The Moonlit Oath Chapter 2: The Wounded Shadow

Chapter 2: The Wounded Shadow

Inside Lan Yue’s clinic, the door bursts open, and two soldiers step in, swords drawn.

Soldiers

Soldier 1: We know he’s here! Hand him over, girl!

Lan Yue / FL

(crossing her arms) Who do you think you are, barging in like this? This is a healer’s clinic, not some inn!

Soldiers

Soldier 2: Don’t play coy! We saw him enter. Where is he?

Lan Yue / FL

(glaring) Do you see anyone else here? Just me and a pile of herbs. Or are you planning to arrest some ginger roots?

Soldier 1 narrows his eyes and steps forward, scanning the room. Lan Yue subtly steps in front of the unconscious man on the cot.

Soldiers

Solider 1: What’s that behind you?

Lan Yue / FL

A patient, unconscious and burning with fever. Unless you want the plague, I suggest you back off.

Soldiers

Soldier 2: She’s bluffing. Check the cot!

Before the soldiers can move, a loud crash is heard outside

Voice outside: He went that way! Hurry

Soldiers

Soldier 1: (growling) Lucky for you, girl. Let’s go.

The soldiers leave in a rush. Yue closes the door and exhales deeply.

Lan Yue / FL

(to the unconscious man) You owe me for that one.

Stranger

The man stirs, his eyes fluttering open

Stranger

Why... did you help me?

Lan Yue / FL

Call it pity. Or maybe I have a weakness for bleeding strangers collapsing at my door.

Stranger

(attempting to sit up) I’ll leave... as soon as I can

Lan Yue / FL

Not like that, you won’t. You’re injured and feverish. Sit still, or you’ll tear your stitches.

The man notices the pendant is gone. His eyes widen.

Stranger

The pendant! Where is it?

Lan Yue / FL

Safe. You’re welcome.

Stranger

You don’t understand... it’s dangerous.

Lan Yue / FL

So you’ve said. Care to explain why every soldier in the province wants it?

Stranger

(hesitating) It’s better if you don’t know.

Lan Yue / FL

Too late for that.

Before he can respond, there’s another knock at the door. Both freeze.

Lan Yue / FL

(whispering) If that’s more soldiers, I’m throwing you out.

Stranger

(smirking weakly) Fair enough.

To be continued..

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