Flower of Bulann

Chapter 35

Kuan sat upon the balcony of his quarters, Senna lying in his arms.

"Will you be leaving to see Lord Vior soon?" she asked him, resting her head upon his bare chest.

"No, there is much for me do here," he replied, wrapping his arms around her.

"Like what?" Senna asked with a smile.

Kuan placed his hands on her belly and kissed Senna's forehead. "Like you... and to see my first child."

"It will be some time yet until the baby arrives, I will not begrudge you visiting your sworn brother," Senna said with a sigh, though Kuan knew full well that she would indeed begrudge him.

"And my brother will not begrudge me staying by my wife's side," Kuan assured her before wrapping another blanket around them.

The winter snow had come early this year, and though he had intended to meet Vior once again after almost half a year apart, Kuan felt sure his brother would manage without him.

"Do you miss it?" Senna asked after a few minutes of silence. "Your home?"

Kuan considered her words carefully, the lands of Faden had only been his home for a scant time. Indeed, he had lived here in the Liu capital longer, even if he disregarded his childhood.

"I think I did," he replied thoughtfully. " Though it has only been these last months I have thought this."

Senna kissed him passionately before lying against his chest and hugging him.

"You have a fine way with words, my husband," she said with a giggle.

Kuan smiled to himself and stroked Senna's hair until she fell asleep, the sun dipping beneath the mountains to leave them bathed in the cold light of the moon. How long had it been since he had appreciated such a thing?

Kuan could only ever remember that night in the gardens during the tournament. His thoughts turned back to Vior and suddenly a chill came over him... as if someone had walked upon his grave.

"Greetings, Lord Kuan," a deep voice said from the recesses of the bed-chamber.

"Who are you?" Kuan asked in a composed tone.

Were he to panic here, Senna would surely awaken... and heavens only knew how she would react.

"My name is not important, Lord Kuan." The man replied, halting before the stream of moonlight and keeping effortlessly cloaked in shadow. "All you need know is that the shadows once more serve the Faden clan. My lord, Vior Faden sent us to assist you should you require it."

"My brother sent you?" Kuan asked with apprehension, though if he were to be attacked now... and by multiple attackers, Kuan would give his life to protect Senna and his child to be.

"Merely call upon the shadows should you require us, Lord Kuan," the shadow stated before slowly moving away from the encroaching moonlight. "My lord, Vior also wished to send you greetings, and that once your child is born he shall come to visit."

Kuan nodded and the shadowy men disappeared into the darkness, only then did he realise Senna was shaking in his arms.

"What were they?" she whispered in a terrified voice, her hands clenching his robes like a vice.

"Ninja? Assassins perhaps. I have never known a man to move silently like they... I am glad they are on the side of we Faden... my heart has never pounded so hard," Kuan admitted, rubbing at his eye as if to check he was not dreaming.

"I hope we never hear from such frightening men again, my husband," Senna said, seeming to regain her courage once more. "We should go to bed now though."

Kuan agreed and picked her up as though she were a new bride in the western peoples' tradition. He hoped that it would perhaps take Senna's mind off of the lurkers in the shadows... Kuan wasn't sure if he would ever sleep soundly again.