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For a province in a state of conflict, Julienne felt quite quiet. Or maybe it was just the Dryfox County. This county was, under all circumstances, to be kept at absolute rest. Maybe Cor Tse could be relied upon to keep Theewan Twũn Tem safe. 

The guard station that managed the road up to the manor was just up ahead. There were only two or three yan posted by the gates from what Dei could tell. And by the look of their simple armours, they were not officers or soldiers of any particular rank – and so likely to not have a clue about the fiasco with Dei’s sons. Maybe that was for the better. But did that mean Cor could truly be relied upon? 

Up ahead, something stirred. 

Suddenly, numerous yan began to spill out from the trees before the gates. A formidable number. About 30 heads, and all were armed and wrapped. And by the splash of dark red now gathering on the roads, it was clear that this band was the Lung forces. 

Dei called his party to a slow. The Lung hadn’t taken notice of Dei and co. They were clearly engaged with approaching those at the gate. 

Arms were drawn but the approach was slow. The Lung were not assaulting the station – only letting their presence be known. Praise the Goddess for that. 

Further down behind the gates, a wave of dark blue flowed into the gateway. The small Cor garrison stationed there. They seemed to have about the same number of yan as the Lung. Depending on who was in command, this may not have been a good thing at all. Low numbers were chaotic. Surrender wouldn’t feel favourable to either side of this skirmish. 

“Will they clash?” Jin Zhe wondered. 

“The Lung only march forward slowly,” An Nesi, one of Jin Zhe’s best yan, pointed out. “The Lung could have stormed those three yan at the gate if they wanted to. They gave the Cor time to muster.” 

“The Lung already struck at the Cor,” An Tilo, An Nesi’s brother, commented. “They’ve basically already declared war. Why bother feigning diplomacy?” 

“The Lung are caught in Cor’ grounds” Jin pointed out. “How many days has it been for them? This is likely a question of attrition. The Lung are likely starving. And out here in Dryfox, I doubt these country bumpkins would dare hunt and feed on the julies. They’re not monsters.  Well, I’m not sure about Lung Chun daikoh… but still. They still have a sense of sanctity.” 

“So, are they surrendering?” An Tilo questioned. 

“Look at how they stand” An Nesi pointed out. “Does that look like a band ready to surrender?” 

“Let us see what happens first.” Dei pulled his party to a stop – Bold Wind not happy they wouldn’t approach. Everyone was making a fair point of their observations. And Anscestors bless them, Dei hoped this conflict quickly sorted itself out. Those were Lung yan up ahead. And if the Lung were around, it meant that Dei had to enforce imperial justice. The Lung had broken code, after all. Hopefully the Cor would settle the matter. 

But up ahead, matters didn’t seem close to a conclusion between the two small bands. The Cor were all armed with Ji’s and looked prepared to defend their position. The Lung had an odd mixture of spear, axe, sword and shield, which could have been a clear disadvantage. But given the low numbers on both sides, that mixed assortment of arms could easily turn into an effective assault squad. 

Dei knew all about assault squads. The Zyur and their Lixer Fist movements were masters of assault formations. Shield up front to creep up and close the distance, axe and spear to break any line in reach, then swords to spill in through any cracks or holes. The Lung were not strangers to small scale skirmishes either. Would they attempt that here? 

Things were not moving. Only yells and shouts, and lots of sizing about. Not good. Did this mean Dei had to step up and act as Larchu of the Realm. Would either side even listen while so heated? Dei gave it a few more moments, hoping something would erupt. 

“Like I said before,” An Nesi spoke, “If the Lung wanted to strike, they would have already. What are they even doing?” 

Suddenly the Lung block split down the middle. Lung yan stepped back to make way down the centre. And then a particular figure stepped out into the middle. The way this figure wore that rag around his head, and his simple studded leathers, Dei knew exactly who had appeared. Other yan in well-embroided armours stepped in behind this figure, making it all the more obvious. 

Lung Chun daikoh. Lung Chun and his sons. 

Jin and the Zyur Guard all turned to glance at Dei. Dei knew what this meant. 

Dei kicked at Bold Wind and the beast gave a sturt cry. And at once, the Zyur made way to the commotion. 

