Chapter 318
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Chapter 318
Standing at attention in the anteroom, Yuzhen closed her eyes and willed her temples to stop throbbing to no success. Forcing herself to take slow, calming breaths, she resisted the urge to lick her lips or fuss with her clothes, two nervous ticks she had yet to wholly break herself of. 'Complacency is the greatest flaw a diplomat can have, for once a diplomat stops improving, they begin failing'. Wise words from her father, Shing Du Yi, a great man whose footsteps she could barely follow. Were he here in her place, hed know exactly what to do and how to do it. No, she corrected, if her father were here, then none of this would have ever happened.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
She was a fool to leave Rain uneducated and an even bigger fool for leaving him unsupervised. Though she had other matters to attend to like charming prospective allies, acting as an intermediary between age-old enemies, and vetting her new, enthusiastic collaborators Yo Shi Wu and Ru Minsu, it was no excuse for leaving Rain to his own devices. Once a mistake, twice a pattern, and three times a habit, the boy was an endless font of stress and anxiety. His manners were all but nonexistent and he had a propensity for finding trouble, but since he always came out smelling like roses and his antics amused her, she foolishly overlooked his problematic ways.
And now they paid the price for her folly.
Tug your braid any harder and youll be balder than I am. Gerels Sending caught her off guard and Yuzhen shot him a glare as she released her death grip upon on her hair. Ill still love you, bald or not, but given the option, Id choose the latter.
Disciplining herself to stand stock still, she Sent, Does this mean I am allowed an opinion regarding your hairstyle? Or rather, the lack thereof? Truthfully, she loved his smooth, bald head, but he would look much more proper if he wore a queue, where the front and sides of his head were clean shaven while the back was left long and braided. Though no longer in fashion, a man with a queue looked striking in full military armour, a style she felt would suit her paramour and future husband well. Though she loved him dearly as he was, she was a politician first and it would be expected for her husband to look the part. As much as she enjoyed his rugged, tribal look, she couldnt bring a rustic, leather-clad warrior into a formal dinner with foreign dignitaries. The quiet, stoic soldier however, now there was a man she could parade about, dropping hints about how much he loved her and what lengths he, and by extension, the Bekhai would go to should she ever come to harm...
Speak, and this one shall obey, Gerel replied, his Sending filled with warmth and good humour. It was one of the many reasons she loved him, so supportive of her career yet comfortable with her independence. He was there to help should she need it but didnt fuss or pout when she didnt. Counting her blessings, Yuzhen ached to take his hand or perhaps go a little further, but with Nian Zu, Baatar, Akanai, and Tokta waiting beside them, it would be highly inappropriate.
Especially considering their current predicament.
It was almost unbelievable. Here they were, the highest ranking officials of each branch in the Northern Province, summoned before the Legate like misbehaving schoolchildren to answer for Falling Rains latest antics. She almost collapsed with rage when she heard about his run in with the Canston Trading Group, but before she could get an audience with the Legate, hed already met with Rain and exiled him from the city. It wasnt the worst possible outcome and the Legate seemed enamoured by the young hero, so she convinced herself Rain couldnt possibly get into any more trouble while lounging on the beaches of Nan Ping Bay.
Obviously, she was wrong to do so. Again.
It wasnt that she didnt sympathize with Rains plight. Someone tried to kill him and came exceptionally close to succeeding, but instead of trusting the people waiting in this antechamber to handle things, Rain tackled the problem head on in his own idiotic and bull-headed way. While she had no proof he was responsible for this, rumours of foul play behind the shark attack had spread like wildfire in the hours after the attack and no matter how hard she looked, Yuzhen found no other suspects.
Which likely meant neither had the Legate.
With evidence of infighting among the ruling class, the citizens of Nan Ping had whipped themselves into a state of near panic, demanding something be done about the corrupt and self-serving nobility. To show solidarity with their figurehead Falling Rain, the people began exposing the crimes of their employers and tried them in the court of public opinion. In less volatile times, Yuzhen wouldve jumped for joy and happily recruited all manner of disgruntled servants or unappreciated guards to be her eyes and ears, but with the Empire on the brink of all-out war with the Defiled, a civilian insurrection was the last thing they needed. Why they allied themselves with Rains cause, Yuzhen could only guess, but his name was at the root of all her reports. From demanding justice for the assassination attempt to claiming Rain would personally save the Empire if only the corrupt nobles would stop getting in his way, discord and unrest had taken over Nan Ping, all because someone tried to kill a young hero from the north.
