Coatleque had stayed with them for the night. The frightened mother and her daughter. Because of Jin'li, they were all now in the same situation. She had assured them as best she could that she would help them as soon as she as able. That her forced hospitality would be repaid in double to this madman.
Her sleep was fitful and uneasy that night. She had no dreams, but she could hear. The voices and cries of her friends, shield brothers and sisters. The clashing of steel against steel. She heard everything, but saw nothing, as if her body were hovering over the scene playing out below.
Waking early, she sat on the edge of the bed. She retrieved the pressed flower that had been lain on the nightstand the previous night. A tear rolled down her cheek as she felt its petals once more.
Her course was now clear. She would not serve two masters, and her life was already pledged to one of them. The madness must end... tonight. Yes, tonight... her oath would be fulfilled.
Her sleep was fitful and uneasy that night. She had no dreams, but she could hear. The voices and cries of her friends, shield brothers and sisters. The clashing of steel against steel. She heard everything, but saw nothing, as if her body were hovering over the scene playing out below.
Waking early, she sat on the edge of the bed. She retrieved the pressed flower that had been lain on the nightstand the previous night. A tear rolled down her cheek as she felt its petals once more.
Her course was now clear. She would not serve two masters, and her life was already pledged to one of them. The madness must end... tonight. Yes, tonight... her oath would be fulfilled.
