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The low Chimes echoed so softly. Surely nobody heard them. But he heard them. He always heard them. Such a crackly, metallic sound was almost a part of him. Almost. Almost a part of his soul. And, ohh, how the low chiming rings wanted to clatter again. To clatter more. To clatter loudly, so everybody could hear them – especially now, when the impact of flesh was involved. 

He could feel it inside himself as well. That part of him that wanted it, that wanted to make a whole lot of noise. And blood… Spilling blood was the best part of making noise. The spray of blood was the glory of such thunder. The nectar of the fruit you harvest. 

But Chun knew he had to hold those urges back. Those vices. He knew he couldn’t let those tendencies truly be a part of him. They were almost a part of him. He let himself soak in the ravenous ecstasy many times before. But he also knew he only ever felt like this with her. He knew it wasn’t him. He knew it was the sword. 

Zyur Dei barged in front of them all. Bless the Way’s blessings for Zyur. Chung couldn’t let her have her way today. There were too many things at risk – too many loved ones to protect. 

Cor was just about to bound over and bite. She wanted that. She welcomed the howler’s fangs to come and have a taste – and all so that she could bite back. Chun didn’t want that. The sensible part of him knew better. Knew that it was he himself that would get bitten and not the sword. How could these separate parts of him even be contesting about what should happen? It was clear the Chun had to stay alive. For everyone. 

But Chun was already on the edge. There was nowhere stable to ground him. It was clear that he had already led everybody through an unwise track. Chun was sure all of the family out here respected him enough that any of his aggressive reactions would be excused. They were only reactions after all – reactions to being slighted. Wasn’t he the victim here? Of course he’d strike a hand if someone disrespected his family. But somehow… for some reason, Cor made himself appear innocent. And unfortunately, Chun understood the reasoning. 

Regardless of that, everybody was now under stress. Trekking through Julienne was not a breeze walk like Chun had thought. There were so many guard stations everywhere, packed with eager hands. And even still, Cor had full units mobilized throughout all the main roads. Chun was not going to risk any of his kinsyan suffering any harm unnecessarily. They were under his care, under his lead, and all for a questionable pursuit. All because Chun thought he could have his way while on his way to offer his highness some grand gifts. 

That couldn’t happen now. Everyone was starving. They’d had to eat through the food offerings over the past 5 days. But that wasn’t the true catastrophe. The true grand offering was lost. Gone. Disappeared from Chun’s grasp. Lung Chun had lost the Heaven’s Stamp. 

He wasn’t supposed to have the Heaven’s stamp – well no one was supposed to know that he had it. Chun had found it during the Takeover. Upon slaying, Imann, one of the Thirteen Orphans, Chun had found the treasure on Imann’s person. The wicked fiend likely stole it to keep the Thirteen in power after the collapse of the Takeover. The way’s Blessing that never happened. And luckily, Chun could keep the imperial artifact out of their possession. The Heaven’s Stamp gave any yan imperial authority. Absolute authority. 

Lung Chun understood the power the Heaven’s Stamp granted. He knew what it could do for him if he wielded it. But instead, Chun respected the treasure and kept it hidden from the worlds. Chun didn’t care about power over all of Center. He just wasn’t the type. All Chun wanted was to look after all of his people and make sure they were well. Having power over everybody else required too much responsibility – responsibility over things he didn’t even care about. But Chun also knew most yan wouldn’t take that responsibility. Instead, they’d just abuse the power. The Stamp had to stay hidden. 

But now it was lost. And all due to rebels. That was a problem. The rebels wouldn’t even make proper use of the Stamp if they ever figured out what it was. The best any common folk could guess was that the Heaven’s Stamp was just a small sculpture of a lom. A meager tabletop decoration. The rough quality of the jade often masked its grandeur. And now it was likely lost in some nobody’s possession. 

That was dangerous. That meant that many yan had the chance to seize it for themselves. That’s the very reason Chun told no one of the Stamp, especially not the Daylight Order. The clanlords would corrupt at it’s power, and worse, they’d dominate, especially the billy himself. Fù Lon. 

Fù was one of the figureheads of the Daylight Order. Chun knew he had to stay in Fù’s good graces. So long as he did, then Chun would have a better stand in the Central Market. Fù was all about building and rising, and he made sure there was something to gain in every situation. And that’s why everyone respected him. You could walk away with more in your wagons if Fù was involved. It wasn’t that the yan was dangerous or anything. Yet… 

“Larchu Zyur Dei koh,” Cor circled to his side to keep his eyes on Chun. “Lung daikoh has moved against Cor Tse. Cor has made clear all of Lung daikoh’s wrongs. And now, Cor will have Lung answer for it all with a fair duel.” 

The chimes clattered again. Chun was tightly gripping Silver Thunder. A fair duel? This was exactly what Cor wanted. And Chun could feel it in his grip that this was something he ‘almost’ wanted too. 

Chun shook his head to himself – only slightly so everybody wouldn’t notice. Sensing everybody around him, Chun knew that he had to keep his wits about him. 

“Bah” Chun heard syan Jyan whisper in his ear. “Jyan will darken Cor from behind if Bah and Cor fight.” 

The low chimes clattered again. Nobody heard the chimes this time. It was that ‘almost’ part of Chun that tingled with excitement at what his son had suggested. 

Syan Jyan had been practicing Shade Arts. It was the only way the young yan could feel useful, knowing his brother was Chun’s successor. Chun never liked his son training in such shadow crafts, but it seemed to suit Jyan’s quiet nature. 

