Book 6: Chapter 32: You Should Come Inside

Book 6: Chapter 32: You Should Come Inside

Sen had no ready answer to that emotional outburst. He lacked even a basic frame of reference, let alone the necessary experience to understand what the fox had been through. Sen possessed no wisdom to offer. He didnt even have an empty platitude he could mouth. His only solace was that Laughing River likely didnt expect him to provide any of those things. He hadnt really been asking questions. That was just the form the foxs grief and apparent guilt had taken in the moment. So, Sen remained silent while the fox regained his composure. It didnt go quite the way Sen expected. Instead of looking lost or sad, the foxs expression grew stony in a way that left Sens insides feeling abruptly cold.

It appears I may have been hasty in my decision to leave my people be, said Laughing River. After we finish our business here, it seems that I may need to go correct some wrong assumptions.

Sen got the distinct impression that translated into Laughing River killing the foxes who had started that rumor about him in the first place. It almost had to be the foxes hed saved from the massacre. He supposed theyd seen an opportunity when Laughing River voluntarily stepped away from all of the foxes. They could have invented some story about how they were delayed and missed the slaughter through luck or something similar. They would have all needed to be on the same page, though. Sen wondered if there had been some attrition in that group on the way home from the disaster. It sounded cold-blooded, but he supposed ambition often was cold-blooded in a way that made any obstacle look like it needed to be removed permanently. Hed seen enough evidence of that from the sect members hed been unfortunate enough to encounter over the years. The one thing that Sen knew was that he wanted to be far, far, far away from whatever corrections that Laughing River had in mind.

You should probably start with your granddaughter, observed Sen, trying to keep the fox focused on the immediate problems in their vicinity. Were going to have a hard time finishing this little project of yours if she actively interferes. And shes going to get a lot of opportunities to interfere.

Laughing River eyed Sen like he thought the cultivator was trying to trick him but gave a reluctant nod.

I suppose I should. I guess Ill have to go try to find them for real.

Seriously? What were doing all morning if you werent looking for them?

I found a nice tree to take a nap in, said the fox with zero shame.

You could have found them all along? demanded Sen.

Oh, no. I wasnt lying about it being a very difficult task, even for someone with my extraordinary skills. I just wasnt motivated.

Why?

I dont like that sect girl. You didnt seem inclined to just kill her and be done with it. I figured that since my darling granddaughter injected herself into the situation, Id let her deal with it and spare your fragile conscience.

You know why I dont want her dead, said Sen.

Something about sects and, I dont remember, something else. It all sounded very tedious.

Sen desperately wanted to yell at the fox, but he suspected that Laughing River was intentionally irritating him to reclaim some ground after having exposed such raw emotions. Shaking his head, Sen tried to think about calming things like choking the fox into unconsciousness. That mental image helped him feel a lot better.

What are you thinking about? asked the fox. That smile is positively creepy. Dont ever smile like that at anyone you dont intend to kill.

Sen looked directly at Laughing River without changing his expression and said, Noted.

That was quite the performance, she said.

It really wasnt, said Sen.

The fox woman gave him a skeptical look. It looked pretty solid from over here.

The formations must be clouding your vision, said Sen. Arent you worried that your grandfather is going to come back?

No. Hes off trying to find me. I put down a false trail for him to follow. Itll be at least another hour before he figures it out.

Id have thought youd have something better to do than come and watch me. I mean, hostages dont feed themselves.

They dont keep themselves quiet, either, complained Misty Peak. I have to gag her to get a moment of peace.

You could just let her go, said Sen. Surely, youve realized by now that shes useless as leverage.

Dont be silly. I cant just let her go. What will you give me for her?

I can probably find some loose pebbles around here somewhere.

Misky Peak gave Sen a little pout. Well, thats not much of a gift, is it?

Shes not much of a hostage.

The fox woman looked past Sen, frowned, and gestured at the galehouse. Where do these things keep coming from?

Sen looked over his shoulder at the stone building and said, I make them.

Really? asked Misty Peak with an expression of genuine surprise.

A hand dropped onto the fox womans shoulder and clamped down as Laughing River stepped out of nowhere. There was an expression of pure dread on Misty Peaks face.

He really does, said Laughing River. You should come inside and see it for yourself.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com