Chapter 30:

Part 1:

The snow continued to fall, like sifted cotton from the dark skies, the wind howled and rattled at the closed doors and the mist swirled like a capricious maiden in the dark alleyways of Nobu .At a glance it would seem that Nobu was unchanged, but to they who knew the real meaning behind the silent whispers that ran through Nobu understood that it heralded the dawn of a new era. Equations of power would shift like the sands in the desert, new loyalties would be forged, new enemies would be made and new rules enforced.

Almost an hour had passed since Sung's body was bundled out of the house to be cremated in the ice-cold waters of the Ku Youg Sea. The room in which he had once decided the fate of Nobu was now the throne room of the new King. Adiscolored patch on the stone floor, so similar to several other such marks on the floor showed that the former King of Nobu had now retired from business.

Izuke sat on the cushion calmly observing the men who had come to pay their respects to the new King .His eyes darted over their faces searching for any tinge of betrayal or rebellion . His mouth curved into a half smirk as he let the glib words of flattery and support flow over him like water .He nodded his head graciously as one by one they took their leave.

Then he turned to Loki "Jerad is a fool .See that he joins Master Sung .I do not wish him to be lonely."

Loki looked up startled "And the rest my Lord?"

"I will let them live ...for now."Izuke said lazily throwing the emerald in Loki's direction. Instinctively Loki caught the stone.

"Take it. It's yours."

"L...Lord Izuke?"

"Don't worry Loki .I will not whip you if you fail me or take back what I gift you."Izuke smiled "I will kill you."

Loki gulped "I will not fail my Lord."

"Try not to disappoint me."

Izuke watched Loki bow and leave the room closing the door softly behind him. After he had left a servant shuffled in and laid down a loaded tray on the low ornamental table in front of him .He waved her away and turned his attention to his repast. There was a small hesitant knock on the door. Izuke looked up.

"Come in."

The door opened and Shizimi came in .He was still looking very pale and haggard. He smiled at him.

"Shizimi. Come, have a seat."

There was still some hesitation in Shizimi's form as he took a seat in front of him. Izuke took a while to observe him properly now .He thought that Shizimi had a rather boyishly handsome face though now it was disfigured by dark bruises and the straight violet strands of hair that framed his profile were lackluster .For a while it occurred to Izuke that Sung had destroyed this man's spirit like the rest of his slaves .It looked as if he had been cowed into submission like the rest of the shadows that served Sung.

But when Shizimi raised his eyes to meet his own, Izuke knew that Sung had not succeeded. His eyes looked jaded and out of place on his youthful face but the defiance behind them were very tangible. Nobu had left its mark on Shizimi .His eyes would never regain their innocence or naivety, they would never loose that silent aged look, but at least Nobu had not succeeded in taking his defiant and strong spirit from him.

"Did you eat?"Izuke deftly cut himself a piece of roast.

Shizimi turned slightly green eyeing the food "I am not hungry."

Izuke frowned. When Shizimi had killed the man earlier he did not appear to be a man making his first kill .The blow was delivered somewhat accurately, but more than that it was delivered savagely.

"You did not appear to me as a man who had just made his first kill, then why do you turn sick at the sight of blood?"

"I have killed before. That was when I got this."Shizimi said ruefully smiling at the bandages on his hand."It does not make the smell of blood any more agreeable to me than it was before."

' He tried to escape by killing Sung's men .No wonder Sung took it upon himself to break his soul. The fool.' Izuke thought candidly. "Killing is like being seasick .You get used after a few times."

"Perhaps. But I do not wish to kill anybody .I only wish to go home."

' Home?' Izuke looked at him "How do you propose to do that?"

"I do not know ...yet."Shizimi stared unseeingly at him."But, I will, somehow. I only need a boat..."

"A boat?"

"Yes .My land lies beyond the Ku Youg sea .I need a boat to reach there."

"The Ku Youg Sea is very treacherous Shizimi. Is there no other way?"

