Omen of Locusts

The armored guards escorting the carriage kept watch as it traveled through the night. They could not cover even thirty li before morning. At last, bands of dawn light appeared across the boundless sky, and wisps of cooking smoke rose from the farmhouses.

"Daybreak!" As the sun climbed and morning light spilled across the road, the armored guards driving the carriage breathed a little easier.

They were well trained and ate meat regularly, so they could see at night. Still, they had to take extra care on the road lest a jolt disturb their lord. Traveling by daylight set everyone more at ease.

A fresh team had taken over the driving. They had not planned to stop for the night, so by dawn the original drivers had gone into the carriage to catch some sleep while the others carried on.

Su Ziji had held up well throughout the journey. Seeing that Cen Rubai was sleepy, he made more room for him to curl up inside the carriage. Su Ziji leaned against its side, closed his eyes to rest, and silently recited the Dragon Palace Chess Manual.

Each chapter he recited sent the Coiling Dragon Heart Method through one full circuit in his body, forcing his experience to grow. That was enough to dispel the weariness of a short journey, and all had been peaceful. But when a jolt woke Cen Rubai, he saw the young master, who ought to have been more tired than he was, lifting the carriage curtain and staring gravely at the sky outside.

Cen Rubai looked out too. At the swarm of insects whistling through the air, he froze. The playfulness vanished from his face, and alarm flashed across his brow. "Are those locusts?"

"They are. There aren't many, but it's a bad omen."

It took