None of this was of any help to Rain, as all the panic only served to isolate the Bekhai from the prospective allies Yuzhen had been courting. Even the Yo and Ru families were too busy putting out fires in their own households to investigate who carried out the attack on Rain. Meanwhile, Yuzhens people were busy documenting every nugget of information they stumbled across, but with so many rumours flying about, it would be all but impossible to verify the truth in short order. To make matters worse, the people were focusing on all the wrong things, airing news of personal grievances and petty scandals instead of important, earth-shaking crimes like hiding assets or private armies, things she could use against her enemies. Though she sympathized with the commoners plight, telling the world this noble raped a maid or that soldier murdered a farmer only reiterated what everyone already knew: the strong thrive while the weak endure.
Yuzhen wished it were otherwise. While commoners would be left to the mercy of the Defiled without Martial Warriors to defend them, the reverse was also true. Her father, a man who could barely channel the Energy of the Heavens on his best days, always said an army lived and died by its belly. A well-fed and well-led army would march into the Fathers Maw itself. Without farmers, the soldiers would have no opportunity to rise and become the Martial Warriors they were, because they would be too busy keeping themselves from starving to death. There were a multitude of other examples she could think of, but few warriors cared enough to listen. Most believed themselves superior to the common man and acted in accordance to those beliefs, which led to widespread tyranny and maltreatment. As much as Yuzhen would like to change things, asking Martial Warriors to stand against their peers for the sake of peasants was like asking wolves to stand against lions for the sake of rabbits.
After keeping them waiting for over an hour, the Legate finally deigned to meet them. Entering on the heels of the Criers introduction, Yuzhen glanced about the empty throne room as she made her way towards the Legate, wondering if the lack of audience was to their advantage. Once all the formalities were observed, Yuzhen stood flanked by Akanai and Nian Zu, waiting as the Legate sat and drummed his fingers across his gilded metal throne. After a long, soul-searching gaze, the Legate spoke, his voice raspy and overused. Dispense with formalities and speak truthfully. Are you or any of your agents responsible for this recent unrest?
Everyone replied in the negative aside from Akanai and Baatar, who glanced at each other before responding in sync, Not to my knowledge. It was an honest answer, but Yuzhen wished the Bekhai were less candid and more tactful. Had they not implied this fiasco could be Rains personal handiwork, the Legate might have overlooked such a possibility.
Damn. Yuzhen had hoped to avoid this topic. Because, she Sent, inwardly sighing, Rain doesnt trust the Legate.
And for good reason. The Imperials all tout on about stability and solidarity, of uniting to face our enemies, but they would leave us all to burn if it suited their purpose.
A bleak and fatalistic outlook, but having heard about Akanais last run-in with an Imperial Scion and Central in particular, Yuzhen could hardly blame her. As reward for her heroic service, Akanai was publicly mocked by an Imperial representative, which gave the nobles of Central courage enough to hunt her down for sport. Still hoping to keep Akanai from making a rash decision, Yuzhen tried a different approach. Yes, but now circumstances have changed. They need us, but we also need them, now more than ever. If Central falls to the Defiled, the North and South will follow soon after. The only way for the Empire to survive is to work together.
No point telling me, child. Tell the Legate. He does nothing to win us over, leaving little Rain to fend for himself and doing nothing to dissuade our would-be assassins. What does it matter to him if a talented Bekhai youth dies young? The Empire needs capable experts now, not ten years from now. Leaping onto her waiting quin, Akanais penetrating stare locked Yuzhen in place, her voice soft yet determined as she spoke aloud. As a young child, I left home to join the Imperial Army, dreaming of finding honour and glory through battle. I served my time fighting brigands, hunting Defiled, escorting caravans, and guarding nobles, all the while watching in envy as lesser warriors rose through the ranks above me. For fifty years I toiled and bled for the Empire as an unranked soldier, my efforts and achievements ignored because of my gender and heritage, and when my term of service came to an end, I left with no rank and no reward, with nothing to show for my sacrifice.
