Ni Ersi ran ahead of me, a scarf Sakura had given me tied to the hound's collar. Lin Hui wheeled above me, the falcon looking for any sign of commotion. In my last missive, I had told the princess to follow an estuary from the port so that her retinue had a fresh supply of water. They would also be able to hunt the woodland creatures so the Palace had deemed a guard redundant. I regretted attending the meeting as an icy deluge of anxiety flooded my veins.

The baying of Ersi mingled with human voices so I urged Yi Fu to go faster. Her hooves clip-clopped on the cobbled road, the underlying pebbles that had fallen loose flying in our wake. I grabbed my bow and steadied an arrow, ready to pick out the bandits closest to me. My rage and desperation attached to the barbed shafts, drawing blood. Once I was clearly visible to them, I unsheathed the sword I had carried. It glinted as brightly as the palanquin that held my betrothed. The carriage was toppled over and devoid of human presence. I smirked, knowing that she was smart enough to conceal herself in the forest and wait for me, as opposed to being held their captive.

Stress rolled off my shoulder blades as I continued to maim the thugs, disarming them easily as they hadn't expected someone stronger than them to rescue a victim. I panted heavily, my body aching as 11 bodies littered the floor. Taking a swill from the waterskin and catching my breath, I walked to the treeline and called out her name.

"Jun," Sakura embraced me, not caring for the attention of her attendants, "there was such a loud noise when your waist hit the ground." In the blood mist of the battle, I had brushed it off and woken up to continue fighting.

"There's a town not far from here," I kissed the palms of her hands reassuringly. "I'll visit the physicians there, I promise. It's not safe here so let's remove ourselves quickly."

She nodded before seeing that everyone prepared for the road- as I said, her decisiveness was one of the many things I loved about her.

"I see seven horses but six guards," I did a quick stock count.

"My Minato will have to lug around our supplies, I'm afraid," the princess fondly stroked his nose before turning to me.

"Yi Fu won't mind you on her back," I lifted her unto the saddle before joining her, my arms wrapped assuringly around my waist and the scent of cherry blossom wafted onto my face.

"I'm afraid that this humble inn is the only one available," I looked at my betrothed apologetically but she shook her head, exhausted from the ordeal of earlier. While she and her two female guards made their way to her room, I saw to other arrangements.

"My liege," the innkeeper bowed when he recognised my visage, "is there anything special that you would like to request? I will do my best to acquire it for you."

"Yes," I decided to have her comfort food prepared. "Do you know the dish from Nihon, called shabu shabu?"

"I'm afraid that I don't," there was a slight tremble as he shook his head. "Could you tell me what ingredients are required, as well as the method of preparation?"

"You will need tofu, Osaka Napa (cabbage), tong ho (chrysanthemum greens), negi (long green onion), and carrot; as well as thinly sliced meat," I spoke slowly so that he would get the nabemono hotpot right. "Boil everything and we will then dip it in whatever sauces you have here."

"Aye, Your Majesty," he summoned a maid and gave her the list. "We are heating the water already so your baths should be ready in an hour. Is there anything else I may do for you?"

"I have other matters to attend to but I will ask for help should I require it," I left a few coins for the ingredients and made my way upstairs. The male guards in my room were discussing preparations but bowed when I entered. I left them at ease as I made my way to the table. Assuming the lotus position, I tried not to wince as I wrote a quick message for the Palace. I whistled for Lin Hui and he appeared, holding out his talon for me to attach the rolled-up scroll. After a friendly squeeze of my fingers, he took off like the wind.

"Prince, we made some enquiries and the physician is out of town. Should we ride on to the next hamlet and have him appear here?" the head of the unit asked.

"What if someone needs his services?" I shook my head. "I will see my own physician once we're at the Palace."

"Let me at least dress your wounds after the bath," one of the others spoke up and I acquiesced.