Relentless waves beat upon the shore
Old Poem
Tez' Mu had not realized how much he hated traveling alone until he did. He had never been fond of solitude, but now, in the absence of his usual comrades, the quiet of the open road seemed louder than ever. The horse beneath him, a gift from Offal' Kest, was swift, sure-footed, and strong. Still, Tez' Mu couldn't shake the disquiet gnawing at him. The only company was his own thoughts—and that was hardly a comfort.
In the past, he might have welcomed the solitude, the time to think, to plan. But now, it felt like a weight, like a chain dragging him further into the unknown. He had passed through the western regions with little trouble, but with Uimal and Guho caught in conflict, the roads to Irvan had become treacherous.
His mind wandered back to Offal's offer to send an escort, which Tez' Mu had rejected in his characteristic pride. There had been no reason to doubt the route. He was no stranger to the dangers of travel, and yet here he was, beginning to wonder if he had made a mistake. The terrain, though peaceful in appearance, had a stillness about it that made his nerves itch. The trees stood too still, their leaves barely rustling despite the wind. No birds. No distant clatter of travelers. Just silence, thick as oil.
Tez' Mu had crossed into Hei County earlier that day and, much to his surprise, the region remained untouched by the fires of war. It seemed almost out of place—too serene. He couldn't help but wonder what lay hidden beneath the surface. Much like Darin, it felt like an uneasy calm. But it wasn't just the land that unsettled him; it was the people.
On the second day of travel, a merchant caravan appeared on the horizon, its wagons lined up in a neat procession, slowly making their way through the narrow pass. He had happily bid farewell to his lonely days when the round faced owner hired him as their escort to Irvan.
Tez' Mu wondered where he had met the owner before as his face looked strangely familiar. It wasn't until later, as they were passing through a desolate stretch of road, where white-barked aspens stood tall on either side, green leaves quaking at the slightest breeze, that one of the riders broke from the caravan and rode up beside him.
"Hey, Auren."
Tez' Mu's breath caught in his throat.
That name—
His fingers twitched against the reins, mind snapping back to the time spent maneuvering through Mirin under that false identity. Slowly, carefully, he turned to the speaker.
The girl looked at him with an easy confidence, her sun-darkened face half-hidden beneath the shadow of a hood. There was something familiar in the curve of her mouth, the way she held herself—and then it hit him.
Kan' Ya.
"You…" Tez' Mu stammered, mind reeling as he took her in. Kan' Ya smirked, and pointed back towards the others.
"That's my father; the owner. We left Mirin a while ago; just a few days after you did." She steered her horse closer to Tez' Mu, "I was so worried about you," she said, speaking softly, "I had no idea whether you and your brother made it out safely."
"You can see we did," Tez' Mu finally found his voice. He glanced at her, her frame wrapped in a thick fur cloak, her hair creeping out from under the hood.
"Where is he?" Kan' Ya asked, "And why are you going to Irvan?"
Tez' Mu sighed, turning his face back to the road.
"I'm not sure."
Although he had decided to follow his own path, he had no idea where it would lead him to. Would he say he was stronger and wiser than the Dowager and Offal' Kest, veterans at playing the brutal game of politics? Or even his father, who despite his acumen was still cornered by forces beyond his control?
Kan' Ya was still waiting eagerly for an explanation, but Tez' Mu was not sure he knew what she wanted to hear.
"Since when was your father a merchant?" he asked instead, turning to her with a neutral expression. Kan' Ya was caught off guard, and she chuckled after composing herself.
"Father sold the last of his assets and started this business," she replied, reaching one hand to lift the hood from her face, shaking her short wispy hair free, "It would be a death sentence if we remained in Mirin."
"I see," Tez' Mu nodded. She glanced at him, unsure of what to say. The last aspen trees had given way to hardy birch, and the noise of birds filled the air. The caravan continued at an even pace.
"You don't know who I am, Kan'," Tez' Mu finally spoke, startling her.
"Then tell me," she replied, gaining confidence.
"It's dangerous. It's better you don't know."
