*
His eyes, dark as lacquer, flickered with firelight, deep and grim.
The young man's eyes were usually exceptionally clear, but now they seemed veiled in a black mist.
After a long moment, he said in a low voice, "So it's a dead end."
He then took a steamed bun and handed it to Amy.
A hush fell, leaving only the CRACKLE of the fire.
"Little General," Amy clapped her hands lightly and smiled at him. "Weren't you determined to serve the nation with utmost loyalty, to pledge your life to it? Why do you seem so afraid now?"
"If I had been born in a time of chaos, with nothing but my own life and no one to answer to, my death would mean nothing. But with our country in turmoil, even if I am willing to die for it, I fear it won't be enough to save a great house from collapse."
