Around the campfire sat eight people. Just days ago, they had been strangers. But to protect this land and its…
Around the campfire sat eight people. Just days ago, they had been strangers. But to protect this land and its people from the Khitan's iron cavalry, they had chosen to stay, planning, preparing, fighting. For days, they had rebuilt tunnels, evacuated civilians, and were barely sleeping. Now, with everything in place, they finally had a moment to rest by the fire and share their stories. Among them were twin brothers—Sheng Wen, a refined scholar, and Sheng Wu, who lived up to his name with a warrior's build. But Sheng Wen explained that his brother was mute. After a few drinks, the group grew talkative, and Sheng Wen began recounting how the two had once been shadow play artisans, only to be driven out because his brother could not speak.
Drunk on anger and liquor, Sheng Wen took another swig. "I refuse to accept this fate. When we reach Yannan, we'll make our names known. Let those who scorned us choke on their regret!"
Sheng Wu mimicked his brother and took a few gulps too.
"And what if you don't make it and end up dead by accident?" asked an old man with white hair and whiskers, smiling.
Sheng Wen, now thoroughly drunk, barely registered the question. What did it matter?
"Then we'll walk east, walk west, go even farther... just keep going until we can't go anymore..." Before he finished, Sheng Wen had fallen into a deep sleep.