Kan' Ya snorted. "Oh come on. I know Ochelon is in a precarious state now; but that has little or nothing to do with common people. Haven't you seen how they were in Hei County? Even though their lord is one of the main backers of the rebellion?"
Tez' Mu shook his head as he chuckled sadly.
"I'm not a common person, though."
Kan' Ya stilled, then took a deep breath. "I'm not either. Or I was not. I was half a noble; a governor's daughter. But now? I'm a merchant's daughter," she grinned.
Tez' Mu sighed. "I wish my case could be that simple," he said, in a low voice, "But it isn't."
"What's your case?" Kan' Ya pressed.
Tez' Mu turned his face towards her. Her eyes grew round, eagerly expecting his response. He then smirked, self-deprecatingly.
"I'm a Mu."
"What does that mean?" Kan' Ya frowned in confusion.
"I'm Tez', son of great-general Raq' of the Mu Army," he declared, then spurred his horse ahead to avoid seeing her reaction. But Kan' Ya caught up to him almost immediately.
"WHAT?!"
Their horses were galloping now, taking them further and further away from the rest of the caravan. Kan' Ya searched Tez' Mu's face, but it was turned away from her, fixed resolutely on the road.
"Tez'!" she called, and to his surprise, reached out and grabbed his reins from his hand. Tugging sharply on both hers and his, she pulled the horses to a sharp stop near a puddle.
Kan' Ya swung down from her saddle and tugged on Tez' Mu's trouser. He glanced at her, eyebrows raised.
"Get down," she snapped, gasping for breath. "We need to talk."
Two riders from the caravan caught up to them then, with worried expressions. "Is all well, miss?" the first asked, eyeing Tez' Mu suspiciously.
"Yes," Kan' Ya nodded, chest still heaving, "Tell my father the caravan can go ahead. He's a friend of mine," she tilted her head in Tez' Mu's direction. "We'll be at the rear."
The riders nodded and slowly retreated, casting wary glances over their shoulders at the two. Kan' Ya turned to Tez' Mu.
"I said get down."
"For what?" Tez' Mu frowned. "What do we have to talk about?"
"You!" she retorted, her eyes wide, "Do you think I'm just going to let you carry this burden alone?"
Tez' Mu raised his eyebrows again. "What burden am I carrying?"
Kan' Ya let out an exasperated sigh.
"Being the son of Lord Mu means you're personally affected by the rebellion that's ongoing! I know it! It means there's no place safe for you! That's why you were in Mirin with a false name; it's why you're going to Irvan now; to avoid everyone trying to kill you!"
Tez' Mu laughed shortly.
"My situation is not that woebegone yet, Kan'."
"Then let's talk about how exactly woebegone it is," Kan' Ya pointed at the side of the road, where the roots of the birch trees gnarled together to form a platform they could sit on. With a resigned sigh, Tez' Mu obeyed her and slipped down from the saddle, joining her to sit on the roots.
"So?" he asked, turning to face her.
"So tell me all that's happened to you since you left Mirin," she demanded. Tez' Mu frowned.
"A lot happened. And why? It's not like you can help me solve my problems."
Kan' Ya waved a finger in his face. "Don't be so quick to say that. It's never a loss to have a merchant for an ally. Why? Everyone loves us; because they need our goods. There's no place we can't enter."
"Hmm," Tez' Mu grunted.
"Come on," Kan' Ya shifted closer to him, "I know you might be worried about your secrets being safe with me, but be rest assured they are. After all, we knew each other at our lowest points," she grinned encouragingly.
Tez' Mu shook his head. "Why you think I was in Mirin wasn't why I was," he said ruefully.
"Then you can clear up my confusion by telling me!" Kan' Ya cried in exasperation. "Are you always like this, Tez'?"
Finally, Tez' Mu faced her. Her face was pure and open, almost innocent, without any ulterior motive Tez' Mu had been used to seeing in other people. He sighed.
"Fine. But don't let me regret trusting you, Kan'."
She held up her thumb and pressed it against her forehead, swearing non-verbally. "You'll never."
