Chapter Ten
The sun was high in the cloud-speckled sky over Reikaku-zan as Hikari made her way up the mountain path that morning, humming a tune to herself as she scrambled over the familiar rocks and boulders towards the peak. It was not a long walk from the Eastern Village to the bandit base on the slopes of the blessed mountain, and though the path was broken and uneven in several places, she was now so accustomed to it that she barely even focused on finding her way.
It was funny, she reflected absently to herself, hitching her skirts up around her knees as she skipped across a thin trickle of water that, in the winter months, almost could be called a stream. When she had first arrived in Kounan, she had been terrified of the mountain and the bandits that lived there. But now it was a home from home in many ways and most weekends when she returned to the Eastern Village would be spent at least in part on the dark peak's rugged slopes.
"Hiki!"
A yell from the ledge above made her pause, turning her gaze skywards. A young woman stood precariously near the edge of the precipice, thick red hair flowing out around her face like a mane of fire as she raised her hand in an eager wave. Hikari grinned, acknowledging the gesture with a wave of her own, and with a deft leap that almost seemed to defy gravity, the newcomer leapt down from her perch, landing nimbly on the soft earth a few feet away from her friend.
"You're early this morning." She observed, her tones edged with the distinctive roll of a Southern mountain accent, as she stood up straight, dusting her clothes down casually as she did so. "Let me guess – Aidou-obasama was handing out the chores and you thought you'd escape before you got put on the rota?"
"No, nothing like that." Hikari dimpled, shaking her head. "But I did wake up early this morning, and so I thought I might as well walk this way, since I was up. I don't really mind when Aidou-san has chores in mind, to be honest – in Eiyou I'm treated like a Princess but there's something comforting about the normal way in which Aidou-san and Chichiri consider me a part of their family. I like it better that way – even if it means tying plants or helping with the cooking."
"Rather you than me." Her companion said decidedly. "Well? You're here, so that's what matters. You're staying – right? You ain't runnin' back to the village for lunch or anythin' – we have you all day today, right?"
"You do." Hikari assured her. "I know last week I was caught up in things and didn't come to visit, so this week I'm all yours."
She sighed.
"Tomorrow I'll be riding back to Eiyou." She added. "I feel way too busy considering that there are only so many days in each week."
She paused, casting her companion a keen glance.
"Did Tasuki let you go out collecting toll then, yet? You said he was considering it – did he make up his mind?"
The redhead shrugged her shoulders.
"He's still talking it out with Okaa-san." She said with a sigh. "He doesn't see a reason why I shouldn't, but she has about fifty ideas about why it wouldn't be safe. It's shit really, Hiki. I'm a better sword fighter than most of the other bandits on the mountain an' I ain't either a coward or a weaklin' when it comes to dangerous situations. I might be a girl, but that's never stopped me bein' the best I could be. I think she's being overprotective – an' I don't like it."
"Well, she is your mother." Hikari pointed out. "And it is only just a year and a bit since Jin's death, really. She's probably afraid that something will happen to you."
"She is, and she's said so." Her companion agreed. "But it don't make it any easier."
Hikari eyed her friend in amusement, taking in her appearance as she did so. Even at just sixteen, the feisty hothead she had met in the valley below less than two years earlier had somehow grown into a young woman now, she reflected, and looking at her she could understand Anzu's concerns about her daughter's safety. Although she had never taken time or care with her appearance, the girl had inherited all the fiery colouring of her father coupled with the attractive features of her mother, and even though she wore the very masculine, workmanlike garb of a mountain bandit, there was no concealing the fact that Tasuki's cub was turning out to be extremely pretty. Yet there was something in the set of her jaw that told of steely resolve and determination, and her bronze eyes glittered with purpose as she surveyed her mountain domain. The thick waves of hair which, thirteen years earlier had inspired her nickname "Shishi" or "Lion" only added to the striking nature of her demeanour, and yet Hikari knew that her friend was probably the one who least realised how easily her appearance would attract members of the opposite sex.
Still, Hikari reasoned, there was probably very little danger of Shishi being abducted or assaulted even by the most eager of male opponents. At her belt hung both the sword which, from an early age she had learnt to wield with passion and fire, and a curled black whip, indications of her keen involvement in her father's bandit hierarchy. Yet Shishi was far from being an ordinary bandit, for around her wrist curled a black-shell bracelet, deceptively unremarkable in its carving or appearance. Hikari's mind flitted briefly back to the moment when Shishi had unearthed this treasure, waking the mage spirit of Genbu in the process, and she smiled, knowing that even now the Northern mage known as Doryoku shared her knowledge and her skill and magic with her young, Southern-born host. It had been partly Doryoku's influence and partly the death of Shishi's adoptive elder brother Jin sixteen months earlier which had turned the naïve young bandit hopeful into a wily, resolute fighter, and yet, even though Jin would never be forgotten on the mountain, Hikari knew that the time of sadness had passed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Shishi demanded now. "What's so funny – spill!"
"Nothing really." Hikari shook her head. "I was just thinking about what you'd do if some guy tried to grab you, that's all."
Shishi snorted, amusement in her bronze gaze.
"He'd have a damn shock comin', that's for sure." She reflected. "He'd be hurtin' in a few places by the time I was done, lets put it that way."
She brushed her fingers against the hilt of her sword as if to emphasise her point.
"But Okaa-san worries too much about me." She added regretfully. "So I guess I'll have to hold out a little longer."