"But ...I will be free."Shizimi's eyes were wistful."Death is much more welcome than slavery."

' So that is why he defied Sung. Because he thought that the only way out of Sung's slave quarters was through death.' His mouth curved into a slow smile "Are you not afraid of Death?"

"A little. Death is always so painful and cold. But, you see, Death is not always unwelcome."

Izuke remembered what happened to the slaves that would not break .How their backs would turn bloody under the slave masters whip and how they groaned inches away from death. And when Death welcomed them in her cold arms their bodies would be fed to the fishes of the Ku Youg sea .For them Death equated with freedom.

' Freedom indeed.' Izuke snorted.

"But I do not want to die anymore."Shizimi said abruptly."I want to go home. Will you help me?" He looked directly into his eyes.

Izuke frowned."I will see what I can do."

Shizimi nodded."With this I am satisfied."He got up and executed a small bow before going out of the room.

Izuke leaned back into the cushions his eyes thoughtful. There was another knock on the door. Izuke looked up.

"Come in."

The door opened and a man entered somewhat hesitatingly. Izuke looked over the man .He was a burly man with a crop of shaggy beard that covered his scarred face .He smiled and gestured the man to sit down.

"So, Borna, how are you?"

Borna sat down, his ditchwater blue eyes held a tinge of fear. Years of servitude under Sung had taught him the price of failure .He cleared his throat.

"I am fine my Lord."

"Hmm." Izuke leisurely speared an apple and bit into the succulent fruit pinning Borna with a lazy thoughtful gaze."So Sung asked you to keep an eye on the dockyard strong house .You were supposed to raise an alarm if you saw anything suspicious. Tell me then, what did you see?"

Borna gulped."Everything was quiet for a while. Then we saw three people approach the house. There were two men and a girl .One of the men waited outside while the other accompanied the Lady inside."

"Wait a minute. Borna, correct me if I am wrong ...Did you just say Lady?"

Borna licked his dry lips."Yes, my Lord .You heard correctly."

"Why lady?"

"The female walked like a Lady of high birth and from where I was hidden, I could hear snatches of their conversation .She spoke firmly and like a lady of quality."

"Those things can be faked Borna. Naomi for example could easily pass for a Lady of Quality. ."

"Naomi is no Lady."Borna looked offended."Her manners are polished and she uses the charms displayed often by the ladies at the court. But..."

"But?"Izuke probed.

"Naomi paints her lips and curls her hair and covers herself with jewels .She talks and walks like a Lady ...I am not so good with words my Lord, but the gist of it is Naomi or any other of those overpriced tarts need a lot of accessories to be considered a Lady. The girl I saw was swathed in a heavy cloak to blend in with the rest of the crowd, but she was undoubtedly a Lady .You see, I had a feeling that she wasn't from Nobu. Her face was obscured by the hood, but she had these eyes..."

"Eyes?"

"Yes. Dark and fathomless."

Izuke's lips curved up into a smile "Indeed."

"She came out little later and the three of them went in the direction of the harbor. There, I lost them."

"Did you now?"

Borna paled."I am sorry my Lord. Forgive me."It was clear from the fear in his eyes that he did not expect to be forgiven.

Izuke did nothing to ease his fear as he threw away the half eaten fruit and calmly turned his attention towards peeling another."In other words she was, shall we say, suspicious"

Borna nodded fearfully.

"Then why did you not raise an alarm?" Izuke's lips curved into a smirk watching Borna's face turn whiter than a sheet of paper.

"I thought it would be wiser to learn where they went."There was a hint of desperation in his voice. "They were discussing about going to some island."

"Island?"Izuke was mildly interested."Continue."

Borna's relief was short lived."I never heard where they wanted to go, but I know the name of one of the Lady's companions."

"You do?"

"Yes .He was addressed as Sotisku by the other male."

"Sotisku?"Izuke sat up straight."Are you sure? Did the man have red hair?"

