The Fallen leap between the trees, evading the marauding Mardern who swarm over the ground, climbing into the trees after them. Abayo bursts out of the flames and skids down the rock face, leaving behind a group of startled Mardern. Quickly he swings his staff, spinning above them and stepping on their shoulders, striking them accurately across one side of their necks. Abayo lands on the ground in front of them before the eight Mardern collapse to the ground. 

Yudan turns just in time to see them fall. He smiles as he looks down at Abayo, tightening his fist, pressing his lips together.

“To the pit!” cries Yudan, his blade crashing against the blade of a Mardern, while being pushed back to the edge of a wooden platform. Yudan leaps from the platform, followed by the Mardern and continues his fight on the ground. 

As Abayo joins the fight, the Mardern begin to push The Fallen back towards the pit at the centre of the village. The smell of burning flesh hangs over them as clouds of black smoke bellow into the air. Dead Mardern lie scattered around the burning huts, many of them deformed, their bodies partially devoured by the heat.

The Fallen fend off the Mardern as they back off towards the pit. As they step closer together, the Mardern have less room to attack collectively, and the Fallen begin to stand their ground. One of the Fallen cries out as a Mardern dagger cuts deep into her side. Her body falls back and rolls into the pit, immediately bursting into flames.

“We can’t hold them!” cries Cohe, “They are too many!”

Outside the village, not far from the clearing below the tunnel, Mirsal and Velin, her fellow Fallen, rush through the forest, followed by two other members. As they reach the clearing, Mirsal immediately begins to climb the wall.

“Mirsal,” says Velin, removing her hand from the rock face. “We have company.”

The Fallen step back as Mirsal jumps down to face a group of Mardern emerging from the darkness. Their numbers continue to grow until twelve large Mardern stand before them.

“If you’re looking for directions, it is this way to haddah,” says Mirsal, drawing her dagger from her robes as the others follow suit.

As Mirsal and the others leap into battle, their cries echo at the mouth of the tunnel high above them. Sohng turns around, to face a familiar battle cry. He hurries to the edge of the ledge and looks down, barely able to see the figures below him. Sure of at least one thing, Sohng knows that it must be Mardern and Fallen that battle beneath him. He steps back before leaping off the ledge and falling to the ground in silence. As Sohng’s feet land heavily on the ground, all those around him remain still before he bursts into life, spinning and kicking one of the Mardern to the ground.

“Yeahs!” cries Mirsal, slamming her elbow into a Mardern’s face before punching the air in celebration.

“Is that, Sohng?” asks Velin, narrowly avoiding the edge of a Mardern Dagger before kicking him in the back of the head.

As Sohng helps the Fallen to subdue the Mardern, the last of them turns and hurries into the forest.

“Cudded wov,” says Mirsal.

“You think he’ll be back?” asks Velin.

“You know it,” says Mirsal. “Thank the gods kid, Bayo wasn’t kidding was he, you’re dangerous.”

“I can fight,” says Sohng. “But I cannot get into the village.”

“Why’s that?” asks Mirsal, twisting her perspiring brow.

“A fire rages on the other side of the tunnel.”

“Fire? Shouldn’t be a problem,” says Mirsal. “Bayo didn’t teach you that?”

Sohng shakes his head. “No, not yet.”

They climb up onto the ledge and stand half way down the tunnel.

“You have to get in there,” says Sohng. “They’re fighting two hundred Mardern.”

Mirsal turns to the others and glances towards the fire, before they rush down the tunnel, leaping through the flames.

“You coming?” asks Mirsal.

“I can’t,” says Sohng, hanging his head in shame.

“You won’t achieve a thing without believing it first,” says Mirsal.

Sohng lifts his head.

“Listen child,” says Mirsal. “I’m no teacher, but, I have a boy of my own. If you want to know how to stand in the fire, you have to let it burn you first.”

Mirsal places her hand softly on Sohng’s face before turning and running into the fire. Sohng turns towards the flames, his eyes glowing as the fire rages before him. He steps forwards, the heat stinging his face and drying his eyes. He steps forwards once more, his heart thudding in his chest as his skin begins to tighten. The rock at the end of the tunnel crackles in the heat and the smoke trickles above Sohng’s head. He takes another step forward, and another, then another. Sohng’s robes begin to smoulder at the edges, his sash begins to burn. The intense heat penetrates him like hot needles. He closes his eyes, unable to stand the bright flames. Sohng takes another step forwards, before his skin tightens as his body goes cold. 

