There it was. The dreaded time to be in an unwanted spotlight. Dian and I turned to face the pair. Yushir’s sharp eyes studied us but I noticed there was an unfocused look in Dadan’s gaze, though he did stare at me with enough intensity that I blushed.

  “It’s my fault,” I spoke up as I stepped forward. “I took Dian with me to see the battlefield and, well, I guess those things didn’t like us doing that. If anyone’s to blame for this then it’s me.”

  Dian wrapped his hand around my wrist and frowned at me. “I won’t think of you taking all the blame. I could have stopped you at any time but I wanted to see what the guards were up to.”

  Yushir lifted an eyebrow. “Guards? Why does the bear clan have guards during these peaceful times?”

  Dian lifted his chin and cleared his throat. “That’s a question better suited for my father, Your Highness. He’ll know what to tell you.”

  The heavenly prince chuckled. “A very diplomatic reply. If we are finished here, we would like to meet with your father and discuss our two territories.”

  “I would be honored to lead you,” Dian assured him as his eyes flickered to the indifferent Eastwei. “And you as well, Lord Eastwei. I’ve heard many stories about your exploits during the war. I was glad to see them today when we needed them the most.”

  Eastwei merely inclined his head.

  “Then shall we leave this horrid place and venture to your father’s lodge?” Yushir requested as he half-turned to his companion. “I believe my friend here will need a rest.”

  He received a frown from his disapproving friend.

  Dian stepped to one side and swept an arm in the direction of the forest. “If you would follow-”

  “Who goes there?”

  The shout came from the very trees at which Dian had gestured. A group of a half dozen men rushed out of the woods and surrounded us. They each bore a short sword and their plain pants and shirts were covered in leaves and dirt. Their attire had also been dyed to match the colors of the woods. The men’s faces were covered in handkerchiefs and bandannas. I could see just enough of their faces to know they weren’t friendly.

  One of them stepped forward and removed the handkerchief that covered the lower half of his face. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or terrified to see the grizzled features of Lord Lujun. His stern expression certainly wasn’t something I wanted to see, especially as it was aimed directly at Dian and me.

  “What are you two doing out here?” he snapped.

  Dian opened his mouth but I slapped my hand over his gaping maw. “It’s all my fault, sir. I dragged him out here so I could see the field.”

  “And the fog? Was that your doing, as well?” he questioned me as his eyes flickered between us. “My men and I could see nothing through in dense borders until it cleared and you stood here.”

  I bit my lower lip. “I. . .I don’t know why that happened.”

  Lujun’s keen sight swept over the former battlefield. Hundreds of weapons now littered the area. His eyes fell on one particular dagger, the one my first ‘victim’ had clutched. Now that the battle was over, I was able to see that it once had an ornate hilt. He strode over and knelt beside the weapon where he gingerly gripped the handle. The old soldier appeared pensive as he examined the rusted blade and dirt-covered hilt.

  “By all the realms. . .” I heard him murmur. He stood and turned to us, still clutching the weapon. “What are all these weapons doing here?”

  Oh boy. I lifted my gaze to Dian and the young man sighed. “I think we were attacked by the soldiers who were buried in the mud all those years ago.”

  Lujun’s eyes widened and his men glanced at one another. The old war dog swallowed hard before he strode over to us. His voice was a little hoarse as he held out the sword to us. “What sorcery caused such a thing to happen?”

  “We have no idea, Lord Lujun,” Dian insisted as he swept an arm over the battlefield. “I escorted Lady Fei here and the fog came up on us without warning.” I had to suppress an eyebrow at the alias though it did sound nice.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Lujun tightened his grip on the weapon and whipped his head over to his men. “Send a message to the king about this and bring more of our people. We must clean the battlefield before the wolves discover the weapon stash.”

  Yushir stepped forward. “Can we be of some assistance?”

  The lord looked over our new companions with a softened eye. “It has been quite some time, Prince Yushir.”

  The prince smiled and inclined his head. “You look in excellent health, Lord Lujun.” His gaze fell on the wound on the man’s cheek and his smile faltered a little. “I am sorry to see your wound did not properly heal.”

