Sarevok fought. The catapults had bombarded the wall for a while now and the heavy infantry was flooding in, the diminishing troops of Ankiang bravely holding up against them. They had been able to bring the initial cavalry down, the panicked horses whinnying and running around the streets of the town. Sarevok could not help feeling the exhilaration always present when he started to whirl his sword, to mow the enemy down, to deal death to those opposing him. He felt an unease, a nagging doubt about the morals of the fact, but shoved it decisively back. This was not the time for such musings.
Chen fought beside him, her face revealing nothing, but behind that symmetrical mask of non-expression she was shaken. The man fought like a devil, yet his tormented soul was like that of an anguished celestial one. Chen didn't know what to make of him, and she was more convinced than ever that Sarevok was not quite of this world. She thought fleetingly about her own son, poor young Shui who was clearly jealous of the attention she was giving to Sarevok. Had she been too harsh to the boy, always so ready with discipline? There was a good chance he would never come back... but Chen also shoved her regrets aside. A battle was not a time for reflection.
A messenger arrived, an enthusiastic expression on his young face.
- "Commander Chen! The reinforcements are on their way!" he breathed.
- "Good. Well done. Now, go to the barracks and sleep for two hours before joining your platoon," Chen said. She smiled to herself. Now do you take me seriously, fat and lazy ones? But she immediately berated herself. Her pride was not important. Shou Lung was.
- "Let us retreat from the melee," she yelled to Sarevok, and they did so.
They gathered their breath. Sarevok's eyes were still aglow, a smile lingering on his lips.
- "You heard him. We can hold the attack, I hope, until the reinforcements arrive," Chen said. "It is likely."
- "Yes. We will not go anywhere until Peri is back," Sarevok said. He felt an imaginary stab wound in his gut, an icy shiver running through his body. Could she manage? He thought about the orcs he had mowed down in an extended bout of ecstasy. They had been nothing like these warriors, the organized, courageous and skilled fighters. Peri was all alone against them, in their own area. And he had worn his best plate mail, while Peri was wearing leather.
If I lose her I will go mad. I will not be able to stand the pain, I will end my own life, to find oblivion... except that I can not. I made a promise to Tamoko, and to her. I must take care of Umikaze. Please, please... whatever god, Ilmater perhaps, let her survive...
- "Chen... Peri... will survive, will she not?" he said.
- "If anyone will, she will," Chen said evenly, thinking much the same. Peri would bring her son back. Something made her sure that she would not leave Shui there if she was still alive herself.
As the two were about to engage in the combat again, they saw staggering movement from the wall. Someone with long shiny reddish hair was wobbling and dragging a semi-conscious person with her. Chen and Sarevok ran towards the two figures.
As they reached the pair, Peri let Shui collapse to his mother's embrace and was grabbed into Sarevok's bearhug.
- "Sister... my reckless, crazy sister..." Sarevok murmured.
- "This platemail is hard to hug," Peri replied. "I am really... tired. I love you. I want to see Umi."
- "Go to An Mah's. Mother, I believe, is still there, resting a bit."
- "I need you. Come to me soon."
- "Go right away," Chen said to Sarevok, struggling not to cry. "I... Peri..."
Peri waved her hand.
- "Just... don't. He's your kid, right? I will go now to mine. Sar?"
Chen spared them a glance, registering the large warrior supporting his wounded sister with astonishing gentleness.
- "Shui... dear child..." she whispered to her son. Shui was feverish and barely conscious, but he did smile a little and squeezed his mother's arm.