"He was called Sotisku, of this I am sure. However, I could not see the man's hair. It was bundled under a heavy cap."

"Hmm." Izuke waved his hand dismissing Borna.

Borna got up and left closing the door behind him. Izuke poured himself some sake and sipped into the cup his eyes brooding over the rim of the cup.

' Sotisku.'

He had first met Sotisku ten years ago .He had just been initiated into the shadowy world of mercenaries by Sung .An assignment had carried the veteran mercenary and his sixteen year old apprentice to the outskirts of the capital of Kutou .It was spring and the trees that surrounded Ryuu - no -Kokoro was a riot of colors. People took advantage of the uneasy peace that existed and the spring festival was in full swing.

The large green field outside the walls of the city was a sea of tents .A large assortment of colorful flags fluttered cheerfully above their heads and the sky appeared like a great bowl of Lapis Lazuli inverted over them. There were peddlers displaying their wares in their narrow stalls, from exotic spices from the countries beyond the misty mountains and jewels from the lands that lay beyond the great plains of fire.

People moved through the stalls jostling and bargaining loudly over the wares displayed. Several urchins played catch in the crowd weaving their way in and around the stalls, their grimy faces beaming with joy and sometimes sticky with candy. There were also other people in the crowd, unnoticed by all but a knowing eye, their nimble fingers snatching the purse or chain from an unsuspecting citizen and then melting into the crowd before their victim raised a furoe.

He had been sitting outside a stall biting into a soft sweet bun, when he had heard a piping voice address him.

"Do you want flowers Sir?"

He turned around to see a small boy holding up a bunch of wilted flowers for his inspection .He nodded his head dismissively."No."

The boy's big eyes widened with a silent appeal."Please Sir. They only cost a copper coin."

Izuke studied the boy .He appeared to be about eight years old, but malnutrition made him appear even younger .He wore a tattered tunic that slipped off his shoulders and his brilliant blue eyes appeared overlarge on his thin face .It would seem that the boy was starved but too proud to beg for money and made this pathetic attempt to fill his belly by a means he thought honorable.

Izuke's mouth twisted in a bitter smile." I do not want them boy .Go elsewhere."

The boy's shoulders hunched with disappointment, for a while his blue eyes seemed to glaze over with unshed tears before he turned away. Izuke felt something stir in him, a long forgotten memory... He called the boy back.

"Boy."

The boy turned back his blue eyes shining with hope."Do you want some flowers Sir?"

Izuke nodded .The boy held up the dirty wicker basket."Only a copper coin for all the flowers .I will even give you the basket."

Izuke felt a small smile rise to his lips .He ran a hand over the wilted flowers."What is your name boy?"

"Sotisku."

"Sotisku."Izuke repeated the name of the red headed boy."I have no money."

Sotisku's face fell.

"But, I have this sweet bun."He held up his last bread."What says you? This bread for your flowers."

Sotisku's eyes rested hungrily on the bread .His lips parted into a happy smile."Its a deal."

Izuke took the flowers and handed the bread to the boy .The boy clutched the bread and favored him another brilliant smile before hurrying off into the crowd.

"Are you ready?"

Izuke turned around to see Sung .It was always a wonder to him how Sung could work properly when he was drunk and reeking of sake.

"Yes."

Sung turned."Very well. Come."

Three days later they were sitting at the same shop biting into its succulent delicacies .The cacophony of the fair played around them. Once again he saw the familiar red hair .The boy looked if possible more starved than before. Once again he flitted through the crowd trying to sell the half dead flowers.

He stopped in front of Izuke. A faint start of recognition flitted in his dull blue eyes .He raised his basket with a hopeful smile." Flowers Sir?"

"Get lost brat."Sung's coarse voice broke through his reverie.

The boy looked up, his eyes were clouded with hunger and his shoulders limp with disappointment.

"Are you hungry boy?" Sung held up his half eaten bread."Do you want this?"

