Chapter 7: Move
2001 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
What did he mean by that? I was not some consolation prize! I did not consent to this!
"I think you might be disappointed," I announced, "I am engaged to someone else."
"Oh, that Dom guy, right?" he did not sound impressed at all, "That's an easy task."
Did he just threaten my fiancé?
"Hey!" I spat, "Don't talk like you know him!"
"And don't talk like you know me," his smile darkened with furrowed brows.
I involuntarily bit back my tongue.
"How much do you know?" I wanted to avoid arguing.
"Curious now are we?" his expression was relentless, "The difference is... I've been a ruler far longer than he has."
"Longer doesn't mean better," I rolled my eyes.
He lifted an eyebrow as if asking if I was challenging him. But he said nothing.
"So how am I owed to you? I don't get it," I began digging into the stone shore.
"It's a long story, but after killing my father he told me he had to go. He has served me since birth and was my best friend. The Nihon Dynasty was under the rule of my father, who was known as the Emperor of Waru. He slaughtered men, children, and women. Anyone who dares to blink wrong his way. He was a corrupted man who had authority and power. Our people suffered, the nation became poisoned. The people desired a new ruler, but I was too young to fend for them," he looked at me, "And that's when your father came in."
"So my dad killed your dad, and then promised you me?" I asked abruptly.
"Like I said, it's a long story. But in short, yes. When I found out that he was expecting his first child, he promised me that I would make a good husband for his daughter. I have waited and waited for his return. But 25 years and counting, he never did."
I sat in silence. Emperor Kenji waited 25 years. He must've been lonely and afraid. I can only imagine the growth and lessons he learned from being a ruler at such a young age.
"Were your people against you?" I questioned.
"Naturally, yes," his expression dulled, "I mean can you blame them? The next kin in line belonged to one of the evilest rulers of the nation. Not exactly a celebratory event, don't you think?"
I nodded silently.
"Do you know how hard it was to try to keep your father's reputation sealed from other ranks of importance? They had questions, and I didn't have the answer," he then stood up and threw another stone into the water.
I took a deep breath and got up. I looked at him and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Like father, like daughter. I am sorry, but I too, will disappoint you," and then removed my hand.
"I won't allow you to be one," he promised, "You're too valuable."
My cheeks reddened, and I quickly adjusted myself to look disgusted. I didn't know what to do with all this nonsense information. So, because my dad served Emperor Kenji, killed his father, and then left him to make a family... I was the repayment to his debt? It was a load of bullshit!
But thinking back on things, there have been a lot of things that didn't make sense. Why the Renek Clan was liberating the south and pushing its borders north? Why the Vikings and Spartans fighting towards the northern borders?
"Are you trying to rule more than Nihon?" I asked.
"If the people request of it," he answered.
Well... there was something that he and Dom had in common. Dom was also a young ruler who didn't ask for the position. But, he needed to be for the welfare of his people.
But how was I valuable? I'm just the daughter of Dravon and betrayed by a royal woman named Elaine.
"I'm only half-blooded royalty," I mumbled.
"Oh?" Emperor Kenji paused, "So you really don't know anything about your father."
"Tell me!" I demanded, "Who is my father?"
"Nothing important now that he is dead."
That stung me to my core. How could he be so insensitive!
"What matters now is you're still alive," his voice became gentle, "his legacy lives on."
We heard a rustle nearby and Kana shortly made her appearance, "Dinner will be ready soon master Kenji. Please head on back."
Emperor Kenji bowed his head and started walking off with her. I took another look at the glistening waterfall.
I can't be valuable. Right?
I turned and joined them in their direction. I can't describe the emotion that took place in my heart. I never knew that my father was involved with war. He seemed to be very important to Emperor Kenji. Why did he leave to create a family only for it to be broken in the end?
Why am I here?
::Dom's POV::
Jerard shouldn't be too far away. Leo determined that they planned to head further north. The only problem was that it bordered with the Vikings' militia campsites.
What a cunning bastard.
Our numbers were not affected much due to his lack of war tactics. But, it did take the heaviest toll on us. Tyrion was in no mind-state to lead our expedition. But, I can expect that his defenses will be a lot stronger when we reach his destination.
"I can't wait to rip him to shreds," I growled.
Leo chimed in, "Don't we all."
"Don't talk as if you are a part of this team," I glared at him, "Your usage is as good as your loyalty."
"I'm loyal to Dravon, and for that, Ryanna," he declared.
"Dravon?" I asked.
"Ryanna's father," he responded, "Did she not tell you about him?"
"No," I answered, half disappointed in myself for not asking.
"We have previously discussed that Ryanna is actually full-blooded royalty. By bloodline, she is supposed to be the Queen of our nation," I heard him say.
