disclaimer: I own only the plot. The character of Ryo was created by Takeru-san, and is used with his permission and input.
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Smithytown was not much more than its name, dozens upon dozens of smithies grouped together in a random, ugly pattern. Chimneys of all shapes and sizes pumped thick black smoke into the air. The harsh ringing of hammers on anvils never ceased. Soot got into everything; food, clothes, hair, it ground its way so deeply into the skin that no amount of scrubbing could ever remove it. Smithytown was a bleak, miserable place to live. But it produced the finest steel anywhere, and that made it very valuable. It was located near the heart of what had once been the kingdom of Ishida, a region divided into countless tiny kingdoms, all ruled by greedy warlords who had been fighting each other continuously since the fall of Ishida, hundreds of years past. To them, Smithytown was a jewel to be drooled over, and no price of warriors or gold was too high in their bids to acquire it for themselves.
Lord Rolen, who did possess it, would rather have liked to wipe it off the face of the earth. He was a tall man, and solidly built. He had long, graying hair, and unsettling green eyes. His leathery face was weather beaten and scarred. Rolen's family had been one of the most prestigious in Ishida's prime, and even after King Justin's change of heart they had lived in opulence and extravagance. While they did not participate in the murder of the king and his family, they did not necessarily disapprove of it, for they had long thought Justin a fool for daring to strip Ishida of any of its glory. But Justin's humble rule was heaven compared to the chaos that followed his death. Rolen's family had much of their land gobbled up by the other lords, and they had to fight tooth and nail to keep what remained. In Rolen's blood flowed generations of bitterness and resentment. He believed that he deserved the finer things in life, and instead all he had was a decomposing castle, miles of useless trees and mud, and Smithytown, all of which he hated with a passion. Smithytown he hated most of all, especially when he had to actually set foot in it. But it was there that he saw the boy.
Two years prior, Rolen had been approached by a rather odd individual. He was very pale, and his eyes seemed to have traces of yellow in them. His long legs took awkward steps, and he scratched at his skin until it turned red. It was almost as if his body were a new set of clothing in which he was not yet entirely comfortable. The strange man never gave a name; he just calmly asked Rolen if he were interested in obtaining a great amount of wealth and power.
Rolen, who was drunk at the time, thought the man was certainly a lunatic. But for the amusement of himself and his men, he played along, and said that he was indeed interested. He then burst out laughing so hard that he fell out of his chair. The strange man just smiled with a mouth full of sharp little teeth. "Instructions will come." He said. And he turned around and left as quickly as his tentative steps could carry him. A month later, and nearly every month after that, wagonloads of iron arrived at Rolen's doorstep. At first he was amazed, but then he began to feel excitement tingling in his stomach, and he personally took the iron to Smithytown to have it made into weapons and armor. Then he would watch as the wagons headed north towards the Craddle Mountains, the border between Kamiya and Tachikawa. The wagonloads of iron were the only thing that could get him to even look at the place, and he still would not go within thirty feet of it.
But it was the dead of winter the day he saw the boy, and the wind was so bitingly cold that Rolen finally gave up and ventured inside the town. He set himself in the middle of the widest street and stood there in his furs, letting the close proximity of the fires warm him. For a while he just stared at the gray and smoke heavy snowflakes as they fell. When that grew boring, he started watching the boy go about his chores.
The boy never knew his parents; his first memory was of lugging heavy pails of water into the red heat of one of the smithies. He was of slightly above average height and build. His hair was the color of dead grass, and hung about his head in uneven proportions. The blue in his eyes was so pale that it resembled marble. He wore only rags as he scurried from smithy to smithy, carrying pails of water or coal. The bitter cold outside was almost refreshing compared to the scorching heat inside. At some point he became aware of the lord watching him, so he bent his head and stepped slightly faster, hoping that the lord would soon lose interest in his activities.
But Rolen did not lose interest, and when the boy's path took him close enough, the lord stuck out a foot and sent the boy face-first into the ground. The coal in his buckets scattered all over, and the snow soaked him to the bone. Rolen was immediately pleased with himself, and he opened his mouth to laugh. But then his gaze chanced upon the back of the boy's neck, and the breath caught in his throat. His hands began to tremble, and despite himself he took a step back.
The mark was so faint that Rolen almost missed it among the soot and grit, but it was there, a tongue of black flame. He knew the mark at once; the history of his family had been forced into his head as a child, and the history of his family was often intertwined with that of the House of Ishida.
As Rolen had stood remembering all of what the mark meant, the boy had gotten to his knees and went about gathering up the spilled coal. His muscles were tense as he watched the lord out of the corners of his eyes. A lifetime of beatings had taught him to be cautious of those with power.
Rolen was tense as well, almost afraid. For some reason he could not stop thinking about the stories he had heard, about the Ishidas penchant for bloodshed. But then he began to think logically. The mark on the boy was barely visible; the blood in him was weak. As these thoughts comforted him, other thoughts began to lay the base of an idea in his mind. The boy was of the House of Ishida, which gave him claim to the throne. And if Rolen could control the boy….. If he could send word to his strange allies……
By now the boy had collected all of his coal, and he slowly began to back away from the lord. The cold was making him shiver now, and his teeth began to chatter. He did not like the look in the lord's eyes.
In Rolen's head the plan had almost completed itself. He could not let the boy get away from him. "Are you alright, son?" He suddenly spoke up. He tried to make his voice sound sensitive and caring, but the effort was new to him. "I hardly meant for you to have such a nasty fall." He gave a sneering little chuckle.
"I'm fine, my Lord." The boy answered. He stopped moving and looked down at his feet.
Rolen smiled. "Tell me, son. What is your name?"
"R-Ryo, my Lord."
"Ryo." Rolen repeated with a sharp grin. "Named after the great conqueror, are you?"
"I-I don't know, my Lord"
Rolen smiled as he moved towards the boy. A dangerous, greedy glint came into his eyes. "Tell me, Ryo. Are you hungry?"
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months later
Kari paused at the foot of the ladder and grimaced. She looked from the book in her hand to the top of the wall, and wondered if it was really worth the aggravation. It probably was not, but she gave a heavy sigh and put her right foot on the first rung anyway. She put the book in the pouch that was slung around her shoulders, and briefly placed her hand over her stomach, an action that had become a habit of hers recently, before starting up. She crawled up the ladder as quietly as she could. And when she reached the top, she lifted her head just high enough to peek over.
Lucas was leaning against the turrets a few feet away, looking inattentively out towards the fields. The boy was twirling his steel helmet on his fingers and humming some unrecognizable tune, his spear was laying at his feet.
Kari frowned. If the situation were any different, she would have immediately gotten after young warrior for his sloppiness, especially on guard duty. But considering the situation, she would settle for just getting up on the wall without him noticing. Unfortunately, just as these thoughts entered her mind, Lucas suddenly felt the need to turn around. He saw her, and his face twisted into an expression of utmost terror.
"Princess!" he gasped. "Oh my God, hold on!" He dropped his helmet and rushed towards her.
"No, Lucas don't! I'm fine!" Kari squealed as she tried to climb up the rest of the way. But the boy grabbed her by the wrists before she had a chance.
"I've got you, Princess! Just hold on!" he panted as he tried to pull her up. But all he succeeded in doing was pulling Kari from the ladder, leaving her dangling in the air.
"Lucas!" she screamed, more out of anger than fear. Then she just gave a tired sigh and resigned herself to being pulled to the top of the wall.
"Are you okay, Princess? You didn't hurt yourself did you?" Lucas asked once Kari was safely on her feet. He quickly scanned her for any cuts or bruises.
"For God's sake, Lucas." She groaned and pushed him away. She looked past the boy and then immediately groaned again. The guards from the other parts of the wall were all rushing over with terrified looks on their faces to make sure she was all right.
"You really shouldn't be climbing up here, Princess." Lucas told her matter-of-factly. "Especially not in your condition."
By this time, Kari had had just about enough. "All of you get back to your posts this instant!" she barked at the other guards, who immediately stopped, gulped, and went scampering back the way they had come. "And you…" She said as she turned back towards Lucas, who had suddenly gone very pale and wide-eyed. She grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him down until she was staring him straight in the eyes.
"I humor all of you by wearing this stupid whistle!" She dangled the little instrument in front of the boy's frightened face. She was supposed to wear it on a chain around her neck and vigorously blow it if she happened to fall down a well, or needed someone to do some heavy lifting for her.
"But I will not be told where I can, and cannot go, in my own house! I am pregnant, not an invalid, and I will not tolerate being treated as if I am going to break if a stiff wind comes up! Do I make myself absolutely clear?"
Lucas could not quite swallow the bulge in his throat. "What if TK gives me specific orders not to let you up on the wall, or go near the well?" he asked timidly.
Kari narrowed her eyes. "Then you just ask TK if he likes sleeping in the stables. Okay?"
"Okay" Lucas squeaked.
"Good." Kari said as she released him. The little bout of venting made her feel much better, and her expression softened as she remembered why she had come up the ladder in the first place. "Here." She said while digging around in her pouch. "I brought you a new book."
Lucas' face immediately lit up so brightly that Kari could not help smiling. The boy was almost as voracious a reader as TK, and Kari was constantly on the lookout for any new books that happened to come her way.
"Thanks, Princess!" the boy exclaimed before burying all his attention in the book's pages.
Kari watched him with a gentle grin for a moment, and then walked over to the square-shaped turrets. It was the middle of summer, time to finish harvesting the wheat crop, and a majority of the male inhabitants of Takaishi Manor were out in the fields. But Kari was looking for one person in particular as she brought her hands up to shade her eyes against the glaring sun, and it did not take her long to find him. She spotted TK near the eastern edge of the fields, swinging his scythe in a strong, steady rhythm. The young man's golden hair had been bleached almost white by the sun. His skin was a deep bronze, and would be hot to the touch when she held him at night.
