Chapter 185

Chapter 185

The quiet commotion of the camp coming to life rouses me from slumber, my breath catching in my throat as I watch her gracefully rise in the dim interior of my tent. Her long shirt hangs loosely from her shoulders as she stretches out the kinks in her body, gently twisting left, and then right. The thin fabric pressed against her tanned skin, her feminine form on full display, she greets the morning with a series of muffled gasps, blissful sounds of sheer satisfaction.

Lazily rolling her neck about, her silken hair cascades into place on one side of her supple neck, nice and neat without a strand out-of-place. Running her comb through the flowing locks, her movements are almost mechanical, brush, brush, brush, part, and repeat. Free of worry and fear, shes nothing more than young woman going through a morning ritual, preparing herself to face the day.

So strange to see Li Song like this, the stony-faced warrior nowhere in sight. Her usual grim scowl has been replaced with a tranquil, almost childlike innocence, her eyes shimmering pools of green staring out at nothing. Even on the worst of days shes nothing short of beautiful, but this is more than that. Theres a sublime spiritual air about her, a sense of serenity and composure combined with an atmosphere so private and personal its breathtaking. Sensing how inappropriate it is for me to continue watching, I shut my eyes in remorseful embarrassment.

I should be ashamed. With Mila snuggled against my chest and Lin madly in love with me, instead of appreciating what I have, here I am ogling Li Song first thing in the morning. For Shame. Bad Rain. Lin is so sweet and loving, a breath of fresh air in a suffocating world, and Mila is a pragmatic, supportive young woman, putting aside her dignity to come comfort you in the middle of the night. You dont deserve either one of them, but youve won them over somehow, so dont fuck it up. Sure, Li Song is subjectively one of the most beautiful women youve ever met, with her voluptuous frame and supple figure, long legs and large, perfectly shaped-- wait, no, Im getting sidetracked. Think unsexy thoughts. Baseball. Trigonometry. Eczema.

Why do you pretend to sleep? My body tenses at Li Songs whispered greeting. Hair neatly braided and bangs perfectly framing her face, she tilts her head and watches me carefully as she straps into her armour. There is much work to be done.

Careful not to let my eyes wander, I sheepishly shrug. Thought youd appreciate a little privacy.

A small widening of her eyes, about as expressive as she gets if its not a glare. I apologize for delaying you. Her tone is anything but apologetic, though she inclines her head slightly. It is time for Master to wake.

Ah, I can handle that. Stroking Milas cheek gently, my betrothed smacks her lips and murmurs, adorably struggling to stay asleep. Time to wake, love. Ignoring me, she groans in annoyance and shifts aside, adamant on sleeping for at least a few minutes more.

Li Songs stare makes me feel unfairly judged, so I hurry things along with a more insistent poke to the cheek. My efforts earn me a meaty smack in the face, the sudden violence catching me off guard, blinking in surprise as I check for bleeding. With the ghost of a smile, Li Song remarks, It is best to wake Master from arms length.

Now she tells me. I swear, I get no respect even though shes all meek and deferential to everyone else. I dont mind most days, in fact, I think its a marked improvement, but Id be lying if I wasnt a little annoyed at getting punched in the nose. Slipping out from under Mila, I sit up and guard myself before shaking her awake. With a tortured groan, she rolls onto her side and bats my hand away, glaring at me with half-opened eyes. Too early, she says with a pout. Five more minutes.

Sorry love, stay in bed long as you like. Ill send someone for you when breakfast is ready. Mother have mercy on the poor soul.

Ah! Wide-eyed and fully alert in an instant, Mila pulls the blankets over her head with a squeak. Go away, you cant see me like this.

Relax, youre lovely as a blossoming flower. A little dishevelled, but lovely all the same. Arent we past this? Its a little odd to be so shy after drooling on me all night.

How dare you? Popping out from the blanks, she glares defiantly at me, challenging me to disagree. I do not drool.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

This wet patch on my shoulder proves otherwise. Heading off her attempts to argue, I lean over for a kiss. Thank you.

Ah, such are the burdens of being your betrothed. Stifling a yawn, she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me close, still half-asleep. I did what was needed. Its bad for morale to have the commanding officer jumping at nightmares.

Though shes only joking, her words strike a chord. Does it bother you being betrothed to a coward?

Idiot, if you were a coward we wouldnt be here and I wouldnt be bothering with you. Pushing me away, she smiles radiantly while pinching my cheeks. Youre cautious if Im being polite, a worrier if Im being honest. Its fine as long as you dont go overboard, which is what Im here for. Now go out there and do your job, I need to brush my hair and get dressed without your lecherous eyes all over me.

The Enemy also counts several Wraiths among them, Huushals second, Kalil added, speaking for the injured Warrant Officer. Though three less after our clash.

Yuzhen heard the unspoken advice in the older warriors voice, nodding in thanks for his discretion. And you were unable to confirm the Enemy numbers?

