Chapter 2 Ikari
Stories and legends tell that before the death of the gods men lived in an Eden, in harmony with nature. A pure world, free from vices and sins. This naturalism proper to the mythological genesis was the favorite theme of many poets and philosophers who dedicated many poems and essays to this ideal of natural purity. This was also Luka's favorite theme when she was engaged in the art of poetry.
Kyoten glowed while the sun was shining at its highest point, hanging from a clear blue sky. Order reigned in the streets of the capital, guards in Taifu colors patrolled in numbers. In the apparent calm of the palace, Luka wrote concentrated and precise poetry lines. It stood in the center of a medium but well decorated room, with a tatami floor and wooden walls. She was facing the only sliding door in the room. Behind it were several medium paper windows that provided the room with subdued lighting. The young woman with pink hair tied in a bun was dressed in a large black dress with large sleeves. The dark color of his clothing masked the possible ink stains that the handling of the brush and inkwell could cause. However, his rigorous and straight technique did not let any splashes escape and produced a magnificent and flawless calligraphy.
Suddenly the quietness of this haven of silence was shattered by two sharp knocks from the door.
"Come in," said Luka in a monotone, still concentrating on his composition.
"Excuse me for bothering you ma'am, I've come to give you my report," Mayu said as she entered the room with a roll of paper in her hand.
She was the Regent's first stewardess, her role was to coordinate the administration of the various departments. She was one of the few people, along with the generals and the empress, who could speak directly with Luka. The fringe of the young stewardess's long blond hair highlighted her eyes colored by pure yellow irises. She wore the typical clothing of senior officials, a kimono-like garment, with the stockings stopping at the ankles but with shorter sleeves. The neutral and monochrome colors of the garb stand out from the colorful and decorated outfits of the rest of the court and the aristocracy.
She stood in front of Luka, mechanically unwound and recited the report while the regent continued her writing, still as focused on her work. The steward concluded, put away her report and her two hands behind her back, thus remaining motionless in front of the poet. Luka noticed that Mayu hadn't left. She pointed out that he was always wielding his brush. Mayu hesitated.
"Luka... I'm worried about you..." confessed the young lady, in a more familiar tone and with her head down.
The woman with pink hair stopped writing and raised her head to look at her interlocutor for the first time.
"Mayu? What's the matter? You don't have to worry about me, you know," Luka replied reassuringly.
In the past the two women were very close friends. It was precisely after his succession to power that Luka promoted his friend to a very comfortable position.
The blonde woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath to finally look Luka straight in the eye and sincerely reveal her feelings.
"I'm afraid you're taking your role too personally. Since you became supreme court minister, your behavior has changed Luka." Mayu marked a pose, noticing the stunned look on her friend's face. She resumed more calmly, her eyes lowered. "You don't go out anymore, you don't come to receptions or banquets, you don't see people anymore... We don't see each other outside of these sessions... I'm really worried about you, Luka."
The young woman with pink hair was speechless, her gaze fleeing from Mayu's, not knowing what to answer.
"You're not your father, Luka, please spare yourself a little..." let Mayu get away with half a word.
The ruler's blood run cold. This remark made Luka jump up and down, letting the brush slip out, and it stained his calligraphy.
"It is my duty to perpetuate her work and to lead the country to greatness!" she said, her fists clenched, her face tinged with a nascent anger.
Mayu was startled, surprised and terrified. She took a few steps back. Realizing his act, Luka wavered a little before hiding his face in his hands.
"Forgive me Mayu..."
She ran to these sides. She took her friend's shoulders.
"Luka! Is everything all right?" she says, worried.
"Yes... Thank you Mayu," said the pink haired woman, taking her hands off her face and coming to her senses. "Excuse me..."
The blonde-haired one let go of her friend's shoulders. Luka turned around and walked to one of the windows in the room while holding his right hand to his forehead.
"This story is too much on my mind – you're right," she says before pausing and taking a breath. "I've even come to believe that her death was not really by chance," she said without noticing.
"Are you saying it was an assassination? But why?" asked Mayu, surprised by these revelations.
"I don't know... I don't understand why someone would murder him. My father's brutal takeover didn't give him lots of friends, but his hypothetical assassins knew full well that I would inherit the position," Luka continued lost in thought. Mayu had noticed it but didn't dare to interrupt him. "But the fact that even a whole stone of Hikari could not save him would indicate that he did not die of a natural disease. The only things the Hikari cannot cure are old age... or an evil itself caused by the stone..." Suddenly realizing her rambling, she turned to her friend.
