Chapter 623
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Chapter 623
As dawn broke over the horizon and soldiers of the Central Citadel readied to ride to war, Song scrambled about the courtyard to ensure no pet was left behind.
The bears were the least of her problems, happy to lay in the wagon with their deer-bone treats, while Sarankho could be trusted to hop in on command. Aurie and Mama Bun were off with Rain somewhere, and Blackjack was with Lin-Lin as always, but the rest of the pets were more troublesome to deal with. Princess was also in the wagon, but in obvious concern as she sat upright and watched Song to ensure she didnt go too far. Looking adorable in her bright red ribbon bow and frilly checkered dress, the weasel-bear held her treat untouched while emitting a low, concerned rumbling, no doubt remembering her unpleasant wagon trip with the hunter who first trapped her. Much as it pained Song to leave her in such distress, she couldnt carry the weasel-bear into battle, so Princess would just have to get used to riding the wagon and being separated for long periods of time. Though it was still up for debate as to how well Princess could see, Song made sure to remain within sight as she strolled about the manor courtyard collecting the sleeping laughing birds. Roc was an able guardian who kept his flock together throughout the boat ride from the Northern Citadel to Centrals, but it was still early in the day and the avian patriarch had his head tucked beneath his wing while perched atop the carved wooden turtle roof of Rains carriage. Without him to keep the birds in line, a handful of the fuzzy fledglings had to be relocated from the tiled roofs and barren treetops to a more mobile roost, just in case they fell asleep between now and when Rain set out.
Every time she secured one of the fledglings, Songs heart warmed as the little laughing birds yawned and blinked in her hands, only to immediately go back to sleep once they saw it was her, with some even nuzzling her fingers to beg for scritches. There was something incredibly satisfying about having this level of trust with another creature, so utterly content to place their lives in her hands. Truth be told, Song hoped to one day trust Rain like this as well, for then she might truly relieve herself of all concerns regarding her slave Oaths, save for the one preventing her from travelling too far from his side.
Then there was Jimjam, who refused to leave his treetop perch and even batted at Songs head when she went up to fetch him, a cantankerous grouch even on the best of days, but particularly bad this morning since he didnt get much sleep after last nights excitement. This wouldnt be too much of an issue if the rabbits would stay in the wagon instead of hopping out the first chance they got, thereby leaving Song unable to focus on Jimjam. Every time she placed one bunny into the wagon, two more would hop out, and it soon became an endless chore of chasing and corralling the rabbits into the large, open-topped vehicle. It would be much easier to keep them contained inside Rains closed carriage, especially after he had bunny bucket seats installed along the sides for just this purpose, but she worried he would be the first target in a Wraith or Demon attack. Aside from Mama Bun who was always in his arms, Blackjack who was inseparable from Lin-Lin, the red panda who was inseparable from Ping Ping, and Ping Ping who could take care of herself, Song was determined to keep all the other animals safe and sound in Coto and Gakais wagon.
Perhaps Mama was right. Song wasnt getting paid enough to deal with all these shenanigans, and there really was such a thing as too many pets.
After chasing the rabbits around for a quarter-hour, Song was almost ready to give up when Rain returned to the manor from his meeting with his war council. Utterly oblivious to her trials and tribulations, he greeted her with a simple Good morning, while Aurie bounded over to give her a happy little headbutt and Ping Ping ran a slow circle around them. Youre looking tired today, Rain said, seeming more chipper and energetic than ever, But I suppose were all short on sleep lately. Glancing around the manor, he asked, Is Lin-Lin up yet, or should I go wake her?
Im up hubby. Her quiet, subdued reply barely audible over her titanic yawn, Lin-Lin shuffled out of her room with Blackjack fast asleep between her ears. Almost tripping over Ping Ping as she came down the stairs, she all but fell into Rains embrace with a pout. Its too early to be awake, she complained, burying her face in Rains armour, only to reel back with an adorable scowl in search of a more comfortable place to rest her head. Puffing her cheeks up in discontent, she unfurled her ever-present white silk scarf to use as a makeshift pillow before collapsing against Rain like a sack of rice. Dont wanna walk. Carriage please.
Grinning like a fool but wise enough not to speak, Rain lifted Lin-Lin into his arms and carried her into his carriage, only to emerge shortly after to let the veiled Guard Leader take her place by Lin-Lins side. Sister-in-Law Sarnai was also present, clad in ornate Sentinel leathers, which signalled her intention to ride her quin rather than sit in the carriage. This only reinforced Songs decision to keep the animals in a wagon, as Guard Leaders first and second priorities would be Lin-Lin and Rain respectively, so she couldnt be trusted with the animals safety. The issue was, one word from Rain and all Songs hard work would be for naught, but thankfully he didnt second guess her decision. After greeting the gurgling bears with a pat on the head and cooing at indifferent Princesss ribbon, Rain turned to Song and handed her a rectangular jade token with the words, Thousand Man Commander inscribed on its face. This is yours if you want it, he said, carefully choosing his words so as not to inadvertently give her an order and instead offering her a choice. You dont need a rank or even have to take part in the fighting, but if you want the job, its yours. You can pick whether you want to command Death Corps or Sentinels, or you can attach yourself to my honour guard and fight there, but under Kuang Biaos command. I asked if there was any job hed like, and he requested that one, so... yea.
In Songs eyes, this wasnt even a choice. I will join your honour guard, she said, without giving the token a second glance. A thousand Death Corps or Sentinels would be better served if commanded by someone else, someone capable of acting independently from Rain if they should become separated. If they were fighting from a static position, Song wouldnt hesitate to take up command, but they were heading off into a chaotic, mobile engagement on the open plains of Central, where it was entirely possible for adjacent units to get cut off completely from one another, and Song could not afford to risk it.
Besides, she couldnt afford to have more responsibilities on top of looking after the animals, which would be a full-time job all by itself. They would likely be better off leaving all the animals at the Citadel, but not only did Rain insist on bringing them, Luo-Luo couldnt be trusted to care for them all by herself since Lin-Lin was determined to come along. The Imperial Servant was hardworking and conscientious to the extreme, but she treated the animals like cute, living decorations to love and adore, which they were, but it also took discipline to train and control them. One only needed to look at the obese, overfed Noodle to know Luo-Luo was an unsuitable pet owner, but the snake loved her dearly and had yet to warm up to anyone else.
