When Keno told her to rest, Satasha stopped him "Can't you sleep here tonight?"
Keno baffled "Here?!" pointing at the only bed in the room which she would be occupying. She nodded tugging his clothes shyly.
Keno scoffed "You aren't even afraid! I don't know what's going in your mind right now but it's definitely not fear"
Satasha pouted "I feel safer when you're around"
Keno arched his brows in disbelief then backed away while squinting his eyes "You are up to something! I can feel the unease surging the more I look at you"
"But!" she moved closer
Keno immediately pushed her face away stopping her from spouting nonsense "No!" he objected.
"You haven't heard me yet!" she mumbled
"You want to follow the lead that you've just obtained and want to dupe me into tagging along" he guessed
Satasha pushed his hand away frowning "Close enough, I don't need you to tag along, I want you to ward off the reapers"
"The reapers?" he was confused "They fear me?"
"Not fear" she replied "They were instructed to not interact or interfere with you"
"Why?" he was more confused than before.
Satasha shrugged "They tell me nothing"
Keno pondered for a moment then asked "So why you need me here?"
Satasha explained "I don't think the information that I obtained was intentionally revealed to me. They keep me in the dark and I end up unraveling things accidentally, then they get mad and punish me for it"
"The reapers?" he inquired
Satasha wanted to answer with the truth then stopped herself from exposing too much "Just sleep here!" she rolled over tucking herself under the sheets.
Keno was agitated "You either tell me the whole truth or don't say anything at all" he nugded her "If you answer me then I'll share the bed with you"
Satasha considered the odds for a moment then sat up facing him "I'll answer one question, only one, so make it count!"
Keno took a minute to articulate the perfect question, then got closer to whisper it "Are you on a mission to accomplish what they failed five thousand years ago with Heaven's aide and the reapers?"
Satasha was taken back, she didn't think he could deduct a lot from few hints, she scoffed answering "I am on a mission to restore order no matter the cost"
Keno seemed to have more questions than before, he added "I assume that's why you never reveal anything, you were instructed not to"
Satasha smirked, she was ready to lay back down when Keno stated "Then I am but a foe" caching her off guard, she paused glaring seriously at him. He knew what he was doing, he didn't articulate it as a question but she was bound to make a statement about what he deduced.
She scoffed escaping his gaze "Like a true politician!"
Keno didn't budge, he kept his gaze fixed and determined, he valued truth above all and this time he won't stop till he hears it.
Satasha's usual facade was lifted the moment she answered him with stern tone and unassuming warmth in her gaze "For you, I am a friend" she beamed with unexpectedly sadness then rolled under the sheets.
Keno didn't understand the sudden change in her look but knew that she was telling the truth, he repeated her answer as he laid near the edge staring at the roof.
After a while he asked "Am I your mission?"
Satasha didn't answer immediately, she glared at the bed frame recalling.
After few minutes she said "I promised to answer one question"
Keno "So if I grant you another wish, I 'd have another chance?"
Satasha didn't answer, instead she suggested "You must leave tomorrow"
Keno sighed, he knew that she wasn't going to answer anything else but he took her silence as a yes "You mean we"
Satasha "No! I need to go somewhere else"
Keno closed his eyes annoyed "Not happening"
"I am not asking for permission" she argued
"And I am not tolerating this nonsense anymore! You either do as I say or I'll use something both of us hate" he warned
Satasha rolled facing him "I am not going to do reckless shit! I am only going to confirm something"
Keno didn't budge, he adjusted his position trying to fall asleep "Go to sleep, we'll discuss it tomorrow"
Satasha sighed then pulled his arm closer to her.
"What are you doing?" he flinched
Satasha "My core needs warmth that my body can't provide at the moment so I am borrowing your arm"
Keno sighed "I can't believe this shit! It's like I am babysitting you"
Satasha mocked "That's what you get for being a hero and serving the greater good, you must keep me content so I can help you defeat The Fallen"
Keno sarcastically "Yay!" he moved closer so she could hold his arm as she sleeps.
Satasha placed her forehead on his biceps and held his elbow lightly to obtain warmth, not soon after she was already asleep.
Keno sighed deeply feeling overwhelmed by how he went from the formidable general to a caregiver for mentally unstable person.
Yet after a while he fell asleep, and for the first time in months, he was sleeping deeply without any nightmares.
...
The next day...
Satasha woke up late in the morning and the first thing she saw once she opened her eyes, was Keno's face few inches away from hers.