Hours had passed and the caravan which had rolled past them must had reached Irvan, Tez' Mu thought ruefully, glancing at the girl lying on her back beside him. He couldn't believe he had actually told her all that had happened since Mirin, even to his personal matters; everything!
He had never opened up to anyone like that before, not even to Sari, who was arguably the closest to him. Glancing at the wispy strips of hair framing her face, Tez' Mu did not know when he brushed them aside.
Kan' Ya startled, and then leapt to her feet.
"Night will meet us here, and that's not good!" she cried, running towards her horse. Tez' Mu rose and stretched, and then approached his own. Kan' Ya was already in the saddle, and was taking a swig of water from her carafe.
"Hah," she wiped her mouth and held out the carafe to Tez' Mu, who declined with a shake of his head. Shrugging as she strapped the decanter back to the saddle, Kan' Ya pulled the reins and with a sharp prod set her horse in motion.
They rode for a league before Kan' Ya spoke again. She had been deep in thought, piecing together the events of the complicated mess of Tez' Mu's life in the two months since she had encountered him. Shaking her head, she glanced at him.
"You're really strong."
Tez' Mu turned to her, shocked that that was her first thought.
"Strong?" he echoed, his voice disbelieving.
"Yeah! Because how else could you have survived all that? A normal person would have just dissolved from the stress alone. But you?" she rode near and bumped his arm. "You keep pressing on."
Tez' Mu snorted. "Am I supposed to say thanks?"
"I understand, though," Kan' Ya continued as though he hadn't spoken, "You're a Mu. That's what makes you nerjas so formidable. You were molded since birth for this kind of stress."
Tez' Mu frowned, wondering why she used the old Saor word for high-ranking nobles.
"Why do you keep repeating 'stress'?" he asked instead.
"Because what do you call almost losing your life half a dozen times and having no respite?" Kan' Ya shouted. She had reached her limit.
"I'm not sure I was in danger half a dozen times but…" he suddenly paused, shocked at the tear running down her left cheek, "What?" he asked, his voice soft.
Kan' Ya sniffed as she angrily wiped the tear away. "Is everyone in the capital really so cold-hearted?" she asked, her voice cracking, "Is it really so hard to be born into a noble family?"
Tez' Mu pressed his lips together and he bumped her arm. "Kan', it's not the end of the world. You're overreacting. I'm fine."
"No you're not," Kan' Ya shot back, "It's not your fault that your grandfather rebelled, and it's not your mother's fault either! So why are the consequences falling on you both? Why does your mother have to flee her home or become a prisoner, and why do you have to be thrown into the middle of precarious political machinations with your life on the line?"
Tez' Mu sighed. "There's no why. It just happens."
Kan' Ya shook her head. "Then you have to fight back."
"That's what I've been doing," Tez' Mu replied incredulously, "I've been fighting all my life, pushing against fate."
"Pushing isn't enough," Kan' Ya met his gaze. "You have to shred fate in pieces."
Tez' Mu grinned. "Like how you killed Nerak?"
She nodded vigorously. "Right."
He laughed. "So what do you suggest? I kill the Dowager?"
Kan' Ya gasped as Tez' Mu sneered. A kite flew past them, screeching as it disappeared into the surrounding trees.
"Right. Even though you're sympathetic about my struggles, you still flinch at the thought of going against the person at the root of it."
"But…"
Tez' Mu didn't allow her to speak. "I've started, Kan'. I've started fighting against fate. That's why I'm going to Irvan. To the best of my ability, I will try to convince Lord He to join the rebellion. I'm going to bring her down, Kan'. I'm going to bring the Dowager down."
***
The inn was rowdy even though it was still first light. Tez' Mu sat at a table eating by himself, watching the overnight patrons preparing to leave, while others ordered fast meals from the innkeeper. A tankard was set down on his table, and he flinched. Looking up, he peered into the face of Kan' Ya's father, his bushy beard lined with a sheet of froth.
Tez' Mu inclined his head to the older man as he took a seat at the table without being invited, taking another gulp from the tankard. As he belched and wiped his beard, he spoke, his voice slurring together the Saor words.
