Wen¹ Literally wen (sun). Name of one of the three Empires, Wen, Ran and Sen. (Sun, Moon and Star). Also used as surname by the members of the Imperial Family with ascending rights to the throne FeiWan²Literally fei (raging / furious) + wan (fire) raised his head and took his rightful seat at the top of the Imperial dais, trying to look as uninterested and detached as possible.

That fucking bitch! She had actually managed to summon all the El’Gin³Literally el (supreme) + gin (gold). Name given to the male children of the Emperor. Could be translated into prince in the common language. and El'Lin⁴Literally el (supreme) + lin (silver). Name given to the female children of the Emperor. Could be translated into princess in the common language of age! Even the always skittish, delicate NimRen⁵Literally nim (gentle) + ren (river) had been made to be present, he noticed, glancing sideways at her.

Being the only child of the El’Dur⁶Literally el (supreme) + dur (ruler). Name given to the Emperor that hadn’t inherited their father's green eyes or the Imperial fire daitai⁷Literally dai (light) + tai (mark), or holy Markings, considered Heavenly Blessings. They’re the source of power., Wen NimRen sat next to her pompous brother, nervously squeezing her hands together, her gaze cast down. She had clearly been dressed for the occasion, her beautiful gown flaunting the brown and green colors of her mother’s Province, her red hair carefully braided and held together by glistening, exquisite jewelry. They had obviously tried to make her look as regal as possible. And yet all that luxury only seemed to weigh on her, the shiny jewelry casting dark shadows on her porcelain face, making her look like an excessively adorned, scared little child instead.

Wen CalWan⁸Literally cal (bright) + wan (fire), the oldest of the El’Gin, on the other hand, sat facing the entire room as if the entire world righteously belonged to him. He too, was richly dressed and adorned, his hair tied in the ways of the latest fashion amongst the noble Clans, but, unlike his timid younger sister, such extravagant appearance was hardly uncommon for him. He would have probably wore those same exact clothes, even if they hadn’t been summoned to be present at that farce of a Council. Notwithstanding, even though he looked like the pompous bastard that he was, richly dressed in such a way that no one would dare point a finger at him and accuse him of being improperly dressed for the occasion, he still managed to pass on the message that, as far as he was concerned, being there was as inconsequential to him as taking a stroll in the imperial gardens. FeiWan simply hated that about him! Well, he hated a lot of things about him!

Averting his gaze, he peered to his other side, to see GinWan⁹Literally gin (golden) + wan (fire) and LinWan¹⁰Literally lin (silver) + wan (fire), both sitting on their rightful places. If one could call that sitting.

Even though they had managed to make Wen LinWan wear a gown, like any proper lady would while attending an Imperial summoning, she sat with one foot beneath her bottom, completely ruining any chances of her actually looking like a noble lady, much less an Imperial El’Lin. FeiWan knew she hated wearing feminine clothes, and so that was probably her way to openly tell them all to go screw themselves. Her wearing women’s clothes meant that everyone could clearly distinguish one twin from the other, when they clearly spent the entire time making sure that they looked exactly the same.

Wen GinWan was behaving even worse than his sister, both legs hanging leisurely from one of the arms of his chair, while he distractedly played with his dagger, tossing it into the air only to grab it again, the precious stones inlaid into the handle flashing brightly every time it spun midair. Many of the Ministers presently kneeling in front of the dais kept glancing fearfully at him. FeiWan didn’t blame them. No one could ever guess what went through that head of his. And the probability of him just deciding to send that dagger flying into some poor bastard’s chest out of sheer boredom, was probably as high as the certainty that the sun would rise every morning. FeiWan just hoped that, for once, he would stab to death the right person, he thought, following the bitch that had practically forced them all to be present there, watching her as she crossed the dais to place a protective arm around the chair placed right next to hers.

And there it was! The most outrageous thing of all! The chair that should be occupied by the supreme ruler of the Empire, was actually presently occupied by scrawny brat! Wen TenWan¹¹Literally ten (eternal) + wan (fire).. Her own and only child. A sixteen-year-old brat that had no place in a Council like that!

This was hardly the first time that she dragged him to such events. In fact, Wen TenWan had spent most of his childhood sitting on his mother’s lap, attending every possible official meeting, council, gathering, feast. Wherever she went, he was certain to go as well. And she obviously took extreme pleasure in flaunting him in front of every noble and imperial officer, at every chance she got. Especially if the El’Dur was present. Because, even though such a thing had been completely unheard-of throughout the entire History of the Empire, even though she didn't have a single drop of imperial blood running through her veins, she was always sure to have a place right next to El’Dur. Which meant that her child had a place right next to the El’Dur as well, unlike the other El’Gin and El’Lin.