‘Has he passed through? Perhaps he’s passed out or maybe he is dying, numbed by the shock.’ But Sohng feels the uneven ground beneath his feet, he can feel the back of his teeth against his tongue, the stench of burnt fibres stings the inside of his nose. 

Building up the courage to face the truth, Sohng slowly opens his eyes. Nothing but bright white light surrounds him. He looks down, catching a glimpse of the robes over his chest as he holds out his hands attempting to see them. Unsure of what’s happening, Sohng takes three swift steps back. The flames continue to roar before him as he stands in the tunnel, his mouth peeling open as he looks down at himself in amazement.

Mirsal, Velin and the remaining Fallen, fight to fend off the Mardern. Losing ground, they back into a corner, as the majority of the Fallen continue their battle at the edge of the pit.

“There’s too many,” cries Velin. “Where is everybody?”

“They’re at the pit!” cries Dallon, one of the two other Fallen. “I don’t think we can reach them.”

“We have to!” cries Mirsal, hacking away at a Mardern as he falls to the ground. Mirsal cuts off the Mardern’s head and immediately turns to the next one, swinging her dagger wildly. “Don’t give up!”

“It’s no good, General. We can’t push them back,” says Cohe.

“Then we have to go back,” says Yudan, glancing over his shoulder at the blazing fire in the pit.

“We won’t last long in there,” says Cohe as a Mardern dagger cuts him across the shoulder.

“Fallen!” yells Yudan. “We must hold them, we are not going to die here today!

Inside the tunnel, Sohng steps back, preparing to leap through the flames and join the battle. Just before he bursts into a sprint, the sound of metal snaps against the ground behind him. Sohng turns around to see Jollo, Mirsal’s son, climbing onto the ledge. Sohng rushes over and takes hold of his hand. As he looks down, Sohng is shaken by his disbelief as countless young disciples climb up the rock face towards him. He steps back, turning to Jollo who picks up his dagger.

“You really shouldn’t be here,” says Sohng.

“Then neither should you,” says Jollo. “Where is my mother?”

“She has just gone inside, but there are hundreds of Mardern in there,” says Sohng.

“Then let’s waste no time, eh,” says Jollo, smirking on one side of his face.

Pausing for a moments thought, Sohng smiles and nods before turning to help another disciple onto the ledge.

“No!” cries Velin, as one of the Fallen collapses over a Mardern sword. “Damn you all to haddah!” she roars, spinning around and cutting down another Mardern before stabbing another through his chin. Unable to continue her attacks as she parries the strikes of three Mardern who surround her, Velin’s eyes quiver as they fill with tears of fury. She leaps up onto the rocks behind her, from there onto a branch that hangs over the path.

Mirsal steps back, deflecting the heavy swings of a Mardern sword. She looks towards the tunnel as a rumble begins to swell from beyond the flames. Suddenly, Sohng bursts through the raging fire with countless disciples following behind him. Their battle cry fills the air, drawing the attention of The Fallen around the pit. Sohng and the disciples immediately begin to attack the Mardern.

Mother!” cries Jollo, leaping to his mothers side and cutting off a Mardern’s leg. 

“Jollo! Why have you come here?” asks Mirsal. 

“You are no good to me dead, mother,” says Jollo, spinning around her and stabbing a Mardern behind Mirsal’s back.

Sohng leaps over the Mardern cutting them accurately across their necks, making his way towards the concentration of bodies that stand around the pit.

“Now we are many,” says Yudan, as the last few disciples leap through the flames. “Spread out, and take them down!” he cries, leaping into the air. The Fallen leap up into the tress and hurry to the edges of the village leading the Mardern apart.

Sohng lands before Abayo as another Mardern falls just behind him. 

“Master,” says Sohng.

“You took your time,” says Abayo, dodging a Mardern blade, before cutting him across his belly. “Use the fire, and watch your back.”

Abayo leaps up into the trees before Sohng turns and leaps towards three Mardern who overwhelm three small disciples. Sohng thrusts his blade into one of the Mardern before cutting the arm off another. Two of the disciples leap at the third, pulling him to the ground before they run his sword across his throat.

