Han couldn't make his mind work. Run? Stay? He was gripped by fear. Dmonics moved along the watercourse, scarcely disturbing the leaves. They traveled quickly, passing from left to right before him. Eventually, he realized they weren't going to turn and rend him limb from limb. But that didn't stop his breath from coming in low pants, nor the deep cold from settling into his bones. And then they were gone, away to the east, towards the river. It was a long time before his breathing returned to normal.
When Master Zhang found him at sunset, still lying there, he burst into tears. Master Zhang embraced him. "I'm sorry," the Qi warrior said. "You did well." Han was ashamed of his tears, but he couldn't stop them.
"They got between us and you," Master Zhang went on. "I couldn't risk my Qi warriors for you. That – that is how it is out here." He patted Han. "You did very well."
