Hatred lingers, for people will inadvertently brush over healed scars.
Silently, An Hou tossed portrait after portrait into the fire. When only the final one remained in her hand, she paused. She took another glance at it, her gaze lingering on the hesitation in the painted figure's eyes. Then, with a sudden motion, she thrust the portrait into the licking flames…
That night, her order was carried by falcons to the leaders of many factions:
"If seen, kill on sight."
...............
Boom!
Two days had passed since the Lantern Festival, and fireworks detonated high in the distant sky.
Their origin was impossible to discern—were they from the Capital City, or perhaps from one of those two small villages?
The light scattered across the night, emphasizing its desolation.
