Xiao was lying down with all the clothes and blankets they possessed piled up onto him. He'd caught a cold manning the boat in the afternoon. Of all people, only he would get a cold from this because his luck was that bad, he thought darkly as he lied there, immobile. He was too tired to read and Cole was providing as much entertainment as a houseplant - he was as insolent as he had been on Mount Huai. In any case, Cole was out there manning the boat and couldn't have talked to him, if Xiao even wanted to be talked to.

Absently, he caressed Yunchang. He traced the patterns on the scabbard again and again, knowing that Bradley had often done that when he was thinking.

Xiao was grateful that Cole saved him and got out all his stuff. It seemed to him that Cole wasn't so bad of a person. He had paid the carriage drivers of Bradley's casket two taels of gold each to ensure they do it. 

Cole came in. "I'm going to take a break," he announced.

Xiao nodded. "I'll go outside and - "

"You're sick."

"I'll wear a thick coat," Xiao told him.

"You're shivering even with all those layers," Cole pointed out. "We have a boat just so you could rest and get better when we reach Tajfel City."

"I thought it was because the traffickers are going by boat?"

"It serves two reasons."

"How did you get a boat anyway?" Xiao asked.

"I bought one."

"What - how much money do you have on you?"

"There are a lot of corrupt governments in Xenon," Cole said, smiling smugly.

Xiao let out a short laugh. "Right."

"Anyway, we don't have much food on the boat so tomorrow, when we reach Rita Village, I'll go and get some things," Cole told him.

"Right."

"I'll also go and ask about for a boat passing through."

"Right."

"Tajfel City is about a ten days journey by boat so that's plenty of time for you to rest."

"I'll be better in two days," Xiao said.

"I rather you be fully recovered."

Xiao scrunched up his nose in displeasure. Why was Cole like this? Only people as nice as Frank, John, or Jacob Laken would want to talk to him. "I'll be fully recovered in two days," Xiao said.

Cole glanced at him. "Your face is still too pale."

Xiao wanted to argue but decided that it wasn't worth it. If he could stand being called improper - which he supposed everyone called him nowadays - he could stand being thought of as weak and bedridden.

"Why are you so sick anyways?" Cole asked him.

"I caught a cold a week ago," Xiao said.

Cole nodded slowly and Xiao shifted uncomfortably, writhing in his embarrassment.

"Where are Gary and Owen?" Xiao asked, referencing Cole's two older disciple-brothers.

"They went to Roche with Jason, I'm pretty sure," Cole said. It was his turn to be uncomfortable. 

"Were they also from upper Anlang Sect?" Xiao interrogated.

Cole didn't meet Xiao's eyes. "Gary isn't. Gary and I are our mentor's students through and through."

"Does there exist a superiority of a sort?" Xiao took it upon himself to make Cole miserable.

"I - I guess everyone gravitates towards Jason, but that's because he's likeable," Cole said. It was a sore topic.

Xiao snorted and didn't say anything.

"Mentor lets him be but is stricter on Gary and I," Cole said, trying to justify himself and his mentor. "Gary likes to get in with Jason and his friends from upper Anlang Sect, but I'm more with my mentor on things. I suppose it's the loyalty that comes with being the youngest."

Xiao never thought of loyalty that came with the youngest, but he knew he was loyal to his mentor because of his mentor's act of kindness towards him. "Jason has never said anything to you?" he asked sceptically.

Cole glanced at him briefly before answering. "It's his idea of a joke. We just all let him be."

Xiao snorted again and took a sip of water. "What if he's really associated with the traffickers and potentially the ravens?"

"I would - I would bring him to mentor," Cole said haltingly. 

"Standing up to people is hard for you, eh?"

Cole froze and glanced at him before looking away. "We've trained together for five years or so. He's still my older brother whatever he does. I don't have the authority to do anything."

Xiao noted that Cole sounded like he was convincing himself. "Mentor is very taken with children," Xiao said. "Every time he goes down Mount Huai, he would bring back at least one disciple. They were all taken up the mountain by mentor during his travels."

"You guys all get along very well," Cole commented.

"We are just a bunch of overly energetic kids," Xiao said. "It's hard not to get along well."

Cole smiled somewhat wistfully and Xiao felt bad. Cole seemed to have never had a good friend. "So we go to Tajfel City and get rid of this tyrant and save the maidens, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Great."

