It had started as merely main camp of her tribes forces and had become something more. Even as the warriors trained in their areas, there were craftsfolk creating the materials for everyday living and farmers growing the foods to eat. What she was walking through had become a village in and of itself, and something to be proud of.
All within a foreign land, in the waters on the other side of the Emperor's lands. That was something many of the older folk had never thought to see, but with this place, there was a hope for the future. One built with the help of the daimyo and on the edges of his lands. It wasn't where she had been born, but she enjoyed looking over it all the same.
But she had been summoned and one did not ignore such, even if one was related to the person who had summoned her.
Entering the unassuming home, she knocked and called out in her native tounge, "Hello? It's me, Xian Pu!"
From a back room hopped out a familiar figure, and one that she cared for very much. The years had not been kind to her great-grandmother, but for a woman of her wisdom and experience, such things were unimportant. She had little need of any such reassurance, and wasn't like some of her contemperaries.
"Hello child," Ku Lon greeted softly, "Did you have a nice trip?"
"It was... an experience. The sight of the sea never stops being a wonder."
"I wonder if you'll ever get used to travelling on it."
"That's a different thing, Great-Grandmother. I simply can not enjoy having what's beneath me shift so much."
"It's because you're a mountain child, I suppose," the Elder told her as she poured two cups of tea. "But you have adjusted rather well to the time we have spent here."
"It is a beautiful land, even if it is so much different than the Village."
"Good, good."
"Is there a reason that you wanted to know that?"
Putting one cup in front of her Great-Grandaughter and taking one for herself, Ku Lon sat and sighed. "Yes child, there is."
"Oh?"
"You see, there is something that we must take care of."
"There is?"
"Tell me, what do you think of the daimyo?"
"Lord Ranma?"
"Yes."
"Well... he is handsome, and open. He is a strong warrior, who knows his weaknesses outside of battle. He is kind, and a generous ruler, but not afraid to speak his mind and punish those who need it. His lands are well looked after, but his wealth doesn't seem to have made him arrogant like some."
"And do you like him as a woman likes a man?"
That brought a heavy blush to the younger Amazon's cheeks, and she looked away. "He is attractive, and I would not mind joining with him, but I doubt that such a thing would happen, even with the way things have come along."
"What if I told you that there was a way that they could?"
"WHAT?!"
"An ally who helps you rid yourself of an enemy before becoming your ally is something to remember. And one that helps you gain great honor and prestiege for not only yourself and your clan is not something that one would ever forget. One who does both is someone to hold in constant memory."
"Yes, that is understandable."
"But back then, before you were born, there was something that was agreed upon and that has come up. We owe Genma Saotome a great debt for both imprisioning the one that they call the 'Oni Thief' and helping us to get to the level that we now enjoy."
"What sort of 'debt'?"
"Many, but one affects you personally. Years ago, an agreement was reached, in part to give us a reason to trust him, and a reason to trust us."
"Why am I concerned?"
Her words earned a quiet laugh from the Matriarch. "Because I trained you well."
"Great, but what is it?"
"It's very simple. We must send one of us to his son."
"You're giving me to him?!"
"In a way."
"I am a warrior, not a slave!"
"I know that, and you are not to be a slave."
"I'm not?" Xian Pu asked with her relief evident in her voice.
"Of course not. Unless you do something eminently foolish, or wish to be one."
"Why would I want to be one?"
"Child, you have much to learn about some things, but this is not the time. Besides, I have considered giving him some of our disgraced ones as a gift."
The lavender haired young woman nodded. Such a thing was not unheard of, but it was usually captured prisioners who were the ones who were sent. Disgraced Amazons were something not easily given, as they were still born to the tribe and sometimes were so dishonored that they needed that much punishment, but not enough to be exiled.
"The agreement is for you to go to Lord Ranma."
"And what would my position be then?"
"It depends on what your relationship with him would be. The main reason is that I would like for you to be in his bed."
"But not as a slave?"
"No. Possibly as his wife."
"As his..."
"Or something lesser, but the idea is there. Technically you would be there as our Representitive, but it is my hope that you can manage to be on such good terms with him."
"Why?"
"Even as his concubine, you would have great influence with him, and from what I have seen of him, he is someone who takes care of those who are around him especially. And if you were to bear him a child, that baby would be both his heir and that of our tribe."
"That is a bit much to take in at once. What if we can not get the will to do such intimate things?"
"Then you will simply be our ambassador. But you are a beautiful young woman, and he is virile young man. I doubt that bedding one another would be a chore."
"Great-Grandmother!"
"Children these days, so self conscious."
"More like we're protecting ourselves," Xian Pu commented dryly.
"Too true. But this does have one added bonus."
"What?"
"It will get you away from that fool Mu Tsu."
"Now that's definately a very good reason."
"Then let us enjoy our tea before you must pack," Ku Lon told her.
Xian Pu raised her cup and took a sip from it while:
(Posted Fri, 12 Sep 2003 23:43)
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