Chapter 296

Chapter 296

Despite the gravity of the situation, it took every scrap of Yuzhens self-control to not burst into laughter, only her iron will and solemn respect for the office enabling her to keep her composure. Things were never dull where Rain was concerned and she looked forward to hearing the rumourmongers tell this tale come morning. For the celebrated Hero of the Wall to bow before Falling Rain in front of thousands of soldiers and civilians, this could only add to the young mans growing mythos.

Those in the immediate vicinity heard how Nian Zus bow was for the Ancestral Beast Guan Suo, but the Colonel General hadnt spoken loud enough for more than a handful of onlookers to hear. Only a fool would think those few voices could hold back the flood of hearsay and slander cresting over the horizon. How would the gossips spin todays events? Would they call Nian Zu a spineless boot-lick for currying favour with an up-and-coming young talent? Or would they call Falling Rain shameless or arrogant, thinking he somehow pressured the greatest warrior of the north into literally bowing before him? She looked forward to reading the fanciful conjectures both sides would spout as proof of some wild theory or another. The truth mattered little when it came to bar-room tales, where the loudest voice was often taken as correct. Her favourite theories were Falling Rain being the long lost son of some Imperial Scion and therefore of royal lineage, or an ancient Ancestral Beast in disguise venturing out into the world to amuse himself.

Inwardly shaking her head, Yuzhen leaned back into Gerels chest and sighed, taking pleasure in the weight of his arms around her. As much as I enjoy your company little lamb, its time you returned to your own mount. Cant have people giggling about the Northern Marshals boy-toy. Or about how she was a puppet dancing on Bekhai strings. It was ludicrous, if the Bekhai wanted more power they would seize it for themselves. Though few cared to admit it, there wasnt a single faction in the north who could resist them alone, aside from the Society. One could argue not even them, considering they were an amalgamation of various powers of the North and not one unified power. One of the great hypocrisies of the Society, revering individual strength above all else while relying on strength of numbers to stay ahead.

As you command, Marshal. Slipping into his role as bodyguard without resentment, Gerel leaped over to his own waiting horse, looking resplendent in the ceremonial black and silver armour of her Office. Donning his helmet, he flashed his roguish smile and winked before lowering his visor. With glaive in hand, he sat tall atop his unfamiliar mount, having taken to horsemanship like a duck to water. Were it up to her, shed strip off all his gleaming armour and spend the rest of the day naked in her tent, but alas, duty calls.

Freed from her lovers beguiling embrace, Yuzhen studied the shabbily dressed Ancestral Beast riding at Rains side. Shed heard much about the eccentric and bloodthirsty warrior but never expected to find him hidden among the Bekhai. You horrible man, she Sent, treating Gerel with a petulant glare. You should have told me Guan Suo was here. At least the Bekhai had finally taken proper measures to keep Rain safe, placing Gerels mentor and an Ancestral Beast at his side, the Smiling Slaughterer no less.

While some might think it a little overboard, Yuzhen wholeheartedly agreed with the arrangement. Given Rains penchant for finding trouble, even two Ancestral Beasts might not be enough, assuming Akanai could find a pair willing to get along.

Shrugging, Gerel Sent, Didnt know his name before today. Rain inherited him and a hundred other dishevelled vagrants along with the turtle. Tell me my love, is this Guan Suo strong?

Ah, things made more sense if the Bekhai didnt know Guan Suo was an Ancestral Beast. Stop glaring at him before he takes offence. She could hear the interest in his voice, thinking hed found another worthy opponent. Despite losing miserably each time, Gerel loved sparring against his idol Baatar and would probably challenge Nian Zu if she hadn't forbidden him from doing so. He and Rain were so similar at times, both eager to be beaten black and blue in the pursuit of strength. Hoping to dissuade him, she Sent, You saw how polite Nian Zu was and I expect no less from you. She wanted to demand more but her little lamb was not a man who bowed easily.

I am nothing if not polite, and it would be ill-mannered not to offer him a chance to stretch his legs and spar.

Hmph. Men and their games.

