forgive my fantasy Japan, I do not have the time i desire to accurate look up every detail of Japanese noble culture, so this shall have to do.
Eboshi strode forward, the edges of her crimson silk robes brushing the smooth stones of the courtyard. The light of the dancing braziers painted the ground with an even orange glow, illuminating the intricate patterns of cobblestones under her feet, the Imperial sigil prominent among them. They were within the walls of the royal district, her small party dwarfed by the massive structures of military and government. The familiar smells of burning incense, fine food, and oiled steel reached her nose, and she breathed them in slowly. She remembered this place.
It had been fifteen years since Saryu— the desperate and determined child—had first entered the palaces of Duan-Zen.
Lady Eboshi, the Iron Lady, set her shoulders and led her procession forward. She was adorned with her last fine robe, the others having been sold or given to her guardswomen to prepare for this journey, and her hair was done up immaculately, the bladed pins once more hidden in her tresses. Despite the relief that had come from its absence, it felt good to be in makeup again.
Everything was in its proper place. Including the pistols concealed beneath her expansive robe. She took a subtly calming breath. It was as ready as she could be, as hidden as she could be.
Because tonight, the Shogun himself would be attending the festivities.
"Kage, lead on," she commanded crisply, and Ashitaka moved in front of her, dressed in a full set of dark blue samurai armor, complete with the weapons on his waist.
"Yes, my lady," he intoned, voice distant and hard. His every movement, deadly and sure, marked the Shadow, and Eboshi realized that she was becoming more and more impressed with his portrayal. San moved next to Eboshi, red-shadowed eyes searching, taking in the impressive structures and decorations around them. Yet, Eboshi did not miss her also making note of the outlines of the soldiers on the balconies of the massive building.
They were accompanied by Toki and Ituse, the first leading a small group of three other Irontown women, armored and bearing rifles and katanas, while Ituse was dressed in the garb of an attendant. Ganzo had finally agreed to remain behind, after Eboshi pointedly reminded him of his poor skill at hiding emotions. That particular skill would be very much used this night.
They approached the entrance, and the guards—at least a dozen, bedecked in ornamental armor and weapons and looking nervously at the dark form that was Ashitaka—acknowledged their coming. "Who may I announce?" The courier beside them queried, looking between Eboshi and San.
"Princess Saisana Rei'im of the Southern Islands," San stated immediately, then looked to Eboshi, a small smile growing. "Accompanied by the esteemed Lady Eboshi of the West and her company." Eboshi smiled coolly in return, and the courier bowed low to both of them.
"Yes, my ladies, the assemblage has been expecting you." He gestured, and the wide double doors opened, releasing a wave of light and sound.
San froze for the barest second, her eyes widening, and Eboshi could tell by the silence at her other side that Ashitaka had done the same. She smiled and gestured San forward. "Welcome to the Royal Court, Princess…" The girl took a deep breath and strode forward, Eboshi a step behind San and level with Ashitaka. It was all right that she had paused. After all, she was a foreigner.
And it also was a rather fine party, Eboshi admitted to herself. Strings of red lanterns festooned the area above the great square hall, filled to the brim with all manner of colorful guests representing all varieties of the highest tier of power in the Capitol. The military officers and merchant lords mingled seamlessly with the noble families, all served and seen to by an army of servants. Almost a quarter of the floor was reserved for dining, the delectable smells that Eboshi had caught outside now many times stronger, and though she could not see them, Eboshi could hear the sounds of a string and wind ensemble performing music suitable for a light ambiance.
They were stopped again, this time by a pair of officials accompanied by several more guards. These were dressed in rather more functional armor. The foremost man bowed to them, but rose quickly. "My ladies, you are most welcome at the Emperor's invitation. Your guards, however, must please wait in the area set aside for them. Your compliance would honor the Emperor's wishes."
Eboshi nodded. She had expected this. "Kisaru, you and yours are dismissed."
Toki nodded and retreated several steps with the other three girls, but the attendant looked at Ashitaka in surprise. "And what of this young warrior, milady?"
"He is my Kage," Eboshi replied calmly, and Ashitaka remained still, dark eyes never ceasing their movement.
The man seemed taken aback, gaze flicking back and forth nervously. "Well, yes, of course, Lady Eboshi. You may enter with the Emperor's blessing." He stepped aside, the guards following his lead, while the other attendant moved to lead the girls up a set of stairs.
"Thank you." Eboshi nodded to San, who stepped forward, and together they swept past the relieved official. They descended the small set of stairs leading to the main floor, and behind them a cry arose from Ituse.