Left on her own, Luo-Luo would soon find herself powerless to keep the animals in check, and Rain would no doubt return to a manor full of broken beams, scratched up surfaces, and excavated tunnels aplenty thanks to bored bears, curious wildcats, and enterprising bunnies. Granted, she would have help from Sorya and Anrhi to keep the animals in line, but the twin handmaidens were too flighty and careless when caring for the animals, prone to making minor mistakes like brushing the same bunny twice and leaving another ungroomed or not making sure all the animals ate their fair share instead of letting the most aggressive ones hog most of the food for themselves. There were certain standards of care Song expected when it came to the animals, and there was no one she trusted to fulfill them besides herself, not even Rain.
Accepting her refusal with a casual shrug, he tucked the token into his sleeves with a smile and said, Well either way, Im glad to have you watching my back, Martial Aunt. Ill handle the rest of the animals, so you can rest or whatever. Technically, since he was calling Mama Mother-in-Law, Song was now Sister-in-Law instead, but she personally preferred Rains choice of address more since it implied seniority. Leaving Rain to corral the rest of the rabbits, Song went to bid Luo-Luo farewell and hoped Rain remembered to do the same without prompting. The tired Imperial Servant stood dutifully to one side with her hands clasped and eyes hopeful, but Rain mostly ignored her to go collecting the rabbits, who all but hopped into his arms.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
How unfair of the bunnies to play favourites like this...
Clasping Luo-Luos hands and meeting her eyes, Song offered her a warm nod farewell. In return, Luo-Luo responded with a beautiful smile before pulling Song into her surprisingly strong embrace. Return safely, Luo-Luo whispered, and only now did Song realize the taller woman was trembling with fright. That is all I ask.
Surprised by Luo-Luos display of affection, Song didnt know how to respond except to nod and say, Okay. They spent a fair amount of time together, but the same could be said about the rest of Rains household, and while she was fond of Luo-Luo, she didnt know the other cared so much about her in return.
Unsure how to fix the now awkward situation, Song turned towards Rain and saw him loading the last rabbit, sweet, slow George, in with the rest of his brothers and sisters, all of whom were hopping about in search of a cozy place to rest instead of leaping down to the grass like they had when Song tried the same. Glancing up at the tree, Rain made eye contact with Jimjam and pointed at the wagon and said, Come. Inadvertently using his gift of Oration, Song felt the single word almost wrench her off her feet until she convinced herself the command was not for her, but Jimjam happily obliged by leaping down from the tree and into the vehicle with two, airy, Lightened hops. For his efforts, he received an affectionate hug and a headbutt which had him rumbling with delight. Good Jimjam, Rain cooed, while Song stewed in jealousy and wonder at how Rain could pull off such a feat. Whos a smart kitten? You are!
How unfair for Jimjam to play favourites. Song would just have to win the grouchy wildcat over again...
In the exact same fashion, Ping Ping looked into the treetops and squeaked urgently, but rather than coming down from the tree, the red panda ambled out of a nearby bush which still had most of its greenery. The red panda valued concealment over height when it came to choosing where to rest, and while the cherry tree back in the Northern Citadel still had a tangle of dense branches to hide in, the tree in their borrowed Central manor was sparse and trimmed to look more refined and elegant in springtime. Now, with winter fast approaching, its bare, leafless frame made for a desolate sight, but the wildcats and Blackjack alike still enjoyed lording over the others from on high.
Unless those soldiers happened to be Oath-Sworn Death Corps of course. Last night, after waking from his slumber which had Ping Ping so concerned, Rain declared he was pulling out all the stops for this counter-attack, and only now did Song understand. There on the fields of Central stood tens of thousands of Death Corps, their intense devotion and genuine admiration almost palpable as they saluted as one to greet Rains carriage. Eyes gleaming brighter than their blackened steel breastplates, they watched him step out of the carriage beside the makeshift stage with fervent anticipation, radiating zeal and courage even as they fell to one knee before him, their polearms grounded with the blades pointed towards the Heavens in a show of perpetual vigilance. Gathered here was every Death Corps Guard in the Outer province, save for Orange One and a thousand of her comrades who were still in the Citadel to keep Luo-Luo safe. These Warriors here might well be Rains most passionate admirers, for he represented something they might well have long given up.
Hope.
There, standing before them, was a man who was once a slave much like them, and had risen above his status to become Legate. Even without their Oaths, Song suspected most of these Death Corps would die for Rain, because while the rest of the world saw them as slaves and property, he treated them like the Warriors they were. Song knew the Death Corps talked amongst themselves, though they rarely exchanged words where others could hear them, but not only did his initial Death Corps guards tell all their comrades what sort of man Falling Rain was, many saw it for themselves firsthand when he stepped back to save the life of a nameless Death Corps guard, and they loved him for it. So many other Imperial Scions would have pushed onwards without care for the lives of slaves, but now Rain had their love and gratitude for treating them like people, rather than property. A minor thing to have, the gratitude of slaves, but Rain would probably appreciate it, and profess unworthiness at the same time.
A shame the Death Corps were not bound solely to him, like Song was, else they too might be as fortunate as she.
Lifting Princess out of the wagon, Song hugged the weasel-bear tight and inwardly laughed at how much things had changed. When they first met, she feared Rain the most out of any of the People, but now, she counted herself fortunate for falling into their hands, and even more fortunate to be his. Sister Mila, Yan, or Lin-Lin were every bit as kind, but Rain understood what it was like to be a slave and worked hard to ensure Song was given as many choices as possible and knew her work was valued and appreciated. Of course, this initially threw her off and she was still sorely indecisive in too many ways, but thanks to everyones efforts, she was slowly getting better with time. Now, she rode in his honour guard not out of obligation, but by choice, and if given the option, she felt that these tens of thousands of Death Corps would choose the same.
It wasnt the same as true freedom, but being given the chance to follow ones hearts desires might well be the next best thing.
The Death Corps aside, the overall mood of this reinforcing army was one of subdued opposition, and regardless of the reasons, Song saw it as a portent of things to come. If Rain could not win over the hearts of his officers, he might well cost the Empire this war by setting out with the reinforcements, but that was the only way to bring the Death Corps along. Luckily, Rain was nothing if not charming, as evidenced by a familiar face which appeared at stage side, the corpulent Bulat atop a bantam of a white racehorse that seemed barely able to hold his weight. Hey there bossman, he began, reconsidering his flippant greeting beneath the weight of Kuang Biaos glare and double down on insolence. Heard ye were riding out to war again and figured ye could use a hand. Dont worry about the district, me Ma and Dei An got things well in hand.
