Alright, we are already on chapter 3 of Wild Born. Now their responses might not be the best, but as we go on throughout the chapters it'll get better. I just finished the chapter training and I will try to stay ahead by 2-3 chapters. I know how to bold it I just couldn't figure out how to keep it bolded when I post it but anyways Enjoy! :)
P.S. Please like and leave a review!
Meilin handed the book to Conor to read
"Ok" Conor said clearing his throat
Jhi. Meilin sat on a cushion applying facial paint.
"Of course" Rollan said "The Queen of Beauty" "I am the daughter of a very important general, so I need to apply makeup and also it was my day." Meilin replied
She didn't mind letting her handmaidens prepare her for festivals or banquets. But today was important. Today she wanted to look just right. And when you wanted something done right, you did it yourself. After finishing the accents around her eyes, Meilin inspected her handiwork. It was a work of art atop a work of art. People always remarked that she was stunning.
"True" Rollan said
She had never needed paint on her face to earn compliments. But now she possessed an allure beyond her natural beauty. Anybody could get the pale base and striking lips right. But Meilin knew some tricks her handmaidens didn't…
We don't need a lesson on how to apply makeup correctly." Rollan said "It's not a lesson, and if it's part of the book we are reading it" Meilin snapped. Conor resumed
How to properly blend the blush in her cheeks, how to use gold flecks near the eyes, and how a hint of imperfection made her hair more appealing.
"Like I said, we don't need a lesson on applying makeup," Rollan stated. Meilin gave him a threatening look instead of holding up her fist.
Meilin practiced a shy smile. Then a delighted smile, followed by a look of surprise, and finally a scowl. Smoothing her hands over her snug silk robes, Meilin silently proclaimed her work complete. There came a hesitant tap on the door "Mistress," called a high voice sweetly "Is everything alright, can I offer you any help?"
"Applying makeup?" Rollan asked "No, because I can do everything perfectly." "No." Conor said "Her hair was a bit imperfect."
This was Kusha's polite way of informing her that the Bonding Day celebration was at a standstill. The most important people in the province were waiting on her.
Rollan gasped. "Oh my Mistress" Rollan said "Don't be late to the most important day of your life!"
"I'm almost ready," Meilin answered. "I'll be out in a moment." Meilin didn't want to make everyone wait too long, but making them wait a little would ensure that all eyes were on her.
"Wait," Rollan said "You got Meilin over here wanting all the attention, then you got Conor who doesn't want any attention at all." They ignored him
The other candidates had sampled the Nectar already. Meilin would drink it last, in place of honor. The conventional wisdom was that the last person to drink the Nectar had the best chance of summoning a spirit animal. As the daughter of General Teng, one of the five high commanders of the Zhongese military. Meilin had been guaranteed the last spot at the quarterly Bonding Day ceremonies since birth.
"Wait" Rollan said "They scheduled your bonding ceremony right when you were born?" "Yes" Meilin responded "But why? They scheduled something that would happen in eleven years. Is that necessary?" "Yes" Meilin said again
As his only child, her importance was elevated further. She had no brother to steal her birthright. Her mother had summoned a spirit animal, as had all four of her grandparents, and all eight of her great-grandparents. Her father, grandfather, and two of her great-grandfathers had been generals.
"That's a long bloodline" Conor stated
The least of the others had been merchants. Only the family of the emperor could claim a better pedigree.
"What does pedigree mean?" Rollan asked "Read between the lines" Lenori said "Never mind" he said
Her father had not called a spirit animal, but even so had risen higher in the military than any other of his ancestors. He was a formidable man
Rollan opened his mouth like he was going to ask what formidable was but then closed it knowing what answer he was going to get
Nobody was more cunning, or more observant, or more wrathful when crossed. Her father had told her last night that he had foreseen she would summon a spirit animal today.
"And you did, but were tricked" Abeke said "With the Bile, so he was right but he also lied"
"He didn't really say what I would drink though." Meilin pointed out "He just said that I would summon one"
She didn't know whether he had visited a soothsayer or behind the vision himself, but he had acted certain and he was never wrong.
