I would like to thank you all for reviews. And following and favouring this story.

I've taken on your points about using commas and the length of paragraphs and I hope this chapter shows some improvement.

This has taken me some time as I took my time with Asami and Aki's dialogue I wanted to get good as I possibly could. I've been doing a bit of reading to give me some inspiration for the Asami's and Aki's dialogue.

I'm a real Magpie I take ideas and inspiration all sort of things, put them together and well you've seen the results. This fic has had so far a mixture of inspirations and influences, they are:

Roger Corman's 1964 film The Masque of the Red Death.

Franklin J. Schaffner 1965 film The Warlord.

Machiavelli's The Prince.

Thundercats – the 1980's series.

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

The TV series Game of Thrones.

Mark Robson's 1958 film The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.

A docudrama about Louis the fourteenth and the building of the of Versailles

Nbsiren because their story Summoned Hero infected me with plot bunnies.

An odd mix of stuff I know but I can't wait to see what will inspire me next

I don't own or make any money from the Finder series it belongs to Yamane Ayano.

NO FLAMES PLEASE IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT NO ONE IS MAKING YOU! IN DOING THAT YOU WASTED MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET BACK, WHICH YOU COULD HAVE SPENT READING SOMETHING YOU DO LIKE. IF YOU DISLIKE THIS THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER FICTIONS TO READ.

Chapter 2 – The One Who Loves People.

'This is a Lord?' The skinny boy in front of him looked barely out of the schoolroom. His shirt, jacket and trousers were worn and threadbare in places and covered in so many patches that there was likely very little of the original garments left. His boots though were clearly well made if rather scuffed. "Your Majesty may I present Lord Takaba Akihito."

Akihito bowed low as just a plan lord he was lower rungs of nobility "Your Majesty."

"Lord Takaba." Asami's ability to read people at a glance had always served him well. There was much information to be gathered from a gesture or a look, the way a person held their hands or the tone of their voice would tell him many things they were trying hard hide. However every now and then he comes across a person he can't read, so great is their ability to school their features that even he cannot tell what lies beneath. Lord Takaba was such a person he realised. Ichihara and his secretary betrayed their anxiety unknowingly no doubt they were trying hard but he could detect a vein of fear in their voices. Whereas Takaba's voice was neutral there was no emotion present. "Sit my Lord." Asami gestured to the chair opposite him.

Takaba got his first up close look at royalty. Asami Ryuichi possessed the typical Asami traits of black hair and gold eyes. Takaba knew without a doubt that the emperor would be considered most handsome.' But then aren't all emperors handsome?' Court gossip even made its way to even Takaba's little corner of the empire. The emperor was known for a string of lovers but since the death of his wife six years ago, the emperor had not remarried nor taken a concubine or consort. But the latest court gossip said that he had recently put aside a Maîtresse-en-titre. 'Though I can imagine there is no shortage of candidates. After all he is the biggest matrimonial catch in the empire.'

"'The one who loves people' that is quite an extraordinary title to possess."

"It's not one I gave to myself it is what others have chosen to call me."

"Either way you must be greatly loved."

"I would not say greatly loved. I know many who do not love me."

"Does that disappoint you?"

"Not at all your majesty. To ask for anymore love than I have been given would be both greedy and impossible."

"So you are saying you're hated?"

"Aren't we all at some point in our lives?"

"Even me?"

Ichihara could feel the sweat dripping down the back of his neck. Takaba Akihito was famed for his frankness, he hoped that his father had instilled into him the deference that must be paid to royalty, if not he felt that both he and Takaba might be a head shorter ,after all this was 'The Scarlet Emperor' it was said that he had men disembowelled for less. "Of course not your majesty. You are our beloved emperor." Ichihara breathed a sigh of relief ,only then to have his heart jump back up into his throat at the words of the emperor. "You spoke frankly before do so again."

"Your majesty is a ruler so is it not then better for you to be feared rather than loved?"

"We were talking of hate not fear."

"I find they often go hand in hand."

Asami folded his arms and leaned back in the chair "Do you love all people?"

"No"

A smile like that of a sphinx crept across Asami's face and in mock astonishment said "No? For you who bears the title 'The One Who Loves People' is that not blasphemous?"

"I would say not. I don't love rapists, pederasts and murders. I love those who society washes their hands of but still stands in judgment over. I love those who seek to do or be more than convention or custom has prescribed. To love all people is an impossible standard to live up to."