This was also not the first time that she took upon herself to summon a Council, or that the El’Dur apparently allowed her to make official decisions regarding the Empire’s government in his stead. By now, no matter if they liked it or not, everyone knew that the El’Dur’s word and the El’Dai¹²Literally el (supreme) + dai (light). Name given to the Empress’s word were one and the same. How that bitch had managed to worm her way into the head of a cold, manipulative, scheming man like his father, however, was beyond FeiWan’s understanding. He doubted very much that she had been able to worm her way into the man’s heart, since he knew for a fact that he didn’t have a heart to begin with. And he also doubted that she had been able to worm her way into his pants to the point where he couldn’t live without her. After all, Wen CaiWan¹³Literally cai (burn) + wan (fire), the great ruler of all, could obviously have whomever he wanted in his bed, and no one would even dare to look twice, much less question his sexual desires or preferences. So, how such a small, frail-looking little woman had managed to rise to such a high position of power, was truly mystery for a good many people. And now, not only she was obviously intending to lead the Council on her own, she still had had the nerve to sit her sniveling brat on the El’Dur’s chair! As if it were righteously his! Practically telling everyone present that the next successor to the throne had already been decided.

Not that FeiWan had anything against the poor kid, he thought, glancing his way.

Like his mother, Wen TenWan didn’t wear the colors of his Province, but the black, red and gold Imperial colors instead. And yet, no matter how much she dressed him up, or carefully adorned his red hair, FeiWan couldn’t help think that the poor kid looked too pale, too frail and sickly. Probably because his mother wouldn’t allow him to take one step out of her sight, which meant that he was barely allowed to walk outside, much less play with other teens his age. FeiWan even doubted that she had allowed him to undergo the mandatory training of sword-fighting and hand-to-hand combat that every noble children, royals included, had to complete. She most certainly hadn’t allowed him to participate in the last Seventh Year Gathering, arguing that the child was still too young.

Too young!! At the time Wen TenWan had been practically thirteen years of age! LinWan and GinWan had been thirteen as well, when, like many other children their age, they had participated in their Seventh Year Gathering, ten years ago. Not to mention that the reason why they had all been summoned there that day, had been barely twelve! TenWan most certainly would not be allowed to take part of the next Gathering, since he’d be too old for that. Once more, how the El’Dur simply allowed her to do as she pleased, even if that clearly went against his own Imperial decrees, was beyond his understanding.

“I have summoned you all here because it is my belief that our beloved Empire may be in eminent danger!” Wen LaoTin¹⁴Literally lao (strong) + tin (leaf). openly declared, imperially standing by her son’s side, facing the ministers kneeling in front of her, and FeiWan sighed inwardly.

The fuck she had! She had summoned those poor bastards so that no one could accuse her of one-sidedly deciding on matters of the state. And she hadn’t summoned just anyone. They were either old, practically retired ministers, or those who always smartly supported her decisions, no matter what nonsense came out of those perfectly painted lips. As if that wasn’t enough, she had made sure that the El’Gin and El’Lin were also present, to pressure the poor bastards into keeping their mouths shut. As if anyone would dare go against her, when she stood there, with all the possible future heirs to the Crown sitting at her back!

“As you all know, sensibly two months ago, a military rescue mission was approved by Imperial decree. Some important members of the Demon Clan had been taken by force from their lands, and were being held prisoners in one of the many abandoned Fortresses of the currently ungoverned Province of Pon¹⁵Literally pon (mountain). Where Pon is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province.. The one chosen to lead such an important mission was none other than the Lun Calzai¹⁶Literally lun (black) plus cal (bright) + zai (blade), or Blade of Light. It can be translated in common language as Black General, one of military leaders of the Empire. Each Province has it’s own Calzai. To distinguish them they were given different colors. The Lun Calzai refers to Nox ZaiWin from Nox. from the Province of Nox¹⁷Literally nox (night). Where Nox is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province..”

The freaking Governor of Nox, she meant!, FeiWan grunted in his thoughts. It always amazed him how people always conveniently forgot about that. They always preferred to see him as the obedient dog of the Empire. A dog who had apparently had enough, and had finally decided to turn around and bite his owner’s hand. FeiWan almost smiled at that.

“As you all also know, the protocol in these situations clearly states that, once the mission is completed, the armed forces are to return to the Palace, where a detailed report of the mission is to be directly presented to the El’Dur, so that a balance of gains and losses may be then officially compiled.