"I'm going to guess a soothsayer is like a seer." Abeke said "Yes" Meilin replied
Meilin gathered her parasol. Made of paper and intricately painted, it was strictly ornamental. She placed it over her shoulder and took a final look into the mirror. A heavy fist pounded the door, startling her.
"You are most definitely late" Rollan said
"Yes?" Meilin called. "Are you decent?" a male voice inquired. "Yes." The door opened. It was General Chin, her father's closest aide, wearing his most formal uniform. How late was she?
"Very" Rollan answered
"What is it General?" "My apologies for the intrusion" he said. He paused, licking his lips. He seemed perturbed.
"What does perturbed mean?" Conor asked. "Wait, no fair, Conor gets to ask a question and I don't?"
"Rollan you are asking too many questions, perturbed means concerned or scared, Conor" Olvan said
Almost unsure on how to continue. " I have…unfortunate news. The invasion of Zhong has begun. We must hurry with the ceremony and move out." "Invasion?" Surely you know about the skirmishes in the southeast."
Conor paused and looked up to see if anyone would ask the definition of skirmishes. No one said a word. He resumed his reading.
"Of course." Her father kept few secrets from her
"But he failed to tell you that the Nectar he gave you was the Bile." Rollan said. Everyone nodded
But he had shared no suspicions of a serious threat. "We just received word that they were but a prelude to a major incursion. Your father had prepared for something of the sort, but our enemies have more men and resources that even General Teng could have guessed." General Chin swallowed. " The city of Shar Liwao has fallen. We are officially at war.
"This is when the Conquerors take Xin Kao Dai." Meilin said "My home."
Meilin couldn't speak. She could hardly believe General Chin was speaking the truth. Shar Liwao was one of the largest cities beyond the wall, an important Zhongese port. Was this how wars started?
"This was how the Second Devourer war started" Lenori said
On days that should have been happy? She suddenly felt ill, and wished she could be alone. Her father would be leaving soon. Zhong was powerful, and Erdas had no better general. He should be fine. But her father had described the uncertainties of war. A stray arrow could slay the mightiest hero. In wartime, none were truly safe.
"Why would you think anyone would be safe in war?" Rollan said. "I didn't say that." Meilin said "No one is safe in war." "But we already know that," Rollan argued. "Well you know now, but then you didn't." Meilin snapped. Conor continued before they kept going.
"The entire city already fell?" Meilin had to ask. "Yes" Reports are still coming in. The attack was lightning quick-an alliance of Zhongese rebels and foreign invaders. "I'll skip the ceremony," Meilin said" I can do it later." "No, the news just arrived. The public doesn't know yet. We want to keep it that way for now. Don't mention the attack. All must appear calm and normal.
"How do you appear calm and normal when you just learned that your country is at war?" Rollan asked "It takes practice Meilin said "Practice"
Meilin nodded "Fine, I'll do my part. But it's an emergency. Father can go." "He insists you drink the Nectar before he leaves." Meilin followed General Chin out of her home. She ignored the questions of her handmaidens, who fell into step behind them. The mansion adjoined the parade grounds, so it was not a long walk to the ceremony. Opening her parasol, Me…
"You mean her paper umbrella," Rollan interrupted. "Fine" Conor said "Yes her paper umbrella"
Meilin strolled down the central aisle toward the stage. Thousands of people craned to see her. General Chin strode at her side, medals gleaming. People cheered. It seemed like an ordinary, festive occasion. These people had no clue what news was coming. Near the stage, the bystanders were seated. More money ad status meant more convenience and comfort. As Meilin approached, even the dignitaries and merchants and government officials arose and applauded. Meilin forced the most natural smile she could manage. She gave small nods to faces she recognized. Everything felt brittle, fake. She wondered if the onlookers could see through her facade. A boy from one side of the aisle yelled her name. It was Yenni, from her school. His father was a provincial official. He had made no secret of his affection for her, even though he was almost three years older. She gave him the shy smile. His face turned red and he grinned from ear to ear. Meilin had never kissed a boy,
Abeke and Conor looked at each other then at Meilin and Rollan. They both blushed. Olvan and Lenori had no clue as to what was going on. "What is it?" Olvan asked, "Oh uh nothing." Conor said snickering. "I'm not even gonna" Lenori said "I'll just ignore it"
Although plenty had shown interest. She hated feeling like a trophy. Not only was her father rich, not only was he a popular general, but she was also attractive and refined. None of the boys actually knew her. She was just a prize, and there was no way of telling which aspect of prize they wanted most. She wondered how they would react if they knew her secret.
