4 ：Suspicion

ion　between　them　was　palpable，　a　silent　understanding　passing　between　them　that　they　needed　to　stay　vigilant.

    As　they　neared　a　clearing，　Sukie　heard　a　rustling　in　the　bushes.　She　tensed，　her　hand　moving　to　the　hilt　of　her　sword.　Han　Fengling　placed　a　reassuring　hand　on　her　shoulder，　his　touch　grounding　her.

    ＂Stay　close，＂　he　whispered，　his　voice　barely　audible.

    They　moved　forward，　inching　closer　to　the　source　of　the　sound.　Suddenly，　a　figure　burst　from　the　underbrush，　stumbling　and　falling　at　their　feet.　It　was　a　young　girl，　her　clothes　torn　and　dirty，　her　face　streaked　with　tears.

    ＂Help　me，　please，＂　she　begged，　her　voice　trembling　with　fear.　＂They，re　coming.＂

    Sukie　knelt　beside　the　girl，　her　heart　aching　at　the　sight　of　her　distress.　＂Who　are　you?　What，s　happening?＂

    The　girl　looked　up，　her　eyes　wide　with　terror.　＂My　name　is　Mei.　The　Dark　Lord，s　soldiers　attacked　our　village.　They　took　my　family.　I　managed　to　escape，　but　they，re　still　out　there，　searching　for　me.＂

    Han　Fengling，s　expression　darkened，　and　he　helped　the　girl　to　her　feet.　＂We　won，t　let　them　harm　you，　Mei.　You，re　safe　with　us.＂

    Just　as　he　spoke，　a　group　of　soldiers　emerged　from　the　trees，　their　armor　glinting　menacingly　in　the　sunlight.　They　surrounded　them，　their　weapons　drawn.

    ＂Hand　over　the　girl，＂　the　leader　of　the　soldiers　demanded，　his　voice　cold　and　authoritative.　＂She　belongs　to　the　Dark　Lord　now.＂

    Han　Fengling　stepped　forward，　his　stance　protective.　＂You，ll　have　to　get　through　us　first.＂

    The　leader　sneered，　raising　his　sword.　＂So　be　it.＂

    The　battle　that　ensued　was　fierce　and　chaotic.　Sukie　fought　with　all　her　might，　her　training　and　magical　abilities　coming　to　the　fore.　She　moved　with　grace　and　precision，　her　sword　flashing　as　she　parried　and　struck.　Han　Fengling　was　a　whirlwind　of　power　beside　her，　his　movements　fluid　and　dead