Sotisku's eyes rested on the bread and he licked his dry lips."Yes."

"Here."Sung threw the bread at him and the half eaten morsel landed on the dusty ground .The boy stared at the bread, his nostrils briefly flared with anger. Then he turned to go .The boy's pride was pathetic.

Sung's mouth parted into a parody of a smile .He extended a hand and pulled Sotisku to a seat beside him .The basket was jerked out of his hand and fell on the ground, the blossoms scattering on the dust.

"I like you boy."Sung ruffled Sotisku's hair."So how much do you make by selling flowers."

"Sometimes ...a whole copper coin."He answered not without pride.

Izuke watched Sotisku talk to Sung and felt the strands of darkness coil around the boy.' At least he will make enough to fill his belly.' He reasoned.

Sung gave a hearty laughter."That is hardly enough. When did you last eat?" His voice was full of the kind of fake sweetness that made him sick.

" Three days ago." The boy's voice was small.

"No wonder. Tell me boy, don't you wish that you always had enough to eat?"

Sotisku nodded licking his dry cracked lips.

"Then this will not help. "Sung pointed at the ruined flowers."You must take what you want."

Izuke felt the coils tighten. Sotisku stared."I do not understand."

"Of course you don't."Sung smiled indulgently."Look at her."

Izuke followed the direction of Sung's fingers .It rested on a young girl of about Sotisku's age .Her elegant silk kimono though simple was made from the finest tailors in Kutou .Her long silky hair was secured by a gay blue ribbon .A gold chain with a small dragon pendant rested tantalizingly around her neck .It was clear that she was from a very well to do family as the stall owners nearly bend over to display their wares to her .She walked with a silent authority that did not match with her age studying the wares with a kind of bored disinterest .

' Probably some noble brat.' Izuke concluded.

"See that." Sung pointed at the gold chain."That thing could feed you for days."

Izuke saw Sotisku waver at the edge."But it is wrong .I will not steal."

"Its not stealing .Its redistribution of wealth. Besides, she will not miss it .I am sure she has many more like that. Don't you want to eat? If they won't give you the food, then take it from them."

The subtle push send Sotisku over the edge .He gulped, his eyes took a feverish gleam. Izuke watched him disappear in the crowd.

"My good deed of the day." Sung smirked."It will end his suffering."

' Will it?' Izuke watched the boy stealthily approach the girl, weaving his way in and out of the crowd that had gathered to watch the girl. Izuke had a faint sense of foreboding.

The boy leaped up and with all the inexpertness of a first time and extremely nervous thief snatched the chain from the girl .He did not even get ten paces away from the girl when he was knocked back. Whirling, he fell on the ground coughing blood. Suddenly tall soldiers in blue armour surrounded the area obscuring his view of the boy.

' Soldiers? Damn!' He tried to push forward .A rather heavy and buxom matron blocked his way.

"Imagine the fools audacity .He tried to steal the Princess's chain. They should make an example of the boy .I always knew that he was trouble." She voiced her opinion to her neighbor bristling with righteous anger.

' The Princess?' Izuke's mind went blank .He turned towards Sung."You knew?" Years of practice kept his voice indifferent.

Sung shrugged."It will end his suffering." He turned."Come .We have work to do."

Izuke's fists curled into balls .A bitter smile rose to his lips.' Goodbye ...Sotisku.'

Izuke jerked up from his reverie when he realized that his cup was empty .He made an irritated noise at the back of his throat and moved to refill his cup. Years passed and slowly he forgot about the red haired boy. Sometimes, he would wonder what happened to the kid and felt of something akin to regret pass through his heart, but he rose higher in the ranks of a mercenary he found that there was only one thing worth spending any thought on ... money.

It was five years later he once again found himself in Kutou under totally different circumstances. The proud blue flags were lowered and the smell of death and sorrow hung heavily in the air, as did the threat of oncoming war. Emperor Kaminari had been killed during a peace conference with Konon and it was clear that once the Nation woke from this grief induced shock, a long and bloody battle would break out once more between Kuotu and Konon.

