"Lords and Ladies of the Western Lands, everything you hold was but a seed planted in the soil only 6 weeks ago," Aurion announced. "We are happy to have hosted members of the Academy in our country to witness these incredible feats of agriculture. Through certain modifications, we've accelerated the life cycle of all crops to just a few weeks. We can guarantee your kingdom will at least double their last harvest without needing to expand your fields an inch in a fraction of the time!"
Aurion explained how the Acolytes of the West had collaborated with the Kotarok Seekers of Knowledge to create a solution that repels pests, insects, and most diseases. One such Seeker stood and described the laborious steps of trial and error and data collection which went into developing the vermin-eliminating substance. When he'd finished that subject, he paused for a breath and continued without missing a beat. His detailed remarks on the unexpected preservative side effects of the genetic modification of the plants explained how such freshness could be retained for months at a time. The monotoned man droned on for so long that it took effort from many in the audience to keep their eyes open.
By the time the diatribe was over, Sesshōmaru was one of very few still focused in the chamber. "What a wondrous bounty your people are so willing to share with us," Sesshōmaru sniffed suspiciously at his untouched orange. "What do the benevolent people of Kotaro expect from us in return?"
The Prince's cool demeanor did not discompose Aurion when he answered quite seriously. "In Kotaro, we believe that friends should be able to speak frankly with one another. May I speak frankly with you, your Grace?" the half-demons black eyes burned into his own.
"I would expect you to have enough respect for my family and me to always speak the truth with us," Sesshōmaru replied. The robed humans exchanged nervous looks with one another.
Aurion did not glance away from Sesshōmaru, mindful of the Inu clan's ability to sense dishonesty. "Our people have a common enemy in the one called Naraku," his accented voice dropped with the gravity of his words. "We have it on good authority that he and the false-King Byakuya march towards Kotaro with The Freelance Company at their backs."
"Naraku has been marching across your continent for decades now. Why is he suddenly an issue, Aurion?" this came from King Tōga, who fixed the foreigner with a cold glare.
The half-demon had steel in him as he met the King's gaze with a chill of his own. "Perhaps it was not a good idea to send Naraku across the sea to terrorize unsuspecting innocents."
Inuyasha growled and bared his teeth, "Perhaps it'll be a better idea to send you back across the sea-"
"Enough," Tōga turned to fix his son with a look of warning that was wisely heeded, then shifted back to Aurion. "Explain yourself," he said with more than a hint of impatience.
"Naraku was high up in the Bone Mountains for almost 3 years mining whole mountaintops in search of an artifact supposed to be only legend. He seemed obsessed with this quest and lost many of his most loyal and deadly generals when they tired of the wasted efforts. However, he moves on Kotaro as we speak, slowly but surely, as his Freelance Company grows by the day with each province they pass through." Sesshōmaru smelled genuine fear on Aurion and thought he could scent a whiff of desperation. At least the hanyō himself believed this fantastic tale.
"Who is to say Naraku hasn't just given up and is taking his men to pillage his way back towards the coast?" Sesshōmaru sounded as if this were the dullest conversation of his life.
"Naraku would not leave empty-handed. He's aware of the tenuous nature of Byakuya's position. We've had reports that The Company's newest recruits are several species of demons and humans," it did not surprise Aurion to hear the gasps of shock from around the room.
"How is that possible? Naraku has never hidden his disdain for mankind," Queen Izayoi spoke up for the first time. To support their campaign, the fledgling Freelance Company kidnapped humans and sold them into slavery back when the fallen half-demon was initially exiled.
The visitor regarded her sympathetically. "It has proven difficult to glean any information about how or why so many have joined his ranks. Have no fear, your Highness our fleet will sail our armies through the Northern Bay. Before he can sight our lands, we will defeat Naraku once and for all." He spoke to King Tōga directly, "Your Grace, we want to see your realm prosper. I do not deny that your gold would fund our war with Naraku. That same investment will finally end the Spider's schemes."
Tōga stared at the Kotarok man for a long moment before responding. "We will consider all you've had to say this afternoon. Thank you for your time, Aurion Mott," the King dismissed them summarily. Bowing as one, they all walked out the same door they had entered through.
After they left, the room exploded into a flurry of excited conversations about the miraculous gift from the gods and the ever-looming threat of Naraku. Tōga stood with the rest of his family and headed towards the open arch leading back into the residential rooms of the Academy. The King pulled his elder son to the side. "What do the latest reports say about Naraku's movements?"
"We've known about the dig in the mountain range, but that's the last we've learned," Sesshōmaru would have to press all his resources to confirm the Kotarok's assertions. It was surprising news. Sesshōmaru hated surprises.
"We need confirmation of this before we can move forward. I'm counting on you, son," Tōga clapped a hand on Sesshōmaru's shoulder. The Prince did not flinch under the King's stern gaze. "I will not let you down, Father."
A few nights later, Sesshōmaru sank into the shadows of a tiny, poorly lit inn, nursing a cup of wine. Even in Harbortown he had contacts and confirmed the Kotarok's claims about Naraku. The troublesome exile had concentrated his efforts in recent months, digging in a strange grove of black trees that grew on the top of a single mountain in the entire range. The majority of the manual labor was performed by humans, who worked in shifts around the clock on poor rations.
