Chapter 472

Chapter 472

Eager to reunite with her returning daughter, Akanai woke at the break of dawn and snuck out to harness her quin. Five days had passed since Mila left the front lines and Akanai had expected the girl to return in three alongside Huushals all-mounted retinue, but instead, she dawdled and dragged her feet. Almost a woman grown and still the same silly little child who procrastinated and avoided doing her unpleasant chores instead of getting them over and done with. While this wasnt something as simple as washing clothes or sweeping floors, the basic concept remained unchanged; good medicine tastes bitter, so best to drink it as quickly as possible.

Rains recovery would not be swift, so Mila had best get used to seeing him weak and in pain. At least the boy seemed happier and was smiling more, no longer the broody, melancholic teen who so loved to be miserable.

Though old and ornery, Kankin was still hale and healthy as could be, running up the citadel wall with ease before diving headfirst into the moat. Barely sinking beneath the waters surface thanks to his Lightened torso and dense, buoyant fur, the quin glided across the moat in seconds and ran off into the morning gloom at a breakneck pace. The open plains were dotted with tens of thousands of soldiers returning from the front lines, some having camped in front of the walls to wait for the gates to open while others trickling in after marching through the night to reunite with their families in time for the new year.

The two-week long celebrations were always a joyous affair, a time of rest and renewal of mind and spirit where one gave thanks for the past years blessings and reflected on the trials and tribulations with family and friends. This year had been a turbulent one filled with weal and woe alike, which made unity all the more vital to helping her family get through this together. Thankfully, the worst had passed and there was much to look forward to in this coming year, so Akanai wanted to reunite with her daughter as soon as possible.

A sentiment Mila didnt share as it took another two hours of riding to find her, plodding along with her Sentinels ahead of a host of ox-drawn wagons carrying Zian and BoShuis retinues. It was nice to see her getting along with the two young Experts, the most stalwart of Rains allies and friends, even more so than her disappointing disciple Fung. Instead of fighting on the front lines for experience and glory or staying with his Mentor to learn, the little scamp was off in another citadel wooing a prospective bride on his fathers orders. While little Hai needed to secure his Magisterial office with allies and a line of succession, he put too much of the burden on his son when he should take a wife or concubine of his own and have more, possibly less talented children. In five days, Fung would be twenty-two years of age, a rare talent who Formed his Natal Palace two years ago and on track to Develop his Domain before twenty-five. Fungs potential would be wasted as a mere politician, much like little Hai himself, but her old friend was adamant on securing a base of power in Shen Huo for his future descendants.

Bah. What good were paper-pushing politicians? Better for Fung to become a Peak Expert like his father and leave administrative work for clerks and scholars.

In contrast to Akanais disciple, the two Society outcasts were far more worthy of praise. Han BoShui cut a strapping figure seated atop his bulky beast of burden, a burly, brawny warrior with a neat, silken beard which framed his handsome face and covered his weak chin. Given his recent achievements and promotion, the Han boy was the talk of the citadel since a future Peak Expert in the making was far more rousing to speak of than a crippled young talent whod fallen before he could truly fly. Luckily, young BoShui was a loyal and devoted friend who proved it by taking in Rains ragtag retinue instead of filling his ranks with Clan and Society adherents. Politically, aligning his rising star to Rains diminished one was a move which cost him dearly with the rest of the Empire, but given his powerful presence on the battlefield and his uncles steadfast support, there was little his detractors could do aside from mutter and grumble about BoShuis choice in friends.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

As for the former number one talent of the north, Zians star had been overshadowed in recent years, but the young man still showed promise, though not his face as he rode in his carriage with his venomous concubine and her handmaidens. If not for his Clan and Mothers gross negligence, he might even have rivalled his famous father, though from what little Akanai knew, this was also likely the reason for all his current woes. The tallest tree attracts the wind and it was human nature to envy the virtuous and talented, and Zian was nothing if not talented. Pompous and arrogant too, but not beyond reason, and it was easy to see why he got along so well with Rain and Fung, for they were all lusty young men cut from the same cloth. Alas, where the former two were loved and cherished by their families, Zian had been largely left to his own devices, and his achievements were a testament to his staggering talent.