It was the kind of situation a hitokiri thrived in. Chaos was everywhere .The Emperor was succeeded by Princess Keeah, as he had no other male heirs. Izuke was of the opinion that the female would not be able to hold the throne for long .His expert eyes already detected the wheels of treachery turn in the royal court and marked his possible clients .He also made a roster of his possible victims studying them with the kind of detached scrutiny that made him one of the highest paid hitokiris in the lands.

It was for this very reason that he was standing on a roof and watching the victim he was sure would fetch him the heaviest purse of all.

The royal funeral procession weaved its way through the winding streets of the capital allowing its citizens to mourn an Emperor they all loved .In the head of the cavalcade was a coffin covered with a blue shroud drawn by four milky white horses .It contained the earthly remains of the Emperor. Behind them came the coffins of the Emperor's beloved Elite, surrounded by the ones they left behind when they joined with their beloved Sovereign in the afterlife.

There were widows, lovers, children, parents ...all sobbing and beseeching their loved ones to answer. Izuke wondered whether their wails reached the silent dead.

' What a waste of time.' He turned his attention to the girl who headed the procession leading the horses by their reins.' No offense Princess.' His eyes rested lightly on the dark haired girl.' Its nothing personal.'

She had grown taller and just put a shaky leg into adolescence .She was still dressed simply in a severe black tunic with her black hair secured behind her with a silver pin. But unlike the rest her eyes were dry. She walked calmly, even a tad arrogantly. Izuke had expected her to look like a lost waif in a stormy sea; instead she looked like an anchor in this chaos.

' I wonder how long your facade will last Princess.' He smirked.' How long will you succeed in keeping at bay the vultures that surround your throne?'

When the mourners came closer he could see two people accompanying the Princess as they walked behind the carriage .He froze .He bent forward for a better look.

It was the boy!

Sotisku!

He seemed to have undergone a sudden growth spurt and did not seem to know what to do with his suddenly long limbs .He no longer had that starved look and his once thin face had filled up nicely. His dull red hair now shone like fire but the sparkle of his blue eyes was dimmed with grief.

He could not understand what Sotisku was doing in the Princess's train. After all he had tried to steal the Princess's chain .Did the Princess allow him to live then?

There was a commotion at the back of the train .One of the women in the procession had fainted. Lady Keeah stopped the procession and nodded her head in Sotisku's direction. Izuke saw Sotisku hurry to the woman's side. Stealthily he jumped into the crowd weaving his way closer to the young boy.

He found Sotisku bending over the woman and trying to pour a liquid into the woman's throat .He bend down and held the woman's head up.

"Thank you."Sotisku's smiled up at the man who assisting him .A faint start of recognition flitted through his blue eyes." You ...How are you Sir?"

"Tolerably well." He kept his voice indifferent." How are you?"

"I have been better."

"What are you doing here?"

"I am training to be a physician."

Izuke stared. But they had no more chance of conversation as the Princess came up to them.

"Is she all right Sotisku?" The Princess kneeled down beside the prone woman .Up close Izuke saw that she was as beautiful as the rumors said .Her large fathomless eyes rested on the woman and she laid a soft hand on her temple.

"She just fainted from exertion."Sotisku assured her.

The woman's eyes fluttered open. Keeah smiled .For a while Izuke thought that her smile could melt away every darkness .He kicked himself for his weakness.

"How are you feeling Lady Asmi?"

The woman tried to sit up. Keeah restrained her."Do not exert yourself Lady Asmi. Please rest yourself."

The woman tried to get up once more .She sank onto the ground and burst into tears. Keeah gathered her in her arms rubbing her back in circular motions. And for a while Izuke saw the predator that hid behind Keeah's unreadable eyes.