It was fair to say that life had changed for TK and Kari in the two years since they helped Tai take his rightful place as king. They were now Lord and Lady of Takaishi Manor, and while it was not the tiny farm they had dreamed of, they still liked it. Until recently, Kari had been the undisputed mistress of the house; overseeing every little thing, and playing the stern, yet understanding older sister to a garrison of soldiers who, for the most part, were not ready to start shaving. But then it became known that the princess was pregnant, two months along by Jyou's figure, and she suddenly could not walk across the courtyard without at least six people trying to steer her around every patch of uneven ground. It did not exactly take Kari a great deal of thought to figure out exactly who was behind the sudden change in how she was treated.
TK came very, very close to becoming good friends with the manor horses. But Kari had discovered years ago that it was extremely difficult to be mad at those bottomless blue eyes, and how uncomfortable she was if his arms were not wrapped around her while she slept. And of course there was that look of absolute wonder that came over his face whenever he stopped to think that he was going to be a father. And it was that same look that always sent Kari's heart fluttering with the knowledge that she was going to be a mother.
Kari unconsciously placed a hand over her stomach as she watched TK happily sweating out in the fields. She smiled as a rush of contentment suddenly swept over her. After years of fighting and secrecy, it seemed that her world was finally steady, and her loved ones were finally safe.
She was about turn and go back down, when a flicker of movement caught her eye. She furrowed her brow for a moment, then squinted her eyes and studied the line where the fields met the forest. Within seconds she had identified the source of the movement; armed men on horseback, slinking about in the shadows.
Kari felt a tingling of fear in her stomach. "Lucas." She said. "Lucas, are we expecting any riders today?" She asked, even though she already knew that they were not.
The urgent ring to her voice made the boy blink and look up from his book. "Not that I know of. Why?"
Without taking her eyes off men and horses, Kari took him by the shoulders and pointed him towards the woods. Lucas stared confusedly for a moment before his eyes went wide as he saw them too.
"They're not any of ours." He said in a nervous voice.
Kari nodded. "Get the rest of the men and get out there" she still did not move her eyes away as she listened to the boy's retreating footsteps. She thought for a moment that the armored men might not make a move before Lucas and the others got there. But then she saw them slowly draw their swords and start to urge their horses forward. TK and the others in the fields had not yet noticed them, and it would soon be too late. Kari felt panic rising in her chest, in a sudden slash of inspiration she grabbed the whistle around her neck and brought it to her lips. She took a deep breath, and then blew as hard as she could.
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TK had just stopped swinging for a moment to wipe the sweat out of his eyes, when he heard the shrill cry of the whistle. His very first thought was that Kari was in trouble, and a surge of panic shot through his chest. He turned, and almost broke into a run before he spotted Kari on the wall, still blowing the whistle and waving her arms like mad. For some reason, he next thought about how he had specifically told Lucas not to let her up on the wall. But then he heard the pounding of a horse right behind him, and all of his thoughts fell into place.
TK dove to the side just as he felt a burning cut travel down his left arm. He looked up and saw a rider dressed in brown leather armor gallop by, then quickly pull up, and turn his horse around to make another pass. TK grabbed his scythe, and when the rider came charging back, he sidestepped a blow from the man's sword, and then quickly buried the blade of the scythe in the rider's chest, causing the man to go tumbling from his mount with a watery gurgle.
TK grabbed the horse by the reins before it could run away, and after retrieving his weapon, swung himself into the saddle. He could almost hear the roar of adrenaline coursing through his veins. And in the depths of his heart he could feel the murdering darkness start to stir. It had been an ever-present part of him since the day in Hikari's room, and in battle especially, it gnawed at him like a wolf begging to be set free. A part of him always wanted to listen to it. But TK willed himself to keep the darkness locked away, and quickly turned his attention to the two riders speeding towards him.
The first rider was obviously a novice; he sat high up in the saddle, and charged ahead of his partner. His sword was held high over his head, where it was useless for protection. TK decapitated him with one swing of his scythe.
But the second rider was experienced; he hunkered down in the saddle, and kept a loose, easy grip on his sword. Perhaps more importantly, the man's horse was also experienced, as well as strong and intelligent. The animal knew how to rear up, and punch out with its fore hooves. TK tried to steer his horse out of range, but the animal was skittish and unwieldy, and soon his opponent's mount connected with a punch that cracked his horse's skull.
As soon as TK felt the animal tipping over, he dropped his scythe, so he could not accidentally impale himself, and then slid off the other side. Unfortunately, the action was so awkward that he wrenched his right knee upon hitting the ground. He ignored the pain, and as the rider leaned down to strike with his sword, TK grabbed the man by the arm and pulled him out of the saddle. The man gave a surprised grunt, and tried to throw his unrestrained hand out to stop his fall. But TK applied all of his weight onto the man's back, and forced him face first to the ground. The now dismounted rider tried to push himself up, but TK just pushed down harder. He noticed the dagger in the back of the man's belt, and in a quick motion he pulled it out and stabbed it into his back. The rider screamed in pain and fear, but TK squeezed his eyes shut, and held the man to the ground until he stopped moving.
When TK opened his eyes again, the look in them was somber. He quickly pushed himself away from the body of his opponent, and slowly stood up, placing all of his weight on his uninjured knee. He looked out across the fields, and with a thankful sigh noted that the unexpected skirmish seemed to be over.
There had only been about twenty attackers, and their plan had depended heavily on the element of surprise, as well as the advantage of being on horseback. Kari's sharp eyes and whistle had been responsible for taking away some of the surprise. And as for the rest, well, despite their young age, the soldiers of Takaishi Manor were disciplined and well trained in combat. They had fed off the strength and bravery of their Lord and Lady, and used it to develop their own. Any of the attackers who had survived the first few minutes had bid a hasty retreat when the manor gates opened, and the remaining guards poured out.
"Is anybody hurt?" TK called out.
Most of the soldiers had cuts and bruises, and a few had arms that seemed to look slightly swollen, or were favoring one of their legs, but none of them admitted to being hurt. Besides being well trained, they were also proud, and a soldier risked losing face if he complained about anything less than losing an appendage.
"Good." TK said with relief. That meant he could be sick in peace.
Ever since the day when the darkness had taken control of him, TK had been horribly ill at the end of every battle in which he fought, and today was no exception. He fell to his knees as the sickly feeling spread through his gut, and then he leaned forward and began to vomit. The violent constriction of his stomach and throat were painful enough to squeeze tears out of his eyes. And all the strength seemed to be sapped out of his shoulders and chest. He knew that he deserved it though, there was something inside him that made him a killer, and it was only right that he had to pay for it
TK had not been kneeling on the ground very long, when a cool, gentle hand began to tenderly rub his back, while its partner brushed the hair away from his forehead. "Shh." Kari whispered in a soothing voice. "It's okay. It's not your fault, none of it is your fault." She hated that he had to go through this, hated even more that she could do little to help him.
After a few moments, TK's vomiting faded to dry heaving, and then stopped all together. By this time he was trembling like a child, and his face felt thick with sweat. Kari handed him a skin of water and gently instructed him to rinse his mouth. Then she just held him for a little while, and let him rest his head on her shoulder. She thought about how at least he had to survive the battle if he were going to be sick after it, and she hugged him a tiny bit tighter.
TK was always very reflective after being sick, and now for some reason he felt that there was something odd about the attack, something that went beyond a simple raid by clumsy bandits. He gently pulled away from Kari, and slowly limped over to the body of the last rider he had killed. Kari followed closely behind him. She too, had a vague feeling of unease floating in the back of her mind.
TK kneeled down beside the body and studied it for a moment. There was a piece of white fabric sticking out of the man's trousers, and he reached over to pull it out. Upon close inspection, they saw that it was only about the size of a napkin, but there was an unmistakable symbol emblazoned on it; a bright pink rose, studded with thorns. It was the war emblem of the kingdom of Tachikawa.
Kari winced, and reflexively put a hand on TK's shoulder. He just sat there for a moment before sighing and leaning back against her legs.
"We'd better send a message to Tai."
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One week later
Lord Artur was the perfect portrait of a great warrior grown old. He had allowed his hair and beard to grow long, and they had become as soft and pale as moonlight. His once mighty shoulders were now thin and bony, and he stooped forward as he plodded along on a pair of stiff, weak knees. Hands that could once have choked the life out of a man were now crippled by arthritis. But there was also a very amiable, very gentle gleam in his eyes which had never been there in his youth. Age had made him wise and reflective, and had given him an air of peace and quiet.
Tai tried to keep the awe out of his voice as he greeted him. "It is an honor to welcome you here to Kamiya, Lord Artur."
"It is an honor to be welcomed so warmly, King Tai." The old man had just stepped out of his traveling carriage, and his guards and advisors were likewise just starting to dismount from their horses.
The two men shook hands. And Tai could not keep his eyes from growing wide with boyish reverence. "My father used to tell me stories about you." He heard himself say. "One of the greatest warriors in the world, the Protector of Ishida."
"Oh, stop it with the hero worship." Artur said, even as his face lit up with a warm smile. " You're a king for God's sake. And I'm much too old to be living up to those wild legends." He reached over and playfully patted Tai on the cheek. "Besides, now a days, children are being raised on stories of King Tai, and the Royal Family of Kamiya."
Tai felt his cheeks turn red, and he could not stop himself from childishly looking at his feet.
"Speaking of the royal family." Artur continued while glancing around. "I had hoped for a chance to meet more of its members."
"Queen Sora is attending to some business in the city." Tai answered him. "And Lord Jyou has been out at his estate for the past couple of days. But I expect they should both be home for dinner."
"I'm looking forward to it." The old lord said with a nod of his head. "But for now, let's go for a stroll. I have grave matters to discuss with you later, and I always like to have a little bit of pleasant conversation before starting in on the grim stuff." Artur really did not give Tai a choice in the matter; he just took the young man by the arm and started walking.
"Make sure that Lord Artur's men and horses are made comfortable." Tai called to some attendants as he was dragged away.
