Xilai shrugged and poured himself some wine. "Luding and I are linked to each other somehow, for good or ill. I can feel his fear. And his anger, and his gloating. As can the Pavilion Mistress."
"Fear?" Baijian asked. "Fear? A mighty Qi lord is afraid of us?" He laughed.
But Wuyi understood. "He must be afraid," he said. "I would be."
"He has a great deal to lose," Xilai said. "But he knows he can destroy our Ballista with one shot if he gets close enough. Of course, he has to risk himself on the plain to get it, hence his attempt to get it done with the Flying Serpents. But they've failed."
Baijian shook his head. "You make him sound like he's but a ballista himself."
Xilai bobbed his head. "Not bad, Baijian. In a way, the Qi lords aren't much more than large ballistas to siege on a battlefield. Except they move much faster and are much deadlier. But I agree, the effect is the same."
