The days passed by slowly, and at last, we were nearing the end of our journey. We now rested at an inn in a small village a few lengths from the camp. The tension in the air was palpable as we prepared to enter Zhang's camp. The Mirror Dragon's unease wrapped around me more tightly than ever - although knowing she was with me helped to ease my worries. In spite of it all, I allowed myself one last indulgence.

I drew the new robes Lord Sua had prepared for me over my body. The soft fabric was a lovely shade of dark blue. Although I still did not know much about the role of colors in beauty, Madina's words from so long ago echoed in my mind.

"…Because you have pale skin, my lady. The contrast will work well. And the shade will enhance the deep red in your lips and the brightness of your eyes."

I smiled at the memory. Last time, I had dressed for Kygo, but now it was Ido who I wanted to please.

I wondered if Ido would think of me as beautiful in these robes. Since the day in my room at the inn, Ido had been true to his promise. He had not approached me, nor touched me except when we sparred in training, but I could feel his lingering gaze on me wherever I went. A part of me wanted to feel the warmth of his touch on my skin, but I could not. I locked my desires in a cage and hid the key deep in my heart.

There was a knock at my door. It was time. I opened the door to find Ido standing there, his face unreadable, but I knew he too must be feeling the unease of his dragon paired with the natural restlessness of the occasion. His amber eyes flickered as he registered my new clothing, and I waited earnestly for a sign of approval.

"You look beautiful," he said. My heart leaped with joy. "Maybe we should abandon this mission and I can help you out of your robes," he grinned. I felt my color rise, but smiled despite myself. Even now, he did not lose the little devil in him.

"If we succeed, maybe I'll let you do just that," I replied, all the tension was bringing out my own little devil.

Ido's eyebrows rose in shock, but he quickly recovered, and with a sly smile, he said, "I'll hold you to your promise, Eona."

"Only if we succeed, Ido," I smiled back.

The soft touch of his fingers on my face told me all he needed to say. I pressed my own fingers over his, returning my answer.

Together, we made our way to where Ari, Loc, Piet, and Nikos waited with the horses and the carriage. They bowed as we approached, their worries set deep in the stiffness of their bodies. For the final time, we rehearsed our plans, and I climbed into the carriage. It would be unfitting for a lady of my status to ride into the enemy camp on horseback.

The ride was short and before I had time to ease the panic in my heart, we were at the gates of Zhang's fortress. As I heard Loc announce our arrival and the purpose of our visit, I edged the curtains apart to peek out. Zhang's camp was much larger than I had imagined, but otherwise, it was as Lord Sua had described. Beyond the wooden gates that towered over our heads, I could see numerous tents scattered across the grounds. Men stood with weapons in their hands and suspicion in their eyes as they watched us.

Nikos and Ari stood behind Loc, their hands on the hilt of their weapons, though they dare not draw it. I stared at Nikos' back, at Kinra's swords, wishing I could hold it in my own hands. I felt naked without my swords, though I had a small dagger to protect myself. Ari had made sure I was as deadly with a dagger as I was with Kinra's swords. Still, I wish I had them. I could not carry them with me, nor could I keep it in the carriage. Anything we wish to keep needed to stay with us on our bodies.

Before I could find Piet or Ido, we were moving again. In the air was a heavy smell of blood, sweat, and smoke. The further in we moved, the stronger the scent. More men emerged from their tents as we passed. Some faces were grim, but many were jeering, as if we were here to perform a show for them. Mangled bodies appeared in my memory. I did not want to imagine what the jeering men had in mind.

Then I saw it. Zhang's command tent. It was unmistakable. Its size was thrice that of the normal tents and it was dyed a deep, blood red. The smell of blood and sweat was now overwhelming all my other senses. I shivered.

Again, I could hear Loc's voice announcing our arrival. I pulled away from the curtains and sat back, smoothing the creases of my robes. My heart rammed itself against my chest and my hands were slippery with sweat, but I forced a look of calm indifference. Zhang will be impressed only by our strength, and not our weaknesses.

My curtains were pulled apart, and Nikos held out his hand. "Lady Eona," he said, his voice still. I took his hand and felt a small squeeze. He was telling me to have courage. I squeezed back with my answer. I will try my best.

I stepped down from the carriage, keeping my head held high, and my gaze steady. "Thank you, Nikos," I said, glad that my voice had not betrayed my fear.

I took my place by Ido, allowing myself to risk a small glimpse. He stood tall, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the red tent. Even without his dragon powers, he retained his commanding presence. He was Lord Ido, the Rat Dragoneye now. Only I knew of the dragon's unease that must be adding fuel to the turmoil that raged within him.