"Then you and I have something in common. But you have come to speak with governor Ichihara. I should not have distracted you." Asami was a little disappointed to put this verbal sparring to an end, he didn't get to cross swords verbally with another person often. The court was full of sycophants and toadies who'd agree with him if he said the sky was pink and the Earth flat. One thing he had noticed about Takaba was that the boy was fighting to not look him in the eye. Takaba cast his eyes to the ground in no doubt what was an instilled act of deference, but it was obvious to Asami that Takaba was used to looking his opponents in the eye. Asami's eye was also caught by a round medallion around the Takaba's neck. It was on a silver chain that reached his sternum. The outer edge was silver and was plated like a rope. In the centre was a silver leopard, its black spots were most likely made of onyx or obsidian. The back ground was blue like the sea in a storm. Asami concluded rightly that this was the emblem of the Takaba family.

"I applaud you Takaba - sama for putting down the riot at the prison." Said Ichihara

"The riot may be over but the root cause has yet to be dealt with. The superintendent was selling the prisoner's food to Duke Amasawa."

"Are you sure of this Lord Takaba?"

"Absolutely your majesty. Superintendent Amagai left in rather a hurry; I found ledgers recording the sales, he tried to burn them but you can still read them." Takaba reached into his bag and pulled out some half burnt books. "I also talked to the prison staff."

"What of Amagai?" Asked Ichihara

"Fled. But I have a short term solution that should work to feed the inmates and a lot of other people. I've been talking to the farmers whose crops weren't destroyed, because the Duke has conscripted about half the labour force the farmers are saying that they don't have enough hands to help with the harvest. I put it to them that if the convicts under supervisor of course help with the harvest in exchange for a percentage of everything they harvest. Both sides have agreed to this all that is needed is your say so governor."

"We don't have many available options. I'll have the order prepared."

"If your majesty would excuse me I have many things to do day."

"Of course One moment Lord Takaba you said that you don't like rapists, murders and pederasts but you take an interests in the welfare of convicts surely you must have come across a rapist or two?"

"The people in the regional gaol are mostly there for petty and nonviolent crimes. Those that commit capital crimes such as rape and murder are housed in the more secure prison in the provincial capital." Said Akihito 'Though you already knew that.' "Also sire there is no need to refer to me as Lord Takaba I have chosen to cast off my title."

"Yet you still wear your family emblem?"

"This medallion has been worn by generations of Takabas. I may have cast off my title but I'm still a Takaba. Majesty, governor Ichihara I bid you good day." Takaba bowed once more and left.

'That, that man was baiting me! I know when I being played with, you would think that an emperor would be above that sort of thing! But no he was playing with me like cat with a mouse. He wanted me to lose my temper. Maybe he wanted to prove I was a fake?' With a title like 'the one who loves people' Takaba had often come across those who wanted to belittle his actions, to show the people that he was just an arrogant little upstart who was manipulating them for his own ends. 'He wanted to see my for his own amusement I bet. I can almost understand why the Duke rebelled he must have wanted to take that smug look off his majesty's face. Emperor or not he just the same as the rest of those spoilt , stuck up nobles; who just want a new toy to play with because they haven't got anything more constructive to do!' Akihito knew wasn't being entirely fair to the emperor, but when your irritated with someone being fair is the last thing on your mind.

When Akihito returned to Sanctuary he handed his horse to Byakuya. Byakuya had lost both parents three years ago, he was sent to live with an aunt who used the boy as slave labour. He ran away not long after and had lived on the streets, until Akihito found him picking through rubbish looking for food. Akihito watched the boy with his horse Byakuya was great with animals; not matter how wild or savage they were he just seemed to be able to charm them. There were a total of thirty orphans at Sanctuary at the moment ranging from two to thirteen. Though he couldn't come out and say it eleven year old Byakuya was his favourite. He was bright and possessed a real thrust for knowledge as well as the inclination to apply. The children Akihito taught were from the town, the surrounding area and the orphans of Sanctuary. However the local authorities believed all that these children needed to know was reading, writing and some basic arithmetic. And as part of the conditions that allowed him to open and operate the free school Takaba was forced to stick to this limited curriculum.

