First Chapter: Captured Fate
The night of a blue moon was an omen to the Shuni Empire to reveal themselves in 13 years. They have been hidden by a ward for more than two centuries, long enough that their neighbors have forgotten them. Emperor Tsukotsu, emperor of the Shuni Empire wiped his face with his large hands. He was wearing the mighty crown on his head with his black hair smooth. The velvet vestment he wore made his green eyes shine. The emperor's leather boots clicked as he tapped it on the marble floor. Sweat began to form on his face.
"Your highness," his personal butler, Embarikan, said. "No need to worry about Empress Yukiyami. Chiyoto, the Great Mother Goddess, will look after her Highness like the many times before. You must eat and rest. Waiting out here will do no good."
"I guess you're right, Embarikan. Send a servant to me when my dear has given birth to our fourth child," Emperor Tsukotsu said warily.
"Yes, your Highness", the butler said, bowing deeply.
The emperor looked wistfully at the closed door and headed down the hall to his room with his private ninjas hidden in the shadows. As the emperor approached his room, his three children came dashing down the hall, screaming, towards their father.
"Now, now," the emperor hushed, "remember what I said about running through the hall?" The three children looked at each other and shook their heads. The emperor chuckled and sighed. "Yamazaki, you are seven now. Asuka, you are six and Rudoku, five. All are grown up and should be well behaved."
"Father, we just wanted to go see Mother and our new sibling," Yamazaki replied sweetly. Staring at his father with round innocent, hazel eyes, Yamazaki grabbed his father's gnarled hands and swung it side to side.
"Alright," sighed the emperor. The children took off towards their destination. "Don't get under anybody's foot!"
Just then a servant appeared and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, Commander Zokigam and General Likanoriku wishes to see you at the war chamber," he said steadily.
"Tell them I'll be there in a minute," the emperor coolly replied and waved his hand to dismiss the servant.
Later the time, Empress Yukiyami successfully gave birth to her fourth child. Sweat was covered all over her face, neck, and body. Her dark, brown hair clung to her, afraid to let go like how a frightened child would cling to its mother. The maids took damp towels and wiped Empress Yukiyami's face. Gimayoski, the empress' maid, carried the newborn child to its mother.
Gimayoski remarked," It's a girl. A very beautiful girl, that is."
Empress Yukiyami sat up when the healer finished the herbs and drank the medicine. Eager to look at her newborn child, she dismissed the healer and took her baby in her arms. Looking into the child's dark, brown eyes, she saw a vision that showed her a gorgeous young lady. She had long brownish-black hair and dark brown eyes. The lady was as tall as Empress Yukiyami herself, five feet five, and has the same facial structure. Her skin color was light and she has a slender body. The light pouring out of the lovely young lady was massive. This can only mean my baby child has a great destiny to fulfill, the empress thought. The empress blinked and the vision disappeared.
"I will name you, Akurean, my child. You have a great destiny waiting for you to fulfill," the empress said softly looking up. The door flew open and her three other children came barging in. They crowded around her staring at the baby. The empress laughed as they garbled out questions about what the baby's name would be and said, "Your sister's name is Akurean." Turning to Gimayoski, she asked, "Have you informed my lord of our new child?"
"Yes I have, mistress," Gimayoski said smiling.
The empress nodded and to her kids she said sternly, "Make room for your father when he arrives! Despite your small bodies, you take up a lot of space!"
The children looked up at their mother feeling shocked. Seeing the laughter in her eyes, they started giggling until Emperor Tsukotsu arrived. He spotted his children on the floor laughing and raised his right eye brow. Turning to his wife, his face transformed to a look of worry. He strode across the room taking big steps with his long slender legs until he reached the bed.
"I'm fine, Tsukotsu. Don't hug me so hard, you'll crush our baby!" the empress laughed as Emperor Tsukotsu delivered a fierce hug.
