Han wasn't the only one with a frozen tongue. Because right then, Yun's never-ending mouth felt glued shut.
Because, of course, the woman leading those warriors through their stances just had to be Kuan, and the woman's two-toned eyes were right on her.
And though the woman never showed much on her face in terms of expression, Yun was close enough to her mentor to recognize the subtle signs that showed she was absolutely LIVID: the tightness around her mouth, the slight creases around her eyes, the way her hands tensed just the slightest bit around that staff as her posture grew just a bit straighter. Kuan stared at her a moment longer, unblinking, while Han was utterly no help at all since he was hiding behind her--when she should be the one hiding! And then, when Yun felt ready to shrink under that stare, Kuan turned back to her students.
"Pair up. Rotate sparring partners every three bouts," she called, before she turned back to Yun and Han--and strode toward them.
Yun pressed back against Han, knowing she was dead meat but knowing she was supposed to be the brave, tough warrior protector here! She couldn't run! She had to be brave and look death in the eye! She had to protect Han and--!
Kuan grabbed Yun by the front of her shirt and yanked her forward until they were eye to eye. "Explain yourself."
"I-I got lost in the jungle and um--"
"In the jungle? How? The road doesn't lead through the jungle."
"I-it was rainy so I took a shortcut and--"
Kuan heaved a sigh. "I specifically told you to take Oriko Road. That still doesn't explain being days late."
"I, um, I got into a mess with some Sightweed and er, Han..."
Kuan flicked a look to Han.
"He helped me...?"
Shit. She was forgetting everything in her panic.