Dynasty: The Glorious Strategist (Dynasty Saga Book 3) (10 page)

“My decision stands,” Lymee said in the most authoritative voice she could muster. She wondered how Alia always seemed to do it so naturally.

“As you say, my lord,” Keo bowed her head respectfully letting her horse fall back a little.

“The command tent is up ahead,” Yoni who was riding ahead of the rest of them stated, gesturing to the large tent off in the distance.

“So how is this going to work?” Lymee asked talking out of the side of her mouth towards Keo.

“Your men will be asked to stay outside,” Keo explained. “You and your closest advisers may enter. Though be aware that the more you bring the more it will appear that you are unable to make your own decisions. But if you bring to few, you will look like a fool who does not heed the counsel of her officers.”

“Got it,” Lymee nodded. “Then I will bring you and Sai with me. Yoni,” she raised her voice making sure the woman riding in front of her could hear. “You’re in charge of the men out here.”

“Understood my lord,” Yoni bowed. “And specific instruction you would like us to carry out while we wait for your return?”

“Don’t get into any trouble,” Lymee said in a very dry tone. “Even if someone else tries to start something.”

It would be all too easy for someone to say something insulting or demeaning about Lymee or Alia and cause her men to react with violence. If that were to happen then it could easily be turned against them.

“Understood my lord,” Yoni bowed her head.

“What about weapons?” Lymee asked looking at Keo again.

“You will be allowed to keep your sword,” Keo said. “But if you unsheathe it then they will cut you down without a moment’s hesitation.”

“Good to know,” Lymee said looking at the large tent as they drew ever closer.  

Lymee came to a stop a few yards away from the tent and dismounted her horse handing off the reigns to the first person who reached for them. She was so focused on the tent she had not even paid attention to who that had been.

Keo and Sai did much the same. Sai instinctively moved in front of Lymee while Keo fell in beside her.

“Etiquette dictates you should be the last of us to enter the tent,” Keo whispered as they walked.

“Yes, I remember,” Lymee nodded. “First the security,” she looked at Sai who was using her body as a shield for Lymee. “Then you enter from least important to most.” And as there was only her and Keo left, that meant Keo would go before her.

Keo nodded and straightened her back as she walked, taking on a very dignified pose, her hands folded in front of her waist, her chest slightly puffed out. Lymee tried to do the same, taking on the best posture that she could and trying not to stomp as she walked. Something that was hard to do when wearing loose fitting riding boots.

Sai removed her helmet and tucked it under her arm as she introduced themselves to the guards. Lymee noticed that the guards were dressed in the yellow garbs of the Fu Dynasty. And not just the two guards standing outside but all the guards that she could see protecting the tent.

“It would seem that Lord Yung has already asserted her dominance,” Keo mumbled. “By all rights it should be Hong’s forces guarding this area as we are in their land.”

“Not good, as far as first impressions go,” Lymee nodded in agreement ducking her head slightly as she followed the others inside.

The tent was warm and surprisingly well-lit with countless lanterns and things that resembled tiki torches scattered throughout. There were nearly forty other people gathered around talking amongst themselves. All of them were either clad in ornate armor or very expensive looking finery. Lymee was sure that the money that was spent on their clothing alone could have funded half of this campaign.

Many of them paused their conversations to look at the new people who just had entered. Many of them only lingered for a second or two before resuming their conversations but a few others seemed to take a much more vested interest.

There was a surprising amount of décor in the tent, including a thick carpet that covered the entirety of the floor. As well as a dozen or so small floor tables set up in two rows that faced each other and ended at a large throne. Lymee frowned as she examined the vacant throne. It was of simple make and had no real design to it but its importance was unquestionable.

“Who sits there?” Lymee asked in a hushed tone gesturing to the throne with her chin.

“Normally the Empress, or someone appointed by her to lead an allied campaign such as this,” Keo answered. “I imagine that a many of the lords have put forth their claim to the position already.”

“Doesn’t look like any have succeeded,” Lymee said noting the lack of banners or guards stationed near the large chair.

“Not yet anyway.” Keo looked over at Lymee. “Will you be-”

“No,” Lymee cut her off before she could even finish the question. “So what’s with all the tables?”

“That is where the respective lords will sit. Usually the closest one’s to the throne are considered higher ranking both socially and militaristically. It will be interesting to see how they arrange it.”

“But what are the tables for?” Lymee asked already guessing at all of the other stuff Keo mentioned.

“It is customary for a meeting of Lords such as this to be done over a meal,” Keo replied.

“You mean after people have been drinking for a while,” Lymee mumbled.

“You say that in jest but there is a lot of truth to your words.” It took a second for Lymee realize that it had not been Keo or Sai who had said that but someone else entirely.

Lymee quickly turned around to face whoever it was that had spoken. She was met with a short petite woman. Though she was more a girl than a woman judging by her looks. She was not dressed in military armor but instead a deep blue dress that hung in front of her legs and behind but did not cover the sides.

“My lord,” Keo spoke up. “Lord Kuan Jien of the Jien Dynasty.”

Lymee noticed that Keo had not said Lord of the Jien Dynasty. Meaning this girl was probably not the head of the Dynasty but her last name implied she was their sister or a close relative.

Jien was not a large Dynasty but it was still larger and more powerful than Su was. However they were not militaristically strong in the way that other Dynasty’s were. They focused more on economic power through trade and influence. They may be low on the totem pole but they were not to be underestimated all the same.   

“Lord Kuan,” Keo bowed respectfully, “My Lord Sun Su of the-”

“Thank you, but I know who she is,” Kuan cut Keo off. “I must say I have been very anxious to meet you, Lord Sun,” the girl grinned.

