Taking Inventory

Your losses were minimal. Only a few men had minor wounds that had been scraped around their armor. On the other hand, the village was moderately devastated. Villagers had been slaughtered at whim, but the worst had not yet happened. It seems you arrived at the perfect moment to avoid complete disaster. They would have to toil extra hard to make this years harvests. The prisoner you had taken had not ceased his wailing while he clutched at his leg wound. It seemed he may never recover full mobility in his leg.

Stepping outside, you began to converse with the natives. At first, their thick southern, country accent made it almost impossible to understand them. After lengths of conversation, you began to pick up on more of what they said. Bandit raids, as you know, have become an epidemic around the areas. The Tonkinh kingdom had destabilized this portion of country by sacking the local fortress. The garrison commander had put up a valiant defense, but eventually fell to the Kinh onslaught. Refusing to be captured, he and his family died in the burning of his headquarters.

However, bandits had not been expected to plunge this far yet. They were expected to prey mainly on the scraps of the Kinh raids, rather than attack relatively prosperous villages. Furthermore, it seemed the local fiefdom had not reacted at all to this attack. Despite lighting the beacon, no reinforcements were sent or any investigative forces. You made a mental note to stop by the castle.

Finally, you inquired about the girl. Her name was Yien, she was promised to a neighboring villagers son, but wedding preparations had not yet been made. The engagement had not yet been consummated.

Remembering her cute face and admirable physical assets, your loins began to stir. You would not act on this, she was a prize but she was not yours. You would not be the tyrant that takes the belongings of others.

You politely make small talk at the dinner table. Feeling pangs of exhaustion, you eat quickly, exchanging a few glances with Yien, but not lingering. You make an excuse to retire quickly into your chamber.

Lighting a candle, you begin to write a letter to Yuqing.

You toss and turn in your sheets. The night was sweltering and your groin had no receded since the rush of adrenaline during the battle. You can not hold it any longer. Bare chest exposed, you made your way to home that Yien was sharing with neighbors. You creep in, careful not to trip over the rickety floors. Holding your breath, you see the parents sleeping upon the kitchen chairs. You tiptoe over to the couch, tapping Yien lightly. After a few looks are exchanged, she willingly follows you out into the crickety night.