Startled, she backed away wondering if it was wise to wake him up. She pushed his hair from his eyes thinking he'd wake up but saw how deep he was sleeping that he barely felt her touch. She sighed and decided to get up but found out that he was holding her hand tight till it went numb.
'Your lack of trust amazes me sometimes!' she thought as she tried to break free from his grip, after lot of attempts she succeeded and quietly slipped away trying not to disturb his sleep.
She tried to walk out of the room but couldn't due to Keno's protective shield, she sighed and went to take a bath instead. Later she tried again by transmitting but couldn't venture away, this time he tagged her with a specter that followed her the moment she transmitted outside the room.
She rolled her eyes annoyed by his extreme measures.
'Like I am unworthy of his trust!' she snapped as she shook her head disapprovingly.
She didn't go beyond the north wing and walked around the garden discovering the place while food was being prepared.
After an hour she shared the meal with the black tortoise and talked with him for a while before going back to the room.
Once she went back she found out that he's still asleep. She sighed and ate snacks while she waited for the tea.
...
An hour before sunset.
Keno slightly opened his eyes to see if she was there and panicked the moment he saw her side of the bed empty. He immediately got up to look for her but relaxed the moment he saw her sitting near the door drinking tea.
He laid back down exhaling deeply as he asked "What time is it?"
Satasha placed the cup on the table as she walked toward the bed, she placed her hand on his forehead checking if he was fine
"You slept for half a day! It's almost dusk"
Keno rubbed his forehead "Perhaps my lack of sleep finally backfired, I spent sleepless nights in the past two months"
Satasha felt guilty about his current state "Why did you go to such length?"
Keno sat on the bed's edge "I guess that I felt responsible for your safety"
"Why?" she interrupted "You don't owe anything to me"
Keno walked away "I don't need to be indebted for me to protect who I care about"
"Care about?" she repeated, she felt confused "As a valuable asset?"
Keno turned around drinking water, he took a minute to think then nodded "Probably" then went to take a bath.
He asked while taking his clothes off behind the screen "Why did you obediently remain here?"
Satasha was still thinking about his answer, she sat at the table pouring another cup of tea "Don't flatter yourself! Despite all your measurements, I could still leave you here"
Keno stepping in the bath "But you didn't"
Satasha sipping the tea "Yeah, indeed I didn't"
Keno increasing the water temperature to relax "Why?"
Satasha pointed out at the garden "William is waiting for me just few steps away from the door"
"William?" he was confused "I don't know any William"
"A reaper" she explained
"What?" he adjusted his position "They're here?"
"Don't panic, as I said they won't do anything while I am around you" she reminded
Keno couldn't help himself but to worry "My shields stopped them?"
Satasha chuckled "He's a reaper Keno! No shield can stop him. If it weren't for your specter, he'd take me long ago"
Keno felt somewhat better "I guess that was a good call from my end"
"Unfortunately, yes" she admitted "I guess that I am stuck with you for a while"
Keno smiled faintly as he relaxed his body and closed his eyes "Unlucky me!"
Satasha scoffed, she stared at William who stood like a statue fixated at the entrance, she walked toward the door glaring coldly at him, beside her stood Mark hidden from Keno's senses.
"He seems determined" Mark warned "They know what we know"
Satasha didn't answer, she didn't want for Keno to notice.
"They might attack anyway" Mark added
Satasha clenched the cup hard that it broke in her hand "Let them try!" her anger kept piling up, she used fragment of her power to send William away.
William flew away to the other end of the wing.
"I don't think that was a wise move" Mark commented.
Satasha ignored him.
Keno rushed to her side knotting his robe "What happened?" he noticed the cup broken, the cut in her hand, and the dust in the garden. He grabbed her hand checking on her wound, it healed almost instantly, he wiped the blood asking "Did he say something to you?"
Satasha's gaze still fixated on William who was walking toward her with heavy pace and stopped glaring coldly down at her as he stood few steps away, he crossed Keno's shield with ease and without alarming him.
Satasha didn't flinch, she lifted her head glaring intensely at his hazel eyes waiting for a reaction. Mark was ready to step in but neither moved.
"It's nothing" she answered Keno while still glaring at William "You can continue your bath"
Keno noticed her eyes fixated on something and knew instantly what she meant, he stepped back while he kept his guard up waiting for any reaction.
"Easy now!" Mark tried to mediate "We all have our instructions to follow"
Satasha grinned as she understood to what extant their orders were concerning Keno's involvement.
