Ready to face death

Dawn came and with it an ominous veil that enveloped the village. The inhabitants ducked inside their homes, knowing well of what was to come.

They marched in atop tall steeds. The officer twirled his thin beard, eyes predatory as it swooped over the desolate houses and the untended fields. A man led a small gang of five, each armed with swords at their hips and spears in their hands, their steeds tall and proud.

The officials did not need to go around knocking down doors, though they could if the wanted to. There was still some level of decorum and care. The man at the centered cackled as they made a bee-line to Tao Ru's old hovel.

"Come out!" He bellowed, not bothering to dismount his steed. "Come out you cowardly fool!"