Chapter 15:
Part 1:
It was a persistent gentle nudging at her shoulders that woke Lee. Talking to Mydozori last night had lessened her worries somewhat .So after she returned to her chambers in the early hours of the morning she fell into a heavy slumber. Groggily she sat up attempting to rub away the sleep that still clung to her eyelids .The room was flooded with bright sunlight that came in through the open windows.
" I humbly beg your pardon for disturbing your slumber."The attendant who woke her up bowed. Her voice was apologetic "But my Lord Menesku gave urgent orders to have you ready by the hour."
Lee was fully awake now. ' Oh! How could I forget? Hotohori was about to make the announcement today."
"You don't have to apologize. It's my fault that I slept so late anyway." Lee grinned cheerfully, stifling a yawn.
It was quite sometime before she got ready .The soiled dress she had worn at the time she had come here was laid out for her, properly cleaned and mended. She was tying her hair in ponytail when an attendant came an announced that Menesku was awaiting her presence in the outer chambers.
Lee made her way to where Menesku was waiting. This was a formal occasion, so Menesku was dressed very formally .A swirling scarlet cloak was flung carelessly over one broad shoulder, obscuring nearly all of his armour clad body .His light brown hair was brushed till it shone and pulled up into a tight bun, giving his handsome face a somewhat sterner look than usual.
Upon seeing Lee he executed a prim bow "My Lady, I trust you are ready."
Fear, nervousness, anxiety, eagerness, anticipation; all these emotions made a quite amazing cocktail. It was like having a humongous stomach cramp and palpitations at the same time. And all these emotions were playing havoc in Lee's mind at that instant.
Lee gulped "Yes "She squeaked.
Menesku's hard gray eyes softened a bit "You need not be afraid."
His cold reassurance managed to calm Lee somewhat. She wondered where Hotohori was. It was almost as if Menesku read her mind and moved to answer her unspoken query.
"Lord Hotohori has already left for the court."He informed her "He is preparing his subjects for the announcement that we are about to make."
Lee nodded. They walked briskly towards their destination.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Lee gulped. It seemed that all of Konon had assembled out there .She was standing in the shadow of one of the columns that were part of a building that opened up into a large pavilion. This led to a fight of stairs that ran downwards.
Through the lace curtains she saw Hotohori standing up to receive the ovation of his people. He was looking splendidly regal in his gold and scarlet royal robe and proud stance .She saw that the flight of stairs that led downwards was lined with uniformed soldiers. Their amours were scarlet in color. Lee looked down, it was almost as if a sea of scarlet formed a barrier between the teeming populace and the stairs that led up to the platform where Hotohori was standing.
Hotohori raised a hand to silence everybody. His voice clear and proud ran through the clearing "My people, you have all heard of the legend. When our country is besieged with danger, then a miko shall come from another world. She and the Suzaku seishi will summon Suzaku and banish the clouds of darkness that threaten to envelop our land."
He paused a while letting his words sink in " You have also heard that once before the Suzaku no miko had come, and rescued our country from the brink of destruction. Today, once again, our country is faced with a similar situation. Once again we are besieged by enemies on all sides, once again the existence of Konon is in danger. And once again we have been given a ray of hope."
He paused. A faint murmur was heard in the crowd, of doubt and of hope. He raised his hand to silence his people once more "The Suzaku no miko has arrived."
"This is our cue "Menesku whispered.
Lee felt faint. Somehow going out in front of all those people was making her legs feel like jelly.
"Don't worry Lee " Faraco patted Lee's shoulders reassuringly "If you embarrass yourself too much, then I will transform myself into a giant bird and you can escape on my back!"
Lee couldn't help but giggle a little. Menesku's stern lips twitched a bit but he managed to retain his composure.
Thus assured, Lee stepped outside. Immediately she felt self conscious, as the thousands of eyes studied her .She took a deep breath to fortify her. Then chin held high she walked up to Hotohori.
Hotohori smiled at her before turning his attention to his people once more "This is Lady Lee."He announced "She is the Suzaku no miko, she who is foretold in the prophecy, she who will deliver us from this time of crisis."
He turned towards Lee and bowed. If the emperor has bowed before this girl, then so must all of Konon. Slowly, Menesku and Faraco got down on their knees, as did the rest of the soldiers .It was as if an ocean of humanity had got down to their knees to bow to Lee.
