Meixong stood facing the lake, the embers on the pedestal now turned to ashes. Bit by bit, the ashes blew into the water or carried further into the wind. But everything was quiet now, and everyone had gone. Not even the tents remained, as the families had left long ago.
A gold chain hung down from their palm as Meixong clutched something in their hand.
"Sainanak."
Sainanak crawled forward, their head hanging low. Yes?
"Can you go check on Chenshui?"
Sainanak didn't reply as she set ruby-red eyes on her rider. Meixong could feel the concern radiating off of her. They didn't address it, however, simply waiting for Sainanak to fulfill their request. With nothing more than a breeze, Sainanak took to the air and headed toward the camp.
Now more alone than they'd ever been, Meixong's thoughts began to wander. It was so quiet. So calm. Everything Meixong was not, and they didn't know what to feel at that moment.
"What a joke," Meixong chuckled to themself. "It's almost as if the Council is picking us off one by one. First Nageth, then you, Rorric has since submitted wholly to the Council's whims, and the rest are too afraid. It really doesn't help that I'm one of the latter."
Meixong laughed again, and if anyone was there to watch, their laugh could've been mistaken as genuine. But what no one did see was how deep hazel eyes filled with tears, their laugh quickly warping into a sob as they dropped to their knees. The golden chain rattled and chimed almost pleasantly as they brought their hand to their chest.
"Why...? Why did you have to die? Why did you have to leave those kids to the wolves to save me?" They bent forward, pressing their head to the ground as their arms slowly wrapped around themself tightly. Another sob wracked through their body. "Huayun, I can't save them on my own!"
END OF BOOK TWO
YOU ARE READING
Warfire | Broken Time Series: Book Two
FantasyWho knew one terrible mistake could trigger a war so quickly. It hadn't even been a few months, and news of the Kinsmen of the Dark gaining grounds constantly reached their ears. Every able body was requested by the Council of Thirds to join the fro...