"Do not cry."Her voice was calm."Please be strong. Uncle Hitoshi would have wanted you to be strong .I need you to be strong. Please..."

The woman's sobs died down to a silent hiccup and Keeah straightened once more. Turning she returned to her place at the head of the procession.

Sotisku entrusted the woman to another man and turned at Izuke.

"Thank you ...and goodbye Sir."

Turning he took his place behind Keeah.

Izuke watched him go.' Goodbye boy. Your and my paths are different.'

Izuke smiled to himself setting down the cup. That was the last time he saw Sotisku, almost six years ago.

During these years he followed the events in Kutou and Konon with great interest. The spies he employed in Kutou often brought news of Sotisku, of his fame as one of Kutou's best physicians and as one of Princess Keeah's closest friends and advisors. Which brought him to the situation at hand.

His information network had given him the news that Princess Keeah was in Nobu. Sotisku's presence in Nobu suggested that Lady Keeah was indeed here in Nobu. But Nobu was no place for a Princess. What was she doing here?

' Borna said that they wanted to go some island. But there are other ports, why Nobu? Is it possible that the place where they wish to go is accessible only from Nobu? But who was the one that killed Sung's men?' He frowned.' It would be impossible for an ordinary prisoner to get the better of so many ruffians. But then again, the bodies were slashed expertly suggesting that it was the work of a swordsman, an expert swordsman. Loki said that he cut through the men like butter...'

There was a knock on the door. Irritated Izuke looked up .A servant's head popped in through the crack in the door.

"Very sorry to disturb you my Lord. But there are three men downstairs who wish for an audience with Lord Sung."

"Sung?"

The servant nodded."What are your orders Sir?"

' This is strange. All of Nobu knows that Sung has been retired .How come these men do not understand the secret code of Nobu? Could it be that they are outsiders?' A small lazy smile made its way to his face."Bring them up here and treat them as your most honored guests."

The servant nodded and disappeared behind the door.

A few moments later the door opened and the servant led three men inside. Izuke raised his hand and signaled him to leave .The servant bowed and exited from the room closing the door softly behind him.

The men lowered their hood to reveal their faces. Then one of them stepped forward."Master Sung?"

"Yours truly."Izuke lowered his head with extreme humility."How may I help you?"

The man's hawk like eyes narrowed. He was about to say something when the side door opened and Loki shuffled in.

"My Lord Izuke..."He froze when his eyes rested on the black-haired man."You?"

The man's lips curved into a small predatory smile."Hello to you too. What was your name again? Ah yes. Loki."His smile deepened."Enlighten me. If this man is not sung, then where is he?"

Loki gave a small whimper and turned towards Izuke pleadingly. Izuke sighed.' What a spineless idiot.'

" Do not scare him any more my Lord .I fear that he may dirty his clothes and my floor and this is a new carpet that I rather like. "Izuke said smoothly." And since Loki had already blown my cover, allow me to reintroduce myself .I am Izuke."

The man turned at him and Izuke could feel his ki flare dangerously."Take us to Sung .I have no time for such games."

"I am sure you don't my Lord. But taking you to Sung would be impossible. I am afraid he is retired from business."

"Retired?" The man's gray eyed companion spoke up."He is dead."

"I prefer the term retired .Why don't you take a seat my Lord? Then we can discuss business."

"Is that so?" The black-eyed man's smirked deepened."Very well." He took a seat .His companions sat down beside him.

Izuke signaled Loki to leave. Loki was only too glad to escape. Then he turned his eyes towards the men."So, tell me, how can a lowly mercenary like me aid the mighty Prince of Konon?"

There was a flash of light and Izuke found a naked blade on his neck .He looked up at the gray -eyed man who held the hilt of the sword with a kind of bored detachment .His grip on the blade was casual but Izuke understood that he could cut open his throat with one flick of his hand .The black haired man leaned back into the cushions the deceptively lazy smile deepening on his handsome face.