Sohng looks up at the tunnel as more Mardern begin to spill into the village. A drop of water trickles over Sohng’s face, then another, and another, then many more. A blanket of rain falls from the sky, gradually dousing the flames, throwing the village into darkness. Only the fire of the pit remains as Mardern continue to rush into the village.

“There’s more!” cries one of the Fallen from high up in the trees.

Sohng turns towards the sound of clashing blades against a long metal staff. A stillness fills his heart. He races around the pit and leaps over a hut, rushing to the edge of the village. As Sohng turns the corner, six Mardern stand around a body, as one of them pulls a dagger from its chest. Sohng explodes towards them, knocking four of them into the air, cutting the fifth across his back before stabbing the sixth beneath his arm. Letting go of his dagger, Sohng falls to his knees. He leans over Abayo’s body, placing a hand softly on his chest.

“Master! Master, please, no.”

Mirsal and Jollo arrive behind Sohng and rush towards him.

“Oh Bayo,” says Mirsal, kneeling at Sohng’s side.

Jollo turns around to keep watch as his mother and Sohng lean over Abayo’s body.

“We must leave him, Sohng,” says Mirsal.

Sohng shakes his head, pressing his hand against the blood that pours out of Abayo’s chest. “I can’t.”

“You must! We are dying! We need you!” says Mirsal.

“Why, why?” says Sohng, the rain washing away the tears that stream from his eyes.

“Sohng, come, we have to fight,” insists Mirsal as she stands.

“Mother!” says Jollo, holding his dagger before him as he steps back.

Mirsal pulls Sohng to his feet as a large group of Mardern walk towards them, trapping them against the rocks.

“We have to fight them Sohng,” says Mirsal, pulling Sohng away from the body. “Sohng!”

Mirsal pulls at Jollo’s shoulder, forcing him behind her as the Mardern step towards them. As the Mardern prepare to cut them down, Sohng falls to his knees once more.

“Mother!” cries Jollo.

“Sohng!” yells Mirsal, holding her dagger across her face as the Mardern raise their weapons.

Sohng can hear nothing but the long forgotten words of an unfamiliar voice. An echo of words he has never understood until now. An undeniable truth weighs heavily upon his shoulders. An inescapable fate holds him fast against the ground. The battle is lost, and no more can Sohng continue to deny the very essence that delivers him to the jaws of inevitable death.

“Stop,” says Sohng as he stands. “I’m telling you to stop, right now!”

Mirsal’s brow folds over her widening eyes, her mouth hangs open as she watches the Mardern hold their daggers aloft, frozen like statues were it not for their heavy breaths.

Sohng walks towards the Mardern, picking up Abayo’s staff before he turns his shoulders and steps between them. He turns to Mirsal who is also frozen, paralysed by bewilderment. 

“Come,” says Sohng, holding out his hand.

“Mother, why have they stopped?” asks Jollo as the Modern lower their weapons.

“Because, we cannot escape who we are,” says Mirsal, leading her son past the Mardern, a smile beginning to curl across her face. “You must stop them. Now!”

Sohng nods before leaping up into the trees and rushing across the walkway. Covered in blood, still fending off Mardern, Yudan looks up as Sohng leaps high above his head.

“Enough!” yells Sohng as he lands in front of the tunnel. “All Mardern, you will stop fighting immediately, that is an order!”

Yudan and Cohe look up towards the tunnel, their eyes brimming with disbelief.

“Stop!” cries Sohng once more. “Stop fighting. I command you. As the son of the kings blood, I command you, stop.”

The Fallen stand in shock as the Mardern stop fighting and glance at each other before turning towards Sohng. “Lay down your weapons!” yells Sohng.

The Mardern look upon each other in disarray.

“I said… lay down your weapons. Now!”

Yudan’s shoulders drop as he turns to witness hundreds of Mardern weapons clatter against the ground.

“What are you doing?” cries Toida, slapping some of the Mardern on their chest. “Pick up your weapons, I am in charge here!”

Sohng looks down at Toida with an unrecognisable courage in his eyes. 

“You’re wrong,” says Sohng, stepping down the rocks towards him. Toida holds his words behind his lips as Sohng stops an arms length before him. “You answer to me now. And should you defy me, it will be the last thing you do.” Sohng turns his back on Toida, and makes his way down the rock path towards the Fallen.