For the better part of the next hour, Tai showed the lord around the castle, while Artur handled the conversation by barraging the younger man with questions. The old man had no family of his own, and it was with a sort of melancholy happiness that he listened to Tai talk about his. It was clear that the young man depended greatly on his family, and would do anything to protect them.
At one point, the two men were walking down one of the main halls, when a portrait on the wall caught Artur's eye. It was of a young man, scarcely more than a boy, but with a face full of courage and determination. The old lord did not recognize the face, but the name etched at the bottom of the frame was sadly familiar.
PRINCE DAVIS OF MOTOMIYA:
KNIGHT TO THE ROYAL CROWN OF KAMIYA
"Davis never did like to advertise the fact that he was a prince." Tai spoke up suddenly. "He said he was worried that people might try to coddle him if they knew." He gave a sad smile and looked down at his feet. "He said his parents never let him do anything while he was at home."
Artur gave the young man a sad look. "Do you blame yourself?" he asked.
"Of course I do." Tai responded with a shallow laugh. "I blame myself for everyone who's died following me. I blame myself if one of my men gets hurt in fencing practice, or gets thrown by a skittish horse. And you should see me when something happens to my family." He reached up and gently brushed his hand against the portrait.
"I learned a long time ago, that being a leader means making sure that every bit of blame falls squarely on your own shoulders, and no one else."
Artur could not hide his amazement as he listened to the young man speak. "You are an old man, Tai of Kamiya." He said. "It took me most of my youth to learn that same lesson."
The two men gave each other solemn smiles. And shared in their eyes a look of understanding, and a little bit of sympathy.
"I know you wanted to wait until tonight, to speak of why you came to Kamiya." Tai spoke after a moment. "But would you consider talking of it right now, just between the two of us. It might make discussion easier later on"
The old man's brow creased in consideration. "I think you're right." He said after a moment. "That might not be such a bad idea."
The two started walking again. Tai steering Artur down a side passage as the old man organized his thoughts. This new hall was a little colder than the main one, and there seemed to be a bit of a draft. Tai paid both walls a quick glance, but the old lord did not pay attention.
"Since you've heard all the stories about me," Artur began. "You probably know that my family followed the Ishidas from the time when they first came to power. My ancestors fought beside them in the darkness, and they stepped with them into the light. When the fall came, my family tried to keep order in as many places as possible. Which is why I rule over a fair amount of land now, including most of the area that touches Kamiya's southern border. And I've always done everything I could to keep my people as happy and safe as possible. But the fact is I'm an old, old man now. My back can't handle it to sit on a horse, and I can barely pick up a goblet, let alone a sword."
He stopped and looked at Tai with a remorseful, almost pleading look. And it startled Tai to see that look in the eyes of a man who had been a hero of his childhood dreams.
"I fear that the darkest hour of my people looms on the horizon, and I am now to weak to fight for them."
Tai stopped walking, and shot the old man a guarded look "What exactly is this 'darkest hour' that you're talking about?"
"There is a lord by the name of Rolen." Artur said in a low voice. "Who claims to have found a boy, one bearing the signs of the Royal House of Ishida."
"That's impossible!" Tai exclaimed. "The Ishidian line was wiped out hundreds of years ago!"
"I know that!" Artur shot back in a cross voice. "But there are people out there who believe the fairytales. And in their blindness they've sworn allegiance to this 'king', and so put themselves under Rolen's power. Put themselves at the mercy of a murderous, power-hungry tyrant!"
The old man's cheeks were almost glowing with rage, and his emotion was so great that his disease-ridden hands shook, and cramped up on themselves. The truth was that Artur had always been a man of action. And during some moments of great outrage, it nearly killed him to think that he was now nothing but a feeble, helpless, old man.
"So this Rolen character." Tai spoke up, studying Artur's behavior closely. "He's basically duping people into following him, by using this boy as a puppet?"
"Yes." Artur said through clenched teeth. With a great sigh he tried to get rid of his anger, and turned back to Tai with a clearer head. "But not everybody is so easily fooled. And Rolen is intent on bringing all of Ishida, and maybe more, under his heel. He's started using force, and most of the lords in the central and western parts of the country have already been overthrown, or are cutting deals with the bastard even as we speak. Only myself, and a handful of lords here in the east are still holding out."
Tai began to take a few steps back and forth, his mind whirling with a tangle of questions and possibilities. "How is Rolen managing all this?" he asked. "He can't possibly have enough men to control most of Ishida, and fight for the rest of it at the same time."
"That's just it." Artur answered. "He seems to have just pulled legions of soldiers out of his back pocket." The old man gave Tai an intense look. "And it appears that he is receiving help from other sources."
"What help?" Tai asked immediately. He felt a sudden twinge of unease in his gut.
Artur took a deep breath before answering. "Lately, troops bearing the banner of Tachikawa have been spotted fighting beside Rolen's men."
Tai met the disturbing news with silence. The truth was that this was not news at all. He had been receiving reports from all across the western border, of attacks by soldiers who appeared to be from Tachikawa, the one from Takeru and Hikari being the most recent. And he did not have to stretch his imagination to come to the idea that Tachikawa might also be involved in the goings on in Ishida.
"Well, Lord Artur." He said after moment. "These truly are grave matters that you have brought here today, and I think the best place to discuss them further would be at a meeting with our respective advisors."
The old man nodded. "In that case, I think I will retire to my room for a nap."
"I'll show you to your chambers." Tai said.
"That won't be necessary." Artur said with a small smile. "You've got a lot to think about. And I'm sure if I wander around for a while, someone will take pity on an old man, and point him in the right direction." Then he walked back down the hall without waiting for a response.
Tai waited until the old man had gone around a corner, before quickly walking to the end of the hall, and going into the room there. It was a seldom-used guest bedroom, complete with a lumpy mattress, and a lovely view of a compost heap. But it was also one of the most useful rooms in the castle.
"Well." Tai said to the empty room after closing the door. "What are your impressions?"
"Well," said a muffled voice. "He obviously thinks we should feel threatened by what's going on down in Ishida." A second later a door appeared in the right wall, and Sora emerged. She paused to brush some dirt out of her auburn hair, and then immediately went to Tai's side and took his hand in her own. "Reminding us that if he falls, then we'll most likely have hostiles living at our southern border."
Tai nodded and turned to the left wall "What do you say, Jyou?"
"I don't like it at all." The wall answered. A fumbling sound could be heard behind the stone, and then another door appeared, allowing the Lord of Kido to step into the room. "The whole thing stinks to high heaven." Jyou wiped his nose with a napkin. The dark haired young man was always miserable in mid-summer, there was something in the air to which he was horribly allergic. But he could never quite figure out what it was.
"What in the hell could Tachikawa be thinking?" Jyou continued. "Why would they be sending out raids across the mountains, and at the same time sending more troops down to fight in Ishida? It doesn't make any sense. And I say we don't make a move until we have a better idea of what is going on."
Tai gave a silent nod of agreement as he creased his brow in thought. "What do you think we should do, Sora?"
The queen only had to look into her husband's eyes for a moment to figure out that his mind was already made up. He probably just did not realize it yet. "Whatever we do, we do it as carefully as possible. No unnecessary risks." She gave a small sigh and wrapped her arms tightly around Tai's waist.
Tai gave a small frown and placed his hands over Sora's. He could easily guess what the other three members of his inner circle would say. Brother Cody would agree with Jyou about needing more information. Hikari would follow Sora's line of reaoning, stressing caution and preparation without committing to a straight answer. And Takeru would most likely stand off in a corner and not say a word. The young prince rarely got involved with strategy and politics. He was a simple warrior at his core, and he hated being that enough without becoming any thing else.
Tai let loose a heavy sigh. He knew that was something strange going on, something dangerous that was just waiting for him to walk right into it. But he also knew that his honor and courage would not let him walk away when there were people fighting for their lives, people that had come to him for help. One of the first things his father taught him was that the House of Kamiya always stood ready to protect those who needed it. It was why they had remained locked in war with Ishida for so long, and why Araya had grieved so deeply over the graves of Justin and his family.
"Here's what we do." Tai said after a moment, his voice filling with determination and excitement. "We take a small investigation team into Ishida, determine what exactly is going on, and then decide on further actions once we have more information."
Jyou sighed and rubbed his temples; he could already see where this was headed. "And just how small this is 'investigation team' going to be?"
"About one-third of the army; the best one-third." Tai answered with a grin. "If nothing else, we can at least make a big enough show to make Artur's enemies think twice about any more fighting." He began to pace the room as thoughts raced through his mind.
"I take it TK and his men will be going with you." Sora spoke out.
"Of course." Tai responded immediately. "They're the best warriors we've got."
Sora shot him a wry smile, and put her hands on her hips. "You know that Kari is not going to let TK go without her. " She of course also meant that there was no chance in hell of Tai leaving the castle unless she left with him.
Tai caught both meanings pretty quickly. "We'll bring along an armored carriage for Hikari. And since we both know that she'll hate not being able to ride horseback, you can travel in the carriage with her and keep her company." He gave his wife a smug smile.
Sora narrowed her eyes and glared at him for a moment in mock anger. She had indeed kept her promise to herself, and learned how to ride a horse. In fact, she had become an excellent rider, and loved riding very much. But in this instance she figured everyone would be better off if she just consented to traveling in the carriage.
"Fine." She sighed. "Now if you both will excuse me. I have to go make sure that dinner is coming along, and then go take some of the extra food into town." She gave Tai a quick kiss on the cheek before walking out the door.
Sora was the people's queen, always helping the less fortunate any way she could. In winter she brought them wagons full of warm blankets, in summer it was fresh, clean clothes. And year round she made sure that hot food was provided. She played with the orphans, and comforted the sick. And she never let herself forget what her life had been like before a clumsy young prince had fallen headfirst into her world.
"I should probably give her some help with the extra food." Tai mentioned to Jyou as they watched her leave. "I've heard from Takeru that Hikari's starting to have some very odd, and very random changes in temperment. If I'm going to make Sora stay with her in a confined space for several hours, then I better start playing make-up right now."
