Chapter 61

Chapter 61

You need to be careful when you go fighting, ya? You don't need to be a hero Rainy, you just need to survive and come back to me, ya? Mei Lin straightens my collar, fixing imperfections that aren't there, her big brown eyes dripping with tears, sending them down her lightly tanned skin in streams, as pangs of guilt move through my chest. You remember to eat well, and keep safe, and write me often. Akanai will send messengers to the city, so you just give your letters to Mi-Mi, and she'll have them sent.

Patting her on the cheek, I give her a smile, sad to see her so distressed. Don't you worry. I promise I will write at least once a month.

Once a day. She stamps her foot, pouting.

Once every two weeks? Hugging her tightly, I smile at how adorable she is. Her little hands clutch at my shirt, unwilling to let go so that I can join the rest of the Sentinels. On the journey here to Shen Huo, Taduk informed her that they would be remaining within the city, as Taduk would be helping with all the injured. Mei Lin has been begging and pleading him every night since, wanting to go to war with everyone else, the foolish little girl. She spent every other waking moment stuck at my side, trying to convince me to help her sneak away, but I was adamant not to. Poor sweet little angel, I'm relieved that Taduk had the ability to stick with his decision, because war is no place for Mei Lin. As much as I like having her around, I'll rest easier knowing she'll be safe in the city.

She continues to cry and offer advice, most of it amounting to 'don't die', which is fair considering how often I come close to death. It's a great feeling knowing someone loves you this much, but I think some separation is good. Maybe she'll meet a handsome young man in the city and fall in love. She's in the springtime of her youth and she's spending it in love with me, instead of with someone more age appropriate. Soon, her words are incomprehensible as she cries into my chest, tears staining my shirt, her tiny arms wrapped around me as I pat her back and try to comfort her.

The new moon is once again upon us, and after a day of rest inside Taduk's villa, I now march to war. Well, ride to war, marching would be the worst. Poor soldiers, walking to battle. I'd hate to face one of those hulking monstrosities the Defiled ride without Zabu. Furred reptilian beasts, running around on taloned legs, with razor-sharp teeth and horns longer than my sword, just seeing their corpses make me nervous. Plus they have other monsters, and demons sound crazy scary too. I don't really know how massed warfare works here, but I can imagine it won't be pretty, especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid like me. Like, what the fuck am I supposed to do if I run into the Defiled counterpart of Akanai? Killing is easy, surviving is the difficult part.

Are you sure I cant go with you? Daddy will let me if you just speak to him. Mei Lin's sad, hopeful eyes stare up at me.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Yes, I'm sure that you cannot come to war with me you silly little girl, and no, I will not speak to him about this. You will remain here, where it's safe. The rest of my words are lost in her wailing, as she cries harder than before. It takes several minutes for her to stop sobbing, and I gently disentangle myself from her and hop onto Zabu. Waving goodbye as Taduk holds her close, I ride off to join the rest of the Sentinels, ignoring their smirks and jeers. I'd already said my goodbyes to Charok and the twins last night, the two sweetlings unable to wake up to see me off. They've had a rough two months of hard travel, which can't be good for their growth. At least they'll be staying at Taduk's villa, where they can have fun and get fat, with plenty of people to look after them. Between Akanai's army, all the reinforcements, and two other armies nearby, Shen Huo is the safest place they can all be.

What a heartbreaking goodbye. Adujan mocks me as I fall in beside her, hands clasped together as she pretends to swoon. The little lady, sitting in her manor, jilted by her beloved, yet still awaiting his return. Ah, the stuff of tragedies.

She's not my beloved, Adujan, I've said it before. There's been no jilting, she's like a little sister to me. I need to remain as neutral as possible, or the comments and teasing will never end. While it's nice that she doesn't hate me anymore, she is a font of mocking quips and foul language, especially when out of earshot of the twins and Akanai. We quickly catch up to the marching soldiers, awaiting our turn to ride out on scouting duty.

You should make your intentions clear to her, Rain. She is only worried because you have not yet agreed to marry her. You do her no favors, setting her aside for prostitutes and serving women. You should stop with your wretched ways and accept her. She loves you so much, yet you treat her so terribly. Sumila lectures me on the immorality of my actions, a long, loud sermon that brings delight to the other Sentinels around us.

It's not even fair, I haven't slept with anyone since leaving the Society. I don't see no ring on my finger, why does everyone feel the need to address how much I enjoy the company of women? Huushal is no help, as he actively avoids eye contact with me, riding a small distance away. I can't blame him for that though, he's endured more than one lecture from Sumila as well, which might be my fault.