The heat and stink brought tears to my eyes as we entered the tent, but I did not let my step falter. Inside, armed soldiers lined along the back of the tent. A row of men sat in a semi circle on a raised platform. I counted. Nine – the number that people often considered the dragon's number. Nine men, with Zhang at the center in a red robe embroidered with golden dragons. He had the old emperor's face, but Sethon's cold eyes.

Beneath the platforms were two small tables for me and Ido. Nothing for our guards. They would have to stand in the back.

So it was going to be like this. Zhang wanted us to know that he considered Ido and me – and by extension, the emperor - beneath him. We were beneath even his men, who were his equals by their seating. Lord Sua was right. Zhang was a man to be feared. No matter, this position was more desirable for our means of escape.

Two men moved forward to take our weapons, but Zhang held up his hand and said, "Leave them be. Even with their weapons, they will not be able to do any harm."

Pride. Zhang's weakness. Lord Sua had not been wrong. I silently thanked the gods.

As the guards backed away, Ido and I held our ground. We will not bow to High Lord Zhang. Our guards stood behind us, their silent figures giving me encouragement.

Time passed, and Zhang threw his head back into raucous laughter but there was no amusement in his eyes when he stopped.

"Please sit down, Lord Ido, Lady Eona," Zhang said, waving his hand at the tables. We sat. The ground was dry and hard from years without water. "You are very lovely today, Lady Eona," he said, "but I cannot forget your dazzling beauty as a Peony."

I stiffened. Zhang did not miss the small movement. "Yes, I was there that night. It was a very memorable night, though I daresay you do not remember my presence." I did not. "I do not blame you, Lady Eona. I did not wish to stand out that night… but you certainly did."

Zhang paused, but Ido and I remained silent. The dragon's feelings on top of my own worries were making it painful to breathe, much less, talk. I wondered if Ido felt the same way.

"Yes… I was very impressed with you and even more so impressed when you defeated my dear brother, even after he took you hostage," Zhang continued. "I am very impressed with you too, Lord Ido. Your role in my brother's rise to power has not passed by me. In fact, it was because of you and your dragon powers that I decided to side with Sethon."

Zhang was a man of constant surprises. Although it was common knowledge that Zhang aligned himself with the dragons and their powers, it still shocked that he would have betrayed the old emperor because the Ascendant Rat Dragoneye had chosen to support Sethon.

"However, it is your role in his defeat that interests me most. I do not blame you for your betrayal. If I did, you would have been dead long before you were able to set foot on my land – although that can still be arranged." Zhang gave a mirthless smile, sending a chill over me. "No, I blame Sethon. If he had treated you with the respect you deserve, than perhaps he would be emperor today and the dragons would still be in our hold. Now that the dragons are gone, the land needs a new hope – a new emperor, one that is not as foolish as my young nephew. That is what I wish to discuss today."

Again, shock filled me. Besides me, I could sense Ido's small shift as he realized what Zhang was implying. There would be no peace negotiations today. Zhang did not want peace. He wanted something else.

"That's right, Lord Ido, Lady Eona," Zhang said as if he read my mind. "I do not wish to make peace with my nephew who has lost the dragons and their favor. I will become the emperor in his stead and will restore the powers of the dragons. When their powers are once again bound to my rule, I will need skilled men – and women - to help me control their powers. For that, I need you both. I need the last two dragoneyes. In return for your services, I will make you both an offer. I will give you something you both desire."

Zhang leaned forward in his seat.

"I will offer you power."

Author's Notes:

-Nine is not exactly the dragon's number, but I didn't pull it out of thin air either. It's a number that's considered lucky in Chinese culture and is heavily associated with the emperor and dragons, for example, the emperor usually wears the Nine Dragons Imperial Robes. If you want to know more, you can always google the number nine.

-On that subject, it's also fun to note that the number 6 (the number of people in Eona's party just in case you missed it) is considered an unlucky number. I was so amused when I found out.

-I have no idea if it's unfitting of a lady to ride a horse into a camp or not, but from what I know of Chinese culture, it is… although Eona herself pretty much contradicts everything I know about the culture. Haha.

melonsia: Thank you :D The story isn't finished yet, so there'll be more to come for this fanfic at least, but it would be awesome if you'll also start writing. I'm always looking forward to reading new material. :) Regarding Eona's curves, I do believe she has some, since she had to bind her chest to hide the fact that she's a girl in the book (or that's what it seemed like to me). I don't imagine that she's super curvy or anything, but I don't think she's completely flat either.

Katt423: hehe, thanks :D