Chapter Six
"So, Kounan think that they can treat with us, do they?"
Shoukitei leant back against the stiff support of his throne, drumming his fingers idly on the armrest as he gazed down at the crouched figure before him. The envoy, wearing the red and gold of Suzaku's country gazed back up at him, biting his lip anxiously as if he was trying to assess his companion's thoughts. And, thought the Eastern Emperor, quite possibly he was.
There was a moment of silence, the tension in the chamber heavy and Shoukitei was aware of the apprehension in his visitor's eyes as he awaited an Imperial answer. He was a man in his middle or late twenties, Shoukitei reckoned, with the dark, sun-touched skin of the South. Thick dark hair fell to his shoulders, framing his still-youthful features and dark brown eyes flickered with hope and doubt simultaneously as the Emperor allowed the pause to stretch to an almost unbearable point. The man was not unattractive, yet even as he looked at him, Shoukitei found his interest waning. Yes, he was handsome, but there was nothing outstanding in his appearance and inwardly he discarded the stranger's importance.
"A plaything for Nakago, perhaps." He reflected inwardly. "But not enough to spark my interest and save his life. Saihitei is a fool to keep sending these young idiots to my court. At the very least, given the hugely exaggerated reports of his own apparent beauty, he could give me the pleasure of speaking to him face to face. I'm sure, if the rumours are true, he would be a much more attractive proposal than these sunbronzed stragglers he keeps throwing into the Dragon's den in his place."
He smiled, a slight, humourless grin that twisted cruelly up the side of his mouth at this thought. His gaze darted back towards the waiting envoy, noting the beads of sweat beginning to form on the man's brow as the silence threatened to break beyond five minutes. Yet still he did not move, his body rigid with tension but his resolve to conduct his Emperor's bidding firm in his expression.
Shoukitei's black eyes glittered, and at length he slowly nodded his head, raising a hand in acquiescence.
"Speak, then, envoy of Saihitei. What is it your Emperor seeks?"
"Highness, if I may, Saihitei-sama sends me with all cordial greetings to his brother Emperor in the East, and the continued hope that relations may be softened between them." The envoy began, still not daring to move from his crouched position as he eagerly babbled his leader's will. "My master has sent me with the earnest request that representatives of our two countries meet to re-evaluate and negotiate terms of trade and peace with yourselves in the East."
"I see." Shoukitei's eyes narrowed. "So your Emperor is a coward, then, who sends men to talk instead of to fight?"
"With all respect, your Highness, Saihitei-sama seeks a peaceful resolution which will benefit all people – yours and his own." The envoy said softly. "He does not wish to spill the blood of his people any more than he is sure you wish to sacrifice Kutou's."
"Then tell me something, man of Suzaku." Shoukitei's eyes became near slits. "Is there any truth in the rumoured appearance of Suzaku no Miko in the Southern lands?"
There was a moment of hesitation, and Shoukitei saw a mixture of emotions go through the younger man's gaze. Then the brown eyes hardened, and the envoy shook his head.
"I am simply my Emperor's mouthpiece, my Lord." He said frankly. "I have only the information I have been sent to Kutou with – that, and no more."
"So you will not answer my question?"
"I cannot, Heika." The envoy bowed his head low in apology. "I am not so deep into my Emperor's trust to know information of that level of importance, and can neither confirm nor negate your Highness's questions. I only have the power to carry the message which I have now relayed."
"I see." Shoukitei reached up to rub his beard pensively, digesting the man's words carefully. At length he glanced up, his gaze meeting the impassive blue eyes of the room's other occupant who, until that point had remained silent, listening and observing the entire exchange with no expression on his face. A smile touched the Emperor's features once more and he held out his hand, beckoning for the man to step forward.
"Nakago."
"Yes, Heika?" Nakago's response was immediate, as he dropped into a position of humility before his King. "What is it you require?"