The young man had proven himself a brilliant warrior and able tactician, but a second-rate leader lacking the charisma required of a commander beloved by his soldiers, as evidenced by how he separated himself from his soldiers. Cold and aloof, he made enemies and drove away associates with his prideful demeanour, so despite all his skills and accomplishments, he had no close friends outside of Rain and BoShui, and a lone tree does not a forest make. Following the death of his Mentor, the Twinned Dragon Jukai, Zian had fallen on hard times as the Situ Clan all but abandoned him, and were it not for Rains support and Vichears protection, the Society might have even quietly assassinated their so-called Young Patriarch. Considering his near suicidal behaviour on the battlefield, Zians death would come soon enough if not reined in, and though he had not responded kindly to her overtures, Akanai was patient. If the Situ Clan would not have him, then she would gladly take him in despite his apparent death wish. While yet to Develop a Domain, Zian was only turning twenty-six, with most of a decade ahead of him before he could be called average.

Putting the Society talents out of mind, she ignored Milas petulant scowl and greeted her with a smile. Daughter, Akanai said, reaching out to run her fingers through the sweet childs tangled locks. It is good to see you.

Good to see you too Mama. The scowl deepened as Mila grumbled and shook herself free, for she was a leader of warriors who shouldnt be seen being coddled by her mother, but Akanai couldnt help herself. She was so proud of her little girl, and it seemed like only yesterday shed been a snaggle-toothed child who challenged her parents on every little decision and disagreement, a girl who blossomed overnight into a beautiful warrior and gifted blacksmith who stood at the forefront of her peers.

Leaving her sweet daughter to pout, Akanai greeted her Sentinels and Rains friends as a senior should and exchanged words with Alsantset and Charok before returning to Milas side. Forcefully taking her hand, Akanai rode in silence while envying how close Kankin and Atir were as the father-daughter pair took turns grooming each other while they ran. Wanting to hear the girls voice, she Sent, Any battles of note?

Im sure you read the reports.

Reports which painted a bleak future once the Defiled finished making their preparations, a concept Akanai would have laughed at if brought up ten years ago, but now...

Shaking off her grim apprehension, Akanai focused on her difficult daughter instead. Any progress to report on the Martial Path? The girl was on the cusp of Aura Condensation and Natal Palace Formation, and though frustrated by her lack of success, she would still be ahead of most if she took another two or three years to achieve both. She spent too much time comparing and competing with her peers instead of forging her own path, a shortcoming which only presented itself after coming into contact with so many geniuses of her generation. Akanai blamed Rain most of all, because when had there ever been a talent who accidentally Formed a Natal Palace at seventeen?

No Mama.

...Have you any questions then? Always a gamble to answer the girls insightful queries, and Akanai always struggled to respond without revealing too much. Mila already knew far more than she should, which could be why she was having so much trouble reaching the next milestones on the Martial Path. Rain knew next to nothing and accomplished more than any of his peers, albeit in unconventional fashion and at great cost.

No Mama.

Intervening before Mila took things too far, Akanai grabbed the girls wrist and flashed a toothy smile at the remaining fops, all frozen in fear with eyes wide and knees trembling. Enough, dear daughter, she said, speaking slowly as she drank in their shock and disbelief. The offenders have been punished, but these other children are mere bystanders. They cannot be held responsible for insults given by anothers tongue. Perhaps this would teach the girl some restraint, for it was mildly unsatisfying to let these others leave unscathed. Every one of these pompous dandies had insulted Rain at one point or another, and they deserved far more than a slap across the face.

Last week, the one dressed in red and white alluded Lin and I were beasts. Delivering the accusation in her customary monotone, Songs testimony sealed the fate of yet another dandy as Mila broke free from Akanais grasp and backhanded him across the jaw. With only the whites of his eyes showing, he spun in place and sprayed blood over all his friends before collapsing into a puddle at his feet.

Who else?

Milas growled question shocked the fools back to their senses and they ran away screaming of murder and assault. The soldiers on duty came over to inquire what all the fuss was about, but once Akanai told them why four dandies were lying unconscious in the streets, they merely nodded and dragged the dandies away. None of the fops held rank, so it would be up to their families to report this to an Adjudicator, which would only see them fined for slandering a Captain of the Imperial Defence Forces.

