Chapter 125: Lanterns, Spears
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Time passed, he estimated it had been an hour yet no one came. Suddenly the door cloth parted. In walked an elderly rabbit man with silver fur and weathered citrine eyes. Unlike soldiers he wore only a simple sky-blue mantle clasped by cedar beads. Every bunny present bowed to ninety degrees.
The elder’s gaze took Kai’s measure, as if a craftsman studying jewel fractures and though old, aura flickered borderline five-star rank. Respectable.
"I am Un’Ren, Luna’s uncle," he said in clear, common tongue. "I raised her after her parents fell to plague." The voice was kind, but lined with the leader’s steel. "Tell me, stranger, how you know my niece."
Kai inclined head. "She saved my life in desert woods. I owe her... much." Memories ghosted, starlight on Luna’s fur, shared fruit, their heated physical encounter.
Un’Ren’s eyes narrowed. "Show proof."
Kai flexed cuffed wrists and the captain freed one hand long enough for him to retrieve the note again. Elder studied the map, traced luminescent paw print signatures. When he sighed, tension eased around the room.
"Release him," elder ordered.
Captain objected: "But Master, his aura is violent." Rabbit people were sensitive to strong aura. They were hunted by every species as food (ancient evolution time). In time they become sensitive to aura that are stronger than them or might pose a threat.
"This guy can tear this hall apart if he wished. Shackles are meaningless." Elder stepped forward, unlocked cuffs. Kai massaged wrists but remained seated.
Un’Ren nodded to guards, they withdrew a respectful distance. He sank opposite Kai, cross-legged.