"Stand, Nakago…and regard this man." Shoukitei instructed, seeing the Southern envoy quail slightly as he caught the gaze of the odd, Hin-born soldier. So, he reflected, stories of his tribal protector had spread even so far as Kounan's border. Somehow he took pleasure in that fact, knowing that the emptiness that gleamed in Nakago's blue eyes was also reflected in the soul that burned within. A man entirely without independant will or desire, he mused, and yet the most perfect weapon of all weapons he hoped to deploy against Saihitei's nation.
Nakago did as he was bidden, casting those cold seiran eyes on the hapless Southerner.
"This envoy comes from the South to treat with us on Saihitei's behalf, yet brings none of the answers we seek. Will you tell him what you told me, and see how he answers?"
"With pleasure, sire." Nakago nodded, a faint, hard little smile touching his lips.
"My sources have told me that a young girl has appeared in Kounan, and that those blessed with the mark of Suzaku have begun to flock to her." He said quietly. "You have come from Kounan, and therefore must know this same fame as well as I do."
He cast Shoukitei a sidelong glance, then,
"My Emperor is not a fool, nor is he a patient man who enjoys playing games with foreign ambassadors." He added, a cool edge to his words. "I suggest you tell him what he wishes to know, before any talk of peace is tendered."
"With all respect, Shougun-sama, I have told him what I know." Despite himself, the envoy squared himself bravely. "There are always rumours, but I have only the order to convey facts to his Highness Shoukitei-sama of Kutou. This I have done to the best of my meagre ability. Saihitei-sama wishes to re-establish stable trade links with Kutou and hopes to negotiate to avoid a war. More than that I do not know, and cannot say."
"If that's the case, then there is no further cause for discussion." Shoukitei's gaze flickered back in the direction of his Shougun. "Nakago, I'll leave him in your hands…you know how best to deal with situations such as these."
"Yes, Heika." Nakago bowed his head, fair hair falling over his shoulders as his blue eyes glinted with malice. "I understand and shall act thus."
He turned, raising his hand as soldiers emerged from the darkened corners of the chamber, surrounding the now frightened envoy without a word.
"Take him below." Nakago spoke softly, but there was a tone in his words which debarred defiance. "I will join you shortly, and we will see what this man knows."
He gestured to dismiss them, and as one the soldiers grasped the panicked envoy firmly by the arms, hauling him towards the entrance of the chamber despite his cries and struggles to get free.
At length the door closed behind them, and Nakago offered his Emperor a cold smile.
"With your permission, Heika, I will interrogate this man myself." He said softly.
"I had a feeling you might say that." Shoukitei returned the smile, as lacking in warmth as the Hin's gesture had been. "After all, this is Saihitei's...third attempt to send people here on an errand of diplomacy? Surely the young fool must realise when he hears nothing in return that we don't intend to talk?"
"The previous two men held firm against betraying their Lord." Nakago observed. "Despite my best efforts I was unable to withdraw any information from any of them about Suzaku or the Miko that has allegedly appeared below the border."
"But you do believe that the girl is there?"
"Yes, Heika. I believe it." Nakago's brows knitted thoughtfully. "As I believe Seiryuu no Miko will soon come to our aid, also. I am Nakago, after all."
He reached up to brush his forehead.
"The mark that appears here is proof that a Miko will come - and must come - to Kutou's aid."
"Then I wish she'd hurry up and appear before I order our forces to march on Kounan." Shoukitei said bad-temperedly. "I would have launched an invasion already, if not for this Suzaku no Miko business. I want to know what's going on in the south - Nakago, with all your military training you understand as well as any that if our men invaded and Suzaku was summoned, it would be a humiliation for our people. Seiryuu represents fighting and Kutou's noble houses would never forgive an Emperor who allowed such a thing to happen to our proud line."
He shivered.
"Two hundred years ago my ancestors tried to take the frozen North and were battled back by Genbu and his cursed Miko." He added. "I will not let the same thing happen in my own lifetime."
He clenched his fists.
"I want Kounan." He murmured. "I want to stamp all over that country that calls itself Kutou's equal, even when it languishes in size and military power. I want to crush this pretty boy Emperor who believes in peace and who has allowed the Southern armies to fall back and rest on their laurels. Kounan has resources that almost equal our own, and if we could take it then we could expand Kutou's power to yet new levels. But Suzaku must be stopped. There must be no summoning of that cursed bird. You understand, Nakago? Your stellar counterparts must be destroyed."
