Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
That was what Xiang had been afraid of. How many years had the dragon left him tucked away in this cave? Had the dragon’s magic extended his life? Everything about him seemed human, other than that he was incredibly strong and could move without a sound. Sort of like a vampire. And yet, he radiated none of the magical energy that came with being a vampire.
“Fine. Then you can stay with my clan until you figure out what you want to do. But the reason you have for leaving is you. You deserve to have a life. A real life.”
The man huffed and shook his head. “You offer me asylum with your clan, and you don’t know if they still exist. I don’t want to discuss this any longer. I’m not going anywhere, and you’re not going anywhere so long as it’s the dragon’s will that you remain here.” Mr. No-Name paused and heaved a sigh. “But I will inquire as to whether the dragon can check on the well-being of your clan.”
Xiang remained undaunted. “Fine. What’s your name?”
“What?” Mr. No-Name’s head snapped around to glare at him. “I told you I don’t remember my name.”
“If you’ve forgotten your name, doesn’t that mean you could have also forgotten your people?”
“No.” He resumed walking, and Xiang remained on his heels.
“I’m Li Xiang, son of Li Guangli, and a member of the Sword of the Heavenly Garden Sect. I grew up in Chang’An prior to my father sending me to train at the sect. He wanted me to be better trained than the average minister’s son, so I could more easily rise to the position of general in the emperor’s army.”
His companion said nothing as he walked, but his head was cocked slightly toward Xiang as if he were trying to listen secretly despite his overall posture of indifference.
“As you’ve likely guessed, things didn’t go as my father had planned for me. Though I did serve the emperor in a way.”
Just not in a way any of us imagined…
Xiang shoved those old thoughts aside and pressed on. “If you won’t tell me your name, I guess I have no choice but to make one up for you.”
That forced Mr. No-Name’s feet to stop and turn to face Xiang. “Why must you call me anything?”
“You have to have a name!”
“No, I don’t. Not knowing my name has not ceased your endless chatter since I entered the cavern.”
“But I need something to call you. How else can I properly greet you when you come to see me?”
“Don’t greet me.”
“What about when I think about you? I need something to call you in my mind.”
“Don’t think about me either.”
At least annoying his keeper was proving to be a way to amuse himself. A grin spread across Xiang’s lips and he leaned toward his new target, his hands resting behind his back. “I think you look like a Bo. Maybe I should call you Bo. Or maybe Bobo.”
“That is not funny.”
“Why not? One of my martial brothers is Junjie, and we call him Jun-Jun. It’s a perfect fit. You definitely need to be Bobo.”
“I am not a Bobo! You will stop calling me that immediately!” Mr. No-Name hissed. His usually pale face flushed, and his eyes sparkled with his ire.
“Fine. Er-ge’s 3 name is Chen Bo Cheng. He also lost his mind when I tried to call him Bobo.” Xiang lifted one hand to his chin and rubbed it with his thumb and forefinger. “It might be confusing if both you and Chen Bo Cheng are Bo. How about Shen?”
Another glare.
“Qiao?”
“I’m beginning to believe your clan might be grateful to the dragon for stealing you away from them. I suspect they could use the break.”
Xiang gasped loudly. “Was that a joke? Did you honestly crack a joke at my expense?”
“No, I’m serious. You’re annoying, and you’ve probably annoyed your clan for years.”
Xiang pointed a finger at him. “True. How about Kai? Kai is an excellent name. Easy to say and remember.” The finger still pointed at his companion’s face moved to encompass all of him. “You look like a Kai.”
“Fine! Call me Kai. If it will stop your endless chatter, you may call me Kai,” he snapped, throwing up his hands. He stomped away from Xiang, who was biting his bottom lip to hold in his laughter. The newly christened Kai was so very easy to annoy. That meant he was probably easy to distract. It was only a matter of time before Kai slipped up and Xiang could sneak past him and out of this damn cage.
“I know I said the dragon doesn’t eat people, but he might make an exception for you,” Kai continued to grumble. “You’ve been given a place of honor in the dragon’s hoard, and all you think about is escaping and annoying me. Do you really think you’d be more comfortable in an empty cavern with the lichen and dripping water to keep you company? I think not.”