She linked her arm in her friend's, leading her forward along the stony track as they continued upwards towards the main base of the Reikaku-zan bandit tribe. Though thieves and rogues had found their place here, Reikaku-zan's driving purpose was the protection of the weaker, impoverished villages that were dotted around their base, and since their leader Genrou had also been blessed with the Suzaku sign for Tasuki, he had ensured that his people took their duties to the local folk very seriously indeed. Shishi had grown up with a strong sense of like values, proud of the fact that her father's clan were superior to the vandals and troublemakers that haunted other slopes, and Hikari knew that of all mountains in Kounan, this was without doubt the best one on which to be stranded or in distress.
"The sun's come out today." Shishi reflected now, as they passed through a thick cluster of trees and beyond to a clearing where a row of white-stone, domed constructions stood in a neat, perfectly set out line. "Yesterday there was such a hell of a storm that we thought there'd be trees down – but it's quieted now, thank Suzaku. Papa was all ready to send people to the villages to check for damage, but nothing seems to have happened."
"The storm was violent." Hikari admitted. "Sort of heavy and nasty, in fact. I was worried I'd get caught in it – but fortunately the rain didn't come till I was safely at the farm. Still, there was water lying all over the place on my walk up. It's not hot enough to evaporate yet – I guess it's going to be a bit wet and clammy underfoot for a while."
"Probably." Shishi agreed. "But we've survived worse."
She paused, casting her companion a grin.
"It's dry inside, however." She said, gesturing to the nearest of the domed structures. "It's been a while since you came to see my brother, so I thought maybe today you'd like to pay him a visit."
"Jin?" Hikari looked startled, then she pinkened. "I guess it has been a while. I suppose I feel a bit guilty, coming to his tomb when I've got Aoi's ring hanging around my throat like I do. I feel like I'm cheating on him somehow – even though Jin and I never had a relationship and even though he never met Aoi at all."
"Idiot." Shishi grabbed Hikari firmly by the arm, pulling her towards the tomb as she carefully unlatched the door with her free hand. "You shouldn't feel that way. Of all people Jin'd have understood. He'd have wanted you to be happy, Hiki. You shouldn't feel bad about that."
"I suppose not." Hikari stepped hesitantly inside, her gaze flitting to the stone coffin that took up the central portion of the tiny chamber, even as Shishi began to light the torches that hung in sconces around the walls. "It's silly, you're right. And I should come here more often. Jin was my friend too, after all. I'm sorry, Shishi."
"It's not me you should apologise to. It's him." Shishi advised, settling herself against the stone bier and pulling her friend down beside her. "But he'll forgive you. You know that."
"You still come here a lot, don't you?" Hikari eyed her friend curiously, and Shishi nodded.
"I do." She admitted. "But not because I'm trying to hold onto him or anything like that. I know he's gone and I've come to terms with it. It's just nice, sometimes, to come here and feel closer to him in some way. It's weird, I know – but even though his spirit probably isn't around Reikaku-zan now Suzaku's taken care of him, it still feels right to come."
She sighed, leaning up against the cool stone.
"Plus it's a good place to go for privacy sometimes." She added ruefully. "And when Eiju's on the mountain, that's a good thing."
"Eiju-kun is that much trouble?" Hikari looked surprised, and Shishi shook her head.
"No…he's just keen to sword-fight with anyone he meets." She responded wryly. "It's a good thing, probably – but tiring after a while. I have other chores and duties to do here without running around after my cousin. And Maichu takes the brunt of it…God knows how he balances his mountain responsibilities with teaching that whelp. T'be honest I had no idea Maichu could be that patient – but I guess you live and learn."
"Maichu makes a good bandit, doesn't he." Hikari reflected, and Shishi nodded.
"He does." She agreed. "Better than I think I anticipated, actually. Soldiers and bandits aren't often interchangeable, but Maichu listens when he's told stuff an' he works at doing the things he should to improve or adapt. So he's fitted in all right. Sure, he's an idiot when he drinks an' he sometimes slips off the mountain to go visit a brothel or whatever in Souun. But I guess that's bein' a bandit for you. He's settled fine."
"He has a good teacher." Hikari teased, and Shishi grimaced.
"I didn't teach him anything about brothels nor drink." She said indignantly. "What kind of bandit do you think I am? But men an' alcohol have a fatal attraction for each other, so Okaa-san always says. An' as for the other thing…"
She shrugged, rolling her eyes.
"Men are men." She said categorically.
Hikari laughed, nodding her head.
"True enough." She agreed. "Although I think if I found out Aoi had been visiting any city brothels on his travels I'd be taking something hard and whacking him with it. I don't think I'd forgive him easily, no matter how apologetic he was."
"Aoi ain't the type to do that, though." Shishi said wisely. "An' besides, it's different. You're pretty much betrothed to him an' all that shit. Maichu's free an' unattached. So I guess he can do what he likes."
She grinned, a wicked twinkle lighting up her bronze eyes.
"Okaa-san did give him a warnin' that any children he accidentally fathered in Souun through his antics'd be his to worry about an' provide for, mind you." She said impishly. "I think Okaa-san was thinkin' about what happened to Jin with his Ma when she said it, t'be honest, an' in some ways she's taken Maichu under her wing a little, considerin' all the shit he went through before he came to us."
"I suppose she misses having a son around." Hikari reflected, and Shishi nodded.
"Somethin' like it, though it ain't the same thing." She agreed. "An' I remember her givin' Jin a like lecture the first time he ventured out of the mountain – though he didn't need it, because he didn't think like that and never bothered about girls till you came along. Still, her warnin' took Maichu aback a bit. Seems he hadn't figured that something like that could happen…he really is an idiot, sometimes."
Hikari laughed appreciatively.
"Poor Maichu." She reflected. "But doesn't it bother you, if he does that? I mean, heading off to the city for whatever reason?"
"Should it?" Shishi looked startled, and Hikari shrugged.