Oh beloved, Rain said, wiping the blood off of Milas face with a handkerchief once the soldiers were gone. I appreciate you standing up for my honour, but why let yourself get so worked up over these idiots? If you stop to teach every fool a lesson, then therell be no end to the beatings.

Seeing Mila was still struggling to contain her anger, Akanai smoothed the girls hair and replied, The beatings will end once fools learn to show proper respect. Patting his cheek to show she wasnt upset, she added, You should have let your Death Corps teach them weeks ago.

I disagree. Though crippled and wounded, Rain had lost none of his nerve as he faced her head on, a feat many of her veteran Sentinels couldnt match. Theyre a bunch of idle layabouts with nothing to do during a time of war. What does their opinion matter? Let them wag their tongues all they want; I have better things to do than waste my time on dead weight. Save your anger for people who matter. Besides, he added with a sniff, "I had plans in motion to deal with them myself.

Hmph. Glowering adorably, Mila knuckled Rains gaunt cheeks ever so gently. Two months Ive been gone, and this is how you greet me? With a lecture?

Sorry beloved. Kissing her hands in a shameless public display of affection, Rain teased, Alright, Ive taken up enough of your time, so why dont you let me handle everyones lodgings while you head up and say hi to your father? If I keep you any longer, hes going to throw something down and accidentally kill me. Glancing up, Akanai spied her husbands bearded head peeking out from their bedroom window, but only for a split-second as he darted back like a startled squirrel. Chuckling beneath his breath as he eyed the blood-stained stones, Rain added, Luckily for them, hes busy working upstairs; I still remember the last idiot who insulted you. In retrospect, a few broken bones and missing teeth is a small price to pay.

Hmph, had they insulted Mila directly, Akanai wouldve strung them up by their ankles and left them to die of exposure, which was far better than they deserved.

Confident Rain could handle things here, Akanai brought Mila away and left him to sort out the Sentinels lodgings. Most already had families living inside the citadel, and those who didnt were left with a choice: either share a room with three other Sentinels, or ride an hour east to Rains recently purchased farm where food and proper lodgings would be provided free of charge. The offer earned him much-needed goodwill as most chose a yurt on his farm, but even Akanai thought the boy was being far too generous.

Less than a year had passed since the People almost exiled him from the village, and while she still held a grudge, she was glad to see Rain didnt share her resentment. Others saw his friendly, but polite and distant demeanour as pride or arrogance, believing he kept to himself because he thought himself better than others or because he refused to lower his guard, but they were letting their preconceived notions colour their judgment. The boy remembered nothing of his origins, nothing before the age of twelve even, so he kept himself apart because he was scared and slow to trust. It took him months to warm up to his family, and years to feel comfortable enough to share his innermost secrets, and though he never spoke of it, it hurt him to know hed almost brought calamity to the People and tainted his fond memories of the village.

Once, Akanai thought Rain wanted nothing to do with the People, but in truth, he yearned for a place to belong. Though born of the People, he did not see himself as one, nor did he see himself as a citizen of the Empire, a sad, lonely existence which drove him to create a fake brother just so hed have someone to confide in. Poor child, much like Song, he kept his suffering hidden from the world for fear of burdening others, but after confiding in his family once, perhaps hed do so again before his problems grew out of hand again.

Though still worried about her troublesome grand-disciple, Akanai could barely contain her smile as she watched her big bear of a husband melt in Milas embrace, gently cradling his sweet daughter as if afraid to break her. Almost regretting her decision to ride out, she brought Song over to join the hug and they held each other tight until Mila begged leave to go bathe, claiming she was covered in sweat and dust from her travels even though everyone knew she wanted to look pretty for her beloved.

Once Mila was finally finished primping and preening, they left to have lunch at the pups manor, where the entire family ate, drank, laughed, and generally enjoyed each others company. The pup and his wife, Taduk and Lin, Alsantset, Charok, and the twins, Rain, Luo-Luo, and Song, Akanai was not used to having a family so large, one which would only grow once Yan joined them with Du Min Gyu, but she wouldnt trade this for the world. Strange to think she had Rain to thank for all of this, because without him, everyone here would not be bound by familial ties.

At least some good came from his lecherous appetite...

Chapter Meme

Chapter Meme 2