"The secret that you are very good at fighting?" Rollan asked. They again ignored him
Underneath the facial paint, beneath the expensive silks, she was not the dainty flower they imagined. She knew her manners. She could paint, she could recite poetry, she could serve tea, she could garden, she could sing. But her favorite pastime was hand-to-hand combat.
"Yes Rollan fighting" Meilin responded
It had started innocently at age five. Her father was a general and a practical man. He had access to the best warriors in Zhong, and he'd wanted his daughter to learn the basics of defending herself. He had no idea how much aptitude she would demonstrate, nor how much she would enjoy it. The training had gotten more serious each year. All in secret, she became the son her father never had. She could fight with knives, staves, and spears. She could use longbows, crossbows, and slings. But her favorite discipline involved combat using her hands and feet. A scant of six weeks past her eleventh birthday, she could outmaneuver all but the greatest masters.
"Most definitely take down everyone in this room all at once" Rollan commented.
She was slender, but strong. After she reached her adult size, she would be very formidable. Meilin hoped that her spirit animal would augment her fighting skills. She knew that all sorts of powers could be derived from a strong relationship with a spirit animal. With the help of the right beast, good warriors become great, and great warriors become legends.
"But instead you ended up with a big panda who could grant you the power to control your temper." Rollan said. "Yes, Jhi helps me calm down. Thank you for pointing that out." Meilin said "Jhi also made me a legend"
Everyone nodded
What species would benefit her the most? Her father called her the Tiny Tiger. A tiger would be nice, or maybe a snow leopard. An ox would grant great strength. She tried not to set her heart on something too specific. The crowd watched her enthusiastically.
"Whoa," Rollan said "I forgot you were still in front of the crowd. Conor just kept reading and reading about your childhood and I drifted off and forgot."
Only the top officials among them knew that war was coming. Soon they would have much more than Nectar ceremonies to demand their attention. When she reached the stage, Meilin folded her parasol and passed it to a handmaiden. She saw her father in the front of the crowd, dashing in his uniform, and gave a polite nod. She saw approval in his eyes. He was admiring her poise. Many caged beasts were positioned on and around the stage,
"To give you more luck so you could summon a spirit animal?" Rollan said "It doesn't matter he gave you the Bile"
A royal menagerie including orangutans, tigers, pandas, alligators, cranes, baboons, pythons, ostriches, oxen, water buffalo, and even a pair of young elephants. Their province usually furnished a broad assortment but this Bonding Day boasted the most variety she had seen. Her father made sure of it.
"He also made sure that you would drink the Bile on your very special day." Rollan stated. And yet again he was ignored
On the stage awaited Sheyu, the leader of the local Greencloaks. He was dressed simply, and since his clouded leopard was not in sight, it was probably in his passive state. If she recalled correctly, he wore a tattoo on his chest. Her father had mixed feelings about the Greencloaks. He respected them, but thought they had too much power as too many foreign ties. He didn't like their monopoly on the Nectar and how they used it to remain involved in everyone's affairs around the world. Meilin was privately impressed by them.