"So you and Kan' talked together a lot yesterday, huh?"
Tez' Mu stared at him. For someone who had once been the governor of a city, Jira' Ya looked and seemed to boorish. It was no wonder he had been able to step so easily into the role of a merchant.
Seeing Tez' Mu did not reply, Jira' Ya drained the contents of his tankard and set it down, lifting his eyes until they were level with Tez' Mu's. They continued like this for a while, eyes boring into each other, until the innkeeper passed by them and asked if Jira' needed a refill.
"No, I'm good," Jira' Ya replied, and then stretched, smirking, "I don't know where you're from, boy, but I know you're formidable. However, I want you to stay away from Kan'."
Releasing his taut nerves, Tez' Mu sneered. "I never bothered her."
Jira' Ya's eyes narrowed. "She told me about that other boy that rescued me; that he was with you. I'm thankful for you helping her get her revenge on Nerak. But," he paused, and leaned closer, "She's had about enough trouble."
Tez' Mu shrugged. Before he could reply, Jira' Ya had risen from the table and walked away. Sneering, Tez' Mu pushed aside his plate and stood up. If Kan' Ya wanted to blame anyone for him not bidding her farewell, then it should rest on her father.
His horse was waiting where he had instructed the innkeeper to keep it, saddled and prepared for the journey ahead. The He Estate was tucked into a valley south of Irvan, conveniently close to their army camp.
He mounted and spurred his horse with a sharp tug, and it leapt into a gallop. As opposed to within the inn, the people of Irvan were just rousing, morning noises shielded by short fences and towering trees. The streets soon gave way to rolling hills, dotted with small farmhouses and prairies. The hills dipped into a valley, and on the last crest the sprawling estate of the fiefdom's ruling family could be seen, stretching as far as the dense forest on the border of Irvan with the Fuija Sea.
The estate was three times larger than the Mu Manor in the capital, and in the center was erected a Scith-like building, presumably the main hall where Jizu' He received his guests. Instead of walls and a gate the He estate was bordered on all four sides with a dense intertwined iron wire fence and a hedge.
He pulled his horse to a stop as he reached a gap in the hedge, where two unfriendly looking guards stood watch. They eyed him warily, hands clenching their spears ready to level it at him should he make a fumble. Their expressions remained unchanged until Tez' Mu reached up and pulled down his hood. His face might not be known, but the signature Mu red hair was.
"Tez' of the House of Mu," he introduced himself before the guards could ask, "I'm here to see Lord-general He."
The guards exchanged looks, and then one of them turned to send word inside. Tez' Mu smirked. The key to being taken seriously was presenting yourself as powerful, even if you weren't. Sari had taught him that.
A few moments passed and a figure emerged from the estate, following after the guard. Even from afar, Tez' Mu could tell who it was, though he was surprised he was in Irvan at this time. As far as he knew, the Academy was not on holiday.
"What are you doing here?" Jun' He asked with a smile, gesturing for Tez' Mu to ride in. Obliging, Tez' Mu shot the question back at him, dismounting as soon as they reached the entrance of the main house.
Jun' He did not answer, only crossing his arms. "I didn't expect you to ride here so openly, not with all that's happening."
Tez' Mu quirked a brow. "What? Am I wanted here now too? Why can't I ride freely?"
Jun' He chuckled, "Why am I not surprised you're wanted in some places? Let's go in," he pointed towards the house, "But let me ask you first; why are you here to see my uncle?"
Tez' Mu straightened his robes as they ascended the steps, "To ask for help," he replied simply.
"Help?" Jun' He echoed, then his face grew serious, "Well, I'll warn you in advance. He's not in a good mood, and isn't eager to see you."
"I can guess," Tez' Mu shrugged, "I'm not happy to be here on this errand either."
Jun' He reached out to clap his shoulder. They had stepped into the luxurious front room, with banners of the southern House flying from the curved balconies. The entire first floor was covered in hanging tapestries with sequined art depicting key events in the House's history. Jun' He noticed Tez' Mu starring and chuckled.
"It's a lie." He whispered conspiratorially, as they passed one detailing the conquest of Belui.