Suffering silently through her lecture, I watch the surrounding Sentinels ride about. Who knew there were so many? The village only has like three or four thousand people, with maybe three hundred Sentinels. The other 4,700 are from other various villages inside the Saint's Tribulation Mountains, not part of the People, but allies, I guess. Each village looks after their own, but they all work under Akanai, the only person in the mountains that held a rank until the recent string of promotions. By joining the Sentinels, their villages are allowed to more or less govern themselves, as well as protection under the laws of the Empire. With no service, there would be no protection, meaning anyone strong enough could simply enslave their entire village. I have no idea how strong these newcomers are, but they all have bows that look exactly like mine, as well as many very well made spiritual weapons, so they're well equipped, and they all ride roosequins as well. Forget the soldiers, 5,000 roosequins are terrifying enough.

Handing the weapon back to him, Rain grinned, without a single sign of envy. It's a wonderful weapon, but a little light. The joke was evident. The Heart that Fung had received was a 15x5x5 cm brick of Taglian stone, which was mined from the depths of the Azure Sea. A material famed for its density, after soaking in heavenly waters for likely tens of thousands of years, the small brick weighed 20 kilograms on its own. With the steel mixed in, the weapon measure at just under 35 kilograms, a weighty weapon indeed. While easily carried, to swing the weapon for hours on end in battle would be a test of endurance.

Clapping his friend on the back, Fung greeted the others that he knew, nodding politely at Sumila, grinning at Huushal, and giving Adujan his most charming smile. A lovely, pale-skinned woman, with beautiful, long legs, wide hips, and a slim waist, Fung had laughed uncontrollably when Huushal had told him how Rain thought she was a man. A blind idiot at times, a training maniac. How are you faring, Adujan? Father told me some stories of your adventures, and he mentioned you were injured badly. I hope you are doing well.

She smiled saucily at him with a seductive look. I'm in good health, Taduk even healed the scars so I've nothing to even show. So bold, this one, with her pink, full lips, in a seductive pout, and for a moment, Fung lost himself in imagining her pale, silky-smooth skin beneath the armor. Swallowing his saliva, he stammered out a reply. Fung was not used to women so brazen, and he found he rather liked it. She had a low laugh, and her short hair made her look fresh and inviting. I had terrible wounds all over my body. She continued to tease him, his face growing heated at her descriptions of her wounds, her hands tracing the areas she was injured as she spoke, low and close to her hips, high up upon her thigh, across the side of her breast.

Rain's laughter snapped him out of his fugue, and he closed his too wide jaw, quickly saying his farewells as he rushed off, dragging Rain along. Quite a lady, isn't she? She seems interested in you. You better treat her right. Rain was teasing him of course, always seeming so worldly when it came to women.

Fung felt his neck flush even more as he thought about 'treating her right'. Father would be delighted if he took one of the Bekhai as a wife, but it was not so simple a thing. Ong Jing Fei would not accept being the second wife, and would likely terrorize any other wives or concubines he took. She had even followed him along on this journey, inserting herself into his Honor guard. To have a woman like her as his betrothed was his greatest regret, but the alliance would keep their houses close. Her mother Ong Ruo Mei was too much a creature of the shadows, and only through their betrothal would she keep her assassins in check. For now, the viper would keep her daggers hidden, until a child was born between himself and Jing Fei. It is not so simple. It would be difficult for me to marry for love. Let us speak of something else.

Sure. Why are you here? In case you didn't notice, we're headed for war. Shouldn't you I don't know, not be here? I'm not complaining or anything, just concerned for the future Magistrate, who is also the only heir.

Always so blunt. I am a Warrant Officer now, fool, and war has been declared. I'm here to serve, and I need your help asking the Lieutenant General. I'd like to serve at her pleasure, working as her aide.

Frowning, Rain appeared to be in thought, silent for a few moments. I can help you ask Akanai, but you need to promise to do something for me.

Oh? It was rare for his friend to ask for compensation, one of the reasons they got along so well. They ignored social standings, each paying their own way, or treating with no expectations of repayment. Ask. Fung dreaded it, but people grow older and change. He was the future Magistrate, as Rain had just pointed out, and favors were a currency he would need to grow accustomed to dealing in. It saddened him a little that his friend was learning the ways of the world.

You must swear to not flirt with or ogle her. Rain seemed more serious than Fung had ever seen him. I know you'd like to 'serve at her pleasure', but be warned: she is terrifying, and her husband is as well. You need to be on your best behavior, or not only will you regret it, I'll be scolded for associating with you. Or worse, executed by your father, for letting his son walk blindly towards certain death.

Laughing uncontrollably, Fung put his arm around his friend. I'm able to control myself around pretty women, unlike some people I know. Besides she's far too old for my tastes.

Really? She's still gorgeous though.

Enough, you dog. We march to war, and the Typhoon brothers will soon sweep the Defiled from the lands. They cannot stand before the Great Wind and the Falling Rain. Fung walked off with his friend, in search of the Lieutenant General as they traded stories of their recent adventures, full of danger and embellishments. As if Rain could have killed a dozen Society assassins, fighting atop a plateau alone. He needed to make his stories more believable.