232 Story Of The Pas

"I heard three of the Western provinces fell to the Tuhan army." A minster voiced after reading a report.

"This is the fifth one already…" A middle-ranked official murmured with concern.

"Not just that, but from other reports we've received, they have already expanded in areas in the northern territory several times. And they're still extending their territory by taking other tribes and provinces."

The murmurs of concerned officials articulated throughout the courtroom. Everyone else shared the same sense of distress. On the table before them was a detailed map of the Western Empire, each hill and crest, each town meticulously recorded. Already, the Tuhan's army conquered so many of their provinces.

The Emperor's face was gray, and he raised a hand to silence everyone's concerns. After done so, another voice emerged at the table.

"Your Majesty, may I make a suggestion." Rin voiced calmly.

Nodding his head half-heartedly, the Emperor waved his hand to give her permission.

"Due to the aggressive nature of the Tuhan people, they do not fear the empire's army at all." Rin paused and very slowly looked toward the other court officials before reverting to the Emperor. "Moreover, their skills are up to par with all the empires as well. Including armies from the east. All they require is larger numbers and land to defeat them. I would like to request for additional troops to be dispatched to the provinces at risk of being targeted."

Under her clear emerald eyes, the Emperor shifted in his seat. Not just himself, but all the other court officials seemed to be fixed on the young advisor's brilliant and rare eyes. Watching on the side, An Sun cleared his throat to shake their attention.

The Emperor lightly shifted his gaze away and replied, "Your request will be granted, Advisor Lan. I would also like you to come to my office in the afternoon. We will discuss the organization of reinforcement troops from the north you mentioned earlier."

Rin nodded her head and kept quiet as the meeting went on. She simply read the notes before her and would occasionally write things down for later discussion. When the meeting ended, all generals and court officials stood up to leave; all accept Rin, who waited to leave with the Emperor.

"Come," He stood up from his seat and beckoned a hand.

Nodding her head, Rin followed behind the Emperor to his office. They walked in silence through the winding halls and came at length to a large room. Inside, the walls were draped with deep-dyed golden tapestries and old weapons gleaming on the walls.

The Emperor gestured her to sit while he poured the two wine. Midway through pouring, he stopped and turned to her with a slight crease in his brows.

"Do you drink?" He asked.

"Only a little," Rin smiled.

Rin guessed it was a lighter wine.

Turning, he handed her a cup and inclined on a bamboo couch bed. Settled on a cushion, Rin raised the cup to her lips and took a sip. It was a tart persimmon wine. Very much to her liking. She took another sip and stared at the Emperor in silence as he did the same.

Then something shifted in his face. A decision.

"Would you like to hear a story, Advisor Lan?" The Emperor kept his gaze upon her.

Rin understood well enough that she had no true say in the matter, but she smiled and looked blankly at him as if wondering what he might have to tell.

"I don't mind."

The Emperor nodded and made himself comfortable in his seat. After the long weeks of battles and court meetings, his eyes seemed tired. He licked the wine from his dark bearded lips a little and settled his gaze out at the falling sun. From where Rin sat, she had a perfect view of the sun dipping behind the crest of the mountains, sky awash, and ablaze with burning colors.

"Do you believe in a higher power?" The Emperor suddenly spoke.

That surprised Rin. She tilted her head a little, like a curious bird.

"Does your Majesty perhaps mean God?" Rin asked curiously.

Another silence. But from his firm stare, she could guess she was correct.

"I suppose," Rin could only say as she knew very little of such a matter.

Neither her grandfather nor her mother spoke much about it. However, every so often, her mother would mention stories that regarded a higher being.

The Emperor nodded to her honesty and fell silent once again before speaking. "There was a tribe said to be the children of God. They possessed great abilities to heal and grant great fortune to any country or ruler they chose to support."

Without meaning to, Rin found herself intrigued by his story. It reminded her of the ones her mother would tell her.

"What happened to them?"

The Emperor's lips tightened. "Word of their gifts spread across the country and…their tribes were overrun, enslaving their people and even marrying the women in hope to bear a gifted child. They say this act of greed angered God, so he began killing the tribe members to prevent man from staining them with their greed. Year after year, the tribe members died, their life spans shortening from an incurable disease until finally, none remained."

When at last he finished his story, Rin's chest felt strangely hollow. His words were expressionless; they carried no hint of anything she could read. There had to be a reason why the Emperor told her such a story. Somehow, she felt restless.

Rin was looking at the Emperor now. Her emerald eyes pulled like the tide. "The tribe members that died…did that include their children?"

A moment of shock reflected on the Emperor's face. Only for a moment before his eyes averted hers.

"…No. They still lived."

"Then…" Rin started to say something, but at that moment, a knock sounded on the door.

A look of disappointment revealed on both their faces, however, the Emperor still responded to the person on the other side. Entering the office, the soldier bowed in apology, which was quickly dismissed by the Emperor.

"What's wrong?" He rested a hand on the armrest, his eyes narrowed.

"Outside the gates…there's an army. They claim to be from the Northern Empire." The soldier explained.

Hearing his words, Rin's eyes lit up. Standing up from her seat, she looked at the soldier eagerly with rising excitement building within her chest.

"Did they tell you their name?" She stepped closer to the soldier, causing him to stiffen under her piercing gaze.

"Yes." The soldier acknowledged. "They said they're from the Bai family."

It was at that moment, all the excitement in Rin's chest burst. A broad smile spread across her lips.

"Excuse me for the discourtesy your Majesty, but I will excuse myself now." Before the Emperor even had a say, she had rushed out of the room.

Both men watched her, stunned.

Outside, Rin's footsteps were brisk. On her way to the main hall, she happened to meet a familiar figure.

"Rin," An Sun called her name with his deep voice.

He walked toward her looking out of breath as if she were running. Searching for someone. Rin walked toward him, a dazzling smile on her face.

"Are they here?" She asked.

An Sun nodded. "They're waiting in front of the gates."

Again, Rin felt her heart jump. Unware, the smile on her lips grew. Seeing the clear joy on her face, An Sun found himself smiling as well. He chuckled.

"Come on, let's go see them." He grabbed her hand and dragged her forward.

His skin was rough and slightly moist from possible training. The firm fingers holding hers were very warm. Rin stared at their joined hands, then flickered her eyes to the man's broad back. Her heart jumped a bit, however, the reason for it had changed.

For a moment, she had forgotten where he was leading her. All Rin knew was her hand was in his, spreading an unfamiliar warmth throughout her entire body.