SIXTEEN
A commotion in the camp outside roused Mai from a deep sleep.
"Hurry, Mao, or we'll miss it," she heard Yi say. Something heavy landed on her midsection, and her breath whooshed out of her lungs at the impact. "Get your armour on!"
With Heng's help, Mai managed to don her armour, for Yi was already geared for war, capering around the tent like a court fool. She was still buckling on her sword belt when Yi dragged her from the tent.
"What's going on?" she mumbled, fumbling with the buckle.
"Another raid on the blockade. This time, we're sending reinforcements. We get to fight!"
Yi seemed ghoulishly excited about going out to kill other men. Mai wondered if he might be crazy after all. They joined the column of troops marching toward the city, which was lit by the orange lig
