Bright One | Empire of Blood and Swords Series

23. QīngChéng

-23-
-QīngChéng-

"What are the Risen Dead?" I asked, my voice echoing through the now quiet room.

"In modern tongue, humans call them zombies," Harrison replied.

"The Risen Dead," Kimson cut in. "are myths and legends. They shouldn't be real."

"But they are. Crom is on the move," Paul growled and pointed at the map, a mountain near the borders of Kells, but still in Ava. "QīngChéng, eight already dead, fifth-teen wounded. Many more will be in the earth if we don't do something."

Harrison shook his head, his face remaining calm.

"Don't be hasty, brother," he said to Paul. "Too rash and we'll miscalculate. We have to sent reinforcements. But a number at a time, we can't spare to let the people of Kells know. Chaos will stir."

Everyone looked worried, and shaken as well. But Sapphire gasped and clutched her arms.

"Saoirse just linked me, she said. . ." she struggled for words. "Some Dahmatis attacked QīngChéng, the king is sending those citizens to a part of Banes. She asked if we should sent reinforcements."

"We should," Sun replied. He turned to his brothers. "I'm going."

"No," Paul stepped in. "This is my duty."

"You've been riding three days straight. You'll only be deteriorating your responsibilities like this. Rest. I can handle this."

Harrison nodded. "Brother Sun's right. You need to rest." He turned to Sun. "I'm going with you."

Sun nodded. Kimson asked for some papers and ink ready in his room.

"I'll write a letter to warn Persha," Kimson said. "And to let Kong know of this. Paul will rest. Sun and Harrison will go. Vincent will stay here to keep things under control."

The brothers nodded, all agreeing.

"I ought to come," Sapphire said. She continued when Kimson opened his mouth. "Trust me, uncle. I'm the only one with a connection to Saoirse strong enough. You'll need me."

Seth volunteered to join as well, which left me shocked. Just a few minutes ago he said we'll work our feelings out later at night. Now he's planning to leave? Who knows how long it will take before he comes back. Suzanna and the others did not interfere, only listening, but their faces were nonetheless pale.

"All right. It's settled then," Kimson said. "I'll let The Five know. The two of you will leave first, Sun and Harrison will need time to gather the army."

Sun and Harrison nodded.

"A hundred men," Sun said. He turned to Harrison. "We leave by sunrise tomorrow." He turned to Sapphire and Seth. "You can leave on your call. Link me if some things changed."

Sapphire and Seth nodded.

"Samtron, go with them," Paul said, which left Samtron wide-eye. "I'll need you to be my eyes. Stay safe."

Samtron nodded, although he looked like he wanted to refuse. Seth groaned, sounding annoyed.

"Why do the others get to stay here?" Samtron asked his uncles, clearly unsatisfied that he had to go.

"They don't, actually," Kimson said and Suzanna's smirk fell. "You'll be our messengers. I'll write letters to the other Lands. I'll explain furthermore after dinner."

The younger generation groaned.

"We leave when the moon reaches its zenith, take a hot bath, it will be days until we can have one again," Sapphire told Seth and Samtron when the others were done with whining.