Dei had to get there quickly. Not only to bestow order upon Lung daikoh, but also just because of Lung daikoh himself. That yan was… Well, the Lung kinsyan were absolute beasts. Lung Chun and his two sons alone would destroy that Cor block without an effort. There was a reason Lung Chun daikoh was not someone to deal with lightly. 

“Lung Chun daikoh must surrender peacefully as violator of terms,” some Cor sergeant called out. 

“Surrender?” Lung daikoh gave off his big laugh. “I am here to visit His Highness. I have every right to make an appearance before Theewan Twũn.” 

“Lung Chun daikoh has attacked the Cor,” the Cor sergeant called. “Lung daikoh is enemy of the Cor. And as Protectors of the Light, the Cor will not allow the Lung to see His Highness.” 

Lung daikoh just laughed. Everyone would hear that laugh from leagues away. 

The Cor yan continued. “The Cor cannot let a traitor anywhere near His Highness.” 

“What traitor?” Lung daikoh contested. “I merely reclaimed my own cousin from captivity. I still have every right to make audience with Theewan. Lung Chun is one of the heads of the Daylight Order.” 

“Not anymore!” The Cor sergeant told. “After the attack on Juci, the Lung have broken terms.” The sergeant raised a hand behind him. Several Cor troops fanned out behind the gates. Archers. 10 on each side. “The Cor suggest the Lung to surrender, and the Lung will be handle properly.” 

“Surrender?” Lung daikoh laughed again. “Or else what?” The loud yan then drew out his large saber. The Silver Thunder – known to easily slice through most armours. “What will daiyan do?” 

Dei then saw Lung Chun raise his thumb and swipe his nose to the side. Not good! Dei kicked harder to rush in as close as possible. 

“Lung Chun daikoh!” Dei cried out from the back. 

Lung Chun turned his head to see who had called. Dei swore he could see the bloodlust in Lung Chun’s eyes. But luckily it seemed Dei’s arrival kept the yan at bay. 

“Zyur Dei.” For some reason Lung Chun daikoh seemed to grow more delighted. “The Cor are obstructing Lung Chun’s way to see Theewan Twũn. Won’t our Larchu tell the Cor to get out of Lung Chun’s way?” 

Dei and his yan rode up in between the two opposing forces. 

“Lung daikoh, why do you attempt to see His Highness?” Dei questioned. “Lung daikoh has started war with the Cor. The Protectors of the Light have a duty to refuse your passage.” 

“Zyur Dei, what brings Zyur up here?” Lung Chun was clearly ignoring Dei’s questions. “Here to see His Highness as well? With such a small party, that is most likely the case.” The yan laughed. 

With his shining saber out, Lung Chun was clearly not in the mood to be obedient. This was troublesome. If things escalated, Lung daikoh was likely to cause some major damage. And Dei was well aware he’d be part of the collateral. But Dei couldn’t just let this wretched old yan boast around as he liked. 

“Lung daikoh,” Dei spoke up. “The attack on Juci is known and has been recognized as a slight to the Daylight Order.” 

That wiped Lung Chun’s smile off his face. 

“Does Lung daikoh understand what that means in regards to the status of the Lung?” 

“All Lung chun did was free his cousin and his family from the Cor’s captivity” Lung daikoh argued. “Lung Chun did not order an attack on the whole camp. Lung Chun merely made sure that his cousin and loved ones were free. No possessions or prisoners were taken. My yan were forced to work that mine when they had papers stating that they were free. The forced labour of the Cor is what the Larchu should question!” Lung Chun called out to his band. “Lung Niza, bring Lung Chun those papers.” 

A yan, seemingly Lung Chun’s cousin, brought out some scrolls to Lung Chun. It seemed the Lung had a fair story to their actions. But…  

“Even with papers to legitimize your cousin’s freedom, it is not an excuse for an uncalled attack,” Dei stated. “Lung Chun brings a military force into Julienne, and then launches an attack on a Cor camp. That goes against everything we established in the Daylight Order. 

Lung daikoh growled and shifted at that. “I came with a small caravan to visit His Highness,” Lung daikoh argued. “And I picked up some yan I knew along the way. I had to make sure we were safe from all the rebel business that’s been happening lately. And you know what? We were attacked by rebels anyway. Right here in Cor country. My caravan was attacked. By rebels. Here in Julienne.” 

