The meeting 1

The meeting with the Dead Owls on a peace settlement was set for the next day.

At the headquarters of the Dead Owls, their leader, Ki Mun had been sitting calm on her throne while her warriors offered several suggestions.

"let us have men scout the area, after which we will position a number of them, we should not be caught unguarded, we are warriors!"

"if the other party finds out we have men around, the purpose of the meeting would be destroyed and they will get furious. Do you not wish to put an end to these killings?..."

"how can you be sure that they wouldn't have men around themselves?"

"we shouldn't act recklessly..."

Everyone tabled their thoughts and did not speak with restraints.

"everyone, listen, we will honor their arrangement and will not lay any ambush" Ki Mun spoke up after a while

"but leader, we should be prepared, we shou..."

"enough!, that is my word and it is final, anyone found harboring a different plan will immediately be executed. Does everyone understand?"

"Yes leader..." they bowed in respect

"you are all dismissed"

They disperse at once and silence is regained in the throne room with Ki Mun left in her thoughts and Yom beside her as usual.

Master Lu held a short gathering on his side too, the basis of the meeting held between the leaders at Mt. Chi was not much different from what was discussed at the Dead Owls headquarters.

Apparently, each side was looking forward to this meeting.

Master Lu also instructed them on his side not to set up men for an ambush but instead, make the meeting peaceful and trustworthy.

The two parties had decided to meet on a plain area miles away from each of their base.

The next day, they each set out for negotiations with Master Lu's group taking One-Eye, the captive from the last time's attack with them.

Ki Mun arrived in a fur-covered carriage that had a gigantic skull at the front of its door and heavily armed men placed by the sides.

Some of her men went ahead of her while the rest were behind her carriage; Yom, her right-hand man stood beside her carriage as always.

Master Lu and his group were on the opposite path and were all high on their horses.

There was no woman amongst them, hence, no carriage.

Each group looked sternly at each other.