Terra

"Well said, gongjunim!"

They are both startled by the voice, until an older man strides from the shadows. Beside her Seo stiffens, his hand reaching unconsciously for his sword. The older man comes to a halt before Seol and executes a perfect half bow. He wears robes of fine embroidered silk and his hair braided with tiny beads of polished wood.

"None of your portraits do you justice - gongjunim mama. I urge you to commission a Qhitan artist next time. In fact, if your highness is so inclined - this humble ambassador would find it an exceeding honor to -"

"Her imperial highness is not inclined," Seo declines him before the man could even complete his proposal. "The official portrait of her highness was made by his grace the crown prince. I'm certain Donggunnim mama would be curious to hear your criticism on the matter - ambassador Li."

Seol looks at him curiously, startled by the open animosity he displays without being provoked. It is very unlike Seo to be this hostile towards a foreign diplomat. Especially when the presence of this man decides which way between war and peace the balance tilts.

"Uh," the ambassador is rendered speechless for a moment, but gathers himself rather quickly. Instead of apologizing for the unintended slight, he draws himself straighter with the aid of his elaborately carved cane.

It is only then that Seol notices the man has a prominent limp on his right leg. It might have been a war injury, she deduces - watching how the ambassador seemed to drag the useless limb which seemed rather degenerated - his entire weight on his better leg instead. The moment her attention is diverted the man turns his scrutiny on Seo instead.

"General Kang…" his voice trails, beaming as if he is a happy uncle visiting a nephew instead of an ambassador meeting an enemy general. "The last I saw you - somewhere south of chongchon river -" his brows furrowed with concentration. "Yes - you were just a green lad of fifteen?"

"And you were dangling from a bridge pinned with two of my arrows," Seo completed the memory.

The sarcasm clinging to his mouth reminds Seol of her imperial father. It isn't easy to get a rise out of Kang Seo, but when one managed - the results were rather entertaining. The older man's face shrinks into a purplish blot. Seo makes use of the ambassador's embarrassment to introduce the man to Seol.

"This is Qhitan's ambassador Li, when he puts the war behind him, he likes to call himself an explorer of different cultures and a cartographer. He is here to make records on his imperial majesty's reign and attempt to smooth terrestrial conflicts between our two nations. A noble purpose if there ever was. Thank you for reminding me of good old times ambassador Li "

"Good old times indeed," he agrees, attempting to regain his jolly tone from before. "Which brings me to my original purpose of conversation. With his majesty's graceful permission, I'd like to tour those lands - see the changes implied since your occupation. And I was hoping - maybe I could join your retinue riding north with her highness?"

Seo's expression remains impassive.

"I'm not sure I agree with your terminology ambassador Li, we are not occupying those lands. They are territories conquered by Goryeo."

"Right you are," the older man is too sharp to allow himself to be drawn into an argument over terminology. "I have your monarch's permission to tour those conquered lands - General Kang. I was wondering if you'd be pleased to endure my company for a while?"

Seol was certain nothing could displease Seo more. However, she thinks quickly, it is a situation that she might be able to spin to her advantage.

"I assume you will want to share my carriage too, ambassador Li?" She asks him, all smiles and princely grace. Seo turns to briefly scowl at her. "With your injured leg - how will you be able to ride?"

Li lights up at that, as if he was a lantern and Seol had lit his candle. Seo chews the inside of his cheek.

"I'm sure the ambassador has his own carriage - gongjunim mama."

"I don't -" Li sounds rather aggrieved. "My carriage rode over a swamp on our way here and my retinue had to rescue me at the cost of the vehicle. In fact, this is the very reason I would depend on your grace - gongjunim mama."

"Truly General Kang," Seol laughs inwardly, making a few more moves to corner this beloved fool just as she wishes to. "How could I deny a suffering old man my benevolence? Especially a diplomat -"

"But your highness will not be riding -" Seo's voice is even with a promise of retribution later. "After the incident with your carriage earlier in the day - his majesty would rather if your highness put your excellent riding skills to use instead."

"Uh…" Seol pretends to be disappointed for the benefit of ambassador Li. "What can we do then - surely we can arrange a coach for the good ambassador?"

"I will see what I can do," Seo says shortly. "If you grant leave, mama."

"Leave - leave," she says lightly, keeping the celebration of her personal victory on the backburner. "Let me also - go find my ladies and finish packing. General Kang," he offers her a brief bow. "Ambassador Li," Seol smiles graciously at the older man. "Enjoy the festivities."

Seo watches her leave, silver eyes narrowed. He isn't thrilled at the turn of events. The ambassador clinging to them like a leech he wouldn't be able to pull off.

"Talking about conquered territory," Li begins, recalling his attention to their unfinished conversation. "I wonder what General Kang plans for his future? When territories of his ancestors are soon to be conquered by others…"

"I wouldn't know what you mean ambassador Li -" Seo cuts him off. "In Goryeo no one apart from his imperial majesty holds land - conquered or otherwise."

The ambassador doesn't lose his smile at his curt reply. Instead, he claps his hands together, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I wonder if her highness feels the same?" His voice turns into soft curiosity. "Do you think I'd be able to glean her views during our journey north? Ah - things suddenly turned so exciting! Don't you think - General Kang?"

*