Chapter 1: The Burning Plain

High Councillor's Offices
Jedi Praxeum, Kiast

Miho sat at the table, pinching the bridge of her nose. Len Iode, a man she had met a few times and chosen to be her successor as the War Councilor, had just finished delivering his report. Ever since the supposed assassination of her predecessor, Masahiro, she had been looking into ways of getting the Spymaster in a position to either make him obsolete or to make him not a problem in a more permanent way. Neither had presented itself and it almost seemed like something else was protecting the man. How many nights had she sat up at this very desk trying to figure out the problem that was the Royal Spymaster?

When was the last time she’d actually seen her own bed? Too long apparently. Violet eyes blinked as she focused on Len again, a rueful expression on her face. “Please forgive me, Len. I wasn’t paying attention. What were you saying?”

The man looked at her for a moment, crimson eyes taking everything about the small Human into account. “When was the last time you spent an hour outside of this office, ma’am?”

“I don’t remember. I’ll go get some air after we’re done here. I promise.” Miho said placatingly. The older man definitely took his duties of making sure his superior was at least minimally taking care of herself was evident in just about everything. The moment passed and Len cleared his throat.

"Ma'am, as I was saying, this Zakfein character is intent on either dismantling the order and its members or creating a conflict between us and the Empress," said the Chiss in his clipped manner. It wasn't that the man was rude or impatient, he just didn't always have the time to expound on things.

"What would you have us do then? Kill her Spymaster? Go to war with the Vatali?" Miho snapped. The headache that had been threatening for several days finally clamped down on her. "People who, until quite recently, made us welcome among them?" Len shook his head slowly, the idea of another war didn't sit well with anyone. The door opened and admitted Jon Silvon, Zakfein's Most Wanted and current Adjutant of Tythas' governor. "This a private meeting?"

The High Councillor sighed and gestured the man into the room. "Have a seat. We have things to discuss."

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