“No” Chun whispered to his son. “We must keep as much honour as we can here. The Lung will lose too much face if we don’t stay honourable.” 

“But Cor will…” Jyan was about to point out the obvious. 

“No, syan Jyan.” Chun cut him off. “Think about everybody else. Think about Le.” 

“Lung Chun daikoh does appear to have done Cor wrong.” Zyur Dei told Cor. “But he has also done wrong by the Daylight Order. And sorting matters for Theewan’s Order is just as important an issue.” Zyur then turned to glance at Chun. “Lung Chun will face punishment for breeching terms of the Daylight Order above all else.” 

Zyur’s eyes were firm, but chun could sense the compassion that the lixer always brought. Whatever the punishment, Chun knew he could trust in Zyur to keep everyone safe. 

“Then Cor Tse will dual Lung Chun daikoh on behalf of the Daylight Order” Cor announced. “Unless Lung daikoh is afraid to face his punishment.” 

Oh, how Chun felt the low chimes ring through his body. Part of him wanted to show Cor that side. 

“There will be no duel, Cor Tse” Zyur announced. “This matter must be reviewed before the appropriate penalties can be charged.” 

“Larchu Zyur koh, Cor Tse has written accounts of every moment in this case. There is no need to look into matters further.” Cor then gazed a sly glace at Chun. “And by how Lung daikoh’s silence after all the facts were stated, it is clear that Lung does not deny the verdict.” 

That sly hound. 

“Even if the case is accepted by all parties, it would be wrong to finalize the matter in favour of your desire for vengeance alone.” Zyur spoke firmly. “As Larchu, it is my duty to see that the correct penalties are charged, for the good of the Order, and for the good of Center. There will be no duel.” 

Bless the Way’s Blessing for Zyur Dei. Would the yan keep everybody under Lung Chun safe? Surely the yan did not want any blood shed. But a punishment? 

Zyur, again, turned and faced Chun for a moment. Chun understood the acknowledgement. Chun was still charged guilty. Chun put down his sword, then raised and overlapped his hands before him. 

“Zyur Dei. Larchu Zyur Dei!” Chun gave a long and low bow. Chun’s sons an all their yan did the same. “Larchu!” 

“Lung Chun daikoh, your misconduct to the Cor and the Daylight Order have been accounted.” Zyur spoke firmly. “As Larchu of Centre, I am compelled to issue you sanction for the uncalled attack. Therefore, I must sentence you…” 

The chimes rang again, even though Chun had already put Silver Thunder away. Chun knew he had to suppress that quiet desire because he knew that for some wicked reason, those chimes were ringing for Zyur Dei. Chun lowered his glance, in case Zyur’s image or his words triggered him… in case they called him into a frenzy. 

“…to answer to Cor Tse at any call of war or miltary action.” Zyur Dei announced. 

To answer to Cor? 

“What?” Cor Tse cried. “How does that repay for the damages the Lung have caused?” 

Zyur Dei turned to Cor. “The Lung are a vital part of the whole of Center. We must ensure their rule over all of their regions are not compromised, so that we can all uphold stability in Center. Lung will remain in the Daylight Order.” 

“Thank you, Larchu Zyur Dei.” Chun gave another long bow. The Lung yan all bowed the same. 

For now, Chun and his family were all safe. That was more than what Chun had hoped for. 

“But how is that even punishment?” Cor argued. “How is that repayment? Operations at Juci have been severely affected.” 

“How is that punishment?” Zyur then explained. “Lung Chun must now swear to you. The Lung are now under your military command. Meaning the soldiers that Cor will risk have now been greatly reduced. But of course, your command of the Lung will be kept reasonable. The Lung must still have ample forces to rule their territories if we wish to keep stability in Center.” 

Under military command. That did not sound to be a good deal at all. Cor could now put Chun’s yan at risk – his own family even. Was this a better punishment than a duel with Cor.  

Chun looked over at Cor Tse, and even the damned howler didn’t look pleased with the sentence. There was that at least. So long as Cor wasn’t getting his jazzing way. 

“All are to stand down!” Zyur Dei raised his voice. “This conflict is finished!” The lixer made sure to stare at everyone at the gate. 

It was interesting how the yan with so little of his guard could command the other forces to resign.  

Everybody eased at that. Cor turned to his yan and called them to back off. Chun raised his hand behind him to ease his yan and kingsyan. 

“Cor Tse. Lung Chun daikoh,” Zyur then called out. “Get ready to follow me back to the capital. Fù and my uncle are due to be in Swayking tonight.” 

“What does this mean, Bahyan?” Le asked. “I’m not going to let that hound order me around. I should have fought him.” 

“No, Le.” Chun put hands upon his son’s shoulders. “Zyur is an honourable yuan. He won’t let place in a bad position. He will look after us.” 

“But Zyur daikoh said that Bah has to swear under Cor” Le argued. “Won’t that dishnour our name?” 

“Bah understand Le’s worries. But this has save us all from a lot of trouble. And it sounds like we’re going to Swayking to discuss this with Fù and Zyur Yao daikoh.” 

“But it always seems like Fù daikoh always favours Cor koh, Bah. What if things don’t go well,” Le worried. 

“Fù Lon is smarter than most think.” Chun assured his son. “Bah doesn’t think Fù favour Cor as much as he uses him. We are more important to Center than just some court yan.” 

Le didn’t seem reassured with all of that. Jyan was quiet, calculating in his head, as usual. 

The sound of trotting sounded from the distance once again. The Twũn guard were back.