ‘I hate you’ at me as he was dragged to the next ship.
Xinjie looked at me. “It's natural to feel upset, Zhilan, and I know you're constantly stressed from being the
only female on board-” he started softly.
I suppose I was half glad that the guns went off then.
Loud gunshots suddenly sounded from all around and the sea surface suddenly lit up by golden yellow,
white hot flames. Sparks flew everywhere as vaguely familiar ships appeared.
“Chen Zuyi,” I breathed. Beside me, Xinjie stared at the new fleet blankly in shock.
I reacted quickly, running towards the cabin at the top, banging on the door. “Admiral Zheng! Please, Chen
Zuyi is back!”
My body moved on its own accord - this wasn't the first time I was the first to spot an attack, and I already
knew what to do. In no time, I had run down to the deck and gotten everyone on their feet, fully prepared.
I started to run to the starboard, but was stopped by our commander, Zheng He. “Zhilan- leave the battling
up to us. Your aim is deadly, the archers at the bow need a leader. They'll listen to you- you've proven
yourself so many times despite being only sixteen.”
Taken aback, I nodded, and Admiral Zheng disappeared into the mass of soldiers quickly as I hurried to the
bow. Half the battle passed in a blur of blood and the glint of metal weapons slashing against air. Despite all
the conflict below us, I concentrated on letting my arrows fly straight and true, hoping they hit their targets
accurately.
Then I noticed a soldier from the enemy jump behind a barrel and out of sight. Curiously, I told another
soldier to take over for a while before going over.
Our secret tunnel entrance. How could an enemy soldier have known?
Years of military training kicked in as I tiptoed down the tunnel, footsteps light as a feather. Staying on the
stairs, I could see the conference room, dimly lit with candles. I could hear a voice, saying-
“-victory. We didn't have done it without you.”
“My pleasure,” a familiar voice sounded, but I couldn't place my finger on where I had heard it before. “at
least… I'm doing something useful for you.”
No way… we had a mole?
That explained how they knew to attack now- we were going to leave first thing in the morning, and...
they knew about this tunnel.
But… why?
I felt a rush of anger in me, and I arched an arrow, aiming it at the source of the sound.
I let it go.
I knew it hit the target. I never missed.
I heard someone cry out and everyone rushing out of the tunnel, and I ran out, gluing my eyes to the
entrance as I watched comrades attack them as enemies streamed out.
And finally, a fellow comrade collapsing on the floor. I ran over, arrow pointed at him, but froze and
lowered it as he raised his head.