A Flower and a Sword (Descending Fire 23, Realm Year 768)

Realm Expeditionary Forces Main Camp
on the outskirts of Great Forks

Cathak Tor's PoV

I find her in the armory, that foolish, irresponsible girl, how can she get herself into this mess? Now, in punishment, she is to be treated like a common servant, polishing the armor of common soldiers, and is forced to wear that... embarrassing dress!

...It looks good on her though...

"You there!" I call her. She comes to me, head bowed, eyes lowered.

"Is there something you need, sir?"

"I need you to polish my sword." I show her my shiny new orichalcum daiklave, which was awarded to me by Commander General Letaal himself after the battle. Such is the prize for honorable and valiant service to the realm.

I hand it to her, and being unattuned to the artifact, she finds it too heavy and drops it on the dusty floor.

"Look what you've done! Now its even dirtier!"

"Good morning, Lady Shima," a voice interrupts. "I thought I'd find you here."

"Valen!" She smiles.

She's very pretty when she smiles.

I turn to that annoying mortal. "What are you doing here?"

"I am a doctor, dragonlord," he replies. "I volunteered to head the medical staff."

"Why?"

"Half the army is sick. Half your troops are sick. I cannot stand by and watch as the plague claims their lives."

He produces a flower from the sleeve of his robe. "I thought I'd pass by and cheer you up a little, my lady." He hands it to Shima. "Here."

"Thank you, Valen." She smiles at him again.

"Pardon me, I must go. I have many patients to treat." He gives her a bow, and leaves.

She is still smiling at him.

Him. Again. That mortal never fails to vex me. What does she see in him, anyway?

I snatched the flower from her hand and crush it in my fist.

"Stop this foolishness! I expect my sword in my office by noon. Now get to work!"

She glares at me, as she did countless of times, those fiery red eyes boring into mine.

"I hate you, Cathak Tor." She turns her back on me, and carefully carries my daiklave from the floor.

She's said that to me countless of times, too. And everytime she does... somehow, it hurts.

I wish I can see her smile at me. That would be nice...

Descending Fire 22, Realm Year 768

Realm Expeditionary Forces Main Camp
on the outskirts of Great Forks

Cutting through the silence of the night, Cathak Rae, Dragonlord of the Realm Expeditionary Forces, screams one name in anger.

"SHIIIIMAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The scream can be heard over the entire camp, even in the quarters of General Tepet Ejava, where Cathak Shima herself was busy polishing the Roseblack's armor.

I'm so sorry for dragging you into this, Cousin Rae. Shima wipes the tears in her eyes with the sleeve of the servant's livery the general made her wear as punishment, before resuming her work.

"This is what happens when you don't think." The general was sitting on a comfortable chair, sipping wine as she watches Shima. She was oblivious to the fact that her dress, unusually short for livery, makes for excellent viewing conditions that the general is currently enjoying.

"Well?" The general continues. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"I'm so sorry, general," Shima says softly. They're the only words she can.

"Well, so what are you going to do about it? Hmm?"

Shima grips her polishing rag tightly, trying so hard to think. Finally, she lets go, and the rag slowly falls to her feet. "I don't know..."

"Think, Shima. Use that highly intelligent brain of yours." General Ejava says, irritation etched in her voice. Then, she sighs. "This is no use. Clearly you will not come up with anything coherent tonight."

She refills her wine glass. "Its such a pity. You are a capable young lady, and you show promise. Your school records said you were an excellent student. I was thinking of training you to be my..." Her voice trails off. "You displayed an utter lack of discipline and self-control. You disappointed me, Cathak Shima."

She sips from her glass. "Go to your quarters. You are dismissed for tonight."

Shima didn't move. She finds herself kneeling on the floor, sobbing silently.

"Fine, I will have the guards escort you then." She drags Shima to her feet.

Ejava grabs Shima's shoulders and shakes her a bit. Looking at the girl's tear-streaked face, she says, "You have better regain your will soon. I have hope for you yet. Do not waste it."

Ang Alamat ng Sunflower (Descending Fire 15, Realm Year 768)

What would you do when you wake up, and there's a flower on your pillow?

I'd show it to a friend.

"So where'd you get it?" Cema inquires.

"Well," I reply, "remember last night, when Valen bundled me in a blanket, and brought me out of the gathering?"

"I remember," Cema says.

"He carried me all the way to headquarters," I continue. "When he released me, we were in my room."

"He placed me on the bed, and he said,

'I don't mean to presume, my lady, but your behaviour was inappropriate for someone of your stature.'

