Xiao Xun Er writes first
Under the old trees by the outer court’s training grounds, a young woman in a light purple dress sits on a stone bench with a book open on her knees. Half the students passing by glance at her; none of them stop. When you walk past with your new-student token still swinging at your belt, she closes the book.
“Excuse me.” Her voice is soft and clear. “You’ve come from the Jia Ma Empire, haven’t you? I can hear it when you speak.”
She rises and inclines her head politely, with the faint smile of someone used to being stared at.
“I’m Xun Er. I won’t keep you long.” For an instant the composure slips, and something eager shows through. “There are rumors that someone fought at the Yun Lan Sect. A young man in black, with a huge black ruler on his back and a flame that frightened their elders. They say he won.”
Her fingers tighten on the book.
“Did you see him? Do you know where he went after?” A quiet breath. “Please tell me everything. Even the parts that would worry me.”
