The battle had fallen apart in the wake of Beng Shai's death, and the sight of Chenzhou clutching him and crying in the midst of the bloody field had unnerved even the professional soldiers of the Camelia.
The fighting had come to a stunning standstill when Chenzhou's young sub-commanders realized what was happening and took a risk none of the more experienced commanders, including Lady Yang, would have taken.
It took several minutes for Chenzhou to let Beng Shai go, to let his shaken tribesmen gently lift the body out of his arms. Despite the crushing weight of grief, Chenzhou didn't give breath to the litany of 'I'm sorry I didn't mean to' that was running through his head over and over.
Admitting guilt like that would get him gutted by his own side and the tribes, and somewhere along the way, most likely after Eirian had arrived, Chenzhou had developed some sense of self-preservation.
Some desire to live that he didn't remember having before.
Eirian had given him that, and she'd be pleased to know about it, but how would she feel about the fact that he'd killed Beng Shai?
A simple mistake because he'd tripped. Of all the stupid, fucking….
The anger came as his horse was brought over. The tribes were leaving, carrying Beng Shai's body over the back of his own horse.
Lady Yang had her archers on alert, but the tribes weren't going to try anything. Chenzhou didn't hesitate to turn his back and mount his horse.
One of his young sub-commanders, a Yin cousin who'd married into the Crusoes, handed up Beng Shai's forgotten sword, surprising Chenzhou.
When he hesitated to take it, she whispered. "It would be insulting to leave it where it fell."
She was right, and Chenzhou took the blade with careful reverence, carrying it next to Huaban as they returned to camp.
Lady Yang was pointedly silent the entire ride, and Chenzhou knew she was just biding her time. She respected rank far too much to say anything in front of the soldiers, but as soon as they were alone, Chenzhou was in for another lecture.
Showing so much emotion in public was not becoming of the Lord of the Camelia.
And over an enemy who had killed so many of their own.
The ride back to camp seemed short, but only because Chenzhou spent the entire ride in his own head, berating himself for killing Beng Shai and losing any chance at peace with the borderlands.
They returned to a surprising sight.
Mingzhe and a small contingent of guards.
Chenzhou threw himself off his horse and at the other man, clutching him tightly, and found Mingzhe holding him back just as tightly.
"I need-"
"I have-"
They both stopped when they realized they were talking over one another.
"Let's go to my tent," Chenzhou murmured, and gave his commanders orders to settle the troops and put the guards on alert.
He pulled Mignzhe toward his tent, ignoring the frown on Lady Yang's face when he didn't invite her to follow.
Once they were inside, Chenzhou's shoulders slumped, but Mingzhe became strangely alert.
"I figured it out." He started without waiting for Chenzhou. "I know why everything has felt off about all of this."
Chenzhou opened his mouth to speak, but Mingzhe plowed on.
"It's the Land of Song and Snow."
Chenzhou jerked in surprise. "What?"
"The empires along the border, possibly the others. They're funding the tribes. Supplying the weapons, the money, telling them how to fight. I didn't see it at first, but it makes so much sense. They hate the tribes, and they hate us. What better way to get rid of both than to pit us against one another? They don't even have to lose any of their own people. No danger to their own holdings. It's brilliant." Mingzhe took a deep breath.
"I killed Beng Shai," Chenzhou stated.
Mingzhe froze. "What?"
"I killed Beng Shai," Chenzhou repeated, slower. He drew Beng Shai's sword and held it out.
Mingzhe stared at it in stunned surprise. "How? Why?"
Chenzhou collapsed onto a stool, the sword across his lap. He stared at the folded steel blade as he recounted the plan to speak to Beng Shai, the burned camps, the scouts, and the sudden, inexplicable breakdown once they were face to face. "I don't know who fired first, but everything collapsed and we were crossing blades in seconds." Chenzhou choked back tears. "It was so stupid, we were fighting, and I tripped. I didn't even mean to, it just happened."
Mingzhe swallowed, worried about how upset Chenzhou was. "I'm sorry."
Chenzhou laughed, but it wasn't happy. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one who killed him."
"I'm sorry that happened to you." Mingzhe clarified, gently. "But you didn't do it on purpose. It was a battle. This whole thing was arranged by Song and Snow."
"Without a strong leader among the tribes, they'll get what they want. We can't work towards peace with someone who doesn't want it. Who won't listen."
He was right. Mingzhe's shoulders sagged as the elation of figuring out what was going on faded in place of reality. He may have figured it out, but what did that matter if it was too late to stop what had already been set in motion?
"Beng Shai was the best chance for peace in the borderlands in decades. Probably ever. Even if we survive whatever Song and Snow are so determined to do, nothing will change." The weight of that realization fell over his shoulders like a cloak of stone, and he laughed at his own naivety.
Before, Mingzhe would have agreed with him, but the sight of Chenzhou so hurt, made him want to argue against himself. "You don't know that. If we explain to the tribes what's happening, they may listen. They don't like Song and Snow any more than they like us, but learning that Song and Snow are playing them might be enough to get them to listen."
He sounded so sincere that Chenzhou wanted to believe him. "Did you tell Eirian?"
Mingzhe nodded, "I sent a messenger and asked her to come. I took the river to get here."
Chenzhou frowned. "How did you travel so fast?"
Mingzhe flushed and fidgeted. "I…used my magic…on the water."
Chenzhou's eyes widened. "I didn't realize you could do that."
"I didn't either," Mingzhe admitted ruefully. "I didn't know what I was doing. I still don't, but somehow it worked."
"Eirian will be thrilled." Chenzhou offered.
"She'll be less thrilled with everything else," Mingzhe muttered.
~ tbc