Barely slowing as he exited his carriage, Rain embraced Bulat as best he could while Ping Ping ambled around their ankles with wide-eyed delight. Glad to have you with me, he said, genuinely delighted to see his old crony, but then he frowned and asked, But why? Theres no need for you to feel obligated to be here, and I wont think any less of you for sticking with retirement. Youve more than earned the right to get fat and live the good life. Pointedly looking Bulat up and down, he added, Though maybe not this fat. Moderation my friend, and maybe go for a run every now and then. Your poor horse looks utterly exhausted, and thats after what? An hours ride from the district?
Dont ye worry about Little Hero there. Hes tiny, but tougher than he looks, and he lives to run, he does.
Bulats non-answer made Rain break out into laughter, and Song saw how sorely needed it was. Though he often projected arrogant confidence, only those closest to him knew how uncertain and pessimistic he truly was. Being Legate was no blessing for Rain, but a burden he shouldered unwillingly. If he thought someone else would do a better job, then he would be the first to nominate that person as his replacement, but alas, politics would not tolerate anyone else wearing the mantle of Legate.
Which might well have been why Shen ZhenWu picked Rain as next in line for command. There was truly no other option.
Here, Rain said, fishing out the thousand-man commander token from his sleeve. Thats yours. When we link up with Hongjis forces, youll take over for Mister Rustram.
Why? Something happen to him?
Fear and concern flashed across Bulats features, but Rain waved his concerns away. No, Im promoting him to Major. He deserves it, seeing how he pretty much ran my retinue for me, and youve always been his first choice for number two. Patting Bulat on the arm, Rain nodded in casual dismissal before heading up onto stage, signalling for everyone else to stay behind. Only Ping Ping followed him onto the small, elevated platform, where he greeted the thousands upon thousands of Imperial Warriors with back straight and head held high. Hello, he began, the word ringing with that curious tone which told Song he was Orating, though the mere fact that she could hear his quiet words clear as day from so far away would have clued her in regardless. I am Falling Rain, standing in for Shen ZhenWu as Legate. Two and a half days west of here, a half-million of our comrades are fighting for their lives all across the second line. I will not lie: they are struggling to hold.
Honest, humble, and emotionless, Rains speech thus far left much to be desired, but after a long pause to let his words sink in, he continued. Our purpose here today is not just to reinforce our beleaguered countrymen, but to fulfill our duty as Martial Warriors. For too long, the Defiled have plagued our spirits. For too long, the Defiled have tormented our people. For too long, the Defiled have threatened our borders, and now they stand poised to strike at the heart of the Empire itself. Pausing once more to draw breath, Song felt herself breathing in sync with him, having forgotten to do so under the deluge of emotion which accompanied his words, brimming with righteous indignation at their most troublesome foe. This I cannot abide. His fierce scowl gave way to a determined glare, which lent heavy weight to his words, and Song believed he would march out alone if need be, to do what needed to be done. Today, marks a turning point in our war against the Enemy, one the people of the Empire will remember for millennia to come, so mark this date well, and know my words for truth. Today, we come together, not as denizens of East, South, West, North, or Central, nor are we here as commoners and nobles, or even as slaves and citizens of the Empire. Stopping to cast his gaze across his captivated audience, he said, Today, we come together as Warriors of Heaven, united in one purpose, to defeat the Defiled and strike a devastating blow against the Father Himself! Today, we march out not to defend our borders, but to attack the Enemy and drive them back from whence they came. Today, marks the first day in our holy crusade against the Defiled, for we will show them the errors of their ways and teach them the meaning of regret. Though our enemies dare call themselves the Chosen of Heaven, I know that the true Chosen sons and daughters of the Mother are gathered here before me today. March with me, Warriors, and together, we will show those hateful pretenders how true Chosen of Heaven fight!
His part said, Rain marched off the stage and back to his carriage, the thump of his boots booming in the deafening silence. Then, someone in the crowd thumped their shield, and in the next moment, the plains of Central came alive as every soldier, officer, slave, and noble cheered, stomped, and applauded for their Legate, wholly united in purpose for what might well be the first time in history. As for Song? She had no choice but to follow him thanks to her Oaths, but as she stated before, being free to follow her hearts desires was the next best thing to true freedom, which was something that would forever be out of her reach.
There was a time when that final realization might have crushed her, but here and now, Song was truly happy to be alive.
Chapter Meme
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Chapter 623
As dawn broke over the horizon and soldiers of the Central Citadel readied to ride to war, Song scrambled about the courtyard to ensure no pet was left behind.
The bears were the least of her problems, happy to lay in the wagon with their deer-bone treats, while Sarankho could be trusted to hop in on command. Aurie and Mama Bun were off with Rain somewhere, and Blackjack was with Lin-Lin as always, but the rest of the pets were more troublesome to deal with. Princess was also in the wagon, but in obvious concern as she sat upright and watched Song to ensure she didnt go too far. Looking adorable in her bright red ribbon bow and frilly checkered dress, the weasel-bear held her treat untouched while emitting a low, concerned rumbling, no doubt remembering her unpleasant wagon trip with the hunter who first trapped her. Much as it pained Song to leave her in such distress, she couldnt carry the weasel-bear into battle, so Princess would just have to get used to riding the wagon and being separated for long periods of time. Though it was still up for debate as to how well Princess could see, Song made sure to remain within sight as she strolled about the manor courtyard collecting the sleeping laughing birds. Roc was an able guardian who kept his flock together throughout the boat ride from the Northern Citadel to Centrals, but it was still early in the day and the avian patriarch had his head tucked beneath his wing while perched atop the carved wooden turtle roof of Rains carriage. Without him to keep the birds in line, a handful of the fuzzy fledglings had to be relocated from the tiled roofs and barren treetops to a more mobile roost, just in case they fell asleep between now and when Rain set out.
Every time she secured one of the fledglings, Songs heart warmed as the little laughing birds yawned and blinked in her hands, only to immediately go back to sleep once they saw it was her, with some even nuzzling her fingers to beg for scritches. There was something incredibly satisfying about having this level of trust with another creature, so utterly content to place their lives in her hands. Truth be told, Song hoped to one day trust Rain like this as well, for then she might truly relieve herself of all concerns regarding her slave Oaths, save for the one preventing her from travelling too far from his side.
