How To Tame An Empress (BOOK I)

Chapter 23 - The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

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The light in the chamber began to dim into bruised amber as the scent of parchment and oil hung in the air, mixed with the metallic bite of tension.

As I stood at the head of the long table, the markings of borderland provinces were sprawled out across the map before me, and the line of grim-faced commanders and advisors were flanked on either side of me as they spoke in hushed voices, gazes tight with caution.

I have gotten too comfortable recently, and that has caused my position as emperor to seem weak, and as far from the truth as it was, my enemies saw it as a chance nonetheless.

"Three of our scouts returned from the northern frontier earlier today. They reported suspicious movement from the barbarian tribes; Banners on the hills, light fires, smoke." The centurion spoke with his head bowed slightly.

"How many of them?" I bit out, jaw tight.

"We cannot say just yet." That was not what I wanted to hear.

"I thought we were done with this problem but these barbarians seem to keep sprouting back up like the undead." I muttered, eyes scanning over the map as if it would give me answers.

"No one could have foreseen this, dominus." Tiberius started as he stepped forth. "For now, it would be safe to assume that these enemies are from the old coalition that you drove back a number of years ago. After all, from what the scouts have said, there is no sign of unified command yet. They are simply watching us, and we can use that to our advantage."

He was smart with his thought process, I could only agree. Since I knew these enemies were observing me right now, I could use that to my advantage as Tiberius said. Give off a weak facade which will make them underestimate me, only for them to then be hit with their cruel reality that I am not the emperor whom Rome will go down with.

"Putting that aside for now, if I recall correctly, there were supposed to be four scouts?" My eyes picked up to catch the centurions as a look of displeasure overcame him.

"He did not return." Silence fell as my eyes fell back to look at the map.

I know this game all too well. How these waving flags may hold no meaning, but they give hope to the wrong people. How those small fires may seem harmless right now, but it is always a sign of something larger. Like a wolf masked in sheep's clothing, luring me in only to then pounce.

I released a breath, chuckling in disbelief as a laugh, low and angry, spilled forth. I could be with Ria right now, hugging and kissing her, inhaling her scent or making love to her, but instead I am playing mind games with enemies whom I thought I had already vanquished. What a joke.

"What do you plan to do, dominus?" The centurion asked, almost hesitant.

"Send additional scouts north. Get them to confirm numbers that I can trust... These enemies, as barbaric as they may seem, I am smart enough to know not to underestimate them. They have lost to me before, they will be smarter this time, I cannot let down my guard."

"Understood, imperator. I will assemble a number of scouts and send them on their way. We will have the answers you need within a fortnight." I nodded my approval.

"While that is happening, shall we begin to mobilise, imperator?" Tiberius asked.

"Quietly, yes. A few centurias for now, but if the threat persists, then we will raise the numbers and use the legions as well... I do not want to alarm the people, but if we must fight, then it will be on our terms, not theirs." Murmurs of assent echoed through the chambers.

I ended the meeting with a low voice and sharp command, dismissing them with finality, and as the room emptied, I lingered behind to catch up with my thoughts.