"We didn't take Belui. Lord Yan and Lord Jan' Mu did."
Tez' Mu glanced at him. His mind was not on the tapestries, but on the lord of the House of He. Absentmindedly, he retorted, "Do you think I won't know something my grandfather did?"
They passed through a long corridor after leaving the front room, at the end of which stood an imposing door, dark wood, carved with the sigil of House He, a mountain hawk circling a sword.
Jun' He stopped short of the door, his jaw tightening. "Before we go in—" he hesitated, glancing at Tez' Mu.
"What?" Tez' Mu asked impatiently.
"My uncle is under a lot of pressure," Jun' He muttered. "His patience is—"
"You already said this. And I didn't come here for patience," Tez' Mu interrupted. "I came for his army."
Jun' He sighed but pushed open the doors without another word.
The room was brightly lit, and at a glance Tez' Mu could see that it was where the fate of Irvan and the military actions of the House of He were decided. Circular, with hanging chandeliers over a large round table with Jizu' He at the head; the room was filled with teal-robed men and women, He vassals, with sharp faces and eager mouths, minds overflowing with many a stratagem.
But Jizu' He was having none of it. The map on the table proved the failure of their strategies. A black flag was advancing on Irvan, already encroaching its south eastern cities.
The fourth great-general raised his head from a report and stared straight at his visitor. Tez' Mu passed his hand over his chest and lowered his head, giving him a formal bow. Soft murmurs let him know he had been recognized by the vassals. Jizu' He did not speak.
Tez' Mu straightened and looked the lord of Irvan in the face. It was not welcoming, but Tez' Mu was undeterred. The parley had begun already, though words had yet to be exchanged.
Tez' Mu had expected that. Jizu' He was known for his pragmatic approach to politics—careful, deliberate, and rarely acting without full certainty. Convincing him to ally with the Kest would be an uphill battle.
They continued to stare at each other, the room descending into uncomfortable silence. Jizu' He narrowed his eyes, and Tez' Mu raised his chin, fighting the impulse to do anything with his hands; clasp them, or put them at his back. He left them hanging at his sides, and finally, after a long moment, opened his mouth.
But Jizu' He eventually beat him to it. "Why are you here?"
Tez' Mu let out a slow breath, "Lord He—"
"Just tell me," Jizu' He snapped. Tez' Mu finally managed a small smile.
"Very well, my lord," he took a measured step forward. "The west is on the path of victory, but that victory can only be achieved with your input. We need you, Lord He."
There was a small gasp from Jun' He and the vassals. Clearly, they did not expect Tez' Mu was here on Offal' Kest's orders.
Jizu' He frowned. Scoffing, he set the report in his hand down. "You need me?" he echoed ironically, his voice dripping with scorn. Leaning back in his chair, he assessed Tez' Mu with half-closed eyes, "I am not blind to what is happening in Ochelon, but let me ask you. Do you—or shall I say, does Offal' Kest know what is happening here in Irvan? Can he see beyond his crooked nose which is stuck in his useless attempt to overthrow the crown?" his voice grew sharper as he leaned out of his recline.
"The Haru Invaders—you only hear of them, but have no idea of what they actually do, do you?" he growled, pointing an accusing finger in Tez' Mu's direction.
"I know," Tez' Mu replied, surprising the vassals. "They annexed Alhui."
"By the ancestors they did," Jizu' He thundered. "But what does that mean for Irvan?" he paused, glaring hard. "It means they aren't raiders anymore. They're conquerors. What gives anyone the right then, to ask for my army?"
Tez' Mu raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying that the He Army is useless? Because it's not."
Jizu' He's nostrils flared. "No. I'm implying that my forces are stretched thin, defending my own land. Now Offal' Kest wants me to abandon my people for a war that isn't mine?"
Tez' Mu met his gaze. "The war is yours. Sooner or later, it will reach Irvan. It is already close by; your neighbor Uimal is affected. When the Keolyor sieged Uimal, their governor surrendered. But the tides turned when the imperials advanced. Muyo' Ai was carted to the capital as a prisoner. Either way, he lost. Do you know why, Lord He?"
