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"Dohzou, relay to father that I have a meeting today with the Empress. He is not to interrupt, nor you. I have much to discuss today and-" The Lord spoke on to his younger sibling, a soldier who was rising in the ranks, mostly due to the shared blood the two shared from the former Lord, Sheng Kou. Since his ascension to the title of Lord, he felt the pressure that his father once had and the eyes of the others of the Lordship and the Emperor and Empress themselves. Of the Lords, he was the only one without a mate since Lahn had returned to her mountain pride. Rumors had been whispered in secret that Xun was as ruthless as his father, as aggressive and a bit sexist. Regardless of what they were, they shed him in a poor light. The last thing he needed was for the Empress to believe that he was not fit to be a part of her council and watch over the North House.

"Did the message get through to her? About your plans and what not? Heh, you know, Dad's not too fond of the idea that you're changing his ideas and neither is mother." The younger sibling spoke with familiar tones and not one of proper to one of a higher rank, especially to the Lord. It was known, at least to Xun, that Dohzou did not have a skilled tongue or the proper manners to be a high rank among the Empress' council, at the very least in her presence. It was why Xun made it a point to make sure Dohzou was kept here in the North where he can make a fool of himself, but not be punished by anyone. Those here in the North knew the young Duke since birth, but Xun imagined those outside the house would find his behavior... unwelcomed.

"Mother and Father are the former Lord and Lady, they should spend their time enjoying one another's company and look after the family. Let me focus on this job as should you do yours, brother. No, do me a favor and depart. If the Empress comes and you are not gone, I will put you on night guard duty for the next fort night." Dohzou gave a shock expression at such a repercussion for such a trivial thing, but it was Xun smile that made the other lion do the same. Lord or not, Xun was still his brother and he knew he was doing what was best. "But in all seriousness, Zou, tell father not to interrupt. The last thing I need is for him barging in here blurting things to the Empress." Dohzou simply chuckled and left through the side corridor down into the House's open field.




Xun stood within the Royal Den atop of the House. He looked toward the rear of the Den, the open passage to the mountain passes beyond the North that gave way to the Central House. The pass itself is easily navigated by those of the North and those escorted, but for intruders, it is deadly and one could easily be lost. It was an escape route for those of the House should things get out of control, to allow time for regroup. It was also the direction he was hoping the Empress will arrive from. However, he also considered the female to take a leisurely walk around front if the idea fancied her. The Lord paced himself through the front of the den onto the large jutting rock that allowed an overlook of the entire house down below, watching the members bathe and socialize on their free time. It was The Calm. There was no danger now and it was time for relaxation and, for some, finding love. He was certain Shu, the Royal Guard he had grown up with was around and he was almost certain his father was still trying to pair him with someone... Life like this was simple. He feared taking the title of Lord would strip him of that...

Xun smiled upon the House upon the premonitory, awaiting the arrival of their honored guest.

"I hope the travel was not too troubling for you, Your Highness, my father insisted that the mountain passes were the safest route to and from the North House, but I find them reckless and quite dangerous. Though, my father does trek in there on a daily basis..." The Lord mused, remembering his father disappearing into the mountain passes frequently since he had stepped down as Lord of the North. Xun learned to not question his father, but now he had to keep him in check, a request from his mother to be sure that the giant was safe. Though, he smiled inward, The safest place for any of us is when he goes into the mountains..

Smiling. "I am doing well, Empress, I am glad you were able to come. I hope my request was not an inconvenience to you, nor your family. Did you receive my message?" Xun answered, dipping his head and giving an honest bow as his mother taught him to display before the royal family. He often wondered why it was called the "Royal Dens" when they weren't royal. Perhaps out of his mother's desire to have what his aunt has. This was the first time he was actually able to get a private audience with the Empress, before it was normally with his parents.


"I understand the changes I propose are... radical, but I believe it necessary and much more orderly than what my father had established. With the ranks, I would like to propose an idea, though, I am uncertain on where you would stand on the idea as it will be... invasive." The idea was a good one, he believed and found it necessary as the task itself would mean swift security. Even he knew the limitations of being from separate houses. At the same time, he knew that each house had their pride...

Smiling, the Lord stood straight before the female and waited for her to address him, as is customary.

"You, like any other would understand, it takes time to get from one House to another. I know each House has its own specialty as fast response defense and offense is mine, I am concerned that the other Houses are not... as fit?" He questioned, not the capabilities of his fellow Houses, but in the comment that he made. Was it the words he was looking for and yet it felt wrong to say. But, it was not exactly the time to dwell on something now. "I propose that I station a highly qualified soldier, of my choosing, of a high rank, as you should know, to be stationed at each of the Houses. This will serve as a faster response to any dangers that fall to the House. It hurts to say, but it takes time to make it to Central, and I know you are at your safest, but if you were anywhere else, as you are now, as I do not see a Royal Guard with you, you are at risk. With this, you and the House will be protected."