“That does not explain why Lung daikoh attacked a Cor camp” Dei reminded. 

“While on the way here, I got word that some family were taken and forced to work a mine against their will,” Lung Chun argued. “Of course I stopped by to ensure they were alright. We left no casualties at Juci. Ask the Cor yourself!” 

“That is incorrect. We found some of our yan dead.” The Cor sergeant spoke up, though the yan was speaking out of place. Dei and Jin gave the Cor yan a hard glare. 

“What!” Lung Chun yelled. “Lies! We made sure no one was slain!” 

The Cor yan shook his head. 

Lung Chun looked back to Dei. “That cannot be. My yan are the ones who have fallen. And all because the Cor cannot keep this region protected. Why do you think I’m trying to seek audience with Theewan Twũn now?” 

What a confusing matter. It was hard to tell who was lying. Although Lung daikoh was always loud and confrontational, he was not known to be a liar. Still, Dei had to keep order in this manner. 

“Regardless of what is being said,” Dei spoke up. “Lung daikoh still took action against the Cor. Uncalled action.” 

“Zyur Dei, they held my family against their will” Lung argued. “And now we’ve been attacked. Lung Chun is innocent here. Is Zyur Dei not going to help keep Lung safe here? Haven’t the Cor taken Zyur’s people as well?” 

Dei did have to sort through matters of people being made to work for the Cor as well, But those were matters that were being processsed. An abrupt repossession though… especially one through warlike actions, that was a matter not simply excused. 

In the moment’s silence, hoove trotting could be heard approaching in the distance. Everyone at the gate turned to see the arrival. 

A small band. Mounted yan in gear and gown. All of them in the Imperial green. The Twũn Guard. 

Dei recognized the yan leading this contingent. Hwan Zei, a captain of the Twũn Army that Dei had once fought. What could it mean that the Twũn Guard had come down. Was this about Qinsu and Yu? 

“Hah!” Lung daikoh spoke up. “At least the Imperial Guard can grant the Lung safety of a visit to His Highness. Zyur Dei may as well joing Lung Chun on the way to His Highness. With His Highness present, Lung Chun will be able to properly explain the situation.” 

The Twũn Guard arrived at the gates. While the other Twũn yan brought their mounts to a halt, Hwan Zei trotted in closer to see who was present. The captain carefully eyed Dei and Lung daikoh. 

“Larchu Zyur. Lung Chun daikoh.” Hwan did not sound welcoming. Nor did he question what was the matter. The captain then sought out the Cor sergeant and approached the yan. “Nobody is to come visit His Highness. Tell Cor Tse that no one is permitted audience or to come close the the manor. Not until the Twũn give word.” 

The Cor yan overlapped his hands before him in salute. 

“Da Hwan, what is the problem?” Lung daikoh asked the Twũn captain. “Lung Chun requests an audience with His Highness.” 

“No one is permitted to see His Highness until further notice.” Hwan barely turned, let alone faced Lung daikoh. 

“Da Hwan,” Dei spoke up. “Zyur Dei also requests an audiene with His Highness. Surely the Larchu can get a private audience. What has happened that prevents His Highness from having any visitors?” Dei needed a clue about if what his sons had done had caused major complications, about if the Zyur were in trouble. 

Hwan Zei turned his mount to face Dei. “Several guards at Dryfox House have been shaded last night. Theewan is live and well, and is under no harm. But there are investigations into a possible attempt of a break in.” Hwan gave a straight look to Dei. “Larchu Zyur will be called in the near future to assist with matters. That is all.” Hwan started his departure, but Lung daikoh wasn’t done. 

“Surely those of the Daylight Order can see His Highness at such a critical time. Wouldn’t Theewan want his most trusted allies by his side?” Lung daikoh tried to sound more sympathetic. 

“Is Lung daikoh still even in this supposed Daylight Order?” Hwan gave Lung daikoh a piercing glare. “Due to certain details of lastnight’s incident, neither of the main clans can be trusted near Theewan.” 

“What?” 

The Goddess save us… Dei remembered his son explaining that he and his squad had disguised themselves as soldiers from the different clans. This was messy. But what of what happened to Qinsu? Yu said he had been abducted by… 

Yu mentioned some strange foreigners. A cold chill quivered down Dei’s spine at the thought of Yu’s explaination. As much as he didn’t want to, Dei suspected he knew exactly what had happened with Qinsu. Goddess pray, he hoped he was not right. 

