Page 37 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Rose’s mouth opened and shut a few times. “That’s… that’s awful! Was she as trusting as her father then?”

Wally shook his head. “In fact, she was suspicious and constantly looking out for her father, not wanting his kindness to be taken advantage of. But, in this case, she was the one to trust while her father was not so sure.”

Rose’s eyes narrowed. “Why does this sound like the typical story of a woman who falls for a bad man and ignores all common sense and--”

“He saved Mei’s life in the woods that surrounded their village. She was a skilled warrior in her own right. Her ability with the bow and sword was nearly unparalleled,” Wally said. “But she was only human and a dozen bandits are formidable. Just as she was about to fall, her future-fiance killed her final attackers.”

“Sounds useful.” Rose shrugged.

“I’m going to make a guess here,” Caden said. “Those were the fiancee’s men, weren’t they?”

Wally touched the side of his nose. “Right you are, kid. He saw her and maybe it was love or lust at first sight, but he recognized in Mei someone far more worthy to align himself with than the bandits.”

“Why would she trust someone who kills his own men?” Rose scoffed.

“He hadn’t been with his men when they attacked. He came in after, and pretended, I suppose, to be a wandering traveler,” Wally explained, mirroring her earlier shrug. “Whatever his story, she believed him. And I imagine he was convincing and earned her love and respect, which could not have been an easy thing to do. She brought him back to the village and convinced her father to put him in charge of security with her.”

“And her father sensed something off about him?” Rose asked, clearly getting involved in the story more than she wanted to let on.

Wally nodded. “He did not believe in coincidences. But he might have believed in treating people well will, more often than not, make them respond in kind.”

Rose glanced at Caden then. When he smiled at her, not sure what she was thinking, she quickly turned away.

“But that this young man would appear at just the right moment to save his daughter? That made him suspicious.” Wally looked grim. “But he offered his hospitality, and kept his suspicions to himself, because he saw that Mei already was smitten.”

“Smitten?” Rose squawked. When Wally looked at her curiously, she explained, “If Mei was a man would you say ‘smitten’? That woman.” She pointed to the television screen where Mei glided up to High Reach. “Has never beensmittena day in her life! She would have to be a totally different person, and if there’s one thing that you and I know, Wally, is that Shifters don’t really change. Their personalities don’t alter!”

Wally actually smiled and nodded. “Just let me finish my story and then… Well, let me finish.”

She let out a breath that had her bangs flying up. “Go on then. Dumb girl is smitten with charming sly bandit who is eyeing her village for his own.”

“The bandit thought that the moment he and Mei married that the father would cede control of the village over to him, but the old man guessed this and called the bandit to his rooms one night,” Wally continued. “At this meeting, he told the bandit in no uncertain terms that he wasnotgiving control of the village to him. Not now. Not ever.”

“Yeah, but if control of it was going to go to Mei, I’m betting this bandit guy thought he would have control through her.” Caden frowned deeply.

“Oh, yes, if the father had said only that then I’m sure the bandit would have assumed just that.” Wally adjusted the “wisdom hat”. It squeaked loudly.

“So he wasn’t going to pass the leadership onto Mei? Because she was a girl? He must not have intended to give it to her at all!” Rose was scowling.

“Maybe so, maybe not, but he told the bandit that his daughter would not take his place either. So if he was there for anything other thanloveof a wonderful, skilled woman then he shouldleave.”

The skin between Caden’s shoulder blades bunched. He could almost feel the blade that was undoubtedly going to be thrust into Mei’s father either figuratively or metaphorically.

“So what did he do?” Caden asked, sounding a little breathless with anticipation and dread.

“The bandit assured Mei’s father that love was all that motivated him. He bowed and left. Everything seemed quite normal and happy. He was more attentive to Mei than ever, and treated the father with respect.” Wally chewed his inner cheek. “The wedding took place with great splendor. People from all over came with gifts for the young couple. It was during the wedding feast when the tragedy occurred.”

“What happened?” Caden asked.

“Bandits,” Rose hissed, eyes narrowing.

Wally gave one sharp nod. “Husband and wife fought valiantly. They saved so many people. But one.”

“Mei’s father? Oh, no, she must have been beside herself with grief!” Caden’s heart ached. He tried to imagine his parents being killed and it was enough to make his heart clench. To find out that it was the person he had loved and trusted behind it… well, it would be too much!

“When did she figure out it was her husband’s bandits and her husband’s order that took her father’s life?” Rose asked, looking a little pale herself.

“Right away. She saw him speaking to one of the bandits just before they managed to get away. You see, this time he wasn’t going to kill all of his men, just enough,” Wally said the words as if they tasted bitter. “But Mei had started to get suspicious, and she went after that bandit, and made him tell her the truth about the man she had thought she loved.”

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