"I understand, Heika." Nakago inclined his head slightly. "I have already taken steps towards that end."
"Steps?" Despite himself, Shoukitei looked curious. "Of what nature?"
"Spies." Nakago's lips twisted once more into an empty smile. "I have dispatched many shadows to stalk the South. They are dispensible people and trained to die rather than reveal their secrets or their origins. They will seek out Suzaku's folk, if they can, and slay them - or at the very least bring us some report. I have told them they need not return to Kutou and expect to keep their lives if they cannot bring me something of value - in your name they will flush out the ones branded by Suzaku."
He touched his forehead again, and Shoukitei wondered if his powerful companion could feel the buzz of Seiryuu's energy flickering beneath his skin.
"You should leave everything to me. I will take care of it."
"And as for Seiryuu's people?"
"Do not concern yourself." Nakago assured him. "Once our Miko is here, our Seishi will also gather. I am aware of some of them and that they are within the vicinity of the capital city. You should rest easy...it will not be difficult to crush a country such as Kounan. With or without Suzaku's magic, they are doomed."
He glanced towards the door.
"With my Emperor's permission, I will go and join my men in the interrogation of that envoy." He added. "I am truly interested to know any information he might be persuaded to give on Suzaku's people. And, perhaps, on Saihitei-sama himself."
"Go." Shoukitei nodded. "And Nakago?"
"Yes, Heika?"
"Ensure there are no remains to lead a trail back to Kounan's capital." Shoukitei smiled, darkness glittering in his black gaze. "Take care of things. We will leave no loose ends."
"Yes, Heika." Nakago agreed. "As you command."
With that, the fair-haired, fair-skinned Shougun withdrew from the chamber, closing the doors more softly behind him than the departing soldiers had done, and Shoukitei rubbed his beard once more, ruminating on the accidental fortune of having discovered one of Seiryuu's own so many years earlier. Since the destruction of the Hin tribe some fifteen or so years before, Nakago had been his constant companion, both in matters of politics and at times in matters of physical attraction. With his beautiful skin and attractive features, Shoukitei had been unable to resist the boy and even now, as a man, he saw beauty in Nakago which sometimes even drew him away from his many court concubines. He had already done his duty by Seiryuu, he reflected, humour glittering in his eyes. He had sired sons to succeed him, and even sons which would not, for he had never been shy of fulfilling his courtly responsibilities. But Nakago had always held another kind of attraction for him, and, as Shoukitei pondered on it, he realised that the connection had been mutually beneficial.
"A child of a hated tribe persecuted for perverse religious beliefs, he would have had no life at all if not for my mercy." He ruminated. "Well, perhaps as a slave – but then all who serve Emperors may as well be slaves, since the will of the King is absolute."
"Heika."
At this moment the door of the chamber opened once more, revealing the finely garbed, portly form of one of Shoukitei's most staunch allies and supporters, his breast glittering with the insignia of the Kaiga family. The man paused, making a cursory obeisance towards his master which spoke more of the assumed friendship between them than it did of any respect for the man's position, yet despite it Shoukitei smiled, getting to his feet.
"Gin…well, and what news have you to bring me? I hope all good – considering I have trusted such important measures to your hands."
"Have I ever let you down, Heika?" Gin shifted his substantial bulk to his feet, his wide features twitching into a grin as he met his Emperor's gaze. "You know you will have the complete support of my people when it comes to the advance of war with Kounan. I have made it so that none of them will dare refuse the call to arms."
"As I expected, your power over your retainers leaves nothing to be desired." Genuine pleasure flickered in Shoukitei's cold dark eyes. "Although dare I ask by what measures you assured such loyalty?"
"The oldest in the book, Heika." Gin seemed amused. "Fear. I made it clear that any man who did not agree would be stripped of his rank and position, and branded as a slave without wage or free will. To serve alongside the tribal creatures who drudge our land did not appeal to any…they would sooner don Imperial armour and fight than descend to such a base level."