' My dear Zori .You and I both have been fooled by Hotohori's kind and courteous exterior. Like us he wears a mask .A mask that hides a warrior who will wade through rivers of blood to reach his goal if he must. How very interesting.'

"Tell me mercenary, who are you working for?" His voice, cold and arrogant, broke his chain of thought.

"I only work for the one who has the fattest purse. Sadly, I am unemployed at present."

The blade bit deeper leaving a small trail of blood in its wake.

"So how do you know me?"

Years of training kept Izuke from wincing."Seriously my Lord, do you think that it is only you who have spies? " His voice was casual."Come, come, my Lord, I am no use to you dead."

"And what use are you to me alive Izuke?"

"I could sell you a lot of information. Like the destination of your quarry..."

Izuke saw Hotohori's eyes harden and felt the steel bite deeper."Indeed."His voice was cold."Then start talking."

"But my Lord, I said I will sell you the information. How much are you willing to pay?"

Hotohori chuckled."How about I spare your life?"

"No deal .Ask your gray -eyed freind to kill me."

"As you wish."Hotohori looked at Menesku and nodded.

Menesku raised his sword. Izuke felt his heartbeat increase, but did not let the cynical smile slip from his face. There was a swish and it took all of Izuke's will power to keep up his mask and not retaliate as the wicked blade came towards his neck in an agonizing slow curve stopping only a moment before delivering the fatal blow.

"Your audacity amazes me."Hotohori's voice was amused.

"I try."Izuke said humbly as he watched Menesku sheathe his sword and take a seat beside Hotohori.

"We're wasting time."The other amber eyed companion spoke up."Ask the bloke to give us the ship and we gotta leave .All this talk is giving meself a headache."

Izuke studied the man."So you are Liang .You are the one who cheated Loki out of the ship."

Liang's eyes flashed."Cheat? Who are ya calling cheat? Say that again and meself will turn ya into charcoal."

"Liang." Hotohori's voice held a warning edge.

"I had no wish to offend you My Lord." Izuke smiled at Liang."You are cold. Would you care for some sake?"

"Don't mind if I do."

" Liang!"

"And then again..."

"Do you mind if I pour myself some sake?"

"No, go on. Who's stopping ya?"Liang favored him with a large fake smile.

Izuke poured himself some sake."Are you sure that you do not wish for any refreshment my Lord?"

"I do not have time for idle pleasantries Izuke."Hotohori said grimly."How much do your services cost?"

"That depends my Lord. Exactly what kind of services do you want?"

"You claim to have an extensive spy network .Why don't you tell me why I am here?"

"You want a ship. "

"Liang practically announced that part with a clarion."Menesku gave a bored yawn. "And besides all of Nobu was behind us for that very reason .Why do you bore us with this stale news?"

Izuke smirked."You want a ship to go an island accessible only from Nobu. There is something on that island that you want, as does somebody else ... the beauteous Princess of Kutou. You need a fast ship with an experienced crew that will enable you to reach the island before your rival. So, where exactly do you wish to go?"

"You know an awful lot about our mission."

"You will surprised to know how many people can be bought with the yellow metal."

"So it seems."

"Where do you wish to go anyway?"

Hotohori favored him with a piercing look from under his hooded eyes. "What guarantee is there that you will keep this between us?"

"A few choice jewels will effective shut my mouth."

"Until somebody pays you more than me."

"Until somebody pays me more than you."

Hotohori's smirked deepened."You are the first rogue I met who is honest about being dishonest."

"I am not much different from the people you deal with in court my Lord .I just do not wear a mask."

"Don't you?"Hotohori's eyes bored into him.

Izuke laughed."Where do you wish to go my Lord?"

"That is none of your concern. "Hotohori laid a heavy pouch on the floor."Take the money and give us the ship. We will determine the rest of the voyage on our own."

Izuke weighed the pouch in his hands."But you do not look as sea- faring people to me .The Ku Youg sea is very treacherous. What you need is an experienced crew to aid you."

