Hli Ja gazed at the pendant in her hand . The pendant is a diamond shaped sapphire gemstone carefully wrapped around the edge with a golden dragon . The pendant looked very well craft and expensive . Could he be a rich boy? What predicament was he involved in that would make others want his life? She lifted up her head to glance at the boy and asked, "What is your name?"

The boy replied, "Mua Kong, I"m 13 years old, I think I"m older than you by a few years . "

Hli Ja wanted to ask him what happened, why the a.s.sa.s.sins was after his life but she feels that even if she ask him, he may not tell her . She did not want to pry into his problems so she tucked the pendant away .
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In the next few days, Hli Ja took care of Mua Kong"s wound and also her shoulder wound . She would wake up, attend to their wounds and cooked food for the three of them . Hli Ja has been making soups and stews for the last several days . However, today, she made smoked meat sprinkled in herbal seasoning since Mua Kong"s wound has closed up .

Mua Kong noticed that all of her dishes taste richly refreshing . They were simple dishes and she only use herbs and spices, which makes the dishes healthier for consumption . He stuffed a piece of meat in his mouth and asked, "Why are there so much meat today?"

"Well, it is to celebrate you from recovering so well . Haven"t you noticed that I"ve been only making nothing but plain soups?" Hli Ja replied proudly .

"Mmm . . I noticed but your soups does not taste plain at all . They taste very good . It is very much to my liking . "

When Hli Ja heard this, she felt bittersweet . She could barely cooked anything while her sister was alive . If her older sister is around now, maybe her sister would be happy to see how much she has improved .

Feeling the gloomy atmosphere emitting off from Hli Ja, Mua Kong asked, "What is wrong?"

After a couple minutes of silence, Hli Ja slowly opened her mouth, "My older sister taught me how to cook . At that time, I was too lazy to take anything seriously . I learned the bare minimum I could . She often talk of home, but she wouldn"t tell me where home is . She said she"ll tell me when I get older . Now, there is no chance for me to redeemed myself . "

Tears swelled up and flow from Hli Ja"s eyes . She has not shed a tear since she saw her sister killed that day . She has sealed everything inside her heart .

"I"m sorry for what happened . I am sure she is proud of you just for living . "

As soon as Mua Kong said those words, Hli Ja let herself loose . Tears streamed down her face and she started sobbing . She scrunched down to squat and put her head on her knees . She has not grieved for the loss of her sister . The words Mua Kong said was healing for her heart .

Seeing the girl sobbing uncontrollably, Mua Kong leaned down and pat Hli Ja"s back . He was not sure on how to comfort anyone since he never need to .

In the great care of Hli Ja, Mua Kong started to recover well . After a week, Mua Kong was able to move around and doing light stretching . He also accompanied Hli Ja to fetch waters and gathered herbal plants . Every day was simple, Mua Kong never have to be on guard . He can walk around with ease and not carry the weight of his name with him wherever he goes . Hli Ja realized that it was great having a friend to keep her accompany . Her heart feels less bitter and think of revenge less and less . Their trip to the river and around the mountain where joyful and pleasant .

Two weeks gone by, Mua Kong pretty much recovered . He was back in action practicing sword . After a few days of practicing, he knew his wound has healed completely and his strength was back at full capacity . He knew it is time to head back home . He gazed over at the girl who was now busy hanging up laundries over the string attached to two low tree branches . He wonder if she would go with him if he asked her .