"If what my teacher told me was true, then this Middle Kingdom has the greatest naval fleet in the world. Over 500,000 soldiers in their military, their tactics unmatched… And yet, this letter requests a meeting, not a declaration of war. They want something. Perhaps help, perhaps alliance. Perhaps betrayal."
He bowed again, hands trembling just slightly. "Of course… I may be wrong. I am not a wise man, nor a noble. If I overstepped, I ask forgiveness."
The chamber fell silent.
The Governor leaned back in his seat, gaze heavy on the parchment. He rubbed his beard slowly, a low sound escaping his throat as he pondered.
"Hmm…"
The oil lamp on Ryan's desk flickered gently as he drifted into sleep, curled on the wooden bed, thoughts tangled with strategy and paranoia.
But somewhere past midnight, sharp knocks sliced through the quiet like an axe through silk.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