"You tell me." She replied. "You and he seem pretty close these days…are you sure it doesn't bother you?"
Shishi's eyes widened for a moment. Then she burst out laughing, shaking her head.
"Don't be daft." She said scornfully. "You've spent too long at the Emperor's court, Hiki. Haven't you been listenin' to me? I ain't interested in men, marriage or any of that love mush stuff. I leave that to you…it's not my thing. And Maichu – you are kidding? Sure, I like him – he's fun to hang with on the mountain, I guess, an' he's a good guy at the bottom of his stupidity. But anythin' else? No way. I ain't interested. I'm not that kind of girl."
Hikari eyed her quizzically, and Shishi sighed.
"I mean it, Hiki." She said warningly. "Don't you dare say any of that shit to him, else he'll be unbearable. It's not that way – all right? Maichu's my ally – my buddy on the mountain. But that's all. Nowt else. Okay?"
"Whatever you say." Hikari held up her hands. "I guess you know better than me, so if you say it's like that, I guess I'll have to believe you."
She frowned, running her hand absently along the edge of Jin's tomb.
"It's strange." She reflected. "Jin really was like Tasuki's son, somehow, wasn't he? Even though he wasn't by blood – he still grew up and embraced those values. Now Maichu's taking them on board, too. This mountain has an impact on people. It's hard to explain, but it's there."
"Maybe it's because of Hisei's relic being buried deep within." Shishi looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. "Or maybe it's because Papa is Tasuki like he is. I don't know, but you're right. Reikaku-zan is unique."
She shrugged, stretching her hands over her head.
"After all, Jin never knew who his Pa was, but he never bothered about it, either." She added. "Even though he knew he was taken in and he remembered his Ma and stuff from before he came here. It was like he didn't need to know, because this was where he belonged and that was that. He never even knew if Rou was his real name. He just accepted it and moved on."
"That's because he had a good family, I suppose, to rely on here." Hikari decided. Shishi nodded.
"He did." She agreed, a note of pride touching her tones.
"Did you ever wonder? Where he came from?"
"Funny you should say that." Shishi looked rueful. "When I was five or six, I asked him somethin' about his real Ma an' Pa. It wasn't like I was tryin' to be mean or suggest that he didn't belong. I was just curious, so I asked him where his family was, an' what happened to them. He kinda looked at me for a minute, then he jus' shrugged an' said, 'They're with Suzaku somewhere.'. That was all he said, an' for ages I thought it meant that his folks were like my Papa – only they'd gone searchin' for the God an' hadn't come back to pick him up."
She looked embarrassed.
"When I was eight or nine, I asked Papa when Jin's folks would come to see him." She remembered, toying idly with the edge of her belt as she did so. "An' he told me they wouldn't, because they were dead. Then I understood what he'd meant, about them bein' with Suzaku. An' I never asked him again. He was jus' Jin an' that was it. Lots of kids are abandoned an' orphaned all the time, after all. He was just another one of them – a lucky one who had someone to fall back on."
"That's sort of sweet." Hikari dimpled, and Shishi reddened, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe." She acknowledged. "That or stupid, one or the other. But after that I never really bothered about it. Although…"
She trailed off, turning her body around so that she could look at the tomb properly, then she smiled.
"I don't know who the man was who did it." She said softly. "Whether he was a client of Jin's Ma, or someone else…I don't know and I'll never know, now. But sometimes I wonder if it was Suzaku who was responsible more than anything. Because when he died, he did it for Suzaku's purpose. And when he came back to help me when I was trapped in that circus, he had the glitter of red light around him like he was Suzaku's own. Jin wasn't a Seishi and he didn't have any connections to any of Suzaku's people. But even so, I do wonder. Seiryuu said that his soul was safe in Suzaku's care. So I wonder if…that was where Jin came from all along. Suzaku. To help us out, when we needed him."
"Shishi." Hikari's eyes opened wide with surprise at her companion's sudden sobriety, and Shishi sighed, spreading her hands.
"Is that odd?" She asked. "I haven't said it to Papa, or anyone else. But Jin was always so focused on this life on the mountain an' he never strayed from any of the responsibilities of it, no matter what. He was always good to me, always respectful of Papa and Okaa-san. And he put himself out for Suzaku's need. They say that when people come to this world from your world, they cause changes to happen. And I wonder if Jin was like that. Suzaku's doing. That's all."
"That's pretty deep." Hikari gathered herself, shooting her friend a grin. "But his tomb does bear the crest of the Emperor, and that crest carries the Phoenix, doesn't it? Who knows? Perhaps you're right."
She shrugged.
"Or stark raving nuts. Whichever fits best."
"Hiki." Shishi glared at her, then she relented, her lips twitching into a sheepish grin. "I know. It is kinda deep and out there to think of. But it had occurred to me. That's why I like coming here. If it makes sense. I think that whatever his start in life, Jin came here to watch over people – you, me, and Kounan as a whole. So that's the feeling I have, whenever I come here."
"Two years ago you'd never have said something like that." Hikari reflected, and Shishi shook her head.
"I know." She admitted. "But a lot happened. And also, having Do-nee flitting around my thoughts from time to time has helped, too. I guess maybe I'm growin' up some – well, you too, if you come to it. You're seventeen. It won't be long before you an' Aoi are man and wife now, will it?"
"Suppose not." Hikari flushed, nodding her head. "And Reizeitei-sama asked me this week to help him when he sends out the call for women for his harem – he wants me to act as his messenger to them when he can't be so himself. I guess that is what it is – growing up and stuff. It happens more quickly in this world than in mine, but I'm starting to acclimatise to that."
"You seem happier here than you did…like you're used to it now." Shishi observed, and Hikari nodded.
