On Thin Ice (Prequel to Guild)

Chapter Fourteen: Tunnels Like Veins

               The song of the river flowed through them all, but the way the song sounded had changed. No longer was it cold and sad yet strong. No longer did its icy teeth tear enemy flesh, make red ribbons of warlords and conquerors. Now, the Phantom's people flooded land. The rebels' song had changed.

But so had Yuina Mongonai.

Boiling blood rushed through her veins, her heart a fire in her chest. She was not a king but a god. A rageful spirit with a voice like fresh water- clear and powerful and sharp enough to cleave through stone.

Her fist pounded the table. Made fourteen grown men stop... and listen.

"We do not attack Hikarishi." A breath full of cold, northern air filled her lungs and cooled her head. She narrowed her eyes and surveyed the room. "There will be no raids."

Fourteen frowns. At least six clenched jaws and two cutting glares worthy of a Kimsura's blade.

Murmurs of doubt- of concern filled the room. Her cousin's dark brows furrowed beneath his braided crown as the legs of a chair scraped the floor. Lord Jurisa took his stand. "Will we import rule over the clans from Hikarishi too?" he asked, "Give ourselves a Hikarishi emperor and Hikarishi king?"

"I am not Hikarishi."

Another fist hit the table. This one sent vibrations through her core, buried Yuina's voice deep within her throat. His iron words drew moisture from her eyes. "And you are not our king."

"Neither are you," Khasan breathed, his low voice like a northern wind that swayed the Daraakhaan braid over his brow. The heir's mark. His crown.

Quiet rippled through the room. The air turned sharp and biting.

"She might as well be."

"Attacking innocent people is a vile-"

"Innocents! You think those scum that curse our land, kill our gods and slaughter our sacred beasts are innocent now? The ones that work the southern countries into the mud and-"

"Servants!" Yuina shot, hands balling into fists. "You are thinking of the one percent. The majority-"

"Go along with it. Reap its benefits and put up with their masters' abuse because at least they can walk on our throats-"

"I don't think they think like that at all," said Khasan, "I think they want change as much as we do. In fact, they're the only reason why Yuaa is here in the first place."

"Do you think they would help us?" Niikhaan Ueno asked, sitting forward in his chair. The handsome son of Lord Ueno's eyes were bright, hopeful, as he looked to Yuina. "If we attack, would they join us or get in our way?"

"Right now, I think they are afraid."

"They'd get guards."

Some, she wanted to say, not all. But she held her tongue. Many months in the Dragon and Snake Courts had taught her that skill. Many days in the company of Raia Kimsura, who watched nearly every step. "Right now their fear of Amihan Kimsura and Emperor Jimmu stop up their courage. But I'm working... I think I can change things in the courts of the Two Golden Serpents without violence."

"Lovely sentiment, but the Hikawas have blades for tongues and the Kimsuras will use theirs to cut off your head before you get the chance to speak."

"It's called subtlety," Khasan grumbled, "perhaps you haven't heard of it?"

"You intend to manipulate them."

"Not manipulate," she replied, though she didn't know the proper word. "Many of the courtiers I've met have never.... never had anyone be kind to them."