'And what of our other concern? '

'Bandits are not as terrifying as the Royal Army Huo. We can handle that like we always do, ' the guard snuffed.

'Then are we adjourned? ' Huo asked.

'Depends, any other village shattering secrets we should know? ' Fie asked sharply.

Huo shook his head, 'There 's a reason I 've been pursuing talking to Yue for years, I think he 's the strongest ally and successor we could possibly ask for. '

Shu looked at her friends, colleagues, confidants, 'I hope you 're right Huo ' for all our sakes. '

***

Yue woke up warm, particularly with the weight on his chest. Not even opening his eyes he rubbed her back softly. The rousing breath was slow and he realized in that moment that her towel had slipped from her in the night.

So had his.

And she was '

very close

to bumping into ' things.

She tilted her head to one side and rubbed her eyes, 'MmmYue? S 'everything okay? '