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Chapter 564
🕑 Added 2020-03-17 23:00:12 +0000 UTChttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1txPDlR4uKixjUB5mAHV5rRkASecga_UC3ICrPFKs0qw/edit?usp=sharing
Despite the dire circumstances and calamitous tribulations to come, Du Min Gyu looked forward to meeting this latest challenge head on. A seasoned veteran of hundreds, if not thousands of battles, he well remembered the thrill of combat and rush of victory, and for many decades had sought to relive his glory days as a military officer. Though his leg was crippled and largely useless, his mind was as sharp as ever, but despite his constant requests for assignment, the higher-ups, led by Colonel General Shuai Jiao, refused to give Min Gyu the chance he so desperately desired.
For good reason though. Contrary to his beliefs at the time, his Dream Smoke addiction had left him addled, irritable, and easily distracted, which made for a poor commanding officer and even worse supporting one. Looking back on it now, he realized his many public curses directed towards Shuai Jiao had been unwarranted and ungenerous, because Min Gyu had clearly been unfit for duty. In fact, despite not drawing a salary, he should have been stripped of rank long ago, but he recently learned that Shuai Jiao had staunchly opposed it for several decades because he saw no need to trample the reputation of a Hero of the Empire. When Yan and Dain dragged him to Shuai Jiaos hosted luncheon during new years a few weeks past, Min Gyu had offered the stately Colonel General his heartfelt thanks and apologies, but the magnanimous warrior refused to accept any and all gifts, save for the token string of coppers usually gifted to servants and peasants. You earned your rank, Shuai Jiao had said, treating Min Gyus gratitude as air. I merely did what was right.
Which was essentially the Colonel Generals storied history summed up in a single sentence. Much like his Northern counterpart Nian Zu, Shuai Jiao kept away from politics and alliances, and spent most of his career hunting Defiled, pirates, bandits, and rebels with ruthless efficiency. Unlike the other two Colonel Generals of Central, Shuai Jiao had been born into poverty and lived modestly in his private life, far from destitute but well below his station, with the bulk of his salary donated to the coffers of various temples and monasteries scattered about the Empire. Even his hosted luncheon was little more than a token gathering, arranged and paid for by Marshal Yo Jeong-Hun for the sole purpose of reminding the power-hungry officers and nobles that Central that Grasping Vine Shuai Jiao was still alive, and they should temper their ambitions accordingly.
A selfless man with a brilliant mind, Min Gyu respected and even admired Shuai Jiao, but personally, he couldnt stand the uptight, sanctimonious prig, no matter how much he tried.
Shuai Jiaos continued refusal to assign Min Gyu any military duties didnt help much either, especially now that he was truly in good health and no longer addicted or even using Dream Smoke. When he brought up the matter of military assignment during that most boring and stifling of luncheons, the bald Colonel General had smiled and said, You are not yet ready. Reflect on your excursion to the Canston Winery, and you will understand why.
It irked Min Gyu to be spoken down to like a pupil in need of lessons, but he had to admit that Shuai Jiao had a point. The Canston Winery had been a failure on so many levels, and not just because his forces would have been wiped out if not for the timely arrival of several friendly Divinities. While the appearance of a Defiled Divinity had sealed the fate of Min Gyus expedition, their outcome had been bleak even before the crazed Ancestral Beast made her ghastly appearance, and it was all his fault. Hed forgotten too much in the long years since he last served, and so much more had changed, but his mistakes at the winery were almost too numerous to name. One mistake stood out above all others, however, for Min Gyu should have sent scouts into the winery to assess the situation before committing his entire force like a hot-headed young bull, but after so many long years of inactivity, Min Gyu had been overeager to prove himself once again.
Now, he had another chance to prove himself once again, but this time the stakes went beyond the revitalization of his once illustrious career. Should he fail in this task at hand, Min Gyu might well find himself at odds with not only Shuai Jiao, but also every other Colonel General of the Empire, including his current ally and camp commander, Nian Zu. Grateful as Min Gyu was to have earned Baatars trust, he knew he was no match for the sharpest military minds of the Empire, and if it should come to open rebellion, he and the Bekhai would find themselves crushed with little more than a whimper.