"I present to you, the Iron Lady Eboshi of the West!" There was a pause, and Eboshi could visualize Ituse's grand gestures. "And her royal guest, Saisana Rei'im, Princess and Envoy of the Southern Islands! All honor and regard her!"
Ituse's voice rang through the spacious room, and all chatter faded to a dull murmur—in an instant almost two hundred faces turned towards them. San alighted on the main floor half a step ahead of Eboshi, her head held high and imperious, her golden crown shining in the lamplight. Eboshi scanned the faced directed at them, and the indignation and pride soon gave way to surprise when they saw San. Eboshi forced back the smile. Arriving late—one of the easiest rules to break.
The people nearest them bowed low, with several of the lower class beginning to drop to their knees. San held up a hand impatiently. "I am a guest in this land, and have done nothing deserving of honor. Please, rise."
They did so uncertainly, and Eboshi and Ashitaka took up their places beside San. Together, they walked into the crowd, a path opening up for them. Now, down here on the floor, Eboshi could see the subtle patterns of friend and otherwise, as the assorted guests mingled. She had enough practice in it.
And then she saw what—or who—stood in the center of the great square. A quartet of warriors in gold and green armor stood in the exact center of the innermost square, masked faces surveying the assembled crowd unceasingly, hands casually on the hilts of their slim swords. The demonic renditions of faces that normally decorated samurai masks were absent, replaced with smooth, streamlined features. Emperor's Royal Guard. The Kazekata.
Eboshi idly wondered if she would recognize any of them.
She turned her attention back to the crowd and found—fortunately—that she did still recognize many of these faces. Beside Eboshi, San surveyed the gazes directed at her calmly, taking in everything from surprise to suspicion to downright awe. Though, to be fair, she corrected, most of the suspicious glances were directed at Eboshi herself.
San's gaze flicked to her, once -a request for guidance- and Eboshi leaned forward. "Now, choose your first target. Nobody too high-ranked, someone easily intimidated."
"And make it seem at random," San clarified, and Eboshi nodded. San set her shoulders and strode over to a quartet of guests, middle-ranking traders conversing with a military officer.
"—in this current iron shortage, I'm sure we can come to a—" the trader who was speaking abruptly halted upon seeing San's approaching figure, the light reflecting off her crown visibly brightening the immediate vicinity. His fellows looked at him curiously for a moment before realizing the cause of his distraction.
San halted just outside their circle, an expression of careful curiosity plain on her features. "I did not intent to interrupt, please, continue your conversation." She met each of their eyes in turn as she spoke, ending with the man who had stopped speaking. "I do not wish to intrude, only to listen, if you would let me." There was another moment of surprised silence as they looked her up and down, noting the crown as well as the sword hanging from her shoulders.
"No, Princess, you honor us with your presence," stated one of the traders with a bow, and another cut in before he could continue.
"We are delighted to finally meet you, lady of the South."
"You must understand that our words have little meaning compared to your beauty," finished the officer with low tilt of his head.
San gave a light laugh, then nodded gracefully. "Beauty can mean nothing just as words can, but thank you for welcoming me all the same." Eyebrows went up around the group, but she continued. "Now, if you would, I am rather uninformed about the state of names and titles in this city. It would be of great benefit to me if you would give me yours, and what you do to serve this nation?" She gestured to the entire group casually, but her eyes remained on the military man, an attractive dark-eyed Southerner. He puffed up slightly under her attention.
Eboshi smiled to herself. San had learned well.
The men quickly gave their names and occupations, each trying to out-title the last, but San's patient grace never wavered. "Thank you, I had been hoping to meet some so helpful as this. Now tell me, what are the origins of this festival we are celebrating? What is the meaning of all this…" she looked up at the lanterns hanging from the ceiling, their light illuminating her bright blue eyes, "…red?" There was a brief stare down as the men fought silently as to who would answer the lady, but the foremost of the traders was the quickest, his robes a violent clash of orange and azure.
"Why, they are in remembrance of the red spring mornings, my lady."
"I was always taught that they were a symbol of the victories of our ancestors on the fields of battle," the High Captain rejoined, and the trader looked to him in annoyance. San chuckled lightly and the men launched into a debate of the origins of the Akaihana, Eboshi smiling and watching all the while. Ashitaka remained in his position, several polite steps behind the conversing nobles, standing alone in an area to himself that none dared cross into.
Finally, the company noticed Eboshi. The eldest of the traders, a man in a bright coat of violet, gestured smoothly to San in a question. "And how, may I ask, did you come across your present guide?" San glanced smoothly in Eboshi's direction, but Eboshi answered first.