Just as politicians have staterooms and dining tables, warriors have arenas and battlefields.

Bah, the hopeless muscle-brained fool. Do as you please, but do not go overboard. Treat him as you would treat Sarnai. That should keep him polite, if not fearful, and taking a few lumps at the hands of an Ancestral Beast might make him more receptive to her future suggestions. Upon taking office, she was made privy to a number of dangerous individuals residing in the north and Guan Suos name featured prominently among them. Not because he was the most powerful, but because he was the most reckless. Once he flashed his innocuous grin, described as a smile so wide his eyes almost disappeared, then no matter who stood before him, the rivers would run red with blood.

Which made it imperative she learn why he was here in Nan Ping, riding at Rains side without a care in the world. It couldnt really be because of Ping Yaos Guardian Turtle. Though some impoverished clans or sects might be tempted to kill her for a Spiritual Heart, doing so would win them the hatred of every citizen in the North. Some considered it a Divine Beast of the Mother, but its rough, voluminous folds of leathery skin and beady black eyes made it too unsightly to inspire piety or devotion in Yuzhen and she hardly believed it could charm a deadly, destructive Ancestral Beast like Guan Suo. Was his presence here personally or politically motivated? Did he seek an old friend to reconnect with, or vengeance against a long-hidden foe?

Watching his bushy red tail swish about, it brought to mind a young girl bearing a similar rear appendage. Could Guan Suo be Sumilas birth father, here to protect her and her betrothed? Ancestral Beasts rarely took interest in their half-beast children, something about their feral instincts compelling them to abandon or even kill what they viewed as sickly, unviable children. With Sumila recently coming into her own as a supremely talented young warrior and blacksmith, perhaps it was enough to trigger the Ancestral Beasts paternal instincts.

Lowering her head, she waited as Akanai gave her greetings beside her, who was then followed by Huushal, proceeding as if theyd been called in individually. Technically, they should have bowed together, but it was a calculated ploy. Since the Legate was kind enough to spare the citizens, he should also be willing to overlook this tiny lapse of conduct especially considering their rank and status deserved as much. Thankfully, the Legate paid no mind to their political manoeuvring and allowed their greetings to carry on without interruption. Once Huushal finished and took his place, the hall was filled with silence as they waited on the Imperial Legates blessing. The sound of the slow, unhurried breaths of the Guardian Turtle filled the air as they continued to wait, punctuated ever so often by the quiet squeaking of Rains armour as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

What a magnificent creature. In a lapse of protocol all his own, the Legate left his throne and stepped off the dais to approach them, eliciting a few surprised gasps from the watching crowd. Waving his Royal Guardians away, the Legate strode past the group of senior officers and officials and right up to Rain and his turtle. Unsure whether this would be a blessing or curse, Yuzhen covertly studied the Legate out of the corner of her eye. A svelte, lanky man younger than shed expected, the Legate didnt look a day over twenty five, but that didnt mean much as far as Martial Warriors went and this man was undoubtedly a warrior. Dressed in gold and black Imperial Robes and sporting a similarly coloured hat, the Legate was an impressive sight where others would look downright gaudy or ostentatious. He fit her tastes, but that wasn't why she was so intrigued. Despite standing in arms reach of the greatest Warrior of the North and biting range of the Empires largest turtle, the Legate moved with a warriors confidence and an experts caution, hands crossed behind his back while keeping a respectful distance back. Tilting his head, he addressed Rain directly in yet another breach of protocol. Will she object if I move closer to pet her?

Oh Mother above, another idiot animal lover. Hurriedly Sending to Rain, she coached him through what to say, making sure he remembered to remain respectful. Er... Imperial Servant dare not command Imperial Legate, Rain said with head bowed and hands clasped, but Pi.. er... the Divine Turtle is a wild creature not under... this Servants control. She... er... The Divine Turtle is here of her own free will, though why... this Servant is at a loss to explain.

If only hed stop hesitating before calling himself a servant or making those unsightly faces. At least it went unnoticed, lest he be accused of dissatisfaction with the Emperor. Why else would a man scowl every time he referred to himself as the Emperors servant? She understood his reluctance to pledge servitude to a man hed never met, but this was the Central Province, and even with the Smiling Slaughterer at his side even... a foreign dragon... cannot...

