The palace never sounded so silent, silent and tense, like a needle could drop on the floor and it will be enough to cause chaos on this very hallway he's treading.
The soldiers standing guard, trained to mask emotions even when faced with debauchery in front of them, all display looks of curiosity and wariness at his very presence.
Is it the blood on his clothes? Is it the dire matter the emperor has summoned him for, that, even before he can ride his horse inside the palace grounds, a cavalry already awaits to fetch him? Quite dramatic, he would say, but the lack of proper sleep hinders him from commenting about it out loud.
At the end of the hallway are two heavy doors that reach up to the ceiling which is four, five storeys high; on the other side of these doors is the throne room where the emperor and the rest of his council must be waiting. He expected to see the emperor seated while sporting a bored expression, his council loomed over dozens of report scrolls or a tactical map, caught in an argument regarding strategies.
Sun-shin's wrong on both counts.
The room is empty save for the emperor who has his back turned to them, gazing up at a painting at the far right side of the room. He doesn't turn even after the herald guard had announced 'Your Imperial Highness, General Yi has arrived.'
Sun-shin gets on his knees, his planking commanders mirroring his gesture. The emperor looks towards their direction briefly, giving an acknowledging nod before setting his eyes on the painting again. Sun-shin couldn't see what was particularly interesting about the painting but he said naught of it.
"How was the negotiation with the Westerners?"
His eyes flicker for a moment down the bloodstain on his left chest plate, extending down his sleeves. "Although inconsiderable, we weren't able to keep blood from being shed."
"Were you unharmed?"
"No fatal injuries, your Highness."
The emperor nods. Sun-shin then delves into full details of his report, supposing this was the reason he was summoned here early without having the time to make himself presentable. Although the absence of the other generals, the emperor's advisor, the imperial council—still seems odd for him.
All the while, the emperor just listens, or Sun-shin thinks he does, with the lack of response from the former. Silence ensues when he's finished narrating. For a moment he even considers checking if the emperor has any questions but the emperor spoke before he could.
"I'd like to have a word with the general in private." He signals everyone in the room to leave them. They all comply immediately.
Without preamble, the emperor starts talking once they are alone inside the spacious throne room, "I want you to look into this scare that's been going around."
Sun-shin frowns. An investigative job? Surely the emperor has better and suitable people for this kind of job. He says exactly what's on his mind.
"I couldn't entrust this with anyone else, it's too dangerous. Besides, I think you'd be particularly interested in this case."
The emperor is looking at him meaningfully it makes Sun-shin uneasy. If it is so dangerous as he makes it out to be, then why him? "What is it about?"
"There have been attacks." The emperor begins. "Boats were destroyed, dead fishes washed ashore, fortunately no dead body has shown up yet, but with the fisheries low, it's only a matter of time before our people starve." He runs a hand on a figurine set on one of the tables. "Ocean typhoons have become frequent lately, too, and there have been—"
The knot on his forehead grows deeper. It didn't make any sense to him, why he'd be the one to check the root cause of this calamity. "I don't understand why you think I—"
"—sightings of a siren." The emperor ignores his interruption. His last word seems to have silenced him anyway.
Sun-shin freezes for a moment but quickly reminds himself to stay impartial, to not let on any emotion. But the emperor knew better. The sudden indifference is a dead giveaway. He breaks off into a soft smile, comes close to Sun-shin and places a hand on his shoulder. "I could easily take this matter into my own hands but I'd rather give you the chance to fix this on your own terms."
He decides against shaking off the hand placed on his shoulder. Instead he scoffs. "Fix? Are you implying that I started this?"
"No," The emperor says simply. "But I believe you can end it." They hold gazes. Something in the way the emperor looks at him tells Sun-shin that he knows, he's long been aware of whatever it is he's trying to keep from him. "If it's too hard a task for you, I can call in some reinforcement from the East, say, the King of Mahar Pura—"
"Minsitthar will not be involved in any of this." He pointedly stops him. "I will handle this myself."
The emperor grins in triumph, pats his shoulder twice before turning to walk towards another ornament table. His posture alone indicates that the subject has already been dropped. Sun-shin is about to turn and leave as well when the emperor speaks again. "Postpone whatever trip you have in mind. The queen of Nost Gal is arriving before sundown."
"Aurora? What reason would the queen of the North have to come down here?"
"Nothing but for peace." The emperor smiles, too mysterious for Sun-shin's liking. "Now go and make yourself presentable, you look rather awry."
Sun-shin eyes him suspiciously. He thinks he can guess what the emperor is thinking but he'd rather not dwell on it.
"I'll see you in dinner... son."
He bows briefly before exiting the room.
to be continued
