Game of Touhou

Chapter 54

Yuugenmagan

Ever since the battle of the Oaken Plains and the great fires that had reportedly rose with it, the Rainbow Fort had become an extremely crowded city, one filled with the troops of Marisa's own men, along with Lady Shinki's and Lady Mokou Fujiwara's. The only troops that weren't taking up space were Alice's 'dolls', and that seemed more the result of Alice telling them they weren't allowed to stay in the city for her own amusement than to lessen the crowding.

The result was that the Rainbow Fort seemed as unnerving as Alice's Keep from the outside, surrounded by mutilated eunuchs, while it was bustling with people who seemed to want to keep a blind eye to their surroundings.

Lady Marisa had called yet another meeting, possibly to discuss what in the world they were going to do now that the Lunas were gone, and the Fujiwaras had supposedly defected.

Maester Keine of the Fujiwaras was busy treating Ser Yumeko, if only so Maester Melancholy didn't get her hands on her. The swordswoman was severely burnt from the blazing fields of wildfire that had supposedly flared far beyond what Ser Yuki had ever predicted. However, with those exceptions, most of the high-ranking people in the three northern allies were gathered at the table, and were sat in a decidedly awkward arrangement.

Mokou Fujiwara was sat next to the Master of Ice, Mai, and Yuki was sat between her and Alice, who of course had Maester Melancholy on her other side for her useful effect of quelling the madwoman when necessary. Lady Marisa was sat at the head, but instead of her bastard daughter sitting next to her, Lady Shinki and Lady Mokou sat either side of her, with Yuugenmagan on Mokou's side, Mystia the next person along from there. Finally, Elis and Shibou Taida sat next to each other, the archer clearly feeling a little uncomfortable to be sitting next to a man most likely too fat for his chair.

Marisa decided to get the meeting under way, and began by saying in a manner contrasting with her words, "...as I am sure you know, the Woodlands are now united, and their alliance is strongly with the Hijiri rebellion. In thanks to Mokou Fujiwara, House Luna is no more, and so the fighting in the north has stopped. The reason I have brought you here is to discuss what we shall do next."

In spite of her quiet, refined voice, Mokou cut in swiftly and deliberately, saying, "I say that we go after the Okazakis. All houses but they and the Scarlets have declared their side, and have fought for their cause. The Okazakis, though, they hid in their Alchemical Stronghold while their lieges, the Hijiris, have bled in the field. Such an injustice must not be overlooked..."

Despite the woman being close enough to strangle her from across the table, Lady Shinki didn't hesitate to counteract Mokou the moment she ceased her quiet talking, "If we do such a thing, then we'll be no better than the Mad Queen Byakuren waged war against. Queen Eiki Shiki promised death to those who declared for no-one, but Byakuren promised to only attack her enemies. If you are to be part of this rebellion, Fujiwara, you must work with her laws, not the Mad Queen you once proudly declared for."

Mokou scowled at this, her quiet voice rising to an oddly threatening dull roar, "Are you implying that I am a turn-cloak?"

"There is no inferring." Shibou Taida sharply replied from his much safer distance, "You are a turn-cloak, Fujiwara."

"Kirisames shouldn't talk of being a turn-cloak in such a harsh manner." Mokou pointed out, "You did the very same to us when we were trying to earn the trust of Lady Kaguya..."

Yuugenmagan put his hands to his temples, thinking, I knew this would occur. This 'alliance' is nothing more than a group of squabbling children. My plans... they have all worked, but at what cost?

To make matters worse, the next person to contribute her insight was Alice, who said, "Everyone in this room is a turn-cloak but I. The Makais may not have been ones in this battle, but they have betrayed me in the past, I'm sure you'll..."

"Nobody cares, Alice." Elis bluntly interrupted, which soon caused Alice to work herself into a frenzy.

"How dare you? I'm a knight now! A knight! I have a grand army, one which you couldn't have hoped to have won without! I have never betrayed a house or person, not once! I am..." Alice raved, but suddenly she stopped due to Mokou's glare burning into her.

"Due to my... deception of the Lunas, the Makais and Kirisames could have quite easily won without your dolls." Mokou calmly stated, "Maester Melancholy, if you are as legitimate as you say you are, give this child Essence of Nightshade. She needs pacifying."

Marisa was slumping deeper and deeper into her chair, wearing a face which said 'I could be lying with one of my knights right now, but instead I'm here'. However, when she actually spoke, she said something else.

"This was meant to be a discussion between women grown, not arguing little girls." Marisa muttered, "Lady Shinki, what do you intend to do now that the Lunas are gone? Are you to help Lady Byakuren in the south?"

Shinki took the words in, and for a moment was silent, before looking to Yuugenmagan, "Master of Eyes, what word comes from the south?"

Yuugenmagan swallowed. He had not sent his eyes to the south, although he had kept eyes in Pandemonium, along with eyes along the path from Pandemonium to the Rainbow Fort, to take any letters that may have bee sent from the Hijiris. He had received very little letters in that regard, one from Lady Byakuren telling of their great victory on the border of the Plains of Death and the death of Queen Eiki, and another telling of an alliance between Hijiris and the Kazamis along with word of the City of Desires falling, but beyond that, none.

