"It could easily be a trap," Wei Xiang agreed, handing the scroll back to Wang. "What do you think we should do?"
Wang looked toward the distant mountains. "If Cassian wanted to launch a surprise attack on us, he would not need to invite us to a meeting first."
Elder Mu nodded slowly. "That much is true. But why would he ask for this meeting right now?"
No one answered immediately. Finally, Wang spoke his mind. "Because neither side truly wants this war to begin."
The words surprised several of the elders. One of them frowned. "If he does not want a war, then why did he take Lady Lin away from us in the first place?"
Wang's eyes remained calm and resolute. "That is the exact question I intend to ask him tomorrow."
Wei Xiang's expression hardened. "And what if he refuses to give you a straight answer?"
"Then we will simply leave the meeting," Wang replied.
"And what about the war?" Wei Xiang asked.