Forestalling Yuzhens rebuttal with an upraised hand, Akanai shook her head and continued. Let me finish. Upon returning home, I realized how fortunate I was to escape intact. Many of those who Id left with or followed in my footsteps had returned home crippled and broken, and they were the lucky ones. Still yearning to serve the Empire, I created the Khishigs to protect the Saints Tribulations Mountains and give our children a place to hone their skills without subjecting themselves to the harsh treatment of the Empire. Chuckling, she added, After fifty years of service, I finally obtained a promotion, given the rank of Major sight unseen just because I had five-thousand Martial Warriors standing behind me.
Why are you telling me all of this? Yuzhen asked, worried she already knew the answer.
With a sad smile, Akanai sighed and shrugged. So you will understand why I believe the Empire will always be divided. Unity, harmony, solidarity, these are all dreams which will never come to pass, not entirely. Just look at your own Society and you will know this to be true. As we speak, every faction in the Empire is busy making allies and jockeying for position, hoping to save their strength at the expense of another during the upcoming war. Speaking over her shoulder as she turned to leave, Akanai added, We will face the Defiled and emerge victorious, of this I have no doubt. My only concern is making sure enough of my people survive to see it through.
Mind blanking at the implications, Yuzhen stood in shock and watched Akanai ride away, unable to refute her arguments. Worse, Akanai touched on another issue without outright mentioning it, but it was a matter which kept Yuzhen awake at night. The Society would come together when faced with an outsider, but they went right back to squabbling the moment the threat was taken care of. How would the Empire fare if there were no Defiled around to threaten it?
She likes you, Gerel said as he brought her horse around.
Oh yes, I can tell, Yuzhen replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
No, I mean it. Covertly patting her behind while pretending to help her onto her horse, Gerel smirked in the face of her glare. She wouldnt speak to you if she didnt. Switching to Sending, Gerel added, Baatar told me she hated talking about her time in the army. It was harder than she lets on. Truth is, she loves the Empire more than most, or at least the ideals behind the Empire. Every man and woman working towards a common goal, for the safety and well-being of all. When she discovered those ideals were nothing but lies, she returned home and made a community which fit those ideals, our own little Empress of the mountains.
Smiling at how proud he looked, Yuzhen asked, You admire her. Are you trying to make me jealous?
Yes. Is it working? Wagging his eyebrows, he set out after his little Empress and Sent, Come, lets go check on Rain. Its not often you get a chance to see someone go through an Awakening for the second time.
...
What?
Chapter Meme
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Chapter 318
Standing at attention in the anteroom, Yuzhen closed her eyes and willed her temples to stop throbbing to no success. Forcing herself to take slow, calming breaths, she resisted the urge to lick her lips or fuss with her clothes, two nervous ticks she had yet to wholly break herself of. 'Complacency is the greatest flaw a diplomat can have, for once a diplomat stops improving, they begin failing'. Wise words from her father, Shing Du Yi, a great man whose footsteps she could barely follow. Were he here in her place, hed know exactly what to do and how to do it. No, she corrected, if her father were here, then none of this would have ever happened.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
She was a fool to leave Rain uneducated and an even bigger fool for leaving him unsupervised. Though she had other matters to attend to like charming prospective allies, acting as an intermediary between age-old enemies, and vetting her new, enthusiastic collaborators Yo Shi Wu and Ru Minsu, it was no excuse for leaving Rain to his own devices. Once a mistake, twice a pattern, and three times a habit, the boy was an endless font of stress and anxiety. His manners were all but nonexistent and he had a propensity for finding trouble, but since he always came out smelling like roses and his antics amused her, she foolishly overlooked his problematic ways.
And now they paid the price for her folly.
Tug your braid any harder and youll be balder than I am. Gerels Sending caught her off guard and Yuzhen shot him a glare as she released her death grip upon on her hair. Ill still love you, bald or not, but given the option, Id choose the latter.
