Chapter 8: The Fallout

"We can't just let her go free!" one councilor cried as they assembled in the council chamber. "The people are on edge; they have been ever since Her Eminence was cleared. They're clamoring in the streets to see the Kutou witch burn. We've had several riots break out in the cities around the capitol already as word spread; fortunately so far we've been able to convince them to disperse peacefully with the promise that justice would be done. If we don't deal with this girl properly, we'll have a full-scale revolt on our hands all over the kingdom!"

"Would you rather we have war with Kutou?! If we execute their princess, that's what'll happen… war, for which Konan is ill-prepared. Due to the years of bad harvests and epidemics, we don't have the food stores and supplies to see us through a long, drawn-out war, nor are the people or army in any shape for it!" another minister thundered, banging a fist on the table. The same arguments had been going back and forth among the council for the last 3 days.

"I don't believe we've heard from you yet, Your Eminence," said a third minister, turning to Miaka. "You were the intended victim in all this. What would you feel to be an adequate punishment for her?" he asked.

Miaka sighed. "I would say… cancel her betrothal to the emperor and renegotiate a new peace treaty that doesn't rely on a royal marriage; then send Yui back to Kutou and let their emperor decide her punishment. That should both satisfy the people's desire to see Yui held accountable, and Kutou can have no cause for war if we let them be the ones to decide Yui's sentence." It was not only the first time Miaka had spoken as a member of the council, but also her first time deciding anything as High Priestess. She prayed it was the right choice.

"That is a most excellent idea, Your Eminence! It would resolve everything that way!" a minister exclaimed. It was then put to a vote, and the entire council agreed. Keisuke began dictating notices to be read throughout the kingdom with the council's decision, as well as a message to the Kutou Emperor through their ambassador to Kutou. Miaka herself went to Yui to inform her.

"Miaka? What is it? What's been decided?" Yui asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

"Your engagement to my brother is cancelled; you're to be sent back to Kutou for your father to decide your fate."

Yui breathed a sigh of relief.

"I hope it won't be anything like what could have happened here," Miaka said meekly. "I did the best I could."

"It's fine. I know my father, and I know Kutou law; the most he'll be able to do is have me flogged and then banished to some remote corner of the kingdom," Yui assured her.

"When do I leave?"

"Preparations for your departure will begin as soon as we hear back from your father. A messenger is being sent to our ambassador in Kutou to inform him and your father later today."

Before anything further could be said, a breathless Suboshi and Amiboshi ran into the dungeon. "What's wrong? You all look like you were in a hurry."

"We are; we have information for the council, so we came straight to you, Princess Miaka," Suboshi said. "It's Nakago… he's behind everything that happened you and your guards! He's a traitor to both Konan and Kutou!"

"What?!" Yui exclaimed, clutching the bars of her cell for support.

"He's manipulated us all from the beginning… he used Soi, Miboshi, and Tomo's magic to turn the people against Princess Yui, and to foster her anger and jealousy towards Princess Miaka," Amiboshi explained.

"We heard them talking about it. They're furious their plan failed."

"Why? I don't understand."

"Nakago never wanted this peace, or the royal marriage that was supposed to guarantee it. He's been trying to manipulate us all from the beginning to get you to do something that will violate Konan law, which would cause you to be executed, and cause Konan and Kutou to throw out the treaty and be at war again."

"We have to warn my father, now," Yui said. "Who knows what lies Nakago will tell him when we get back. Miaka, when is the courier going to Konan's ambassador?"

"He's leaving as soon as the message is finished."

"Both of you go with him; make sure you speak to my father before any message from Nakago gets to him."

"Of course, Princess," said Suboshi before leaving with his brother.

Yui paced up and down the length of her cell. "Miaka, we can't tell your brother. If I know Nakago, if he gets caught here he'll manipulate the situation to stir up trouble between our countries. We have to let my father deal with him when we get back home." Miaka nodded her agreement.

2 weeks later, the messenger returned to deliver the answer. Kutou accepted the arrangement; Yui and her entourage were to be sent back at once to face judgment.

Miaka and Yui, who had begun to work out their differences and become close friends in the last few weeks, parted with many tears and promises to write.

Letters began travelling back and forth between the two. Yui's prediction was right; her letters revealed that her father had her publicly flogged before the whole court, and then exiled her to a temple in one of the more remote parts of the Kutou Empire. She was also stripped of her title of Princess, becoming simply Lady Yui. Suboshi and Amiboshi were also flogged and banished to the farthest corners of the empire. Amiboshi soon left the country to go abroad and find work because many in Kutou now resented the former princess and her guards, fearing she had ruined their last hope for peace. Luck was with him and he found work as a farm laborer in Sairou. Suboshi was assigned by the emperor as a guard at the temple where Yui was banished; it was the last sign of affection he displayed towards his daughter, as he succumbed to a severe illness shortly after the trials were over. As for Nakago, Soi, Miboshi, and Tomo, the evidence of their treason was too great for them to explain away or dismiss. The Emperor sent all four to the execution block.

Yui seemed to be enjoying her new life in the temple. She took vows as a priestess, was well-treated and accepted by her fellow priestesses, and from what Miaka gathered from her letters, seemed to be developing feelings for Suboshi. Yui worked hard to rebuild her reputation in the eyes of the people of Kutou, and less than a year after her arrival at the temple was chosen to serve as the High Priestess of Seiryu.

Miaka, at the same time, assisted her brother in governing and helping Konan rebuild after the years of severe famine and epidemics of disease that had ravaged the country. Hotohori was reunited with Houki and their son Boushin, and they were as close a family as if they had never been separated. Chiriko was studying to become a government minister. Mitsukake traveled around the country treating the ill and working on medicines to combat the plagues that had been devastating the country, as well as helping coordinate the distribution of food and other relief. Tasuki was now co-commander of the palace guards, alongside Nuriko and Tamahome. Chichiri became reconciled to the marriage of his former fiancée and best friend, glad that they had helped each other through their grief over his disappearance. He seemed to be spending a lot more of his time with Xi Fang lately, the others noticed.

As Konan began moving towards stability, Miaka and Tamahome informed Keisuke of their feelings for each other and asked for his consent to their marriage. He agreed, and Konan prepared for a royal marriage after all.

*End Chapter*