“What in all haddah?” says Yudan. “How is he doing this?”

“He is the son of the kings blood,” says Mirsal, striding past the Mardern, Jollo at her side. “They are sworn to serve the kingdom and therefore, must obey his order.”

“Of course,” says Cohe. “As long as he exists, the kingdom of the light shines.”

 “They have denied him his strength, his freedom. They have done everything to keep him from becoming the king he was born to be.”

“Why would they not kill him, and rule Arca themselves?” asks Cohe.

“Because he is not the only one,” says Yudan. “If he dies, another will inherit his power. Fallen!” he cries, “Protect the boy!”

The Fallen leap over and rush past the Mardern, surrounding Sohng.

“We must go, while we can,” says Yudan, turning to Sohng.

“Go?” says Sohng. “But I can stop them, I can save the huido.”

“My boy,” says Yudan. “Standing against the thirteen Mardern Masters would be a small step from death. There’s no telling what they’ll do. You can’t fight them all, not alone.”

“I’m not alone,” says Sohng.

“Sohng,” says Mirsal. “We are not enough.”

“They are right,” says Toida. “You stand no chance against the Mardern. They will never let you rule. When you side with the huido, you become their greatest enemy.”

Mirsal takes hold of Sohng by his arm. “Sohng, we can discuss these things when we are a safe distance from them.” She glances over her shoulder. Sohng looks around at the tired and bloody faces of the surviving disciples. He looks at Mirsal and nods.

“Fallen, let’s go.” says Yudan.

The Fallen make their way to the tunnel as Yudan steps towards Sohng.

“Your master would be proud,” says Yudan, glancing down at Abayo’s staff.

No sooner than the young disciples begin to enter the tunnel, they begin stumbling back out, some holding their throats, while others vomit profusely, collapsing onto the ground. The Fallen rush towards them, pulling them away from the tunnel as a tall figure emerges from the shadows.

“What a charming little trap you’ve set,” says Kerida, effortlessly holding aloft one of the disciples, his eyes blackened as darkness creeps through the veins around his throat. Kerida tosses the disciple to one side, wiping her hand on her gown as she steps down onto the path.

Two of the Fallen leap at Kerida from both sides, their daggers drawn. Her eyes still fixed upon those before her, Kerida moves forward with incredible speed as the two Fallen crash together and land in a heap. One of them leaps at Kerida from behind, but once again she seems to disappear, reappearing a few feet to her right before catching the Fallen warrior by his throat. As the warriors eyes blacken, Kerida lets go and he collapses to the ground.

The Fallen step back, tightening their formation around Sohng.

“Pick up your weapons,” says Kerida as she approaches Toida.

“Master,” says Toida, bowing his head. 

“You are no disciple of mine,” says Kerida, through a smile of distorted disfavour. “Hassina will pay for his repeated indolence.” She walks past Toida and approaches the Fallen, while the Mardern pick up their weapons and watch as she passes. Kerida’s long robes drag through the shallow puddles. She pulls her wet hair out of her face, licking her lips as the rain hisses against the ground. Kerida stops a few lengths before the Fallen, scraping more hair from her face, stretching her neck, appearing to enjoy the cool, heavy shower.

“Come here,” she says, looking through the Fallen at Sohng.

“He is not Mardern,” says Yudan.

“You are right,” says Kerida. “He is not Mardern, and he will never be.”

“He is huido. He is one of us,” says Yudan.

“Are you claiming him as your own?” chuckles Kerida. “Do you know the cost of the words you speak?”

Yudan lowers his brow, tightening his grip around the handle of his dagger.

“Kill that one,” says Kerida, pointing at one of the disciples to her right.

“You coward!” cries Yudan, leaping towards Kerida.

She steps forward quickly, taking hold of Yudan by the throat and holding onto his wrist. Yudan drops his dagger before Cohe steps forward.

“Can you not see when you’re defeated?” yells Kerida, stopping Cohe in his tracks. “I trust your brave warriors are just as obedient as our own,” she says softly, leaning towards Yudan’s ear. “You would be wise to withdraw, and escape while you can, or stay and die for the boy.”

Kerida lowers Yudan the short distance to the ground, letting go of his throat and his wrist. Yudan gasps for air before stepping backwards towards the Fallen.

