"... my mother."
"Your mother?" you asked doubtfully. "But you don't
come from this time...... how did your mother have something like
that?"
"She was my foster mother," Tai explained. "She was the
one that saved me when I transferred from the future to Ancient China.
There was obviously something wrong with the time-machine, because
instead of orbing onto dry land I orbed into a river. While there was
a storm."
"Wow," you said, awed.
"And that was how I lost it too."
"I see. Now there's a whole new meaning to 'looking for a needle
in the ocean'!"
"I don't think I'll ever find it," Tai said quietly.
Suddenly, there was a yelp in the woods, quite near to where you guys
were.
"Who's that?" you said immediately, your whole body alert.
No one answered.
"Let's go and investigate," Tai Yang suggested.
You follow him into the woods, and spot a figure clothed in red and
carrying a cloth travel bag. The figure was sprawled on the leafy
forest ground - she had obviously tripped and fallen down.
You rush over to her, and help her up.
"Are you alright?" Tai Yang asked, concerned.
The girl burst into tears.
"It's alright, I'm fine," she sobbed onto her sleeve,
"but I really must get going now. If I don't hurry, they'll
realise what I've done and come and find me!"
"Who are you trying to hide from?"
"My papa wants me to marry this boy, but he's horrible! He's
spoilt and rude, the pampered prince of this rich family. Papa wants
me to marry him, because that way he'll have another person to help
him run his business - but I don't want to marry him!"
"But - where do you plan to go?" you asked. You were
somewhat astounded by this traditional girl who had the courage to go
against her father's will.
"I'm taking a ship to Quan Tau," she gabbled quickly,
dabbing at her face, "but it should be leaving in maybe less than
an hour and - and I don't know what to DO!"
You patted her shoulder comfortingly as a fresh wave of tears overcame
her again.
What should you do?
"It's just from my mother," he said, looking a little
embarrassed.
