Bao Chen's shout cut through the quiet burial before Wei Liang finished the last handful of dirt over Su Ling's grave.
"Riders. Fast, from the south."
Wei Liang stood fast, wiping his hands. "How many."
"Small group," Bao Chen said, squinting into the tree line. "Not attacking formation. But they're pushing their horses hard."
Garrow moved to the clearing's edge, blade ready. "Could be more trouble."
The riders broke through the trees moments later, four of them, exhausted, one slumped forward over his saddle. Liu Che stepped forward fast, catching the injured rider before he could fall.
"Easy," Liu Che said. "You're safe."
"Attack," the rider gasped. "Splinter group. Hit one of our resupply villages an hour ago. No banners, no leader we recognize. Just desperate men with weapons, t