"Tribal creatures…" Shoukitei looked thoughtful, and Gin cast him a questioning look.
"Heika?"
"Your words put me in mind, Gin, of settlements near the border…tell me, are all the tribal lands within your own sight now purged of life?"
"Yes, sire, and all the way up to the northern border, too." Gin nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response. "As per your order, no settlements other than Kutou-jin ones have been allowed to stand on Kaiga land. Why do you ask?"
"Slaves are useful." Shoukitei said frankly. "If we deploy honest, hard-working men in battle, someone must be there to take the fall of their workload. One slave may bend under the pressure of working two roles, but break under the pressure of three. A dead slave is of no use to any master, after all – I am thinking that it's time we focused our attention once again on the peoples living in the Southern province, and the tribal settlements as yet untouched beyond your lands. Besides, there is a healthy flow of Southern prisoners being brought to our lands to be branded and sold - we should maximise the potential that the Southern Province represents."
"I have influence over the lord who rules there." Gin nodded. "My wife Ruiren is the younger sister, after all, of the current incumbent, and he would not dare to cross his brother in law when it came to Imperial will. I will do what I can to put pressure on him to act in your name, Heika…so long as you are able to adequately compensate my loyalty."
"As ever, Gin, you will have the best pick of the new harvest." Shoukitei laughed. "Have I let you down in the past? You should have faith in your Emperor. Although surely you cannot need yet more to serve your lands? Even if I claim a portion of your retainers, I'm sure you had quite a booming slave population the last time we spoke. What happened to all those ghost-skinned Meihi from the Northern borders? You had the best of that raid...Did you wear them all out already?"
"No, we still work Meihi on the Estate." Gin responded. "But some of my men are afraid of them and they do have eyes that look right through you. My mother forbade them from even entering her chambers at one point, Seiryuu rest her soul, because she was sure they were cursed and able to weave dark spells over her. And, unless you take them as children, they are a difficult people to beat obedience into. They have too much useless pride as adults, yet children take time to grow and it's all too easy to kill them inadvertently and waste your investment before they reach the best age."
He pulled a face.
"I have had adult Meihi taken directly to work my land before." He concluded. "Apart from a few they chose to resist their fate, and several tried to escape. I lost count of how many I tortured and put to death for desertion...yet it didn't dissuade them from trying. The truth is that they need supervision for the simplest of tasks until their will is fully broken."
"Then you need to get better slaves, my friend." Shoukitei said wisely. "Or better trained slave-masters to manage them."
"Well, not all of us can have such a beautiful Hin to depend upon at a moment's notice." Gin bantered, and Shoukitei's grin widened.
"That is the privilege of an Emperor, Gin, as well you know." He responded. "And Nakago is more than just my Hin. He is my Seishi, too. He is Seiryuu's slave as well as my own – surely you don't envy me the position of sharing him with the one who watches over all of us?"
"A slave is a slave, as they say. Divine or not, that's still the case." Gin reflected. "And my wife is young and pretty, so I have plenty to occupy my time. My tastes are not yours, Heika – fortunately, for then I don't covet the things that are yours."
"Gin, you're teasing me." Shoukitei scolded, and Gin laughed.
"My apologies." He acknowledged, bowing his head. "And I truly came only to convey my good news. My people will fight for you, Heika. They will be too frightened not to – you can, as ever, count on Kaiga support."
"And you will be compensated accordingly." Shoukitei promised. "Let me know how many head of slaves you will need and I will see to it that you have the best I can provide. Hin, even, if it can be managed. I don't know where there are still pockets of the Western people in hiding, but my Priest will, and I am sure I can elicit the information from him with little trouble."
He smiled faintly.
"Convey my best to the Lady Ruiren, also." He added. "Perhaps soon she will bear you an heir, after all."
Gin nodded.
"I will not rest until she does." He agreed. "She has so far proven weak in that department, but it is only a matter of time."