Then there was Jimjam, who refused to leave his treetop perch and even batted at Songs head when she went up to fetch him, a cantankerous grouch even on the best of days, but particularly bad this morning since he didnt get much sleep after last nights excitement. This wouldnt be too much of an issue if the rabbits would stay in the wagon instead of hopping out the first chance they got, thereby leaving Song unable to focus on Jimjam. Every time she placed one bunny into the wagon, two more would hop out, and it soon became an endless chore of chasing and corralling the rabbits into the large, open-topped vehicle. It would be much easier to keep them contained inside Rains closed carriage, especially after he had bunny bucket seats installed along the sides for just this purpose, but she worried he would be the first target in a Wraith or Demon attack. Aside from Mama Bun who was always in his arms, Blackjack who was inseparable from Lin-Lin, the red panda who was inseparable from Ping Ping, and Ping Ping who could take care of herself, Song was determined to keep all the other animals safe and sound in Coto and Gakais wagon.
Perhaps Mama was right. Song wasnt getting paid enough to deal with all these shenanigans, and there really was such a thing as too many pets.
After chasing the rabbits around for a quarter-hour, Song was almost ready to give up when Rain returned to the manor from his meeting with his war council. Utterly oblivious to her trials and tribulations, he greeted her with a simple Good morning, while Aurie bounded over to give her a happy little headbutt and Ping Ping ran a slow circle around them. Youre looking tired today, Rain said, seeming more chipper and energetic than ever, But I suppose were all short on sleep lately. Glancing around the manor, he asked, Is Lin-Lin up yet, or should I go wake her?
Im up hubby. Her quiet, subdued reply barely audible over her titanic yawn, Lin-Lin shuffled out of her room with Blackjack fast asleep between her ears. Almost tripping over Ping Ping as she came down the stairs, she all but fell into Rains embrace with a pout. Its too early to be awake, she complained, burying her face in Rains armour, only to reel back with an adorable scowl in search of a more comfortable place to rest her head. Puffing her cheeks up in discontent, she unfurled her ever-present white silk scarf to use as a makeshift pillow before collapsing against Rain like a sack of rice. Dont wanna walk. Carriage please.
Grinning like a fool but wise enough not to speak, Rain lifted Lin-Lin into his arms and carried her into his carriage, only to emerge shortly after to let the veiled Guard Leader take her place by Lin-Lins side. Sister-in-Law Sarnai was also present, clad in ornate Sentinel leathers, which signalled her intention to ride her quin rather than sit in the carriage. This only reinforced Songs decision to keep the animals in a wagon, as Guard Leaders first and second priorities would be Lin-Lin and Rain respectively, so she couldnt be trusted with the animals safety. The issue was, one word from Rain and all Songs hard work would be for naught, but thankfully he didnt second guess her decision. After greeting the gurgling bears with a pat on the head and cooing at indifferent Princesss ribbon, Rain turned to Song and handed her a rectangular jade token with the words, Thousand Man Commander inscribed on its face. This is yours if you want it, he said, carefully choosing his words so as not to inadvertently give her an order and instead offering her a choice. You dont need a rank or even have to take part in the fighting, but if you want the job, its yours. You can pick whether you want to command Death Corps or Sentinels, or you can attach yourself to my honour guard and fight there, but under Kuang Biaos command. I asked if there was any job hed like, and he requested that one, so... yea.
In Songs eyes, this wasnt even a choice. I will join your honour guard, she said, without giving the token a second glance. A thousand Death Corps or Sentinels would be better served if commanded by someone else, someone capable of acting independently from Rain if they should become separated. If they were fighting from a static position, Song wouldnt hesitate to take up command, but they were heading off into a chaotic, mobile engagement on the open plains of Central, where it was entirely possible for adjacent units to get cut off completely from one another, and Song could not afford to risk it.
Besides, she couldnt afford to have more responsibilities on top of looking after the animals, which would be a full-time job all by itself. They would likely be better off leaving all the animals at the Citadel, but not only did Rain insist on bringing them, Luo-Luo couldnt be trusted to care for them all by herself since Lin-Lin was determined to come along. The Imperial Servant was hardworking and conscientious to the extreme, but she treated the animals like cute, living decorations to love and adore, which they were, but it also took discipline to train and control them. One only needed to look at the obese, overfed Noodle to know Luo-Luo was an unsuitable pet owner, but the snake loved her dearly and had yet to warm up to anyone else.
Left on her own, Luo-Luo would soon find herself powerless to keep the animals in check, and Rain would no doubt return to a manor full of broken beams, scratched up surfaces, and excavated tunnels aplenty thanks to bored bears, curious wildcats, and enterprising bunnies. Granted, she would have help from Sorya and Anrhi to keep the animals in line, but the twin handmaidens were too flighty and careless when caring for the animals, prone to making minor mistakes like brushing the same bunny twice and leaving another ungroomed or not making sure all the animals ate their fair share instead of letting the most aggressive ones hog most of the food for themselves. There were certain standards of care Song expected when it came to the animals, and there was no one she trusted to fulfill them besides herself, not even Rain.
Accepting her refusal with a casual shrug, he tucked the token into his sleeves with a smile and said, Well either way, Im glad to have you watching my back, Martial Aunt. Ill handle the rest of the animals, so you can rest or whatever. Technically, since he was calling Mama Mother-in-Law, Song was now Sister-in-Law instead, but she personally preferred Rains choice of address more since it implied seniority. Leaving Rain to corral the rest of the rabbits, Song went to bid Luo-Luo farewell and hoped Rain remembered to do the same without prompting. The tired Imperial Servant stood dutifully to one side with her hands clasped and eyes hopeful, but Rain mostly ignored her to go collecting the rabbits, who all but hopped into his arms.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
How unfair of the bunnies to play favourites like this...
Clasping Luo-Luos hands and meeting her eyes, Song offered her a warm nod farewell. In return, Luo-Luo responded with a beautiful smile before pulling Song into her surprisingly strong embrace. Return safely, Luo-Luo whispered, and only now did Song realize the taller woman was trembling with fright. That is all I ask.
Surprised by Luo-Luos display of affection, Song didnt know how to respond except to nod and say, Okay. They spent a fair amount of time together, but the same could be said about the rest of Rains household, and while she was fond of Luo-Luo, she didnt know the other cared so much about her in return.