Lee gasped, an awkward smile on her face
"Thank you."Even in her own ears her voice sounded shaky "I will try to do my best to help all of you."
Hotohori smiled at her "And we will be with you every step of the way."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Keeah looked around. They had stopped for a while beside a brook in a forest to feed and water their horses. They had made their way out of the cursed forest just as the first golden rays of the sun touched the lands. Other than a few run in with the strange lizard creatures they had no other complication.
Fortunately, their horses were still where they had left them yesterday. They were gazing peacefully by their abandoned campsite. Keeah considered this a good omen.
She cupped the cool water in her hands and splashed her face with it. The experience at the ruins of the previous capital of Kutou had left her disturbed. Seeing the broken statue of Seiryuu had left a strange sense of unfulfillment in her heart. She had to know what happened to Seiryuu .It was almost like an itch that had to be scratched.
Suddenly she tensed, her shoulders stiffened. Her hands rested lightly on the hilt of her katana.
"Mioko "Her voice was calm " I know you are there. Reveal yourself."
A low silky laugh echoed through the glen.
Suraco walked up to Keeah "I do not get Mioko .Why does she always have to make such a dramatic entry?"
A faint mist swirled in the glen materializing into the form of a hooded woman. She put up her hands and lowered her hood.
"The answer is quite simple brat."She smirked at Suraco " I do so ...because I can!"
"Whatever "Suraco shrugged sourly.
"I trust you are well Lady Mioko."Sotisku grinned at her.
Mioko smiled fondly at the red haired doctor "Very well, thank you."Then her face became serious " I am afraid that I am the bearer of bad news. Perhaps it is best that we sit down."
Keeah felt dread knot in her stomach. "Very well."She said quietly.
Mioko was a woman in her late twenties, tall and nobly proportioned .The dark red robe she wore somehow managed to accentuate her already attractive curves .Her face though exceedingly beautiful, held a touch of coldness that was somehow reinforced in the way she painted her face making it look like porcelain .A glassy, cold, untouchable look. Her eyes were an icy indigo blue, with a dash of paint at the corners of her eyes had a cold predatory look in them. But at present they were soft as they watched the dark haired princess. Her purple hair was held in a loose messy bun by a jade pin.
Suraco had laid down a rug on the mossy forest floor. They sat down on it.
"Mioko, you may proceed now."Keeah said solemnly.
Mioko looked into Keeah's eyes " The Suzaku no miko has arrived."
Keeah paled.
Suraco let out a gasp "This is terrible news! "His voice shook a little " The coming of the Suzaku no miko will tips the odds of this war heavily in the favor of Konon."
"Perhaps "Keeah admitted, her fists were curled into tight balls "But that does not mean that we have lost the war. True, the arrival of the Suzaku no miko will be a tremendous moral boost for the armies of Konon. But that is just about all of it, yet. The miko will surely not take the field against us, nor will she lead armies. The war will still be fought between soldiers and until the miko finds all of the seven sacred warriors, she cannot summon Suzaku!"
She was very pale, but her eyes glittered with determination as she continued, "That buys us some time. There will be much less action at the border now. We all know how paranoid Menesku is. I don't think that he will let the miko go jauntering over the countryside in search of the sacred warriorswithout his supervision. She is far too valuable."
"Yes "Mioko agreed silkily " What if she suddenly were to suffer from an unfortunate accident..."
"Mioko "Keeah's eyes were hard "If killing the miko would end this war... then I would have personally ripped her heart out .It is not that simple.You will put such ideas out of your head ...for the time being at least. "
"As you wish."Mioko gave a low bow.
"So what now?"Sotisku asked.
"About that."Mioko smiled under half lidded eyes " A mercenary named Shadow has contacted me .She said that she has urgent news worthy of ears of the black warrior."
Keeah raised her eyebrow "Indeed. A high aim for a mere mercenary .Do you know her?"
"Unfortunately,yes " Mioko's eyes turned icy "The shadowy world of shadow assassins and mercenaries is very murky and far flung .It introduces me to many people. Shadow is one of them."
"Does she know the relationship between you and me?"Keeah asked.
"No "Mioko said calmly "No one does. But everybody knows me as the freelance mercenary who does the occasional dirty work for the black warrior. They also know that my pay is exceedingly well. That is the one thing that mercenaries understand well. Gold .In that world gold talks "
"I wish you didn't have to do this Mioko "Keeah said in a small voice "I do not like."