"Ah! Excuse me Mayu, I got lost in my thoughts."
"Don't worry, Luka..." said the housekeeper sympathetically. But she couldn't help but go back to one of Luka's speeches, "However, you just said a whole stone was used?"
"Ah, I let it slip out... Listen Mayu, you know we can't let this get out. I trust you," said the ruler while approaching the steward.
"Of course, Luka," nodded the official.
"Well... sorry again for what happened..." apologized the poet, still confused.
"Don't worry, Luka. Don't work yourself to death," answered her friend in a reassuring tone.
"You're right. As I have finished drafting the new reforms I should be able to find more time for myself.
No sooner had she finished her sentence than the door slammed.
"Taifu no Luka! What is the meaning of all this?" was thrown across the room by a refined but angry voice.
"Majesty?" said the one in question.
The person who had just interrupted in the room was none other than Empress Karu*. She wore a kimono amply decorated with splendors, ornaments and other rare dyes, her very long sleeves dragged on the ground. But this outfit was in stark contrast to his attitude. She was standing at the foot of the door, straight, looking heavy. What was particularly remarkable about her was her hair, she had long, beautiful hair of an intense red. This remarkable hair coloring was the hallmark of the imperial family.
She advanced towards the Regent. This one, surprised at first sight, let out a sly smile.
"To what do I owe your illustrious visit, Your Majesty the Empress?" recited the supreme minister in a haughty tone as she advanced towards the Empress before bowing slightly before her.
Luka had a perfect command of etiquette, but behind this apparent submission the balance of power was quite different. The imperial power was a facade, the empress was only supposed to be the puppet legitimizing the power of the ruling family, and this long before the Taifu takeover. The former regent clan had been using this system for generations of emperors. However, the puppet seemed to want to cut his strings, the regent said to herself.
"I've just heard about your new reforms. I can't accept them!" said the Empress, much less concerned with etiquette.
"Oh? I apologize your majesty..." said the supreme minister always in a superior tone as she quietly walked around Karu with her hands behind her back towards the door. "Please tell me why you don't like these reforms," she said
Mayu observed the scene, silent, motionless, incredulous in front of the sudden change of character of her friend. There was nothing she could do but attend the staging.
"Stop this little game right now! What is your agenda?"
"I have only the happiness of the people and the prosperity of the country in mind, your majesty," condescendingly told the regent. With these words she slammed the door shut.
"These reforms are necessary for the good of the nation."
"Taxing the people even more heavily, closing down foreign trade, undermining the authority of the clans to seize all the power. Is this the good of the nation?!" the empress became more and more angry as her loose-fitting garments moved with the gesticulations.
Luka fell silent while Karu gritted his teeth, bubbling with rage. The warrior approached the empress menacingly, her face closed, her eyes piercing. She exuded a dominating aura.
"You know what your role is, don't you, Your Majesty?"
The empress's face suddenly filled with fear. Feeling the danger emanating from Luka, Karu took a few clumsy steps backwards, putting his hands in front of her in a vain attempt to stop the threat heading towards her. Luka got to her level. The supreme minister stood a few centimeters from the empress, taller than the latter, her upright posture only accentuated the dominant position of the ruler in front of the frail, frightened-faced monarch.
"I know where I'm taking the country, I know where I'm going. Think rather of the path you are on, Your Majesty."
Impotent, the empress clenched her teeth. She left the room with clenched fists, her long clothes waving in the sandstone of her angry footsteps. Luka was watching her walk away. Once Karu was out of sight, she returned to sit down and face her unfinished poem. Without even looking at her, she addressed Mayu. This one hadn't moved since the altercation.
"You can leave Mayu now," she says in a stoic voice.
"W-well..." stuttered the still relatively shocked housekeeper.
As Mayu was about to leave the room, the director stopped her.
"Oh, and one more thing. Call Mizki for me please."
"Yes... Ma'am," said the housekeeper before slipping away.
Calm and silence returned to the room. The clouds had hidden the sun, giving the place a darker light. In front of the supreme minister, his unfinished poem, stained. Nevertheless, one verse was still visible: 'All obeyed her and with the wind's breath, grass and trees bent.'
*This is actually the virtual singer CUL, but for adaptation concerns from the original work in french, she's named according to the Japanese pronunciation: Karu.