However there was no rule saying that he couldn't tutor an individual student and that's exactly what he did. Akihito expanded on the original curriculum and began to teach Byakuya history, botany, geography, and anything else he could think of. Akihito also opened up his own personal collection of books to Byakuya giving him new and challenging reading. And opening him up to subjects like philosophy and politics, things that were thought to be toxic to the minds of the lower orders. Akihito sometimes wondered if he was doing the right thing in tutoring Byakuya. Being an orphan and with no money or property his chances of advancement were slim to none. The empire didn't have great social mobility. Most of the ordinary people never left their home village. If Takaba had been on more intermit terms with the local nobility then he might have been able to get Byakuya a place in one of their household. But Akihito knew that this wasn't going to happen, perhaps he could approach the governor instead. Akihito sighed the sun was setting, the sky was a dreamy purple tinged with orange. It was so beautiful and serene you wouldn't think that there was any conflict or chaos in the world.

Asami, his guards and an official from the governor's office rode to the town of Harakeen. Harakeen was the largest town in the Rokuhara region. The town was built on a flat plain , by the shore of Lake Caris. The only way in or out was over a bridge that spanned across the lake and then over a draw bridge. It was also the home of Takaba Akihito and his Sanctuary. Asami had spent the past few days with his generals, surveying the land and checking up on the local nobility. He also had scouts sent out to report on what was happening at the Eyrie.

Asami along with some of his intelligence officers went through the records in the regional archive. This was a task he could have simply left to others, but Asami liked to form his own opinions and not just rely on the opinions of others. His men and advisors were free to give their opinions but only on such subjects that he deemed appropriate. Asami sat side by side with his men and shifted through hundreds of documents. Unlike his father Asami didn't look down on those beneath him. And his men from the lowliest foot soldier to Prime Minister Kirishima adored him for that but of course they never forgot his position. When his men went hungry he did to, when they were cold he was cold, when they dug trenches he dug trenches. Asami made himself the centre of their world.

Ichihara was right in the regional archive there was very little to be found on the Eyrie. And what they did find was already common knowledge such as the date construction began and location. However one of Asami's intelligence officers did find out the name of the architect. Asami then had word sent that every regional and Provencal archive should be searched for other plans drawn up by the architect. So to where private libraries to be searched, in fact anywhere plans could be stored. Knowledge of the architect's previous work may provide clues on the architecture of the Eyrie.

What Asami did also find was a wealth of information on the Takaba clan. When he asked why there was so much, he was informed that Takaba Akihito had transferred all the clan records, artefacts and documents to the regional archive after the death of his father. The Asami clan had officially existed for around nine hundred years. The Takaba's went back over eleven hundred, they were some of the very first people to settle in the province, not only that they were descendants of kings. Noble clans made up of warriors or priests wasn't unusual and there were many in the Takaba clan. What was unusual was that the Takaba clan also contained doctors, scholars, artisans and sailors. Not occupations normally taken up the nobility, and to have such a number and diversity of occupation was strange. One thing could not be denied was that the Takaba's very good at whatever they turned their hand to. Either by natural talent or hard work they excelled. Asami was surprised that the clan had not risen higher, but upon further reading he discovered why - The Takabas lacked ambition, added to that they had a stubborn streak a mile wide. Having met Akihito Asami could easily believe that.

Asami read on and found out quite a few more interesting facts about the Takabas. By inspecting the family tree Asami discovered that Akihito was last of the Takabas, upon his death the clan would be extinct. This was not something that would worry Asami, as he had two children to carry on his name. And plus he had plenty of distant relatives ,the bloodline would survive even if the Asami name didn't. Asami stretched and rubbed his eyes he'd been sitting hunched over a desk far too long. He decided that it was time to pay Takaba Akihito a visit.

Akihito rose early as usual at the moment there were thirty orphans and twenty people in the infirmary plus the live in staff, so early starts were a way of life. Breakfast was its usual organised but chaotic affair. As he walked across the courtyard there was a sudden hammering at the gates. "Open up the name of the Emperor."

Asami's entrance into Harakeen would be something people would tell their grandchildren about. Barring coins, portraits or statues many of the ordinary people would never see their ruler up close. As he passed the people bowed down low. There may have been no welcoming fanfare or flowers being thrown, but people would always remember the occasion. The sight of Asami's red armour glinting in the sun would be forever etched into their memories.

The gates parted and Asami and his entourage rode in. The children and staff came out attracted by the noise. Asami was with his personal guard and a senior official from the governor's office called Amano Sai, but to Takaba and many other people he was 'The Vulture' because he had a long hooked nose, that looked like a vulture's bill. He was also one of Akihito's biggest detractors. Takaba steeled himself went forward, and dropped to one knee "We welcome you your majesty to our most humble home." Akihito said this as loud as he could knowing full well his voice would ring out around the yard. And every man woman and child got down onto their knees in response.