Jyou gave a thoughtful nod and wiped his nose again. "I should go put together a medical team for this little expedition. Something tells me I'm going to need some help."
"Make sure it's of a small and investigative nature." Tai smirked.
Jyou just rolled his eyes. In the past two years, the Lord of Kido had become perhaps the greatest physician in the land. He even taught, passing on his knowledge and skills to intelligent young men and women who happened to show interest in his work. Some traveled hundreds of miles to learn from him. And all of it had happened because his courage had been shattered in the dungeons of a murderer. But the truth was that his courage had just transformed itself into a new shape. He could patiently sew up the chest of a crying young soldier, while arrows whizzed past his ear, and screaming madmen charged at him with swords. But the very idea of ever again picking up a weapon made him feel ill.
"And while your putting together your team." Tai continued. "There are a few things I need you to do."
"Dare I ask?" Jyou sighed.
Tai ignored the comment. "Send word to Takeru and Hikari, and brief them on the situation. Then send some scouts out to look for Cody, he's always wandering around here this time of the season. And finally, order that the patrols at the western border be doubled. The second anything comes through those mountains, I want to know about it."
"Shall I peel you a grape before I start on all that?" Jyou snorted.
"Just get to work." Tai responded with a laugh.
The Lord of Kido gave a brief smile, and then walked out of the room, leaving Tai alone. Which he hated. When he was with other people, all of his decisions seemed like the right ones, the ones he was supposed to make. But it was when he was alone, with nothing else except his own thoughts to keep him company, that he doubted himself. It was during these times that how much depended on his decisions was most apparent to him. It was when he second-guessed himself, when he started to feel a cold sweat forming on his brow.
Tai started walking. He knew were he was going, but did not really concentrate on getting there. He just trusted the twisting hallways to deposit him at his destination. And within a few minutes he entered the royal courtyard. He walked across the grass towards the back, not stopping until the rows of marble tombstones came into view. He paused for a moment to gaze at them all; beneath the marble stones lay the great monarchs and heroes of Kamiya's history. Tai walked on through their ranks silently and respectfully, passing the spot where his parents lay, though he did intend to visit them before he left. But he needed to talk to someone else at the present moment.
"Hi, Davis." He whispered as he traced his fingers across the name carved in marble. "I need to ask your opinion about something."
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Jun never really liked her brother, but she loved him dearly. When he left for Kamiya, she had made a big show about how glad she was to be rid of him. "Good riddance," she had said to him as he boarded his ship. Then the news of his death came, and it nearly killed her.
She lost track of how many days she cried, how many times she begged God to let her take the place of her baby brother. But eventually the tears stopped, and her sorrow began to turn into anger. She was angry with herself and her parents for letting it happen, angry with Davis for leaving her. But most of her fury was directed to those who she believed had sent her brother to his death.
Jun fully expected that Motomiya would go to war with Kamiya, that King Tai and his family would be made to pay. And she was outraged when her parents told her that such a thing would be a disgrace, both to the friendship of the two kingdoms, and to Davis' memory.
He died a hero, they said. He died with courage and honor. None of that mattered to Jun; she only knew that her brother was dead. Her parents even consented to have him buried in the royal cemetery of Kamiya, instead of bringing him home where he belonged.
Princess Jun had always been the most prominent lady of the royal court. She was in her element at balls and parties. She adored fancy clothes and gleaming jewelry. And she was sure of her ability to seduce any handsome young virgin that caught her eye.
But all that changed after Davis' death. Her brother had always wanted to be a great warrior, and she set out to become one for him. For the better part of a year she trained, taking to it so naturally that it was not long before she could ride, shoot, and fight as well as any of her father's knights. And the training also helped to take the edge off her anger. She no longer felt an overpowering rage when she thought of Tai, but she still held him responsible for what had happened. She likewise could not fully forgive her parents or herself. So she decided to leave Motomiya. The island had grown too confining, too full of bad memories and feelings. She traveled to Tachikawa, where her pedigree and standing earned her a place at the royal court, and her training and air of quiet strength earned her admittance into Princess Mimi's inner circle. She quickly became great friends with Mimi and Lady Miyako. They helped her remember how to have fun, and how to forget some of the throbbing sorrow and anger she felt.
Miyako, like Jun, was a female warrior. Her father, the Lord of Inoue, had declared that all of his children, even his little girl, were going to have a well-rounded education. Miyako was a naturally quick and aggressive study, and before long none of her brother's could last more than a few moments with her in the fencing ring. She was a formidable opponent on the battlefield, but her true gift was her mind. She was already designing advanced siege weaponry by the time she reached her teens. And while she enjoyed the various parties and feasts that the princess threw, Miyako was most content when drawing blueprints and mixing chemicals in her laboratory. Mimi had built it for her outside the city following the second time she blew a hole in the west wing of the palace. Miyako was cheerful and compassionate, but had a quick temper that blazed forth whenever someone she cared about was wronged.
Jun came to know Princess Mimi as a just, responsible ruler. She was not always a quick thinker, but she was a cautious and deliberate one. She was honest almost to a fault, and deplored any sort of combat unless it was absolutely necessary. However, she could be absolutely ruthless if she found that there was no other way. She also shared with Jun a sense of distant, quiet hatred towards King Tai. He had killed Mimi's father in combat when Kamiya invaded Tachikawa years before.
Jun's relationship with Lord Koushiro, referred to as Izzy except for ceremonial purposes, was a bit rockier. Jun did not particularly like his arrogance; a fault of which Izzy was quite proud, and believed he was entitled to. He was a master of strategy and tactics, and a combination of him and Miyako gave Mimi an unsettling amount of raw genius at her disposal. He could be a capable warrior when the need arose, though he was much more at ease making plans than following them. He and Jun shared a mutual hostility for a time, but eventually they developed a special fondness for each other, like one someone might develop for a sparring partner.
Jun could never completely figure out Lord Yamato, called Matt. There always seemed to be a sharp, sorrowful glint in his eyes. But she felt at ease, even secure in his presence. And they seemed to have a sort of mutual confidence in each other. He was handsome, and in another time and place, Jun could imagine herself becoming smitten by him. But it was obvious that he was completely devoted to Mimi, and she to him. He was also the greatest warrior that Jun had ever seen.
It was this group of four that Jun adopted as her friends and surrogate family. And she was with them when a man came to the palace seeking an audience with the Princess.
"I am Lord Rolen." He announced with a cunning smile, and an overly dramatic bow. "Ambassador of King Ryo of Ishida, to Princess Mimi of Tachikawa and her esteemed counselors."
Jun disliked him immediately; he reminded her of a cat swishing its tail before pouncing on an unsuspecting mouse. And she could tell by the way the others shifted in their seats that they shared her sentiments.
Rolen swept his gaze over all of them, and Jun shivered a bit when their eyes met. She also thought that he seemed to quiver a little when his eyes came to rest on Matt, but he had recovered by the time Mimi answered his greeting.
"We have heard that you were coming to Tachikawa, Lord Rolen, and I welcome you." The princess tried hard to keep her voice sounding polite. "Though I must call into question the validity of your 'king'."
"An expected response, and one I'm prepared for." He gave another conniving smile as an attendant handed him a scroll. "I discovered the remarkable lad myself. And on this parchment are the marks of the required number of Ishidian lords to verify the king's claim to the throne. They have examined the lad, and to the astonishment of all, they have noted that he truly does bear the signs of the legendary House of Ishida." His eyes unconsciously drifted back towards Matt.
"Good for him." Miyako chirped. "But what does that have to do with Tachikawa?"
Mimi shot her a dirty look but did not say anything to chastise her.
Rolen opened his mouth in a raspy chuckle. "You are telling me to get to the point." He glared at Miyako. "Very well, you see, not every lord in Ishida would like to give up complete control of his domain to their rightful king. The lords in the east are being particularly stubborn. And I have recently received word that they have gained the support of King Tai and Kamiya. Even now, his troops are readying themselves to march into Ishida."
Jun felt her stomach churn as she heard the words. There had lately been reports of Kamiyian raiders on the border. And of course there was no way that she could keep Davis' face from flashing though her mind.
"You acknowledge the strained relations between our two kingdoms." Mimi said the words without a trace of politeness. She was even close to being angry. "But you still have not answered the original question."
"Forgive me." Rolen said with another horrible grin. He took another scroll out of an attendant's hand. This one was yellow and cracked with age. "The point is this; many long years ago, the respective King's of Ishida, and Tachikawa signed a pact. A pact saying that if either kingdom ever became embroiled in a dispute that would require military action, then the other kingdom would lend aid if asked. I'm sure the other copy of this pact is in your hall of records, probably much more preserved then this old tattered thing we had to dig up. And today I'm here to ask that Tachikawa honor this pact, and help King Ryo take back his land from invaders and dissidents alike." Rolen gave a cocky little laugh.
"I'll go check the records immediately!" Izzy sprung up from his chair and raced out the door. The others were almost too stunned to move.
"He will find them." Rolen said in a smug voice. "But for now, I will retire and let you talk of this with your advisors, Princess." He moved quickly out the door and was gone.
"You can't believe him about that pact!" Miyako moved to Mimi's side. "And even if it's real…" she tapered off.
Mimi shook her head. "We have no choice if its real. In the past, a treaty of that nature was designed with strict penalties for the side that didn't live up to its half of the bargain. This Ryo, whoever he is, could even make a claim for my throne."
Matt placed a hand on her shoulder. "I could take some men down to Ishida and see exactly what's going on."
"I'll go with you." Jun said immediately.
"Neither of you are going anywhere!" Mimi snapped. "At least not until Izzy gets ba-"
At that moment the red-haired young man came through the door. There was a slightly yellowed piece of parchment in his hand, and an angry look on his face.
No one spoke for a few moments, until Mimi finally sighed. "We take half of the army and march south to Ishida. Our chief goal is to gather information, but if we have to fight," She squeezed Matt's hand. "then we fight."
