The Shadow General

Chapter 5: Party 1

"Well young man come here and let me introduce you to my niece Elin Stymir," his majesty steered Gunnarr towards a beautiful small woman with luscious curves.

This is the woman my sister has told me about, Gunnar thought quietly to himself as he took in the sight of her. He felt rather pleased with her already. Something about her presence felt very comfortable and calming.

Gunnarr bowed to the beauty in front of him, "It's a pleasure to meet you princess. I'm Gunnarr Cato."

"Greetings sir," she blushed at the handsome man as she curtsied to him. He is even more handsome closer up!

She could hear her peers giggling at him as he introduced himself. Which made her somewhat more conscious of herself.

"I have never heard of the name Cato before," she stated trying not to sound overly desperate or suspicious, "What is it that your family does if you don't mind me asking?"

Am I going too far? she thought as she nibbled on her bottom lip, but I have to be careful with who we choose no matter how handsome he might be.

Gunnarr gave her a gentle smile. She was cute. Worrying her bottom lip with her small teeth and he had a hard time looking away from the action to stare at her beautiful eyes.

He understood her question. His family was well known however to keep his identity a secret his siblings never used their last name, so no one knew their relationship.

"Hmmm," he tilted his head in thought before answering, "we are people who invest."

It wasn't a lie. They invested in war, crops, wine , arms, trade, and other stuff. War and fighting was a major part of the family but trade was good too. His sister over saw that aspect of the family and they had gained quite a few ships over the years.

"Oh?" she took in his figure again. He was obviously wearing the most expensive and extravagant clothes and accessories, "It looks like your family does well for themselves."

He smiled at her in humor, "I will not complain."

The emperor focused on him, "I must ask, out of mere curiosity, why have you decided to come to the Capital? Your family has never stayed here before if I remember correctly."

It was strange to have the villa on top of the hill all of a sudden occupied.

No matter how charming this young man was the emperor was still cautious of him. I admit it is odd that all of a sudden he showed up, but still...

"Ah," he scratched his cheek and his smile didn't reach his eyes. He cleared his throat in a little bit of embarrassment, "My family seems to think that I am in need of a wife and dragged me here to be honest."

Murmurs ran throughout the hall. A rich and handsome young man would definitely be a catch for any family.

The emperor rubbed his chin, it seems that fate may be with us.

"Do you not like the capital?" he asked Gunnar.

"To be blunt I enjoy my privacy and the quiet of my rural home," Gunnarr answered, "Others, I'm sure, would not find it very exciting but I enjoy it immensely. Hopefully, I can find a wife that would think the same."

Elin nodded her head, a quiet and peaceful life in the countryside sounded good. She also loved going to her family's territory. It was a territory made up of mostly farmers but it was amazing to her.

It would be a good life, she thought to herself, I never really liked the city life and expected parties. And maybe later in life when father retires this man would allow him to move in with them so she could take care of him in his later years. Not only that, but if his family is into investing, he would easily be able to take care of their family's territory.

That was another thing. Not only did she need to marry someone to help her cousin, she needed to marry someone that could also become the heir to her father's estate and territory.

"Do you believe a farming territory is a good one?" Elin asked carefully. Watching him closely.

He tilted his head again as he looked at her, she started to believe that it was a sign that he was thinking.

"I don't see why it wouldn't be," he answered, "Farmers are the backbone of any nation."

Elin felt herself smiling at him, "I agree with you completely."

Gunnarr nodded to himself more than to what she had said, I think my sister found an interesting woman. I'll need a little more information on her and her family. Plus their situation.

"Elin," the emperor smiled at his niece, "Why don't you show the young Gunnar Cato around?"

Elin nodded at her uncle, he probably wants me to gauge if this man is an enemy sent by her other cousins and their followers or if he might be a potential ally.

"Sir Gunnar," she smiled at him, "Would you like to accompany me this evening in viewing the garden? I guarantee it's a lovely sight."

"I would love to lady Styrmir," Gunnar held his arm out to her and she took it without hesitation.

As Gunnar walked off further into the party with his niece on his arm, the emperor watched in deep thought, Hopefully, the heavens have decided to bless us.

He sighed heavily, so far everyone of military importance was siding with his other sons.

It would have been nice if I could have convinced the three northern warriors to come to the Capitol but they refused me, he thought of the mysterious men that many of their country's warriors looked up to. Haraldur, Greipr, and Brandr but they remained out of politics and out of sight of the public.

A rich man can buy loyalty, so that is also a plus, he assumed walking forward to also join the party.