Asami dismounted and one of his guards came forward to take his horse, however it reared up and backed away from him, he tried again and once again the horse did the same thing. The man gnashed his teeth and tried once more, Akihito glanced over at Asami the corners of his mouth had become upturned. By now two other guards had come forward to try to help catch Asami's horse. Though it soon became apparent that three were having no better luck than one, the horse continued to evade them. The rest of Asami's men wondered when their lord was bring this to an end. Takaba wondered why Asami let this continue. As if he could read his mind Asami said "Don't worry Takaba san this happens on a regular basis. I believe my men have a betting pool as to who can get Shadow under control the fastest."

Akihito gazed at the pitch black stallion, 'That horse wouldn't look out of place pulling the chariot of the goddess of the underworld. A perfect fit for The Scarlet Emperor.' Shadow dodged the guards and darted straight towards some of the children, then one child dashed out towards the horse "BYAKUYA!" shouted Akihito.

He was about to rush forward when Asami commanded "Hold." Asami's hand a clamped around Akihito's wrist and the guards froze. Akihito thought that the emperor was out of his mind. Asami Ryuichi is an absolute ruler and when you're told to nothing that is exactly what you do, like it or not. Akihito was about to turn and give Asami a piece of his mind, when Asami said "Look". It was Byakuya he had hauled himself onto the stallion's back, and griped his neck. The horse reared and bucked but Byakuya held firm, slowly the horse began to calm down. Shadow became as docile as a lamb. Asami walked up to Byakuya and Shadow, everyone waited with bated breath, and the emperor's temper was legendary. The Asami was said to have descended from dragons and when angered it was said that could breathe fire. Asami lifted Byakuya off Shadow's back "What's your name?"

"Byakuya your majesty."

"Good work. Keep hold of him till I finish talking to Takaba san." Akihito's mouth hung open in shock and he wasn't the only one, even Asami's own men couldn't believe their lord's response. Asami Ryuichi was totally unpredictable. Asami turned towards Akihito, Amano was hot on his heels "I will speak with Takaba san alone." Asami hadn't known the man long but already he couldn't stand him, he was a snivelling, narrow minded fool. Akihito couldn't help but smirk at Amano's expression.

Asami and five of his personal guards followed Akihito to his office, Akihito is not the neatest of people but he was really beginning to wish he had tidied up a bit. There were books and papers piled haphazardly on the floor and there was a layer of dust that begged to be swept up. Asami repositioned one of the chairs in front of the fire place so it faced neither the door nor the window. Takaba sat down in the other chair, two of the guards were stationed outside the door, one by the window and the other two stood behind Asami. "I have been told that you know the terrain of this province well Takaba-san."

"I know the forests, the towns, the villages, the farmlands and the plains. But I do not know the mountains very well at all."

"Then perhaps you could direct me to one who does maybe Tora for instance."

'I shouldn't be surprised he knows about Tora.' "Tora is an outlaw, you maybe emperor but to him that'll mean nothing. He won't help you.

" But there is no harm in asking is there?"

"Ask him your majesty? Surely you could just command him?"

"But from what you've said I couldn't and that is where you come in. I want to you to act as a go between, you have his trust don't you?"

"I don't know if you could call it trust but we have a respect for one another."

"How can such a virtuous person like you respect an outlaw?" There was a note of mockery in Asami voice that set Akihito's teeth on edge

"He wasn't always an outlaw, him or his sons. They actually served in Duke Amasawa's personal guard."

"What happened?" Asami voice now calm and serious.

"The Duke raped Tora's only daughter. She killed herself not long after. It said that he and his sons tried to Kill the Duke, now I don't know if that is true but not long after she died he had them outlawed, and placed a large bounty on their heads."

"So you will contact Tora?"

"Of course ,you will after all command me to do so. And your majesty's wish is your every subjects' command" Akihito's voice was laced with sarcasm after all turnabout is fair play.

"If I give you an added incentive will you add your endorsement to the message for Tora?"

'Oh great now he's going to try to bribe. How much is going throw at me I wonder?"

"Byakyua"

"What about him?"

"He's bright, I can tell and I would say bursting with ambition. But he'll never achieve anything near his full potential because he's an orphan with nothing but the clothes on his back. Am I correct?"

Akihito nodded.

"Does he have any family?"

"None that would own him."

"I'll take him."

Akihito looked at him incredulously "What?"

"I'll take him, I'm in a much better position than you to do something for him."

Akihito squirmed a little in his chair. Even with the emperor reputation Akihito knew that he spoke the truth, and well the emperor was said to be a lot of things but a liar was not one of them "Ok I'll will add my endorsement but I can't promise anything. Will you take him anyway?"

