The older man's voice rang out again, louder this time, sending shivers down the spines of the trembling soldiers.
His eyes were wide, nearly manic, as he leaned forward.
"I asked you a question! What about the prince? Is he dead?"
The men exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale. One of them, his arm bandaged and blood-soaked, stepped forward hesitantly.
"I... I don't know, my lord," he stammered.
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
The man flinched at the roar. "Ming Ruo... Ming Ruo did manage to injure him badly. The prince was losing a lot of blood. But..."
The older man slammed his fist against the table. "But what?"
The soldier gulped, his voice trembling. "Someone saved him. A woman."
The room fell silent. The older man blinked, as if he hadn't heard correctly.
"A woman?"