"You were impressed?" Olvan asked, "Yes," Meilin responded "And still am"
Her reasons were simple. The armies of Zhong did not invite women into their ranks, but Greencloaks didn't fuss about such things. They measured people by their ability. Meilin noticed a stranger on the stage. She had a foreign air around her,
"You could smell Lenori?" Rollan said "No, she just seemed strange" Meilin answered
In both her dress and her features. Her feet were bare. She was short and thin, with that fragile look some men preferred. The feathers in her hair gave her away as Amyan. An exotic multicolored bird stood on the stage beside her. Sheyu beckoned Meilin. She went to him, remembering to face the crowd. It always looked amateurish when candidates turned their backs on the audience. It always looked amateurish when candidates turned their backs on the audience. In a strident voice he proclaimed the ceremonial words-the same words he always said. Meilin told herself that if her father was wrong and no spirit animal appeared, she would keep composed. Her father had made his way in the world without one-she could as well. Sheyu held a jade decanter to her lips.
"You had a bowl made of jade?" Conor said looking up "Yes" Meilin said "We were rich"
Meilin took a sip. The warm fluid was a bitter shock to her tongue-it took some effort to avoid gagging.
"Because it was the Bile" Rollan reminded everybody
Instead she forced herself to smile as she swallowed. For an unsteady moment Meilin was afraid she would choke on the taste, and then a fiery heat filled her belly. As the warmth radiated outward, her ears started ringing. The sky was clear, but the sun dimmed. There was a brilliant flash and she was joined onstage by a black-and-white panda. It was large for the species, with disturbing silver eyes, just like Jhi on the Great Seal of Zhong. The panda trundled over to Meilin and reared up to place its paws against her ribs. The fiery heat instantly drained away.
"I wonder how upset you were" Rollan said
For a moment, Meilin felt profoundly relaxed. She was no longer playing a role in front of a crowd. She was simply herself. She basked in the warmth of the sun, and rejoiced in the gentle currants of the air around her. Then the moment slipped away.
"Here comes the disappointment" Rollan said "Yes, Ok I was disappointed" Meilin said "But Jhi and I are good now"
Meilin stared at her new spirit animal in bewilderment. A giant panda? Nobody called giant pandas, because Jhi had been a giant panda, and Jhi was a Great Beast, one of the Fallen. A large statue of Jhi stood in the far corner of the parade ground. A huge and somewhat ridiculous.
"If you took the Bile," Rollan said "Wouldn't you be able to choose your spirit animal?" "Yes" Meilin answered "I don't know why I couldn't. Jhi chose me before I could choose one, I guess? Also that would give it away that that was the Bile, and father was trying to keep it a secret. Continue Conor."
A panda was basically the opposite of a tiger. More silly and cute than impressive or threatening.
"You don't need to be rude to Jhi." Lenori said
What skills would it bestow on a fighter? The ability to eat bamboo? The audience made no sound. Meilin found her father's eyes. He looked shocked. The Amayan woman had come to her side.
"Wait" Abeke said "Rollan, how did you know that the Greencloak was Lenori?" "Just the way Meilin described her I guess." Rollan responded.
"I'm Lenori," she said quietly "I'm here to help you." "Are you a Greencloak?" "I'm not wearing it, but yes. Do you realize what you've done?"
"You made it sound like I did something wrong" Meilin said
"I'm not supposed to be able to summon a panda." "Exactly." Lenori took her hand and raised it high. Meilin has fulfilled a prophecy that most have forgotten! Jhi the fallen has returned to Erdas! Let us all-" Lenori never finished her sentence, be..
"What were you going to say if you finished?" Rollan asked "I don't know." Lenori said "That was like what? Two years ago or something?"
Because the alarm bells started to ring, a gonging clamor reserved for emergencies. Meilin scanned the parade ground, alert. Was this connected to the invasion? That made no sense. Shar Liwao was far away, beyond the Wall of Zhong. Just as Meilin remembered to guard her expression, the great horns on the city wall sounded three times-long, low notes that warned of immediate danger. The audience began to stir and exclaim. Aware that many eyes remained on her, Meilin held very still, trying to appear undisturbed. This was no practice exercise; the horns confirmed that. Something was horribly wrong.