Wait. Where did Guan Suo disappear to? For that matter, where was Gerels Mentor? Taking a quick tally of her surroundings, she discovered three more missing from her delegation, both of Fungs guards and the wolf-eared Senior previously napping in the harness strapped to Huushals back. When did they slip away? Digging through her memories, she realized theyd been missing even since the stables, but to what purpose she couldnt guess.

Praying they would all behave, she returned to the present and almost threw a fit as she watch the Legate pet the Divine Turtle. If an Imperial Scion came to harm, everyone present would lose their heads, yet here he was stroking the ancient turtles beak like it was some favoured pet. Long have I heard of the Divine Turtles splendour, and today, I, Shen Zhenwu, have finally seen it for myself. Wonderful. Pulling a fan out from his sleeves, the Imperial Legate opened it for all to see and decreed, Hear me. The Divine Turtles presence in Nan Ping is a sign of the Mothers Blessing. Any who seek to harm her shall be branded as a traitor to the Empire and a heretic of the Father. Thus hath it been said, and thus shall it be.

Well... that was fortunate, and the Legate wasn't done. Pointing at a fearful, sweaty man standing to the side of the platform, who Yuzhen belatedly recognized as the Magistrate, the Legate commanded, See to it that the Colonel General, Marshal, and Lieutenant General are housed in an estate with room enough for no less than a thousand guards and two-thousand servants. Each. Theyve come to defend the Empire and Ill not have them slighted. Turning to Rain, the Legate asked, You, Falling Rain, have been chosen by the Divine Turtle, so tell me, what sort of environment does she prefer?

Well she... uhh... Imperial Servant reports, Rain stuttered, aging her by a decade with his near slip, The Divine Turtle is fond open spaces and enjoys swimming in the Azure Sea. Our current encampment on the northern beach is suitable as any. At least Rain was smart enough to avoid staying in the Magistrates Palace. Living in proximity to the Legate and so many of Centrals arrogant nobles would be a disaster waiting to happen. Much safer for him to stay as far from the city and its inhabitants as possible.

Yes, yes, she is no tamed creature but a child of the Mother, so she must be free to go where she is needed. Clapping Rain on the shoulder, the Legate made a second decree. Hear me, as the Divine Turtles Attendant, Warrant Officer Second Grade Falling Rain is henceforth given free rein within the Empire to carry out his Holy Duty. Any parties caught hindering said Duty will be executed without trial. Thus hath it been said, and thus shall it be.

The chorus of surprised gasps and outraged mutterings were like music to Yuzhens ears. Who would have thought all her problems would be solved by her greatest trouble-maker? Turning to silently thank Rain, Yuzhens smile froze as she spotted the young Legates cold, calculating look, so devoid of warmth or affection. It was only there for a moment and gone so fast she worried she'd imagined it, but it brought to mind her old mans description of the Imperial Clan.

A devious, manipulative bunch who will feed you shit and make you thank them for it.

Shed underestimated this young Imperial Legate, this Shen Zhenwu. Though named true warrior, he was also a true politician, or, more likely, there was another older, craftier Imperial Scion controlling the Legate from the shadows. How could the nervous and apprehensive Magistrate dare openly insult the highest ranking officials in the North, right in front of the Legate no less? Everything had been done on the Legates orders, fostering resentment between the North and Central and placing the northern officials in his debt for his fair and just approach. Rains new appointment might be the same, since he was given the authority to carry out his Holy Duty without detailing what those duties were, allowing the Legate to condemn Rain for overstepping his bounds should the need arise. Repressing a shiver, Yuzhen bowed and thanked the Legate, worrying if shed made the right decision to come here. While she knew people would die in this war against the Defiled, she had no intentions of allowing her people to be slaughtered wholesale, and seeing firsthand how manipulative the Legate could be was far from reassuring.

It mightve been safer to close the northern borders and openly rebel, but it was too late now.

Chapter Meme