69 Been Played (2/2)

”It couldn't be...” Rin whispered grimly.

Noticing the boy's distressed appearance, Governor Tao parts his lips to ask what was wrong, when suddenly the frantic sound of a soldier's urgent voice interrupted him.

”Sir! There's an emergency!” The soldier warned while speedily entering the room.

Both alarmed, Rin and Governor Tao's expressions become alert.

”What is it?” Governor Tao asked sternly.

”The Tuhan's main forces of one-hundred thousand men have forcibly broken through the Eastern Empire's neighboring province, and are headed to their capital, Shongo!”

Rin's face stiffened, her hard eyes turning cold.

They already broke through their Eastern Empire's neighboring province?

”Why weren't we informed of this earlier?!”

”I apologize sir, but the speed of the Tuhan's army was incredibly fast and went completely unnoticed until recently. When we were aware of their whereabouts, they were already ten miles from the neighboring Eastern Empire province!”

”I see...so we've been played.” Rin chuckled coldly.

”The Tuhan's left a portion of their defensive army near the armed provinces in the other empires, while their head forces aimed for Shongo. Their main intention was to attack the Eastern Empire, not the other provinces. By having their commander, An Sun here, they granted us with no choice but to call in reinforcements from the Northern Empire, lowering the other empires defenses not to mention now ours.”

Gently lowering her head, Rin's hands gripped tightly into fists and her eyelids lowering.

Why hadn't she noticed it earlier?

Because of her reckless thinking on the whole situation and for underestimating the Tuhan's Commander, many of lives were put at risk and probably even...

Abruptly, a light but rough enough pat to draw her out of her thoughts was felt on Rin's back.

Looking up, Rin notices the governor gazing thoughtfully at her with a friendly expression.

”Don't think too much of it. In war, not everything will go as planned. Even if it does, it will never go evenly. You're still young, there will be many occasions where things like this will happen.” Governor Tao thoughtfully reassured with a hearty chuckle.

”For now, while you recover your thoughts, why not for the time being leave some of the other stuff for the older soldiers to handle? You've professionally prepared some of our scholars enough for them to understand what to do.” The governor smiled. ”But, since you're captain, what is it we should be doing now?”

Rin's blank eyes warily scrutinized the governor's expression, her rosy lips slightly parted.

Somehow, even if his kind words were reassuring to hear, Rin nonetheless felt anything but consoled.

”We should be strengthening our defenses. Now that An Sun's men have fulfilled their primary goal in reaching the Eastern Empire's capital, he'll most likely come here with brute force and attack. Hence, our best option is to defend the fortified walls.” Rin responded blandly.

”En. Then I'll leave that to you. I'll be sending a letter to the Eastern Empire about the situation.”

”Yes, sir.” Rin lightly lowered her head courteously.

...

On Rin's way out of the governor's office, her grim expression darkened, her eyes piercing with an unknown emotion.

Her grandfather was in the Eastern Empire with his troops. The Tuhan's men were heading there to attack.

For some reason, Rin's heart couldn't help but restlessly squeeze.

”Xu Mujin.”

”Yes, young Master?”

”Go to my grandfather in the Eastern Empire's capital to check on the situation.”

”But young Master, I was assigned to stay by your side until...”

”Don't forget you were also ordered to obey my every order. I'll be fine without security for the time being. The Tuhan's won't arrive yet and the walls are still up, so go now.” Rin harshly commanded with a glaring gaze.

Looking reluctant, Xu Mujin sighs hopelessly.

”Yes, young Master.”

In the blink of an eye, Xu Mujin's figure disappears, a gentle wind being left behind. Staring at where the young man formerly was, Rin sighs gently.

”Cough! Cough!”

Covering her mouth from the abrupt coughs, the corner of Rin's eyes tear up. After her harsh coughing fit, Rin looks down at her hand only to feel her body turn cold and her eyes to enlarge.

Blood. There was blood on her hand.

----------

A/N: I want to say thank you for your wonderful support and patience! It truly means so much to that so many of you enjoy and comment on my story. Whenever I read your comments or received a vote for my story, I can't help but always smile and squeal. I never thought I'd receive so much support and people who like my work.

It honestly means the world to me, and I love you all so much! Merely know, without you I'd never continue writing - so give yourselves a pat on the back for being amazing human-beings.