"Tell them I don't need wardens or constant reminder" she declared "I haven't forgotten the terms"
William "I am not here to remind you about the deal"
"Then?" Mark asked
"I am here to take you both with me" he answered
Satasha chuckled "Then it means he'd follow!" he pointed at Keno.
"I know" William answered "You have to undo his tracking specter or I'll do it for you"
Satasha scoffed as she sat down pouring herself another cup of tea "We both know how that would end"
William unfazed "You give yourself too much credit, your arrogance will be your downfall" then he vanished.
Mark concerned "They'll be back in packs!"
Satasha sipping the tea "Good!"
"You can deal with William but not all of them" Mark reasoned
Satasha looked at Keno who stood assessing the situation "As long as I have him around they won't dare"
Keno relaxed a bit and sat opposite her, he knew that William was gone "Your odd fellow?" he inquired.
Satasha nodded.
Mark "I won't count on that! Orders can be changed at anytime"
He got closer to whisper to her "And I never liked him"
Satasha smirked, she spoke in her native language "I don't know, something is compelling about him"
Mark scoffed "His exotic personality"
Satasha smiled.
Mark sighed then left.
Keno "You just cursed me in that language didn't you"
Satasha "Quite the opposite actually, I just didn't need to boost your ego further"
Keno frowned "What did William say?"
Satasha poured tea to him "He said that he'd drag me down if he must"
Keno pondered then said "He didn't strike back around me because he didn't want my interference, but why they fear my interventions?"
Satasha explained "Because unlike me, you are a constant. Events occur because of you not the other way"
Keno "Meaning that I can shift the tides with my actions?"
"I mean that you can change everything with your actions" she corrected
Keno was still puzzled, he glanced at the garden asking "I can change fate?"
Satasha "No one can do so, it's impossible to change fate. Just like you Zeta can also change the course of events, and believe it or not, Mika has a very important role to play later"
"When you say events, you are implying the war?" he inquired
"Indeed" she answered
"Then why are you here with me instead of Zeta or Mika?" he asked while his gaze fixed on her analyzing her.
Satasha who was reaching for the snack froze for a second then answered truthfully "Because you are the one I am betting on" she munched the sweets while glancing at him.
Keno wasn't convinced with her answer but knew it was the truth to some extent "Why?" he insisted.
Satasha shrugged "Perhaps your charming looks had captivated me"
Keno scoffed and walked away to change his clothes, leaving Satasha drowning in her thoughts.
...
The next morning they decided to go back to the capital riding the horses.
"Why are our pace slow?" she inquiried
Keno "We need a strategy"
"Why?" she sulked
"Have you forgotten what the Cyclops did to you once he knew that you were the impostor?" he asked
"I don't see how this is related..." then she remembered "Oh."
Keno "You just got better, I am not risking it even if your core is stabilized for now"
"What do you suggest?" she asked
"Stealth and disguise" he answered "And meanwhile we can see how the reapers would react to your insult before we head back. I am not endangering innocents with our quarrel"
Satasha smiled nodding "Like a true leader"
Keno squinting his eyes not buying this new act, he prefered her snarky and spiteful side.
...
The journey to the capital took five days during which they spent it without a word. They'd wakeup, ride the horses, riding till dusk, camping and sharing a grilled animal that Keno caught, then take turns when sleeping.
Once they reached the capital Keno reminded her "Keep your disguise on till we reach my residence"
"And you?" she asked
"I don't need a disguise since he doesn't know what I look like" he answered
Satasha reminded "Your enemies knows how you look though! Shift to Bai xie. It's better to be safe than sorry"
Keno nodded and shifted to Bai xie just in case if anything goes wrong.
They rode slowly to the gates.
Keno presented the traveling permits that Yu gave him before they leave.
The guards let them in after they searched their luggages.
After an hour ride they reached the residence, the moment they got off the horse Satasha sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
Keno noticed her searching the premises "Find anything?"
Satasha fixed her gaze on the east corridor "I am not sure" she walked in the house with him feeling uneasy.
...
After few days of rest...
Satasha slipped off to the east market alone. She was searching for the reason that made her feel uneasy for the past few days, she didn't disguise herself because today was the new year's festival, and she wore a mask that covers half of her face.
It had snowed heavily for days now. Unlike the temple where the grass were green, here in the capital snow covered everything. She wore extra clothing and fur robe to warm herself as she continued her search in the masses. The people there celebrated by wearing masks of the formidable four to honor the first dragon, setting off fireworks, and various shows of dancing groups and shadow shows.