Needless to say, Min Gyu was determined to succeed, and not just because he didnt want his precious grand-daughter to die an unmarried widow. However, his enthusiasm aside, this journey to the Central Citadel had gotten off to a rocky start, what with him being occupied with caring for Yans needs while she meditated in the Medical Saints meditation garden. Oh what a trial it had been resisting the urge to step into the grove himself, and the temptation had nearly done him in, but he held fast and stayed strong until it was finally time to leave. Past time, in truth, but hed forgotten to account for Bekhai obstinance in his down-to-the-minute plans. Were it not for his constant reminders that Rain needed them, Yan, Sumila, Alsantset, and Sarnai would all still be back at the garden, meditating without a care in the world while the amber-eyed rascal rode towards his imminent doom.
No, that was defeatist thinking, and Min Gyu would not allow himself to succumb to doom and gloom. Falling Rain was a child of miracles, so while his chances of survival seemed slim at best, if anyone could live through this, it would be him. Although Min Gyu lacked a personal army to lend to the cause and had been too preoccupied to make advanced preparations, he intended to do everything in his power to make sure the boy made it to the battlefield in one piece, and then everything else was in the hands of the Mother Herself.
Fresh and well-rested after several days spent at the peaceful Bekhai farms, Min Gyu spent their first day of travel in a state of heightened awareness. Not only did he have his personal guards reporting in every quarter hour, he also raised a cordon of buffeting Wind Chi about the boys carriage to ensure no Concealed assassins approached his position. That turned out to be a grave mistake, because with so many Experts and Peak Experts watching over the boy in secret and reporting back to different commanders, it was all but impossible to keep track of all the Concealed comings and goings around Falling Rains carriage.
This, coupled with the stress of the whole situation and his personal struggle to reacquaint himself with the rigours of command, left Min Gyu in a less than ideal state. Although the first day of travel passed by without incident, he re-learned a valuable lesson of command in this most stressful of times, and that was to always conserve your resources, including the attentions of the commanding officer. While Colonel General Nian Zu was ostensibly in charge of this convoy, and the Bekhai contingent were under Major Alsantsets command, Baatar had personally entrusted his sons safety to Min Gyu, which, more than anything, spoke of the half-wolfs poor judgment. Regardless of his misgivings, Min Gyu intended to do everything in his power to keep the boy alive, but he would be of no use to anyone if he exhausted himself with his hyper-vigilant ways.
Thus, he approached today with a different mindset, intending to leave Nian Zu to handle the day to day minutiae while Min Gyu himself waited on standby in case of emergency. Waking naturally at the break of dawn, he forced himself to relax and remain in bed for a few minutes longer, if only to enjoy what might well be his last moments of peace. Considering their foes, there was a chance the boy might have died sometime during the night, and if that were the case, then there was nothing Min Gyu could do for him now, so there was no point rushing over to make sure Rain was still alive.
Instead, he lay in the dim darkness of his officers tent and took stock of his surroundings, finding Kyung conspicuously absent and another personal guard standing in his place at the front of the tent. One of Kangs boys, or perhaps a nephew or grandson, Min Gyu couldnt remember the exact details, only that he had blood ties to the boy in some way.
Why couldnt he remember the boys name? A terrible sign of things to come if his mind was starting to slip, but was this truly a lapse in memory due to advanced age, or had he never bothered to learn the boys name in the first place?
Thankfully, Kyung returned in short order and sent the guard away, and Min Gyu sat up the moment they were alone. What was that guards name again? he Sent, hoping it would be an unfamiliar one.
Xiao Qi. Grandfather, Kyung replied, stooping to help Min Gyu onto his feet. Duan Xiao Qi.
Little Seven? What an asinine name, but then again, some people had so many children, a simple naming scheme probably made it easier to keep track of all the brats. Duan? I thought we were related in some way?
By marriage, Grandfather. Though the tent was almost uncomfortably warm thanks to the already lit braziers, Kyung took no chances with Min Gyus health and wrapped a thick, heavy cloak around his shoulders before helping him out of his nightclothes. Xiao Qi is the grand-nephew of Du Kang Bins third Consort.
Who himself was the grandson of a second cousin, which meant Xiao Qi was barely a relation at all. Third Consort? Seven wives arent enough for Kang Bin, and now he needs consorts as well? No wonder his progress has stalled this last decade, its a miracle he even has time to eat and bathe. Still, blood wasnt everything, or even of importance, for family mean so much more. Kang Bin was family, because hed been one of the few who stayed loyal after Min Gyu declared Yan as his heir and Disciple, and loyalty should always be rewarded. How are Xiao Qis skills?
Lacklustre, but he works hard even without guidance. Coming from Kyung, this was almost a scathing reproach, implying Min Gyu had neglected his personal guards of late, most of whom were only here to learn from Great Teacher Du. Xiao Qis father tried to convince him to leave some months ago. The boy refused. Vehemently.