Disciplining herself to stand stock still, she Sent, Does this mean I am allowed an opinion regarding your hairstyle? Or rather, the lack thereof? Truthfully, she loved his smooth, bald head, but he would look much more proper if he wore a queue, where the front and sides of his head were clean shaven while the back was left long and braided. Though no longer in fashion, a man with a queue looked striking in full military armour, a style she felt would suit her paramour and future husband well. Though she loved him dearly as he was, she was a politician first and it would be expected for her husband to look the part. As much as she enjoyed his rugged, tribal look, she couldnt bring a rustic, leather-clad warrior into a formal dinner with foreign dignitaries. The quiet, stoic soldier however, now there was a man she could parade about, dropping hints about how much he loved her and what lengths he, and by extension, the Bekhai would go to should she ever come to harm...
Speak, and this one shall obey, Gerel replied, his Sending filled with warmth and good humour. It was one of the many reasons she loved him, so supportive of her career yet comfortable with her independence. He was there to help should she need it but didnt fuss or pout when she didnt. Counting her blessings, Yuzhen ached to take his hand or perhaps go a little further, but with Nian Zu, Baatar, Akanai, and Tokta waiting beside them, it would be highly inappropriate.
Especially considering their current predicament.
It was almost unbelievable. Here they were, the highest ranking officials of each branch in the Northern Province, summoned before the Legate like misbehaving schoolchildren to answer for Falling Rains latest antics. She almost collapsed with rage when she heard about his run in with the Canston Trading Group, but before she could get an audience with the Legate, hed already met with Rain and exiled him from the city. It wasnt the worst possible outcome and the Legate seemed enamoured by the young hero, so she convinced herself Rain couldnt possibly get into any more trouble while lounging on the beaches of Nan Ping Bay.
Obviously, she was wrong to do so. Again.
It wasnt that she didnt sympathize with Rains plight. Someone tried to kill him and came exceptionally close to succeeding, but instead of trusting the people waiting in this antechamber to handle things, Rain tackled the problem head on in his own idiotic and bull-headed way. While she had no proof he was responsible for this, rumours of foul play behind the shark attack had spread like wildfire in the hours after the attack and no matter how hard she looked, Yuzhen found no other suspects.
Which likely meant neither had the Legate.
With evidence of infighting among the ruling class, the citizens of Nan Ping had whipped themselves into a state of near panic, demanding something be done about the corrupt and self-serving nobility. To show solidarity with their figurehead Falling Rain, the people began exposing the crimes of their employers and tried them in the court of public opinion. In less volatile times, Yuzhen wouldve jumped for joy and happily recruited all manner of disgruntled servants or unappreciated guards to be her eyes and ears, but with the Empire on the brink of all-out war with the Defiled, a civilian insurrection was the last thing they needed. Why they allied themselves with Rains cause, Yuzhen could only guess, but his name was at the root of all her reports. From demanding justice for the assassination attempt to claiming Rain would personally save the Empire if only the corrupt nobles would stop getting in his way, discord and unrest had taken over Nan Ping, all because someone tried to kill a young hero from the north.
None of this was of any help to Rain, as all the panic only served to isolate the Bekhai from the prospective allies Yuzhen had been courting. Even the Yo and Ru families were too busy putting out fires in their own households to investigate who carried out the attack on Rain. Meanwhile, Yuzhens people were busy documenting every nugget of information they stumbled across, but with so many rumours flying about, it would be all but impossible to verify the truth in short order. To make matters worse, the people were focusing on all the wrong things, airing news of personal grievances and petty scandals instead of important, earth-shaking crimes like hiding assets or private armies, things she could use against her enemies. Though she sympathized with the commoners plight, telling the world this noble raped a maid or that soldier murdered a farmer only reiterated what everyone already knew: the strong thrive while the weak endure.