The fresh food and warm alcohol was the best part for her, she let herself enjoy as she kept on searching. She'd stop to look at the goods and get more food as her search continued, then it caught her eyes.
A silver head pin with blue crystals paired as a small begonias.
The seller "You got an excellent taste my lady! This one suits your complexion, for a lovely lady like you l'll sell it for ten tassel"
Satasha chocked on the bum "Ten? For this?"
The seller smiled eagerly "I made a discount for you, I intend to sell it for fifteen considering it was made from pure silver"
Satasha scoffed "Pure silver" she placed it back and walked away.
She kept walking till she reached a river stream where people were writing their wishes on a yellow lotus made from paper then let it float.
"What are they wishing for?" she asked a middle-aged lady who sold the lotus papers
The lady "Some for health, some for luck, and the majority for finding the right match"
Satasha humored herself and bought one, she stood next to a fence thinking about what to write, she found herself lost, she didn't know what to wish for. For her hope could be dangerous, but also the silver lining in the darkness.
After long thinking she finally wrote
"A care free life"
She held it proudly at her eye level to see if her handwriting was nice, then suddenly
"What are you doing here?"
A man voice snapped her back to reality and made her flinch, she dropped the lotus and it fell straight into the river, she watched it fall upside-down then drawn.
Something in her heart ached, she knew it was wishful thinking of her to believe in such things.
"I am sorry" the man spoke
Satasha sighed and turned around, frustrated "Why are you here?" she asked the man; he was none other than Keno.
Keno "I asked first! Do you have any idea how dangerous this time of the year?"
Satasha didn't answer, she walked away "More dangerous for you than me?"
He followed "And what about the reapers?"
"Just leave!" she was annoyed.
Keno quietly followed for few minutes then asked "Are you angry because I made you drop the lotus?"
Satasha didn't answer.
The truth was that it wasn't because of the lotus, it was the whole festival. Seeing everyone enjoying their time with their family and friends made her feel horrible. She doesn't have anyone to share will and woe with, no friends to company her long journey, no loving family to rely on, and no warm home to welcome her.
She had never experienced true and unconditional love nor a healthy relationship. She kept her pace faster than his to hide how she truly felt, Keno followed her silently.
After they strolled in silence for a while they reached to a gathering that were waiting for a show.
"Let's find a place to sit" Keno whispered
Satasha followed him to a bench where they sat waiting.
An old man with grey hair walked to the center "Ladies and gentleman! Tonight is a special night for everyone and it would be great if we all remember why we celebrate it each year!" he cleared his throat then continued "The great dragon had brought peace and prosperity to this land and we must honor him with offerings and incense, and for this year we'd be honoring him by this puppet show!" everyone clapped excitedly.
Satasha was excited to know what the stroy would be.
Two men placed a frame, three men and three women stood behind the frame holding puppets, everyone clapped and some whistled, then the show began.
They began moving the puppets according to the story that the old man was telling.
The story was about the first dragon, how he rose to power, united the lands, stood on his morals, and brought peace to the lands. Then he met the love of his life and had two sons. The story ended with them reaching immortality and ascending to become deities. Everyone clapped after the show ended except for Keno, he wore a bittersweet smile.
Satasha noticed his discomfort and offered him her hand, he held it and followed her as she lead him away. She didn't need to ask because she knew who was the first dragon; it was his father.
She bought steamed buns and gave him one as they strolled, it wasn't long before she asked "How did you convince Haru to not follow you?"
Keno "I didn't convince him, just like you, I slipped away"
She scoffed "We'll be scolded when we go back"
Keno chuckled "You mean you'll be scolded" he stopped for a minute then asked "Why did you slip away? You could've told me that you wanted to go to the festival"
Satasha munched "I was following my gut"
Keno "We have enough food"
Satasha swallowed "A hunch! Not my stomach!"
Keno mocked "Your hunch surely led you to the food strollers"
Satasha sighed and walked away.
Keno followed her feeling amused "I am sorry, don't walk away"
Satasha stopped and turned around, but the moment she saw what was behind him she froze. Keno glanced behind to see what she spotted but when he failed he walked closer to her to ask "What did you see?"
Satasha didn't answer, she searched for a moment before saying "Let's go back"
Tears flickered in her eyes as her chin quivered. She took one glance at Keno and saw his worried look, he wiped the tears that dripped from her chin then pulled her closer for a hug.