"I am." She agreed. "Though I still need to find time to visit home. It's probably not been very long in my own world, though – so I've still time to make sure my magic and everything else is secure before I do."
She sighed.
"Although the more time that passes here, the more I wonder how big the age gap might get between me and people I knew before." She admitted. "So maybe that's another reason why I haven't gone back. Although I miss people and want to see them, I don't want it to be weird for them or for me if I'm aging a lot more quickly than them now. Chichiri said it would be awkward to visit often and now I understand what he means. So as yet I haven't tried to go home at all. I suppose time will tell whether or not I will."
"They'd probably like to see you, regardless." Shishi pointed out, and Hikari nodded.
"I think so too." She agreed. "I guess I'll give it some more thought."
"Well, it might be better you don't leave Kounan all that soon, anyhow." Shishi reflected absently, and Hikari frowned, shooting her friend a quizzical look in the flickering light of the flame.
"Shishi?"
"It's probably nothing." Shishi shrugged, dismissing it with a flick of her hands. "Just something in the air of late…I'm probably dreamin' it or somethin'. Maichu sure thinks so – he says I'm bein' vague an' strange when I start talkin' about prickles in the atmosphere or whatever else. But even so…"
"Prickles in the atmosphere?" Hikari echoed softly, and Shishi nodded, casting her companion a sidelong glance.
"Yes. Why? Have you…felt them too?"
"Chichiri and I both." Hikari rubbed her temples. "Especially last night – the storm was heavy but not just in a weather kind of way. He didn't want me to worry Aidou-san with it, and I suppose neither of us thought it would bother anyone else. After all, Chichiri's senses are far more spiritually active than Tasuki's, and I've only begun to sense vibes so much since I got to grips with Suzaku living inside of me. It didn't occur to us that anyone else would be affected."
"It ain't me so much as Do-nee who spotted it first." Shishi ran an absent finger over the black shell of her bracelet. "She said there was something in the air, and the more I've thought about it, the more I think she's right. It's an odd, disjointed kind of sensation – I don't know how else to explain it. But as though something got put in its wrong place or somethin' – is that what you're feelin' too?"
"Yes." Hikari agreed. "I guess it does make sense that Doryoku would feel it. I'd forgotten about that…since she doesn't come out of the bracelet that often, it's easy not to remember that she's there."
"For you, maybe." Shishi looked rueful. "Although t'be honest she doesn't stir as often as she did when we were travellin'. Just sometimes, when I ain't expectin' it, she jumps up an' flashes somethin' across my senses."
She sighed.
"What do you think it means?"
"No idea." Hikari admitted. "And Chichiri didn't seem to know, either. He said it was just a vague sense of something, but he couldn't define it. And nor can I. It just feels like…something's changed."
Shishi was silent for a moment, then she cast her friend a glance.
"Like something's beginning?" She asked quietly, and Hikari bit her lip.
"Maybe." She owned. "That's more or less what Chichiri said, as well. That something was happening – something spiritual and the atmospheric change was the first clue."
"But a clue to what?" Shishi looked apprehensive. "Somethin' as big as what happened when you dropped in the middle of us? Somethin' like that?"
"All the legends are done, though." Hikari shook her head.
"But we thought that before you came, and look what happened." Shishi pointed out. "I don't know, Hiki. I jus' have a weird feelin' about this – that somethin' big is comin' and that when it does, nothin's goin' to be quite the same again."
"So this is Hengei."
Ouba pushed open the window of the inn chamber, feeling the cool breeze as it teased at her long dark hair, refreshing her after her long journey cooped up inside Sayo's expertly driven carriage. "We've made good time for the first day travelling, haven't we? I really didn't think we'd get here by nightfall, but I suppose I should have more faith in Sayo's knowledge of short-cuts through Sairou, shouldn't I?"
"I doubt anyone wants a princess to be sleeping under the stars when there's a city inn as an alternative." Kinka lounged in the doorway, an amused look on her face. "Well, Hime? What now? Do you want to go stretch your legs and see something of your father's kingdom? Or are you too tired to step outside into the city?"
"Step…out?" Ouba's eyes widened. "Wouldn't it be dangerous – if someone recognised me…?"
"Noone's likely to, dressed in travel clothes like that." Kinka shook her head impatiently. "And it's not good for you to be confined in a carriage all day long without any exercise. Besides, how often do you get to see Sairou at grass roots level? You've barely ever left the palace and when you have it's been on official business in state style. This isn't quite the same kind of trip – we're very much incognito and you should take the chance while you can. Think of it as saying farewell to Sairou, if you like…it would be a shame if you didn't make the most of being here before we cross the southern border into Kounan."
"I suppose you're right." Ouba looked pensive. "What about Sayo? What does he have to say about your bright idea?"
"He told me that he's at your disposal, so if you want to take a turn round the city, he's happy to accompany." Kinka smiled. "To be honest, I think he's a bit worried about the journey taking its toll on you, Hime. You do look a little peaked and pale, so the fresh air will do you good. Crossing desert land is hot and dusty work, after all. And as cities go, Hengei isn't as bad as some. Besides, I think there's some kind of festival happening here at the moment. Wouldn't you like to see it for yourself?"
"Then you've convinced me." Ouba flashed her companion a smile. "Though Father and Nefuru-niisama would both throw up their hands in horror to think of me wandering the streets without an Imperial flotilla, it might be nice to have a taste of freedom before we journey on. All right, Kinka. We'll do as you say. If Sayo really doesn't mind accompanying us – let's go into the city."
She fastened her cloak neatly around her throat, pulling up the hood as she shot her companion a rueful smile.
"Just in case." She said lightly. "I don't get to visit many city festivals, but there's no point in taking the risk. Just because I haven't been to Hengei alone before doesn't mean noone here knows what the Princess Ouba looks like, after all."
