Three Years : By Olivia Sozio

Three Years

By : Olive Sozio

It has been three years since he left, three years since I have smiled. Tomorrow I celebrate the birth of my lost son Peng Yi. There will be Yānhuā a new creation that is said to light up the sky with beautiful colors. If only he were here to see it, if only he were here to fill the palace with his joyful laughter. Not even the taste of my sweet succulent ginger tea could take his mind off of my son. I know that if I continue to wish for something I know I cannot have I will reach nirvana. Tear drops fall onto my silk robe. I hear footsteps coming so I quickly dry my face and pick up my notepad so that I look busy.

“You should probably get some rest you have a long day tomorrow.” my servant exclaims.

“Very well” I reply.

I slowly make my way down the empty hall into my Wòshì. For what felt like a while I stayed up and day dreamed about the day I will have tomorrow.

The sun shines through the window and warms my skin awaking me from my slumber. I walk to my wardrobe and pick up my bright red ceremonial robe which takes a surprisingly long time due to the many layers. Once I have put on my outfit I go down to my kitchen where my food will be prepared and cooked. My normal breakfast would be a bowl of porridge and some green tea. The servants were all very busy preparing for the feast. Red and yellow lanterns covered the city and cheerful music filled my ears and the citizens in my city. The parade was fantastic ,but the best part about tonight was the Yānhuā. The Yānhuā fill the sky with its vibrant colors and only reminded me of my sons big bright eyes that would bring a smile on anyone's face. The kingdom filled with laughter and cheer but very quickly it turned to screams and crys.

“Mongols have arrived!” shouts one of my guards.

My servants quickly escort me to a chamber where I will not be found. The rest of my guards went to go fight against the Mongols. I wasn’t feeling upset about it I felt more anger toward the Mongols.

“Send all the guards after the themI wish for the Mongols to suffer!” I shout.

“Sir if we send all of the guards out we will have no one to guard your valuables.” a servant exclaims.

I replied “Right now that doesn’t matter what we have to worry about is getting our citizens safe.”

I am not sure how long I have been in the chamber when a guard comes in and whispers to me

“We have spotted your son.” The guard said.

I respond “Take me to him at once.”.

He suggested that I don't and that it is too risky to come out of hiding but I told him to take me to him at once. He quickly leads me down a flight of stares into the Chamber.

“Slow down this gown is not made for running in.” I say.

He then proceeds to pick me up and run with me to the Chamber.

The guard finally sets me down and I get to see my son there are so many things I would like to ask him. He has laid down on my bed , his arms and legs spread over my silk sheets.

My voice cracks as I speak “Welcome home Son.”.

He tries to move off his bed and screams before collapsing back onto the soft sheets.

“You will be sleeping in this chamber.” I told him.

He replied “Thank you father.”

“ I didn’t kick you out, Son.” I say “I Want you to join me and fight the-”.

The palace began to quake. A single piece of jade falls from the ceiling ,and knocking his crown off and making it fall on the wood floor. I hear shouting coming from one of my guards.

“The Mongols are in the building, hide!” One of my guard exclaims.

I quickly grab my wounded son and get him out of the palace as quickly as I can.

“I am sorry, Son. I do not know where to take you.” I say.

My son then said slurring his words “The tunnels”.

“What” I reasoned. “The tunnels.” He says back to me.

He lifts his trembling finger and points to a ladder. I make my way over to the ladder leading into a tunnel.

I then say “Son, you go down first and I will meet you down.”

I can see as he makes his way down the ladder that he is in pain but is trying to I? I then put my cold wet hands onto my face and weep.

“Father, what is wrong.” My Son says.

“I let down my kingdom, I should be out there fighting and,”

I let out a sigh “I am hiding. I am worthless.”I whimper.

“Father you are not worthless. You are a king!”.

My son says. A grin appears on face which rapidly turns to a frown. A birch arrow lays pierced through my stomach.

“Father!” my son screams.

I grasp the arrow with my left hand and with my right I try to stop the bleeding. Mongols trample and stomp over me. I see my son fall to the ground. A single tear falls from my eye and soaks into the soil. I try to scream his name ,but before I have a chance my eyes shut.