Satasha couldn't control her tears nor how she felt at the moment, she thought that she saw her mother in the gathering but she mistook a mother with her daughter as hers.
She felt her ridiculousness had exceeded a new level, she gritted her teeth drowning in her endless longing for a maternal warmth. She closed her eyes as she let herself go for a moment, she held his back tightly as she hid her face in his cloak. He held her tighter knowing well how the festival made her feel, just like him, she was missing the most important thing a festival must have; a family.
He nuzzled her hair as his embrace tightened, he closed his eyes trying to stop himself from being overwhelmed, and when she wanted to pull away he whispered "Just for a little bit"
Satasha scoffed "Aren't we a lovely pair of miserables!"
Keno chuckled as he let her go "Speak about yourself" he presented his hand "Let's head back"
Satasha pushed it and walked back with him, they walked till they reached the jewelry stroller where she saw the head pin again.
She stopped asking "I'll give you five tassels"
The seller remembered her "Ten take it or leave it"
"Eight" she haggled
"Ten" the seller insisted
"Eight is all I can give"
"I can buy it for you!" Keno offered
Satasha nudged him with her elbow "Don't interfere!"
The seller "Let your husband pay! A man should always provide"
"He's not my man" she interrupted before Keno spoke "Now I'd take it for seven tassels for pissing me off!"
"That's not how to haggle kid! You either pay for ten or leave!"
Satasha scorned then left.
Keno sighed and payed for it.
The seller "You need to control your girlfriend or find yourself a better one!"
Keno brushed him off with a smile then hurried to follow her "Here!"
Satasha stopped to look at his hand, the silver head pin was on it "Did you steal it?"
Keno chuckled "You really think that low of me? I bought it!"
Satasha annoyed "He scams people, it's clearly not pure silver and don't worth ten tassels!"
Keno sighed "You don't want it?"
Satasha snatched it off his hand and tucked it in her sleeve.
"I didn't know you liked these stuff" he said.
Satasha "I don't"
"Then why you wanted it badly?" he inquired.
Satasha "I want to give it to Yuru. I saw her wear something similar"
"Yuru?" he repeated
Satasha smiled brightly "Yuru!"
Keno felt bitter and walked ahead sulking.
Satasha tried to keep up "Why are you upset?"
Keno mumbled "I thought you wanted it to yourself that's why I bought it"
Satasha was taken back, she didn't know what to say "So you wanted me to have it?"
Keno sulking "As a new year's gift"
Satasha felt sudden joy, she held his arm teasing "So you do care about me!"
Keno sighed and she giggled "I'll keep it! I'll keep it"
Keno smirked "I don't want your pity"
Satasha shook his arm "But I do love it! I just don't know how to wear it"
Keno offered "I'll put it for you"
"Everytime I want to wear it?" she teased
Keno nodded, he was serious "Yes!"
Satasha was somewhat surprised, she couldn't contain how amused she was, she handed the pin to him saying "Then help me!"
Keno took it then shuffled her hair for a ponytail to do updo for her, after few minutes he finished twisting the bun then pin it with the head pin "It's done"
Satasha touched her hair to feel the pin "How does it look?"
"Like a head pin" he bluntly answered
Satasha didn't care about his bluntness and smiled happily, she held his arm saying "Thank you! I love it"
Keno's ear turned red from embarrassment, he cleared his throat hiding his smirk with his hand.
Satasha asked "What do you want for new year's gift?"
Keno "Nothing"
Satasha pouting "Then I'll make you something to eat"
Keno smiled warmly "Sounds nice!"
She rejoiced holding his arm tighter as they walked back to his residence.
She pondered for a minute as they head back to the residence then said "I want to give you something special that you'll never forget"
Keno suspicious "You want to give me a goodbye gift?"
Satasha "I heard your birthday is near"
Keno beamed softly "No need! I don't like celebrating my birthday"
"I figured" she insisted "Like you said it would be a goodbye gift"
Keno patted her hand "You aren't going anywhere! Don't be willful and listen to me"
Satasha "As much as I enjoy staying here, I still have things to do"
"We'll do it together" he interrupted "Don't go around harming yourself, I need you here with me for a while, you can do things I can't, and I can do things you can't. Technically speaking, we need each other for now"
Satasha scoffed "Just say that you want to use my powers for a while then discard me later"
Keno "Interpret it how you like, don't worry about your quest for now, just remain under my protection"
Satasha smirked as she wrapped her arms around his stating "You are going to regret having me around"
As they reached the residence. Satasha felt the something shifting as she felt days ago, this time it was faintly hinting dangerous intent unlike the eerie one she felt the first time.
