The Emperor's Dream - Chapter Twenty-One
Wanyi woke early, if what he had done the previous night could be called sleep. He had mostly lain in his bed with his eyes closed, repeatedly falling into strange dreams before jerking awake and wondering if he ought to rise yet.
**Chapter One**
**Welcome to chapter twenty-one 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. We're getting close to the end, now. I hope you enjoy it.**
The Day of the Vote
Wanyi woke early, if what he had done the previous night could be called sleep. He had mostly lain in his bed with his eyes closed, repeatedly falling into strange dreams before jerking awake and wondering if he ought to rise yet. The house was eerily quiet. No sound of servants’ footsteps as they went about their morning duties, no clang of pots in the kitchen, not even the chittering of the birds in the aviaries.
He had asked for this, to be alone. Yishan and Nensin had taken every willing Owl Clan member with them, along with the beasts and most of their possessions, when they had departed for Zijiang the previous day. Only Wanyi and Ban had stayed behind. He wouldn’t risk anyone else.
Wanyi rose and dressed while it was still dark, using a small bit of Lan Banti to light his room, before making his way out to Ban’s aviary.
Today is the day we fight for our nest, friend Ban.
I am with you, friend Wanyi. Beak and talon.
Wanyi released Ban to fly above him, choosing instead to walk to the Council Hall. He wanted to savor this morning. He could think of a dozen reasons why it might be his last in Shanshia.