Chapter 3: Yacht of Melancholy
As daintily crafted as the outside, the inside was indeed no less delicate. But when Rukawa stepped into the cabin room, it became apparent to him that there was more than just the fancy elegance of physical settings. At the opposite side of the rosewood table, sat a young lady. No one who had laid eyes upon her could deny her beauty and grace, but her eyes alone told astuteness too unexpected from a lady of mere twenty.
"This is Miss Aida Yayoi. Her family controls the river transportation in the southern part of Kanagawa."
Rukawa bowed slightly toward her to show acknowledgement, as she nodded at him with unaffected grace. After giving Yayoi a brief account of their encounter, Sendoh went to a corner and fetched strips of soft lint and a small container of vulnerary.
"May I?" He offered, and after a moment of hesitation, Rukawa acquiesced.
"I hope both of you wouldn't refuse a small melody?" Yayoi inquired politely, looking at Rukawa alone.
Not wanting to let Rukawa's silence offend Yayoi, Sendoh took the liberty to answer for both of them, "we would welcome it gladly!"
Smiling at Sendoh, Yayoi deftly placed her fingers on the strings of a zither, the body of which was beautifully carved from white sandalwood, seeping out its distinct gentle fragrance. As a soothing melody filled the room, Sendoh began to dress Rukawa's wound, while Rukawa examined the cabin room with newfound curiosity. This was the first time he had ever been on a roofed boat, not that he ever traveled far on boats. In fact, where he came from, there was hardly any river wide enough to hold a craft as large and luxurious as the one he saw today. Rather than water and boats, he was more accustomed to mountains and horses; rather than luxury and sophistication, he was more accustomed to simplicity and guilelessness. However, as he beheld the construction of his surroundings, he had to admit, though only to himself, that beauty was indeed a universal language shared by complicacy and simplicity alike.
He was entirely unaware of Sendoh's dexterous hands bandaging him until the latter gave a light cough. He looked down at his left shoulder and saw that it was bandaged much more neatly than what he had done a while ago. He nodded at Sendoh in silent gratitude, at the same time he noticed that Lady Yayoi's soft melody had come to an end.
"You're very welcome." Replied Sendoh, understanding his guest's unspoken words. Then turning to Yayoi, he praised her adroit skill with the instrument, and offered to pour a glass of sweet wine in sincere appreciation.
"A charmer you truly are, Sendoh." Yayoi hid her grin behind the crystal wine glass.
"To put myself in the service of beauties is a pleasure in itself." Sendoh laughed, lightly brushing the comment off. Glancing sideways, he saw Rukawa nodding his head into sleep, so he proposed an entertainment. "Rukawa, have you heard about the legend of this river?"
Rukawa shook his head, blinking at Sendoh blearily.
"Don't fall asleep yet---the sun is still high!" Sendoh patted at Rukawa's shoulder, none too gently. The latter was jerked back into consciousness, and as soon as he was fully awake, he smacked Sendoh's hands away loudly.
"None of your business," Rukawa grumbled darkly.
Sendoh massaged his pained hand and shrugged, "not if I make it mine." As tolerant as he was, he could not suppress a trace of annoyance surfacing his usual poised posture.
That remark earned him a heated glower from Rukawa, to which he returned a smile that did not reached his eyes and heart. For a brief second the air between them seemed to intensify to crackles of lightning, and an awkward silence filled the room temporarily.
Yayoi watched amusedly as a bystander, having no intention of coming between the two. The air was so intense that she could swear she saw streaks of lightning crackled between the two young men. It was as if watching a sharp dagger colliding with a stream of water, and neither can overpower the other. She thought, sipping slowly from her wine goblet in the midst of an uncomfortable silence.
Sendoh was the first to unlock their gaze, and as soon as he did so, his smile regained its original glow. "Please pardon my impertinence, I meant no offense." He bowed slightly.
Surprise and confusion passed through Rukawa's eyes, but the taciturn youth soon recovered his aloofness. Nonetheless he felt that he was partly at fault, so he gave in to Sendoh's earlier intention, "what of this river?"
Sendoh watched as Rukawa shifted on his seat for a more comfortable sleeping position. "If you insist," replied Sendoh, "I'll try to be brief."
"Years ago, when Shohoku was still a sovereign country, there was a great general named Yazawa. He excelled in both physical combat and arts of war, and thus for four years he successfully defended the northern borderline of Shohoku. Regrettably, as he grew in power and fame, he also grew conceited and stubborn. When the Kainan army harassed the borderline, he refused to take in his advisors' suggestions of conservative strategy, but took a high risk in taking impulsive actions. He lost an important battle, which crumbled the Shohoku kingdom a great deal. Seeing his failure and the impact of it, he lost the will to live and committed suicide beside this river. In the next decade Shohoku was not able to regain her previous prosperity, which enabled Kainan to come down from north and invade Shohoku. They say that the spirit of Yazawa flows within this river, yearning for another chance to revive the general's once thriving country…"
"Sendoh," Yayoi interrupted him. "What was once a country is now a territory of Kainan. You should perhaps be more selective in your choice of words while we're in Kainan's territory."
Sendoh smiled, stealing a look at Rukawa, he replied calmly, "What do I need to worry about? I trust you with my life."
Yayoi glanced at Rukawa and saw that the latter had already fallen into a deep slumber. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled sweetly at Sendoh, "you would trust a great many people with your life, Akira."
"Not so, milady." Sendoh shook his index finger at Yayoi, "I value my life, therefore I trust very few. You're the most special one among them, of course."