The cloud moved above him under the influence of the wind that Xiao couldn't feel by the mountain edge. It brought with it a shadow that passed over all the greenery of the valley and river below. Xiao was reading the medical book again. He'd made it to the third chapter on the anatomy of human bodies. He thought that it should have been covered first, but no matter. He took it upon himself to feel all his vertebrae and muscles and memorize them by name. Bradley would have been proud of his dedication to biology.

In the distance, a figure in white was approaching the boat tied down beside the river with two baskets ladened with food. Xiao ran down to welcome Cole. He took over a basket full of fruits and vegetables. "You bought so many apples, why?"

"You were up there, why?"

Xiao laughed and elbowed Cole playfully. "I still have mobility."

Cole laughed too and the two got into the boat and set everything down. Xiao took it upon himself to rummage through the groceries while Cole got the boat ready. Perhaps he should have helped Cole but Cole was the one who grew up next to a river and rowed like eating meals. "Cole! Why did you get strawberry wine?"

"I figured I had a say since I'm the one buying."

"I thought you don't drink?"

"It was the only thing that village store sold, alright? I didn't want to walk all the way into a city."

"Ahh." Xiao felt bad. Cole had been nothing but nice to him the past two days during which he was tortured by headaches and bursts of delirium. They haven't talked a great deal, but it wasn't too bad. Through their short conversations, Xiao realized he and Cole barely got talk on Mount Huai. While he knew exactly how many dogs Reece had and Brian's favourite foods, he knew nothing about Cole. But of course, Xiao had had his reserves about Cole. Now, he knew that Cole's dad had been a professor and had died when Cole was young. Cole's mother lived in Fessler Village in Wen County with Cole's brother, Frederick. Xiao also found that Cole wasn't insolent, he sometimes just didn't have anything to say and rather remain silent. He also found that Cole was dedicated to being a knight. However, neither mentioned Bradley nor the traffickers. Perhaps Cole had thought him too ill for him to bring it up.

He headed towards Cole untying the boat. "What can I do?"

"You can row if you want," Cole said. "We are heading downstream so it's not too much work."

"Alright. I haven't exercised in way too long."

"Don't overexert yourself," Cole said. 

"You're one to talk," Xiao muttered.

"Anyway, there was no news of a boat passing through," he told Xiao. "Of course, that was a small village. What do they know? We can ask around when we reach a bigger town or city."

Another day passed before something exciting could occur. 

Xiao and Cole were rowing their boat between two very tall and imposing cliffs, eager to pass through the narrow passage. Cole was reciting poetry quietly to himself and Xiao was reciting the general makeup of the human skeleton.

A whistle sounded, interrupting them. At the same time, seemingly from out of nowhere, two boats appeared in front of them. "Stop!" the bandit leader on the right boat yelled. "Leave all your money and we'll leave you alive."

Xiao's face broke into a grin. He'd been craving company for a while now. Not just the normal company but the wanting to kill him kind. Cole didn't seem too excited - he just stopped the boat and grabbed onto the hilt of his sword.

Xiao made to get up, but Cole shot him a look. "Let me handle it."

Xiao pouted. "I'm not sick anymore. I can deal with some bandits."

Cole ignored him and turned to speak to the bandits, who were all trembling with anger at the two nonchalantly discussing their destruction.

"How dare you look down at us? Hand over all your belongings!" the bandit at the front of the right boat said.

"Who wouldn't look down at bandits trying to rob innocent civilians?" Xiao said lazily.

Cole chuckled. "Leave us alone and we will leave you alive."

The leading bandit's boat suddenly chugged forward and the bandit jumped towards their boat. Xiao let out a dart that pierced his throat before he could make it halfway. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cole start and he grinned smugly.

"This is how you will end up if you mess with us," Xiao warned.

The bandits all looked at a loss as to what to do until one yelled "retreat!" and they all sailed away the way they came. Xiao chuckled. "How was my dart?" he asked Cole.

The corners of Cole's mouth lifted up a wee bit. "It was alright."

Xiao huffed, "alright? I saw you start!"

Cole ignored him and moved the sculls again. Xiao sighed and did the same. It seemed that he was destined to be with people who ignored him for a hobby.

Then two more boats appeared with a bandit leader on each boat. "You were the bastards that killed my patrol leader?"

"Yeah," Xiao answered. "What do you want?"

Cole, at the same time, spat "watch your mouth!"

Xiao nudged Cole. "Don't be like that. They don't know what they are saying."

