—Some minutes before the escape—
Mei Deng carefully held the golden cup with both palms, as he advanced towards the leader's tent. The servants who had gotten him ready stopped at the entrance, as the guards would not let them go an inch closer.
Upon seeing the silhouette, a firm voice from inside hollered, "Come inside."
Inhaling and exhaling, Mei Deng straightened his shoulders then marched inside, careful not to let the red and gold veil on his head fall.
On stepping inside, he noticed a bunch of red candles lit and haphazardly placed around with no true coordination. His nose picked up on a sweet smell, 'Jasmine?' he thought, wondering if it was the candles that carried the scent.