“Da Hwan” Dei called out. “If Zyur cannot visit His Highness, can Zyur at least pass His Highness a message?” 

Hwan Zei looked up. “A message?” 

“Zyur cannot visit His Highness. But it is still Larchu’s duty to keep correspondence with Theewan.” Dei pulled out a small scroll he prepared back at the palace. He knew there were certain things better said in silence. 

“I pray to the Heavens that we are all safe.” Dei read over his message. 

Hwan glanced at the scroll in Dei’s hand. A moment later, he gave a deep nod. Jin took the scroll from Dei and handed it to Hwan. Once the captain took the message, he studied the scroll without opening it. Likely a safety check. Then Hwan gave one last glance at everyone at the gate and was about to leave, but… 

Loud gallops and yells sounded from down the road. A lot of hooves, a lot of banners, and a lot of navy blue. A Cor unit. And by the looks of the rider at the front, his one shoulder guard shining in the sunlight, and his helm flowing out a single dark blue ponytail, this was Cor Tse. 

“Tell your lardai our orders.” Hwan Zei told the Cor sergeant, then rode off, seemingly not wanting to be involved in the coming engagement. 

The Cor riders rode right up to crowd at the gates and surrounded the Lung. And then Cor Tse came out to the front. 

“Lung daikoh!” Cor Tse roared. He dismounted. “Duel me!” 

Lung Chun’s sons stepped in front of their father, their arms at the ready. The oldest with his lance, the younger with a sword. Lung Le, the oldest, stepped forward. 

“You dare challenge your elders, you city mutt!” Lung Le slammed his lance across the lixon head welded into his chest plate. “You’ll fight me if you don’t show respect.” He was known as the young lixon of the west, and his armour made a point of making that clear. But Dei wasn’t sure if the young yan had what it took to duel the Howler Fang prodigy. Fighting wars and fighting duels were two different things. And Cor Tse was not one anybody could simply duel and walk out alive. 

“The little lixon wants to meet the Yeeming at the Celestial Plains so soon.” Cor Tse’s grin was as sharp as the sword he suddenly drew. “Come! I’ll send you to the other side.” 

“The Way has bigger plans for me than the likes of you!” Lung Le spat. “A mutt like you won’t…

Lung Chun daikoh pulled back at his son’s shoulder and shook his head. “Don’t let him provoke you, Le.” Lung daikoh told his son. “A Lung should know when he’s being shoved into a poor deal.” 

“But, Bahyan…” Lung Le tried to contest, but his father again shook his head. 

“So you know what you deserve, Lung daikoh!” Cor Tse grinned. 

Cor’s riders cheered a “Hah!” at that. 

Cor looked around and saw Dei and his yan beside the Lung. He made sure to give Dei a moment of eye contact. Acknowledgement, it seemed. Maybe that was a good thing. 

“To take the head of the yan responsible for enslaving my relatives?” Lung daikoh brought his Silver Thunder in front of him, the heavy rings along the blunt edge ringing like low chimes. “I’ll gladly serve your head to my yan tonight.” Lung daikoh then peered to his side at Dei and made sure Dei met his gaze. Strange that. And was Lung daikoh quivering? 

“You’re mistaken, Lung” Cor spoke out. “Your cousin and his family were free to go the whole time.” 

“Lies!” Lung daikoh “I found them working your camp.” 

“They had a couple days to await a caravan back to the city. They were free to work or wait if they wanted.” Cor eased his stance. “I was there when their papers were verified. Didn’t your cousin tell you?” Cor stared at the yan Lung Chun called out earlier. Lung Nisa. The way Lung Nisa suddenly lowered his glance revealed some truth in the matter.  

Lung daikoh did not even turn to look at this cousin. He only stepped in front of the yan to block him from Cor’s glance. “And yet my family still ended up at the Julienne mine, when they were supposed to stay in the west at Aurnen, or at least across the Yengki, on to my side. And now they’re here, all the way on the eastern end of the capital. Don’t tell me they were free.” Lung daikoh looked back at Dei again. 