"Who doesn't know what they are saying?" The bandit demanded. He leaped towards their boat and Xiao let out another dart. This man ended up the same way as the last. The bandit on the other boat was shocked at this. 

"Hey! That's my brother!"

"He can be your mom and I don't care," Xiao shot back.

The bandit made to come at him, but was scared of being hurt. He ended up moving an inch forward, causing Xiao and Cole to laugh. "Who do you serve under? Why are you robbing innocent civilians? Where is your conscience?" Cole demanded.

"Our lives come first," the bandit said. "If you're so brave, wait for the master of the mountain to come down. He'll beat you guys up!"

Xiao laughed. "I look forward to seeing this master of yours. Since we encountered you guys, it is only right for us to get rid of your whole organisation."

"We'll come up with you to meet your master," Cole said. 

Xiao looked around the place. The boats were way too narrow a platform for fighting to happen. "Right," he added. "We will go to wherever you bandits hole up. That will be easier for your master anyway."

The bandit glared at them. "Alright. Follow us if you can keep up."

He sailed back the way he came. Up ahead, the narrow valley opened up into a field. Xiao saw Cole made to row and he grabbed his arm. "What if they shoot arrows and throw rocks down at us from either sides of the mountain?" 

"Once we get to the field, it will be fine," Cole said. 

Xiao frowned. "No, follow me."

Abandoning their boat, Xiao leaped into the bandits' boat. "Row or you'll die!" he shouted at the bandits on the boat. They, having seen him kill two of their leaders, obliged. Cole followed suit and leaped into another boat. Over the heads of the rowers, Xiao grinned smugly at Cole, whose lips formed into a reluctant smile.

The other boat was occupied by the bandit leader. He had indeed planned on luring the two knights into the narrowest part of the valley and then killing them with arrows. Seeing that the plan was foiled, he pulled out his sword and jumped at Cole.

Cole simply twisted his body away and kicked the bandit's lower back. The bandit fell into the river with a splash.

Xiao groaned. "Cole why didn't you kill him?"

"No need."

"What if he kills you one day?"

"With his skills?"

Xiao chuckled. "Alright."

While they were bickering, the boats had already reached the open field. On the other side of the field was a mountain and a fort was constructed there. Outside the fort, at least two hundred soldiers were there. "Bandits," Cole muttered. In front of them all was a man about forty, holding a longsword in front of him.

Xiao and Cole jumped off their boat and told the rowers to scat. Then they approached the bandit leader. 

"So you're the head of the thiefs?" Xiao asked.

The man spat at him. "Watch your mouth!"

Cole took a step forward. "Are you the leader of this bunch of bandits?"

"Yes I am. It would do you some good to kneel to me!"

Xiao laughed. "To you? You don't deserve it!"

The man's sword stabbed at his stomach. Xiao twisted away and pulled out his own sword. "Dude! We haven't finished talking yet!" As he spoke, his sword slashed at the man's waist. The man dodged it but he didn't have enough time to retaliate before Xiao's sword went for his neck. He tried to fall back, but Xiao's sword had already pierced his throat.

Two other bandits rushed up to them and Cole blocked both of them. Xiao stood back and watched as Cole's sword flew around and the bandits fell.

"Like we've said. If you leave us alone, we will leave you alive!" Xiao hollered at the rest of them. "Invite us into your fortress and we will award you!"

The bandits fell onto the ground in kneeling positions, begging for their lives. Cole told them to get up. "Where is this place?" Cole asked.

"It's called Mount No Name," one answered.

"Lead us to your fortress," Cole ordered.

"I see why people want to be bandits now," Xiao remarked as he sat atop the great hall of the fortress next to Cole. The hall was lavishly decorated, unlike the humble great hall of Mount Huai. The red carpet was soft underfoot with gold threads and every goblet had a bit of gold on it. The throne he was sitting on was gold as well, with diamonds and jewels encrusted onto it and cushions as soft as the spring buds.

Cole huffed at the nonsense and turned away from him. He looked down at the bandits that they had detained. In truth, these men didn't really know where to run to. "Have you guys seen a boat passing through with several maidens on board?" he asked.

One older bandit answered. "I did. The boat is still here. But the rowers and their leader and the maidens left last night."

Xiao's eyes widened. "They passed through here?"

"That's what he just said, idiot," Cole muttered to him. Then in a louder voice, he addressed the bandit. "Where did they say they were going?"

"I heard it," another one piped up. "I was unloading the boat for them last night. They were headed to Baren Walker's place. It's apparently a storage place for the maidens."