"That we do."Hotohori agreed."However, I have no wish to be stabbed in my back. We'll improvise."

"You are in a race my Lord. The question is, can you win the race with an inexperienced horse? You wish to reach the island before Lady Keeah, don't you?"Izuke leaned forward."Then what choice do you have but trusting me?"He got up and laid the pouch on the table."Perhaps you gentlemen need to weigh your options. I will give you some privacy. "

"If you try anything funny Izuke I will not hesitate to hunt you down and kill you."Hotohori's piercing vision rested on him.

"Oh, do not worry my Lord."Izuke turned one hand on the handle of the door. "I intend to have a long successful relationship with you."The door closed behind him.

"Well meself got two questions for ya."Liang spoke up as soon as the door closed."Can we have that sake?"

"Though I had doubts about your competence, even I did not expect this level of idiocy from you." Menesku said sternly standing guard near the door. "You were captured once because the food here was drugged. How can you be so careless yet again?"

"Well that was a wench. Them wenches nothing but trouble. "

"And you trust this man just because he is a man. You are a bigger idiot than I thought."

"Well no mister fancy pants." Liang held up the sake jar near Menesku's nose." Sniff it. It is good sake. But ya wouldn't know good sake if it danced naked in front of ya. "

"Liang."Hotohori tiredly rubbed his temple." Do put that thing down."

"Well yer the boss. But yer doing me an injustice."

"Liang, desist for now. When we get back to the capital you can have all the sake you want."

"If ya put it that way."Liang gently put the jar down. "Now mind it, I ain't no drunk. Meself just likes to sample good wine. His face became serious. "This place ya wanna go, this island, Fa sang ... Do ya know the way to it?"

"No."

"No. No ! "Liang's voice rose ."What do ya mean no ? We aren't never gonna find that island . We ain't never gonna stop them bastards . "

"Lower your voice Liang ." Menesku said sharply. "Even the walls have ears here. Besides the objective here is to stop Lady Keeah. "

"Yeah ! Yeah ! We gotta stop them ... blah ...blah ...blah . Meself heard it all. But ya don't know the way to Fa Sang then chances are the wench doesn't know it either . She is 'ere, in Nobu . It is 'ere we gotta stop her . So ya see we ain't gonna need no mercenaries help ."

"She is not here ."

"But my Lord ..."Menesku looked at Hotohori ."It is quite possible that Lady Keeah is still in Nobu. Like us she needs a ship and a map and I don't think that she has any experience in such voyages either ."

"She is not here ."Hotohori said firmly .

"How can you so sure my Lord ?"

"I ...just know ."

"Methinks the cold has affected his brain . Either that or he got too many blows on his head ."

"Shut up Liang ."Menesku snapped ."My Lord, try to be reasonable ..."

"Reason has nothing to do with this Menesku ." Hotohori's eyes held a tinge of red ."She is obsessed with releasing Seiryuu and I am obsessed with stopping her . We both know that whoever gets the upper hand in this battle will succeed in tipping the axis of the war in their favor. The future of our country, our people, everything rests on this one single event . She will find a way to go to Fa Sang and so will I. Now the question is, who will reach there first ?"

"Ya need to chill down ." Liang gave a uneasy laugh . "There... breathe easily ."

"Liang , shut up ."Hotohori could not squash the smile that rose to his lips .His eyes fell on Menesku . "Exactly what are you doing ?"

Menesku raised a finger on his lips urging them to be quiet. With the stealth of a panther he moved to the doorway and violently wrenched the door open .The cloaked figure that had been leaning on the doorway could not regain its balance and stumbled onto the floor inside the room. Menesku's blade was out in a flash its wicked edge resting on the man's collar.

Cold gray orbs clashed with frightened violet ones .

"Hello !" Menesku greeted the man calmly. "So how long have you been spying on us ?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Keep reading !

Please review !