Unsure how to fix the now awkward situation, Song turned towards Rain and saw him loading the last rabbit, sweet, slow George, in with the rest of his brothers and sisters, all of whom were hopping about in search of a cozy place to rest instead of leaping down to the grass like they had when Song tried the same. Glancing up at the tree, Rain made eye contact with Jimjam and pointed at the wagon and said, Come. Inadvertently using his gift of Oration, Song felt the single word almost wrench her off her feet until she convinced herself the command was not for her, but Jimjam happily obliged by leaping down from the tree and into the vehicle with two, airy, Lightened hops. For his efforts, he received an affectionate hug and a headbutt which had him rumbling with delight. Good Jimjam, Rain cooed, while Song stewed in jealousy and wonder at how Rain could pull off such a feat. Whos a smart kitten? You are!
How unfair for Jimjam to play favourites. Song would just have to win the grouchy wildcat over again...
In the exact same fashion, Ping Ping looked into the treetops and squeaked urgently, but rather than coming down from the tree, the red panda ambled out of a nearby bush which still had most of its greenery. The red panda valued concealment over height when it came to choosing where to rest, and while the cherry tree back in the Northern Citadel still had a tangle of dense branches to hide in, the tree in their borrowed Central manor was sparse and trimmed to look more refined and elegant in springtime. Now, with winter fast approaching, its bare, leafless frame made for a desolate sight, but the wildcats and Blackjack alike still enjoyed lording over the others from on high.
Unless those soldiers happened to be Oath-Sworn Death Corps of course. Last night, after waking from his slumber which had Ping Ping so concerned, Rain declared he was pulling out all the stops for this counter-attack, and only now did Song understand. There on the fields of Central stood tens of thousands of Death Corps, their intense devotion and genuine admiration almost palpable as they saluted as one to greet Rains carriage. Eyes gleaming brighter than their blackened steel breastplates, they watched him step out of the carriage beside the makeshift stage with fervent anticipation, radiating zeal and courage even as they fell to one knee before him, their polearms grounded with the blades pointed towards the Heavens in a show of perpetual vigilance. Gathered here was every Death Corps Guard in the Outer province, save for Orange One and a thousand of her comrades who were still in the Citadel to keep Luo-Luo safe. These Warriors here might well be Rains most passionate admirers, for he represented something they might well have long given up.
Hope.
There, standing before them, was a man who was once a slave much like them, and had risen above his status to become Legate. Even without their Oaths, Song suspected most of these Death Corps would die for Rain, because while the rest of the world saw them as slaves and property, he treated them like the Warriors they were. Song knew the Death Corps talked amongst themselves, though they rarely exchanged words where others could hear them, but not only did his initial Death Corps guards tell all their comrades what sort of man Falling Rain was, many saw it for themselves firsthand when he stepped back to save the life of a nameless Death Corps guard, and they loved him for it. So many other Imperial Scions would have pushed onwards without care for the lives of slaves, but now Rain had their love and gratitude for treating them like people, rather than property. A minor thing to have, the gratitude of slaves, but Rain would probably appreciate it, and profess unworthiness at the same time.
A shame the Death Corps were not bound solely to him, like Song was, else they too might be as fortunate as she.
Lifting Princess out of the wagon, Song hugged the weasel-bear tight and inwardly laughed at how much things had changed. When they first met, she feared Rain the most out of any of the People, but now, she counted herself fortunate for falling into their hands, and even more fortunate to be his. Sister Mila, Yan, or Lin-Lin were every bit as kind, but Rain understood what it was like to be a slave and worked hard to ensure Song was given as many choices as possible and knew her work was valued and appreciated. Of course, this initially threw her off and she was still sorely indecisive in too many ways, but thanks to everyones efforts, she was slowly getting better with time. Now, she rode in his honour guard not out of obligation, but by choice, and if given the option, she felt that these tens of thousands of Death Corps would choose the same.
It wasnt the same as true freedom, but being given the chance to follow ones hearts desires might well be the next best thing.
The Death Corps aside, the overall mood of this reinforcing army was one of subdued opposition, and regardless of the reasons, Song saw it as a portent of things to come. If Rain could not win over the hearts of his officers, he might well cost the Empire this war by setting out with the reinforcements, but that was the only way to bring the Death Corps along. Luckily, Rain was nothing if not charming, as evidenced by a familiar face which appeared at stage side, the corpulent Bulat atop a bantam of a white racehorse that seemed barely able to hold his weight. Hey there bossman, he began, reconsidering his flippant greeting beneath the weight of Kuang Biaos glare and double down on insolence. Heard ye were riding out to war again and figured ye could use a hand. Dont worry about the district, me Ma and Dei An got things well in hand.
Barely slowing as he exited his carriage, Rain embraced Bulat as best he could while Ping Ping ambled around their ankles with wide-eyed delight. Glad to have you with me, he said, genuinely delighted to see his old crony, but then he frowned and asked, But why? Theres no need for you to feel obligated to be here, and I wont think any less of you for sticking with retirement. Youve more than earned the right to get fat and live the good life. Pointedly looking Bulat up and down, he added, Though maybe not this fat. Moderation my friend, and maybe go for a run every now and then. Your poor horse looks utterly exhausted, and thats after what? An hours ride from the district?
Dont ye worry about Little Hero there. Hes tiny, but tougher than he looks, and he lives to run, he does.
Bulats non-answer made Rain break out into laughter, and Song saw how sorely needed it was. Though he often projected arrogant confidence, only those closest to him knew how uncertain and pessimistic he truly was. Being Legate was no blessing for Rain, but a burden he shouldered unwillingly. If he thought someone else would do a better job, then he would be the first to nominate that person as his replacement, but alas, politics would not tolerate anyone else wearing the mantle of Legate.
Which might well have been why Shen ZhenWu picked Rain as next in line for command. There was truly no other option.
Here, Rain said, fishing out the thousand-man commander token from his sleeve. Thats yours. When we link up with Hongjis forces, youll take over for Mister Rustram.
Why? Something happen to him?
Fear and concern flashed across Bulats features, but Rain waved his concerns away. No, Im promoting him to Major. He deserves it, seeing how he pretty much ran my retinue for me, and youve always been his first choice for number two. Patting Bulat on the arm, Rain nodded in casual dismissal before heading up onto stage, signalling for everyone else to stay behind. Only Ping Ping followed him onto the small, elevated platform, where he greeted the thousands upon thousands of Imperial Warriors with back straight and head held high. Hello, he began, the word ringing with that curious tone which told Song he was Orating, though the mere fact that she could hear his quiet words clear as day from so far away would have clued her in regardless. I am Falling Rain, standing in for Shen ZhenWu as Legate. Two and a half days west of here, a half-million of our comrades are fighting for their lives all across the second line. I will not lie: they are struggling to hold.
