Blindness

The uproar that formed in the middle of Honga Square was common for the local people. The winter was still harsh and the water wells were still closed. It was too early. The sky was getting the first streaks of color denoting that the day was dawning and soon the crowd would double in size.

The city of Honga was large enough to lose sight of, and its main businesses were close to the sea, which provided the main source of the state's economy, Fisheries. However, in times of snowfall, fishing would drop considerably and the drinking water from the wells would be frozen. Not everyone had the patience to wait for the guards to break the ice to fill their bowls, let alone fight over a full pot that would not last half a day.

Big, strong men already surrounded the place, intimidating everyone who approached them with the intention of stealing their seats. The snow seemed to increase more and more until everyone started to complain about the wait.

In the midst of this crowd, Xiao Niao tried to dodge the pushing he took until he got to the one closest to the Well. Some passed by and disdained their physical condition. The woman was blind! Xiao Niao had no vision, her body was extremely thin and her skin was as pale as snow showing a lack of food and sun. However, her job was to face the daily line for water.

- Xiao! - A tall, truculent man with a scary demeanor called to her, causing all the heads that looked at the rickety woman to turn towards him. Meng Hao was a figure who was terrified wherever he went. His face with wide, deep scars running from his chin to his forehead marked his fierce features. - The crowd will not let you pass. Go to the city entrance and wait for me.

Xiao Niao simply ignored his friend and continued until he reached the wall of people surrounding the well. Meng Hao realized that that water dispute would be a carnage. He already knew every man who was there. They did not even respect their wives and daughters, let alone a blind woman.

- Get out of the way, blind! - A man tried to push Xiao away, but Meng Hao was faster and pushed him away. The pressure he put on him was so great that he saw the man unbalance on his own foot and fall away.

- Xiao, I will die of white hair with your stubbornness! - Meng Hao protested. - And why are there so many people today? It seems that every city in Honga is dying of thirst.

- I don't think you know about the news yet. - a gentleman who was beside him spoke immediately answering his question.

- What news?

- Sunri's army will pass through Honga marching towards Naran. The new king declared war on King Amon of Naran and everyone is expecting a great slaughter.

- Sunri's new king? - Meng Hao asked curiously. He never cared so much about fights between states, it is something that exists long before he was born and will not change anything when he dies. - Who is Sunri's new king?

- Nobody knows, but the anglers who sail between the waters of the States bring with them the news that he is a cruel man and that he will recruit our youth for his armies. - Meng Hao had never heard so much bullshit. Who cares about a bunch of tired old men? Not even Naran cares about them, let alone a new state with a new king.

- Sunri has no power within Honga. It is impossible to recruit our men for them. Many of our young people belong to the Naran army. - Another man appeared in the brief conversation adjusting his band that held his robes.

- Sunri's army can invade our state and steal our women and children, recruit our young people. They are as strong as Naran. And King Amon cares little for the neighboring states, don't you see what he did to Naki? The king was deposed from his throne and is now directly governed by Naran. The people are suffering from hunger and the only one who profits from all this misfortune is Naran. - The man who initiated the conversation now contested fiercely. Meng Hao realized by the tone of voice that the little man had hatred for Naran and sideways he stared at Xiao Niao, who seemed to hear everything quietly and ignore him. However, deep down, he knew he needed to get his partner out of that conversation.

- It does not matter who will take what. In the end, we will bear the burden of war with hunger and misery. - Meng Hao approached Xiao, took her arm gently, and took her away without giving the men a chance to finish their cursed lines. Meng Hao had long hated Naran for what they did to the fragile young girl who now carried an eternal sequel.

After feeling that he was at a safe distance, he released Xiao Niao's arm and looked around. The group of people had doubled and the crowd's sighing sound could be heard.

Some people opened a path through the crowd for a small entourage to pass. Some men tried to look into the carriage in hopes of seeing who passed by who carried the Li family crest.

Within the city, there was a family, which commanded almost every army, which was the Li family. The patriarch of the family was as powerful as the king and more respected than the royal family. It was common to see the Minister of War walking the streets on his black horse and dark clothes showing his authority. However, it was very rare to see a chariot from the Li Mansion, as it meant that there was the minister's daughter, whom all the unmarried men in Honga were trying to conquer.

Li Jia-Li was indeed an almost surreal beauty. Everyone called her a snow fairy. She was graceful, polite, and her face drew attention wherever she went. There was not a young woman in Honga who did not envy Li Jia-Li and her reputation for being surrounded by suitors and having refused a dozen of them dragged the entire state. The young woman was very much loved by her father, and the minister was a fierce man and would never hand over his daughter to any local merchant.

Meng Hao watched as the carriage stopped in front of a jewelery store that was just starting to open and all curious eyes turned to try to catch a glimpse of young Miss Li. Nevertheless, expectations were cut, as only an older servant left and entered the store and moments later, returned with a wooden box in his hands. Everyone seemed a little frustrated at not having been able to get even a look from the beauty of the city.

The men surrounding the wells now turned their attention to the water and Meng Hao just watched Xiao Niao patiently waiting for his turn in line.

However, the sound of the horn at the entrance gates of the city echoed in the cold day like an ominous bird. Seconds later, the drums can be heard by everyone. One moment Meng Hao and Xiao Niao were standing in line waiting for water, and the next there was a riot of people running like ants without direction. Merchants closed their stores, the well was soon empty and everyone hid in closed places.

Meng Hao understood the situation and soon took Xiao Niao and took her to the nearest store. As soon as the owner entered, he looked at Meng Hao as if he were a monster, but when he looked at the blind girl beside him, he understood the situation.

Through the timeworn window, Meng Hao observed traces of horses running through the snow, raising layers and layers of white dust in the air. The street was empty and the whole city looked as if it had been taken over by a ghost.

The war had come to them. That was what Meng Hao understood when he saw a large crowd of horses marching towards the city.

It was Sunri's army.