Jizu' He's lips curled into something resembling amusement. "Why?"
Tez' Mu squared his shoulders, unwavering under Jizu' He's piercing gaze. "Because," he said, his voice even, "sometimes, neutrality is just another word for hostility."
Jizu' He scoffed. "Spare me the riddles, boy."
"I'm not speaking in riddles," Tez' Mu said sharply. "Offal' Kest isn't just an upstart rebel anymore. He has powerful supporters—real ones. Lords of great fiefs. He's no longer a single man defying the crown. He's a force."
Jizu' He sneered, "So what you're saying is that I join him or die?"
Tez' Mu shook his head. "Not quite."
But Jizu' He was not prepared to listen. "The capital doesn't care what happens in the south unless it affects their throne. You think I don't see what's happening? I heard about Keiran' Ru." Jizu' He's voice was thick with anger now. "She was taken to force her mother's hand. That's why I recalled Jun' He from the capital. If I had left him there, he would have been nothing more than another hostage for political games."
Jun' He clenched his fists but said nothing, lowering his head.
"Then that means you're not as dense as I thought," Tez' Mu said with a smile, shocking those present. "You can clearly see where this war is headed, Lord He."
"If I see it, so what?" Jizu' He shot back with a frown. "There's still not enough evidence that Offal' will win it," he set the scroll in his hand down on the table with a thud.
"You are the last piece of that evidence," Tez' Mu cut in. "You, and the He fief, are the last weight that will determine the balance that Ochelon will shift into."
Silence filled the chamber. Then, Jun' He spoke, his voice pleading but firm. "Uncle."
Jizu' He turned to him, still furious.
"There has to be another way," Jun' He continued. "If we sit back and do nothing, we're just waiting for Ochelon to fall—to the Dowager or Offal' Kest."
"Shut up!" Jizu' He snapped, making his nephew flinch.
"Lord He," Tez' Mu interrupted. "Let me let you in on this. The tides have shifted. Through my influence, Offal' Kest has secured the third great-general's permanent support. It's the Ru and Kest armies against the imperial army now, and you know what that means. Stay 'neutral' too long, and you'll find yourself surrounded on all sides, forced to choose when it's too late."
Jizu' He tilted his head slightly, his fingers drumming once against the table. "A compelling speech. But let me ask you something, boy—whose side is Raq' Mu on?"
Tez' Mu stilled.
Jizu' He's eyes gleamed as he pressed forward. "Your father is the great-general of Teazin. And as far as I can see, Teazin has not joined this grand rebellion of yours. If Raq' Mu hasn't turned against the Dowager, what business do you have being here, trying to recruit me for Offal' Kest?"
Jun' He stepped in, his voice measured. "Uncle, Lord Mu is fighting a war in Najan. He has no time for—"
"Exactly!" Jizu' He cut him off, slamming a hand against the table. "He's fighting the Dowager's battle!"
Jun' He flinched at the outburst, but Jizu' He wasn't finished. His gaze bore into Tez' Mu, sharp and scrutinizing. "Raq' Mu is still loyal. If he weren't, he wouldn't be wasting his men in Najan, fighting Arban on behalf of the throne. So tell me, boy—why should I believe you when your own father hasn't taken a stand?"
Tez' Mu's expression didn't change, but his fingers curled slightly. Then, just above a whisper, he said, "It might not be for long."
Jizu' He's brows lifted slightly. "Oh? And what proof do you have of that?"
Tez' Mu said nothing.
Jizu' He let out a short laugh. "I see. None, then." He leaned back in his chair, watching Tez' Mu closely. "So let me ask you this—why are you here, really? Why are you following Offal' Kest instead of Raq' Mu?"
Tez' Mu met his gaze evenly. "I'm not following either of them."
The room went quiet.
Jizu' He studied him, interest flickering in his eyes. "So what are you doing… whose path are you walking?"
Tez' Mu inhaled slowly. "Mine."
For the first time, Jizu' He looked intrigued. He steepled his fingers, considering him. "Then tell me. What is your plan?"