She stopped glaring at the west corner "Do you feel it?"
Keno glancing at the west corner "Yes! I do" he held her closer "Let's head inside first, I'll dispatch few to follow the trail"
"It's different" she stated as they head inside the residence "You are being targeted by many people"
"Perhaps they are after you" he suggested "Stay here for a while and don't go out aga..." his sentence was interrupted with an arrow that aimed his heart, he pushed her away dodging it.
Satasha immediately set a barrier blocking the rain of flaming arrows that stroke the residence. Few escaped setting the ceiling on fire and injuring few guards.
"Intruders!" one of the guards shouted "Protect the master!"
Many guards came rushing to protect Keno form the assassins that walked into the residence.
Keno rushed to Satasha's side once he took a sword from one of the guards to help her as she completed the barrier, one of the assassins tried to stab her but was killed by him.
Satasha checked on Keno to see if he was injured, luckily the arrow hadn't hit him, she was ready to fight but was pulled by him "Don't follow them!"
Thanks to her barrier those who were outside couldn't enter nor break it, the assassins couldn't go in or out of the residence. Those assassins who entered the residence were soon killed by the guards.
"Haru! Take few men and chase them down" Keno ordered "See if you can find who sent them"
Satasha didn't need to interrogate any of them, she searched one of the assassins and saw a distinguishable markings on his left shoulder. She clenched her fist trying to contain her anger as she glared a head thinking 'If they were sent here to kill, then this means that few days ago the thing that I felt was probably their scouts'
Keno "What did you find?"
Satasha got up to tell him, then she felt it again; the same eerie feeling, she search to see where it was coming from but it was evident for few seconds before it vanished. She snatched one of the guard's sword to haunt it, Keno grabbed her arm snapped her back to reality "Don't chase! This might be their plan"
Satasha "I won't interact with them or fight, besides your specter can tell you if I need help"
Keno refused "I am not gambling on your life just to find out who sent the assassins, I've dealt with assassination attempts more than I can count, this isn't any different"
Satasha calmed down and dropped the sword "I'll listen to you this time, but you must remain here till Haru comes back"
Keno gently moved his hand to hold hers "I won't be leaving anywhere"
Satasha brushed him off with a smile but her hunch kept edging her to follow that eerie energy that keeps roaming around the residence.
Keno saw through her uneasiness and caressed her hand trying to calm her down.
"Report!" one of the guards rushed from outside and knelt in front of Keno, he presented a royal decree "The emperor is requesting for your immediate presence in the dragon hall!"
Satasha snapped "At this hour!"
Keno took the decree to read it's contents "It says here that the southern borders had been breached"
Satasha snarled "Just after the assassination! How convenient!" she glanced at Keno who seemed reluctant "You aren't going to palace! It's clearly a trap"
Keno "If I don't go now he'll have a legitimate reason to eliminate me"
"Who cares!" she fumed "Let him do it if he dares!"
Keno reasoned "If it were just you and me I wouldn't care less, but there are many lifes at stake, if I go down, it won't be long before they follow"
Satasha crossed her arms frustrated "Then I'll go with you"
"Stay here!" he refused "I can protect myself"
Satasha turned and walked away
"I said stay!" he cried as he followed her
Satasha didn't stop, she crossed the barrier after snatching a spear from one of the guards.
Keno sighed and ordered "Bai xie! Take few men and follow her" his anxiety kicked in as he saw her stride away.
It was indeed rather convenient, the decree, the assassination attempt, and the fall of the southern border.
Haru rushed back reporting "My lord! We chased them down till the Jade forest where they vanished! Shall I dispatch a search party for them?"
Keno glaring at the direction that Satasha walked in "No need" he pushed the decree to him ordering "Prepare the carriage, we're going to the palace"
Haru argued "Now?"
Keno didn't answer, he went inside to instruct Yuru.
"If Satasha didn't show up in an hour, dispatch everyone to find her!"
Yuru was worried "What about you my lord?"
He glanced at the doorway feeling uneasy "Summon Fuji, if I don't return in two hours, tell him to follow me to palace" he walked away but before he leaves, he stopped "If things go out of hand, take everyone and seek refuge in the temple" then he left.