RIN

Chapter 78

The sound of horse's hooves treading against the cold snow hummed numbly through Rin's ears. Flakes of light feathered snow fell from the sky and pressed itself onto the wagons and horses' soft coats.

With the Tuhan's camp resting in the northern mountains, the temperature dropped, becoming colder and colder. Rin wrapped her body around her thick cloak to stay warm, yet the northern winds and chill air denied her of any warmth.

Her fingers clutching tightly to her cloak and face became numb.

"Cough--! Cough--!"

A frail wheeze escaped her pale, colorless lips and her eyes looked up at the darkening, snowy sky. They had been traveling for the entire day, not once seeking to rest as the Tuhan walked down the mountainous, snow path.

None of the men spared a glance or spoke to Rin, acting as if she were invisible. Even with her violent coughs and wheezes - they ignored it.

She didn't know how much farther the Tuhan's camp was, nor did she try to think as her body slowly became weaker and unfeeling.

But through it all, she didn't complain. When she felt numb, she didn't ask for a spare cloak. When she was beyond exhausted and could hardly open her eyes, she did not ask for them to slow down.

All she could do was endure.

When she was little, living in the Bai residence during the winters her body always became vulnerable. Bai Han and Uncle Guo, not accustomed to taking care of a small little girl, panicked when Rin passed out in the snow one day.

After everything had gone dark, she woke up to feel something damp and warm resting on her forehead. Feeling frail and drowsy, she turned to the side to see her grandfather sitting beside her with arms crossed and his head drooped.

Upon a closer look, could she see the dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept a wink the entire night. Diligently guarding her while she slept.

She didn't know why seeing such a side of him made her heart soften.

Even if she were to cough until she became exhausted, all of it would be worth it as long as she had her grandfather and uncle to dote on her.

But now...none of that was possible anymore.

Never did Rin think there'd be a day where she may never see them again. Never did she think that she'd feel so empty without her family's warmth. The warmth of another human being.

"We're here."

At the sound of An Sun's cold, deep voice, Rin glanced up from her hands and her large, silent eyes took in the sight in front of her. The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow, making the outline of pens and tens noticeably visible.

She could identify the figures of hundreds of Tuhan soldiers walking around the camp, some sorting through large chests and barrels sent by Northern provinces.

Staring at the scene before her, Rin's dry lips remained stiff while her eyes dully stared ahead.

An Sun shot a glance in Rin's direction. The indifference and coldness in his gray eyes remained, but a slight look of amusement lit up his eyes.

"Welcome to our camp, Bai Lan."

...

Thump--!

A Tuhan soldier, ordered by An Sun, guided Rin to a pen and roughly dropped a mat and pillow onto the floor.

"You'll stay here. Don't leave unless Lord An summons you."

He hardly spared Rin a glance or chance to speak before leaving the tent. Left alone, Rin silently stared down at the thrown mat and pillow on the floor – her large cloak wrapped securely around her small figure.