Honest, humble, and emotionless, Rains speech thus far left much to be desired, but after a long pause to let his words sink in, he continued. Our purpose here today is not just to reinforce our beleaguered countrymen, but to fulfill our duty as Martial Warriors. For too long, the Defiled have plagued our spirits. For too long, the Defiled have tormented our people. For too long, the Defiled have threatened our borders, and now they stand poised to strike at the heart of the Empire itself. Pausing once more to draw breath, Song felt herself breathing in sync with him, having forgotten to do so under the deluge of emotion which accompanied his words, brimming with righteous indignation at their most troublesome foe. This I cannot abide. His fierce scowl gave way to a determined glare, which lent heavy weight to his words, and Song believed he would march out alone if need be, to do what needed to be done. Today, marks a turning point in our war against the Enemy, one the people of the Empire will remember for millennia to come, so mark this date well, and know my words for truth. Today, we come together, not as denizens of East, South, West, North, or Central, nor are we here as commoners and nobles, or even as slaves and citizens of the Empire. Stopping to cast his gaze across his captivated audience, he said, Today, we come together as Warriors of Heaven, united in one purpose, to defeat the Defiled and strike a devastating blow against the Father Himself! Today, we march out not to defend our borders, but to attack the Enemy and drive them back from whence they came. Today, marks the first day in our holy crusade against the Defiled, for we will show them the errors of their ways and teach them the meaning of regret. Though our enemies dare call themselves the Chosen of Heaven, I know that the true Chosen sons and daughters of the Mother are gathered here before me today. March with me, Warriors, and together, we will show those hateful pretenders how true Chosen of Heaven fight!
His part said, Rain marched off the stage and back to his carriage, the thump of his boots booming in the deafening silence. Then, someone in the crowd thumped their shield, and in the next moment, the plains of Central came alive as every soldier, officer, slave, and noble cheered, stomped, and applauded for their Legate, wholly united in purpose for what might well be the first time in history. As for Song? She had no choice but to follow him thanks to her Oaths, but as she stated before, being free to follow her hearts desires was the next best thing to true freedom, which was something that would forever be out of her reach.
There was a time when that final realization might have crushed her, but here and now, Song was truly happy to be alive.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 623As dawn broke over the horizon and soldiers of the Central Citadel readied to ride to war, Song scrambled about the courtyard to ensure no pet was left behind.The bears were the least of her problems, happy to lay in the wagon with their deer-bone treats, while Sarankho could be trusted to hop in on command. Aurie and Mama Bun were off with Rain somewhere, and Blackjack was with Lin-Lin as always, but the rest of the pets were more troublesome to deal with. Princess was also in the wagon, but in obvious concern as she sat upright and watched Song to ensure she didnt go too far. Looking adorable in her bright red ribbon bow and frilly checkered dress, the weasel-bear held her treat untouched while emitting a low, concerned rumbling, no doubt remembering her unpleasant wagon trip with the hunter who first trapped her. Much as it pained Song to leave her in such distress, she couldnt carry the weasel-bear into battle, so Princess would just have to get used to riding the wagon and being separated for long periods of time. Though it was still up for debate as to how well Princess could see, Song made sure to remain within sight as she strolled about the manor courtyard collecting the sleeping laughing birds. Roc was an able guardian who kept his flock together throughout the boat ride from the Northern Citadel to Centrals, but it was still early in the day and the avian patriarch had his head tucked beneath his wing while perched atop the carved wooden turtle roof of Rains carriage. Without him to keep the birds in line, a handful of the fuzzy fledglings had to be relocated from the tiled roofs and barren treetops to a more mobile roost, just in case they fell asleep between now and when Rain set out.Every time she secured one of the fledglings, Songs heart warmed as the little laughing birds yawned and blinked in her hands, only to immediately go back to sleep once they saw it was her, with some even nuzzling her fingers to beg for scritches. There was something incredibly satisfying about having this level of trust with another creature, so utterly content to place their lives in her hands. Truth be told, Song hoped to one day trust Rain like this as well, for then she might truly relieve herself of all concerns regarding her slave Oaths, save for the one preventing her from travelling too far from his side.Then there was Jimjam, who refused to leave his treetop perch and even batted at Songs head when she went up to fetch him, a cantankerous grouch even on the best of days, but particularly bad this morning since he didnt get much sleep after last nights excitement. This wouldnt be too much of an issue if the rabbits would stay in the wagon instead of hopping out the first chance they got, thereby leaving Song unable to focus on Jimjam. Every time she placed one bunny into the wagon, two more would hop out, and it soon became an endless chore of chasing and corralling the rabbits into the large, open-topped vehicle. It would be much easier to keep them contained inside Rains closed carriage, especially after he had bunny bucket seats installed along the sides for just this purpose, but she worried he would be the first target in a Wraith or Demon attack. Aside from Mama Bun who was always in his arms, Blackjack who was inseparable from Lin-Lin, the red panda who was inseparable from Ping Ping, and Ping Ping who could take care of herself, Song was determined to keep all the other animals safe and sound in Coto and Gakais wagon.Perhaps Mama was right. Song wasnt getting paid enough to deal with all these shenanigans, and there really was such a thing as too many pets.After chasing the rabbits around for a quarter-hour, Song was almost ready to give up when Rain returned to the manor from his meeting with his war council. Utterly oblivious to her trials and tribulations, he greeted her with a simple Good morning, while Aurie bounded over to give her a happy little headbutt and Ping Ping ran a slow circle around them. Youre looking tired today, Rain said, seeming more chipper and energetic than ever, But I suppose were all short on sleep lately. Glancing around the manor, he asked, Is Lin-Lin up yet, or should I go wake her?Im up hubby. Her quiet, subdued reply barely audible over her titanic yawn, Lin-Lin shuffled out of her room with Blackjack fast asleep between her ears. Almost tripping over Ping Ping as she came down the stairs, she all but fell into Rains embrace with a pout. Its too early to be awake, she complained, burying her face in Rains armour, only to reel back with an adorable scowl in search of a more comfortable place to rest her head. Puffing her cheeks up in discontent, she unfurled her ever-present white silk scarf to use as a makeshift pillow before collapsing against Rain like a sack of rice. Dont wanna walk. Carriage please.Grinning like a fool but wise enough not to speak, Rain lifted Lin-Lin into his arms and carried her into his carriage, only to emerge shortly after to let the veiled Guard Leader take her place by Lin-Lins side. Sister-in-Law Sarnai was also present, clad in