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.