Gumi and Miku were on their way to Kurakama Castle. The ronin thought that she was incredibly lucky to run into a member of the Sanka clan, and even a direct family member! Indeed, during the journey Miku revealed to his new friend that she was the sister of the chief of the clan, the prestigious daimyo Sanka no Gakupo. The area of influence of the clan was vast, the Sanka's domain was one of the largest in the country, a dozen vassalized daimyos administered this vast territory from various more humble castles spread over the domain. The closer the duo got to the family castle, the more it revealed its imposing aura. The pyramidal structure of the whole was the very metaphor of the hierarchy of power. A first enclosure of raised stone walls accompanied by deep moats constituted a first defensive rampart to the fortress. The passage between the town and the castle was via a single bridge and a relatively imposing gateway. This part directly protected a first courtyard with various buildings relating to the life of the castle: warehouses, forges, guard barracks, servants quarters, etc. All this accompanied by the excitement of these activities. A second enclosure surrounded an upper part of the castle. High steep walls surrounded a second courtyard. These walls were crisscrossed by sturdy white towers with curved tile roofs, similar to the other roofs of the castle buildings. In this enclosure were the administrative buildings and the residences of the stewards and civil servants. Finally a third courtyard was found even higher, also surrounded by thick white stone walls. It housed the buildings of the family's relatives but also the central room of the castle: the keep, the residence of the clan's ruling family. A huge building with several floors and a fine architecture. It was itself raised a few meters by a wide stone foundation.
In front of him, Gumi could not help but feel a childlike wonder accompanied by a hint of nostalgia.
"Here we are! I absolutely must introduce you to my brother and tell him about your exploits!" Miku said enthusiastically as he hurried into the imposing building.
Still bewitched by the splendor of the construction, Gumi nodded and followed her dreamy guide. So they entered the castle. The interior was just as, if not more, sumptuous than the exterior. The entrance led directly to a finely decorated reception room. The murals depicted, in a style worthy of the great masters, the adventures and exploits of the Sanka family. Fine porcelain vases were delicately placed on bases of finely worked woodwork. Two Zen statues, polished and incremented with precious stones, greeted the visitors. On the sides two interior balconies overlooked and lit the room through large windows. Along the supporting posts of these balconies, two rows of aligned samurai armour were facing each other. Some of them looked old and worn out, bearing witness to the clan's war history. The two young women were making their way through the sumptuous room. A figure familiar to Miku appeared from the back of the room through a back door and spotted the newcomers.
"Lady Miku?!" said the maid, hastening towards the woman with the twin tails.
"Ah! Alys!" replied her interlocutor in a cheerful tone.
"What happened to you, Lady Miku? Your beautiful kimono is stained with dirt! You know that your brother doesn't approve of your solitary trips into town, you worry the whole castle every time!"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry..." apologized the young lady, a little embarrassed. "But today I seem to have stumbled upon a guardian angel." she added, smiling towards Gumi.
The servant girl looked at the depraved looking warrior. Not knowing where to stand, Gumi smiled embarrassingly at her. Alys sighed and turned to Miku.
"At least you are safe and sound," confessed the maid in a reassuring tone. "I'll prepare you some new clothes."
"Thanks Alys, can you also go get my brother for me? Ah, and prepare a room for our guest too!"
"Right away, Lady Miku!"
After a few minutes the master of the house appeared in the room. His dignified stature struck Gumi. He was particularly tall. He wore long hair, a deep purple hue, tied in a ponytail. Two long locks of hair stretched along his stern but still young face. He was dressed in a black kimono covered by a white kamishimo, a sleeveless garment proper to the samurai with wide shoulders and worn over the kimono. He wore a finely forged katana to his guard. He walked towards his sister.
"Miku, how many times do I have to tell you to stop disappearing from the castle without warning?" he said in a strict tone.
"Please forgive me, brother," replied the young woman with the twin tails respectfully, while bowing slightly. "I know I'm taking a great risk leaving the castle alone. But..." She turned to Gumi, "If I hadn't met that brave warrior I wouldn't be here to apologize to you." She smiled at the brave warrior as the daimyo's gaze fell on her.
"What do you mean?" asked Gakupo.
Miku recounted the altercation that occurred earlier in the day, witnessing the courage and talent of the warrior. Gumi was embarrassed by so many compliments.
"I see... In that case I owe you my gratitude," Gakupo said sincerely to the ronin while nodding his head.
"Um... You're welcome... my lord..." stammered the young lady.
"Ah, what was I thinking? I haven't properly introduced myself to you yet. My name is Sanka no Gakupo, lord and master of the Sanka clan, pleased to meet you."
"M-me too... my lord. I, uh... am named Gumi..." she was spouting off without an ounce of ease.
