Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Kanyou's War - Weight of the Crown

-Ryo's Fui's estate, Kanyou-

Ryo Fui sighed and rubbed his temple. The spy to report to him stood in the shadows, waiting for a response.

"If it had been anyone else, I would have thought I was dreaming or you were lying," Ryo muttered. "Crazy bitch."

"Should I change my post to that of the Queen Mother, then?" The spy wondered. "If the Queen Mother is in league with the royal family..."

Ryo refuted him, knowing his train of thought, "The Queen Mother personally bringing a male to Zelda and getting her to bed him isn't helping her nor enjoying some screwed up threesome as the wildest imagination might allow..." Ryo shuddered. Knowing the frigidity of the former and the cruelty of the latter, there was only one possibility. "Her cruelty has surpassed my expectations. Something will have to be done with her to keep her in control..."

The spy continued to stand by. Ryo remembered himself and ordered him, "Nevermind my ramblings. Go, return to your post."

The torchlight returned and Ryo found himself alone. Yet still, the warmth of the fire offered no comfort to the cold nip in the air nor the thoughts in his mind.

Ryo sighed. He really didn't want to have to deal with Bi Ki on top of everything else, but despite his misgivings and the knowledge of how risky things were, he couldn't stop his heart from yearning. He was a man of desires. He wanted the palace and went for it. He desired women and took them. He tore down dynasties in his fury and lifted them up in his mercy. Kingdoms and kings were his pawns. His skill as a merchant was to know the value of desire and a talent to exploit it for everyone's benefit, including his own. And so he warred with himself. Bi Ki was risky, but he found he desired her as strongly now as he did when he first saw her, and that desire gave him ambition and ability, and motivation.

Twice more in the coming days, he had nightly rendezvous with the Queen Mother.

Twice more he requested reports of his various spies and learned Zelda's faction was motionless and the heir was unusually quiet.

"A few more days," Ryo told himself. "Just a few more days and I will have all I need to take Qin."

But that same day, Ryo was requested by Ri Shi, his chief man of law, for a meeting. An odd requestion, considering Ri Shi despised useless engagements, disliked people, and hated leaving his comfortable abode even more. Here was a man whose most heavenly of days was to sit in silence, alone, while studying countless documents and writing scrolls. He could go days without eating or drinking for simple forgetfulness as he set his mind to the perfection of a single Chu Ci.

To Ryo's surprise, there was a crowd of his ministers with Ri Shi in their midst. Among them was much bickering and back and forth. Seeing him arrive, Ri Shi stepped out of the crowd and approached Ryo. Ryo eyed down his man-of-law.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ryo growled.

"Sir," Ri Shi said. "A rumor has sprung up suddenly among the officials. One that, when I heard it, I believed would only be put to rest by your word."

"This looks more like an ambush, Ri Shi, so pardon me if I find this difficult to swallow."

"I apologize, sir, but that is only because so many wishes to hear from your lips if it is true."

Ryo narrowed his eyes in thought. He had heard of no rumor that would concern him. "Very well, tell me the rumor and I will put it to bed." Ri Shi bowed briefly, addressed the crowd, and all turned quiet.

Ri Shi then asked loudly and clearly, "Are you having an affair with the Queen Mother?"

Ryo's blood ran cold.