'Oh Valen, you're such a prude! Its a party!' I giggled. 'The Cynis do it all the time. You should know, you're a Cynis.'"

"Hey, I'm a Cynis!" Cema interrupts. "I don't act wild in parties!"

"Only when you're stoned." I flash her a grin. "Now will you let me continue?"

"Anyway,

'My House isn't exactly the best example on how the Princes of the Earth should conduct themselves,' he chided. 'I believe it would serve you well if you were to refrain from emulating their actions, my lady.'

I gave him a little pout. 'Why would a mortal care so much how a Princess of the Earth behaves herself?'

'Because,' he said, as he sat next to me, 'mortals need you to guide them down the path that will lead them closer to the Elemental Dragons. And because...'

He took my hand.

'Because I don't like anyone to think wrongly of you.'

We held each other for a while. Then he said,

'I just want you for myself. But how could a Princess of the Earth love someone such as I?'

'Why shouldn't I? I can love any mortal I want,' I replied.

'But I'm not just any mortal, Cathak Shima.'

'Oh?' I smiled. My fingers traveled to the fastenings of my dress, then I said, 'Show me how different you are, Cynis Valen.'

He didn't sieze me, like I expected him to. Instead, he played his fingers on my skin, like a master musician strumming his sanxian, and my sighs were the sweetest melody to his ears.

And just as I thought I couldn't take any more, he climbed atop me, and..."

"So how's he different from Tor?" Cema, not able to contain her excitement, interrupts again.

"Tor was... urgent, like he finally had something he's always wanted, and he's not going to let anyone take it from him," I answer. "Valen was a lot gentler, like I was the most precious thing in Creation... It was like he was whispering a promise in my ear, that he'll take care of me forever."

"Oh." Cema stares at her feet. "I wish I was as pretty as you, Shima, then maybe Eran would..." She blushes furiously.

"What are you talking about?" Rae appears out of nowhere.

"Cema thinks I'm prettier than her," I reply.

"Nonsense, dear!" Rae puts her arm around Cema. "You're much much prettier than Shima! But you're not prettier than me, however..."

I chuckle at them as they walk away. I look at the flower in my hand, and remember last night...

Last night, when we were satisfied, while I was floating in the soft, warm place between waking and sleep, he said to me,

"'There will come a time in which you will have to decide between me, or your destiny as a Dynast of the Realm. I will not ask you to choose now, but when someday, I'm going to have to.'"

When I woke up, daylight was streaming through the windows, and there was a flower on my pillow. It was as round and golden as the sun, surrounded with petals that look like rays.

Descending Fire 14, Realm Year 768

Vermilion Legion temporary HQ / pleasure house formerly known as The House of Sighs
Great Forks

"I'm sorry for bothering you, my ladies," the messenger says, "but there is a woman in the reception area who insists on seeing the young lady Cathak today."

Rae and I are in my quarters, preparing for tonight's gathering. I was helping Rae with her hair when the messenger came.

"Which young lady Cathak?" asks Rae.

"That would be me." I run out the door, before Rae could ask any questions.

Thoughts race through my head as I race down the stairs. Somehow, I already know who's waiting for me, but why is she here? To see me, of course, obviously, but why here? Why couldn't she send me a message first, at least?

"Shima," I hear her say.

All the questions melted from my mind as I let myself sink into her arms.

"Hush now, Shima, I am here," she whispers into my ear.

I didn't realize that I have started crying. All I know is that I'm hugging my mother, and I haven't done so in seven years.

She leads me to a couch where she holds me, stroking my hair. She waits for the tears to stop flowing, before speaking again.

"Shima?" she asks, "Are you happy here?"

"Why... shouldn't I be happy?" Why would she ask me that?

"My little Shima..." She shakes her head. "Do you like serving in the Imperial Army?"

"I don't know... I don't dislike it, I, uhm..." I never really thought about it... "Mother? Why are you here?"

"Your general has called a gathering for a number of local business people to discuss financial aid for your extremely underfunded campaign."

"I know that, Mother, I mean, I thought you'd be invited but... why are you here?"

"Because," my mother says, looking right into my eyes, "I wish to take you home."

I pull away from her. "Mother, you know you can't. The verdict..."

"To Nexus, Shima. The verdict doesn't hold in Nexus."

"Its not that easy, Mother, I can't just leave. I'd love to, but..." I stare at my lap. "I have responsibilities now."

"To what? To the Realm?" She holds my shoulders, firmly. "Shima, listen. The Realm is run by the most devious, most selfish people in Creation. Did you not stop to think why they sent the most talented young officers in a war they don't have a good chance of winning? Did you not wonder why the Realm, wealthy and in possession of the most powerful weapons, sent you here under-equipped? Because you're a threat, Shima, you're a threat to their power, and they want to crush you while you're young and foolish."