The numbers of the Freelance Company had not grown as exponentially as Aurion Mott had made it sound, nor were they marching directly for Kotaro. Instead, it seemed the army was heading north through the extensive grasslands near the Bones. Sesshōmaru was trying to understand why they were so convinced they were about to be assaulted when Naraku was half a continent away, heading in a different direction. There was more to this story than the Kotaroks were letting on.
An enormous figure walked into the tavern side of the inn and ordered a tankard of ale in an exotic inflection. Sesshōmaru recognized the bat hanyō from among Aurion's guard. The stranger took note right away and approached him with a smile.
"Prince Sesshōmaru," he stood in front of the seated daiyōkai and tilted his head in a small bow. "I was hoping you and I could speak somewhere a bit more private?" the Kotarok gestured to a half-hidden back door. Sesshōmaru paused to consider before deciding to stand and follow. After all, Tōga had gone on and on about how this whole affair was supposed to be an exercise in trust for all the parties involved.
Once outside, the half-demon introduced himself, "My name is Tsuko. It's a pleasure to get to meet your acquaintance. We've heard many tales of the mighty Prince Sesshōmaru in Kotar."
"I can't say the same of you. What is it you want, Tsuko?" Sesshōmaru's head began to hurt. "In Kotar, we also hear that the Prince is having sword troubles," the foreign man's dark eyes gleamed as he smirked. Before Sesshōmaru could make a retort Tsuko pulled a carefully bundled package from beneath his cloak. Pulling back the cloth, Tsuko revealed a scabbard buzzing with something powerful within.
"In the Lands of the West, enchanted weaponry of any kind is no longer legal without express written consent from the King himself. The punishment for possession can be death in certain circumstances," the Prince spoke, but it had already piqued his interest.
The Kotarok soldier snickered, "Well, when you are King, you can permit yourself - how do you say it...retroactively? Until then, no one needs to know about its abilities. I could perform a cloaking spell on it."
Sesshōmaru scoffed, "What is the point of owning a sword if I cannot properly wield it in front of anyone?"
"Maybe it would be better to be equipped with such a secret weapon if unforeseen circumstances arise? Say, if your younger half-brother were to disagree with your ascension when the time came?" Tsuko lifted a brow at the Prince and held the sword out to him.
"My brother may be a fool, but he isn't suicidal. Such an idea would never even enter that thick skull of his." But still, he had to concede a blade to rival Tessaiga?
Tsuko pulled back the scabbard. The steel gleamed a bright blue in the low light pouring from a small window. The quality of craftsmanship was apparent immediately in the trademark scaled hammer patterns of Kotarok smiths. Sesshōmaru gripped the pommel, appreciating the sleek dragon carving with fiery gems for eyes that seemed to glow as he wrapped his fingers around it. Its weight was perfect, as if it were made with him in mind. His body responded in kind, adrenaline flooding his blood and the Change rising to tingle his flesh. That certainly could not be faked. He was assured that the Old Magic was present, having been worked into the metal by some of the continent's most skilled magicians.
Sesshōmaru swung the blade around a few times, noticing how the blue light intensified to near blinding. It took him a moment to feel the connection to his yōki it came on so naturally. His aura fed the blade, which heightened it before pumping back into him to cycle through again. The power grew and grew with each oscillation. "Please, your Grace, feel free to demonstrate its capabilities for yourself," the half-demon stepped aside, clearing the length of the alleyway where the two stood. At its far end, an abandoned storefront stood boarded up between them and the river mouth beyond.
The Prince narrowed his eyes in concentration before a blue wave expanded from the end of the sword. The energy took the form of a dragon's head with blue lightning for a body. It sped down the path and circled the dilapidated structure until the beast hit the apex of the roof. The entire building burst into bits of wood and metal. "What do you want for it?" the demon asked immediately.
"It is a gift for my new friend, Prince Sesshōmaru of the Western Continent. I am sure my friend will have gifts of his own for this one in the future," Tsuko replied smugly, but the implication was not overlooked. "Meet me here tomorrow at noon. I will gather what I need and ward it properly tonight." The Kotarok turned on his heel and walked back into the tavern, the blade hidden in his cloak.
When the demon Prince arrived at the same place the next day, the Kotarok was already there, pacing back and forth on the cobblestones. "There you are. My apologies, my friend. I could not fully complete my task last night, and something has come up; I must take leave of this city at once. I could only apply enough magic to suppress its energy until the next full moon. I'm afraid you must find someone else for a more permanent seal," Tsuko declared nervously, pushing the katana into his hand. "Some gift indeed," the Heir grumbled, hiding the sword in his robes. Tsuko took hold of Sesshōmaru's wrist. "I am truly sorry, my friend. It is a...family emergency that calls me back. Fret not, Prince Sesshōmaru. This will make you the most powerful daiyōkai in your clan," with a cryptic smile, the rogue took off.