in the meantime, we can help other people get out.”
“That’s true…” he murmured.
While he was still thinking, his sister led him back inside.
10
The walls of the Wei clan had seemed taller when Lindon was younger.
In his mind’s eye, he saw the gates into the main clan territory as an ancient edifice that scraped the sky. He remembered when they had changed out the doors for freshly carved and decorated ones, in honor of the last Seven-Year Festival. But now, as an Underlord, he saw the plain wood used to make them. The peeling paint. And the walls were only about thirty feet tall.
He could leap over them with a flat-footed jump.
At least Elder Whisper’s tower was as tall as he remembered it. It stood out like a spear from behind the wall. He wondered what the snowfox would say about Lindon’s advancement.
He took another breath, more nervous than he should have been. He couldn’t put a name to his mix of feelings.
Yerin took his left hand in hers. “Try your hardest not to burn the whole place down.”
The Iron guard took a tight grip on his spear. “What?”
“Wouldn’t judge if you had to kill one or two.”
Foxfire gathered on the end of the Iron’s weapon. He levered it at Yerin, but addressed Lindon. “Give me your name, Unsouled.”
Lindon had not missed that title. But he couldn’t blame the Iron for being on edge; there were forty Akura clan Golds behind them, after all, each hovering a foot or two off the ground on the back of a Thousand-Mile Cloud or other floating construct.
A Truegold man with gray in his hair stepped forward before Lindon could say anything. “The Akura clan presents the Sage of Twin Stars and the reigning champion of the Uncrowned King tournament. Present the leader of your clan or we will find them ourselves.”
Lindon dipped his head. “Apologies, older brother. We intended no threats. My name is Wei Shi Lindon, and I am here to see the First Elder about the recent earthquakes.”
The ground was steadily buzzing now, a low-pitched thrum beneath Lindon’s feet that never went away. The veins of earth aura pulsed as though they ran with lightning.
The Iron looked up at the people spread out before him and set his jaw. He had no spiritual sense to speak of, but he had the confidence of a man with an entire clan at his back.
“You forget yourself, Unsouled.” The Foxfire at the tip of his weapon disappeared, but the guard reversed his spear. “Whoever your masters are now, you should speak to me with respect.”
He brandished the butt of his spear, cocking it back in a silent threat.
Lindon held up a hand before the Truegold to his left annihilated this Iron. “You see all these people behind me, don’t you?”
“Word has already been sent to the Jades. They will decide what to do with our guests.” The guard’s chin tilted up. “In the meantime, I was told to expect outsiders at our gates. And to show them the strength and dignity of the Wei clan.”
Lindon understood now. This guard thought they were inhabitants of Sacred Valley, but not one of the clans. He assumed they belonged to the collection of exiles and wild families that provided for themselves in the wilderness.
Even without his spiritual perception, he should have seen better than that. They were far too well-equipped, and the Golds all wore a uniform.
But the Iron had made up his mind, and he stood proudly.
“Hit me,” Lindon said.
The guard frowned. “What did you say?”
“You suggested you were going to hit me with your spear. Do it. I want to show you something.”
The Iron’s frown took on an edge of disgust, and he drew himself up straighter. “I’m not giving you the excuse.”
“Then I’m heading in.” Lindon started to walk for the gate, with Yerin at his side. He expected her to be laughing to herself.
She wasn’t. She scowled like she couldn’t wait to punch a hole in this man’s chest.
Sacred Valley really did not agree with her.
Finally, something in the Iron snapped. “Don’t blame me for this!” he shouted to the Akura Golds.
The Truegold at the front rolled his eyes.
The Iron guard hauled back his spear and smacked Lindon’s cheek with the butt end.
Wood cracked.
It wasn’t a full-force blow, but the Iron hadn’t exactly held back either. If Lindon really had been an Unsouled, he would have faced a broken jaw at least.
Old anger leaked out, but Lindon pushed it away. He couldn’t hurl an