19.i Ripe Peach Mountain

~ Ham Song ~

Ham Song thought he was going to be sick. First he had been forced to watch those sun clones erupt all over the nobles simply because they could not handle the monk’s punches to the gut.

Now he had to suffer being tucked under the monk’s arm and in criminally close proximity with their sweaty, boozy stench. Not to mention it was coupled by the smoky, rich aroma of the plate of barbecued duck in Bodhi’s other hand. Ham Song had to gather all of his fortitude and focus on not getting sick all over the monk’s robes.

Not that they wouldn’t deserve it!

Once the two of them huddled into a cluster of bamboo that crowded a section of the stone wall, Bodhi set Ham Song down. To both the pig’s delight and relief, Sun Ritsu and Anari were waiting for them in the tight, hidden space.

“Great,” Bodhi greeted as they uncovered their barrel of wine, “you two were able to find me.”

Ham Song snorted, “I can’t imagine it would be difficult for anyone to follow the smell back to this – sweet immortal peaches!” He glared at Bodhi. “Monk, would you close the lid on that before the guards find us!”

Ham Song marched right up to the barrel, ignoring the look of murderous intent in Bodhi’s stormy gray eyes. Before things could escalate, Ritsu scooped Ham Song up and clamped his hand over his snout.

“Shhh! I hear someone coming.”

Ham Song kept quiet despite his internal outrage. If we all get caught, it will be because of that stubborn, smelly monk, not me!

But all four of them kept as motionless as possible while the sound of armored feet shuffled closer and closer. Between the shoots of bamboo, Ham Song could only make out slivers of shapes.

One of the guards said, “I thought I saw them over here.”

Ham Song winced at the sound of another sniffing the air.

“Weird,” she grumbled, “I could have sworn I smelled them come this way. It’s almost like the trail went cold.”

The pig caught the partial gesture of the first guard dragging his palm along the side of his face.

“Look, it was one pig and a plate of duck. The nobles have way more to be upset about. Let’s go see if we can help the others get a handle on those clones.”

The second guard muttered something about how she’d rather get punched in the gut by that foul-smelling monk than return to the feast, but she followed her comrade away from the bamboo cluster.

After a moment of uncertain silence, Anari’s levelled voice broke the tension.

“You’re damn Lucky, Ham Song. It’s the only explanation for why they would completely overlook us.”

Bodhi hugged the barrel close to their chest and said, “I agree with the spideress.”

Gently, Ritsu placed Ham Song back on solid ground. “So, what should we do now?”

Anari folded her arms. “We should stay put and wait until everything calms down.”

As if her words had fallen on deaf ears, Bodhi handed over the plate of barbecued duck to Ritsu. Ham Song had all but forgotten about this strange souvenir.

“Ritsu, you should take this to that skeleton spirit before the festival ends.” Bodhi said.

Ham Song didn’t miss how the spider’s already large eyes waxed to a new extremity as she aimed a disapproving glare in the monk’s direction.

Seemingly unfazed, Bodhi rolled their eyes and huffed, “Cool your lasers, Legs. I’ll cover Ritsu while he sneaks out.”

Ritsu accepted the plate and gave one of his benevolent smiles, which in Ham Song’s opinion, the monk did not deserve at all.

“Thank you, Bodhi. I’ll make sure the butcher knows the risk you took to save this for him.”

Bodhi’s hand floated up to scratch the back of their neck. They looked off to the side. “Those clones were jokes. I would hardly call it a risk.”

Ham Song stared at the plate and blinked a few times as the words clicked into place. Digging his hooves in the soft earth, Ham Song snorted once to capture all of their attention. Once the three spirits were looking down at him, he said, “Can someone explain to me why we are rewarding the same spirit who sold me to the nobles’ feast?”

Clearly oblivious to the outrage in his tone, Sun Ritsu smiled affably. “Of course, Ham Song. Just as soon as I get back.”