No, but I know why theyre hitting the outposts, and its not only to whittle down the numbers. Again, Rain gestured and this time his second handed her a dark container stamped with Sanshus seal. The outposts are all armed with wall-mounted catapults and keep a small cache of oil on hand. The group we came across had enough oil gathered to level a small town. My best guess is theyre stocking up to make it easier for Gen to burn Sanshu to the ground.

Im still not entirely convinced theyre aiming for the city. Yuzhen ran the numbers through her head once more, confident in her appraisal. Even if there were twice as many Defiled, the city has enough soldiers and guards to hold the walls indefinitely, or at least long enough for help to arrive.

I agree with the Major on this. Kalil chimed in, his words slow and firm. They would do far more damage by avoiding the city altogether.

If Sanshu isnt their target, then why group up? Rain shrugged. The smart move would have been to split the twenty-thousand strong army into 200 groups of 100 men each, and send them off in different directions. Gerel wouldnt have found them so easily, and we wouldnt have been tipped off. They could have caused more chaos and made it harder for us to contain and control. No, theyre fixing to burn the city to the ground and confident in their chances. Remember, Yo Ling has had decades to get his people in place, so the city guards may be unreliable. We need to change course and ride directly for the city. No more scouting forays searching for targets to hit, keeping only a few outriders ahead to make sure were not riding into an ambush. If Im right, Sanshu could already be under attack.

Insolent whelp. An officer from Shen Yun sneered at Rain. Who are you to give commands here?

Silence, Ill not have us bickering amongst ourselves. Yuzhen exerted her authority immediately, keeping Rain from making yet another enemy. His suggestion holds merit. Even if the Enemy avoids Sanshu, we will need the aid of the soldiers stationed there to remove these traitorous Defiled from our lands. Move with all haste, we set out for Sanshu within the half-hour. I want to be knocking on the gates before tomorrow night. Dismissed.

As she rode away from the meeting, one of BoLao lackeys stood waiting. The Priestess Han requests your presence, along with Falling Rains. She wishes to discuss the prisoners.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Yuzhen collected Rain and followed the Aspirant. These past few days, BoLao was near inconsolable, a complete wreck as she struggled with her inner turmoil, unable to come to grips with the truth. Though she sympathized with the poor woman, her patience was wearing thin, especially after BoLao publicly broke down when Yuzhen suggested they return to sleeping in separate tents. The resulting display had set the soldiers tongues to wagging as they spread word of an illicit affair between the Shrike and the future Marshal of the North. Some of the rumours which reached her ears were absurdly detailed, and while Yuzhen was open-minded, shed sooner stick her fingers into a dragons mouth than strike up a courtship with BoLao. Shed hoped giving the poor girl a few Defiled to torment would make things better and prayed this wasnt another meltdown.

Dismounting from her horse at the edge of camp, Yuzhen pushed past the Aspirants and crossed her arms, in no mood to deal with BoLaos antics. Fully garbed in her torturers gear and her vambraces strapped to her wrists, BoLao appeared calmer than she had in days, an easy smile on her lovely face. Thank you for coming so quickly Major, its much appreciated.

Perhaps torturing the Defiled did put her head in the right place. Get on with it, BoLao. My men are breaking camp as we speak. I know youd rather carry on with your holy duties, so you and your Aspirants are free to remain behind, but I cannot leave you with any guards and must commandeer your horses.

Youre most welcome to them, Major. BoLao merely nodded, her eyes fixated on Rain who weathered the gaze admirably.

Well? Rain asked, his eyebrow raised. Whats all this about.

Turning aside, BoLao revealed her Aspirants dragging out one of the Defiled prisoners, his naked chest sporting a flapping square of skin, hanging open like a grotesque window into his flesh. Aye, thats him, I seen him, felt him, Laughing Dragon babbled, the fear evident in his eyes. Called himself Baledagh then, but I sussed out who he was. Falling Rain, and hes Defiled as any, I swear it to be true. See, Im willing to help, Ill be yer bloodhound and pick out all the Defiled in the province, in the Empire itself if need be.

Taken aback, Yuzhen gaped as the Aspirants turned on Rain, clubbing him into submission. This is madness, she screamed, diving in to save him, but BoLao moved to intercept. You saw yourself, he proved his purity multiple times in front of everyone. Laughing Dragon is lying, hed do anything to spare himself the pain.

Perhaps he is, BoLao allowed, her smile slipping. But too much of what Laughing Dragon says rings true. His confession reminded me of Falling Rains claims, that there were no Defiled among the prisoners. How did he know if he is not Defiled himself? Her eyes hardened. I must put the boy to the question and I knew youd object. Thank you for your aid and support Yuzhen, but my faith demands this be answered.

BoLao struck, and with Yuzhens sword still in its sheathe, she was little match for the armed Shrike. Breaking through her guard in three passes, BoLaos knee impacted against Yuzhens jaw, rattling her brain as she collapsed in the dirt. Her vision fading, she watched the Aspirants ride off into the west, carrying Falling Rain away from Sanshu.

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