So chatty today. Chuckling to take the bite out of his words, Min Gyu let the cloak slide off his shoulders as he slipped into the robes Kyung held out for him. Youve been teaching the guards in my absence, I take it? Kyung hesitated briefly before nodding ever so slightly, and Min Gyu beamed in delight. Then there is nothing to worry about, for you are my most prized pupil and only grandson. Cupping Kyungs cheeks in both hands, he took a moment to study this recently acknowledged grandson, with pride and guilt intermingling in his chest. It felt so strange to look back on his memories and see how he treated this poor boy, never as the promising young man hed been, or even as a person at all, only a tool to be shaped and otherwise a silent guard at his side.
And worst of all? Kyung didnt resent Min Gyu, but revered him instead. Is there anything you wish to do, grandson of mine? Any dream you wish to pursue or ambition you hope to fulfill? A wife, a family, a career, a passion? Anything to help assuage this guilt...
Nothing Grandfather. This one is content as he is, serving at Grandfathers side. Though Kyungs words were intended to reassure, they weighed heavily on Min Gyus heart and made him worry for the future.
There will come a time when I am dead and gone, he said, and Kyung flinched in place as if hed been struck. You, on the other hand, still have many centuries of life ahead. What will you do then?
Whatever my new Master dictates.
This time it was Min Gyus turn to flinch, followed by a long suffering sigh. For now, Yan is set to inherit your Oaths. She already treats you well and sees you as a brother, so she will respect your wishes in the future. Should you have any requests, either now or after Im gone, you make sure to speak to your mind, understood? And no more this ones anymore, use I. Youre Du Min Gyus star pupil and grandson, so its time you behaved like it.
...Yes Grandfather.
It would take time for Kyung to come to terms with his new life, because hed been conditioned to take solace in service. A few months ago, Min Gyu suggested hiring a servant to take over Kyungs duties, and the poor boy had looked so afraid and betrayed, it was as if he thought he himself were being replaced. Yan said Kyung just needed time to adjust, but what Min Gyu lacked most of all was time itself. Ten years at most, and likely far less, time which would pass in the blink of an eye, or be cut short in the heat of battle. Perhaps this was too little too late, and Min Gyu would die having never met Kyung the man, and only knowing Kyung the slave, but if so, then he had no one to blame but himself.
Feeling maudlin from thinking about what could have been, Min Gyu patted Kyungs cheek once more and shuffled over to the washbasin. Where did you head off to this morning? he asked, if only to fill the silence.
...To check on Li Song. Sheepishly refusing to make eye contact, Kyung grumbled, She left camp again, with no guards or escorts to speak of. The Bekhai are too lax with their children, letting them wander about as they please.
Min Gyu didnt disagree, but it was hard to tell with the Bekhai. Last night, hed watched Li Song leave with a bucket of meat and walk almost a full kilometre away from camp, just to scatter it across the ground and come back. The girl had no visible escorts, and upon her return, Min Gyu only found two trailing behind, whom he later identified as Fire-bird Tenjin and his wife, Tursinai. This wasnt to say there werent more guards hidden around her during those twice-daily excursions, but either this was the most poorly presented bait in the world, or the Bekhai were all idiots who didnt keep track of their important children.
Probably the latter, which was frankly horrifying. While Baatar intended to rebel if Rain should die, Min Gyu suspected Akanai would overthrow the Emperor Himself if her sweet daughter suffered so much as a single scratch...
There was nothing to be done except ask his guards to keep an eye on Li Song, a task which Kyung apparently had taken on himself. It seemed he believed Akanai had poached Li Song away from them, and that the girl belonged with Min Gyu instead of the Bekhai, but on this, they disagreed. He barely remembered teaching the girl, as shed been one of many in a batch of warrior slaves hed intended to sell or gift away. The first real memory he had of the green-eyed half-cat was after she emerged victorious from a sparring tournament meant to determine which of his students would go along with Jin Tok to the Society Contests, with the slaves thrown in to pad the numbers and tire his students out. Oh how hed berated them for losing so readily to a slave, but now, that slave stood higher than any of his students in both skill and social status, aside from his loyal god-daughter Dain.
At least he didnt have to feel bad about snatching away his sweet granddaughter from the Bekhai anymore, for he surely had more to do with shaping Li Songs Martial Path than Akanai had with Yan.