"The Conquerors" Rollan said
Did she smell smoke? It was hard to see much beyond the high walls of the parade ground. Then the screaming began. Toward the rear of the parade ground, beyond the carefully monitored seats of the dignitaries, fighting broke out. Men and women flung off cloaks, many summoning spirit animals. Swords and axes began to cut down bystanders. As people pressed to get away, a bull charged through the crowd. A trio of arrows curved through the air to thunk down on the stage. Meilin ignored the arrows, even though one landed close enough to kick it. The invasion was supposed to be far away, beyond the Wall! She had heard of riots in some of the outlying towns before, but nothing like that had ever happened in Jano Rion. It was a model city, one of the mightiest in all of Zhong. With a flash, Sheyu released his spirit animal. The clouded leopard gave a savage cry. Sheyu pulled on a glove fitted with four sharp blades. With his other hand he seized Meilin by the upper arm, giving a yank to start her moving. "They must have come for you!" he yelled.
"They couldn't have come peacefully like Abeke?" Rollan asked
As she stumbled after him toward the rear of the stage, Meilin craned to see the parade ground. Guitars were engaging the rebels. Spear met sword, ax met shield. Some weapons found their mark. Men and women screamed. Meilin knew much about battle through her father, but until now, she had never seen anyone killed. In a few brief seconds, she saw death, and more of it than she could handle. Her last glimpse, before she jumped off the stage beside Sheyu, was Kusha, her chief handmaiden, falling to her knees with an arrow buried in her back. Meilin's father was there to steady her. General Chin waited at his side, along with Lenori. "Hurry," her father urged. "We must get to the tower. We need to survey the city." The words roused her. "Right," she said, glancing back just in time to see her panda jump gracelessly from the stage. At least Jhi appeared unharmed.
"If they were looking for Jhi," Rollan said "How could they have not spotted her on the stage. She is big and black and white!" "Because they were fighting, bird brain. That's why!" Meilin responded
Would Kusha die from that arrow? It had looked bad. Her father ran toward the door behind the stage. Meilin followed, with Sheyu nearby. From one side, several armed rebels raced to block their retreat. A large dog ran with them, and a red panda, and an ibex with tall backswept horns.
When you list things you don't continue to put and" Rollan pointed out "And goes at the end" "I know" Meilin said "Don't try to correct my vocabulary. I had a way better education than you."
Generals Teng and Chin drew their swords at the same time. Veering away from the door, they met the rebels violently. Pulling on a second clawed glove Sheyu rushed to join them. Meilin wanted to help, but she was unarmed, and the enemies had weapons.
"I thought you knew hand-to-hand combat," Rollan said. Yet again, ignored
She looked frantically for a weapon, but found none. General Chin and her father engaged the enemy with the same poise they used on the practice floor.
"Don't you mean pose?" Rollan asked "No poise" Meilin said "Then what does poise mean?" Rollan asked, looking at Olvan and Lenori. "Poise means to have balance or gracefulness" Olvan responded. "Now stop asking questions"
They worked in tandem, deflecting attacks, dispatching foes, and pivoting to lend each other assistance. Sheyu and his clouded leopard ducked and weaved among the rebels, narrowly dodging attacks and efficiently slashing opponents. Lenori dragged Meilin to the door. Jhi stayed near her. As a second group of rebels approached, Sheyu and the generals fell back. With blood flowing freely from his shoulder, General Chin opened the door with a key. "Hurry!" he cried. The group streamed through, and General Chin locked the door behind them. Meilin's father took off at a run, leading them along the hallway within the parade-ground wall. Meilin stayed right behind him. The thick walls muffled the tumult from the parade ground, so the footfalls echoed loudly. Glancing over her shoulder, Lenori's bird hopped and fluttering along. The panda brought up the rear, hurringing just enough to stay close.
"Why did you call Jhi the panda?" Conor asked "Because I have to use a mix of words" Meilin answered "I can't just keep using Jhi, Jhi, Jhi. It's better to mix up the words."
Meilin could tell where her father was headed. The lookout station at the corner of the parade ground offered one of the highest vantages of Jano Rion.
