The Emperor's Dream - Chapter Eighteen

**Chapter One**

**Welcome to chapter eighteen of The Emperor’s Dream, an epic fantasy novella from the wider world of The Mhong Chronicles. I’ll be publishing chapters each week, but remember, these are some of the very first drafts, which means you’re in on this at the very beginning. Thank you for being here, friend. I hope you enjoy it.**

9 Days Until the Vote

Wanyi stepped over the threshold and inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of sea salt and spices. Over the past several weeks, The Enchanted Shanty had become something of a second home to him. He and Meisun had spent hours, if not days, sitting and talking and laughing in the storefront. She had even given him a tour of the rest of the shop-house. Three long, narrow floors housed the shop and inventory as well as the sleeping quarters for the whole Band.

“Good afternoon, sir,” Meisun called from behind the counter. “What can I do for you today?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Wanyi said with a grin. He pulled up a stool and sat across from her, propping his chief’s spear up next to him. “Just came to pass the time.”

She smiled at him, her eyes turning that shade of violet that he had been seeing more of recently. “Well then, in that case, I have good news for you.”

“And what might that be?”

“Chengroh convinced Kuozai to reject the proposal.”

“Really?” Wanyi jumped to his feet. “That’s incredible news!”

“I just came back from visiting the printer’s place with him and he told me there. He’s planning on telling you tomorrow, but I couldn’t resist.”

Wanyi sat back down, a smile plastered to his face. Chengroh had done it. They had done it. Kuozai was the fifth and final chief that they needed on their side. His plans were actually falling into place, thank the Silent Lord. Wanyi still had Ramreunya and the Tohk army to deal with, but they had made progress there as well.

“This is perfect,” he said. “Any other news for me?”