Luxury of Vengeance by Isabella Carter Page B

man the insight that would allow him to bring humanity into
    greatness. That man had become the first Emperor and his throne the Throne of a Thousand Swords so
    that he might serve as the Dragon's avatar upon earth.
    Since then, only the strongest were permitted to sit upon the throne, their worthiness proven
    by the blessing of the Dragon in the form of the Sword of Heaven. The last Chien had seen of it, his
    mother had taken it to the temple following his father's death. Obviously his aunt believed that his
    mother had hidden it near her home.
    Bao leaned down and caught Chien's lips in a hard kiss. "I shall see you upon my return."
    Chien knew he ought to have said no then, but he'd kept silent as always. The politics he could
    handle, but this swirl of feelings for Bao, the way his heart seemed to beat faster every time he saw Bao, the disappointment he felt knowing he would not see Bao for the next couple of weeks, that was
    something beyond him.
    And frustrating. So very frustrating. He was in charge of himself. Bao's only usefulness was as a
    source of information.
    "The Misra province?" His aunt spoke, her voice full of disgust and high enough to pull him from his memories. Misra, a small province in the south, had been among his aunt's first push after she
    became Empress for further control of the continent. After eight years of being ruled by a tyrant of a
    governor, the citizens of Misra had finally revolted against him and the Empress's rule. Since then, they had established a new system of government. Though Misra had struggled since breaking from the
    empire, they had managed to find trade with an island in the south. The Empire had felt the loss of
    Misra's bountiful fields, but thus far had not been able to spare the men to retake the province.
    "Other provinces are beginning to learn from the example of the Misra province. We have heard
    whispers of a revolution."
    "Then stop them. Do you truly need me to remind you how you should do your jobs?"
    "If it were only that simple Empress." The advisor sounded pained and Chien wished there was a
    way he could see their faces as well as hear their voices from his hiding place. Were they frustrated with Isabella Carter | 4

    their Empress's lack of understanding in how to handle her people? Would they stay loyal to her or to
    someone they thought could stop this mess. "We cannot stop multiple rebellions all at once."
    "Why would they rebel? They are a part of the greatest Empire of their time."
    "They cry for food, Empress. For homes to shelter their families. The waters last year washed
    away many homes and many have not been able to rebuild." The Empire was starving. Mai was so
    focused on expanding she had ignored the needs of the people and now they were suffering for it.
    "The waters last year ruined many things. It is selfish of them to worry only of their own needs."
    If the advisor had an opinion on that thought he did not share it, "Take a contingent out to the Misra province then. Kill how many ever are necessary to bring it back under our control."
    "Empress, that may be just a bit extreme—"
    "There is nothing too extreme when one's reputation is at stake. Make an example of them.
    Other revolutions will not follow. Already we have allowed that ridiculous show of freedom go on for far
    too long."
    "Of course Empress."
    "Excellent. And now my minister of War. What objections do you bring?"
    "My concerns are simple Empress." The minister's voice was cultured and polite. "If we send soldiers from the palace, it may weaken us at the palace for an attack."
    "You think someone would be bold enough to invade my palace?" Mai laughed. "I would
    personally cut down any man stupid enough to do so." Her threat was not an idle one. Mai had been
    well trained by her father in the art of sword play, and Chien knew she practiced almost daily. She was
    certainly strong enough to hold the Throne of Swords, but there would always be that piece she lacked.
    And despite what