Chapter 465

Chapter 465

Careful not to wake the snoring bunnies, Song slipped out of bed to greet the morning, but her efforts were for naught. Indifferent to the plight of others, Sarankho stretched her paws and arched her back before rolling right over Thumper and Flopsy to slide off the bed, moving with the sluggish grace shared by all felines save Aurie. Startled awake, the two rabbits darted and stomped about the bed in a rowdy show of outrage before angrily flattening themselves out atop the cotton covers, glaring at the indifferent Sarankho as she nuzzled Songs leg. The wildcats wide eyes were the very picture of innocence and compassion as she mewled and chirped, making her odd, endearing noises to signal she wanted her breakfast. Unable to contain her laughter, Song kissed the affectionate wildcat and soothed the grumpy bunnies before bringing them all to the windowsill, where she sat and watched the orange glow of morning sunlight spill over the verdant Central Plains.

The view from her fifth-story window was dazzling to behold as she gazed out over the sea of frost-dusted grass, but with winter soon to begin in earnest, natures beauty was tinged with a hint of sombre gloom. When she first arrived, autumn had yet to arrive in full force and thered been plenty of flowers to add colour to the fields of green, but those blossoms had soon wilted away to leave a drearier, more desolate landscape behind. A portent of things to come perhaps, for despite the beauty and serenity laid out before her, all Song could focus on were the signs of war, the most obvious of which was the citadel wall which sat across the way, with armoured soldiers patrolling the bleak grey battlements at all hours of the day. A paltry fifteen metres high, the wall sat almost a full level below Songs window and only thirty metres away, hardly enough to give an army of millions of Defiled pause, but it was the best the Empire could do in so short a time. Outside the three key citadels, the walls were even shorter at a mere ten metres high, but wiser minds than hers had arranged to keep the Empire safe by digging a man-made river running from Azure Sea to Arid Wasteland, one wider than the walls were tall and deep enough to drown hundreds of thousands of Defiled within its murky depths.

From a tactical standpoint, Mamas Khishigs could fire over the walls from the rooms and roof of this building where Rocs flock nested for the winter, two reasons why they lived in this forward barracks instead of in the comfortable manor next to Brother Baatars and Medical Saint Taduks, which Song was grateful for because it kept her away from... him.

To the north and south sat bridges of rope and wood stretching out over the river, suspended from the walls themselves and leading down to the plains below. Only one stone bridge had been built, a wide behemoth which arched high over the waters to allow boats and barges to pass underneath, drifting downstream to the south or rowing their way back north and ferrying soldiers and supplies to wherever they might be needed. At the end of the stone bridge sat a packed dirt trail which stretched ever westward into the horizon, soon to be bustling with bodies and wagons heading out to the front lines while the weary and wounded shuffled back.

In recent weeks, Song often had nightmares of seeing Sister Mila among those woeful returnees, with Mama, Papa, and everyone else she loved out on the plains too, all injured and suffering while she watched from her lofty perch inside the safety of the citadel. Though she yearned to run out to aid them, her way was always blocked by an invisible wall trapping her in the confines of her room and leaving her helpless to do anything except watch her loved ones die, because her life no longer belonged to them.

No, it belonged to another, for during the clash with the quasi-Demon Gen, the fiery inferno which almost took Rains life had also consumed and destroyed Songs Oath chain and left her bound as his unwilling slave, from now until the fateful day he drew his last breath.

If only that day would come sooner rather than later...

The air grew thin and the world closed in around her as the Heavens admonished Song for her near treasonous thoughts. That was all it took now, merely looking forward to the day of her Masters death, for this line of thinking was too close to wishing him dead, so she concentrated on being a good and obedient slave for Rain. Appeased, the Heavens rescinded its pressure and left Song gasping for air, holding the bunnies tight as she slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Tears welling in her eyes, despair threatened to overcome her and even Sarankhos comforting weight pressing against her failed to raise Songs mood, so she curled up with the bunnies and wildcat to cry in silence while mourning the loss of the happy, carefree life she only recently dared to dream of.

She was still sitting there when Mama came in for their morning ritual, and her brush fell to the floor with a clatter. Oh daughter, she crooned, joining Song by the window and hugging her tight. Its alright. Mamas here. Youve nothing to worry about sweet child of mine. Husband! Come quick. Your daughter needs you.

