𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟮𝟭; white raven

SHE HAD GOT IN CONTACT WITH THE WHITE RAVEN. The streets were lively and busy, vendors shouting with their wares, peddlers selling goods of all kinds. The smell of food from the carts wafted through the air. Jieun walked with her hands folded behind her back. She was dressed finely, in a dark green gown that had gold trim, black coat with a hood, and soft boots. Around her waist hung a belt, covered by the coat. Her sword was there, in case anything was to happen. She kept her head down as she walked, looking carefully for anyone who was looking at her or seemed suspicious.

Jieun was walking to a tavern at the corner of a street, where she was supposed to meet her spy. The tavern was in the shadow of a large stone temple. Jieun entered, and inside it was loud. Soldiers and local men were getting drunk. A group of men playing dice sat in the corner. A serving girl was moving between tables, taking orders. There was a bar to one side, where men sat and drank. Jieun took a stool at the bar and called for an ale.

She took a long drink of the ale. It was good, not too strong, and not too weak. She quite enjoyed the taste, to her own surprise. Putting the mug down, she looked around. Her dark hair hung loosely around her head and shoulders. His brown eyes glittered in the flickering light of the fireplace. Intently, she was watching the people in the tavern, and saw something out of the corner of her eye.

Directing her attention to that very corner, she saw a pretty young woman sitting in the corner, dressed in simple clothes. Their eyes met and the woman's lips quivered into a small smirk. That must have been her. Jieun's fingers curled around her mug of ale as she slipped off her seat and walked over to her.

'May I join you for a little chat, woman to woman?' Jieun asked, having already taken a seat.

'You sent for me?' The pretty woman arched an eyebrow at Jieun, eyes running over her face. 'I must warn you, Princess. I do not speak without the right price.'

Jieun smiled slightly. 'I will make it worth your while.' She reached into the pocket of her coat and took hold of a leather pouch. She held it out to her, and the pretty woman could see the silver coins. 'Will that be enough for you?' she asked.

She peered into the pouch and nodded. 'I assume you are here to know about the growing rebellion amongst the commoners?'

'Indeed, I am here for that,' she replied, and raised her brow in curiosity. 'There's a growing rebellion amongst the commoners, then? What are they rebelling against?' God, she knew nothing of it, but pretended she did for the sake of not revealing anything about herself other than her title and name. The council had never spoken of a growing rebellion.

She sipped her ale, listening to her response. The spy seemed pleasant enough.

'The Free Man's Islands have long been a problem for trading, have they not?' she asked Jieun.

'The Islands are troublesome, yes. They're a haven for pirates, smugglers, and all manner of lawless sorts. It's impossible to police without a significant investment of troops and supplies,' Jieun said.

'Rumours has it that some rogues from the Islands have managed to poison the minds of the commoners. Hence, the growing rebellion.'

Jieun smirked at the information and took another drink of her ale. 'Why would they do that?' she asked, her brow raised. 'Pirates and smugglers tend to be more concerned with the wealth of gold in their pockets than with the opinions of the commoners.'

She took another sip of her ale before adding another comment, it tasted quite good, almost too good. She feared she might grow addicted. 'Though, I suppose some of the lords of the Pitched Sea might have a vested interest in swaying public opinion. It would give them the opportunity to expand their horizons, with enough support behind them. . .'

The pretty woman smiled, clearly pleased with Jieun. 'You are starting to understand.'

'A dangerous thing, swaying the hearts and minds of the people,' Jieun commented. 'The commoners, they have the power to overthrow even the greatest of kings. Or at least to ruin their plans.'

The woman hummed, 'you are a clever girl, aren't you?'

Jieun smirked, not sure if she meant the comment genuinely or as a slight. 'I try,' she said. 'I suppose most do not expect such things from a princess.'

'But princesses are clever, that I know,' the pretty woman said.

'As do I,' Jieun replied.

'Now. . . there is something else you should know,' the woman said, leaning closer to her. 'I say this to you for the good deeds you have done in Rat's Den. We hold great respect for you there, if that information eases your heart.'

A small smile spread on Jieun's lips, relief spreading throughout her chest. 'It does.'

'I am glad.' The pretty woman smiled back at her, a genuine smile. 'They call him the "Pirate King" , the one in charge of the Free Man's Islands.'

'What of him?'

'On one of my voyages there I saw the House Sigil of a panther, do you know what house that is?'

Her heart dropped to her stomach. She did indeed know. 'House Nishimura.'

'There were rumours they were growing an army to travel to Bay's Water where they would take control of the trading port. That way, they could have full control over the Pitched Sea.'

'Fuck,' Jieun whispered, downing her ale all in one swing, having learnt that from Jungwon.

The woman raised her eyebrows in surprise before clearing her throat. 'Their army is two thousand men strong. If I were to give you advice, I would travel to the Free Man's Islands and take control over them there. We do not want war on our side.'

'They cannot afford that many men. . .'

'If they have support from a greater House then. . . I am afraid they can.'

'Two thousand men,' Jieun repeated, musing. She was beginning to realise how much of a threat the Free Men would prove to be. Clearly, the man was being funded by the Nishimuras.

They had more men than that, more than double in Vaelor alone, but she could not bring them all to the Free Islands. She would need the blessing of House Lee, who owned the largest fleet in the realm.

She inhaled a sharp breath, looking at the White Raven with a small look of respect. 'I thank you for your service tonight.'

The pretty woman smiled and held the pouch in her hands. Slowly, she pushed it back to Jieun. 'You can repay me when you are queen.'