"The Princess and her retainers made landfall in my very own Ironlake, after journeying inland from the Southern Sea. She requested assistance in reaching the nearest large government center, and I was gracious enough to give it."
"And this gift was entirely in good faith?" The trader remarked, raising an eyebrow.
San chuckled, a small smile growing. "Of course not. Lady Eboshi is being rewarded handsomely for her assistance, beginning with the reconstruction of her city-state."
"So the rumors are true then, of a great destruction in the West?" the youngest of the traders piped, and the other turned to him with silent glares. He shrunk under their attention. The High Captain nodded to Eboshi respectfully, but his eyes were dark with suspicion.
"The Princess had placed great trust in you, Lady of the West," he stated carefully, and Eboshi nodded.
"Trust is a part of it. There is also curiosity regarding her people, as well as a desire to visit the Capitol once again. Her arrival gave me an excellent excuse to attend the festival."
There was a moment of silence, then one of the traders lit up. "Princess Saisana, you have traveled here to establish communication and trade with our nation, have you not? In that case, I would be delighted to—"
San waved her hand dismissively, and he halted stutteringly. "No. That is not my purpose." This drew all of their gazes back to her. "I am here to see this land, to meet its people for myself. I am not here for any other reason. When I have approved this nation as worthy of trust, only then will others come."
"And… and your relations with Irontown?" one of the others spluttered. The oldest of the trio wisely kept his mouth shut, Eboshi noted.
San's gaze fell upon the one who had spoken. "They are none of your concern."
An awkward silence fell, then. Eboshi smiled at San, who shook her head slightly, sending her earrings flashing. "Well, gentlemen, I thank you for the conversation, and wish you a fine evening." She bowed her head, and the four men bowed deeply to her, murmuring apologies and similar wishes. Only the eldest trader had a smile on his face, and Eboshi nodded to him. She would talk to him later regarding trade. The pair of women strode away, and San took a carefully controlled deep breath, her eyes widening desperately. "That was…" she whispered, letting the breath out deliberately. "How can you do this all day?" The girl turned to look at her with genuine confusion in her gaze, and Eboshi favored her with a smile.
"You did well," she stated softly.
San regarded her in surprise, but before she could summon any sort of response, Eboshi spotted the High Lord of House Shimada and his wife heading their direction. She gestured smoothly, and San's eyes gained their coat of regality once again.
"Princess Saisana," Lord Shimada began, bowing slightly at the waist. "It is an honor to greet you at this celebration."
San tipped her head slightly, as much a bow as she was going to give. "Honor to you as well, though it seems I am at a disadvantage…"
"Pardon my breach of manners, I am Genzo of the House Shimada, and this is my wife, Ankala." The woman, a dark beauty dressed in robes of deep blue, bowed again silently.
"I know little of the ruling Houses," San began, tilting her head slightly, "but I am curious as to what your role is in the peace and prosperity of this nation. Could you perhaps enlighten me?"
Eboshi nodded at San's choice of conversation, and this time let her eyes wander at the area around them. She knew the topic well enough, and could afford a little more knowledge about their setting instead. She let the words of the nearby conversations roll over her, hearing of business and rumors and conflicts. The ambiance was pleasant enough, and while there was no shortage of enemies present here, it seems the Akaihana would be enough to pacify them, at least for the present.
"Lady Eboshi…" a soft voice took her from her distraction, and Eboshi looked forward again to see Ankala Shimada looking to her curiously. Her husband was seemingly occupied in his conversation with San, but Eboshi saw his nervous glance in their direction.
"Yes, Lady Shimada?" Eboshi answered smoothly, her gaze neither submissive nor dismissive. She was a Lady of the Imperial Court, and Eboshi would respect that… to a degree.
"I was merely wondering…" Ankala paused, and it seemed that the gorgeous woman seemed nervous at the prospect of conversing with The Iron Lady. This brought amusement to Eboshi, but she did not show it as the woman pressed forward anyway. "I was wondering I could speak to you for a short time. I have been intensely curious as to the nature of your town and your… well, your goals."
"My goals?" Eboshi repeated, surprise rising within her. She had not expected such a thing. "I may be here on the behalf of the Princess, but I assure you, my Lady, that I have my own agenda as well. What is it you wished to discuss?"
She opened her mouth, then looked to her husband again. He paused in his explanation, and met her gaze. Lord Shimada looked from her to Eboshi, a cautious hardness there. Ankala lowered her gaze hurriedly, bowing slightly. San watched, wariness plain. Genzo Shimada spoke to his wife. "Remember your place, my love." Then he looked to Eboshi. "My wife has desired to speak to you for quite some time. I will respect her wishes." His words contained a thinly veiled warning, and Eboshi nodded to him, her own surprise replaced by a sudden, surprising curiosity.