ornate Sentinel leathers, which signalled her intention to ride her quin rather than sit in the carriage. This only reinforced Songs decision to keep the animals in a wagon, as Guard Leaders first and second priorities would be Lin-Lin and Rain respectively, so she couldnt be trusted with the animals safety. The issue was, one word from Rain and all Songs hard work would be for naught, but thankfully he didnt second guess her decision. After greeting the gurgling bears with a pat on the head and cooing at indifferent Princesss ribbon, Rain turned to Song and handed her a rectangular jade token with the words, Thousand Man Commander inscribed on its face. This is yours if you want it, he said, carefully choosing his words so as not to inadvertently give her an order and instead offering her a choice. You dont need a rank or even have to take part in the fighting, but if you want the job, its yours. You can pick whether you want to command Death Corps or Sentinels, or you can attach yourself to my honour guard and fight there, but under Kuang Biaos command. I asked if there was any job hed like, and he requested that one, so... yea.In Songs eyes, this wasnt even a choice. I will join your honour guard, she said, without giving the token a second glance. A thousand Death Corps or Sentinels would be better served if commanded by someone else, someone capable of acting independently from Rain if they should become separated. If they were fighting from a static position, Song wouldnt hesitate to take up command, but they were heading off into a chaotic, mobile engagement on the open plains of Central, where it was entirely possible for adjacent units to get cut off completely from one another, and Song could not afford to risk it.Besides, she couldnt afford to have more responsibilities on top of looking after the animals, which would be a full-time job all by itself. They would likely be better off leaving all the animals at the Citadel, but not only did Rain insist on bringing them, Luo-Luo couldnt be trusted to care for them all by herself since Lin-Lin was determined to come along. The Imperial Servant was hardworking and conscientious to the extreme, but she treated the animals like cute, living decorations to love and adore, which they were, but it also took discipline to train and control them. One only needed to look at the obese, overfed Noodle to know Luo-Luo was an unsuitable pet owner, but the snake loved her dearly and had yet to warm up to anyone else.Left on her own, Luo-Luo would soon find herself powerless to keep the animals in check, and Rain would no doubt return to a manor full of broken beams, scratched up surfaces, and excavated tunnels aplenty thanks to bored bears, curious wildcats, and enterprising bunnies. Granted, she would have help from Sorya and Anrhi to keep the animals in line, but the twin handmaidens were too flighty and careless when caring for the animals, prone to making minor mistakes like brushing the same bunny twice and leaving another ungroomed or not making sure all the animals ate their fair share instead of letting the most aggressive ones hog most of the food for themselves. There were certain standards of care Song expected when it came to the animals, and there was no one she trusted to fulfill them besides herself, not even Rain.Accepting her refusal with a casual shrug, he tucked the token into his sleeves with a smile and said, Well either way, Im glad to have you watching my back, Martial Aunt. Ill handle the rest of the animals, so you can rest or whatever. Technically, since he was calling Mama Mother-in-Law, Song was now Sister-in-Law instead, but she personally preferred Rains choice of address more since it implied seniority. Leaving Rain to corral the rest of the rabbits, Song went to bid Luo-Luo farewell and hoped Rain remembered to do the same without prompting. The tired Imperial Servant stood dutifully to one side with her hands clasped and eyes hopeful, but Rain mostly ignored her to go collecting the rabbits, who all but hopped into his arms.Follow current novels on novelbin.comHow unfair of the bunnies to play favourites like this...Clasping Luo-Luos hands and meeting her eyes, Song offered her a warm nod farewell. In return, Luo-Luo responded with a beautiful smile before pulling Song into her surprisingly strong embrace. Return safely, Luo-Luo whispered, and only now did Song realize the taller woman was trembling with fright. That is all I ask.Surprised by Luo-Luos display of affection, Song didnt know how to respond except to nod and say, Okay. They spent a fair amount of time together, but the same could be said about the rest of Rains household, and while she was fond of Luo-Luo, she didnt know the other cared so much about her in return.Unsure how to fix the now awkward situation, Song turned towards Rain and saw him loading the last rabbit, sweet, slow George, in with the rest of his brothers and sisters, all of whom were hopping about in search of a cozy place to rest instead of leaping down to the grass like they had when Song tried the same. Glancing up at the tree, Rain made eye contact with Jimjam and pointed at the wagon and said, Come. Inadvertently using his gift of Oration, Song felt the single word almost wrench her off her feet until she convinced herself the command was not for her, but Jimjam happily obliged by leaping down from the tree and into the vehicle with two, airy, Lightened hops. For his efforts, he received an affectionate hug and a headbutt which had him rumbling with delight. Good Jimjam, Rain cooed, while Song stewed in jealousy and wonder at how Rain could pull off such a feat. Whos a smart kitten? You are!How unfair for Jimjam to play favourites. Song would just have to win the grouchy wildcat over again...In the exact same fashion, Ping Ping looked into the treetops and squeaked urgently, but rather than coming down from the tree, the red panda ambled out of a nearby bush which still had most of its greenery. The red panda valued concealment over height when it came to choosing where to rest, and while the cherry tree back in the Northern Citadel still had a tangle of dense branches to hide in, the tree in their borrowed Central manor was sparse and trimmed to look more refined and elegant in springtime. Now, with winter fast approaching, its bare, leafless frame made for a desolate sight, but the wildcats and Blackjack alike still enjoyed lording over the others from on high.Unless those soldiers happened to be Oath-Sworn Death Corps of course. Last night, after waking from his slumber which had Ping Ping so concerned, Rain declared he was pulling out all the stops for this counter-attack, and only now did Song understand. There on the fields of Central stood tens of thousands of Death Corps, their intense devotion and genuine admiration almost palpable as they saluted as one to greet Rains carriage. Eyes gleaming brighter than their blackened steel breastplates, they watched him step out of the carriage beside the makeshift stage with fervent anticipation, radiating zeal and courage even as they fell to one knee before him, their polearms grounded with the blades pointed towards the Heavens in a show of perpetual vigilance. Gathered here was every Death Corps Guard in the Outer province, save for Orange One and a thousand of her comrades who were still in the Citadel to keep Luo-Luo safe. These Warriors here might well be Rains most passionate admirers, for he represented something they might well have long given up.Hope.There, standing before them, was a man who was once a slave much like them, and had risen above his status to become Legate. Even without their Oaths, Song suspected most of these Death Corps would die for Rain, because while the rest of the world saw them as slaves and property, he treated them like the Warriors they were. Song knew the Death Corps talked amongst