"All that I know is that they have all but crushed the Shotoku army and killed the Mad Queen, and with the help of the Kazamis, have taken the City of Desires." Yuugenmagan admitted, "King's Landing is most like yet to fall, but the Hijiris and Houjuus appear to be without need of reinforcements. I would suggest retreating to our cities until we receive further word. Should I send a raven to the Hijiris to tell of the Fujiwaras' pledge of fealty?"

"No need." Mokou said, smiling falsely at Yuugenmagan, "Maester Keine has already done so."

"So... we simply sit back and wait for the war to finish itself?" Mystia asked, "What of the Scarlets? I imagine they are not going to sit quietly throughout the war."

Shibou Taida laughed at this, and said, "You haven't dealt with Vladimir Scarlet. The man didn't care about anybody or anything but himself, but he wasn't wont to kill anybody either. I'm sure his shut-in girl is the same."

Alice began to panic, and said, "But... but if there is no fighting to do, then..."

"Yes, you must return to your keep." Shinki quickly said.

Mokou grinned a little, "We have all worked hard to weed the Woodlands of the Lunas... however, the work is not done. While we can sit back, remember that when you pull a dandelion from the ground, the roots remain. Maester Eirin Yagokoro murdered my brother, and is no doubt on the run somewhere. We must find some sellswords and ensure her death..."

For once, the whole hall agreed, and Marisa said, "...very well, we shall find a hedge knight of some sort. Perhaps we can pay some wayward wildlings to do the job."

"Yes, in chickens, no doubt." Mokou replied, her tone unlike the intent of her jest, "There is also the matter of who rules the Woodlands now..."

"You." Marisa quickly answered, "It will save an argument. Pray tell, Mokou, any other matters that need to brought to our attention?"

"There is the matter of the Luna sisters away in Essos." Mokou pointed out, "They are most like to be dead, but should they return..."

"...they will have no army, no allies, and no claim to the paramount seat of the Woodlands." Shinki finished off, "We needn't worry about them."

"Very well..." Mokou reluctantly accepted, although a part of Yuugenmagan wondered if her concerns were well-founded, "I imagine this meeting is over, then. This is farewell..."

"Finally." Marisa said, exasperation in her voice, "Master of Eyes, come with me. Everyone else, your are free to take your leave."

The group dispersed as they did, although Mokou eyed Marisa for a while, waiting at the table while Yuugenmagan gingerly approached Marisa. Marisa wagged her finger at Shibou Taida and Mystia, and when she noticed Mokou was still lingering, she said, "Take your leave, Lady Fujiwara. You have a province to run, better that you do it from your own home."

"I am merely curious as to why you wish to spend time alone with a spy-master..." Mokou murmured, something that Yuugenmagan himself was a little suspicious of.

However, Marisa was bizarrely relaxed, and she said, "He's been most useful. I only intend to... reward him. If you wish to watch, very well, but I fear he'd be too nervous to remain stiff with you sitting there..."

Yuugenmagan felt blood rush away from his head, and before he could say anything, Lady Kirisame had begun to kiss him. Yuugenmagan's head span with confusion, and he barely noticed that he was being pushed backwards, and soon he was lying on top of the dining table, with the fully clothed Marisa Kirisame climbing on top of him. Mokou stood up at this, and simply muttered, "Whore." as she walked from the room.

Lady Marisa and Yuugenmagan were both breathing heavily, although Yuugenmagan was more flustered than lustful, and after a short wait, Marisa stopped her breathing and climbed off the table, "I knew that would frighten that fire-starter away. Seems seed is the one thing that puts out wildfire."

Yuugenmagan lay on the table, his face still bright red, and he gasped between his words as he said, "...you... you were putting on a mummer's farce?"

"Of course." Marisa replied, "You've been useful, but nowhere near that useful. Ser Shibou deserves my body more than you do, he's at least risked his life for me..."

Yuugenmagan slowly shuffled off the top of the table, and mumbled, "...you did not have to make that sort of a farce..."

Marisa smirked at this, "I didn't, but it comes more naturally to me to do it this way. Now, if you really do want to fuck me, I have a task for you."

Yuugenmagan laughed a little, "I kindly refuse your reward. What task is this?"

"Dress some of your eyes in Fujiwara armour and send them with Lady Mokou to the City of Flames. I want you to report everything to me. Understood?" Marisa simply commanded.

"You... do realise I am Lady Shinki's knight, not yours, am I right?" Yuugenmagan asked.

"You can report to her as well. I trust Lady Shinki. I don't trust Mokou." Marisa replied, "What offer would make you willing to do this, if I am not good enough for you? Mystia's hand in marriage?"

Yuugenmagan stepped away from Lady Marisa in horror, "She is but a child!"

"She's bled. She's old enough." Marisa dismissively said, "If you don't want her, what else do you want? Gold? Whores? Golden whores?"

Yuugenmagan sighed, "I shall do it out of thanks for your assistance in the rebellion. That is enough payment."

Marisa approached Yuugenmagan, and smiled condescendingly, ruffling the man's hair, "Good man. If only you were a touch more lustful, I would be able to buy you off Lady Shinki..."