That smile was all Lymee needed to see in order to know that this was not some weak little girl. Her eyes burned with maturity that showed this woman was not someone to take lightly. They were the eyes of someone who was always watching, and very little ever got past them.

Kuan looked Lymee over, sliding her hands into the sleeves of her dress as she did so. She then met Lymee’s gaze with a pleased and devious smile. “I am happy to say that the description of your beauty was not an exaggeration.”

“Thank you, Lord Kuan.” Lymee had to actually catch herself from saying my lord. The years as a wanderer had conditioned her to respond appropriately as any commoner would, but as a lord herself she could in no way show submissiveness to other lords. “I fear however there may be little truth in anything else you might have heard.”

“Is that so?” she cocked her head to the side looking up at Lymee seemingly unconvinced.

“It is,” Lymee assured.

“Then might I say that is a very fine looking fox you have there,” Kuan looked at Kitsune who was still laying around Lymee’s shoulders.

Lymee had actually forgotten about the fox. She had planned on giving her to Yoni before they dismounted but she had come so accustomed to her being there, she had forgotten all about her.

“Actually, funny story.” Lymee reached up scoping Kitsune into her hand and cradled her to her chest. “I rescued her from a trapper’s snare about half a year back,” Lymee explained as she ran her free hand down Kitsune’s back. “She has been following me around ever since. I forget she is even there sometimes.”

“I see,” the little girl smiled again seemingly amused with Lymee. Lymee was not sure if she had believed her or not but she did not press the matter any further so Lymee would take what she could get. “I will admit that I was expecting to see Lord Hanna here as well. Is she not with you?”

“Our Lord Hanna stayed in Su Dynasty,” Keo stated in a flat diplomatic tone. “She has made her little sister her emissary and speaks with our Lord’s full authority.”

“How interesting,” Kuan said rather slyly. She did not look at Keo but instead kept her eyes glued to Lymee as she spoke. “Maybe there are some truth to the rumors about you after all.”

Before Lymee could inquire any further as to what she had meant by that Lord Kuan turned her head suddenly like she had just heard someone call her name.  

“I must apologize Lord Sun, I fear I am needed elsewhere.” Kuan bowed her head ever so slightly then turned and headed off. 

“Of course, Lord Kuan,” Lymee returned the bow never taking her eyes off of the woman.

As soon as she was gone Lymee let out the breath that she had been holding. That girl looked like she was maybe fifteen but she was on a whole other level altogether. If she was any kind of gauge as to what Lymee could expect from the other nobles she was in real trouble.

“Lord Kuan is the youngest of five siblings,” Keo informed Lymee once Kuan was out of earshot. “Her oldest Sister being the head of the Jien Dynasty. However despite being the youngest she is her oldest sister’s top adviser and strategist.”

“Any idea what rumors she was referring to there at the end?” Lymee asked still watching the girl as she started talking to another woman wearing the same color outfit.

“There are quite a few for me to choose from, my lord,” Keo said humbly. “I would not presume to guess which one she meant in this instance.”

“Then she has us at a disadvantage,” Lymee stated turning back to face Keo. Lymee then looked at the tables that had been laid out in preparation for the meeting. “I think I would like to go ahead and sit down. Where do you think we should sit?” Lymee knew that where they chose to sit was basically their opening move in this very dangerous game.

“I think we should take the furthest table from the throne,” Keo suggested.

Lymee saw Sai stiffen slightly as she glanced back at them over her shoulder. She did not voice her objection but Lymee could tell she was not fond of the idea. She probably wished to take a more aggressive stance maybe even take the table closest to the throne if not the throne itself.

“Why is that?” Lymee asked not really opposed to the idea but simply wishing to know Keo’s reason for her suggestion.

“If we are told to sit there by the other Lords we can do little in way of protests,” Keo explained. “That could easily be taken as a show of submissiveness and weakness on our part as we would have no choice but to comply. However, if we chose to sit there before they can tell us too then we rob the other lords of the opportunity to publicly mock us and push us around.”

“I agree,” Lymee nodded. “In all honesty I don’t want to make a big show while we are here. If possible, I want to just blend into the background.”

“I fear that may be impossible for one such as you, my lord,” Keo stated.

“I know,” Lymee sighed in defeat.

If the little display marching up here was any indication, Lymee was already at the front of everyone’s minds. Her very presence here was bound to cause waves, and what Kuan had said before she left was still eating away at the back of Lymee’s mind. Without truly knowing what the other lords had heard about her it was impossible to know what their impressions of her might be.

But Lymee had spent the past two years wandering these lands. She had heard a lot of rumors about herself as well and maybe inadvertently starting a few more. But she was not the only one people were gossiping about. She had heard things that she was confident that none of these nobles had ever heard and if the opportunity presented itself she was going to take full advantage of that.

The room grew quieter as the other lords watched in disbelief as Lymee sat down at the table furthest away from the throne. She acted like she had not noticed their stares as she unhooked her sword from her belt and set it down next to her. Then she let Kitsune jump off of her shoulders and onto her lap.

Keo and Sai sat down as well, staying slightly behind Lymee. Sai sat at Lymee’s left, her red plumed helm resting by her knee while Keo sat at Lymee’s right. The idea being that the person on the right was expected to fill Lymee’s cup and was deemed a more subservient side to be on.

“I am glad to see that Lord Sun knows her place,” a lord boomed for all the other lords to hear. There was a slight murmur of laughter but there was an edge of uneasiness to it. It was as if the other lords were waiting to see how Lymee would react to such obvious taunting.

Lymee could feel Sai tense up slightly, but Lymee casually put a hand to her knee as she shifted her weight passing it off as if she was using her for balance. But Sai got the message and relaxed, if only a little. Lymee looked up at the woman who had taunted her. She was wearing the black color scheme of the Song Dynasty. One of the big three Dynasties other than Gon and Su.