The emperor let go and said affectionately, "I will never stop worrying about you, my dear. I have told you that ever since we married," The emperor kissed his wife softly. Then added more seriously, "Now, what of our child?"
The empress replied, "I have given her the name Akurean. She is given a great destiny that is unknown to me."
"Is her destiny that great, my dear?" the emperor asked his wife. She nodded. He looked down at Akurean and whispered, "Akurean…"
Thirteen years have passed and the Shuni Empire revealed itself to the other kingdoms after being hidden for more than two centuries. The enemy kingdoms were taken surprised by the vast land and powerful armies that were full of skilled mages and men-at-arms. Many of these kingdoms feared that the Shuni Emperor would declare war on them to steal their lands, so they made all kinds of peace treaties immediately. Most of the kingdoms requested a permanent peace treaty with marriage. If Emperor Tsukotsu refuses, then a regular peace treaty, a document, would be made.
Emperor Tsukotsu had four grown children. Yamasaki's twenty years old, Asuka's nineteen, Rudoku's eighteen, and Akurean is thirteen. Prince Yamazaki is betrothed to a princess in the Yamani Islands, Princess Asuka is engaged with a prince in the Copper Isles, and Prince Rudoku is betrothed to a Carthaki princess. That only leaves Princess Akurean. Emperor Tsukotsu loved Akurean dearly and wanted someone who would care for her the way he does.
Maybe I should ask her about being betrothed to the Tortallan prince, the emperor thought. What if she accepts? Shaking his head, the emperor summoned his daughter and wife to the Crown Room.
The door opened and Empress Yukiyami came to sit next to the emperor on the throne. She wore an elegant kimono that was the color of the night sky. It was decorated with sprinkles of tiny stars. Her long brown hair was flowing behind her and her dark eyes twinkle.
"My dear, the kingdom of Tortall, requested a peace treaty through marriage. Akurean is the only child left, but I don't know if she will be treated fairly there. Should Akurean marry the Tortallan prince?" the emperor asked anxiously.
Empress Yukiyami was well respected for her advice and opinions. Even the emperor dared not turn one down. "My lord," looking into his green eyes, the empress advised, "Akurean should make that decision herself. She is intelligent and old enough to make smart choices. Her opinions are as good as mines or even better."
The emperor nodded and the empress patted his hand. A servant opened the door and Princess Akurean walked gracefully towards her parents with her personal maid, Shinkoi. She was wearing a marvelous pink kimono with pink blossoms decorated on it. Her hairstyle is designed like a butterfly's wing and wore kimono slippers. On her ears dangled diamond earrings that flashed evenly. Anybody who saw her would be in awe and say that she is the most beautiful lady in the world. They stopped in the middle of the room and went down to their knees. The princess and maid, then, sat on their legs, put their hands on the cold, smooth marble floor facing down and bowed deeply until their forehands touched their fingertips. Slowly, the two got to their feet and looked at their Imperial Highnesses.
Empress Yukiyami said tiredly, "I have told you many times that we do not require you to bow to us when we are not at court!"
"But Mother, if I do not do so, I may forget my manners since I rarely go to court," Princess Akurean said mockingly.
Emperor Tsukotsu cleared his throat and said, "You have already heard of all the peace treaties, haven't you, Akurean?" Akurean nodded. He continued, "Your brothers and sister are all betrothed, which means that you may marry the prince of Tortall."
"What do you mean by 'may'?" asked the princess. "Shouldn't that be an order? You didn't give Yamazaki or the others a choice."
"Your father and I have read documents from our spies about the princes and princesses from each kingdom except Tortall, " Empress Yukiyami paused, then continued, "We have seen how some men in Tortall treated woman and we don't want you to experience that. The decision is yours."
Akurean stood there pondering about the information. After several minutes she replied, "May you ask King Jonathan and Queen Thayet, rulers of Tortall, if I can visit them as a guest? That way I can meet Prince Roald and get to know him and the kingdom. I shall conceal my identity of being a first rank princess and become a second rank princess."
