4 ：Suspicion

ly.

    Mei　watched　in　awe　and　fear，　her　heart　pounding　as　the　fight　raged　around　her.　She　could　see　the　determination　in　Sukie，s　eyes，　the　strength　in　Han　Fengling，s　movements.　They　were　unlike　anyone　she　had　ever　seen，　and　she　felt　a　glimmer　of　hope　for　the　first　time　since　the　attack　on　her　village.

    Finally，　after　what　felt　like　an　eternity，　the　last　of　the　soldiers　fell.　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling　stood　panting，　their　bodies　bruised　and　bloodied　but　victorious.　Mei　ran　to　them，　tears　streaming　down　her　face.

    ＂Thank　you，＂　she　sobbed，　clinging　to　Sukie.　＂Thank　you　for　saving　me.＂

    Sukie　hugged　her　tightly，　her　heart　breaking　for　the　young　girl.　＂You，re　safe　now，　Mei.　We，ll　protect　you.＂

    Han　Fengling　looked　around，　his　expression　grim.　＂We　need　to　move.　There　could　be　more　soldiers　nearby.＂

    They　continued　their　journey，　Mei　walking　between　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling，　her　small　hand　gripping　Sukie，s　tightly.　As　they　traveled，　Mei　told　them　more　about　the　attack　on　her　village，　her　voice　trembling　with　emotion.　Sukie　listened　intently，　her　heart　aching　for　the　suffering　Mei　had　endured.

    ＂Don，t　worry，　Mei，＂　Sukie　said　gently.　＂We，ll　find　your　family.　We，ll　do　everything　we　can　to　help　you.＂

    Mei　looked　up　at　her，　hope　shining　in　her　eyes.　＂Thank　you，　Sukie.　I　don，t　know　what　I　would　have　done　without　you.＂

    As　they　made　their　way　deeper　into　enemy　territory，　Sukie　couldn，t　shake　the　feeling　of　unease　that　lingered.　She　glanced　at　Han　Fengling，　who　seemed　lost　in　thought.

    ＂Han　Fengling，＂　she　said　softly，　her　voice　breaking　the　silence.　＂What　are　you　thinking?＂

    He　looked　at　her，　his　eyes　filled　with　a　mix　of　emotions.　＂I，m　worried，　Sukie.　The　Dark　Lord，s　forces　are　growing　stronger.　We　need　to　be　careful.　And　we　need　to　trust　each　other　completely.＂

    Sukie　nodded，　her　heart　swelling　with　determination.　＂I　trust　you，