Kage pointed tiredly at the corpses.
"Gather them all. Burn them."
He walked with a staggered gait and arrived beneath the tree where Bei sat obediently, looking around in muted fear. When the little cub spotted Kage below, his eyes blazed with joy for a fleeting heartbeat.
Kage spread his arms and called out.
"Bei..."
The little cub released its clawed grip on the tree branch and plummeted straight into Kage's cradled arms. He dropped it and trudged back to the stone circle.
When he arrived, he was surprised to find Lian Feng still standing, staring at him with naked disbelief.
Kage frowned.
"What?"
Lian Feng remained silent for another beat. Then he jolted from his stunned state.
"I'm certain you can't be any older than thirteen. With your frail body and short stature, I give it thirteen maximum. I'm fourteen. I'm taller than you and far more resplendent, which gives me the older-brother edge. What do you think you're doing, commanding me like that?"