====================================
Smithytown was not much more than its name, dozens upon dozens of smithies grouped together in a random, ugly pattern. Chimneys of all shapes and sizes pumped thick black smoke into the air. The harsh ringing of hammers on anvils never ceased. Soot got into everything; food, clothes, hair, it ground its way so deeply into the skin that no amount of scrubbing could ever remove it. Smithytown was a bleak, miserable place to live. But it produced the finest steel anywhere, and that made it very valuable. It was located near the heart of what had once been the kingdom of Ishida, a region divided into countless tiny kingdoms, all ruled by greedy warlords who had been fighting each other continuously since the fall of Ishida, hundreds of years past. To them, Smithytown was a jewel to be drooled over, and no price of warriors or gold was too high in their bids to acquire it for themselves.
Lord Rolen, who did possess it, would rather have liked to wipe it off the face of the earth. He was a tall man, and solidly built. He had long, graying hair, and unsettling green eyes. His leathery face was weather beaten and scarred. Rolen's family had been one of the most prestigious in Ishida's prime, and even after King Justin's change of heart they had lived in opulence and extravagance. While they did not participate in the murder of the king and his family, they did not necessarily disapprove of it, for they had long thought Justin a fool for daring to strip Ishida of any of its glory. But Justin's humble rule was heaven compared to the chaos that followed his death. Rolen's family had much of their land gobbled up by the other lords, and they had to fight tooth and nail to keep what remained. In Rolen's blood flowed generations of bitterness and resentment. He believed that he deserved the finer things in life, and instead all he had was a decomposing castle, miles of useless trees and mud, and Smithytown, all of which he hated with a passion. Smithytown he hated most of all, especially when he had to actually set foot in it. But it was there that he saw the boy.
Two years prior, Rolen had been approached by a rather odd individual. He was very pale, and his eyes seemed to have traces of yellow in them. His long legs took awkward steps, and he scratched at his skin until it turned red. It was almost as if his body were a new set of clothing in which he was not yet entirely comfortable. The strange man never gave a name; he just calmly asked Rolen if he were interested in obtaining a great amount of wealth and power.
Rolen, who was drunk at the time, thought the man was certainly a lunatic. But for the amusement of himself and his men, he played along, and said that he was indeed interested. He then burst out laughing so hard that he fell out of his chair. The strange man just smiled with a mouth full of sharp little teeth. "Instructions will come." He said. And he turned around and left as quickly as his tentative steps could carry him. A month later, and nearly every month after that, wagonloads of iron arrived at Rolen's doorstep. At first he was amazed, but then he began to feel excitement tingling in his stomach, and he personally took the iron to Smithytown to have it made into weapons and armor. Then he would watch as the wagons headed north towards the Craddle Mountains, the border between Kamiya and Tachikawa. The wagonloads of iron were the only thing that could get him to even look at the place, and he still would not go within thirty feet of it.
But it was the dead of winter the day he saw the boy, and the wind was so bitingly cold that Rolen finally gave up and ventured inside the town. He set himself in the middle of the widest street and stood there in his furs, letting the close proximity of the fires warm him. For a while he just stared at the gray and smoke heavy snowflakes as they fell. When that grew boring, he started watching the boy go about his chores.
The boy never knew his parents; his first memory was of lugging heavy pails of water into the red heat of one of the smithies. He was of slightly above average height and build. His hair was the color of dead grass, and hung about his head in uneven proportions. The blue in his eyes was so pale that it resembled marble. He wore only rags as he scurried from smithy to smithy, carrying pails of water or coal. The bitter cold outside was almost refreshing compared to the scorching heat inside. At some point he became aware of the lord watching him, so he bent his head and stepped slightly faster, hoping that the lord would soon lose interest in his activities.
But Rolen did not lose interest, and when the boy's path took him close enough, the lord stuck out a foot and sent the boy face-first into the ground. The coal in his buckets scattered all over, and the snow soaked him to the bone. Rolen was immediately pleased with himself, and he opened his mouth to laugh. But then his gaze chanced upon the back of the boy's neck, and the breath caught in his throat. His hands began to tremble, and despite himself he took a step back.
The mark was so faint that Rolen almost missed it among the soot and grit, but it was there, a tongue of black flame. He knew the mark at once; the history of his family had been forced into his head as a child, and the history of his family was often intertwined with that of the House of Ishida.
As Rolen had stood remembering all of what the mark meant, the boy had gotten to his knees and went about gathering up the spilled coal. His muscles were tense as he watched the lord out of the corners of his eyes. A lifetime of beatings had taught him to be cautious of those with power.
Rolen was tense as well, almost afraid. For some reason he could not stop thinking about the stories he had heard, about the Ishidas penchant for bloodshed. But then he began to think logically. The mark on the boy was barely visible; the blood in him was weak. As these thoughts comforted him, other thoughts began to lay the base of an idea in his mind. The boy was of the House of Ishida, which gave him claim to the throne. And if Rolen could control the boy….. If he could send word to his strange allies……
By now the boy had collected all of his coal, and he slowly began to back away from the lord. The cold was making him shiver now, and his teeth began to chatter. He did not like the look in the lord's eyes.
In Rolen's head the plan had almost completed itself. He could not let the boy get away from him. "Are you alright, son?" He suddenly spoke up. He tried to make his voice sound sensitive and caring, but the effort was new to him. "I hardly meant for you to have such a nasty fall." He gave a sneering little chuckle.
"I'm fine, my Lord." The boy answered. He stopped moving and looked down at his feet.
Rolen smiled. "Tell me, son. What is your name?"
"R-Ryo, my Lord."
"Ryo." Rolen repeated with a sharp grin. "Named after the great conqueror, are you?"
"I-I don't know, my Lord"
Rolen smiled as he moved towards the boy. A dangerous, greedy glint came into his eyes. "Tell me, Ryo. Are you hungry?"
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months later
Kari paused at the foot of the ladder and grimaced. She looked from the book in her hand to the top of the wall, and wondered if it was really worth the aggravation. It probably was not, but she gave a heavy sigh and put her right foot on the first rung anyway. She put the book in the pouch that was slung around her shoulders, and briefly placed her hand over her stomach, an action that had become a habit of hers recently, before starting up. She crawled up the ladder as quietly as she could. And when she reached the top, she lifted her head just high enough to peek over.
Lucas was leaning against the turrets a few feet away, looking inattentively out towards the fields. The boy was twirling his steel helmet on his fingers and humming some unrecognizable tune, his spear was laying at his feet.
Kari frowned. If the situation were any different, she would have immediately gotten after young warrior for his sloppiness, especially on guard duty. But considering the situation, she would settle for just getting up on the wall without him noticing. Unfortunately, just as these thoughts entered her mind, Lucas suddenly felt the need to turn around. He saw her, and his face twisted into an expression of utmost terror.
"Princess!" he gasped. "Oh my God, hold on!" He dropped his helmet and rushed towards her.
"No, Lucas don't! I'm fine!" Kari squealed as she tried to climb up the rest of the way. But the boy grabbed her by the wrists before she had a chance.
"I've got you, Princess! Just hold on!" he panted as he tried to pull her up. But all he succeeded in doing was pulling Kari from the ladder, leaving her dangling in the air.
"Lucas!" she screamed, more out of anger than fear. Then she just gave a tired sigh and resigned herself to being pulled to the top of the wall.
"Are you okay, Princess? You didn't hurt yourself did you?" Lucas asked once Kari was safely on her feet. He quickly scanned her for any cuts or bruises.
"For God's sake, Lucas." She groaned and pushed him away. She looked past the boy and then immediately groaned again. The guards from the other parts of the wall were all rushing over with terrified looks on their faces to make sure she was all right.
"You really shouldn't be climbing up here, Princess." Lucas told her matter-of-factly. "Especially not in your condition."
By this time, Kari had had just about enough. "All of you get back to your posts this instant!" she barked at the other guards, who immediately stopped, gulped, and went scampering back the way they had come. "And you…" She said as she turned back towards Lucas, who had suddenly gone very pale and wide-eyed. She grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him down until she was staring him straight in the eyes.
"I humor all of you by wearing this stupid whistle!" She dangled the little instrument in front of the boy's frightened face. She was supposed to wear it on a chain around her neck and vigorously blow it if she happened to fall down a well, or needed someone to do some heavy lifting for her.
"But I will not be told where I can, and cannot go, in my own house! I am pregnant, not an invalid, and I will not tolerate being treated as if I am going to break if a stiff wind comes up! Do I make myself absolutely clear?"
Lucas could not quite swallow the bulge in his throat. "What if TK gives me specific orders not to let you up on the wall, or go near the well?" he asked timidly.
Kari narrowed her eyes. "Then you just ask TK if he likes sleeping in the stables. Okay?"
"Okay" Lucas squeaked.
"Good." Kari said as she released him. The little bout of venting made her feel much better, and her expression softened as she remembered why she had come up the ladder in the first place. "Here." She said while digging around in her pouch. "I brought you a new book."
Lucas' face immediately lit up so brightly that Kari could not help smiling. The boy was almost as voracious a reader as TK, and Kari was constantly on the lookout for any new books that happened to come her way.
"Thanks, Princess!" the boy exclaimed before burying all his attention in the book's pages.
Kari watched him with a gentle grin for a moment, and then walked over to the square-shaped turrets. It was the middle of summer, time to finish harvesting the wheat crop, and a majority of the male inhabitants of Takaishi Manor were out in the fields. But Kari was looking for one person in particular as she brought her hands up to shade her eyes against the glaring sun, and it did not take her long to find him. She spotted TK near the eastern edge of the fields, swinging his scythe in a strong, steady rhythm. The young man's golden hair had been bleached almost white by the sun. His skin was a deep bronze, and would be hot to the touch when she held him at night.
