We had half an hour before the first hearings in the Hall of Dark Justice, and were using the respite to rebuild our energy. We didn’t know exactly when the demons would attack; the memory card only carried basic information on the demons’ plans and didn’t have any details on the Western army or a projected timeline. Zara was analysing further, but there was a renewed sense of urgency around us as people prepared. The chi thrummed between us, a satisfying feeling of togetherness that nevertheless distressed John and made him slightly lose his concentration. We shouldn’t have been able to do that. Yue Gui approached across the stepping stones in the pond in front of the pavilion, and gracefully fell to one knee on the open timber veranda. John opened one eye but didn’t address her, and she knelt waiting. ‘What, Ah Yue?’ I eventually said. ‘My Lord. My Lady. You have been immediately ordered to the Azure Dragon’s Palace Under the Sea.’ John snapped open his eyes and I sat straighter.
