Kael's hand rested on his sword hilt. He looked down at Wei, kneeling on the floor, sobbing.
The room was silent except for Wei's broken breathing.
Kael's hand moved away from the sword.
"Baihe gave me a choice."
Wei's sobs stopped. He looked up, his face streaked with tears.
"You die," Kael's voice was flat, "or the villagers die."
"I chose a third option."
Lianghong moved down the stairs slowly, his eyes fixed on Kael.
Wei's hands trembled. "You... you killed them to save—"
"I killed them because I made a judgment," Kael turned toward Baihe, "that he would break his promise."
The room went still.
Baihe's smile widened. He pushed off from the railing and walked forward, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.
"Oh?" His blue eyes gleamed. "And what made you think that?"
Kael met his gaze. "Your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"When you gave me the choice—the playfulness in them, the anticipation." Kael's voice remained level. "I've seen that look before."