"Very well." Shoukitei raised his hand in a languid gesture of dismissal. "I will send Nakago to your estate to rally the relevant people to my banner later on this week. At present he is interrogating a potential spy from Kounan about Suzaku's secrets, and I dare say it will end badly for the foreigner concerned. But in the lull before the storm, it would be as well for my Shougun to put the fear of the Dragon himself into the men he will be commanding. Hin he may be, Gin, but he has a soldier's instinct and a ruthless emptiness that makes him invaluable to me. Suzaku's folk should be afeared of him…after all, no matter what their God produces, they surely can't match the Dragon of the East."
"Do you think Suzaku no Miko has surfaced in the South, Heika?"
"Nakago believes so, and from his reports, so do I." Shoukitei agreed. "But he also has faith that Seiryuu's own Miko will come and soon, too. He is not usually wrong in his assumptions, and I have left such things to him. After all, as my shrine priest informs me…Seiryuu's own will find Seiryuu's Miko sooner than anyone else."
"Then your pretty Hin slave proves his use yet again." Gin said, amused. "You truly are blessed, Heika, in those that surround you."
"I happen to like beauty, even if it has sprung from the warped heresy of a forbidden tribe." Shoukitei reflected. "As Emperor, I protect Nakago from that. As Emperor, I also use him how I see fit. It is a good arrangement and he is wise enough to appreciate it. He owes me everything, Gin. And for that reason I have faith in him…and in Seiryuu no Miko's coming."
He clenched his fists.
"And then…at last…Kutou truly will take Kounan's pathetic land for itself!"
So, Seisen was indeed getting itself back on its feet.
As he made his way nonchalantly down the grassy bank that led to the ramshackle remains of the village, Hou Jun's lips twitched into a smile and his heart flickered with pleasure to see the first steps the devastated settlement had made to get their lives back on track. Even since Taiitsukun had shown him the villagers' determination in her mirror much had been done, and now where there had been little more than the stumps of houses he could clearly see the growing shapes of new homes and storehouses rising up from the wreckage.
Somehow it felt good to be back in Seisen. If he had had an earthly home since the day he had lost his own people, this village, he knew, was it.
"Hou Jun!"
As the monk reached the riverbank, he heard someone yell his name and he turned, a grin on his lopsided features as he held out his hands to greet the caller. Kouran looked well, he decided, her cheeks flushed with health and hard work and wisps of her dark hair framed her face, making her look somehow older than her years. Behind her came the tall frame of her soon to be husband, Shuusei, and the monk marvelled on the growing strength of the couple's bond.
"Seisen prospers, then, I see." He said softly, and Kouran nodded.
"Thanks to you, it does." She agreed, turning to glance down at the settlement below them. "But I didn't expect to see you back here so soon. Why are you here, Hou Jun? I thought you left Seisen to follow your destiny with Suzaku…surely that can't be over already?"
"Over? No." Hou Jun shook his head, looking rueful. "In truth, it's barely begun. Suzaku no Miko isn't here at the moment, you know. And I'm not really here to visit Seisen…I just was in the vicinity and I couldn't keep from dropping in. I suppose I have a special feeling for this village, to tell you the truth. And I'm glad to see you're getting it back on its feet. I just wish I had the time to stay and help – but to be honest I don't think I have any time at all."
"In the vicinity?" Shuusei gazed at him thoughtfully for a moment, then, "Hou Jun-san, are you going back to Kutou?"
"I had considered it." Hou Jun admitted. "Seisen may have wrenched its freedom from Kutou's Emperor for the time being, but over the border much is afoot and I want to find out if there's anything that can be done to stop it. You know better than most, Shuusei, having fought in the Imperial Army, what the enemy is Kounan face."
"Seisen are not Kounan or Kutou, now." Shuusei became grave. "But you are Kouran's friend, and I am on your side. If you mean the Shougun Nakago, then yes…I know the enemy. But he is not an enemy you can take on alone, surely? Even as a sorcerer for Kounan…can you?"
"I don't know yet." Hou Jun glanced at his hands. "But I don't think it's something I have a choice in. I will encounter him soon enough."