Yuzhen wished it were otherwise. While commoners would be left to the mercy of the Defiled without Martial Warriors to defend them, the reverse was also true. Her father, a man who could barely channel the Energy of the Heavens on his best days, always said an army lived and died by its belly. A well-fed and well-led army would march into the Fathers Maw itself. Without farmers, the soldiers would have no opportunity to rise and become the Martial Warriors they were, because they would be too busy keeping themselves from starving to death. There were a multitude of other examples she could think of, but few warriors cared enough to listen. Most believed themselves superior to the common man and acted in accordance to those beliefs, which led to widespread tyranny and maltreatment. As much as Yuzhen would like to change things, asking Martial Warriors to stand against their peers for the sake of peasants was like asking wolves to stand against lions for the sake of rabbits.
After keeping them waiting for over an hour, the Legate finally deigned to meet them. Entering on the heels of the Criers introduction, Yuzhen glanced about the empty throne room as she made her way towards the Legate, wondering if the lack of audience was to their advantage. Once all the formalities were observed, Yuzhen stood flanked by Akanai and Nian Zu, waiting as the Legate sat and drummed his fingers across his gilded metal throne. After a long, soul-searching gaze, the Legate spoke, his voice raspy and overused. Dispense with formalities and speak truthfully. Are you or any of your agents responsible for this recent unrest?
Everyone replied in the negative aside from Akanai and Baatar, who glanced at each other before responding in sync, Not to my knowledge. It was an honest answer, but Yuzhen wished the Bekhai were less candid and more tactful. Had they not implied this fiasco could be Rains personal handiwork, the Legate might have overlooked such a possibility.
Damn. Yuzhen had hoped to avoid this topic. Because, she Sent, inwardly sighing, Rain doesnt trust the Legate.
And for good reason. The Imperials all tout on about stability and solidarity, of uniting to face our enemies, but they would leave us all to burn if it suited their purpose.
A bleak and fatalistic outlook, but having heard about Akanais last run-in with an Imperial Scion and Central in particular, Yuzhen could hardly blame her. As reward for her heroic service, Akanai was publicly mocked by an Imperial representative, which gave the nobles of Central courage enough to hunt her down for sport. Still hoping to keep Akanai from making a rash decision, Yuzhen tried a different approach. Yes, but now circumstances have changed. They need us, but we also need them, now more than ever. If Central falls to the Defiled, the North and South will follow soon after. The only way for the Empire to survive is to work together.
No point telling me, child. Tell the Legate. He does nothing to win us over, leaving little Rain to fend for himself and doing nothing to dissuade our would-be assassins. What does it matter to him if a talented Bekhai youth dies young? The Empire needs capable experts now, not ten years from now. Leaping onto her waiting quin, Akanais penetrating stare locked Yuzhen in place, her voice soft yet determined as she spoke aloud. As a young child, I left home to join the Imperial Army, dreaming of finding honour and glory through battle. I served my time fighting brigands, hunting Defiled, escorting caravans, and guarding nobles, all the while watching in envy as lesser warriors rose through the ranks above me. For fifty years I toiled and bled for the Empire as an unranked soldier, my efforts and achievements ignored because of my gender and heritage, and when my term of service came to an end, I left with no rank and no reward, with nothing to show for my sacrifice.
Forestalling Yuzhens rebuttal with an upraised hand, Akanai shook her head and continued. Let me finish. Upon returning home, I realized how fortunate I was to escape intact. Many of those who Id left with or followed in my footsteps had returned home crippled and broken, and they were the lucky ones. Still yearning to serve the Empire, I created the Khishigs to protect the Saints Tribulations Mountains and give our children a place to hone their skills without subjecting themselves to the harsh treatment of the Empire. Chuckling, she added, After fifty years of service, I finally obtained a promotion, given the rank of Major sight unseen just because I had five-thousand Martial Warriors standing behind me.
Why are you telling me all of this? Yuzhen asked, worried she already knew the answer.
With a sad smile, Akanai sighed and shrugged. So you will understand why I believe the Empire will always be divided. Unity, harmony, solidarity, these are all dreams which will never come to pass, not entirely. Just look at your own Society and you will know this to be true. As we speak, every faction in the Empire is busy making allies and jockeying for position, hoping to save their strength at the expense of another during the upcoming war. Speaking over her shoulder as she turned to leave, Akanai added, We will face the Defiled and emerge victorious, of this I have no doubt. My only concern is making sure enough of my people survive to see it through.