“Fallen,” says Yudan, clearing his throat and reaching behind him, opening his hand. Ossuam hands his dagger to Yudan. “We have no choice but to protect our king,” says Yudan, through gritted teeth.

“Wait, please,” says Sohng pushing past the Fallen and stepping in front of Yudan. “No more need die. Not for me.”

Kerida smiles as Sohng steps towards her. “My boy, I have tried to spare you from all of this. But you would not let go of these people. It is admirable. You are nothing like your father.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” asks Sohng.

“Your father begged and pleaded for his life, while others gave their lives for his.”

“I don’t believe you,” says Sohng.

“And that’s not your fault,” says Kerida. “You were taken from me before I could educate you. And look at you now.”

“His mother,” says Mirsal, her breath escaping her chest. “She is his… Then…”

“Come with me,” says Kerida.

Sohng turns his eyes to the ground.

“Come with me, or watch them die!” says Kerida softly.

“I won’t let you kill them,” says Sohng lifting his head.

“There is nothing you can do to stop me,” says Kerida.

“Why are you doing this?” asks Sohng.

“You don’t understand do you. The truth is; you never escaped, and you never will. You are forever a prisoner, and the only way out is death.”

“For now, I am free, and alive,” says Sohng. “And I will not let you kill innocent people.” “You foolish boy,” says Kerida. “You have no idea. All huido must die.” “And you will kill me? And take your own life?” asks Sohng. “We are all that remains of our kingdom, the last of our blood,” says Kerida. “And you would kill these Mardern? Are they not huido beneath those robes?” asks Sohng. “They are servants of our kingdom,” says Kerida. “Our only protectors.” “Then what good are Arn Guard?” asks Sohng. “There is much you must learn before questioning my methods,” says Kerida. “Come with me,” she says holding out her hand, “And learn to be a true king.” Sohng steps back. “No, I won’t walk your path.” “She knows only too well, if you become king, you will bring this war to an end,” says Yudan. “Of course,” says Kerida. “All we ask is for peaceful surrender.” “And what of all the innocent lives you have taken?” asks Yudan. “We have taken daggers from babies!” says Kerida, scowling at the General. “We have saved many more lives than we have taken. The huido are a danger to us all. A king must learn the truth. A king must learn to make difficult decisions.” “No,” says Sohng. “I will not be manipulated by you, by anybody. I am a king, with or without you.” Sohng turns and looks at Toida. “Kill her! That’s an order!” Toida sighs and shakes his head softly before Kerida erupts into laughter. 

“Do you really think they can kill me? We weren’t all born yesterday! I am your mother, you cannot rule above me! Strange, I have a sudden urge to bare another child. Kill them,” says Kerida, “all of them!” The Mardern begin to approach the Fallen from all sides. “Oh great,” says Yudan. “That’s just great.” “What do we do?” asks Mirsal. “In the service of our king, we will die fighting,” says Yudan. The Fallen leap into battle once more.

“Join us, or watch them die,” says Kerida, holding out her hand. Sohng hangs his head over his chest as a picture unfolds before his eyes. There, alone in the darkness lies Abayo’s lifeless body, the rain beating against his cold skin while he lies so perfectly still, bleeding into the puddles on the ground.

Sohng walks towards his mother and takes her hand.

“Good boy,” says Kerida, spinning Sohng around and holding him by his arm. “Your father would be proud,” she says, raising a dagger into the air. As Kerida thrusts her dagger towards Sohng’s chest, he takes hold of her thigh and plunges his fingers deep into her flesh. Kerida cries out, falling back as Sohng quickly spins behind her, breaking her wrist as he twists the dagger from her hand. Sohng wraps his arm around Kerida’s throat, pressing two fingers against her skull.

“I have split boulders with one finger, but you… are deserved of two,” says Sohng.

Kerida reaches for Sohng’s ankle, grasping it tightly. Her brow folds over the growing despair in her eyes as her deadly touch fails to take effect.