"Considering the valor you have shown today, I would be happy to receive you for the night, Gumi." Confessed Gakupo in a warm tone.
"Anyway, I've already asked Alys to get a room ready for him." Added his sister.
Gakupo turned to Miku. He sighed.
"You really are incorrigible..."
Another voice echoed through the room.
"You're going to take in a ronin, my lord?"
The group turned towards the origin of the objection. It came from a samurai leaning against a door in the corner of the room. He wore an outfit similar to Gakupo, although less embellished. His hair was short and deep blue in colour. With his arms folded, he looked defiantly at Gumi, which irritated her.
"Please, Kaito?" replied the daimyo, doubtful.
This samurai was the right-hand man of Gakupo, the second most influential person in the clan after him.
"I think you attribute a little too much merit to this ronin, defeating three brainless brigands... it's within the reach of any disciple!" Threw the warrior as he approached the group.
"She saved me anyway!" Miku objected.
"And I'm very happy about that. Nevertheless, I don't think she deserves so much gratitude."
"So you don't think she's worthy enough to deserve our hospitality?"
"You know about the ronin, if that mediocre swordswoman is wandering, there's a reason for it."
With these words the warrior's blood run cold. She drew out her katana in a flash before pointing it at the slanderer's throat.
"Dare to say another word and the mediocre swordswoman takes your life."
In a martial reflex, Kaito drew her sword and parried the blade of the ronin. He jumped back, and warned himself.
"Wow! that's a firecracker right there!"
"I can't stand you insulting me so easily," replied the ronin with a determined look on her face. The two stood face to face, motionless but on the lookout. The tension was palpable.
"I admit I misjudged you, ronin," conceded the samurai before sheathing his sword and turning around. "However, in order for me to accept your presence tonight, you'll have to prove your worth to me. I'll wait for you outside."
This one withdrew from the room. Miku and Gakupo, taken by surprise by these sudden events, remained speechless. The young nobleman was incredulous while the daimyo remained stoic. After a short flutter the green-haired warrior followed the step towards the exit, her katana still in hand. Miku questioned her:
"You're not going to fight, are you?!"
"He was the one who challenged me," said the ronin, not slowing down a bit.
The young woman with the twin tails on turned to the lord.
"Brother! Stop this madness, they're going to kill each other!" implored the young woman.
"Don't worry, Kaito has no intention of killing her. "
At these words Gumi stopped dead in her tracks.
"And you're not worried that I might kill him?" she threw coldly.
Gakupo smiled.
"He's a tough guy."
The warrior with the umbrella arrived on the courtyard, facing her opponent who was waiting for her with folded arms. The rules were simple: only the katana was allowed as a weapon and the first to disarm his opponent was considered victorious. For the sake of equality, both fighters were not wearing armour. Gakupo and Miku as well as some servants and soldiers were watching from a little further away. A light whistling wind rose as the sun declined in the sky, giving an orange light to the scene. The two warriors faced each other, straight, their eyes determined, looking at each other. They bowed and greeted each other before drawing their weapons.
As soon as their swords were clear, the duellists threw themselves into melee combat. The blows came from both sides, the steel collided in an intense frenzy. The attacks of the two fighters were precise, but so were their parries. Nevertheless, the blue-haired warrior seemed to take the advantage of his experience and discipline. He took advantage of a flaw in his opponent's defense to throw her off balance. Her guard was open and her weapon exposed, so all he had to do was let go of it. Kaito was already rejoicing in his victory, as he was about to make a takeover. He grabs the opponent's sword with his left hand, twisting it around his opponent's wrist to make him let go. Gumi gave in and dropped her weapon, that was the end of it, Kaito had both blades in his possession. Suddenly, in a sudden burst of fury, Gumi uttered a scream of rage and grasped with both hands the very blade of her katana still held by Kaito. With the blade in her hands, she delivered a powerful jab in the belly of the warrior who lost his grip. The green-haired warrior retreats out of reach of her opponent, who is still stunned by the shock and brutal disillusionment of his dazzling victory. The warrior still held her weapon firmly by the blade, panting, exhausted from the previous confrontation. A trickle of blood, as scarlet as her irises, ran down her katana before beading on the dusty ground. Her eyes filled with rage, she took her weapon by the handle, her hands still injured. She screamed again as her blade reddened with her own blood and began to glow with a sparkling light. In a superhuman leap she charged in the direction of her enemy. Surprised by her opponent's sudden rage, Kaito prepared to receive a powerful attack.
All he could hear was the crash of his opponent's body collapsing to the ground.