“It’s been two months! And we are now told that the Lun Calzai, that should be leading his army back to the Palace, is nowhere to be found! He has simply abandoned his mission, and his present whereabouts are unknown. We have sent instructions to all the Provinces of the Empire, requesting that he may be directed to present himself to the Palace as soon as possible. But, to this moment, none of the Provinces have sent us a favorable reply. Considering the possibility that he might have received news from his Province, urgently requiring his immediate presence, which could then justify such improper behavior, we sent a small detachment to inquire about the present situation in Nox. And yet our men were bluntly prevented to cross the border into Nox’s lands!” she declared, her calm and collected demeanor slowly crumbling away, as anger and outrage took over her usually mellow voice.

“The reason is this!” she stated, grabbing something that had been apparently resting on her empty chair, and FeiWan had to do his best not to turn his head, to see what she so furiously held.

“As stated in this document, all the lands registered under the banner of the Province of Nox, its people and livestock, are to be temporally managed by the Nai Calzai¹⁸Literally nai (transparent / translucent) plus cal (bright) + zai (blade), or Blade of Light. It can be translated in common language as Invisible General, one of military leaders of the Empire. Each Province has it’s own Calzai. To distinguish them they were given different colors. The Nai Calzai refers to RimMyu from Wei. of Wei¹⁹Literally wei (crystal / precious stone). Wei is the name of the Clan (family name), also the name of a Province.!”

It was all FeiWan could do not to laugh out loud like a crazy man. What? She had only found out about that now? He had known about the transference of power for almost a month! It had been a master play, he had to admit. And it had all been clearly well planed. Above all, it was a legal action, recognized by the law. Of course it had been initially meant to be used when the Governor of a Province fell gravely ill and was therefore temporally unable to perform his duties. But the fact was that it didn't say anywhere that it could only be used in such cases. And so there was nothing anyone could do. Not to mention that the Nai Calzai of Wei was hardly an easy character to deal with. Heck. He had just forbidden an Imperial detachment from stepping into Nox’s lands. Maybe attending that Council hadn’t been such a waste of time after all, FeiWan thought. At least he got the chance to see that bitch fuming angrily from her mouth, at realization of how easily her supposed unchallenged authority had been so blatantly ignored.

“We have officially requested that the temporary Governor of Nox may be present in this Council, so that we could better understand the reasons behind this transference of power. But our invitation has been politely declined, under the pretext that the government of Nox is currently undergoing a deep restructuring, and that the physical presence of its temporary Governor is therefor indispensable at the moment.”

As if a smart, weathered man like the Nai Calzai would oblige her and willingly offer his neck to be cut off!, FeiWan snorted inwardly.

“The Nai Calzai has assured us, however, that he too is unaware of the Lun Calzai’s whereabouts, and that he has not crossed into Nox’s lands,” she went on and FeiWan did his best no to roll his eyes. He was sure not even her would believe that load of crap!

“Which leaves us with a possible problem in our hands. Such brazen behavior from a Calzai is completely unheard-of, and a clear affront to the Imperial rule. Faced with this unusual situation, we can’t help feel apprehensive regarding the true reasons behind such open defiance. As such, we have decided that, taking into account this obviously abnormal situation, and the fact that all our amicable requests have been declined, it would be in the best interest of all, if an Imperial order for the arrest of the Lun Calzai, Nox ZaiWin, should be issued.”

Who the fuck were we?, that’s what FeiWan wanted to know. And what was that about amicable requests? Hadn’t they tried to kill him just last month? What did they expect after that? That he would happily walk through the Palace’s gates on his own and cheerfully inquire about who had been looking for him? There really was no limit to how idiotic these people could be!

On the other hand, he couldn't help noticing that she had failed to mention the supposed mysterious child that had accompanied their fugitive dog! He doubted very much that old age was finally catching up with her, the cunning bitch!

“As we all know, for such an order to be officially issued, it is needed that at least twenty members of the Council be in favor of such drastic measures.”

Which was probably the exact number of useless ministers that she had summoned, FeiWan figured.

“And so I ask that you carefully consider all the facts presented here today, so that you may reach the right decision, keeping in sight the best interest of our beloved Empire,” she pleaded, all worry and heartfelt concern, as if the poor bastards kneeling in front of her would think about anything else other than their love for their old heads, and how important it was to keep them attached to their necks.

Silvareiel

Ah, my poor FeiWan, having to deal with thes kind of shit ? How I feel for you. ? I would probably be GinWan, if I had to seat through a Council like this.?

Next chapter = New Arc (you will all be very happy from now on, I hope ?)