"Hush child "Mioko interrupted her "This is my way of protecting you."
"I know "Keeah smiled at her but her eyes held a tinge of sadness.
"So what have you decided?" Mioko asked
"I will meet with this Shadow."Keeah said firmly "But before that I need to everything about her."
"Yes "Mioko smiled "You will also need to bathe .The black warrior is not so scruffy."
"True enough "Keeah admitted.
Mioko smiled and concentrated. A faint circle of light appeared in front of her.
"Come then."She beckoned them.
Turning she entered the portal.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The portal opened in a clearing in the forest. It was hemmed in by tall trees on all sides, their leaves moving slightly in the wind .The air here was a little chilly since they were near the mountains. In the clearing stood a lone wooden house.
"Interesting place "Keeah remarked looking around.
"My private retreat."Mioko smiled "Not many know about it. Come in."
They entered the house. It was clean and sparsely decorated .The furniture that was in the house was strictly utilitarian.
"It is peaceful."Keeah remarked.
"I know. That is why I like coming here." Mioko agreed. Then she turned at Suraco and Sotisku "You boys go around to the back. There is a bathhouse there. Heat up a bath for the Princess."
She ordered sharply.
Then she turned at Keeah "Meanwhile, you and I will go to the kitchens and try to see what we can whip up."
She led Keeah to the kitchens .The kitchen was clean and well stocked. They carefully cleaned their hands and face in the water stored in the barrel that was kept in a corner.
Keeah brought out some of vegetables and started to chop them expertly.
"And I was thinking that I had to teach you how to cook."Mioko observed.
"I like to cook." Keeah shrugged " Every noble is supposed to have an eccentricity. This is mine."
"I see." Mioko's lips twitched Then her face became serious " What were you doing in that damned forest anyway?"
Keeah's hands stilled a while "I'd rather not talk about that right now ...please."
"As you wish "Mioko sighed.
They worked in silence. Mioko watched Keeah move among the pots and pans and was reminded of Keeah's mother. The beautiful Lady Kaya .A rare flower that bloomed in all its glory for a short while.
' Too short ' Mioko thought bitterly.
"Mioko, I thought that you were to inform me about Shadow."Keeah's voice broke her chain of thoughts.
' Like a hawk, always focused on its prey, Keeah never seems to think of any thing else but her purpose ' Mioko sighed " Yes, listen carefully "
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The warm waters did wonders for her tired muscles. Keeah soaked in the tub carefully rinsing the dirt from her hair and body. When she was done she toweled herself dry and slipped a lined robe around herself.
Carefully she unclasped the black pearl necklace that she wore around her slender neck. When she had left the capital, she had transformed her armour into this string of beads. She concentrated. A blue glow enveloped the beads and they were restored to their original form.
Keeah sighed wiping the sweat from her brow .She proceeded to don her armour. Sometimes she pondered why had she decided to create this alter ego in the first place .The black warrior. That was what her alter ego is called. Everybody wondered about the identity of the person behind the mask.
Keeah knew that she was perfectly capable of leading the army of Kutou. But she had to take the reigns of the army at a time when the armies of Kutou were suffering from heavy losses. The armies of Konon under the command of Menesku had inched their way into Kuotu. Their army was weak, less in numbers and totally demoralized.
They had almost started to believe that the armies of Konon were undefeatable and Menesku... invincible .The only thing that could make this broken army turn around was divine intervention. They needed a miracle.
And so, she created a warrior, elusive, enigmatic, who seemed to appear out of thin air and answered only to her. She created a warrior who was more than human .A person so different from her that no one could identify them as the same individual .It also helped that many people assumed that the said warrior was of the opposite gender.The Konons named her alter ego 'The Black Warrior '.
Keeah studied her reflection in the water .She wore a stark black armour adorned by two intertwining silver dragons in front. Leather shoulder guards protected her shoulders. Everything about her armour was black .She had created this armour to intimidate and it worked rather well.
Smirking Keeah pulled her snarling dragon mask over her face .The mask was enchanted .It changed her soft melodious voice into a deep rich voice.
'It is time to meet Shadow ' Keeah pulled the cloak around her and exited the bathhouse.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Yusagi :Thank you so much for reviewing .
And yes ,Lee does take after her grandmammy .
Keep reading .
Please review