If only I could be so lucky.

My valiant struggles to regain my decency prove to be in vain. With a firm pull to get the errant trousers back over my undersized linens, I inadvertently shred the pants off my body entirely. So I stand there, quivering and flushed, trying to hide my 'royal parts' from all the gawking maidens who refused to look away, by holding a scrap of trouser over my undergarments.

Ming Zhao is the first woman present to stop staring at me, she turns back into the cover of the lead cart's storage and shouts a muffled command. Upon exit, she has in her arms a bundle of glistening white silk, and the pulchritudinous lady I fancied steps down from the head carriage to beckon me over with a graceful wave of her hand, "Hither, Ahab!"

Crouching forwards, attempting to hide my myself as best I can, I make the agonizing journey over to the brilliant trade magnate, trying to ignore the unwanted eyes leering me from all directions.

Once I'm only a few feet away from her, the woman I fancy unfolds the bundle in her gentle grip, revealing an opulent white robe with immaculate gold trim, and my eyes widen at the beauty of it.

"For you, brave Cleric."

Ming Zhao walks closer to me and drapes the fine silken fabric over my shoulders, I grimace in embarrassment as she pauses deliberately to look my scarcely covered body up and down, smiling appreciatively.

"I see the stories about you were no exaggerations, Ahab, that display was breathtaking."

I flush a deep sanguine, suspecting which stories she meant. Oh my Goddess, why did she have to hear those?

I'm motioned to move my arms into the sleeves, and reluctantly remove my hands from over my crotch to do so. The gorgeous maiden leans in so close that I can feel her breath on my naked chest as she wraps the sides of the valuable garment around me, and with practiced hands, fastens it.

To my profound chagrin, the robe comes not even halfway down my thighs, I grimace and blush once again, pondering the risqué attires intended purpose. Don't get me wrong, it's an appreciated gift, especially at this moment, when it succeeds in finally getting the numerous ladies humiliating leers off of me.

"Thank you so much for this generous gift, Ming Zhao. I shall cherish it."

"Please, understand that the gift is my way of saying thanks," she says, giving a curt bow, walking back to her seat on the lead cart, she lets her intelligent black eyes linger on me the whole way, "besides, it looks quite winsome on you."

She gives me a sly wink, before standing tall, turning her countenance severe, and commanding to the entire convoy, "On the road again, company! Move out!"

We start back down the caravan trail again, and i find it hard to remain vigilant with my heart aflutter. A wink and a present from Ming Zhao? They'll make it worth the embarrassing stories to be told of this encounter.

But, true to form, it doesn't take us long to run into yet more trouble.