Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,41
of her? Was the Empire so harsh with their own soldiers? She hadn’t heard of the commander doing anything that demanded reproach. So why?
She paused as a possibility occurred to her. If the rebellion were a reality . . . and they were strong . . . the local leadership would surely take responsibility.
“Thank you for telling me, Captain,” she said. “Do not fear.”
“You are most gracious, Your Highness.”
The inside of the building did have some form of temperature control, by the mercy of the goddess. Vylia breathed in relief as the door closed behind her. She glanced up at the ceiling as the captain and his two soldiers led the way down a long hall. The roof jutted up into a long, vertical cut, lined with circular holes. They appeared to be smaller on the inside and expand into larger cones that faced outward. Interesting.
The local soldiers opened a door to her left and bowed. Vylia’s guard entered and shifted into their V-shaped formation as she passed through.
A thick man stood from his desk and bowed low as she approached. “It is an honor, Princess.”
Vylia glanced around the room, admiring the large window and its view of a training yard, watch tower, and road snaking into the forest beyond. A map on the wide, polished desk displayed markings from a feathered quill and inkwell, and an embroidered flag on the wall bore the crest of the lotus beneath the inscription: BY THE MIGHT OF THE EMPEROR AND THE WILL OF THE GODDESS.
“Peace.” Vylia took a careful seat on the edge of a wicker chair. “Thank you for receiving me, Commander.”
Commander Oda’e sat and rested his elbows on his desk, leaning forward to capture her in his bright, blue gaze. If her makeup was dripping off, he didn’t address it. “What can I do for the emperor, Your Highness?”
Vylia steadied herself, recalling her diplomatic training. She must symbolize power and resolve regardless of what she felt. “The emperor is concerned about rumors of a rebellion among the settlers.”
Oda’e’s expression didn’t fracture. “The rebellion is just that: rumor.”
Vylia watched him for a long moment. She might as well have a staring contest with a slab of iron.
“Is there any evidence of rebellious activity?”
“No, Your Highness.”
Vylia breathed deeply in an attempt to calm her pulse. “If there is no evidence, why has word spread all the way to the island?”
“Because this land is governed by fear,” Oda’e said, his voice low and firm. “Fear of more drought. Fear of fire. Fear of the gods. Fear of the tribes. Fear of war.”
Vylia frowned. “Your daughter has gone missing, and yet you imply that there is no reason to fear?”
A dark shadow crossed the commander’s face. “She will be found. My sons pursue her kidnapper into the tribal lands as we speak.”
Vylia tried not to let a cringe slip into her visage as she wondered about the girl’s age. “The tribesmen are kidnapping women? No wonder the tensions are high.”
“This is an isolated case,” Oda’e said. “The tribesman is an Alliance spy, whom my daughter shot as he trespassed on our land. He is taking revenge.” His voice twisted, and he cleared his throat to regain its might. “As a whole, the natives want only fair trade. And the Tribal Alliance maneuvers for peace whenever I speak with their chieftess.”
Vylia rubbed the silk of her kimono between her fingers as she considered. Of course any commander would insist that everything under their control was peaceful and perfect and happy. But it didn’t add up, especially when the man’s own daughter had been abducted.
“Tell me everything you know about any Navakovrae settler acting in rebellion, Commander.”
“Your Highness, the rumors of this fictitious rebellion have caused nothing but trouble. The rebellion has been used as an excuse by restless soldiers to harass civilians. It has been blamed by the corrupt as an excuse to evade punishment. And it has been glamorized by those who tire of military occupation along the border.” Oda’e’s weary expression hardened. “But it is nothing but myth. And I assure you, Princess, that if I find a shred of evidence as to any rebel’s existence, they will be non-existent within a fortnight.”
19
KIRALAU
Kira fell into Sylendrin’s arms with a little squeak. Somehow he was even more attractive than Ryon, although she wasn’t normally a fan of long hair. But this guy pulled it off with an alluring silver flair.
Ryon stormed over, half covered in white d’hakka silk and grumping like an old goat.