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Bullion gave Li some time to translate his words to the villagers. I listened to their heated discussion with my heart in my mouth. The troubled looks on their faces did not bode well. Finally, Li spoke up, ‘Colonel Bullion, it’s not up to us.’ He glanced at me. ‘Zea’s the one who saved Jai. She should get a say in this. Why don’t we go talk to her?’ Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and said something to the villagers, who scattered. Bullion nodded. ‘Lead the way, please.’ Li walked ahead of us. ‘Her house is just down the road.’ Bullion ordered his men to stay put and followed Li. I was close on his heels, trying hard not to get my hopes up. It wasn’t my first time talking to Zea, but maybe the presence of a colonel would make a difference. Sadly, that turned out not to be the case. Zea was working in the front yard when we arrived. She straightened up as soon as she saw Li. The two of them spoke rapidly in the local dialect. Then she flung aside the axe in her hand and s