Kinka grinned, pushing open the door further to allow her companion out into the hallway. At the end, their burly, good-natured travel companion was waiting, and at the sight of the Princess he bowed his head, offering her a smile.
Now in his middle forties, Sayo's broad build and battle-marked features could, at first glance, appear intimidating, but Ouba had known him her whole life, and knew all too well the kindness of heart that beat inside the bulky, warrior exterior. On account of their trip, he was robed in simple peasant blues and blacks as opposed to the usual glitter of Imperial armour, but it was impossible to conceal his fighting spirit and Ouba knew that anyone who saw him would quickly realise that this was someone who had spent much of his life in the midst of conflict. Trained with a sword and with his fists from an early age, even the loss of two fingers on his right hand in a practice fight as a young man had not kept him from becoming the most dependable fighter in Nefuru's retinue. He had simply adapted his style around his injury, rising through the ranks quickly and easily embracing the Crown Prince's wholehearted trust.
Though his well-muscled arms were marked with both the war tattoos of his people, the Yuusha, and the scars he had taken in battle in his Prince's name, deep down there were probably few men in Nefuru's service as capable of empathy and understanding as Ji Sayo. Inwardly Ouba thanked her brother's wisdom in having released his most trusty man of arms to escort her on her long journey to her new home.
"So Kinka-dono has convinced you some fresh air would be beneficial, Hime-sama?" Sayo asked now, his tones lowered so as not to attract attention, and Ouba nodded.
"If you really think it's safe for me to go outside, then yes." She agreed. "I suppose once we get to Kutou there won't be much opportunity for me to slip out into the streets and see the world. So for once I think it would be fun. So long as it's all right with you – let's go."
"I'm easy, Hime-sama." Sayo assured her. "I gave your Lord Brother my word that I'd keep you safe, and you needn't worry about me breaking that vow. Besides, Hengei's not usually given to riots and the Spring Festival is an annual event worth seeing."
His smile widened.
"I may be biased." He admitted, as the trio made their way down the steps towards the front entrance of the inn. "I was a boy in Hengei, some thirty or more years ago – this is my home turf. I remember my Ma and Pa taking me to see the festival and the fireworks every year as a child – it has a very special place in my heart."
"Fireworks too?" Ouba's eyes lit up, and Kinka nodded.
"Seems that way." She agreed. "Sayo, if you've been to these things before, you'll know what it's all about, won't you? I've heard of Hengei's Shunsai, but this is the first time I'll ever have been here during it."
"As it sounds." Sayo said easily, pushing open the heavy front door and holding it for his two younger companions to pass through. "It's a celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It's in honour of Byakko and the hope for a blessed season and good start to the harvest. Plus, the people like to have an excuse for a party. The desert is dry and dour, after all, especially in the winter months. The city inhabitants like to counteract all of that by filling their city with colour and light…so the Shunsai was born."
They stepped out onto the pavement and Ouba gazed around her in awe and fascination at the way the usually plain streets had been transformed into a fairyland of lanterns and coloured banners and ribbons, some stretched from building to building in a precarious, extravagant manner and others simply ribbon or rope in rainbow shades twisted together and wrapped around the door and window beams of the closely pressed together houses and shops. From every direction, locals dressed in similarly vivid festival colours lined the streets, and although for some the fabrics they wore were faded and rough at the hem, the joviality in their expressions and the lightness of their steps told the Princess that whatever their means, the festival was a time of joy for all of Hengei's population.
"Traditionally it ends with a feast." Sayo was still explaining, and Ouba glanced up, eying him curiously.
"A feast?" She repeated, and Sayo nodded.
"Provided by the family inside whose province Hengei falls." He agreed. "It's been that way for generations – at least fifty years, perhaps even a century. That's why everyone looks so happy. Even the poorest families in the city will get a good meal tonight."
"The family whose province…" Ouba frowned. "Hengei is on the Southern border, so that would be the Han-ke, wouldn't? Rouhei's people. Kinka's too, come to think of it."
"Yes." Kinka dimpled. "Rouhei-sama's oldest brother is the current lord here in the South."
"No wonder you're sure it's safe to come here." Ouba grinned. "I can't imagine any of Rouhei's family being lax enough to allow trouble in the streets of their cities."
"As you say, Hime." Sayo agreed. "The Han-ke have always had lands in the South of Sairou, and of all families they've also always had the closest links traditionally with the Emperor and the Imperial Court. For that reason, this area is generally well taken care of – both by the incumbent family and Royal favour. After all, the Han-ke are probably the wealthiest noble family at court these days."
"Probably, if they did recognise you, everyone would be excited about it rather than wanting to cause trouble." Kinka added. "You're their blessed flower of the Imperial Court, after all – Ouba-hime-sama."
Ouba pinkened, shaking her head as she pulled her hood further up over her head, shielding her face from view.
"It's better we don't test that assurance." She murmured. "And to that end, neither of you should call me Hime this evening. If people were to realise, word may get back to Father. And it could reflect badly on you two as well as me if they thought this was an inappropriate thing to do en route to meet my future husband."
"Then what do you want us to call you?" Sayo stared at her. "Your Lord Brother would have my head if I relaxed my manners even a little in your presence."
"I suppose we could just use 'Ojousama'." Kinka said thoughtfully. "It;s not that far from Oujosama, but a lot less specific about you and your status as a daughter of Heiboutei-heika. Many ladies will be out on the town tonight, after all. We'd probably get away with that."
"Then Ojousama it is." Ouba looked relieved. "Thank you, Kinka. I don't want to cause anyone any trouble."
