The next time Mei opened her eyes, she found herself tucked between many blankets and pillows covering a huge ancient looking bed with carved posters, a canopy and complete with gauzy curtains. The light in the room was that of a bright night and judging by the sounds, a fire was going somewhere nearby. As soon as she started to be aware of her surroundings, she felt the slight cold.
-I apologize for the liberty taken by bringing you to my room-said a man that was sitting on a lotus position at the end of the bed. Mei tried to sit and have a better look at him and she felt some soreness in her back while doing so. She finally managed to sit and see his face and full figure. Handsome was the word. A well built man of maybe 24 to 26 years old with long dark hair fixed on a ponytail of sorts held with some kind of ancient looking carved ornament. His face looked serene and relaxed, his skin showing signs of a life in the outdoors but not roughened yet. His facial features a delight left by the Gods for womenkind to enjoy. He was decked on a simple light green robe with no adornements over a white inner robe and also some type of pants. She could not see his feet but surely, he was the type to not go around without socks.
-My name is Shen Aredil. And my spirit was there with you when you and Lady Mei's souls were exchanged. I know you are not her- he looked at her in the eye and despite the distance between their bodies, Mei felt pressured- Tell me who you are honestly.
Mei felt her eyes go wide. That took her by surprise but she realized he had cornered her with his first move. She blinked but recomposed herself. The man was used to wield power and a strategist, that much was really clear to her thus far, but she had been Sentinel Prime for over 30 years already and strategizing was in her blood.
-My name is Mei and I am Sentinel Prime in my world- she threw the line and waited for him to bite and keep asking questions.
-What is a Sentinel Prime?-
-The title gained by the best soldier where I came from-
-Did you lead troops? Were you a general in war?- He sized her and discovered her stance was somehow taut, ready to spring to action if needed despite the obvious weakness of her body. Mei smiled faintly, that move had gone well.
- I did, for over 30 years. I was not a general though because in my world and time, war is a precision and highly tactical affair. I had the qualifications and at 51 years old, lots of experience under my belt, just not the mood to get involved in politics.
-Were you a cultivator?
Bingo, information about this new world.
-No, although some cultures have the concept of cultivation and the lore, no one has been able to really prove the existence of qi or inner energy with science, much less the use of those in battle.
-You lie then- he scowled visibly- Without cultivation an old lady of over 50 cannot be a soldier.
-Without cultivation there is still cutting edge technology and plenty of science to do many things, including the posibility of an old lady warrior such as myself to exist-she smiled sincerely. Sorry pal, I´m an old lady, deal with it.
-I will test that with my own sword-
He was aloof about it. He knew he was giving her information while he tried to interrogate her. She kept smiling and being open while remaining guarded.
-If you promise not to scratch my face or cut my limbs, I will gladly spar with you. While I was real strong, its been ages since my face looked this young and beautiful and I do not want to lose my body ever again, especially not if there is no tech available here to replace lost parts.
He blinked in confusion.
-Lets make this quick. I am a direct person and have nothing to hide from you if you were wherever that was...-he kept his poker face but she knew he was all ears for her - Lets make a deal. I will tell you my whole story if you help me to understand where I am and then-she lifted the hand with golden ring- we can really start on what to do about these rings.
He thought in silence for a while and then nodded.