On that cheery note, he sauntered out of his tent where he was greeted by sweet Kishi waiting for breakfast. The affectionate quin pup had slept in Yans yurt last night, which meant Eun was already up and about and they would both be out shortly. Settling into his chair to hand feed little Kishi, he spotted Xiao Qi tending to the kettle over a nearby fire, while the rest of his personal guards puttered about in an attempt to look busy.
Well, no time like the present. Xiao Qi, he called, and the young man leaped to attention. Demonstrate the Forms. You favour the Oriole, correct? Start there.
Yes, Lieutenant General.
Grinning from ear to ear, Xiao Qi launched into a passable Demonstration, while Min Gyu evaluated his performance harshly, which for some reason made the young fool smile even more. The Oriole is a bird, Xiao Qi, not a fish floundering on dry land. As the Tiger embodies Honing and the Bull Reinforcement, the Oriole Forms are intertwined with Lightening at their core. This isnt to say you must be Lightened to use them, or that you cannot apply other Chi skills to these movements, but...
All of his guards listened closely, and when Xiao Qi finished, Min Gyu subtly looked to Kyung for another name, which he promptly provided through Sending. Three more names were called after, and Min Gyu made an effort not only to remember their names, but to learn the others as well. Hed neglected his guards and students too much since taking Yan in as his Disciple, but if he put things off any longer, then these young men and women would have devoted themselves to his service for nothing. They were a good bunch, loyal and hardworking, traits Min Gyu now realized were far more valuable than talent, so he offered them what wisdom he could in the short time they had left before setting out on their journey once more.
And truth be told, he would need their skills soon enough, for it was only a matter of time before everything went to shit...
With Yan still immersed in the mysteries of Insight, there was little for Min Gyu to do all day save lecture guards and play with little Kishi, and the second day of travel went by without incident. After stopping to make camp, he sauntered over to Rains carriage to speak with the boy, mostly on the matter of the Guardian Turtle. You cannot allow your movements to become too predictable, he warned, while Rain nodded along like a chicken pecking grains. Our enemy holds the initiative, so we must be on our guard at all times.
Understood Grandfather.
If the Guardian Turtle wants to frolic in the river, then let her go on her own. Theres no need for you to accompany her every day, is there?
Not at all Grandfather.
Good, good. This might seem too alarmist and cowardly, but this is for the best. Also, speak with Li Song and ask her to stop leaving camp on her own. She might not realize it yet, but as Akanais daughter, she makes a tempting target of opportunity for our enemies out there, and she would not be the first noble lady to be kidnapped and ransomed. Or worse.
I will be sure to share your concern, Grandfather.
All in all, Rain was attentive, polite, and deferential throughout their entire conversation, which should have immediately raised alarms in Min Gyus mind, yet it still came as a complete shock when, not one hour later, Kyung ran over to inform him that Rain was on his way down to the river with the Guardian Turtle in tow. Muttering obscenities under his breath, Min Gyu gathered his guards and hurried over to pull the boys ass out of the fire if need be, but under a cloak of Concealment so not to spook off any enemy combatants who were already in motion.
Since Rain insisted on dangling himself out as tempting bait, then Min Gyu would be remiss not to take advantage, which he would have suggested if Rain hadnt been such a wilful brat and shared his plans in the first place. Either way, the Medical Saint was only a hop and a skip away, and the boy wasnt called the Undying Savage for nothing.
Running at full sprint, he and his guards caught up to the boy in short order and found him riding his quin at a slow, sedate pace while the Guardian Turtle trundled along behind. An improvement from yesterday, bringing the mount, and there were thirty-two more quin-riders there with him. This was in addition to his standard escort of sixty Death Corps guards, so perhaps some of Min Gyus warnings had gotten through his thick head, but not much. Worse, the quin-riders were decidedly not Bekhai, as evidenced by their less than natural posture in the harness. The longbows and leathers might be enough to fool an outsider, but Min Gyus experienced eyes revealed these riders to be Falling Rains riffraff rather than Akanais elite Khishigs.
Well, perhaps riffraff was too ungenerous. Truth be told, the boy had done an admirable job turning his motley crew of cripples, misfits, and bandits into a proper fighting force, and he had a surprising number of Experts emerge from under his command. Like their commander, Rains retinue had plenty of experience and potential, but they were sorely lacking in immediate strength, which was what the boy needed the most of all.