"Well, we won't be out here long enough to get involved in the feast or anything like that." Sayo said firmly. "With all those people eating and drinking their way through the Han-ke's supply of alcohol, it wouldn't be wise. But I don't see the problem with stopping to watch a couple of processions and maybe some of the stalls and events going on along the way."
"It's so much fresher outside at night somehow, almost as if we were by the sea and there was a breeze coming off the ocean." Ouba reflected, as they made their way slowly down the crowded streets, the Princess absorbing everything as they went.
"Well, this is the Southern border, but the sea is less than a hundred ri from Hengei." Sayo said with a grin. "And at this time of year, the winds carry across the land even as far as here."
"Really?" Ouba looked startled. "I suppose you're right. After all, Kounan has a coast, too. But when I think of sea I think of Western ports like Kaidou and Shifu. I never thought of Hengei as being anywhere near the sea."
"Sairou has a long coastline, all things considered...but sadly, even with all that water, there's no using it to bolster the harvest." Sayo said pensively. "Salt water kills plants - seems a cruel joke when its the heat of summer and people and plants are dying alike of dehydration and drought."
"Yes, I suppose so." Ouba became grave. "But Father does what he can - doesn't he?"
"Heiboutei-heika has always tried to take care of those loyal to his crown, yes." Sayo agreed. "So long as my memory goes back, too, it's been that way. His father was as good a man as he, and your Lord Brother is from the same mould. The last couple of generations of Sairou's Imperial tree have been blessed - the aftermath of Byakko's divine summoning, no doubt."
"Byakko's summoning." Ouba turned to gaze up at the biggest banner hanging over the town celebrations, taking in the figure of the snarling tiger at its heart. "Did it really make that much of a difference, Sayo?"
"I wasn't here, Hi...Ojousama, so I couldn't say." Sayo looked amused, and Ouba blushed.
"You know what I mean." She objected. "I just wondered...if you knew."
She sighed, spreading her hands.
"I've studied it a lot, as part of my childhood education." She added. "But what's in the palace archives is the Imperial perspective. I just wondered what kind of impact it had on the ordinary people. Being here, seeing things like this...I know there's still poverty and famine and the crops sometimes fail. Sashi said that Father's will to help is probably the work of Byakko still protecting this land. But I don't understand why he didn't take all those things away when he came to bless us. That's all."
"You should be careful, Ojousama." Kinka said warningly. "That's fair close to heresy."
"I know." Ouba frowned. "And I don't mean it that way. I really don't. I just...don't understand. That's all. Why he didn't change everything."
"If he had done, Ojousama, what would be left for the people of Sairou to do?" Sayo asked wisely. "Satisfaction breeds complacency. Complacency breeds arrogance. Arrogance breeds war. You only have to look at the fighting history of our destination country to see that that's true. Of all the four lands, Kutou has undoubtedly been blessed through the ages with great wealth, good crops and climate, and the perfect balance of water and land for the people to thrive. Yet they are the last land to have been saved and the last to find peace. Byakko is wise - wiser than any mere humans are capable of being. He brought peace to this land. The rest is for the people to do themselves. With his guidance, doubtless - just as Sashi-sama told you. But even so...some of it is still down to the Sairou-jin."
A warm smile touched his lips.
"At least, that's how I see it." He added.
"I see." Ouba chewed on her lip. "When you say it that way, I suppose I understand what you mean. That it would be too easy to just assume Byakko will give us everything and come to take it for granted. Or worse, even. I hadn't looked at it like that, but you're right. It must be that way."
For a couple of hours the trio of travellers mingled among the stalls and displays, each one as fresh and exciting to the sheltered Ouba as the last, and at many a performer's corner she had to be dragged away from men juggling cups or women leaping through hoops held at an impossible height. By now the moon was high in the Sairou sky, the stars sparkling brightly overhead, and Ouba took some comfort as she realised the storm clouds she had observed before had long since cleared from the sky.
A young girl ran across the path in front of them at that moment, a roughly fashioned kite clutched in her fingers as she called out to a boy waiting by one of the food stalls at the far side of the street. The boy greeted her warmly, and Ouba decided they were siblings, for both had the same dark hair and indigo eyes. For a moment a pang of homesickness touched her heart, as she thought of the older brother she had left behind. Then she got to grips with herself, forcing the thought away. Tonight was not the night for that kind of mooning, she told herself firmly. After all, if she had stayed in the capital, she would not be walking through the gaily decorated streets of a distant city, absorbing the magic of a southern Sairou festival without the restrictive presence of an imperial guard.
"H...Ojousama, I think they're about to begin lighting fireworks in the square." Kinka grabbed her arm at that moment, and Ouba pushed her musings aside, nodding her head.
"I'd like to see." She said honestly. "Is it all right? Can we do that, before we head back to the inn?"
"I don't see why we shouldn't." Kinka cast Sayo a questioning look. "Is it all right with you, Sayo?"
"It's been nigh on twenty five years at least since I last saw fireworks in Hengei." Sayo said ruefully. "If you're not tired, Ojousama, then I have no objections to us staying just to see that. After all, producing fireworks is one of Hengei's chief trades, even now...you won't find any better in Kutou."
"That's right." Ouba remembered, as they made their way through the crowds to the centre of the square, the substantial Sayo ensuring that none of the city's many visitors even came close to touching either his mistress or her travel companion. "Whenever Father has a celebration, he gets the fireworks from Hengei. I'd forgotten that."
"He usually asks Rouhei-sama to ride to inspect them personally." Kinka grinned. "Although firework production is not one of the Han-ke's many talents, he trusts Rouhei-sama's opinion."