Papas panicked expression as he ran into the room left Song unsure whether to laugh or cry, and he quickly joined them on the floor. Wrapping Song and Mama in his crushing embrace, he muttered, There there my girl, dont you cry. Papas here.

Nestled in their arms, Songs tears flowed freely until she got a hold of herself, her melancholy leaving her worn and ashamed of her weakness. Sorry Mama, sorry Papa, Song sniffled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. This wasnt the first time theyd found her in tears, nor would it likely be the last, though Song had never been one for tears. A year ago, she wouldve accepted these new circumstances without blinking an eye, but now, only shortly after believing she could be more than just a mere slave, cruel fate conspired to tear those hopes and dreams apart, leaving her to this dark and dreary fate.

Why, Mother in Heaven? Why must you treat Your child so?

Nothing to apologize for lass, Papa rumbled, and Mama nodded in agreement, both so patient and understanding. The first time they found her crying, Papa had almost stormed off to have words with Rain, but Songs grief and misery had nothing to do with him, not really. She trusted him, else she would never have agreed to go with him to the front lines and fight at his side, but that was supposed to be temporary. Now, she was bound to him for the foreseeable future and this minor change was enough to send her spiralling into depression, because now she had lost her reason for existence. What point was there in training so hard and forming a Natal Palace if she would never get the chance to fight alongside her family? How was she to prove her worth and repay their love and affection while bound to a bedridden Master?

Though Rains display of power on the fields of Sinuji was impressive beyond belief, there was little chance he would ever recover from his injuries and return to those glorious heights. Broken Blade Pichai was revered across the Empire because he was an exception to the rule, a man who overcame the odds stacked against him after losing his Spiritual Weapon, but the living legend only lost one while Rain lost three. Whats more, it took thirty years for Pichai to reclaim his status as an Expert of the Empire, and few cared to remember how utterly mediocre hed been at first. While he eventually rose to the Peak of Martial Strength, it was only after another three decades of constant training and conflict. Sixty years passed since he was a burgeoning young talent who lost his weapon, and while his name was spoken of in the same breath as Teacher Du and Eccentric Gam thanks to their exploits in Nan Ping, Pichai was the weakest of them by far and a Peak Expert who barely made the cut, if the rumours were to be believed.

Thus, even if Rain defied the odds and made a full recovery, the chances of him returning to the battlefield in the near future were slim to none. In all likelihood, he would never recover, which meant that so long as he lived, he would be well cared for and protected, leaving nothing for Song to do except wash his small-clothes and fetch his medicine. If not for the Legates express orders that he remain in Central, Rain would have already been shipped back to the north with Song Oath bound to remain at his side, a mere slave to follow at her Masters heels no matter how much Mama, Papa, Sister, or anyone else loved her. No longer was she free to join Sister out on the front lines or Mama on a scouting trip of their surroundings, or go on a supply run with Papa for fear of bringing her too far away from her Master.

None of this was Rains fault, but Song couldnt help but resent him for surviving what would have killed almost anyone else. A terrible thing to think since Sister and everyone else loved him so much and he treated Song so well, but if he had died alongside the destruction of her chain, Mama would be her new Master instead, circumstances which she would have been more than happy to accept. Even thinking about this hypothetical was enough to trigger her Oaths and squeeze the air from her lungs, for she was bound to serve her Master with unwavering loyalty. Though eight weeks had passed since that fateful battle in Sinuji, Song still had yet to adjust to her new lot in life and succumbed to these perfidious thoughts at least once or twice a day, sometimes many times more. An unpleasant existence, but such was to be Songs life until he died.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Daddy isnt here, and he shouldnt Heal them anyways. Youre not eating enough yanno? Giving him a careful hug, Lin added, It doesnt matter if hubby becomes pock-marked and hideous, Lin-Lin will still love you, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt be more careful with your looks, ya? I like my handsome Rainy best.

Sorry. Looking almost as miserable as Song felt, Rain quickly recovered his annoyingly cheerful disposition and said, Well, we have a reservation to get to and were running a little late, so lets get going. Giving Song an awkward, almost shame-faced grin, he absentmindedly fiddled with his chest where her chain once hung and added, Ive heard great things about their soup-filled dumplings.

