"I don't understand" Chenzhou rubbed his temples. "You're sure a Bandri was inside the walls?"
"Emmy is sure."
Chenzhou groaned. "They're been trying to break through our defenses for decades and never made it past the outer wall. How long have they been able to get in?"
"I don't know." It grated on Yuze to admit it.
"What did Snake say?"
"Nothing yet. I haven't seen her since before the meeting took place. She should be in tomorrow night for a regular report."
"And you don't want to call her back early?"
Yuze chewed his lip, a nervous habit he only ever indulged in around Chenzhou. "I'm wary of spooking her."
Chenzhou twisted around, ducking close to keep his voice low even though they were alone in his private office. "You think-"
Yuze cut him off. "I don't think anything yet. I have nowhere near enough information to say anything for certain."
Chenzhou studied him. "But you suspect her above others?"
Yuze shrugged, then reluctantly nodded. "Above some. Not all. I am very curious as to why the meeting took place on the Yin family grounds."
Chenzhou shook his head. "Lord Yin has always been supportive. More than most."
Yuze nodded. "I'm aware. It's also possible they're unaware and being framed. Or it's a member of the family and Lord Yin himself doesn't know. There's just too many possibilities and not enough information."
"Do you think it could be related to the tribe's moving early?"
"I think it would be stupid to think otherwise."
Chenzhou cursed. Something he rarely did, but at this moment he couldn't help himself. "We are not ready for the fighting season." Frustration won out. "And we just finished a five year war. How can they already have the bodies and supplies for another?"
Yuze didn't answer. He knew as well as Chenzhou did why the tribes could fight loosing battles over and over again. Their slash and burn tactics required little manner of preparation or supplies and meant they suffered minimal losses. They snuck close, attacked, and left as soon as they'd exhausted their supply of weapons. It was a frustrating style of warefare to face, as the Crimson Army was a cumbersome thing to move and place and supply. They would crush the tribes in a pitched battle, and had on every rare occasion the tribes had met them head on.
The last war had lasted five years because the tribes had avoided meeting them in a pitched battle for years, trying to whittle the Crimson Army down and failing because they couldn't cause enough damage to the Crimson Army's numbers in a a short enough time to take advantage of it.
Chenzhou and all his commanders had rightfully expected it would take at least a few years before they'd be ready for another serious fighting season.
The fact that they were already preparing was mind blowing and Chenzhou was at a loss. "Why are they risking war so soon?"
Helpless, Yuze shrugged. "I don't know. Their current leadership has never acted this rashly before."
"Make it a priority to find out what's happening." Chenzhou ordered, mentally adjusting his own priorities. "Let's find a way to cut it off before it starts."
***
"Thank you for walking me back." Eirian tucked her hand into Mingzhe's elbow as they made their way through the halls.
"Of course. I hope all is well with Lord Ye and Lord Rong." Mingzhe looked concerned.
Eirian frowned. "So do I. I'm sure its just an intelligence concern we'll hear about in the morning." Yuze's sudden reappearance at the end of dinner had seen him practically drag Chenzhou out, while assuring Eirian and Mingzhe that it wasn't an emergency.
It didn't surprise her that Yuze and Chenzhou wanted to talk things out together before involving others. They'd been working together for so long and they were so close on top of that.
It worked out because it had given her the perfect excuse to ask Mingzhe to wlak her back to her rooms. And a chance for them to talk in private.
He'd been friendly enough at dinner, clearly confused and unsure when Chenzhou and Eirian had treated it more like a dinner between friends than an official working dinner. He'd shared stories about his younger siblings and it had been clear that they were close and Mingzhe cared about them deeply.
As they reached her door, Eirian offered him the most welcoming smile she could manage. "Would you come in for a moment?"
Mingzhe hesitated, but only for a second. He looked around curiosly after he followed her inside.
She closed and locked the door behind them. "We should start training your magic."
Mingzhe perked up, a wary excitement crossed his face. "You'd be willing?"
"Of course." Eirian was actually excited by the idea. It was something she'd never done before, trying to teach someone else to use magic, but she'd been able to learn it herself. So why wouldn't she be able to teach someone else?
How hard could it be?
Although, she did spare a second to hope that Mingzhe's magic wouldn't be as volitile as her own.
She smiled, tried to make it one of her less intimidating ones. Something soft and inviting.
Mingzhe's smile in return felt the same. "I would be honored to learn from you, Lady Ye."
Eirian beamed. "Excellent. Would you like a glass of wine to celebrate?" She swept over to the small bar table she kept well stocked. "We can discuss a schedule."
Mingzhe blushed, but shook his head. "Thank you but no."
Eirian paused in surprise.
"The Zhao family does no imbibe alcohol." He explained.
Eirian thought back to dinner, tried to remember if she'd actually seen him drink the wine at the table and realized she couldn't. "Really?"
Bemused, Mingzhe nodded again. "There was an infamous family ancestor who did something very foolish under the influence. No one in the family has had a drink since."
"Oh, I mean." Eirian struggled with the idea of that and couldn't help but ask. "What happened?"
A pained look crossed Mingzhe's face. "We don't speak of it, my lady."
Which spoke to how bad it was, so Eirian let it go. "Alright then."
"My apologies." Mingzhe looked a bit anxious.
"You don't have to apologize. I assume I don't need to know."
"Mingzhe gave her a weak smile. "It is an embarrasing family story and nothing else."
"Then its fine." Eirian shrugged and put the wine back. "Tea, then?" She looked up at him through her lashes. "I'd like to get to know you better."
Mingzhe softened, a small, private smile crossing his face, "I'd like the same."
~ tbc