As we basked in the fading light of the evening, my gaze settled on a massive structure towering across the river. The building's vast stone walls stretched high into the sky, their surfaces reflecting a soft, golden glow as the sun dipped below the horizon. Every inch of the palace seemed to demand attention—from the intricately carved patterns along its walls to the imposing, arched windows that hinted at the splendor hidden within. The kingdom's emblem was prominently etched onto the stone, its intricate lines sharp and precise, a testament to the craftsmanship behind its creation.
Above it all, a majestic crown sat like a jewel atop the palace, its edges gleaming as though forged from gold. The crown was immense, commanding, and regal—symbolizing the power and authority that rested within those walls. The building itself appeared endless, stretching along the riverbank with an undeniable air of supremacy, as if standing watch over the realm it ruled. Its grandeur, its scale, and its unmistakable design left no room for doubt—it was no doubt the kingdom's palace.
And then, like a sudden gust of wind, the force of my thoughts hit me once again—reminding me that the fate of this great kingdom rested squarely in my hands. What made it even more daunting was the complexity of my role in it all. My actions could either save the kingdom or destroy it. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, swirling in a storm of endless questions: How would I move forward? What would I do next? How could I keep surviving, all while hiding my true identity and blending into the very places I needed to infiltrate to uncover the truth?
"It's all too much," I screamed silently in my head, overwhelmed by the crushing pressure. I exhaled loudly, hoping to release even a fraction of the tension gripping my chest.
Just then, Hei Hei, the only family, friend, and companion I had left in the world, gently nudged me. Her soft touch broke through the chaos of my thoughts, and I turned to meet her consoling eyes. She didn't need to speak—I knew she understood everything racing through my mind. She was telling me, in her quiet way, that I would be okay. That we would get through this, together.
I couldn't summon the strength to speak. Instead, I leaned into her, seeking the comfort and reassurance she offered without hesitation.
After a few moments of shared silence, I finally broke the stillness. "Hey, girl," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "What should we do next? Or where should we go? Do you have any ideas?"
Hei Hei just neighed calmly, her large, soulful eyes meeting mine. It was as if she were saying, I'm thinking it over.
"Okay," I murmured in reply.
But the silence lingered, and with it came the thoughts I had tried so hard to avoid. The more I sat there, the more my mind whirled. I was exhausted from thinking, from planning, from trying to outmaneuver fate. I needed a break. Why was I stressing myself when my master planner, Hei Hei, was already on the job?
I stood up, pulling myself away from her warm, steady presence. I needed to distract myself, to find something—anything—to occupy my mind, even if it was nothing of consequence. There wasn't much to do, but I was determined to stay busy, if only to give my brain a rest.
As I looked around, I noticed small stones scattered near the edge of the riverbank. Yes, I thought. That would do. I'd always been a playful spirit, someone who could find amusement anywhere. The stones would serve me well enough now.
I gathered a few of the smooth, flat pebbles and made my way to the river's edge. My plan was simple: I would throw them and see which one went the farthest. It was a childlike game, but it didn't matter. At first, my throws were weak, my energy drained by the weight of everything on my mind. But after a few more attempts, the game became fun, and soon I found myself completely absorbed in it. For a brief moment, I forgot the burden of the kingdom's fate, the responsibilities that awaited me. All that mattered were the stones, the river, and the rhythm of the throws.
Surprisingly, Hei Hei didn't seem to notice my sudden burst of playfulness. Usually, she would have joined in, nudging me for attention or pawing the ground in her usual playful way. But today, she stayed where she was, her eyes fixed on something in the distance. I couldn't tell if she was staring at the river or the palace beyond, but whatever it was, she was completely focused.
I wasn't concerned, though. I had entrusted her with the responsibility of figuring out our next move, and I trusted her with my life. So, I left her to her thoughts, while I focused on mine—or rather, focused on not thinking at all.
Then, out of nowhere, Hei Hei neighed loudly, her voice bursting with excitement, as if she had just discovered all the answers and solutions we had been desperately searching for. The sound startled me so much that the stone I was about to throw slipped from my hand and fell to the ground.
I turned to her, eyes wide in surprise, wondering what on earth she had figured out. She was no longer sitting calmly by the river, but was now on her feet, pacing toward me with an energy that made my heart race. For a brief moment, I felt a rush of excitement, even though I had no idea what her sudden enthusiasm meant. But seeing her so lively and certain gave me hope—her expression was one of pure confidence, and it wasn't just a good idea she had; it was a perfect one.
"What have you got, girl?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity and anticipation.
But Hei Hei just gave me a playful look, her eyes glinting with amusement. It was almost as if she were smiling at me, which only made me more intrigued.
"Come on, girl, tell me! I'm dying to know!" I urged, my own smile growing as my curiosity peaked.
Without a sound, she turned her head toward the riverbank and neighed again, pointing in that direction with her nose.
I frowned, confused. "The river?" I asked, looking out at the calm, flowing water.
She shook her head in response. No. Her nose continued to point in the same direction, though—she clearly wanted me to see something.
Puzzled, I followed her gaze. There were only two things in that direction: the river… and the back of the palace.
I hesitated for a moment, then asked slowly, "Is it… the palace?"
Hei Hei nodded firmly, her head bobbing in affirmation.
I paused, my mind racing. "The palace? Why is she pointing at the palace?" I thought. What could she possibly mean?
We stood there, staring at each other for a few tense seconds, neither of us saying a word. She just kept looking at me, then at the palace, as if she were trying to make me understand. When I still didn't grasp her meaning, she pointed again with her nose, this time more insistently, her eyes fixed on me with an expression that seemed to say, Really? Are you that dense?
I sighed and turned my gaze back to the towering walls of the palace, my mind whirling with possibilities. Slowly, I scanned the structure, my eyes tracing the tall stone walls and the distant towers. And then, suddenly, it clicked.
"Wait!" I shouted, the realization hitting me like a bolt of lightning.