Chapter 8: Western Winds Bring Ill News

Zoisite was a very, very spoiled child. His beloved mother, Amaya, had spoiled him ever since he could remember. Now, at age 20, he ran the Western Kingdom as if there was money to spare. His father died in a hunting accident when Zoisite was 16, leaving him to rule the Kingdom with his mother. Queen Amaya let Zoisite rule how he wanted to, allowing there to be expansive feasts every night with the wine flowing freely and loose women as far as the eye could see. She treated him like a spouse, not as a child, even sharing a bed with him at night.

Amaya fought tooth and nail against the Treaty of Heiwa, stating that it wasn't fair to her son. She was met with rancor from the other rulers, all telling her that they had to give up their children so why shouldn't she? Zoisite did not react well, screaming at the top of his lungs that he was the King and he would marry whoever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Emperor Endymion pinned the slight man up against the wall and threatened him with treason if he didn't comply.

Ever since that day, Zoisite had been throwing himself even more into a lavish lifestyle. He was eating and drinking in excess and entertaining as many as 5 women at once in his chambers. Amaya had indulged in this behavior too long and burst into his chambers one night to find him being pleasured by 3 women at once. She had sent all of them out in a torrent of fury, leaving her son alone with her. Zoisite remembered that night like it was yesterday, he had never heard his mother raise her voice at anyone, especially him.

Zoisite was riding into Central Kingdom with his head held high, preening like a peacock. Internally he was raging at the world. He didn't want to be tied to a woman, one who was going to nag and demand all of his attention. Women weren't meant for anything but his pleasure, a toy that could be replaced. He'd frequented several brothels and already had 3 illegitimate daughters. He couldn't be be bothered with children, so he paid all three women an expansive allowance every month to raise his daughters for him. He hadn't seen any of them since the days they were born.

As he approached the courtyard, he slowed his horse down to a walk. He saw Emperor Endymion waiting there with the Kings Nephrite, Kunzite and Jadeite. Zoisite dismounted his horse and embraced his fellow Kings in turn. "Brothers," he nodded and turned to Emperor Endymion and bowed deeply. "Your Imperial Highness." Zoisite brushed his lips against Endymion's ring.

"Now that you're all here," Endymion stated, "everyone needs to be ready to board the ship tomorrow morning. We take off to the Spirit Kingdom at dawn. Empress Serenity left a week ago, so it will just us. Make sure that you are all there and ready to go at the proper time, you won't like me dragging you out of bed." Endymion shot a pointed look at Zoisite, who composed his face into a neutral expression. He wanted to roll his eyes so badly at this trumped up Emperor.

Endymion released the Kings to their chambers for the night. Zoisite started to get around for what felt like the last sleep he was going to take as a free man. The thought turned his stomach. He fell asleep with a knot in his stomach and a lump in his throat.