Her mood lifting at his apparent discomfort and the thought of enjoying her favourite dish, Song walked slightly behind Rain and sister-in-law Sarnai while they made their way to the restaurant, but even short distances took some time to cover with Rain moving at a snails pace and needing frequent stops to rest. The Number One Talent in the Empire was now weaker than a child and thick-skinned enough to put it on display for the small crowd of detractors and onlookers lingering about, pretending not to follow or point and laugh while making every effort to ensure their sarcastic mockery was both seen and heard.

There goes Fallen Rain, our glorious young hero. Thank the Mother he survived.

Perhaps some day, I too can match him in strength.

So lofty a goal, perhaps youve set your sights too high.

And on and on it went. Though Rain seemed impervious to their slander and disrespect as he made slow progress along the cobbled pathway, the Death Corps lacked his thick skin and shameless demeanour, but their response was disheartening to watch. Their token had also been destroyed by Gens conjured pillar of flame and they were now in Rains permanent employ, but instead of bristling with rage at the poorly veiled insults directed towards their Master, the Death Corps winced and balked before the abuse and contempt, which meant in some ways, they agreed with the insults and could no longer take pride in serving at Rains side. Much like Song, their purpose in life was to serve, and their pride hinged upon the accomplishments of their Master. While Rain had come far in his short life, like a candle burning too bright, his time would soon be over.

Death would be a mercy, for at least his dignity would be spared.

This time, Song barely flinched as the Heavens punished her for her thoughts, for she truly believed this to be true. She was Oath-bound to defend her Master, but Rains existence was filled with suffering. If she came across someone in great pain and no hope of survival, she would offer that person the mercy of death, so why should it not be the same for her Master? Looking ridiculous in his puffy overcoat and thick hat, Rains brow dripped with sweat and his gaunt frame seemed ready to topple as he took one step, then another, his gaze fixed on the stones so he couldnt see the mocking smiles or scornful gazes sent his way. Jaw clenched in obvious agony, he paused to catch his breath and...

...

And then he smiled. A small, celebratory smile which soon turned into a grin. One hundred steps, he said, eyes bright and chest heaving. A record. The first of many, because tomorrow, I intend to break it. With a self-deprecating chuckle, he turned to Song and added, But sadly, I think Ive overstepped in thinking I could make it all the way to the restaurant. Do you think Erdene would mind carrying me the rest of the way?

Startled by his chipper attitude, Song quietly helped him onto the quin and took hold of his belt to keep him from falling off, for despite his good mood, he seemed ready to collapse. After resuming their journey at a more normal pace, she snuck a look at Rains face and saw his self-satisfied smile, still as foolish and idiotic as always, but it was his eyes which caught her gaze. Tired and pained, but burning with the same confidence and determination hed always had, because he truly believed he would rise once again. A hundred steps was by no means an impressive record, but tomorrow, he would improve on it, this hed already declared. An inspiring attitude, one Song could learn from, and she couldnt help but hold herself in contempt for the way shed been acting of late.

If Rain could stand firm and laugh in the face of near hopeless odds, then why should she be any different? Compared to him, Songs circumstances were almost laughable, because in what way was she suffering? Why cry and wish for death when she had a loving family, considerate friends, affectionate pets, a warm bed, and good food to eat? Three years ago, she couldnt even dream of a life as good as the one she led now, so why couldnt she be happy?

It was as if there were a pall draped over her mind and a heavy weight dragging her heart down into the pits of despair, and though she didnt know how to make herself be happy, she knew that if she continued down the path, Balance would be lost to her. Resolving to be more optimistic and return to her Martial training, she silently cheered Rain on and committed the faces of his detractors to memory, because even though she ached to draw her saber and challenge each and every one of them, this was not her battle to fight. Rain was a brilliant Warrior whod been Blessed by the Mother, a man who trained for less than eight years before becoming the publicly acclaimed Number One Talent in the Empire, so if he did recover, even ten years was not too long for a gentleman to take revenge.

And if he never recovered? Well then those poor dandies would be out of luck, for then it would fall to Sister Mila to regain her betrotheds lost honour, and her rage was terrifying to behold...

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