He could almost wonder if this wasn't some vision brought on by the spirits of the Burial Mounds. They did that sometimes, showed him visions of people he missed, people he wanted, saying things he only wished they'd say... only to be ripped away when he started to believe.

Turns out, when it's real, it hurts more. Who knew? Shadows cackle deep in his marrow, delighted in his pain.

"I do not ask you to watch. If the view is so poor, turn away." Wei Ying orders, and to his everlasting shame, his mastery over his voice fails, leeching pain into the night air.

He needs to leave before he is undone. He stands, with a thin sort of pride that at least he can still do that without shaking.