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.