"Then my advice would be not to cross the border at all." Shuusei said frankly. "Bad enough to meet him in Kounan, but in Kutou…"
"I know, but a lone monk travelling may not excite as much suspicion as you think." Hou Jun said simply. "I need to know more about their plans for my country, and I'm not in a position to step back and refuse. This is my duty – my purpose – so I have to face it. And if going to Kutou helps me to that end, I'll go."
"But if you get yourself killed, Suzaku no Miko won't be able to raise Suzaku, will she?" Kouran asked anxiously. Hou Jun eyed her ruefully.
"I'm not planning on being killed, you know." He scolded lightly. "I have a little more self-preservation than that."
"Not that I'd seen." Kouran put her hands on her hips. "Since I've known you you've been almost entirely self-destructive for one reason or another. If you're going to be throwing yourself into a dangerous situation I think I've every right to worry about you."
Despite himself, Hou Jun looked abashed, and Shuusei grinned.
"She may be right." He agreed. "But we owe you our lives, so I trust your judgement. Will you stay in Seisen tonight, Hou Jun-san? Or…?"
"I hadn't planned to stop anywhere for long." Hou Jun shook his head. "I'm going to use my magic to get past the border patrols, and I intend on observing Kutou's military preparations for myself. That way I can at least give the Emperor some useful information, when I go back to Eiyou."
"You've met Kutou's Emperor?" Kouran's eyes opened wide, and Hou Jun looked rueful.
"Well…sort of." He hazarded. "It's complicated, but…yes, I suppose I have."
He sighed.
"And maybe I'll yet meet Kutou's." He added. "Depending on the circumstances. I'm not keen to come face to face with that Shougun before I have to, but if Suzaku calls…"
He shrugged.
"I'm Chichiri now." He concluded. "And wherever Chichiri's needed, he has to go. Wish me luck, the both of you. I think it might take all my wits to get through Kutou unscathed."
"I told you that I don't know anything about Suzaku no Miko!"
The desperate cry of the Southern envoy echoed throughout the depths of the palace dungeon, creating an eerie, haunting sound for the soldiers who stood guard outside the torture chamber. Within, Nakago had soon taken charge of matters, his whip clutched in his hand as he eyed the foreigner with cool, inquisitive eyes.
"Yes." He said softly, his low tones somehow chilling in the dim light of the windowless room. "You've told me so. Many many times. But I'm afraid I don't believe that you're telling me the truth. And my Emperor wants information, therefore we must persist. I will ask you one more time. What is the truth of the rumours surrounding Suzaku no Miko? Has she truly come to Kounan?"
"I don't know anything about it!" The man screamed, and Nakago tightened the whip between his fingers, stretching the black leather taught as he shook his head slowly.
"That isn't the answer I want you to give me." He scolded evenly, releasing his grip on the tails as he drew his arm back, bringing his fist down with some force as the strips cut into the already raw, bloody mess that was the man's bared back. The envoy's body tensed as he let out a piercing screech of agony, and even some of the guards standing sentry within the room flinched at the pain in the man's voice, biting their lips. Nakago's eyes narrowed slightly in irritation, his gaze flitting away from his prey briefly as he surveyed his subordinates.
"If anyone has an objection, speak." He said quietly. "I will not have any men before me who lack the courage or strength to face their official duty to Kutou."
There was silence, as one by one each of the apprehensive soldiers dropped their gaze, and Nakago smiled, derision in his ice blue eyes.
"Very well." He responded. "Then let us continue."
He strode forward, grasping the envoy's thick, sweat-drenched hair and pulling his face up so that they met gazes. The man was not much older than he was, Nakago realised, but much more slightly built, and from the foreigner's heavy gasps of breath and frightened, bloodshot eyes he knew that it would not be long before either fear or pain claimed his life. He tut-tutted under his breath.
"Weak men surround Saihitei of the south, it seems." He murmured. "Pity. Yet you still refuse to tell me your secrets. Do you wish to die in this way? You do yourself no favours by resisting my questions."