She stops, and massages her temples.

"I'm not going to die," I reassure her.

"Cedric said something like that, when we last spoke," she says softly.

"Mother..." I hug her again. She hugs me back.

"Shima, I am old. I will not bear any more children. If you die, everything I've worked so hard for will no longer matter."

"I know."

She strokes my hair some more.

"I just wish I can take you home," she says, after a brief silence. "Teach you how to run the businesses, introduce you to the staff. Choose your husband."

"You will. When Grandfather thinks the time is appropriate. And I'm sure he'll find me a nice fiance."

"You would call that man grandfather?"

"He only did what he thought was best for me, Mother."

"He doesn't do what's best for you, Shima. He only does what's best for House Cathak."

"If you would prefer to think so."

"You're really not my daughter anymore, are you?" she says, her voice tinged with sadness.

"I still am, Mother, just... not according to the legal documents," I reply.

"I thought something like this will happen on this meeting." She sighs. "Very well then, I didn't come unprepared."

She opens her purse, and pulls out a folded piece of paper. "This is a map of an old manse your father was excavating." She hands it to me. "He left some items down there. I'm sure he'd want you to have those."

"This manse is right under Talat's Howe," I tell her, while studying the map.

"Yes. The monks who live there should be friendly, but still, if you're planning to retrieve them, please be careful."

"I will." I re-fold the map and put it in my pocket.

And from the corner of my eye, I see Rae peeking at us from behind the staircase.

I stand up, and say, loudly, "Thank you, Lady Ledaal. The general will be pleased that you could come tonight."

Taking my cue, she stands up as well. I bow to her.

"I will see you at the gathering tonight, then," she says.

And she leaves.

I walk back to the staircase, where Rae asks me, "Who was that?"

"Just a businesswoman from Nexus," I answer.

I climb back to my quarters, suddenly feeling tired.

Descending Fire 9, Realm Year 768 (part 3)

Before stepping out of the cafe, Tor turns his head and looks straight at my chest. I wait for him to notice that I'm watching him. He does, and I give him a sweet smile.

He glares at me once more and storms out of the cafe.

"Well," says General Ejava, "that was interesting." She faces me and says, "Shima, can you tell me what the purpose of this meeting is?"

I look at my cup thoughtfully. "Cathak Tor, who also happens to head the most powerful unit in this army, answers directly to Commander General Cathak Letaal. Since Letaal does not support your bid to become Daimyo, you are on the lookout for officers who he might use to jeopardize your plans. Tor is the most likely candidate, so you want to learn what his motivations are, his capabilities, what he's willing to do and for what price, his weaknesses, how you might be able to manipulate him for your own causes... which is why you brought me along, and by now you probably know that you can use me to... uhm..." I realized where my line of thinking was leading to, and I feel myself blush deeply.

"I must say I'm impressed, my dear." The general caresses my cheeks. I shy away from her.

"I hope you understand why I do these things, Shima," the general continues. "This is how the Realm works. There are pieces, and there are players. To get what you want, you have to be a player, and you have to play well."

I understand. For seven years I've been trying to find a way out of this game, because my parents taught me to never let myself be used as a piece. But the general is right. The only way out of this game is to play for my freedom. And if I'm going to play this game, the first thing I should do is to learn the rules.

"Thinking hard, aren't we?" the general suddenly says, making me jump off my seat and spilling my coffee. I feel myself blushing again.

"The sooner you master your feelings, the faster you can get into this game."

How come she knows everything? Am I that easy to read?

She gives me another sweet smile. "That's all for today, you are dismissed," she says. "I would invite you back to my quarters for some... relaxation... but I have a feeling you're not into that kind of... relaxation." She winks.

I promptly stand up, give her a salute, and head for the door.

"And keep the dress, it might come in handy again," I hear her call out.

Outside the cafe, I stop to take a deep breath. And think some more.

...I want to learn everything she knows.

Descending Fire 9, Realm Year 768 (part 2)

a really nice cafe,
somewhere in Port Calin

Cathak Tor's PoV

Contrary to what she led me to believe, Tepet Ejava wasn't alone. Seated next to her was none other than Shima, who just happens to be wearing an outfit that left little to the imagination. I try to ignore her, and focus on the general instead. I try.

The general smiles at me. "Cathak Tor, please have a seat."

"General, I want to know the purpose of this meeting," I say.

"I want to get to know you better, seeing as we're in this campaign together. Now please have a seat, dragonlord."

