The Emperor's Dream - Chapter Eleven
Wanyi clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the common room of his manor. The furniture had been moved out of the center of the space and replaced by a large, square wooden table.
**Chapter One**
**Welcome to chapter eleven 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.**
48 Days Until the Vote
Wanyi clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the common room of his manor. The furniture had been moved out of the center of the space and replaced by a large, square wooden table. Set low to the ground and surrounded by short stools, it had been brought in from the dining room to serve as a makeshift council table.
It will have to do.
Two of the stools were already occupied. Yishan leaned over the table and was poring over the pages of Meisun’s most recent report. Each time he found something that his own network had missed, he took out a pen and made a note next to it. Wanyi knew Yishan wasn’t particularly competitive, but truly strove after perfection in his work. He would memorize the notes his informants had missed and come up with a plan to never make the same mistake again.
The other stool was taken by Nensin, who had insisted that she be a part of any secret meetings held in her home. She hunched forward so that she could scratch Lishan’s ears. Not only had the pup returned to a healthy weight in the few weeks since Wanyi had brought her home, but she had also grown substantially. Now she lay across Nensin’s feet, panting happily.
I’ve hardly spoken to Lishan since I brought her home, Wanyi thought. Nensin had kept Lishan nearly perpetually bonded, which had the effect of keeping Wanyi from speaking to her through Lan Kuanghi. Sentients could maintain multiple bonds, but beasts couldn’t. But Lishan had nonetheless proven to be a loyal addition to the manor grounds.
Wanyi couldn’t help feeling a twinge of anticipation. Today, he would meet with Meisun and Chengroh, and together they would come up with a plan to keep Hukan free.
“Is everything in order?” He asked Yishan.
The lanky spymaster nodded. “Indeed, sire. Based upon our current assets and liabilities, I do believe this is the wisest course of action.”
“In all your figuring, Yishan, did you account for the Silent Lord's favorable hand?” Nensin asked. Her intent look at Yishan showed she was serious.
Here we go again, Wanyi thought. The relationship between Yishan and his mother was strained. Mostly because Yishan wasn't a Child of Silence as Wanyi and Nensin were. And because Nensin kept subtly trying to convert him. Yishan mostly trusted in numbers and statistics, and only invoked the name of Yushagai when he was either angry or desperate. He was rarely the latter.
“Of…course, Lady Nensin,” Yishan said diplomatically, giving Nensin a slight bob of his head. She made a satisfied noise and smiled to herself, as if another battle in her crusade had been won.
Chengroh was first to arrive. It seemed odd to Wanyi that the older chief would arrive alone, but even Clan chiefs were less noticeable without a retinue. After entering the room, Chengroh bowed first to Nensin, then to Wanyi before taking his seat. A servant entered carrying a tray with a steaming pot of tea and set it on the table.
Just when Wanyi was starting to worry that she had forgotten, Meisun arrived. It didn’t seem to bother her that she was late, or that she was the last one to be there.
Montililun time is different, Wanyi reminded himself.
Today, Meisun wore the same style of straight-collared robe and skirt, only in lavender. For the moment, her eyes were brown. She smiled softly at him as she took her seat. Nensin immediately began fussing over her, offering tea and asking if Meisun needed anything else.
Wanyi felt a rush go through him, as if he had had a bit too much tahashi. He suddenly felt the urge to get started. To move.
Childish fancies, he thought to himself as he took a deep breath. Control.
He noticed Chengroh looking at him, a questioning look on his face.
“Chief Chengroh, this is Meisun,” Wanyi said, holding out a hand. “Her and her Band have set up shop in the Owl District. She has proven trustworthy and skilled in both business and in ascertaining the moods of the public. It is my belief that she will make a valuable member of this coalition.”
Meisun bowed from her chair as Chengroh eyed her appraisingly. “Montililun, eh? Wanyi, you know it's foreigners who have us in this situation in the first place.”
“Yes, but—”
Chengroh held up a hand to forestall Wanyi's protest. “However, I suppose even a mouse will crawl down a snake hole when the hawk has it by the tail. Very well.” The old chief sighed and gestured for Wanyi to begin.