Mind blanking at the implications, Yuzhen stood in shock and watched Akanai ride away, unable to refute her arguments. Worse, Akanai touched on another issue without outright mentioning it, but it was a matter which kept Yuzhen awake at night. The Society would come together when faced with an outsider, but they went right back to squabbling the moment the threat was taken care of. How would the Empire fare if there were no Defiled around to threaten it?
She likes you, Gerel said as he brought her horse around.
Oh yes, I can tell, Yuzhen replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
No, I mean it. Covertly patting her behind while pretending to help her onto her horse, Gerel smirked in the face of her glare. She wouldnt speak to you if she didnt. Switching to Sending, Gerel added, Baatar told me she hated talking about her time in the army. It was harder than she lets on. Truth is, she loves the Empire more than most, or at least the ideals behind the Empire. Every man and woman working towards a common goal, for the safety and well-being of all. When she discovered those ideals were nothing but lies, she returned home and made a community which fit those ideals, our own little Empress of the mountains.
Smiling at how proud he looked, Yuzhen asked, You admire her. Are you trying to make me jealous?
Yes. Is it working? Wagging his eyebrows, he set out after his little Empress and Sent, Come, lets go check on Rain. Its not often you get a chance to see someone go through an Awakening for the second time.
...
What?
Chapter Meme
Chapter 318Standing at attention in the anteroom, Yuzhen closed her eyes and willed her temples to stop throbbing to no success. Forcing herself to take slow, calming breaths, she resisted the urge to lick her lips or fuss with her clothes, two nervous ticks she had yet to wholly break herself of. 'Complacency is the greatest flaw a diplomat can have, for once a diplomat stops improving, they begin failing'. Wise words from her father, Shing Du Yi, a great man whose footsteps she could barely follow. Were he here in her place, hed know exactly what to do and how to do it. No, she corrected, if her father were here, then none of this would have ever happened.Updated from novelbIn.comShe was a fool to leave Rain uneducated and an even bigger fool for leaving him unsupervised. Though she had other matters to attend to like charming prospective allies, acting as an intermediary between age-old enemies, and vetting her new, enthusiastic collaborators Yo Shi Wu and Ru Minsu, it was no excuse for leaving Rain to his own devices. Once a mistake, twice a pattern, and three times a habit, the boy was an endless font of stress and anxiety. His manners were all but nonexistent and he had a propensity for finding trouble, but since he always came out smelling like roses and his antics amused her, she foolishly overlooked his problematic ways.And now they paid the price for her folly.Tug your braid any harder and youll be balder than I am. Gerels Sending caught her off guard and Yuzhen shot him a glare as she released her death grip upon on her hair. Ill still love you, bald or not, but given the option, Id choose the latter.Disciplining herself to stand stock still, she Sent, Does this mean I am allowed an opinion regarding your hairstyle? Or rather, the lack thereof? Truthfully, she loved his smooth, bald head, but he would look much more proper if he wore a queue, where the front and sides of his head were clean shaven while the back was left long and braided. Though no longer in fashion, a man with a queue looked striking in full military armour, a style she felt would suit her paramour and future husband well. Though she loved him dearly as he was, she was a politician first and it would be expected for her husband to look the part. As much as she enjoyed his rugged, tribal look, she couldnt bring a rustic, leather-clad warrior into a formal dinner with foreign dignitaries. The quiet, stoic soldier however, now there was a man she could parade about, dropping hints about how much he loved her and what lengths he, and by extension, the Bekhai would go to should she ever come to harm...Speak, and this one shall obey, Gerel replied, his Sending filled with warmth and good humour. It was one of the many reasons she loved him, so supportive of her career yet comfortable with her independence. He was there to help should she need it but didnt fuss or pout when she didnt. Counting her blessings, Yuzhen ached to take his hand or perhaps go a little further, but with Nian Zu, Baatar, Akanai, and Tokta waiting beside them, it would be highly inappropriate.Especially considering their current predicament.It was almost unbelievable. Here they were, the highest ranking officials of each branch in the Northern Province, summoned before the Legate like misbehaving schoolchildren to answer for Falling Rains latest antics. She