As if things werent dire enough, a handful of those riders carried lit torches, and others iron torch stands, an extravagance which would have been laughed at only two years ago before the boy introduced cast iron to the Empire. Since the sun had yet to set, this meant Rain intended to spend several hours keeping the Guardian Turtle by the riverside, as if he felt he werent tempting fate enough already. This went beyond mere idiocy and into the realm of suicidal stubbornness, or at least he thought as much until the boy stopped a quarter kilometre away from the water and his mounted archers formed up in front of him.
Scanning the riverbank in search of whatever had spooked the boy, Min Gyu was at a loss to explain it. It looked like it always did at this time of the day, with ships and barges pulling ashore while sailors and soldiers made camp for the night. A waste of time in Min Gyus opinion, for the soldiers could easily sleep in hammocks while the ship continued sailing through the night, but the captains of these boats were not the seasoned sailors of Yantai and not used to navigating by anything but sunlight.
Putting aside his pride for his hometown, Min Gyu went back to looking for danger, but again, found nothing amiss. There was no obvious path down to the river, or armed soldiers suspiciously gathering around them, or any other discernible reason for Falling Rains riders to draw their bows, yet they did so all the same. Those carrying the torches and stands arranged them between the riders, so there were eight riders surrounding each stand, and it soon became apparent why as the riders brought out their cloth-wrapped, pitch-soaked arrows held them ready to light and loose at a moments notice.
Mother in Heaven... had the boy gone mad? Did he intend to attack a ship? They were all under military contracts, which meant an assault on one was tantamount to rebellion, even if the passengers intended to assassinate him.
Noticing the commotion, the soldiers and sailors were quick to scatter, save for those Min Gyu presumed had come in on the ship Rain was currently threatening, though how they knew they were the target was anyones guess. These fellows drew their weapons and... milled about, neither charging ahead nor moving to defend their ship and the precious cargo within, which was... curious to say the least. Orders from someone Scrying nearby, perhaps hoping Rain would did his own grave? As for the boy, he sat on his quin and paid the ships and sailors no mind while patting the Guardian Turtles cheek to keep her in place. Its okay Ping Ping, the boy crooned, his quiet words so distinct on these otherwise silent plains. Well get you to the river soon enough. I just have one thing to take care of first, and then were good to go.
Private Falling Rain. So focused on what was happening before him, Min Gyu failed to notice the Justicars arrival, marching in from Nian Zus camp with a dozen Enforcers at his side. Eyeing the arrows and torches from behind his expressionless steel mask, the Justicar continued in a wry tone, When your Death Corps guard informed me of a crime in progress, I did not expect to find the culprit would be you.
I wouldnt dream of it, Justicar. Dismounting to salute as his rank required, Rain smiled and gestured towards the ship. The culprits are over there, on the Vast Distance. The ships name was painted in bright colours and bold characters on the hull and two sides, as per navy regulations, though as far as Min Gyu could tell, no crime had been committed just yet. Even if they intended to assassinate Rain, they had yet to act, which meant Rain had called the Justicar over far too early.
Strange that he would trust them still, even after they all but forced him to his death in Sinuji, but this was a matter for another time.
Evidently, the Justicar had come to the same conclusions Min Gyu had. And what crime have these sailors committed? Did they attack you?
No, but they probably intended to.
Have you any proof of your allegations? Written orders? An informant willing to swear an Oath?
Nope.
... The pregnant pause spoke for everyone present, even the soldiers under Rains command, most of whom turned about to gawk at their commander. Visibly repressing a laugh, the Justicar coughed and said, Then no crime has been committed.
There has, but the crime has nothing to do with me. Reaching into his saddlebags, Rain pulled out a stack of papers and brought them to the Justicar, explaining the contents of each page as he handed them over one by one. This is a copy of the ships manifest, from when it put in at SuiHua seven days ago. This is the harbormaster signing off on the delivery, tools and construction materials, mostly. Then, the ship was commissioned to deliver a shipment of food to the Northern Citadel. Here are those papers, as well as the loading documents and new manifest. The ship then docked in the Northern Citadel for three days, during which it sat idle in the harbour with only a handful of people embarking and disembarking each day, according to the daily reports here, here, and here. Grinning like a fiend, Falling Rain handed over the last document in the stack and said, But early this morning, the ship left on first tide, carrying a shipment of, and I quote, personal effects, to be delivered to one nameless recipient in the Central Citadel.
...This was it? This was Rains grand reveal? Mother in Heaven, Min Gyu had failed yet again...
A most grievous crime indeed. Nodding at the boy as if everything made perfect sense, the Justicar continued, Tell your soldiers to lower their weapons. The Disciplinary Corps will handle things from here.
