238 One Night Together (2/2)
”Is that a threat?” Chi Bingwen almost snarled.
”No. It is not a threat. Just a little helpful warning.” An Sun's eyes fell across the face of every citizen. ”You think you are all strong? Do you think you are capable of striking a man down? Have any of you seen a dead man before? A man you once claimed as a friend die before your eyes?”
No one answered.
”Well?”
”No,” Someone said.
An Sun nodded, gravely. ”Then are you prepared to fight a battle and watch those you love die?”
Everyone's expression seemed to shift under his words. The answer to his questions—no, they had never seen death. Not on a battlefield anyway. Their blood, so fueled by their pride that they never imagined what they would face.
Murmurs emerged in the crowd. Chi Bingwen grew red in the face, then redder.
He stepped forward to stare at his people, his voice ringing grandly. ”We have all seen death in our lives! Loved ones we held dear slipped away from us. Now we're given the chance to fight for them and protect those we hold dear!”
A surging murmur of agreement came from the crowd. All doubt had vanished quickly. An Sun's face seemed cut from stone as he stared warning at the governor. However, this only fueled Chi Bingwen's ego, earning a sneer on his face.
”Everyone, I promise all of you that with our bravery to protect the land we care for, we will be able to defeat the enemy!”
The tension in the air eased, looks of enthusiasm, and passionate expressions fueled them. There were not just men but women and children, all filled with greed and hope of their dreamed victory. An Sun's jaw grew increasingly tight.
If they didn't do something now, then all these people will…
”Fools. You're all fools.”
Startled faces turned to the voice. Rin remained in her place among the center of the crowd. She looked over every inch of them.
Chi Bingwen was stunned. ”What—”
”Do you think that's all it takes to kill a man? Bravery? What happens when that bravery dies?” Her voice was louder than she remembered, resonant, and carrying far over the noise of the crowd. They quieted, to hear her words.
”When the An Clan comes, they won't show you any mercy. They will give you no warning. You won't even have the chance to blink before they are burning your homes, taking your wives and children, and killing all the men. You have the bravery to fight. But do you have the strength and power to withstand an army who has already killed and destroyed provinces before you? All of it…it's all foolish!”
The words filled the air, thinning it until they could not breathe. Such a life was a horror. Rin caught a glimpse of Chi Bingwen's face, curdled with anger. A long and profound silence went by for another second. He wheeled on the people, his face twisted in rage.
”Am I not your governor? Can you not trust my word over some foreign bastard who has come to take and control what is ours?” He said, his voice splintering the air.
He paused as if he hoped the others would agree with him. But none did. Rin's words weighed heavily on their hearts. An Sun's face was like stone, his fists clenched by his side.
A foreign bastard? He almost wanted to strike the province governor's face. But seeing how Rin bore no reaction to his words, he held back.
”Governor Chi.” She stepped forward. Her voice was easy, the sounds composed. ”Your words today have caused your own death and the death of your people. I will convince you no longer. They will all die, Governor Chi, for what you have done here.”
Chi Bingwen could not stop the huff of surprise. Before he could speak again, Rin had already turned. An Sun followed behind her, shooting one last glare to the governor before mounting his horse.
Right before their eyes, the two left. However, a lingering tension of the youth's words stayed, leaving only the taste of something bitter.
...
The night started to settle. Due to their long journey, the two settled in an inn within the province. When they arrived, an unexpected encounter occurred.
”There's only one room left?” An Sun frowned, leaning his muscular forearms on the counter.
”Y-Yes. A lot of people have been using their homes as shelters and weapon storage. So they've all stayed here for the night.”
”I see…Well then kick one of them out.”
”Sun.” Rin sighed before smiling at the young woman. ”It's all right. We'll take the room.”
”You…” An Sun turned to her with widened eyes.
She smiled faintly. ”It's fine, right? After all, we're both men.”
Blinking his eyes for a moment, a small smile suddenly curled at the corner of his mouth.
”You're right. We're both men.” There was something in his voice, a strain.
But by the time Rin looked, he had taken the key and walked up the stairs to their room. Before she followed, she drew in a deep breath, clenching her hands tightly by her side.
It was just one night.