Tez' Mu smirked. He glanced at the gathered advisors, their eyes flicking between their lord and the young Mu heir.
"Send them out," he said.
Jizu' He arched a brow. "Bold of you to command me in my own hall."
"If you want to hear my plan, send them out," Tez' Mu replied evenly.
Jizu' He studied him for a long moment, then waved a hand dismissively. The advisors exchanged wary glances before bowing and filing out. Only Jun' He remained.
"You too." Jizu' He said casually to his nephew.
"No," Tez' Mu countered. "He stays."
Jizu' He's brows twitched at the defiance. "You trust him that much?"
"Of course," Tez' Mu replied. "He's my friend."
Jizu' He exhaled sharply through his nose. "Fine. Take a seat and speak."
The two young men stepped forward and took seats at the round table. Jun' He sat across from Tez' Mu, on his uncle's left side, and gazed at Tez' Mu with interest.
Tez' Mu leaned forward. "The Dowager is holding the throne hostage, but cutting her down with brute force isn't the answer. She's too entrenched, and even if Offal' Kest wins battles, she'll still rule the palace."
Jizu' He tilted his head. "So what's your alternative?"
"I infiltrate the palace. I weaken her grip. I take away her ability to rule without her even realizing it's happening."
Jizu' He frowned but remained silent.
Tez' Mu continued, "The war is sustained by chaos and uncertainty. I intend to end both. The true heir to the throne is out there. If I find Keol' Han and bring him to the rebels, he will be crowned king. The war will end before it even begins in full."
A sharp silence followed his words. Jizu' He stared at him, then let out a short, humorless laugh. "And what do you have to gain from all this?"
Tez' Mu held his gaze. "The war ending."
Jizu' He scoffed. "You say that as if you're some selfless martyr. Why do you care? Why are you pretending to be above all this?"
Tez' Mu didn't answer immediately. He didn't need to—Jun' He, who had been silent until now, suddenly answered.
"Why shouldn't he care?" Jun' He demanded, his voice firm. "Why should countless people die when someone who can stop the slaughter exists?"
Jizu' He's expression flickered with shock. His timid nephew, who had always bowed his head and held his tongue, was speaking back to him?
The disbelief was quickly replaced with scorn. "You've been following Tez' Mu around like a shadow these past years, but what did you gain from it? Look, here he is walking the thin line of politics and war and still thriving. What are you doing?"
Jun' He stiffened.
Tez' Mu's voice cut through the tension, cold and unwavering. "Lord He, I didn't come here to listen to you insult your nephew." He met Jizu' He's gaze. "Are you with me or not?"
Jizu' He exhaled, his jaw tight. Then, after a moment, he said coolly, "No."
Tez' Mu's fingers curled into fists. "Why?"
"I don't even have one man to spare."
The words fell like a stone between them.
Tez' Mu's expression was unreadable, but something dark flickered in his eyes. Jizu' He merely leaned back in his chair, unbothered.
The conversation was over.
***
The night air blew through Tez' Mu's sleeves as he strode toward his waiting horse, stomach full from a begrudging feast Jizu' He had insisted on making.
Tez' Mu ground his teeth. The meeting hadn't been a complete failure, but it certainly wasn't a victory either.
As he reached for the reins, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.
"Tez'!"
He turned, and Jun' He came skidding to a stop in front of him, breathless.
"Are you returning to Darin?"
Tez' Mu nodded.
Jun' He's jaw clenched. "You can count on me, Tez'. I'll support you."
Tez' Mu blinked, then let out a short, unguarded laugh. "And what can you do?"
Jun' He didn't waver. His dark eyes met Tez' Mu's steadily. "Just trust me."
Tez' Mu studied him. Jun' He had always been hesitant and uncertain—but something had changed tonight. He wasn't the same boy who had been recalled from the capital, who had suffered under his uncle's shadow.
"Fine," Tez' Mu said at last, mounting his horse. "Do whatever you want."
Jun' He gave a firm nod. Tez' Mu wasn't sure what his friend was planning, but there was no time to dwell on it. He had another city to reach.