  Lujun dropped his attention to the sword which he now held in his open palms. “Others received worse.” He shook himself of his reverie and cleared his throat. “As for your offer, I’m glad to see you here. The wolves may still hold some respect for you and your position, and they couldn’t have missed the fog that covered the whole of the battlefield.”

  “Did it?” I wondered as I inspected the deserted field. For the first time, I noticed the unsettling feeling I’d noticed during my visit with Arian no longer hung over the barren patch of ground.

  “Every inch,” Lujun confirmed as he tucked the sword gently into his belt. “I’d appreciate it if you remained here for the time being, Prince Yushir.”

  “Certainly,” Yushir agreed as he half-turned to Dadan. His good humor faltered and he gestured to his friend. “But my friend here needs some rest.”

  Lujun bowed his head to Dadan. “I’m not one to forget the great Lord Eastwei. I’m sorry to see you so injured. Some of my men will escort you to the city immediately.”

  Dadan kept his pale lips pressed tightly together and merely inclined his head. He looked even worse than a minute ago.

  The general’s attention fell on my companion in crime. “You should return to the city if you cannot tell me anymore, Prince Dian, and explain what you can to His Highness. Every minute of it.”

  Some of the color drained from Dian’s face at the firm command but he straightened and lifted his chin. “I’ll do just that, Lord Lujun.”

  “And take your lady friend back with you,” Lujun mused as he examined me. “I don’t know where you found her but she doesn’t need to be dealing with the trouble you bring.”

  I felt an enormous wave of guilt wash over me. Here was Dian taking the blame for my recklessness. I opened my mouth to object but a sharp look in Dian’s eyes warned me that I would only make things worse. I snapped my mouth shut and hung my head.

  You’ve really done it this time, haven’t you? my inner voice scolded me. You just had to follow that stupid moaning!

  I cast my eyes over the barren area. It must have been those restless souls that called me here, but why? To release them from tens of thousands of years of being the unquiet dead?

  I’d have to ask Arian about that.

  In the meantime, there were bigger problems. Dadan took a step toward the woods but his leg faltered. He stumbled and fell on one knee.

  “Dadan!” Yushir shouted as he rushed to his friend’s side.

  “My Lord!” Lujun joined in as he took up Dadan’s other side.

  Dadan shut his eyes and his breathing came out in quick, sharp gasps. “I. . .I will be. . .fine.”

  Yushir scoffed. “Not until you have had a long rest!” Dadan’s reply was to slump toward the ground. Only the intervention of the prince stopped him from hitting the dirt. Yushir whipped his head up to the general. “We must get him to a doctor immediately!”

  “Men!” Lujun shouted at those who remained. “Help Lord Eastwei to His Majesty’s lodge as fast as you can!”

  They nodded and one of them stepped forward. He was a lithe fellow and he began to transform.

  “I will carry him!” Dian shouted as he began to disrobe. I saw a flash of taught muscles before I spun around, my cheeks aglow.

  The robe was tossed to Yushir and I waited until I heard movement before I snuck a peek. Dian was fully transformed and the men gently lifted Eastwei onto his back. One of the men made to climb aboard to hold Eastwei up but I rushed forward without a moment’s thought and grabbed the soldier’s arm.

  “Let me hold him,” I pleaded.

  The man’s eyebrows crashed down and he looked to his leader. I twisted my head around and saw Lujun purse his lips. “You are light but do you have the strength to hold him?”

  I looked him in the eyes and stiffened my jaw. “Even if the world came tumbling down.” Dian twitched a little at my proclamation.

  The general studied me for a moment longer before he turned his sights on his man. “Let her go. Dian would be faster with less weight.”

  The soldier nodded and stepped back. I scurried aboard behind Eastwei who was partially slumped against Dian’s back. He opened his eyes and they rolled up to me. There wasn’t any hint of recognition but I detected a faint bit of curiosity.

  I draped my body over his, pinning him to Dian’s back. “Let’s go!”