He rose to his feet and began to pace a bit, continuing on.

"Each of these Lieutenant Generals of mine will be chosen, by me, to stay at another House, though still members of North. I will occasionally rotate out a group of soldier who will be directed under them to assist them. These generals are my responsibility, so their actions will reflect on me as Lord. If a House is attacked, then this group will be quick to respond - trained and percise, while message reaches us to respond in turn." He finished, turning to look at the Empress for a response. She was the leading member of the Pride, her word were to be obeyed without hesitation. Her words could sway the pride. It was her approval that he sought, not his father, nor his mother. He was Lord now and he found that his methods were justified. "I have already decided that Dohzou shall be the first, though, he will be stationed here at the North. I have not trained any other to do such a task, especially away from the House for long periods of time. But I believe this is necessary, Your Highness."


"I fear, if the other Houses reject the idea, or the bodies I place within their sanctuary, I will not be able to do my job as Lord of the North to protect my pride. However, I understand what it would feel like is strangers were placed within my home..." He sighed softly, settling himself back down again. "You may question my means, Empress, but you cannot deny my motives."

"T-thank you, Empress." His heart near stopped when the Empress finally spoke again. She had agreed that the idea was good, that alone would made this all worthwhile. As she continued on; with her permission and so forth, his heart began its steady beat once more. The project was silently in the works, he had already started it with Dohzou. Shortly, he would have to send him to the other Houses to get the lay of the lands and return to him. It has been such a long time since he - himself - had actually left the North to see the other Houses. The last he saw of the Lords and Ladies were at the coronation of the Empress and her mate. Though, he was still on quills and needles on when the former Emperor and the current would arrive to have a challenge with the former Lord of the North. Certainly, Xun was a male as any other, but the mentality of his father of strength and fighting and the desire to boast himself above others was... beyond him.

"Would not think of it, Empress, the I trust that the Central House is in good care as the guards there are personally picked by you and your parents." Xun gave but a sheepish chuckle. Even he did not feel well of enter the Central House without absolute valid reason. "I still admire them from when I first saw them as a young Duke." It was his original goal to be but a guard for the house, to protect it was his duty and his desire. Though, he did not expect his parents to step down and groom him into the role of the reigning Lord of the North. He was still uncertain if the Empress welcomed the idea of a ... relative novice was now part of her House Representatives. "The Central House is protected from all four cardinal directions, and with a Lieutenant General at each with their own group of response claws, none shall reach you nor your family. Otherwise, I would have failed you..."

"I will send Dohzou to gather information on the other Houses and return with news of terrain and a general idea of a number. I will have to send word to the other Houses to see their feelings on the idea. I would rather the transition of my soldiers be perceived with open arms than with fangs and teeth." Xun rolled his shoulders, perhaps not exactly as poised as the Empress was, but the tension lifted with her agreement.

"With the new ranks I have proposed, the trials my parents once instated are abolished. Having members leave the House for a period of time is... nerving. I rather deal with the task myself through discussion and options and personally see them off on their new life. I hope the messenger didn't get that mixed up. Heh, it is quite a bit of information. Other than that, Empress, that is all I could recall to seek your approval. Anything else will likely remain as a legacy of my father's reign."


"With the matters out of the way, I could only hope your swift return to your family and your family's well being!" Lord Xun gave an honest, happy smile toward the Empress now feeling that he was doing his duty to her and the pride.

The question wasn't entirely expected. "It is growing on me. As you know, I was not the first choice of being the heir, but my parents took to grooming me for the role nevertheless. Since then I've had ideas about how things worked. Though effective, it felt - slow. But I still need opinions and advice at times, luckily, my father is around for that." Xun replied. He was right, it was his eldest brother who was to gain the throne and he was to but a captain of the guard when they reached the appropriate age. However, his brother refused the role and his father took action to instruct the next choice. The task was daunting and the amount of pressure it held was uneasy to bear at times, but someone would have to take the mantle.

"The House has known me since I was but a cub, everyone here knows me. I believe they accept me as no one has voiced any concerns." The question was... actually one he had not given much thought to. His parents had announced his ascension to Lordship and not many would question the words of his father - (especially if it would be one that would anger him) - but he hasn't heard a whole lot from the House members. The ones he has had contact with were Shu, the Royal Guard, the lion he had grown up with and admired for his protection, and his other siblings. "Though, I am sure all goes well in my House."

"Do you ask simple because I am the only Lord who is without a mate, Empress?" He jested, trying to lighten the mood and release the grip of seriousness within the den. Xun shrugged with a soft hum. "My father says it would be a darn shame to have never felt the touch of another, but I suppose I haven't found the right one yet since Lahn returned to her pride."