"And this is Han territory, so Rouhei is the ideal person to send...even if he is more often at Nefuru-niisama's side than Father's." Ouba said thoughtfully. "There are all kinds of things I'm considering for the first time tonight, you know. Things I hadn't connected together before...things that had just happened without me taking all that notice. It's interesting, in a strange way...how it all works."
"Turning theory into practice is a skill indeed." Sayo mused. "And I think they're about to begin. See, Ojousama. Those men in the centre, see how they're dressed? They're professionally employed by the Han-ke to ensure the display goes off without a hitch. And the bamboo they have with them? They fill those with special powder and set them alight. With a prayer to Byakko, we'll see something special tonight. By the looks, they've gone to great trouble for just a few minutes of colour and light."
"I've only ever seen fireworks from the palace before." Ouba admitted. "It'll be exciting, seeing them close up like this."
"It might be noisy." Kinka warned, and Ouba shrugged.
"It;s my farewell to Sairou." She reminded her friend. "For once, it's all right. I don't mind."
She turned her gaze back to the two men, who, as Sayo had said, were busy preparing their art with the skill and efficiency of people long used to doing the job. Before long, there was the first explosive sound of thunder and a bright flash of light, and Ouba, who had near jumped out of her skin at the sound, found her breath caught by the dazzling spray of colour that suddenly lit up the pitch black sky. The Hengei experts had tinted each firework with a different dye, and as they were fired one by one, Ouba found herself forgetting the noise as she marvelled at the magic of the light show itself.
All too soon the colours faded and dulled, however, and with a sigh she glanced at her companions, knowing that her evening of fun was about over.
"You look disappointed, H...Ojousama." Sayo observed, and Ouba shook her head.
"No. I'm not." She replied. "Just sad it's finished. That's all. You were right, Sayo. It's something special."
She cast a wistful glance back towards the crowd, seeing the two small children she had observed earlier, something long and thin clutched in each fat fist and her eyes widened.
"Sayo...Kinka. Those children. What are they holding?"
"More fireworks." Sayo was the first to answer. "They're childsplay really, Ojousama. They're nothing like what we've just seen. Cheap street attractions - that's all. You'll see when they're lit - they crackle and spark, but not much else. Still, it amuses the youngsters, so it's all to the good in the end."
He offered her a smile.
"And we should go back to the inn. It's late, and we must travel on tomorrow." He added.
"I know." Ouba sighed. "I'm coming."
As they crossed the square back towards the inn, however, Ouba heard a shriek from behind her, and she swung around, horror flooding her dark eyes as she registered the scene before her. The children who had minutes earlier been playing and laughing with their hand-held fireworks had somehow managed to stumble out in front of one of the travelling floats that had been meandering its way around the busy city streets, carrying performers who had acted out short scenes from Byakko's divine legend. At the last minute, the man pedalling the float had managed to swerve away from the children, but in her alarm, the younger girl had tumbled onto the cobbles, loosing her grip on the sparkler as she did so, and it had tumbled against the fabric of the float's many drapes. In the dry cool of the Sairou night air it had quickly taken light, and as performers and driver alike fled the growing conflagration, Ouba was aware of the girl still sitting on the ground, staring up at the fire with a dazed, struck look in her gaze. Blood covered the youngster's leg, and without thinking, Ouba dove forward, forgetting for a moment in the excitement of the situation that she was a Princess en route to Kutou.
"Ouba-sama!" The distant sound of Sayo's voice echoed faintly in her ears as Ouba hurried down at the terrified child's side, dimly aware that the milling crowd of pedestrians were too scared of the growing fire to worry about saving one careless infant from her fate. Many had fled the scene to secure their own properties or stalls, and resolution washed through the Princess as she wrapped her arms around the frightened little girl, who, too scared to do anything for herself, merely buried her head in her rescuer's fine clothing, sobbing pitifully for her mother. Something in the child's tears broke through Ouba's own haze and she bit her lip, swallowing hard as she suddenly realised what kind of a situation she had put herself in. As the lick of the flames began to creep ever closer, Ouba realised she was more or less trapped between the burning float and the hard brick wall of a nearby building, and despite his best attempts, nothing Sayo was doing seemed able to put out the fire. Water, as ever, was scarce in the busy city, and the fire was persistantly finding new targets to feed its hunger. In the festival-bound city, with so many hanging ribbons and banners, it was easy to see how the whole of Hengei could soon be alight, and Ouba felt fear curl up inside her heart as she wondered if she was about to die.
"Ouba-hime, what are you doing!" Discretion forgotten in her panic, Kinka hurried down at the Princess's side, even as Sayo began to muscle through the panicked crowd, yelling for them to calm down and bring water before the whole city set alight. "Are you trying to get killed! It's dry as a tinder - you'll get burnt!"
"I couldn't leave her." Ouba raised plaintive eyes to her companion. "She's just a child. She was just having fun. I couldn't not help her."
Kinka eyed her for a moment, an unreadable expression on her features. Then she sighed, shaking her head.
"We have to get past the fire." She said frankly, and Ouba found herself glad of her friend's pragmatism as it staved her own rising panic. "Quickly! We don't have much time. Bring the child too, if you can carry her - we need to move now. Any hesitation and we won't make it."
"You shouldn't have come through after me." Ouba murmured, and Kinka snorted.
"What would my life be worth if I abandoned you to save it?" She demanded. "Don't be foolish. I wouldn't let you die. Now come on. There's no time to argue. We have to..."
The rest of Kinka's sentence was drowned out by a sudden creak and crash, as one of the poles erected for the festival succumbed to the spreading flame, falling across their escape path, and Ouba let out a yell, instinctively shuffling back against the wall as she held the child protectively to her chest. The young girl had long since lost consciousness from fear and pain, and Ouba felt that she might soon go the same way, for the smoke was beginning to thicken and she was finding it hard to see her way out.