Her parents were wordless. They hadn't expected their daughter to suggest such an outstanding idea. The emperor agreed and went to write the letter. Both the empress and the princess went to the private garden in the middle of the mansion.
Each day passed and Princess Akurean got nervous. She practiced her hand-to-hand combat skills with Shinkoi. After that, they practiced using swords, spears, staffs, and shurangins. Shurangins were sharp small daggers mostly used to throw at your foe, but Akurean had learned how to use it as a tiny sword. Once the princess had enough practice, Shinkoi cleaned the weapons and prepared a bath. After the princess has taken a bath, Shinkoi stopped her mistress after the entered their rooms.
"Are you really going to marry Prince Roald of Tortall, your Highness?" asked Shinkoi.
"As I have said before, Shinkoi, I shall meet with Prince Roald. And if he isn't the kind of man I need, then my father will reject," Akurean retorted.
The next day a messenger arrived. He hurried through the hall to the Crown Room where the emperor and empress awaited. The messenger knocked on the door and opened it. The he briskly walked to the middle of the room and bowed deeply. He cleared his throat and read the letter from King Jonathan and Queen Thayet.
Dear Emperor Tsukotsu and Empress Yukiyami,
I agree that Princess Akurean should get to know my son before she decides whether to marry or not. My son is fifteen years old right now and is in training to be a knight. She can live with the pages and interact with them. Princess Akurean may join their training activities if she wishes to; however, she is a spectator and must remember that. One year is all I can give you before my son becomes a squire and works with his knight-master.
With my blessings,
King Jonathan
The messenger passed the letter to the emperor and left the door bowing. Emperor Tsukotsu turned to his daughter with a questioning look. The princess nodded. The deal is on!
In Tortall, King Jonathan hurried the carpenters and designers to finish up their work on the rooms. They designed it perfectly hoping to impress the princess. He summoned his son and wife to talk about the guest.
"Roald, I want you to be on your best behavior when our guests arrive from Shuni. You will be in the welcome party with us, and after the party, you are to escort the princess back to her room in the pages' dorm," the king explained at Prince Roald's confused expression.
"Father, are you going to make me be betrothed to a Shuni princess to make peace?" the prince demanded.
"We didn't say you are going to marry, Roald," Queen Thayet said slowly, and glanced at the king who shrugged. Thayet cleared her throat then continued, "The Shuni have requested to see our kingdom and you, of course. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mother," Prince Roald replied quietly. He bowed and returned to the pages' dorm. The guests come here to see me and the kingdom, but if the guests see that I am mean and rude, and then maybe I won't have to marry the princess, thought the prince. He shook his head vigorously and continued on his way.
Shinkoi helped the princess pack kimonos and slippers for the trip to Tortall. She added a couple of shurangins to the pile. Then, Shinkoi put her own clothes and weapons in a separate pile.
"Princess Akurean, I have finished packing our things," Shinkoi said excitedly.
Princess Akurean laughed at Shinkoi's tone. "If you want to leave to Tortall sooner, then help me do the butterfly hairstyle!" she chuckled.
Both the princess and the maid boarded the royal ship painted maple brown. Emperor Tsukotsu and Empress Yukiyami waved goodbye to their daughter as it sailed away going northeast.
Akurean leaned against the railings of the ship on the deck. The sky was clear with the sun shining radiantly on them. She was dressed in a yellow kimono with red bamboo leaves and with her butterfly hairstyle. On the inside of the kimono, soft fur was patched on it to keep the princess warm from the cold weather in Tortall. Also, there were sheaths sewn in the kimono to put shurangins. Shinkoi, who was watching the rolling waves with the princess, wore a similar kimono, but it was plain brown.
Night came soon and they both returned to their miniature room on the ship. They only needed one more day of sailing to their destination. All were excited for leaving their empire for the first time over two hundred years.