Would you mind if I escorted you down to the river? Gesturing at the Divine Turtle, Rain shrugged and explained, Shes thirsty.
So long as you and your men do not interfere with my duties.
With that, the Justicar set off with his Enforcers shouting for the sailors to drop their weapons and surrender into Imperial custody, while Rain fell in behind them, so proud of his work that even his quin seemed to strut his way down. Shaking off his disbelief, Min Gyu Cloud-Stepped over to the boys side before thinking better of it and raised his hands to placate the startled Enforcers who noticed. What a fine, dutiful grandson-in-law you are. Hmph.
Oh hi Grandpa Du. Shrinking back, Rain at least had the grace to look ashamed. To be fair, I never actually said I wasnt coming down to the river, just that I understood your concerns and that I didnt have to go with her every day. Today will probably be the last, since I doubt the same trick will work again.
Snorting in anger, Min Gyu glowered until he couldnt keep silent any longer. Well? What are you waiting for? A pat on the back and a kiss on the cheek? Explain.
With the ship? Oh, the ship-master violated Imperial Mandate. Seeing Min Gyu didnt understand, Rain smiled. Marshal Yuzhen noticed it before we left, that someone was pulling strings to keep the Vast Distance docked. Turns out, it was to deliver assassins here to kill me, but they screwed up. The ship-master had to write something in the manifest, or the harbormaster wouldnt let him out, so he claimed he was carrying personal effects. Problem is, the Legate mandated that all ships above a certain size were to make themselves available for military shipments, and military shipments only.
So? Plenty of military officers have commandeered ships to deliver personal effects in the past.
Yea, but they used their actual name and rank to do so, making it a legitimate military shipment. Shrugging, Rain explained, Im guessing some spoiled Imperial brat thought his Imperial Privilege superseded military regulations, and it probably does, but hell have to send a representative to inform the Disciplinary Corps and lose face from taking such overt actions. Not a huge deal in my opinion, but by the time these assassins are released, my people will have memorized their faces and well have pictures of them distributed to every soldier in camp, so this lot wont find it so easy to hide in plain sight again.
Not a huge deal? The boys opinion was utter dog-shit. For an Imperial Noble, losing a band of assassins was but a minor setback, while publicly losing face was proof of ineptitude, a far more grievous sin in many eyes. Still, no point letting Rain grow conceited, especially since it sounded like Marshal Yuzhen had done all the work. Shaking his head in disbelief, Min Gyu said, You intentionally rode out to confront a ship filled with assassins. Why not tell me in advance so I can safeguard you, boy?
Er... Casting his gaze around as if in search of something, Rain frowned, then shrugged and whispered, I thought if you or the Colonel General disappeared from camp the same time I set out on my jaunt, then the assassins mightve lost their nerve and scattered to the winds. Thanks for showing up anyways, but dont worry Grandpa. I didnt come out without making arrangements, but the last thing I need is to deal with stray assassins running around.
As soon as the boy mentioned making arrangements, Min Gyu swept the area for Concealed Khishigs, but despite looking high and low, he found nothing amiss. Are you certain you have guards lurking about?
He is safe in my hands. Jumping at the sound of her voice, Min Gyu spun around to find the Medical Saints mysterious companion standing directly behind him. Take pride, Du Min Gyu, She Sent, her smirk coming in clear despite the dark veil covering her face. Your method of detection is unique and effective. It took several days to come up with a means to overcome it. A most interesting puzzle you presented me with, and for this, I offer you my thanks.
A few short days ago, Min Gyu had cautioned himself against ego, even while celebrating how hed uncovered these same guards, but now...
Perhaps circumstances were not as dire as he once thought. If nothing else, the presence of this mysterious warrior meant the Bekhai hidden depths were deeper than anyone ever imagined, so it was possible their ill-fated rebellion would do more than just whimper...
Assuming the worst of course. Hell, with this woman guarding him, Falling Rain might even make it back to Baatar in one piece, or breathing at least.
Comments
Thanks, but in the future, it would be super helpful if you added a bit more context, because looking through all the "than"s took forever :D
Rain still has a domain. Can he make oaths and get heavenly energy with Devour? I get that his previous oaths were made null whrn his core was damaged, but can he make new ones? On another note, os it possible to shatter the void from the astral palace of the turtles?
typo "than"->"then"
ThePolarParadox
So nice. DMG now has a spoiled grandson he can now crankily call whippersnapper in Rain!