It was fair to say that life had changed for TK and Kari in the two years since they helped Tai take his rightful place as king. They were now Lord and Lady of Takaishi Manor, and while it was not the tiny farm they had dreamed of, they still liked it. Until recently, Kari had been the undisputed mistress of the house; overseeing every little thing, and playing the stern, yet understanding older sister to a garrison of soldiers who, for the most part, were not ready to start shaving. But then it became known that the princess was pregnant, two months along by Jyou's figure, and she suddenly could not walk across the courtyard without at least six people trying to steer her around every patch of uneven ground. It did not exactly take Kari a great deal of thought to figure out exactly who was behind the sudden change in how she was treated.
TK came very, very close to becoming good friends with the manor horses. But Kari had discovered years ago that it was extremely difficult to be mad at those bottomless blue eyes, and how uncomfortable she was if his arms were not wrapped around her while she slept. And of course there was that look of absolute wonder that came over his face whenever he stopped to think that he was going to be a father. And it was that same look that always sent Kari's heart fluttering with the knowledge that she was going to be a mother.
Kari unconsciously placed a hand over her stomach as she watched TK happily sweating out in the fields. She smiled as a rush of contentment suddenly swept over her. After years of fighting and secrecy, it seemed that her world was finally steady, and her loved ones were finally safe.
She was about turn and go back down, when a flicker of movement caught her eye. She furrowed her brow for a moment, then squinted her eyes and studied the line where the fields met the forest. Within seconds she had identified the source of the movement; armed men on horseback, slinking about in the shadows.
Kari felt a tingling of fear in her stomach. "Lucas." She said. "Lucas, are we expecting any riders today?" She asked, even though she already knew that they were not.
The urgent ring to her voice made the boy blink and look up from his book. "Not that I know of. Why?"
Without taking her eyes off men and horses, Kari took him by the shoulders and pointed him towards the woods. Lucas stared confusedly for a moment before his eyes went wide as he saw them too.
"They're not any of ours." He said in a nervous voice.
Kari nodded. "Get the rest of the men and get out there" she still did not move her eyes away as she listened to the boy's retreating footsteps. She thought for a moment that the armored men might not make a move before Lucas and the others got there. But then she saw them slowly draw their swords and start to urge their horses forward. TK and the others in the fields had not yet noticed them, and it would soon be too late. Kari felt panic rising in her chest, in a sudden slash of inspiration she grabbed the whistle around her neck and brought it to her lips. She took a deep breath, and then blew as hard as she could.
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TK had just stopped swinging for a moment to wipe the sweat out of his eyes, when he heard the shrill cry of the whistle. His very first thought was that Kari was in trouble, and a surge of panic shot through his chest. He turned, and almost broke into a run before he spotted Kari on the wall, still blowing the whistle and waving her arms like mad. For some reason, he next thought about how he had specifically told Lucas not to let her up on the wall. But then he heard the pounding of a horse right behind him, and all of his thoughts fell into place.
TK dove to the side just as he felt a burning cut travel down his left arm. He looked up and saw a rider dressed in brown leather armor gallop by, then quickly pull up, and turn his horse around to make another pass. TK grabbed his scythe, and when the rider came charging back, he sidestepped a blow from the man's sword, and then quickly buried the blade of the scythe in the rider's chest, causing the man to go tumbling from his mount with a watery gurgle.
TK grabbed the horse by the reins before it could run away, and after retrieving his weapon, swung himself into the saddle. He could almost hear the roar of adrenaline coursing through his veins. And in the depths of his heart he could feel the murdering darkness start to stir. It had been an ever-present part of him since the day in Hikari's room, and in battle especially, it gnawed at him like a wolf begging to be set free. A part of him always wanted to listen to it. But TK willed himself to keep the darkness locked away, and quickly turned his attention to the two riders speeding towards him.
The first rider was obviously a novice; he sat high up in the saddle, and charged ahead of his partner. His sword was held high over his head, where it was useless for protection. TK decapitated him with one swing of his scythe.
But the second rider was experienced; he hunkered down in the saddle, and kept a loose, easy grip on his sword. Perhaps more importantly, the man's horse was also experienced, as well as strong and intelligent. The animal knew how to rear up, and punch out with its fore hooves. TK tried to steer his horse out of range, but the animal was skittish and unwieldy, and soon his opponent's mount connected with a punch that cracked his horse's skull.
As soon as TK felt the animal tipping over, he dropped his scythe, so he could not accidentally impale himself, and then slid off the other side. Unfortunately, the action was so awkward that he wrenched his right knee upon hitting the ground. He ignored the pain, and as the rider leaned down to strike with his sword, TK grabbed the man by the arm and pulled him out of the saddle. The man gave a surprised grunt, and tried to throw his unrestrained hand out to stop his fall. But TK applied all of his weight onto the man's back, and forced him face first to the ground. The now dismounted rider tried to push himself up, but TK just pushed down harder. He noticed the dagger in the back of the man's belt, and in a quick motion he pulled it out and stabbed it into his back. The rider screamed in pain and fear, but TK squeezed his eyes shut, and held the man to the ground until he stopped moving.
When TK opened his eyes again, the look in them was somber. He quickly pushed himself away from the body of his opponent, and slowly stood up, placing all of his weight on his uninjured knee. He looked out across the fields, and with a thankful sigh noted that the unexpected skirmish seemed to be over.
There had only been about twenty attackers, and their plan had depended heavily on the element of surprise, as well as the advantage of being on horseback. Kari's sharp eyes and whistle had been responsible for taking away some of the surprise. And as for the rest, well, despite their young age, the soldiers of Takaishi Manor were disciplined and well trained in combat. They had fed off the strength and bravery of their Lord and Lady, and used it to develop their own. Any of the attackers who had survived the first few minutes had bid a hasty retreat when the manor gates opened, and the remaining guards poured out.
"Is anybody hurt?" TK called out.
Most of the soldiers had cuts and bruises, and a few had arms that seemed to look slightly swollen, or were favoring one of their legs, but none of them admitted to being hurt. Besides being well trained, they were also proud, and a soldier risked losing face if he complained about anything less than losing an appendage.
"Good." TK said with relief. That meant he could be sick in peace.
Ever since the day when the darkness had taken control of him, TK had been horribly ill at the end of every battle in which he fought, and today was no exception. He fell to his knees as the sickly feeling spread through his gut, and then he leaned forward and began to vomit. The violent constriction of his stomach and throat were painful enough to squeeze tears out of his eyes. And all the strength seemed to be sapped out of his shoulders and chest. He knew that he deserved it though, there was something inside him that made him a killer, and it was only right that he had to pay for it
TK had not been kneeling on the ground very long, when a cool, gentle hand began to tenderly rub his back, while its partner brushed the hair away from his forehead. "Shh." Kari whispered in a soothing voice. "It's okay. It's not your fault, none of it is your fault." She hated that he had to go through this, hated even more that she could do little to help him.
After a few moments, TK's vomiting faded to dry heaving, and then stopped all together. By this time he was trembling like a child, and his face felt thick with sweat. Kari handed him a skin of water and gently instructed him to rinse his mouth. Then she just held him for a little while, and let him rest his head on her shoulder. She thought about how at least he had to survive the battle if he were going to be sick after it, and she hugged him a tiny bit tighter.
TK was always very reflective after being sick, and now for some reason he felt that there was something odd about the attack, something that went beyond a simple raid by clumsy bandits. He gently pulled away from Kari, and slowly limped over to the body of the last rider he had killed. Kari followed closely behind him. She too, had a vague feeling of unease floating in the back of her mind.
TK kneeled down beside the body and studied it for a moment. There was a piece of white fabric sticking out of the man's trousers, and he reached over to pull it out. Upon close inspection, they saw that it was only about the size of a napkin, but there was an unmistakable symbol emblazoned on it; a bright pink rose, studded with thorns. It was the war emblem of the kingdom of Tachikawa.
Kari winced, and reflexively put a hand on TK's shoulder. He just sat there for a moment before sighing and leaning back against her legs.
"We'd better send a message to Tai."
---------------------------------------------------------
One week later
Lord Artur was the perfect portrait of a great warrior grown old. He had allowed his hair and beard to grow long, and they had become as soft and pale as moonlight. His once mighty shoulders were now thin and bony, and he stooped forward as he plodded along on a pair of stiff, weak knees. Hands that could once have choked the life out of a man were now crippled by arthritis. But there was also a very amiable, very gentle gleam in his eyes which had never been there in his youth. Age had made him wise and reflective, and had given him an air of peace and quiet.
Tai tried to keep the awe out of his voice as he greeted him. "It is an honor to welcome you here to Kamiya, Lord Artur."
"It is an honor to be welcomed so warmly, King Tai." The old man had just stepped out of his traveling carriage, and his guards and advisors were likewise just starting to dismount from their horses.
The two men shook hands. And Tai could not keep his eyes from growing wide with boyish reverence. "My father used to tell me stories about you." He heard himself say. "One of the greatest warriors in the world, the Protector of Ishida."
"Oh, stop it with the hero worship." Artur said, even as his face lit up with a warm smile. " You're a king for God's sake. And I'm much too old to be living up to those wild legends." He reached over and playfully patted Tai on the cheek. "Besides, now a days, children are being raised on stories of King Tai, and the Royal Family of Kamiya."
Tai felt his cheeks turn red, and he could not stop himself from childishly looking at his feet.
"Speaking of the royal family." Artur continued while glancing around. "I had hoped for a chance to meet more of its members."
"Queen Sora is attending to some business in the city." Tai answered him. "And Lord Jyou has been out at his estate for the past couple of days. But I expect they should both be home for dinner."
"I'm looking forward to it." The old lord said with a nod of his head. "But for now, let's go for a stroll. I have grave matters to discuss with you later, and I always like to have a little bit of pleasant conversation before starting in on the grim stuff." Artur really did not give Tai a choice in the matter; he just took the young man by the arm and started walking.
"Make sure that Lord Artur's men and horses are made comfortable." Tai called to some attendants as he was dragged away.