"Then why is she here?" I point at her companion. I'm not liking this meeting at all.

"Oh, I thought I'd bring your niece along, so you would be more comfortable. You are not? Shall I ask her to leave?" She smiles again.

"I... " I don't know what to say. I don't want her to leave.

"Just sit down, Tor," Shima says quietly. She doesn't look up from her cup of coffee.

I take a seat, slowly.

"Well then, I'm glad we're all settled down," says General Ejava. "So Tor, how's it like being the youngest son of Cathak Cainan?"

I might as well answer her questions. "Expectations for the son of the Head of House Cathak are high," I begin. "It is not enough that I exhibit the qualities embodied by the House; I must excel at them. I must be the perfect example for the other members of the House, and I must assure the House's future."

"Even though you're under so much pressure, I'm sure there is something that you value the most?" she asks.

"The only things that a Cathak should value the most are honor and duty," I reply.

"Nothing else?"

"There is nothing I value above honor and duty." Shima glares at me. I glare at her too. She should be paying attention to her duties as well, instead of associating herself with mortals...

"But don't you have any ambitions? Anything you want to do with your life? Any goals?" the general asks some more.

"I do not like discussing my future plans."

"I, for one, want to become Daimyo of the Realm. I openly discuss my ambition because I believe I will achieve this. So what about you, Cathak Tor, what would you like to be?"

"I want to succeed my father as the Head of House Cathak." Shima rolls her eyes. I'm still glaring at her.

"Do you think you will succeed?" asks the general.

"Yes. Even now, my father and the house elders trust me enough to have chosen me to command Cathak's elite magitech unit."

"Only because Rae and I have chosen to serve under the Tepet general instead, otherwise I believe grandfather and the elders wouldn't have come to such a decision as easily," Shima says. "Personally, I think they were more in favor of Rae..." She smiles.

That's it. I stand up and slam my fist on the table. "And why should they choose her? She's almost as bad as you. And what in Malfeas do you think are you wearing? For Hesiesh's sake, put something on, you're an embarrassment to the House."

"You like what you see, Uncle?"

Yes. "NO."

"Alright children, I think I've learned enough," the general says. "This meeting is adjourned. Should I leave the two of you alone?"

"I have duties to attend." I give Shima a hard look before heading for the exit.

...I couldn't help but notice her breasts the whole time.

Descending Fire 9, Realm Year 768 (part 1)

Vermilion Legion Temporary HQ / a requisitioned hotel

Port Calin

General Ejava opens the door to her room. "Cathak Shima, do come in please."

She sits on an armchair as I give her a salute. "General, why was I summoned..." I look around. "...here?"

She smiles. "I heard you were friendly with the commander of the magitech unit."

"Very few people know of that fact, general." I'm not even sure if 'friendly' is the appropriate term.

"Like the fact that you're a sorceress?"

"I am not a sorceress." Where did she hear about that?

"Sure you are. I have seen the reports on your training mission. I know how you were able to construct those walls so quickly. And I know that Nellens Winters has never learned to cast Raising the Earth's Bones."

"Raising the Earth's Bones is a standard military spell."

"Which makes you a sorceress."

"In the lightest sense of the word, yes." Why does she need to bring this up?

She chuckles. "Magic is a tool, Shima, just like a daiklave. Being able to wield it is nothing to be ashamed of."

"Like how you're not ashamed to use me as a tool against my uncle?" I inquire. I just want to get to the point.

"Ah yes, thank you for reminding me." She heads for her closet and rummages through it. "I have arranged for a meeting with Cathak Tor this afternoon and I need you to look presentable."

"Presentable?"

"Of course. The meeting will be held at a really nice cafe." She reaches into the closet. "This will do," she says, and tosses it to me.

It isn't even a dress. It is a skirt and a top, and two sleeves for my arms.

"Try that on. You can use my washroom."

Several minutes later, I step off the washroom feeling scantily clad.

Ejava shakes her head. "We need to make some alterations. Shaping Hand Style!" She activates the charm.

Her hands still look normal, but she uses them to snip and sew at the already skimpy clothes I'm wearing.

"General... don't you think this outfit is already a bit too... unconservative?" Its really not, but considering who she's asking me to meet in it...

"Nonsense. Oh, I forgot, you're a Cathak. Believe me, the rest of the Realm does not find this cut unconservative."

She makes slits just under my breasts, which really made the outfit really unconservative, then ushers me to the front of her dresser.

"See? Don't you think you look pretty?"

Of course I do. "But general, is this really necessary?"

"You have much to learn, my dear."