I don't have the energy to return to yoga class. I barely have the energy to write and do some basic chores, like taking the Princess Pup outside for her constitutionals. Both she and the Grandpuppy are desperate for walks, but I can barely make it to the mailbox right now.
I'd hoped to have A Cup of Conflict done by the end of July, but it isn't going to happen. So here's another tidbit for you to chew on while I go make myself some more tea.
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A year and a half ago, I didn’t trust the former Jing ambassador by even a fingertip. The Siege of Tandor had changed our relationship, but had he counted on our nation’s mutual needs in order to eliminate two of the few clergy Queen Teodora trusted? Part of me wished I had my own distance speaker in order to ask the queen for more information.
Jonata took the night watch despite being on horseback since dawn yesterday and woke us in plenty of time before we met the royal couple for the morning meal. I didn’t like leaving her in our suite alone, but the poor woman needed the sleep. She asked me to put a protective charm on her nose ring before we departed. I also warded her sleeping chamber before we left as an extra precaution.
The same steward who guided us to last night’s banquet led us to a different section of the palace. From the number of imperial guards, this was a section foreigners wouldn’t normally be allowed.
We followed him out to a shaded outdoor patio. It reminded me of the garden gazebo at the Jing Embassy back in Orrin. The only difference was the types of plants. Plum trees were starting to bloom, lending a delicious scent to the morning air. While the slight breeze was cool, it had a hint of a warmer day to come.
Like at the banquet, Po and Shi Hua were already seated, nor did they rise. Huizhong and Mateqai stood behind their respective charges.
The steward bade us to stop. The imperial guards on the patio checked Luc and I for weapons.
I was loathe to leave our swords and knives with Jonata. I had to remind myself this was a diplomatic assignment. However, the demons had already breached the palace once to the former emperor’s detriment. I couldn’t fault the guards for trying to keep the new emperor alive.
But were we going to pay for the imperial guards’ caution?
The guards checked Long Feather and Yar’s weapons before they instructed our wardens to remain at least fifty paces from the edge of the patio.
“And how are you and we supposed to protect our charges if we are standing that far away?” Yar protested.
Captain Huizhong stalked up to us. The imperial guards snapped to attention.
“The crown prince wishes the two wardens to accompany his guests,” Huizhong said.
“But Captain, we cannot allow weapons near the prince and his lady,” the lieutenant complained.
“Use some of Balance’s logic,” Huizhong said. “If Wardens Long Feather or Yar wished to harm Crown Prince Po or Lady Shi Hua, they could have more easily done so during our voyage home and dumped their bodies overboard.”
The guards nervously eyed Luc, me, and our wardens. I chewed on the tip of my tongue to keep from making a snide comment that steel wasn’t the only way to kill a human. I didn’t count on my love to do something worse.
“If we raise a hand against the crown prince, you would be well within your rights to kill us and collect the bounty on the chief justice,” Luc said. “The problem will be collecting the reward from the Assassins Guild or the demons.”
Huizhong chuckled. “Well, Lieutenant, which side do you choose? Though I will point out from experience, both the Assassins Guild, the demons, and their renegade allies have tried more times than I have fingers and toes to kill Chief Justice Anthea.”
The poor lieutenant looked and felt thoroughly confused. “B-but she’s unarmed?”
“And that’s when she’s the most dangerous,” Huizhong murmued.
The lieutenant turned to me, his gleaming a brilliant reddish orange beneath his helmet. A yellow bead of perspiration trickled from his forehead to his nose. He executed a formal bow. The rest of the nearby imperial guards followed suit.
“I beg your forgiveness, Lady Justice,” he said in a conciliatory tone. “Our new emperor chooses his allies well.”
“Apology accepted.” I bowed in return. “I have no taste for killing simply for the sake of killing.”
Huizhong gestured for us to accompany him.
As we followed his brisk stride across the patio, I silently asked, Are you trying to get me killed, Captain?
Not at all, Lady Justice. Huizhong grinned. I need the people under my command alive to fight the demons, not stupidly throwing away their lives attempting to kill you.
As irritated as I was with him, I had to laugh along Po’s captain.
Both Po and Shi Hua were also smiling when we greeted them. “Are you upsetting my guards, Chief Justice?” he teased.
“It wasn’t me,” I said as I took my seat. “I’m afraid it was the high brother and Captain Huizhong who used me as a cudgel to knock some sense into your guards.”
“I sincerely doubt either man threatened the guards,” Shi Hua murmured as she poured tea for us. She glanced at Mateqai with a mischievous expression. “And do not worry, my own captain tested all the food and drink.”
Luc raised his right eyebrow. “That’s a good way to lose your own captain of the empress’s guard.”
Po handed the platter of sausages to me. The grilled meats smelled of cinnamon, cloves, and…licorice?
“Really, Chief Justice?” His lips twitched, which sent the gold bead at the ends of moustache swinging. “I’ve been eating Issuran fare for seven years, and you dare to turn up your nose at my culture’s cuisine?”
“Considering Issuran cooking is an amalgam of several different cultures. I was surprised to smell something familiar.” I placed two of the sausages on my plate before passing them to Luc. “I don’t believe we’ve used Briton licorice to flavor our meats.”
“It’s anise,” Shi Hua said. “The taste is similar to Briton licorice, but anise is originally from Kemet.”
If I thought last night’s banquet was delicious, the simple fare of sausage, rice, and stewed dried fruit was even more delicious. To my surprise, Po spooned portions into bowls for the four men guarding us.
“My personal thanks to you, Captains and Wardens, for returning my lady wife and me home safely.” Po sat, and Huizhong raised his bowl.
Those actions were the only reason the crossbow bolt that whizzed over my head didn’t kill either man.
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