"You have my word Takaba san."

As Asami, Akihito and the guards walked back out into the courtyard, Akihito noticed that more of the residents were standing at doors and peering out of windows, there were even some people who had climbed the wall to catch a glimpse of the emperor. Asami and Akihito walked over to where the rest of Asami guards and Byakuya where waiting. Asami looked down at the boy he had black hair, a pair of the darkest grey eyes he had ever seen, he was small Asami put him to be at around 8 years of age. "How old are you?"

"Eleven your majesty."

"You're a runt, you're too small to be eleven."

"I'm not a runt and I'm so eleven." Exclaimed Byakuya.

Asami laughed and ruffled the boy's hair "You've got spirit I like that, you're going to need it. You're coming with me Takaba san and I have discussed it. I need a new page."

Byakuya looked at Asami first with astonishment and then with happiness , that burst inside of him along with a swell of pride. The crowd that had gathered had heard Asami's words and began to talk amongst themselves in amazement. Being a page in a royal or noble household was nothing to sniff at. Many of them went on to become Knights. In the royal or noble households they were educated, learnt how to use weapons, learnt to dance and the art of diplomacy, they learnt every that would prepare them for life at court and their lives as future members of the nobility. Sons of the nobility traditionally became pages, though some sons of wealthy common citizens may rise to the position, but no low born peasant child had have ever been taken on as a page. "Do you have a family name?"

"No sire."

Asami thought for a few seconds "Ryuuzaki. Ryuuzaki Byakuya. That's your name." He mounted Shadow, reached down and picked up Byakuya the boy sat behind Asami, his arms wrapped around Asami's waist. "I eagerly await to hear from you Akihito."

Reviews please let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

Author notes

Maîtresse-en-titre – This French term translated mean 'Official Mistress'. A Maîtresse-en-titre was the chief mistress to the king, her relationship with him was open and not clandestine in anyway. Being Maîtresse-en-titre came with a lot of benefits titles, land, money etc. But any children would still illegitimate

Below is some background information just in case I can find anywhere to mention it in the main story:

The empire that Asami rules over is known as the Asai Empire. His ancestors once ruled over the kingdom of Asai that later became a province. And they took their name Asami from the land they ruled. Asami's ancestor Ryuichi the Second united all the kingdoms under his banner. All the 12 kingdoms went onto become provinces.

Duke Amasawa Seiya is Asami's first cousin on his father's side. He is the Duke of Kessel. Kessel is in the north east of the empire it's enclosed on two sides by mountains and the sea on the other. So it's a very wet area. Rokuhara is the most northern region.

The Takaba

The Takaba clan is descended from a king that was overthrown by Ryuichi the Second. The survivors fled to Kessel and were some of the first people to bring law and order to the province. Kessel wasn't a kingdom originally it was loose coalition of tribes. The Takaba helped to bring them together. The symbol of the Takaba clan is a grey or silver leopard on a blue back ground.

Each province is ruled by a duke and under him are various other nobles who rule there lands.

Gods

Lots of different gods are worshipped in empire, but the main four rule the heavens, the earth, the sea and the underworld.

Deadra – the goddess of the underworld:

She's depicted as women with grey skin, white pupil less eyes and straight black hair, she has the wings and feet of a raven, Deadra wears black but is sometimes shown in white. Deadra wears a crown of human bones. Her chariot is pulled by pure black horses. The gates of her place is guarded by a giant three headed lion

She is also the goddess of law and justice.

Her palace has infinite rooms and each room is a soul experiencing their idea of heaven or hell. Her servants are the Helkaries, they are record keepers, the collectors of souls and they also act as guards making sure that no soul can escape. The ravens seen at battlefields are said to be the Helkaries taking souls to their mistress. The helkaries record every event in your life, and when you die and are brought in front of Deadra that record is brought in as evidence, to determine whiter you experience hell or heaven.

When you are brought before her your heart is weighed against the feather of truth, the lighter your heart the better your chances of getting into heaven are. But Deadra will question you using the tome that the helkaries have kept, in which your entire life is recorded. And from those two assessments she makes her judgment. Anyone who lies to her has their soul automatically consumed by the Devourer. The Devourer has the tail of a snake, the back end of a bear, the front end of a panther and the head of dragon. In the stomach of the Devourer a soul is tortured for all time in endless flame.

Deadra's children are Isha the goddess of war and Alcion the god of medicine.