almost collapsed with rage when she heard about his run in with the Canston Trading Group, but before she could get an audience with the Legate, hed already met with Rain and exiled him from the city. It wasnt the worst possible outcome and the Legate seemed enamoured by the young hero, so she convinced herself Rain couldnt possibly get into any more trouble while lounging on the beaches of Nan Ping Bay.Obviously, she was wrong to do so. Again.It wasnt that she didnt sympathize with Rains plight. Someone tried to kill him and came exceptionally close to succeeding, but instead of trusting the people waiting in this antechamber to handle things, Rain tackled the problem head on in his own idiotic and bull-headed way. While she had no proof he was responsible for this, rumours of foul play behind the shark attack had spread like wildfire in the hours after the attack and no matter how hard she looked, Yuzhen found no other suspects.Which likely meant neither had the Legate.With evidence of infighting among the ruling class, the citizens of Nan Ping had whipped themselves into a state of near panic, demanding something be done about the corrupt and self-serving nobility. To show solidarity with their figurehead Falling Rain, the people began exposing the crimes of their employers and tried them in the court of public opinion. In less volatile times, Yuzhen wouldve jumped for joy and happily recruited all manner of disgruntled servants or unappreciated guards to be her eyes and ears, but with the Empire on the brink of all-out war with the Defiled, a civilian insurrection was the last thing they needed. Why they allied themselves with Rains cause, Yuzhen could only guess, but his name was at the root of all her reports. From demanding justice for the assassination attempt to claiming Rain would personally save the Empire if only the corrupt nobles would stop getting in his way, discord and unrest had taken over Nan Ping, all because someone tried to kill a young hero from the north.None of this was of any help to Rain, as all the panic only served to isolate the Bekhai from the prospective allies Yuzhen had been courting. Even the Yo and Ru families were too busy putting out fires in their own households to investigate who carried out the attack on Rain. Meanwhile, Yuzhens people were busy documenting every nugget of information they stumbled across, but with so many rumours flying about, it would be all but impossible to verify the truth in short order. To make matters worse, the people were focusing on all the wrong things, airing news of personal grievances and petty scandals instead of important, earth-shaking crimes like hiding assets or private armies, things she could use against her enemies. Though she sympathized with the commoners plight, telling the world this noble raped a maid or that soldier murdered a farmer only reiterated what everyone already knew: the strong thrive while the weak endure.Yuzhen wished it were otherwise. While commoners would be left to the mercy of the Defiled without Martial Warriors to defend them, the reverse was also true. Her father, a man who could barely channel the Energy of the Heavens on his best days, always said an army lived and died by its belly. A well-fed and well-led army would march into the Fathers Maw itself. Without farmers, the soldiers would have no opportunity to rise and become the Martial Warriors they were, because they would be too busy keeping themselves from starving to death. There were a multitude of other examples she could think of, but few warriors cared enough to listen. Most believed themselves superior to the common man and acted in accordance to those beliefs, which led to widespread tyranny and maltreatment. As much as Yuzhen would like to change things, asking Martial Warriors to stand against their peers for the sake of peasants was like asking wolves to stand against lions for the sake of rabbits.After keeping them waiting for over an hour, the Legate finally deigned to meet them. Entering on the heels of the Criers introduction, Yuzhen glanced about the empty throne room as she made her way towards the Legate, wondering if the lack of audience was to their advantage. Once all the formalities were observed, Yuzhen stood flanked by Akanai and Nian Zu, waiting as the Legate sat and drummed his fingers across his gilded metal throne. After a long, soul-searching gaze, the Legate spoke, his voice raspy and overused. Dispense with formalities and speak truthfully. Are you or any of your agents responsible for this recent unrest?Everyone replied in the negative aside from Akanai and Baatar, who glanced at each other before responding in sync, Not to my knowledge. It was an honest answer, but Yuzhen wished the Bekhai were less candid and more tactful. Had they not implied this fiasco could be Rains personal handiwork, the Legate might have overlooked such a possibility.Damn. Yuzhen