“Cor Tse will admit,” Cor spoke in a court like voice, “that the Lung’s migration papers were overlooked when they were brought onto the caravan to Juci. But that is because their papers were not marked with the imperial finish. A mere technicality…” 

“You didnt even give them time to receive the Imperial Mark” Lung daikoh argued. “How could they get the mark if they’ve already been ripped away from their homes?” 

“If Cor Tse may continue…” Cor kept his courtly speech, “A mere technicality. A soon as they as the arrived at Juci, they saw to the statehouse. The councillors there confirmed that Lung and company were already approved for migration at the Aurnen office, and were only awaiting the Imperial Mark. The time required for the Imperial Mark was taken into consideration and so was not deemed required, given the consent of the Cor officials at Aurnan. The Cor officials of Julienne and Juci considered the Cor officials of Aurnen’s mark-off as approval of the migration. Therefore, Lung and company were deemed free and only had to await the caravan due to Aurnen to arrive two days after. From then, they were…” 

“Free?” Lung daikoh spat. “When I got to Juci, I found my cousin working the mine. He told me they had to work to get food and shelter. That sounds like enslavement, not freedom. You didn’t give them a choice in what…” 

“As stated earlier,” Cor Tse continued his official-like speech, “Lung and company were under no obligation to work. They were free to stop and leave whenever they wished. Lung and co were even informed that Ein Jul City was only a morning’s march down the road. That information is available throughout all of Center. But it is assumed that Lung and company decided to wait the two days for the free caravan that would take them back to Aurnen.” 

“And so, you made them work!” Lung daikoh pointed out. “Looks like they didn’t have a choice.” 

“Lung Niza and company had the choice not to work. But they chose to stay at Juci, it appears.” Cor Tse took a moment to look at everybody around before he continued. “The camp at Juci is a work camp. The food and shelter there is for everyone who works the mine. The provisions there are not organized to just provide for any stranger that comes by, but for every yan who performs their duty at the mine. It is assumed that Lung and company were honourable enough to not feed and board undeservingly.” 

“But my cousins were still taken to Juci against…” Lung daikoh tried to protest. 

“And then Lung Chun daikoh,” Cor Tse cut in, “came and attacked the Juci encampment.” Cor gave a moment’s pause. “The caravan to Aurnen still came the day after Lung Chun’s raid. If Lung Chun had not attacked the encampment, Lung Niza and company would have made their way back to Aurnen already. But Lung Chun did attack,” Cor Tse again took a moment to look around at everybody there. “And because of that, Lung Chun has declared war on the Cor Clan. And therefore the Lung have broken terms with the Daylight Order.” 

“Hah!” Cor’s riders chanted. Their lord raised a hand to quiet them. 

From Lung daikoh’s lack of rebuttal, it appeared the Lung acknowledged the situation. The daikoh could only stand there, defiant, surrounded by Cor forces, safeguarding his family and the few yan with him. 

This was the power of a true statesyan. Dei respected Lung Chun daikoh’s supremecy around the west, and his dominance as a merchant within his region and the outer worlds. But the methodical organization and rational elucidation of an accomplished imperial courtier was a different sort of beast entirely. The Zyur and Lung clans were powerful in martial qualities, but they were still only country yan. Dei knew there was something more to respect from council-bred city yan. 

Cor Tse then took a step forward, the sound of his shiny shoulder guard chinking with his armours. “For your actions against me,” Cor raised his sword, “you will duel me!” 

Lung Chun daikoh clutched his noisy saber and spread out his footing. Even though the situation did not give Lung Chun a favoured light, the yan was never afraid to fight. Known for his wild bloodthirst, everybody knew he wouldn’t back out from this challenge.

Cor Tse was a renown duelist, the main figure of the Howler Fang, and so much younger than the aging daikoh. So as brave as Lung Chun was, the winner was still obvious. And it was clear that Lung daikoh was also aware of this. 

Dei then saw Lung daikoh stare at him for a moment, not saying a word. Was he asking Dei for luck? Cor Tse, too, then stared at Dei. Acknowledgement, as well, Dei guessed.

Ahh…

These two would fight to the death. That’s what it was. The figureheads of two core factions of Center. This would erupt an ugly war. Dei could not let this happen 

Bald Wind began to jerk and huff, and Dei knew that his hoove understood the moment too. 

“Stop!”