For the better part of the next hour, Tai showed the lord around the castle, while Artur handled the conversation by barraging the younger man with questions. The old man had no family of his own, and it was with a sort of melancholy happiness that he listened to Tai talk about his. It was clear that the young man depended greatly on his family, and would do anything to protect them.
At one point, the two men were walking down one of the main halls, when a portrait on the wall caught Artur's eye. It was of a young man, scarcely more than a boy, but with a face full of courage and determination. The old lord did not recognize the face, but the name etched at the bottom of the frame was sadly familiar.
PRINCE DAVIS OF MOTOMIYA:
KNIGHT TO THE ROYAL CROWN OF KAMIYA
"Davis never did like to advertise the fact that he was a prince." Tai spoke up suddenly. "He said he was worried that people might try to coddle him if they knew." He gave a sad smile and looked down at his feet. "He said his parents never let him do anything while he was at home."
Artur gave the young man a sad look. "Do you blame yourself?" he asked.
"Of course I do." Tai responded with a shallow laugh. "I blame myself for everyone who's died following me. I blame myself if one of my men gets hurt in fencing practice, or gets thrown by a skittish horse. And you should see me when something happens to my family." He reached up and gently brushed his hand against the portrait.
"I learned a long time ago, that being a leader means making sure that every bit of blame falls squarely on your own shoulders, and no one else."
Artur could not hide his amazement as he listened to the young man speak. "You are an old man, Tai of Kamiya." He said. "It took me most of my youth to learn that same lesson."
The two men gave each other solemn smiles. And shared in their eyes a look of understanding, and a little bit of sympathy.
"I know you wanted to wait until tonight, to speak of why you came to Kamiya." Tai spoke after a moment. "But would you consider talking of it right now, just between the two of us. It might make discussion easier later on"
The old man's brow creased in consideration. "I think you're right." He said after a moment. "That might not be such a bad idea."
The two started walking again. Tai steering Artur down a side passage as the old man organized his thoughts. This new hall was a little colder than the main one, and there seemed to be a bit of a draft. Tai paid both walls a quick glance, but the old lord did not pay attention.
"Since you've heard all the stories about me," Artur began. "You probably know that my family followed the Ishidas from the time when they first came to power. My ancestors fought beside them in the darkness, and they stepped with them into the light. When the fall came, my family tried to keep order in as many places as possible. Which is why I rule over a fair amount of land now, including most of the area that touches Kamiya's southern border. And I've always done everything I could to keep my people as happy and safe as possible. But the fact is I'm an old, old man now. My back can't handle it to sit on a horse, and I can barely pick up a goblet, let alone a sword."
He stopped and looked at Tai with a remorseful, almost pleading look. And it startled Tai to see that look in the eyes of a man who had been a hero of his childhood dreams.
"I fear that the darkest hour of my people looms on the horizon, and I am now to weak to fight for them."
Tai stopped walking, and shot the old man a guarded look "What exactly is this 'darkest hour' that you're talking about?"
"There is a lord by the name of Rolen." Artur said in a low voice. "Who claims to have found a boy, one bearing the signs of the Royal House of Ishida."
"That's impossible!" Tai exclaimed. "The Ishidian line was wiped out hundreds of years ago!"
"I know that!" Artur shot back in a cross voice. "But there are people out there who believe the fairytales. And in their blindness they've sworn allegiance to this 'king', and so put themselves under Rolen's power. Put themselves at the mercy of a murderous, power-hungry tyrant!"
The old man's cheeks were almost glowing with rage, and his emotion was so great that his disease-ridden hands shook, and cramped up on themselves. The truth was that Artur had always been a man of action. And during some moments of great outrage, it nearly killed him to think that he was now nothing but a feeble, helpless, old man.
"So this Rolen character." Tai spoke up, studying Artur's behavior closely. "He's basically duping people into following him, by using this boy as a puppet?"
"Yes." Artur said through clenched teeth. With a great sigh he tried to get rid of his anger, and turned back to Tai with a clearer head. "But not everybody is so easily fooled. And Rolen is intent on bringing all of Ishida, and maybe more, under his heel. He's started using force, and most of the lords in the central and western parts of the country have already been overthrown, or are cutting deals with the bastard even as we speak. Only myself, and a handful of lords here in the east are still holding out."
Tai began to take a few steps back and forth, his mind whirling with a tangle of questions and possibilities. "How is Rolen managing all this?" he asked. "He can't possibly have enough men to control most of Ishida, and fight for the rest of it at the same time."
"That's just it." Artur answered. "He seems to have just pulled legions of soldiers out of his back pocket." The old man gave Tai an intense look. "And it appears that he is receiving help from other sources."
"What help?" Tai asked immediately. He felt a sudden twinge of unease in his gut.
Artur took a deep breath before answering. "Lately, troops bearing the banner of Tachikawa have been spotted fighting beside Rolen's men."
Tai met the disturbing news with silence. The truth was that this was not news at all. He had been receiving reports from all across the western border, of attacks by soldiers who appeared to be from Tachikawa, the one from Takeru and Hikari being the most recent. And he did not have to stretch his imagination to come to the idea that Tachikawa might also be involved in the goings on in Ishida.
"Well, Lord Artur." He said after moment. "These truly are grave matters that you have brought here today, and I think the best place to discuss them further would be at a meeting with our respective advisors."
The old man nodded. "In that case, I think I will retire to my room for a nap."
"I'll show you to your chambers." Tai said.
"That won't be necessary." Artur said with a small smile. "You've got a lot to think about. And I'm sure if I wander around for a while, someone will take pity on an old man, and point him in the right direction." Then he walked back down the hall without waiting for a response.
Tai waited until the old man had gone around a corner, before quickly walking to the end of the hall, and going into the room there. It was a seldom-used guest bedroom, complete with a lumpy mattress, and a lovely view of a compost heap. But it was also one of the most useful rooms in the castle.
"Well." Tai said to the empty room after closing the door. "What are your impressions?"
"Well," said a muffled voice. "He obviously thinks we should feel threatened by what's going on down in Ishida." A second later a door appeared in the right wall, and Sora emerged. She paused to brush some dirt out of her auburn hair, and then immediately went to Tai's side and took his hand in her own. "Reminding us that if he falls, then we'll most likely have hostiles living at our southern border."
Tai nodded and turned to the left wall "What do you say, Jyou?"
"I don't like it at all." The wall answered. A fumbling sound could be heard behind the stone, and then another door appeared, allowing the Lord of Kido to step into the room. "The whole thing stinks to high heaven." Jyou wiped his nose with a napkin. The dark haired young man was always miserable in mid-summer, there was something in the air to which he was horribly allergic. But he could never quite figure out what it was.
"What in the hell could Tachikawa be thinking?" Jyou continued. "Why would they be sending out raids across the mountains, and at the same time sending more troops down to fight in Ishida? It doesn't make any sense. And I say we don't make a move until we have a better idea of what is going on."
Tai gave a silent nod of agreement as he creased his brow in thought. "What do you think we should do, Sora?"
The queen only had to look into her husband's eyes for a moment to figure out that his mind was already made up. He probably just did not realize it yet. "Whatever we do, we do it as carefully as possible. No unnecessary risks." She gave a small sigh and wrapped her arms tightly around Tai's waist.
Tai gave a small frown and placed his hands over Sora's. He could easily guess what the other three members of his inner circle would say. Brother Cody would agree with Jyou about needing more information. Hikari would follow Sora's line of reaoning, stressing caution and preparation without committing to a straight answer. And Takeru would most likely stand off in a corner and not say a word. The young prince rarely got involved with strategy and politics. He was a simple warrior at his core, and he hated being that enough without becoming any thing else.
Tai let loose a heavy sigh. He knew that was something strange going on, something dangerous that was just waiting for him to walk right into it. But he also knew that his honor and courage would not let him walk away when there were people fighting for their lives, people that had come to him for help. One of the first things his father taught him was that the House of Kamiya always stood ready to protect those who needed it. It was why they had remained locked in war with Ishida for so long, and why Araya had grieved so deeply over the graves of Justin and his family.
"Here's what we do." Tai said after a moment, his voice filling with determination and excitement. "We take a small investigation team into Ishida, determine what exactly is going on, and then decide on further actions once we have more information."
Jyou sighed and rubbed his temples; he could already see where this was headed. "And just how small this is 'investigation team' going to be?"
"About one-third of the army; the best one-third." Tai answered with a grin. "If nothing else, we can at least make a big enough show to make Artur's enemies think twice about any more fighting." He began to pace the room as thoughts raced through his mind.
"I take it TK and his men will be going with you." Sora spoke out.
"Of course." Tai responded immediately. "They're the best warriors we've got."
Sora shot him a wry smile, and put her hands on her hips. "You know that Kari is not going to let TK go without her. " She of course also meant that there was no chance in hell of Tai leaving the castle unless she left with him.
Tai caught both meanings pretty quickly. "We'll bring along an armored carriage for Hikari. And since we both know that she'll hate not being able to ride horseback, you can travel in the carriage with her and keep her company." He gave his wife a smug smile.
Sora narrowed her eyes and glared at him for a moment in mock anger. She had indeed kept her promise to herself, and learned how to ride a horse. In fact, she had become an excellent rider, and loved riding very much. But in this instance she figured everyone would be better off if she just consented to traveling in the carriage.
"Fine." She sighed. "Now if you both will excuse me. I have to go make sure that dinner is coming along, and then go take some of the extra food into town." She gave Tai a quick kiss on the cheek before walking out the door.
Sora was the people's queen, always helping the less fortunate any way she could. In winter she brought them wagons full of warm blankets, in summer it was fresh, clean clothes. And year round she made sure that hot food was provided. She played with the orphans, and comforted the sick. And she never let herself forget what her life had been like before a clumsy young prince had fallen headfirst into her world.
"I should probably give her some help with the extra food." Tai mentioned to Jyou as they watched her leave. "I've heard from Takeru that Hikari's starting to have some very odd, and very random changes in temperment. If I'm going to make Sora stay with her in a confined space for several hours, then I better start playing make-up right now."