"Hime!" Sayo's yell brought her back to awareness, and she turned to see where her protector was, but although she could dimly make out his silhouette as he tried to pour earth on the flames, he was still too far from them to be able to effect a rescue. At her side, Kinka muttered a curse, and Ouba's eyes widened, for she had never heard such language pass her companion's lips before.
"Kinka?"
"Stay back." Kinka had lost all pretence of formality now, forcibly pushing the Princess against the wall. "Keep her tight and stay back. I'll look for an opening. If Sayo can create a pathway...we'll have to move the moment I say, so be ready. All right? We're not going to die here. Okay? Hold onto that. We're not!"
Ouba closed her eyes, her grip on the injured child tightening as she found herself sending an inward prayer for help to the Tiger who watched over Sairou. Despite her earlier doubts and hesitations, the action was instinctive, for she had been raised with Byakko's faith from the moment she was old enough to toddle into the temple and make an offering at her brother's side, and now she clung onto that with all her might, hoping that somehow Kinka would manage to spy an opening, or that by some fluke Sayo's efforts against wind and flame would pay off.
As these thoughts flitted through her panicked mind, there was a sudden hush, as though the entire atmosphere around them had stilled. For a moment all she could hear was the crackle of flames, then, little by little they too seemed to die back, and she was aware of a bevy of loud exclamations as suddenly the voices of the people were able to dominate the noise and chaos created by the fire.
Slowly she opened her eyes, blinking as she gazed around her in disbelief. The ground which had, minutes earlier been a flickering mass of red and gold flame was now simply coated in the smouldering black of charcoal, and her eyes widened as she struggled to find words to explain it even to herself. As she did so, she saw Kinka had crouched between her and the oncoming fire, and she cast her friend an emploring glance, her eyes demanding an explanation although her lips would not form the words.
As if sensing her look, Kinka turned, and Ouba once more saw the clouded, troubled expression in her friend's eye.
"The fire stopped." She said softly. "It's all right now, Hime. We can go."
"Wait..." Ouba held out her hands, resisting Kinka's attempts to pull her to her feet. "Wait. Kinka...how? Fire doesn't just stop...did Sayo...?"
"It wasn't me, Hime." Sayo was at her side now, taking the unconscious youngster from her arms and casting the child a cursitory glance. "If I didn't know better I'd say it was a blessing from the Tiger himself. The fire got within an inch or two of where you and Kinka-dono were huddled...and then, just like that, it died back. As if..."
"As if someone sucked all the air out of it." Kinka said softly, and Sayo cast her a startled glance.
"I suppose so." He ruminated. "Yes. That describes it all right. The wind did drop, come to think of it. But even so..."
"The wind..." Ouba murmured, struggling up, and almost falling against her friend as she did so. "I'm shaking all over. Why did I do something so crazy? But she's so young, and I couldn't..."
She cast Sayo a questioning look.
"Is she...okay?"
"Fainted, but yes. Her injury isn't serious. Fear spoke for her, nothing more." Sayo assured her, even as the small girl began to stir in his arms. "You were very brave, Hime - if reckless. Your brother would have had my head if anything had befallen you."
"Mine too." Kinka said grimly, and Ouba smiled sheepishly.
"I'm sorry." She murmured contritely. "I suppose being out here with the atmosphere of the festival, I just got carried away."
"Romi-chan!"
At that moment a woman ran forward, the young boy in tow, pausing and eying Sayo uncertainly as the young girl struggled into a sitting position, holding out her arms.
"Mama! Nii-chan!"
"This one belongs to you?" Sayo gently set the child on the ground and she stumbled across the cobbles, hugging her mother tightly as the woman scooped her up in her arms.
"Yes." She said unsteadily, tears glittering in her dark eyes. "How can I ever thank you - all of you - for saving my daughter?"
"Thank Byakko." Kinka said simply, and Ouba cast her companion a surprised look.
"Byakko?"
"It's a miracle we're alive. Any of us." Kinka said evenly, not meeting the Princess's gaze. "Byakko is the only one who can dish out miracles."
"Byakko be blessed." The woman murmured. "Romi-chan, it's all right. You're safe now. I promise. We'll go home...you're quite safe, so don't cry."
The girl turned, tears still glittering on her lashes as she met Ouba's gaze.
"Thank you for saving me." She said softly, her voice wavery, and despite herself, Ouba smiled.
"It's all right." She said lightly. "Just be more careful next time, won't you?"
Romi nodded her head firmly, and Ouba's smile widened.
"Then it's fine." She said gently. "And we should go back to our inn. Shouldn't we, Sayo? I'm still shaking - I think I need a bath and bed, after that."
"A good idea indeed." Sayo sounded relieved. "Come on, Ojousama. Kinka-dono. Enough excitement for one evening."
"Mm." Kinka nodded her head, casting Ouba a troubled glance, and Ouba frowned, pursing her lips.
"Kinka-chan? Is something wrong?"
"No." Kinka seemed to raise herself, shaking her head. "Just tired. As Sayo said - enough for one night. Let's go."
Writer's note:
In case anyone is confused regarding the mode of addressing Ouba in the streets of Hengei:
Hime/Hime-sama refers to her as a Princess.
Oujosama is another way of saying Princess.
Kinka makes it "Ojousama" which means the "honoured daughter" of any important, higher ranking family, thus concealing the specifics Ouba's true position from any eavesdroppers.
A 'ri' (里) is an ancient Chinese (also Japanese) unit of measurement which equals approximately two and a half miles...ish.
As for the fireworks, I've never been to ancient China, so I'm theorising on the fireworks based on the little information I have. If it's wrong, gomen :) I tried.