THE DANCER

“…there’s a ship we can take out of the city,” Lawrence was saying as the group of forty or so people listened. Some of them seemed to perk up at the idea of leaving Yukai City.

The boat can’t take them all, she thought, becoming increasingly worried about the problem. Their ranks had already swelled by a few families, a dozen or so people who wanted out of the city as soon as possible. To the east, the orange glow of the fires were still visible.

She watched Lawrence as he continued to speak from atop the raised platform. There was more light now, so she could make out his features in the yellow glow of the morning sun beginning to peak over the mountaintops.

She smiled, as he gave instructions to the group on what was to happen, why they were doing it, and where they were to end up. He was a leader who cared about others, not just a selfish mercenary out for coin. She had known from the moment he had offered to help save Yoko that he was a man of honor, even if he pretended not to be. As he addressed the group, his eyes roved over the people standing there, until they came to her. He smiled, and she instantly blushed. Yukio turned to cast a suspicious look in her direction which didn’t help.

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“Ah,” Kaiya said from beside her. “Now I understand why you didn’t want to say anything back at the palace.”

“He’s so…”

“What?” Sakura asked of Yumiko, who was beginning to utter a doubtful comment.

“He’s so… wonderful,” she said.

“Oh, be quiet, Yumi,” Kaiya ordered playfully. She turned to Sakura. “I’ll be watching, little flower.”

“Watching what?”

“You know…”

She was about to reply to the other dancer but was distracted when Lawrence said, loud enough for the whole group to hear, “All right! Let’s get going!”

He jumped off the platform and started walking. The group shuffled about, moving to follow.