"What does that have to do with anything? I know that information wouldn't matter to Ryanna," I began moving pawns on the war map for our next move.
"I am sure that she does not know about her true status yet. But I promise you it is all connected," he assured.
Leo then circled a small part of the eastern coast, "The Viking's captain resides here."
I trailed my finger over the path on the map. It was north of the settlement I met Freya in. That reminds me...
"And what about Freya?" I asked.
"The vixen from the northern isles, she should be meeting with Ryanna really soon."
"Soon is not near enough," I pounded a fist against the map, "Perhaps we should redirect our mission to Nihon instead."
He waved his hands above his chest, "Now, now... we do not want to agitate Emperor Kenji. We will have to cross the Viking's newly appointed territory. Remember that they have conquered the Spartans recently."
The waters between our lands and Nihon are patrolled by the Vikings. The Spartans had massive voyage ships that easily crossed the cruel waters. If we were to get to Nihon, we needed one of those boats.
Leo then circled a small area near the coast, quite near to the Viking Captain's site, "Some spartan prisoners are gathered here, waiting to be executed. Their ship was seized, but remains on the docks."
"So you're saying that we have to ransom that area?" I scoffed, "That's not going to be easy."
"No," he corrected, "We are going to need to do what you do best."
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Liberate them," he answered.
"What?!" I spat, "Are you crazy?"
"It's a long shot," he admitted, "But the Spartans are the only ones who know how to utilize their boats. They also know the navigation of the seas better than the Vikings."
"Which makes no sense, because Vikings are known to rule the nearby waters," I pointed out.
"The Vikings have their own insane way of surviving and putting up a front. But that is all that they are. A bunch of brawn and no-brainers."
So Ryanna is fully a royal subject. From what she told me she was treated like a commoner, if not, worse. I began to think to myself. If she ever knew her real status, would she truly be the same person I knew she was today? Or would there have been a chance that she would be developed like her sister and mother?
This was no time to think those thoughts. Whatever she chooses to be... a princess or a pauper, I will love her regardless.
"We should head out soon, Lord Dom," Leo advised, "But it is your call. Do we head east to establish water transport and liberate the Spartans? Or do we head to the north and get rid of Jerard. Either decision is a favor to me."
I hated making these crucial decisions. This was one of the reasons why I had Tyrion by my side. I trusted him with our war tactics. I was just the leader that performed. I knew that either way wouldn't get me to her immediately, but I also had to rethink my morals.
The Renek Clan was built on liberators. Rebels who refused to stand against corruption and slavery. Built from poverty and the minorities, we have come a long way to become who we are today. Today we are feared by many, and our voices shook the royal government. We liberated and made a society that worked for us.
Ryanna defined our clan's morals and mission. She may have royal blood, but she had the fierceness of a savage.
I miss you.
::Ryanna's POV::
Dinner was yet again such a hearty meal. Today we had tonkatsu ramen. The broth was carefully brewed for three days from the bones of pork and marrow. It was savoury and incredibly delicious! The noodles were freshly made and cooked to perfection. There was a few toppings I did not recognize on them. There were some foreign fungi and spring onions. There were some pork chashu along with fish cake.
Emperor Kenji had his with tempura shrimp. Kagura, Emiko, and Kana gracefully ate theirs.
"This is so good!" I rolled more noodles onto my chopstick.
Emiko had to teach me how to use chopsticks when I first arrived. They didn't have any silverware and eating with your hands on certain dishes were deemed disrespectful or barbaric.
Chopsticks make eating look so elegant, and it portions your meal out so you can actually enjoy bit by bit, rather than gulping it down. Kind of like what I was doing.
"Compliments to the chef," I saluted.
Kana remained silent, I was just aired for giving her a compliment.
Emiko gave me a small smile and Kagura looked annoyed as usual.
"I will be away for a few days with Kana. I expect you girls to keep an eye out on Ryanna," he set his bowl to his lips.
"Why do I have to baby sit a grown woman?" Kagura scoffed, "Besides, all she does is stay in her room and get fat."
I looked at her in disbelief, she really disliked me!
"May we know the purpose of your absence?" Emiko asked.
"There seems to be an unidentified visitor we have on our grounds. This individual is evasive, so we have deployed one of the samurai squads to investigate," he then waved his hand for the conversation to end. Emiko bowed respectfully.
"I must forewarn that everyone stay in the palace for the next couple of nights. It is rumored that the shinobis are out and about," he sipped.
So, even in the paradise of Nihon there are opposers. Interesting. I don't think I have ever seen a samurai or ninja before. Emiko stated that the only form of documentation about them was said to be in Emperor Kenji's room.
I knew what I was doing tonight. Hehehe.
- Writer