Outnumbered and exhausted, survival has quickly become further from The Fallen’s grasp. Bravely enduring his last stand, Yudan’s dagger is broken in two. But as the blade embeds itself into the ground, all heads turn towards a piercing scream. “Stop!” cries Kerida, “Stop, Mardern, that’s an order!” The fallen turn to see the boy holding his mother by her hair, with two fingers pressed firmly against the side of her head. “You wouldn’t kill your own mother, your only remaining blood,” says Kerida between short heavy breaths. “You are no mother. You murder children with no remorse. You are a queen to no-one but Mardern,” says Sohng. “Without me, you cannot take the throne,” says Kerida. “Until you are a man, the Mardern will rule, they will kill every man, woman and child who so much as whispers the word of illhuido. Kill me and  you have lost everything.” “If I don’t,” says Sohng, “Everybody dies. Tell them to lay down their weapons!” Kerida remains silent. “Tell them!” cries the Sohng, pressing the tips of his fingers into his mothers skull. “Lay down your weapons!” says Kerida as her right eye fills with blood.

“Tell them to withdraw,” says Sohng, spitting past Kerida’s ear. “Now!”

“Withdraw,” says Kerida, her eyes wide, blood trickling down the side of her head.

The Mardern turn and begin to make their way to the tunnel. “Yudan!” calls Sohng. The General nods his head and waves his hand. The Fallen surround Sohng making two circles, the inner circle face towards him, while the outer circle watch as the Mardern walk by. “You have made a critical error of judgement, my boy,” says Kerida. “Then you need not live to suffer the consequences,” says Sohng. “After all, you killed him, didn’t you. You killed my father.”

Kerida begins to laugh, blinking her eyes slowly and firmly, the rain disguising her tears. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me, nothing. He was weak. He should never have been king.”

“And you should never have stood beside him,” says Sohng.

“Now you stand where I once stood,” says Kerida.

Mirsal leans forward, opening her mouth before Yudan raises his hand. “Save your sentiment,” he says quietly.

“Tell me, mother. What were my father’s last words?” asks Sohng. Kerida takes a deep breath, “He told me he loved me,” says Kerida. “Do you love me?” asks Sohng.

“I had no choice,” says Kerida.

“Neither have I,” says Sohng.

Mirsal turns her tightened brow to Yudan who’s attention is all but consumed. “Should he kills his mother… should your assumptions be true… Will he not?…”

“We will soon see,” says Yudan, his eyes wide and still.

Sohng lifts his head to meet the collective gaze of a crowd of expectant spectators. Neither Yudan nor Mirsal hold incitement in their eyes. No Fear. No judgement. The world simply stands in wait. The choice is Sohng’s and his alone. Suddenly, the still silent truth reveals its ugly face. This is freedom. The choice to condemn himself and others to a future born in blood. A gentle push. A first step, blindly followed by the next. As darkness clouds Sohng’s fragile heart, his sympathy is swallowed  whole. His judgement tempered by the absence of conflicting fervour, Sohng’s intentions are unopposed.

Sohng stares vacantly into the crowd. With a moist, muffled pop, Sohng presses his fingers into Kerida’s skull. Immediately all signs of life are extinguished from Kerida’s previously ferocious face. Sohng let’s go, allowing Kerida’s body to fold and slump to the ground.   

Sohng turns to Toida, his eyes blacker than the sea at night. Struggling to slow the rise of an impulsive and unfamiliar intent, Sohng’s maintains a calm, stoic expression. “Leave now, while you still can,” he says, his muscles tense, his veins protruding beneath his skin as he clutches tightly to his master’s staff with both hands.

Kerida’s blood runs over Sohng’s knuckles and down the handle, folding over the engraved names of Abayo’s family before it is rinsed away by the hissing rain.

As the Toida leads the Mardern back through the smoky tunnel, Yudan steps towards Sohng.

“Be careful General,” says Mirsal under her breath, her eyes still fixed on Sohng. 

Yudan nods at Mirsal before he steps before Sohng. His sodden hair obscuring his face, Sohng peers down at the lifeless corpse that lies before him. 

“Sohng,” says Yudan, softly resting his hand upon Sohng’s shoulder. “It would appear the Mardern knew that you are of kings blood. However, I suspect she… was not.”

Sohng’s muscles continue to relax. He breathes deeply, his veins beginning to flood with new blood. Perturbed by a sudden and undeserved feeling of strength, Sohng cannot yet tend to his guilt or his dismay. What is this that feels so light, yet hangs like scabbard of a thousand swords? Why now is Sohng’s path so clear while so many questions remain?

“Sohng?” says Yudan once more.

“She… is not my mother?” asks Sohng, lifting his head to look Yudan in the eye.

“It matters not,” says Mirsal, stepping beside them. “General, we should go.”