Book 6: Chapter 18: Alchemy and Ancient Ruins

Book 6: Chapter 18: Alchemy and Ancient Ruins

Dont glare at me, said Laughing River in a hurt voice. I gallantly left you alone after helpfully pointing out your mistake, and you wasted yet another opportunity by complaining about me. I mean, honestly, I dont know what more I could have done to help you there.

Li Yi Nuo had spent the last two days glowering at Laughing River and Sen, far less amused than they had been about the things theyd said to her. With a quick exchange of glances, the two men had come to a mutual agreement that they would pretend that it wasnt happening. However, it seemed that Laughing River had run out of patience with the game. To his credit, he had lasted a lot longer than Sen had ever thought he would. The fox seemed to have a very limited attention span, although Sen thought that it was mostly a guise that Laughing River put on. After all, who would suspect clever planning from someone who got distracted by everything? Sen got around that problem by assuming that everything the fox said was a lie, a scheme, or a misdirection. It seemed to be working. Li Yi Nuos strategy of directing baleful glares probably didnt protect her from the Laughing Rivers lies, but it had seemed to discourage any more observations about her personality or behaviors. At least, it had been working. With the foxs latest statement, all of her ire landed directly on the fox.

Help me? Help me! By doing what? Calling my character into question? Suggesting that I should be promiscuous with a

When Sen gave her a sharp look, her voice cut off like hed seized her throat in one of his hands.

Do tell? A what? asked Sen in an unfriendly voice.

Stranger, she said weakly, the fire suddenly going out of her.

Sure, said Sen, before he looked over at Laughing River and pointed. That direction?

The fox glanced in the direction Sen pointed. That would be the one.

Ill go scout.

As he started moving into the woods, he heard Li Yi Nuo.

No, said Sen.

Sen, said the fox in a friendly, reassuring voice.

I said, no! roared Sen. I owe you a favor, but no favor is worth that.

Sen stalked over to Li Yi Nuo, who looked terrified that he was going to attack her. She looked terrified and confused when he grabbed her hand.

Lets go. Were leaving, said Sen and all but dragged her away from the flabbergasted fox.

Li Yi Nuo didnt try to fight Sens inexorable momentum. Instead, she tried to get a handle on the situation.

What is happening? she asked. I dont understand whats going on.

That bastard wants us to rob a temple.

What? demanded Li Yi Nuo, not even attempting to hide her shock.

You know, he wants us to just causally steal from a sacred ruin after we fight our way through an army of spirits, angry ghosts, devil beasts, and the gods only know what else. Well, you know what? Fuck that!