Mong stood just inside the doorway. He closed the door behind them and Hok glanced around. The room was dimly lit by a single oil lamp on each of the building's three rickety walls. Where the fourth wall would normally have been was nothing but open air. This wall-less section dangled out over the river, and floating on the river inside the boathouse was a small skiff. It was empty except for a long pole that Hok knew was used to push the skiff along the shallow riverbank.
On a small section of dry riverbank inside the boat-house were Bing, Fu, and Charles, plus a girl with smooth dark skin and a curiously flat face. Hok thought the girl looked a surprising amount like an eel.
Bing smiled, and Hok walked over to Bing's side.
“I am happy to see you,” Bing said.
“And I am happy to see you,” Hok replied. She glanced around the room. “All of you, as a matter of fact. But where is GongJee?”
“She is with the others back at the Jade Phoenix,” Bing said. “NgGung and Gao are keeping her entertained.”
“Oh,” Hok said. “So the soldiers did not discover you there?”
“Most of those soldiers couldn't find honey in a beehive,” Mong replied. “They took a quick look around, but left soon after Yuen offered them a meal. It seems they saw the condition of her dining hall and lack of customers, and decided no one in their right mind would visit there, bandits included. If they only knew how delicious her soy sauce chicken was!” He laughed.
Hok grinned. “How about the two men who were injured rescuing us? I believe their names are Hung and Sanfu? Are they all right?”
“They are just fine,” Mong said. “Those two have shrugged off injuries far worse in the past. It's considerate of you to ask about their well being, though. I'll tell them you send your regards.”
“Thank you,” Hok said.
Mong nodded. “So, what is it that you have in your hands? Tomorrow's laundry?”
“Oh, sorry,” Hok said. She turned to Charles and handed him the bundled robe. “This is for you.”
“Huh?” Charles said. He unwrapped the bundle and his face lit up. “You went back and got these for me? Thank you!”
Hok grinned. “You are welcome.”
Bing looked at Seh and nodded. “Thanks are in order for you, too. I offer you my sincerest gratitude, young man.”
Seh shrugged his shoulders. “I didn't do anything.”
Bing stared, unblinking, at Seh. “It was your idea to wait for my daughter at the camp. You took a great risk. You should accept my thanks.”
Seh looked embarrassed. He bowed toward Bing. “You are most welcome,” he said. “I was very glad to sense Hok's chi outside the tent. Her chi is a lot like yours.” Seh turned to Hok and bowed. “I … we … missed you.”
Hok returned the bow, now embarrassed herself to be bowing so formally to her brother. She was about to thank Seh when she noticed Charles growing tense. Hok glanced at Charles, but he looked away, his pale cheeks turning red.
Fu growled softly, and Hok saw that Fu was staring at Charles. Fu must have noticed Charles’ reaction, too. Was Charles … jealous?
Mong chuckled. “I see you have a couple of very protective brothers, Hok. One that will do anything to find you, and another that will defend your honor. That is good.”
Hok blushed and looked down. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a strange movement. She glanced at Seh's sleeve and saw a snake's head poking out! She pointed to it. “What is that?”
“Just a friend,” Seh said. “Would you like to pet it?” He reached his arm out toward Hok and she recoiled. Seh smirked.
“That was mean,” Hok said. “You know how much I dislike snakes.”
“Oh, well, thanks a lot,” Seh the “snake” said in a joking tone.
“Yes, thanks a lot,” Mong the “python” added. He winked.
Hok blushed even more.
“That's enough fun for now,” Mong said. “Let's get down to business. What happened to you, Hok? Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” Hok replied. “I went to see Ying. I … helped him escape.”
“You did WHAT!” Fu roared.
“Quiet!” Mong said, glaring at Fu. “Do you want to get us captured?”
Fu bit his lip and lowered his head. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“I am sorry, too,” Hok said. “It felt like the right thing to do at the time, but now I'm not sure.”
“What happened?” Bing asked.
“I made a deal with him,” Hok said. “I knocked out his guard—a general named Tsung—and released Ying. In return, Ying told me where we might find Malao.”