"Vantages?" Rollan asked "Don't you mean advantages?" "No. Vantages" Meilin said "Vantages means a position or view of something. Now be quiet"
They would be able to see most of the city as much beyond. It was the quickest way for him to assess the situation. As they raced along the hallway, Meilin resisted asking questions. Had they been alone it would have been different. But in mixed company, her father would volunteer information as he desired. The soldiers at the base of the lookout tower straightened and saluted as her father drew near. He gave a quick salute back and climbed onto the lifter. "What is it?" Lenori asked hesitantly. "An ingenious device," Sheyu explained. "Counterweights will raise the platform to the top of the tower." They all stepped onto the platform. The panda showed no hesitation.
"You could have said Jhi that time." Conor said "You already said the panda last time." "Well I think I was too disappointed in my spirit animal that I just wanted to call her the panda." Meilin said
Meilin stared into those silver eyes as the lifter rose briskly. Despite the chaos around them, the panda appeared serene and disturbingly knowing. Meilin looked away first. When the lifter reached the top, Meilin's father hustled them out onto the observation terrace. Soldiers with telescopes paused to salute. "Carry on," her father said. The ranking officer approached, but her father waved him away, preferring to use his own faculties to assess the situation. Meilin stood beside him, eyes wide, hardly believing what she was seeing. Jano Rion was under attack. The capital of the province and one of the largest cities in Zhong had battle staging within and without. A huge host charged the city's walls, rushing across the plain like a flood. Rebels swept through clusters of defenders trying to organize themselves. Many ran alongside animals. Others rode animals. They carried swords and spears, mace and axes. Where did they come from? Why had there been no warning? The city was burning. Black smoke billowed up from at least a dozen locations that Meilin could see. The old academy where she attended classes was aflame! That ancient building had stood for centuries. Her ancestors had studied there and now Meilin watched it fall. Fierce skirmishes
"What does skirmishes mean?" Rollan asked Lenori sighed "Skirmishes means irregular fighting of some sorts"
came in and out of view down on the streets. Meilin craned to see, but buildings and trees blocked much of the action. Meilin's heart squeezed as she glanced up at her father's stoic face. She could tell he was shocked, but he hid it well. Those who did not know him intimately might not recognize how deeply he was stunned. He held out a hand for a telescope. Raising it to one eye, he focused on a few areas beyond the city wall, then a few within. "So many have spirit animals" he murmured. General Chin had his own spyglass "Unprecedented. There hasn't been an army like this since…"
"Hey don't stop" Rollan said "There are three dots" Conor said "We have already encountered one before and you didn't say anything." "Well I didn't know" Rollan argued "Three dots means you take a brief pause" Abeke said "So Conor took a brief pause. Can we continue?"
"The Devourer." her father finished.
"Great" Rollan mumbled
Meilin blinked. The Devourer was a legend from the past, a monster in nursery stories. Why would her father mention him at a time like this? "Where did they all come from?" Sheyu asked. "How could that army have gotten past the Wall of Zhong without a single guard noticing?" Meilin looked to her father. She had wanted to pose the same question. "They wear no uniforms," he said. "They didn't win through by force. They must have trickled in-perhaps over years. Many look Zhongese, but not all. It staggers me to consider the logistics involved. I would have named an attack of this scale impossible, yet here they are! The strength of Zhong is concentrated from here, along our outer Wall. Many soldiers now travel toward Shar Liwao. But that was evidently a diversion. "What must we do?" General Chin asked. "We will do our duty," General Teng said.
"Duty" Rollan snickered "Not that kind of duty" Meilin said "What are you? Five?"
He raised his voice. "Leave us." The other soldiers abandoned the observation terrace. Sheyu took Lenori by the arm and turned to go. "Not you Greencloaks," General Teng said, his voice a quiet growl. He kept a hand on Meilin's shoulder, so she knew he wanted her there as well. Sheyu and Lenori drew closer. Meilin watched her father. His expression made her uncomfortable. She tried to suppress the fear gnawing inside. "Jano Rion will fall," he said plainly. "We don't have enough defenders here to resist. Lenori, you claim that Meilin has summoned Jhi herself,"
"Umm… No" Rollan said "You gave her the Bile"
"The living symbol of Zhong. What does it mean? What do you propose?" "I wish to bring her to our commander." Lenori said.