"If…I die…here…I die…in Saihitei-sama's…name." The man gasped out, and despite his hopeless position Nakago saw a faint flare of defiance glitter in his dark brown eyes. "If…I speak…to you…I am…a traitor."
"So." Nakago's eyes narrowed, inwardly despising the man's ill-fated devotion to his Emperor. "You do know something you haven't told me after all."
"No…I…"
"By your own admission you have refused to speak to me." Nakago tightened his grip on the man's hair, bringing his whip-hand hard across the other's cheek. "You are obstinate, and I'll give you credit for your pointless defiance. But you're trying my patience now."
"I have…nothing…to say." The man spat out, and Nakago realised that from somewhere in the depths of his heart the envoy had found the strength to harden his resolve. "Kill me…Shougun of Kutou. I will…not speak…about Suzaku."
"Well." Nakago pursed his lips. "Then speak to me about something else, before I grant your wish. Your Emperor has sent three people to the East in recent weeks and months in order to try and reason with us. Each of them has failed, each of them has met your fate. I killed them and I will kill you. Yet each one of them held out the same story until the last. They would not betray their King, not even when offered their worthless, petty lives in return. What is it, then, that commands you to such irritating obedience? What does your Emperor have that even the threat of death won't induce you to betray him?"
He released his grip on the envoy, who struggled to hold up his head, hatred glittering in his eyes.
"He…is…our…King." The man gasped out.
"And for that King you're willing to go to your death unmourned? Another martyr for a doomed cause?" Nakago looked sceptical, and the envoy's lips twisted into a cold, resolute smile.
"Saihitei-sama will not…be taken down…by people…like you." He spat out. "Kill me, Shougun of Kutou. I…will not…speak further."
With that he closed his mouth, dropping his head, and to all appearances it seemed that he had lost consciousness.
"Shall we cut him down, Shougun? He's out for the count." One of the guards suggested, and Nakago shook his head.
"He's not out yet." He said evenly. "I can sense his thoughts, prickling at the edge of his aura like a beast trying to escape from a cage. I'll show him a little more pain before I release him to death."
He drew back the whip once more, bringing it down hard across the envoy's blood-soaked back, and despite his resolve, the man let out another earsplitting screech of agony. Nakago did not falter, bringing the whip down again and again until blood streamed down the man's limbs and dripped into pools of darkness onto the chamber floor. Despite the greenish hue of some of his men's faces, he did not relent until he felt the faint prickling of the prisoner's psyche cease to flicker at the edge of his awareness. Then he dropped the whip to the floor, glancing at the spatters of blood that covered his hands.
"Well, I wonder what Suzaku's blood tastes like." He murmured sardonically, lifting his fingers to his lips as he carefully licked the tips clean. "The blood of a martyr or the blood of a traitor – I wonder which."
"Is he…dead, Shougun?"
"As good as." Nakago nodded, turning to his queasy men as he offered them a cool smile. "Your duty is done. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Shougun." With relief glittering in their eyes, the men scrambled to leave the room, and at length Nakago was left alone with his prey, crossing the floor to touch the still form of the envoy with curious, pensive fingers.
"Loyal till death, each one." He reflected aloud. "An Emperor for whom you'd sacrifice everything, even under torture."
His lips twitched into an expression of irritation.
"Already I dislike this Saihitei." He murmured. "Whatever power he wields over his people is unnatural and it may prove a problem. The sooner I eliminate him from the equation the better."
He smiled, resting his hand on the foreigner's blooded back as he focused his thoughts, and on his brow the character 'kokoro' began to glimmer a soft blue in the darkness of the chamber.
"Seiryuu's mark will be the death of many, Emperors and commoners alike." He reflected, even as the surge of energy engulfed the envoy's body, evaporating its cells into nothing with the force of his power. "I will not be stopped. Even now agents are trawling the Phoenix's land in search of those bearing the mark of Suzaku on their bodies. Saihitei or no Saihitei, I will take the South and I will humble them. And then, when all are in the South…"
He paused, turning his gaze back towards the corridor that led towards the throne room.
"Then I will return East." He mused. "And all will be avenged."