"Then I am honored," said Yayoi softly. I hope you were speaking the truth, Sendoh Akira. Yet even if you weren't, I can't let you go…
"No, the honor is all mine." Sendoh stood up and bowed, "it is truly a delight accompanying the most beautiful lady of Ryonan."
"That would be a blatant flatter," laughed Yayoi.
"Quite the opposite; that was an honest remark." Replied Sendoh. "Yesterday you spoke of Akagi's relocation…" He trailed off, waiting for Yayoi to catch onto the topic.
Yayoi nodded in agreement, her expression turning serious. "It is now no secret that the Akagi's have already moved into northern Shohoku. However it's quite curious why Kainan would bestow them a fief there, of all the places. What do you think of that, Akira?"
"Either it's a demonstration of augmented trust or it's a warning against possible betrayal. I think I favor the latter."
"I do too. Although the Akagi's had fought dutifully at the Kainan-Shoyo border, they'll never gain the complete trust of Kainan because of the fact that he had once served under the country of Shohoku." Yayoi curved up a side of her lips scornfully.
"That would be the usual conception. Still, putting Shohoku into the Akagi's hands is highly risky, no matter how you look at it. Kainan's Maki Shiniki is a conservative ruler; it's hard to believe that he would make such a risky move."
"Perhaps the pros outweigh the cons---lately there were a few uprisings in southern Shohoku, maybe the Akagi's were used to suppress them?"
"I think Kainan would worry more about the possibility of the Akagi's joining forces with the rebels." Sendoh tapped his fingers lightly on the surface of the rosewood table, his smile faded as he submerged in deep thought.
Yayoi shook her head. "Politicians---what a complicated bunch."
Sendoh heard and smiled. "Surely, the merchants are no less intricate in their mind structure."
Yayoi grinned, showing her pearly white teeth, "well, aren't we a match?"
"In intricacy of mind? I surrender to the daughter of the most successful merchant in Ryonan."
Yayoi held his eyes for half a minute, but could read nothing from them. Those dark eyes were as unfathomable as the bottomless sea.
She lowered her eyes, letting a tinge of gloominess touch her heart. Then sweeping it aside, she answered, "you flatter me, but I'm only living in the glory of my father. Aside from that, I'm only a collector of the information that happens to cross my path. You on the other hand, are an analyst of information, and that marks us apart sufficiently."
"Without keen judgment the business would not flourish. Presently you're managing half of your family's trade, and looking at the flourishing business, I think that says enough of your ability."
"We're becoming slaves to otiose etiquette." Yayoi smiled. "I'm sure you'd be more interested in hearing Shoyo's news."
"You can't be talking about the terrible fever that Fujima Kenji, king of Shoyo, had caught days ago?"
"So ill tiding travels fast. But did you hear the possibility of his fever being a result of poisoning?"
"That's monstrous news," smirked Sendoh, at the same time his curiosity was roused. "By who and, how?"
"Words are that it might be Minami, can you believed it?" Yayoi lowered her voice.
"Minami Tsuyoshi from Toyomata Clan?" Sendoh frowned when his questions received an affirmative answer.
The Toyomata Clan usually travels around the border region of Shoyo, sometimes into Shohoku. The members of clan were infamous for creating bizarre and mostly ferocious poisons. Those who were unfortunate enough to taste their poisons would be completely at their mercy, until the specific cures were given. However, it was also said that they could remedy all poisons, no matter how exotic, as well as possessing precious rare medicines that would cure even the most heavily wounded. Still, owing to their vicious reputation, they were feared universally across the land. Their current chief, Minami Tsuyoshi, was feared even more due to his unsurpassed talent in designing poisons and curing them.
"Why would Minami poison the king of Shoyo?"
"I suppose only Minami and his victim would know. But if Shoyo's king wants to live, he'd have to make peace with Toyomata and ask for the remedy."
"True. But what I'm most interested in is, how did Fujima, the sly manipulator, manage to put himself in disadvantage in his confrontation with Minami?"
"Why do you have the impression that Fujima Kenji is manipulative? People speak of him as sovereign of benevolence and grace, whose cleverness could only be rivaled by his beauty." Yayoi feigned a dreamy look, "it was said that before his smile, both men and women alike would fall under his charm."
"You make it sounds like he has some kind of enchanting magic spell," laughed Sendoh. "But I believe those people fell for him only because you weren't there."
"What do I care about those people?" Her smile faded. The one I care the most do not care for me, she thought mournfully, but let nothing show on her calm composure. "Family business keeps me busy, so I'm leaving the marital selection to my father."
"Your choice." Sendoh shrugged. "How is your father? And your brother Hikoichi? I haven't seen them for almost a year now."
"They are both well. If you change your mind and go back with me to Ryonan, they'll be overjoyed to see you, especially Hikoichi."
"Perhaps some other time, Yayoi. I wish to travel around more before Master Taoka catches me again." Sendoh held Yayoi's hand for a brief moment in apology, but the latter smiled reassuringly at him.
"I knew once you have decided, no one can make you change your mind." Yayoi shook her head lightly, and let the subject pass.
That evening they parted by the river.
"I'll wait for you in Ryonan, Sendoh." Said Yayoi, reluctance showing in her eyes.
Sendoh's smile faded. "Don't wait for me, Yayoi." He said. But Yayoi had already headed for the cabin. Her graceful poise was maintained so perfectly that Sendoh wasn't sure whether she had heard him or not.
Floating on swift current, the boat sailed out of sight before long.
tbc…
Notes: orz… It is highly likely that this fanfic will be more than 10 (or maybe even 20) chapters…