Inwiththebooks
Star
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
The Antaran Empress grinned victoriously at this bit of information offered to her, it was vague but she doubted she’d get much more out of Izumi. That was all she would need however as the intelligent Empress’ mind was working as she removed each needle from the foreigner. A traitor from their country… that might very well be of use to Antara. This eastern empire was distant for now but Selana was a forward thinker. Unlike Izumi this traitor likely had no loyalty to their former country so they might very well be willing to divulge crucial information regarding its inner workings. Information was the most potent weapon in warfare and it decided the outcome of wars.
Once each needle was removed from Izumi, Selana gestured to Shieh to follow her out of the room and up to the main floor. True to the Empress’ word the same physician from before appeared to dab at the woman’s tiny wounds before the guards hauled her back to her cell. Here she was given food and water, nothing fancy just some bread and some strips of salted pork. The Empress in the meantime had ordered her agents out to the eastern provinces to search out this traitor from Izumi’s homeland.
Selana also took the opportunity to have Shieh walk her through a few phrases in the strange language of Izumi’s people. It rolled awkwardly off her tongue and lacked the familiarity of Antaran. Still she intended to learn enough that she would not require translation eventually. To defeat one’s enemy one first needed to learn about one’s enemy. A bit premature to believe this empire her enemy at this point, however the Antaran Empire had faced adversity at all turns. If this empire also threatened it the Selana would not back down from the challenge.
The next few days Izumi was granted peace for the offered information as Selana needed to deal with the Senate as well as officially endorse Adelia for a seat in it. Not only that but there was the matter of appointing a Governor to East Lyca, no easy task considering the Senate had its own candidates to shove down her throat. The Empress found herself sitting at her desk one morning near the end of the week about ready to slump over dead. She had not slept one wink in several days and it showed in the dark circles ringing her eyes.
It was this day where she opted to call for Izumi to be brought before her throne, the Empress donning her crown and official robes for this matter. When the woman was brought before her finally the Empress would cross her legs and steeple her fingers out before her. She had Shieh on standby and had arranged for a six man escort for the prisoner. Selana did not want a repeat of what had occurred that first day in the torture room. Even bound the woman was extremely dangerous.
“Satō Izumi, I have done a bit of digging as to the actuality of your capture. It appears you killed not only one of my soldiers here but seven according to their commander’s report. Eight including the one in my interrogation room.” The woman said at length.
Selana held up the letter that had arrived by carrier pigeon. “I trust you realize that could have been avoided if you had used official channels rather than illegally crossing Antaran borders with a warband at your back? Or were you afraid this traitor might have information you would rather not get into our hands? Plans for invasion perhaps? It would certainly explain the lengths you would go to try and capture this traitor without Antaran involvement or knowledge.” The Empress continued.
“We will find this traitor, have no doubt about that and when we do I will know what he knows. That however, no longer will concern you. By all rights you could be executed for what you have done. However I am willing to offer you a chance at freedom. You will meet me in the Bloodpit on the morrow in combat. If you are victorious I will grant you a pardon and give you passage out of the country. If you lose, you will remain my slave for the rest of your natural born life. Sound fair?” Selana said, standing and staring down at the warrior.
Once each needle was removed from Izumi, Selana gestured to Shieh to follow her out of the room and up to the main floor. True to the Empress’ word the same physician from before appeared to dab at the woman’s tiny wounds before the guards hauled her back to her cell. Here she was given food and water, nothing fancy just some bread and some strips of salted pork. The Empress in the meantime had ordered her agents out to the eastern provinces to search out this traitor from Izumi’s homeland.
Selana also took the opportunity to have Shieh walk her through a few phrases in the strange language of Izumi’s people. It rolled awkwardly off her tongue and lacked the familiarity of Antaran. Still she intended to learn enough that she would not require translation eventually. To defeat one’s enemy one first needed to learn about one’s enemy. A bit premature to believe this empire her enemy at this point, however the Antaran Empire had faced adversity at all turns. If this empire also threatened it the Selana would not back down from the challenge.
The next few days Izumi was granted peace for the offered information as Selana needed to deal with the Senate as well as officially endorse Adelia for a seat in it. Not only that but there was the matter of appointing a Governor to East Lyca, no easy task considering the Senate had its own candidates to shove down her throat. The Empress found herself sitting at her desk one morning near the end of the week about ready to slump over dead. She had not slept one wink in several days and it showed in the dark circles ringing her eyes.
It was this day where she opted to call for Izumi to be brought before her throne, the Empress donning her crown and official robes for this matter. When the woman was brought before her finally the Empress would cross her legs and steeple her fingers out before her. She had Shieh on standby and had arranged for a six man escort for the prisoner. Selana did not want a repeat of what had occurred that first day in the torture room. Even bound the woman was extremely dangerous.
“Satō Izumi, I have done a bit of digging as to the actuality of your capture. It appears you killed not only one of my soldiers here but seven according to their commander’s report. Eight including the one in my interrogation room.” The woman said at length.
Selana held up the letter that had arrived by carrier pigeon. “I trust you realize that could have been avoided if you had used official channels rather than illegally crossing Antaran borders with a warband at your back? Or were you afraid this traitor might have information you would rather not get into our hands? Plans for invasion perhaps? It would certainly explain the lengths you would go to try and capture this traitor without Antaran involvement or knowledge.” The Empress continued.
“We will find this traitor, have no doubt about that and when we do I will know what he knows. That however, no longer will concern you. By all rights you could be executed for what you have done. However I am willing to offer you a chance at freedom. You will meet me in the Bloodpit on the morrow in combat. If you are victorious I will grant you a pardon and give you passage out of the country. If you lose, you will remain my slave for the rest of your natural born life. Sound fair?” Selana said, standing and staring down at the warrior.