"Which is me" Olvan stated
"Jhi is not the first of the Four Fallen to return to recent weeks. This war is coming to all of Erdas. We mean to reunite the Four Fallen and fight. It's our only chance." Meilin felt the hand on her shoulder tighten. Her father gave a single nod. "So be it. Lenori, take my daughter. This is no place for her at present. Sheyu, please see that they embark safely from the port at Xin Kao Dai." Sheyu placed a fist to his chest and inclined his head. "It would be my honor." "Father, I don't want to go!" Meilin cried. "Please let me stay with you. Please let me defend our home!"
"That's like asking for death," Rollan said "You would be dead in the first ten minutes on the battlefield." "And you would be dead in the first two." Meilin said
"It is not safe for you-" "Where would I be safer than with the greatest general in all of Erdas?" "And" he continued, holding up a hand to stay her, "you may have vital duties elsewhere."
"Duties" Rollan mumbled smiling
He crouched to look her straight in the eyes. Meilin, visit with this Greencloak commander."
"Which is still me" Olvan interrupted. They all looked at Olvan "Oh sorry, continue" he said
"Hear him out. If he talks sense, and the path feels true, lend him aid that duty requires.
Everyone looked at Rollan to see if he would say something about the word duties. He remained silent
If not, seek a better path. In either instance, do not forget who you are, or where you come from-" "But-" General Teng shook his head "This is my will." Meilin knew the conversation was over. Her fate had been decided. Hot tears stung her eyes.
"I thought you don't cry" Rollan commented
She looked out at the army charging toward her home, then down at the ravaging traitors already at work in the parade ground. How could she run away, leaving her father to face this threat, his army divided and already half-defeated? She glanced over at Jhi. The panda returned her gaze with understanding and perhaps a hint of pity. Was she imagining the empathy in those penetrating eyes? Meilin stared at the ground. She didn't need understanding. She needed strength. Not only did this panda have little chance of improving her combat skills, it was also the reason the Grencloaks were taking her away.
"We were not taking you away" Olvan said
Away from her home. Away from her father. A clamor arose from the stairwell. An injured soldier staggered to the top of the stairs. "They're coming up! There's too many!" Meilin's father gave a nod. "Hold them as long as you can." The soldier turned and hobbled back down the stairs. Unseen weapons clashed. An animal screamed. Moving to the top of the stairs, General Chin drew his sword. Mei..
A bell rang. "Ok, how many pages left Conor?" Olvan asked "Umm… One page?" Conor responded "Ok, finish this chapter and then we'll head to lunch."
They all nodded in agreement
Meilin's father pulled levers that powered the lifter, then gestured to a ladder that descended the interior of the shaft. "Climb down to the first access tunnel. It should allow you to slip by the rebels. Get out of the city." Meilin couldn't hold back her worries. "What about-" Her father sliced his hand through the air and silenced her. "General Chin and I will confirm you reach the tunnel then we'll make our escape." He gave his daughter a strained smile. "I won't let this rabble take me. Go." There was no room for argument. Meilin would not shame him with further pleas or disagreements. Meilin raised her eyes to his. "As you wish, Father." The others were already heading down the ladder. She was mildly astonished to find Jhi capable of descending unaided. As Meilin placed her foot on the first rung, General Chin engaged his first foe.
"Ok umm.. Conor, could you speed this up please?" Olvan said, looking at his watch, "We are 3 minutes late to lunch and they will be wondering where we are." Conor nodded
Just before her head passed do- down into the shaft, she saw General Chim- Chin and her father backing up, swords flashing, pessed- pressed by numerous opponents. She kept silent. If the enemies noticed her descent, her father's efforts would be in va- vain. Maybe he would still get away. With tears blurring her vision, Meilin joined the others in the crammed- cramped tunnel. Taking her hand, Sheyu led the way.
I'm sorry" Conor said "Reading faster made me mess up more" "It's fine" Lenori said "Let's hurry, we are already five minutes late to lunch. They all rushed to lunch.