This story is part of the Wanderer series.
“I heard you found the traitor.”
Miyako rounded the tables and stopped in front of his desk. “Yes.”
Akasuki finished up the last few characters and set his quill back into the ink bottle, giving the princess his full attention.
“The disgrace of a general…” her face subtly scrunched up in disgust, her grasped hands raising higher along her abdomen as she gazed out the windows. “He got too much into his own head and believed he could gain more power.”
“Was Toru the only person sending information to our enemies?”
“There were co-conspirators who helped him, but they are not in the capital at the moment. I will set out tomorrow morning to find them.”
“Within our army?”
“Yes.”
“That is troubling.”
Miyako sighed. “It was bound to happen eventually. Our army grew too quickly as our empire expanded. I should have been more diligent.”
Akasuki watched her stare at the setting sun.
“Do not shoulder the blame on yourself.”
Blinking, Miyako glanced to the side, seeing her lieutenant’s composed expression. Smiling, she turned her head towards him. “I will not allow you to take the blame either. You did your duty.”
“There is always room to improve. You and I, both.”
“You caught onto the intruder. That is all I could ask from you.”
Miyako turned around the grand table towards the window. Akasuki leaned back into his chair and followed her with his gaze. Standing there in silence, Miyako scanned the palace grounds below, dotted with trees.
“Then, what is your next step from here?” Akasuki asked.
She did not immediately reply. With a deep breath in, Miyako drew in her chin, formalizing her posture.
“My father, the emperor, declared all of his generals must reaffirm their loyalty to the empire this coming moon, in the Great Hall with the Royal Army in attendance. I will act as the judge.”
Akasuki blinked, slightly straightening his head. “You would display your power in front of the entire army?”
“It can’t be helped,” she said. “I do not need the full activation of my eyes, but they will glow. Perhaps I could keep them active the entire hearing to appear as an intimidation tactic rather than the use of my power.”
Drawing his hands to clasp together on his lap, Akasuki stared forward, into the darkened aisles of the study’s library. “Such a display would re-invite speculation about your true capabilities nevertheless.”
“There are already stories out there, within and without the empire, from our conquests. Even if they may be wrong, people know my power lies with my eyes. So long as they are left in the dark on what I can truly do.”
Turning around from the window, she faced him again.
“Mystery is not a tactic we can rely on too much longer. We must pivot to the strength and power of our techniques, as well as the size and talent of our army.”
Akasuki faced her, remaining laxed in his seat. “Very well.”
Smiling, the princess walked forward to the grand table and stared at the map, silently musing again for several moments.
After some time, leaning forward, Akasuki reached towards the stack of parchments on an adjacent table. “Speaking of which, I received more reports from Katsuo about the capabilities of the rumored Wanderer you are hunting.”
Finding the corresponding parchment, he offered it towards the princess. Miyako walked towards his desk and unclasped her hands, accepting the report.
“Thank you,” she said, rolling it up. “I will read it tonight. Though…”
Stopping for a moment, she blankly stared at the parchment in her hands.
“Perhaps I should be cautious about recruiting him so readily.”
“Why so?” asked Akasuki. “In light of the recent betrayals?”
“I will test him to see where his allegiances lie,” Miyako assured.
“Do you not already? Or do you worry it is not enough?”
“I worry he may change his mind, or warp with power just as Toru did.”
Akasuki was silent for a moment, keeping his gaze locked on her face. “Do you worry about such a traitor in our ranks?”
Miyako gave his suggestion a brief thought, raising her head and looking off to the side. “Most of the Royal Magicians were brought in young. We can shape them easily. Cedryck perhaps was capable of his own autonomy when I found him, but he has proven his loyalty. Miu is similarly thankful for the empire; she is actually older than I am. Katsuo is perhaps the most independent and sometimes rebellious. However, we spent several moons campaigning together; he should know my capabilities well enough not to cross me.”
Finally, she returned Akasuki’s persistent gaze. “And you sought refuge within the empire early on in our conquests. I do not question your allegiances.”
“Then, you worry this Wanderer is too old?”
“Rumors are he is a young man,” she reminded. “He may be too old to shape to our desire if his beliefs contrast with ours.”
Slipping the parchment into her robes, she grasped her hands under her sleeves again. Akasuki leaned forward, propping his elbows on his desk and slipping his face behind his clasped hands. “Shall I prepare another ward?”
“If he is too old and not willing to cooperate, I will eliminate them,” she tersely stated. “No sense in heightening the risk to our capital with another dangerous captive. Since he is from a village just north of the Great Desert, I doubt he will have any knowledge we will need.”
Akasuki nodded. “I trust whatever judgment you come to.”