themselves, though they rarely exchanged words where others could hear them, but not only did his initial Death Corps guards tell all their comrades what sort of man Falling Rain was, many saw it for themselves firsthand when he stepped back to save the life of a nameless Death Corps guard, and they loved him for it. So many other Imperial Scions would have pushed onwards without care for the lives of slaves, but now Rain had their love and gratitude for treating them like people, rather than property. A minor thing to have, the gratitude of slaves, but Rain would probably appreciate it, and profess unworthiness at the same time.A shame the Death Corps were not bound solely to him, like Song was, else they too might be as fortunate as she.Lifting Princess out of the wagon, Song hugged the weasel-bear tight and inwardly laughed at how much things had changed. When they first met, she feared Rain the most out of any of the People, but now, she counted herself fortunate for falling into their hands, and even more fortunate to be his. Sister Mila, Yan, or Lin-Lin were every bit as kind, but Rain understood what it was like to be a slave and worked hard to ensure Song was given as many choices as possible and knew her work was valued and appreciated. Of course, this initially threw her off and she was still sorely indecisive in too many ways, but thanks to everyones efforts, she was slowly getting better with time. Now, she rode in his honour guard not out of obligation, but by choice, and if given the option, she felt that these tens of thousands of Death Corps would choose the same.It wasnt the same as true freedom, but being given the chance to follow ones hearts desires might well be the next best thing.The Death Corps aside, the overall mood of this reinforcing army was one of subdued opposition, and regardless of the reasons, Song saw it as a portent of things to come. If Rain could not win over the hearts of his officers, he might well cost the Empire this war by setting out with the reinforcements, but that was the only way to bring the Death Corps along. Luckily, Rain was nothing if not charming, as evidenced by a familiar face which appeared at stage side, the corpulent Bulat atop a bantam of a white racehorse that seemed barely able to hold his weight. Hey there bossman, he began, reconsidering his flippant greeting beneath the weight of Kuang Biaos glare and double down on insolence. Heard ye were riding out to war again and figured ye could use a hand. Dont worry about the district, me Ma and Dei An got things well in hand.Barely slowing as he exited his carriage, Rain embraced Bulat as best he could while Ping Ping ambled around their ankles with wide-eyed delight. Glad to have you with me, he said, genuinely delighted to see his old crony, but then he frowned and asked, But why? Theres no need for you to feel obligated to be here, and I wont think any less of you for sticking with retirement. Youve more than earned the right to get fat and live the good life. Pointedly looking Bulat up and down, he added, Though maybe not this fat. Moderation my friend, and maybe go for a run every now and then. Your poor horse looks utterly exhausted, and thats after what? An hours ride from the district?Dont ye worry about Little Hero there. Hes tiny, but tougher than he looks, and he lives to run, he does.Bulats non-answer made Rain break out into laughter, and Song saw how sorely needed it was. Though he often projected arrogant confidence, only those closest to him knew how uncertain and pessimistic he truly was. Being Legate was no blessing for Rain, but a burden he shouldered unwillingly. If he thought someone else would do a better job, then he would be the first to nominate that person as his replacement, but alas, politics would not tolerate anyone else wearing the mantle of Legate.Which might well have been why Shen ZhenWu picked Rain as next in line for command. There was truly no other option.Here, Rain said, fishing out the thousand-man commander token from his sleeve. Thats yours. When we link up with Hongjis forces, youll take over for Mister Rustram.Why? Something happen to him?Fear and concern flashed across Bulats features, but Rain waved his concerns away. No, Im promoting him to Major. He deserves it, seeing how he pretty much ran my retinue for me, and youve always been his first choice for number two. Patting Bulat on the arm, Rain nodded in casual dismissal before heading up onto stage, signalling for everyone else to stay behind. Only Ping Ping followed him onto the small, elevated platform, where he greeted the thousands upon thousands of Imperial Warriors with back straight and head held high. Hello, he began, the word ringing with that curious tone which told Song he was Orating, though the mere fact that she could hear his quiet words clear as day from so far away would have clued her in regardless. I am Falling Rain, standing in for Shen ZhenWu as Legate. Two and a half days west of here, a half-million of our comrades are fighting for their lives all across the second line. I will not lie: they are struggling to hold.Honest, humble, and emotionless, Rains speech thus far left much to be desired, but after a long pause to let his words sink in, he continued. Our purpose here today is not just to reinforce our beleaguered countrymen, but to fulfill our duty as Martial Warriors. For too long, the Defiled have plagued our spirits. For too long, the Defiled have tormented our people. For too long, the Defiled have threatened our borders, and now they stand poised to strike at the heart of the Empire itself. Pausing once more to draw breath, Song felt herself breathing in sync with him, having forgotten to do so under the deluge of emotion which accompanied his words, brimming with righteous indignation at their most troublesome foe. This I cannot abide. His fierce scowl gave way to a determined glare, which lent heavy weight to his words, and Song believed he would march out alone if need be, to do what needed to be done. Today, marks a turning point in our war against the Enemy, one the people of the Empire will remember for millennia to come, so mark this date well, and know my words for truth. Today, we come together, not as denizens of East, South, West, North, or Central, nor are we here as commoners and nobles, or even as slaves and citizens of the Empire. Stopping to cast his gaze across his captivated audience, he said, Today, we come together as Warriors of Heaven, united in one purpose, to defeat the Defiled and strike a devastating blow against the Father Himself! Today, we march out not to defend our borders, but to attack the Enemy and drive them back from whence they came. Today, marks the first day in our holy crusade against the Defiled, for we will show them the errors of their ways and teach them the meaning of regret. Though our enemies dare call themselves the Chosen of Heaven, I know that the true Chosen sons and daughters of the Mother are gathered here before me today. March with me, Warriors, and together, we will show those hateful pretenders how true Chosen of Heaven fight!His part said, Rain marched off the stage and back to his carriage, the thump of his boots booming in the deafening silence. Then, someone in the crowd thumped their shield, and in the next moment, the plains of Central came alive as every soldier, officer, slave, and noble cheered, stomped, and applauded for their Legate, wholly united in purpose for what might well be the first time in history. As for Song? She had no choice but to follow him thanks to her Oaths, but as she stated before, being free to follow her hearts desires was the next best thing to true freedom, which was something that would forever be out of her reach.There was a time when that final realization might have crushed her, but here and now, Song was truly happy to be alive.Chapter Meme