Xiao whipped his head around at Cole. "You were right! They are going to Tajfel City!"

Cole glared at him. "What, did you not believe me?"

Xiao rolled his eyes. Cole was way too sensitive. Sure, he might have sounded surprised but still. "They are going by carriage to Tajfel City?"

"Yes, knight," the bandit said. "The road to Tajfel City is just over the mountain."

Xiao looked at Cole imploringly. However, Cole seemed to be mad at him and didn't even spare him a glance. "How many maidens did they have? Do you know how many are in Tajfel?" asked Cole.

"There were about twenty or so maidens that passed through," one bandit said. "I don't know about anything else, knight."

"How many traffickers?" Xiao asked the bandits.

"Five. There was this leader who had wide shoulders and a sneering face."

Xiao started. Could that possibly be Curtis? "Cole, let's go after them before they get into Tajfel!" He didn't want to say it in front of these bandits, but it would be way harder for them to save the maidens with so many bandits and outlaws around.

Cole nodded curtly. "Let's go."

Xiao beckoned at two bandits. "Lead the way out of the mountain, you two."

"Yes, knight," they answered and stood up, trembling. Everyone in the room knew that the two knights didn't trust them enough and was holding them accountable for anything in their way.

Cole looked at him up and down. "Are you well enough to walk?"

Xiao rolled his eyes. "Why am I always stuck with caring people? Yeah, I'm fine."

Cole called in all the other remaining bandits. "Alright all of you, it's time for you to disband. Whether you have relatives or friends, go to them. Don't do immoral things like this again. Civilians have it hard too. I see you have some gold here. Split it up evenly among yourselves."

"Yeah, farming is a good occupation," Xiao added. "Do that."

Cole controlled his urge to laugh at the randomness. Then he ordered everyone to set fire to the place, and he and Xiao followed the two bandits into the depth of the mountain.

In the mountain, Xiao didn't feel too good. He'd been to plenty of mountains - Mount Remus, Mount Shantong, Mount Dumas.... but that had been before he was basically kicked out of Mount Huai and before Bradley died. Those mountains merely made him a bit homesick, while this particular mountain made him feel so empty and lonely he wanted to curl up and hide in a furrow.

Just looking at the people he was with, Xiao felt a sense of loss and discomfort. The two bandits trembled every time they spoke. They didn't want to be with him and Cole. Speaking of Cole, Xiao didn't know what to think of Cole. Those young men in white that girls all purportedly longed for as a husband? He was one of those guys. He liked poetry, could even paint, and could fight. Xiao knew that. But he wasn't like those girls and he also knew Cole's background. Sure, Cole saved him and was travelling with him to Tajfel, but he felt that they weren't really travelling together. Before, they had a boat and he kind of made that the excuse for sticking together, but back then, it seemed that he was hitchhiking Cole. Presently, they were still together, but Xiao didn't know how to feel about it. He felt almost obligated to stay, yet didn't know whether Cole wanted him to stay. He didn't even know whether he wanted to stay with Cole.

The whole way out of the mountain was silent except the sound of their footsteps and the birds' fluttering of wings when they became aware of the men's presence. When they neared a village, however, Cole spoke up. "You're quite famous, you know."

Xiao looked at him bemusedly. "Famous?"

Cole used his chin to point at the village gate. There, on a notice board, plastered two wanted posters. Xiao's face, drawn to precision, was on it along with a price of one thousand taels of silver for getting Xiao. Xiao froze on the spot. He'd read books of these things. Once they near the city gate, they would be searched thoroughly. He was an outlaw now. "Cole, how many people did you kill that night?"

Cole's face fell. "Two or three. But even if I didn't kill the men, your poster would be up there because you allegedly kidnapped maidens. Why are you blaming me for it?"

Xiao looked down at the ground ashamedly. "Right, sorry."

Cole acknowledged the two bandits. "You can go now. But if you ever mention me or Xiao, I'll take it upon myself to find you." He didn't need to imply what he would do after he found them. The two's faces were stark white in fear.

"Knight Fessler, please, we won't say a word of it. But ... " he trailed off.

"But what?" Xiao asked, ever the person who spoke all was on his mind.

"We don't know where to go."

"Go and find employment somewhere," Cole told them. "If you stay in small villages like these, you won't be interrogated about us."

Cole then looked around and saw a moderately good looking house. "Xiao, stay in that clump of trees."

"What why?" Xiao asked.

"I'll go get you some clothes," Cole said.