The Stolen Princess And The Blind Prince

With that mysterious girl delivered safely, Wulin and his gang wandered off to their favorite local bar, The Peach Bud. It was owned by a mountain of a woman, Mama Peach. She was as scary as she was old, and had one rule: no fighting. Well, that and no feet on any of her tables.

The four of them took their seats at their usual spot. The booth that was the furthest back, near the kitchen. Rice Pudding had figured out a while ago, through a beer-maid, that you could pour your own drinks. Because the distance from the booth to the kitchen and back was so short, he felt that he was less likely to drop the heavy tray. Well, that's how it was when they started coming here three years ago. Now, Rice Pudding's footwork had improved a lot, even within the dim lighting of the bar, the young man was unlikely to slip unless tripped by someone faster than him. Which was not likely.

Wulin took the seat with his back to the door, as there was no point in watching for trouble. If any did appear, Boulder or Rice Pudding would let him know.

Porridge sat next to him, and Boulder across. Rice Pudding, like normal, ran off to get their drinks. Two beers, and two ciders.

Wulin untied his arm guards, wincing at the effort.

"Whats wrong boss?" Porridge asked. He didn't like seeing his boss struggle.

"The dog…" Wulin said, finally getting them off, exposing purple bruises all over his forearms.

Wulin c.a.r.e.s.sed his bruises, aware at his friends' sudden changes in aura.

The dog hadn't bitten a chunk out of me or anything, was what he had thought to himself at the time; no bleeding, no need to worry.

Temporary pain and discomfort weren't really an issue for him.

"I-I have just the thing!" Porridge said, digging in his medicine bag for his all-purpose ointment.

While Porridge went on his little hunt, Boulder remained silent, watching Wulin intently.

The older man had noticed that their boss seemed to be holding something back. Although Wulin had visibly relaxed while Porridge applied the ointment, he felt like it wasn't just physical discomfort that Wulin was hiding.

But, Wulin wasn't sure how to tell his men the news.

That he was getting married.

That he was going to have to disband their group.

Wulin pursed his lips about to speak, but Porridge beat him to it.

"I have some… bad news…" He was gently wrapping Wulin's purple forearms, "My little brother and I have to stop coming to these meetings."

Wulin was silent, just as surprised as Boulder.

"Why?" Boulder asked.

"Well," he began, letting go of Wulin; finished with his work, "I really appreciate everything you guys have done for me and Rice Pudding. Ever since our parents died…"

"But Porridge is a scaredy-cat!" Rice Pudding boomed, dropping the tray onto their table.

"No slamming ma's things! Ya break it, ya buy it!" Boomed Mama Peach. Rice Pudding waved at her in apology.

"N-not true." Porridge mumbled, embarrassed at how high he jumped, "I-I've got a new job at a local bakery, It's right next to the library…"

Wulin was still recovering from his near heart-attack. He couldn't lie: the kid was damn good at sneaking around!

"My big brother here," said Rice Pudding pointing intently, "likes making food more than fighting! But me, I'm the opposite!"

"What's your reason for not being able to attend anymore?" Boulder asked.

Wulin was interested too, his hair hiding his curious smirk. What would make a kid like him give up running around this late at night?

Rice Pudding's smiled widened. "I'm apparently so good at subtour-fudge, that I've been invited to train in the Empress's City-state!"

Porridge sipped his cider, embarrassed of his more flamboyant brother.

"Th-that's amazing Rice! How did you even get their attention?" Wulin asked. The Empress didn't just invite anybody to join her ranks.

"Uhm," the boy was being dramatic again, "I apparently pick-pocketed something important. Porridge told me to return it, so I did." He shrugged, gulping his cider. "I didn't think it was that big-a-deal…"

The two men were impressed. This 13-year-old managed to sneak something out of the hands of one of the most fortified military powers in the world. And then put it back, without being caught, maimed, or killed.

"I think he deserves a toast!" Boulder says. Raising his pint.

"I think they both do!" Wulin said, following suit.

All four of them chugged their drinks, the boys fizzling out first, and then Boulder. Wulin was the only one who managed to chug his burning drink down, whole.

"It was good that you two are moving on to bigger things," Boulder said, wrapping his arm around the boy. "But!" he locked Rice Pudding in a firm headlock and started rubbing his knuckles into the boy's head, "Don't, ever, do, something that stupid. Ever again!"

"I won't! I won't! Lemme go old man!" Rice Pudding's face was twisted in discomfort. Once The older man let go, he checked his tender head for a bald spot.

Wulin and Porridge laughed at Boulder's rough display of affection.

But Boulder's heart still remained uneasy. He still felt that something was still off. Something big. He was a bit sad to lose the boys, but it was easy to accept that to mean that they were just growing up.

There's no better time than this right? Wulin thought.

"I have some news too…" Wulin began, before hearing Mama Peach shout:

"Feet OFF the table!"