Freen's POV: A Perilous Escape and Tee's Secret
After we managed to escape from the guards that were chasing us, we were now heading to the Khao Yai Mountains (approximately 200 km northeast of Ayutthaya). Dense forests and rugged terrain made it an ideal hiding spot. As Mr. Lee said, we left the carriage 100 meters from here to avoid drawing attention to our whereabouts. The cover of darkness would provide us with the perfect opportunity to safely make our way through the treacherous terrain towards our destination.
"I can't believe Lord Nop could do such things as killing people," Miss Nam said in disbelief.
I just listened and didn't say anything, knowing from Nop's past actions that he was indeed capable of such things.
"I've been working for their family for almost my entire life. Are you sure about this?" Miss Nam asked Mr. Lee again.
"There's so much you don't know about your employers. Trust me, I've seen it firsthand," Mr. Lee replied.
There's something weird about this woman—the way she talks, the way she moves—something about her; it seems like she's not from here.
"In what part of Siam are you from, Tee?" I asked.
Tee's eyes darted nervously around us. "Uh, Chiang Mai... I mean, Ayutthaya."
Miss Nam's brow furrowed. "Your accent, your mannerisms... they're unfamiliar."
Tee forced a laugh. "Traveled extensively, that's all."
I exchanged a skeptical glance with Miss Nam. Something wasn't adding up.
"What year did you arrive in Ayutthaya?" Miss Nam pressed.
Tee hesitated before responding, "171...5?"
Mr. Lee turned to us. "Tee, we've known each other since childhood. Why conceal your past?"
"So, you were childhood friends? So she came from another country too?" Tee suddenly coughed, avoiding eye contact. "Yes, we were childhood friends. And yes, she came from another country as well." Miss Nam's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What country did you come from, Tee?" Tee hesitated once again before finally admitting, "I came from China."
"China, where is that?" We asked in unison.
Mr. Lee cleared his throat. "She means the Imperial China, the Qing Empire."
"Ah."
"Oh, a trader then? A lot of good silk was from Imperial China." Mr. Lee nodded, confirming, "Yes, my family was a trader in silk and other goods from Imperial China." Tee looked relieved that the truth was finally out.
"What happened to your family? How did you become a soldier?" Miss Nam interjected, curiosity evident in her voice. Tee's expression darkened slightly before she replied, "My family was killed during the Taiping Rebellion. I joined the army to seek revenge and protect others from suffering the same fate." We listened intently, captivated by Tee's story of tragedy and resilience.
Miss Nam's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Tee. Losing loved ones is unbearable."
Miss Nam placed a hand on Tee's shoulder. "Your courage inspires us."
I studied Tee's determined face, sensing authenticity. "I'm sorry we didn't trust you, Tee."
As we stood there, the forest grew quieter. Suddenly, twigs snapped.
Mr. Lee drew his dagger. "Get down!"
"Who goes there?" Mr. Lee demanded.
The figure slowly lowered its hood, revealing a young monk.
"Brothers and sisters, I mean no harm. I'm from Wat Khao Yai. We've been expecting you."
Tee's eyes narrowed. "Expecting us?"
The monk nodded. "Our abbot foresaw your arrival. Come, follow me."
Tee's POV: A Calculated Lie and Looming Threat
"What in the world did you do back there?" Mr. Lee said while we were walking behind them.
"What? It worked. They won't question my loyalty now," I replied confidently. Mr. Lee shook his head in disbelief.
"Am I good at acting? I saw you, you almost cried... hahaha..." I said with a smirk. Mr. Lee chuckled, "You might have a future in theater, but let's focus on the task at hand." I grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"But remember this might come back to you, Tee; sooner or later they will know you were lying." Mr. Lee's words hit me.
"And the Taiping Rebellion happened from 1850 to 1864. It was a massive civil war in China's Qing dynasty, led by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement. You just have to be thankful they happen to not know this." I turned pale hearing those words.
"Fuck."
Narrator's POV: Nop's Pursuit and the King's Warning
Meanwhile...
"What do you mean you lost them?!" Nop's voice echoed in the room.
"It seems like they knew we were onto them," the soldier in charge replied nervously. Nop's expression turned serious as he began to strategize his next move.
"They won't be far now. We need to act fast and stay one step ahead of them."
Nop's eyes narrowed. "Assemble the best trackers. I want Freen, Mr. Lee, and Miss Nam found before dawn."
Nop spread the map of the whole Siam to plot out the potential locations where they could be hiding. He knew time was of the essence, and failure was not an option.
The soldier bowed. "Yes, my lord."
Nop's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "Bring Freen to me alive. The others... eliminate them."
"We found their empty carriage, here, Lord Nop," the soldier in charge pointed at a location.
"Hmm... if you found this carriage here, there are only two possible directions they will definitely go." Nop picked up the compass and marked the map.
"It's either the mountains of Khao Yai or the banks of the Pa Sak River. We must split up and search both areas simultaneously," Nop commanded, his eyes filled with determination.
The soldier nodded in agreement, ready to carry out his orders without hesitation.
Nop's voice rose. "Captain, divide our men into two units. Lead one team to Khao Yai Mountains. I'll oversee the Pa Sak River search."
The captain bowed. "Yes, my lord."
Nop's gaze lingered on the map. "Inform me immediately upon sighting them." The captain departed, gathering his men.
Nop's thoughts turned to Freen. "You've evaded me for the last time," he whispered.
Just then, a servant entered. "My lord, a message from Ayutthaya's king."
The servant cleared his throat. "'Lord Nop, your actions are being monitored. Success will earn great reward, but failure...'"
Nop's face darkened. "Tell the king I won't fail."