A smile grew on Ankala's face, and she straightened again before bowing to her husband. Eboshi stepped to the side, and the Lady joined her a moment later. Unseen by the Lady, Ituse fell into step behind them. She took a deep breath, her painted lips parting to show teeth for a bare moment. Eboshi realized just how young the girl was, not much older than San or Ashitaka, and quite a bit shorter than Eboshi. The pair of ladies walking together –the established and respected Lady of House Shimada with the upstart Lady of Irontown—left a slight stir of conversation behind them. Ankala did not seem to mind, however.
"What, specifically, did you wish to speak to me about?"
"Is it true that you are followed and served by prostitutes and lepers?" The question was swift, and free of the guile and disgust that Eboshi had become used to.
She was taken aback by the question, honestly, but answered smoothly enough. "Yes. I count some of them as my closest friends." They regarded each other for a moment, abject curiosity meeting in the middle. "Few are so blunt with their questions." Eboshi noted, and Ankala nodded.
"Yes… Like my Lord said, I had been… well, I had heard so much about you. Most things were, well, unfavorable, but I've heard enough to gather that you're an extraordinary woman. For good or ill." She finished, then looked down, apparently embarrassed.
Eboshi smiled, realizing what the noble girl meant. "Yes, understand how my life's work can be seen as extraordinary. It's had its… undesirable moments, but I feel I can do something where so many others cannot."
"You can!" The Lady stated excitedly, her voice restrained even in her enthusiasm. "And you have." Eboshi chuckled slightly, and the Lady Shimada subsided with a small smile. They walked for several paces, the crest of the Shimada clan enough to split the crowd to either side. The nobles smile soon faded, however. Eboshi looked to the Lady. "My brother is a leper," she stated softly. Eboshi processed that statement with a certain amount of surprise, but Ankala continued. "I haven't seen him for almost five years."
"That must be… terrible," Eboshi replied, uncertain of how exactly to respond. The woman was speaking with no intent to deceive, no guarding of her words at all.
"My mother tells me he lives, but nothing we can do can help him recover. He lives in constant pain, and is losing his sight." There was sadness in her tone, but it was more of a resignation, Eboshi realized. Why was the Lady telling her this?
Then she looked up at Eboshi, dark eyes wide. "I care not what others say about you. If you are kind to people like him… You have my respect forever. I honor you, Lady Eboshi." The mounting surprise leapt up as the woman turned and bowed to Eboshi, deeply, as one would to an equal. She straightened, and those who had seen the action instantly began muttering to each other in shock. "Thank you for listening to me." She turned abruptly and strode away, her blue robes trailing behind her.
Eboshi looked after her, composing her features quickly. That had been… unexpected. She watched as the Lady met her husband again, still in conversation with San, and Lord Shimada looked to his wife in surprise as she spoke softly to him. The Lord's gaze rose and met Eboshi's. His eyes were narrowed, but it was not in resentment or suspicion. The Lady Ankala reached up and touched his shoulder, a smile visible on her face, and he looked down at her once again.
When his eyes returned to Eboshi's, they were not hard. He nodded once to her, said some final gracious words to San, then took his wife's arm and they together swept into the surrounding crowd.
A feeling filled Eboshi then. A strange kind of pride. Eboshi had always known that she was in a position to change the world she lived in, but had not felt that quite so strongly in a very long time. That young, idealistic noblewoman had been inspired by her. By a bastard, an outcast, a warlord. She let a genuine smile touch her face then. Maybe she would be able to do some good with this foolhardy venture after all.
Heavy footsteps approached. The rustle of cloth on metal armor met her ears, and the familiar smell of oiled weapons reached her nose.
"Lady Eboshi." Ice flashed in her heart, and it took every ounce of her willpower not to shiver at the coldness of it. She silently gasped out her breath, forcing herself back under control and turned slowly—with as much elegance as she could muster—to face who was approaching her.
The eyes, darker than a moonless night and twice as hard to see anything in. The hard features, worn by a constant war and a new scar that reached across his temple. His every motion, driven by the confidence in his own power. The harsh line of his lips that was somehow amused and dissatisfied with the world at large.
But Eboshi remembered seeing him in pain. She remembered seeming the tears running from his nightmare-clenched eyes, and the names escaping bitterly from his lips. Her name.
The man bowed to her, a military motion that indicated respect towards a high-ranking leader of another Daimyo's force. "It is a rare honor, and one that I have been looking forward to for a very long time."
She returned it smoothly, somehow hiding the pounding of her heart. "Shogun Nokurashi. It is an honor."