Jyou gave a thoughtful nod and wiped his nose again. "I should go put together a medical team for this little expedition. Something tells me I'm going to need some help."
"Make sure it's of a small and investigative nature." Tai smirked.
Jyou just rolled his eyes. In the past two years, the Lord of Kido had become perhaps the greatest physician in the land. He even taught, passing on his knowledge and skills to intelligent young men and women who happened to show interest in his work. Some traveled hundreds of miles to learn from him. And all of it had happened because his courage had been shattered in the dungeons of a murderer. But the truth was that his courage had just transformed itself into a new shape. He could patiently sew up the chest of a crying young soldier, while arrows whizzed past his ear, and screaming madmen charged at him with swords. But the very idea of ever again picking up a weapon made him feel ill.
"And while your putting together your team." Tai continued. "There are a few things I need you to do."
"Dare I ask?" Jyou sighed.
Tai ignored the comment. "Send word to Takeru and Hikari, and brief them on the situation. Then send some scouts out to look for Cody, he's always wandering around here this time of the season. And finally, order that the patrols at the western border be doubled. The second anything comes through those mountains, I want to know about it."
"Shall I peel you a grape before I start on all that?" Jyou snorted.
"Just get to work." Tai responded with a laugh.
The Lord of Kido gave a brief smile, and then walked out of the room, leaving Tai alone. Which he hated. When he was with other people, all of his decisions seemed like the right ones, the ones he was supposed to make. But it was when he was alone, with nothing else except his own thoughts to keep him company, that he doubted himself. It was during these times that how much depended on his decisions was most apparent to him. It was when he second-guessed himself, when he started to feel a cold sweat forming on his brow.
Tai started walking. He knew were he was going, but did not really concentrate on getting there. He just trusted the twisting hallways to deposit him at his destination. And within a few minutes he entered the royal courtyard. He walked across the grass towards the back, not stopping until the rows of marble tombstones came into view. He paused for a moment to gaze at them all; beneath the marble stones lay the great monarchs and heroes of Kamiya's history. Tai walked on through their ranks silently and respectfully, passing the spot where his parents lay, though he did intend to visit them before he left. But he needed to talk to someone else at the present moment.
"Hi, Davis." He whispered as he traced his fingers across the name carved in marble. "I need to ask your opinion about something."
-----------------------------------------------------
Jun never really liked her brother, but she loved him dearly. When he left for Kamiya, she had made a big show about how glad she was to be rid of him. "Good riddance," she had said to him as he boarded his ship. Then the news of his death came, and it nearly killed her.
She lost track of how many days she cried, how many times she begged God to let her take the place of her baby brother. But eventually the tears stopped, and her sorrow began to turn into anger. She was angry with herself and her parents for letting it happen, angry with Davis for leaving her. But most of her fury was directed to those who she believed had sent her brother to his death.
Jun fully expected that Motomiya would go to war with Kamiya, that King Tai and his family would be made to pay. And she was outraged when her parents told her that such a thing would be a disgrace, both to the friendship of the two kingdoms, and to Davis' memory.
He died a hero, they said. He died with courage and honor. None of that mattered to Jun; she only knew that her brother was dead. Her parents even consented to have him buried in the royal cemetery of Kamiya, instead of bringing him home where he belonged.
Princess Jun had always been the most prominent lady of the royal court. She was in her element at balls and parties. She adored fancy clothes and gleaming jewelry. And she was sure of her ability to seduce any handsome young virgin that caught her eye.
But all that changed after Davis' death. Her brother had always wanted to be a great warrior, and she set out to become one for him. For the better part of a year she trained, taking to it so naturally that it was not long before she could ride, shoot, and fight as well as any of her father's knights. And the training also helped to take the edge off her anger. She no longer felt an overpowering rage when she thought of Tai, but she still held him responsible for what had happened. She likewise could not fully forgive her parents or herself. So she decided to leave Motomiya. The island had grown too confining, too full of bad memories and feelings. She traveled to Tachikawa, where her pedigree and standing earned her a place at the royal court, and her training and air of quiet strength earned her admittance into Princess Mimi's inner circle. She quickly became great friends with Mimi and Lady Miyako. They helped her remember how to have fun, and how to forget some of the throbbing sorrow and anger she felt.
Miyako, like Jun, was a female warrior. Her father, the Lord of Inoue, had declared that all of his children, even his little girl, were going to have a well-rounded education. Miyako was a naturally quick and aggressive study, and before long none of her brother's could last more than a few moments with her in the fencing ring. She was a formidable opponent on the battlefield, but her true gift was her mind. She was already designing advanced siege weaponry by the time she reached her teens. And while she enjoyed the various parties and feasts that the princess threw, Miyako was most content when drawing blueprints and mixing chemicals in her laboratory. Mimi had built it for her outside the city following the second time she blew a hole in the west wing of the palace. Miyako was cheerful and compassionate, but had a quick temper that blazed forth whenever someone she cared about was wronged.
Jun came to know Princess Mimi as a just, responsible ruler. She was not always a quick thinker, but she was a cautious and deliberate one. She was honest almost to a fault, and deplored any sort of combat unless it was absolutely necessary. However, she could be absolutely ruthless if she found that there was no other way. She also shared with Jun a sense of distant, quiet hatred towards King Tai. He had killed Mimi's father in combat when Kamiya invaded Tachikawa years before.
Jun's relationship with Lord Koushiro, referred to as Izzy except for ceremonial purposes, was a bit rockier. Jun did not particularly like his arrogance; a fault of which Izzy was quite proud, and believed he was entitled to. He was a master of strategy and tactics, and a combination of him and Miyako gave Mimi an unsettling amount of raw genius at her disposal. He could be a capable warrior when the need arose, though he was much more at ease making plans than following them. He and Jun shared a mutual hostility for a time, but eventually they developed a special fondness for each other, like one someone might develop for a sparring partner.
Jun could never completely figure out Lord Yamato, called Matt. There always seemed to be a sharp, sorrowful glint in his eyes. But she felt at ease, even secure in his presence. And they seemed to have a sort of mutual confidence in each other. He was handsome, and in another time and place, Jun could imagine herself becoming smitten by him. But it was obvious that he was completely devoted to Mimi, and she to him. He was also the greatest warrior that Jun had ever seen.
It was this group of four that Jun adopted as her friends and surrogate family. And she was with them when a man came to the palace seeking an audience with the Princess.
"I am Lord Rolen." He announced with a cunning smile, and an overly dramatic bow. "Ambassador of King Ryo of Ishida, to Princess Mimi of Tachikawa and her esteemed counselors."
Jun disliked him immediately; he reminded her of a cat swishing its tail before pouncing on an unsuspecting mouse. And she could tell by the way the others shifted in their seats that they shared her sentiments.
Rolen swept his gaze over all of them, and Jun shivered a bit when their eyes met. She also thought that he seemed to quiver a little when his eyes came to rest on Matt, but he had recovered by the time Mimi answered his greeting.
"We have heard that you were coming to Tachikawa, Lord Rolen, and I welcome you." The princess tried hard to keep her voice sounding polite. "Though I must call into question the validity of your 'king'."
"An expected response, and one I'm prepared for." He gave another conniving smile as an attendant handed him a scroll. "I discovered the remarkable lad myself. And on this parchment are the marks of the required number of Ishidian lords to verify the king's claim to the throne. They have examined the lad, and to the astonishment of all, they have noted that he truly does bear the signs of the legendary House of Ishida." His eyes unconsciously drifted back towards Matt.
"Good for him." Miyako chirped. "But what does that have to do with Tachikawa?"
Mimi shot her a dirty look but did not say anything to chastise her.
Rolen opened his mouth in a raspy chuckle. "You are telling me to get to the point." He glared at Miyako. "Very well, you see, not every lord in Ishida would like to give up complete control of his domain to their rightful king. The lords in the east are being particularly stubborn. And I have recently received word that they have gained the support of King Tai and Kamiya. Even now, his troops are readying themselves to march into Ishida."
Jun felt her stomach churn as she heard the words. There had lately been reports of Kamiyian raiders on the border. And of course there was no way that she could keep Davis' face from flashing though her mind.
"You acknowledge the strained relations between our two kingdoms." Mimi said the words without a trace of politeness. She was even close to being angry. "But you still have not answered the original question."
"Forgive me." Rolen said with another horrible grin. He took another scroll out of an attendant's hand. This one was yellow and cracked with age. "The point is this; many long years ago, the respective King's of Ishida, and Tachikawa signed a pact. A pact saying that if either kingdom ever became embroiled in a dispute that would require military action, then the other kingdom would lend aid if asked. I'm sure the other copy of this pact is in your hall of records, probably much more preserved then this old tattered thing we had to dig up. And today I'm here to ask that Tachikawa honor this pact, and help King Ryo take back his land from invaders and dissidents alike." Rolen gave a cocky little laugh.
"I'll go check the records immediately!" Izzy sprung up from his chair and raced out the door. The others were almost too stunned to move.
"He will find them." Rolen said in a smug voice. "But for now, I will retire and let you talk of this with your advisors, Princess." He moved quickly out the door and was gone.
"You can't believe him about that pact!" Miyako moved to Mimi's side. "And even if it's real…" she tapered off.
Mimi shook her head. "We have no choice if its real. In the past, a treaty of that nature was designed with strict penalties for the side that didn't live up to its half of the bargain. This Ryo, whoever he is, could even make a claim for my throne."
Matt placed a hand on her shoulder. "I could take some men down to Ishida and see exactly what's going on."
"I'll go with you." Jun said immediately.
"Neither of you are going anywhere!" Mimi snapped. "At least not until Izzy gets ba-"
At that moment the red-haired young man came through the door. There was a slightly yellowed piece of parchment in his hand, and an angry look on his face.
No one spoke for a few moments, until Mimi finally sighed. "We take half of the army and march south to Ishida. Our chief goal is to gather information, but if we have to fight," She squeezed Matt's hand. "then we fight."
