Meeting her worried gaze, Guarding Bear smiled with a reassurance he didn"t feel. Leaving the room, he snorted the stench of sickness from his nostrils.
Back in his office, standing at the window-wall, Guarding Bear looked toward the castle, hating the sight of it and what it represented. Guarding Bear was Flying Arrow"s closest male relative and the next Emperor should Flying Arrow die without an heir. Everyone knew he shot pointless arrows.
Guarding Bear saw motion atop the castle spire.
A surge of energy engulfed him, masking all his other senses. Flying Arrow"s psychic signature tainted the energy. The insignia of seven arrows filled Guarding Bear"s sight, the beam so narrow only he received the message.
“Lord General Guarding Bear,” rang the Emperor"s voice, “You, your mate and da
