The morning sun climbed above the jagged battlements of Iron-Blood Pass, pouring pale golden light through the high lattice windows of the central command keep.
Seated at the rosewood banquet table in his master suite, General Bao took a deep, hearty swallow of hot herbal porridge and set his porcelain bowl down with a loud clatter. Across his scarred, bearded face sat the relaxed, foolishly proud grin of a man who believed he had just spent a vigorous, passionate night reclaiming his wife after months of separation.
Sitting across from him in a fresh, immaculate emerald-black silk cheongsam, Guildmaster Lin Ruoli offered a polite, composed smile as she sipped her morning tea.