had hoped to avoid this topic. Because, she Sent, inwardly sighing, Rain doesnt trust the Legate.And for good reason. The Imperials all tout on about stability and solidarity, of uniting to face our enemies, but they would leave us all to burn if it suited their purpose.A bleak and fatalistic outlook, but having heard about Akanais last run-in with an Imperial Scion and Central in particular, Yuzhen could hardly blame her. As reward for her heroic service, Akanai was publicly mocked by an Imperial representative, which gave the nobles of Central courage enough to hunt her down for sport. Still hoping to keep Akanai from making a rash decision, Yuzhen tried a different approach. Yes, but now circumstances have changed. They need us, but we also need them, now more than ever. If Central falls to the Defiled, the North and South will follow soon after. The only way for the Empire to survive is to work together.No point telling me, child. Tell the Legate. He does nothing to win us over, leaving little Rain to fend for himself and doing nothing to dissuade our would-be assassins. What does it matter to him if a talented Bekhai youth dies young? The Empire needs capable experts now, not ten years from now. Leaping onto her waiting quin, Akanais penetrating stare locked Yuzhen in place, her voice soft yet determined as she spoke aloud. As a young child, I left home to join the Imperial Army, dreaming of finding honour and glory through battle. I served my time fighting brigands, hunting Defiled, escorting caravans, and guarding nobles, all the while watching in envy as lesser warriors rose through the ranks above me. For fifty years I toiled and bled for the Empire as an unranked soldier, my efforts and achievements ignored because of my gender and heritage, and when my term of service came to an end, I left with no rank and no reward, with nothing to show for my sacrifice.Forestalling Yuzhens rebuttal with an upraised hand, Akanai shook her head and continued. Let me finish. Upon returning home, I realized how fortunate I was to escape intact. Many of those who Id left with or followed in my footsteps had returned home crippled and broken, and they were the lucky ones. Still yearning to serve the Empire, I created the Khishigs to protect the Saints Tribulations Mountains and give our children a place to hone their skills without subjecting themselves to the harsh treatment of the Empire. Chuckling, she added, After fifty years of service, I finally obtained a promotion, given the rank of Major sight unseen just because I had five-thousand Martial Warriors standing behind me.Why are you telling me all of this? Yuzhen asked, worried she already knew the answer.With a sad smile, Akanai sighed and shrugged. So you will understand why I believe the Empire will always be divided. Unity, harmony, solidarity, these are all dreams which will never come to pass, not entirely. Just look at your own Society and you will know this to be true. As we speak, every faction in the Empire is busy making allies and jockeying for position, hoping to save their strength at the expense of another during the upcoming war. Speaking over her shoulder as she turned to leave, Akanai added, We will face the Defiled and emerge victorious, of this I have no doubt. My only concern is making sure enough of my people survive to see it through.Mind blanking at the implications, Yuzhen stood in shock and watched Akanai ride away, unable to refute her arguments. Worse, Akanai touched on another issue without outright mentioning it, but it was a matter which kept Yuzhen awake at night. The Society would come together when faced with an outsider, but they went right back to squabbling the moment the threat was taken care of. How would the Empire fare if there were no Defiled around to threaten it?She likes you, Gerel said as he brought her horse around.Oh yes, I can tell, Yuzhen replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.No, I mean it. Covertly patting her behind while pretending to help her onto her horse, Gerel smirked in the face of her glare. She wouldnt speak to you if she didnt. Switching to Sending, Gerel added, Baatar told me she hated talking about her time in the army. It was harder than she lets on. Truth is, she loves the Empire more than most, or at least the ideals behind the Empire. Every man and woman working towards a common goal, for the safety and well-being of all. When she discovered those ideals were nothing but lies, she returned home and made a community which fit those ideals, our own little Empress of the mountains.Smiling at how proud he looked, Yuzhen asked, You admire her. Are you trying to make me jealous?Yes. Is it working? Wagging his eyebrows, he set out after his little Empress and Sent, Come, lets go check on Rain. Its not often you get a chance to see someone go through an Awakening for the second time....What?Chapter Meme
