Note to Lonely White Cloud: Kurogane's cousin is coming back! Enjoy.
Part Nineteen:
Kurogane started saddling his horse in the stable when Kentaro approached him. "I need to have a private word with you."
Kurogane looked over to where his father, Fai, and some other men were standing well out of earshot. They were looking over a map outside of the stable, planning out the most effective route around Suwa.
"Sure."
"Last night I tried returning this to the mage's guest room." Kentaro held up the quiver. "I accidentally overheard a conversation between you and the mage that I regret hearing." Kurogane took the quiver with trepidation.
Kurogane felt his face get hot and his stomach churn. He continued to saddle his horse, not looking at the man. "I don't know what you heard."
"I know that you're closer than friends with the mage. Is that why you brought him to Suwa?"
"It's not your concern," Kurogane snapped, nervous Kentaro would march over and tell his father.
"It's as if the young lord has forgotten his obligations to his family," Kentaro said, barely above a whisper.
"It's not like wakashudo type relationships don't exist here," Kurogane said. "You're in one now with Sedji."
"That's entirely different. Wakashudo is a master-apprentice relationship, and you aren't training the mage in anything. These types of arrangements are always meant to be temporary. I'm hoping you understand that."
"I understand that there is a time when Fai will probably go back to Celes," Kurogane said grimly.
The man's remaining eye narrowed. "The way you phrased that implies you wouldn't put him aside willingly."
Kurogane hated lying and he wasn't about to start. "No, I wouldn't," he said firmly.
"Then you should know that your mother started searching for your bride two months ago. She's in negotiations right now."
Kurogane's mouth went dry. He turned to the man. "She didn't mention it."
"Those are women's matters. They don't bother men with things like weddings. You know that."
"I don't want to get married."
"I'll be blunt. You're position in society doesn't afford you the privilege of choosing your mate. You're obligated to produce an heir for Suwa. When your mother selects your bride, you must set aside your activities with the mage. You may continue your friendship with him, just like a wakashudo relationship when the apprenticeship is over, but your energies must be put into continuing your family's bloodline."
"Kurogane, come on! You're being slow," Lord Suwa called out.
He finished cinching the saddle and asked, "Are you going to tell my parents?"
"No, unless you reject your bride. Then I'd have to." Kentaro reached out and laid a sympathetic hand on Kurogane's shoulder. "Enjoy what you have now, but understand this is only something you can have for a brief time. The tone of your conversation with the mage sounded as if you're too serious about your relationship with him."
Kurogane jerked away from him and mounted his horse. With bitterness and hostility in his voice he said, "Never fear I'll forget my duty to my parents."
With that, he spurred his horse out of the stable. He glared at Fai when the mage looked up at him with an innocent smile. Kurogane handed the quiver to Fai.
"Thanks, Kuro-kuro, I was looking for that this morning," Fai said brightly.
"Take better care of it," Kurogane snapped.
Fai looked stunned for a moment and then put on a fake smile over his hurt. "I'm sorry about that. I'll be more careful."
"Tsk, I doubt that," Kurogane snarled and turned towards his father to keep from watching Fai. "I'm ready. Let's go."
"You haven't changed much. So serious and devoted to completing any task you set your mind to," Lord Suwa said, mounting his own horse.
"So was Kuro-ki just as cranky as a child?" Fai asked, scrabbling up on his horse. "You two look so much alike, but seem so different."
Lord Suwa laughed and nodded. "Most certainly. The brat never liked being teased when he was a kid. Always crabby. That's probably why he snarls at you all the time, you tease him pretty hard. So did I."
"I'm not a brat," Kurogane grumbled through gritted teeth. He was in no mood for where Fai and Lord Suwa's conversation was going: his childhood. It was a really wonderful childhood, but he didn't want to share it with Fai after Kentaro's threat. He spurred his horse towards the woods and tuned out his father and Fai's joking banter at his expense.
Yuui felt his feet land on the marble floor as the swirl of light blue runes broke up. The cold air of Celes bit his skin once again, even though he was inside Luval Castle.
"Welcome home, Master Yuui. I hope your trip was pleasant? King Ashura didn't tell me where you went."
He turned around as he started to warm from the roaring fireplace. He realized he'd landed in the dining hall of Luval Castle. The long, oak banquet table was set for four. He then turned to the bald man greeting him.
"Mayor Dayken? Where is my father? I need to see him right away!"
"The king is out taking care of some bandits around Vercasta. He asked that you stay at Luval until his return."
Yuui shook his head vigorously. "I must see him now. It's an emergency."
Suddenly, Yuui's empathy picked up that Dayken was getting nervous. "I cannot allow you to leave. King Ashura ordered it."
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to Vercasta to find my father." Yuui tried walking past Dayken. Yuui was shocked when the mayor snatched away his staff and gave him a grave expression.
"You'll be arrested if you set foot outside of this castle."
"What? What charges?"
"Treason against the crown. You are under strict orders to not approach the king."
Yuui turned to leave when two guards approached him. Both guards, men he'd know since his adoption, were uncomfortable but determined. Dayken said, "Please, Master Yuui, do as the king bids and stay."
He turned to the mayor and let out a deep sigh. If only he was as devious or as dogged as Fai, he could talk himself out of Luval. Then again, he could ask for the next best thing. "I'll stay, but can you at least send for my friend, Zellen? I'd like some company while I wait."
"Of course. You can have company, but you must promise to not leave."
Before Yuui was forced into making a promise he had no intentions of keeping, Milcent appeared. "Mayor, Duchess Naidra Harvoan and her granddaughters aren't quite ready for dinner yet. They, once again, asked after Master Yuui's whereabouts." The girl-servant glanced over to Yuui, blushed, and then courtesied. "Welcome home, Master Yuui. I'm afraid you have company that's anxious to see you."
"Me? Why would the Duchess want to see me and not King Ashura?"
"She doesn't say," Milcent replied.
Dayken laid a hand on Yuui's shoulder and leaned down to whisper in his ear. "She's been making a pest of herself for days. You should give her an audience."
"I'd rather not, but tell her I'll see her at dinner tonight. Also, see that Zellen is invited."
There was a sudden popping noise and the flutter of dissipating, glowing, purple runes. Yuui was shocked to see Governor Boris lounging on a pile of books in the dinning hall. "How about me? Goodness knows you ate enough of my food over the last week."
"I wasn't expecting you."
"You said you wanted these books packed up and brought over, and I thought it might lift my spirits to visit Celes," Boris slid off the massive pile of books and slung his silver and fluorite staff over his shoulder. "So? Am I welcome?"
Yuui felt himself smiling in spite of the press of Boris' depression in his head. Maybe he could convince the man to let him prescribe some alchemical treatments. "You are more than welcome, Governor. As a matter of fact, I'd like you to stay as my guest."
"How long, Prince Yuui? You know I have all of debauched Valeria to govern."
"You'll stay as long as I need you," Yuui said. "In return, I'll send Vlad D Klaus to watch after Valeria. He's very strict."
"You can't make those orders officially," Mayor Dayken pointed out.
"I take it King Ashura left you in charge of me. That makes you my regent. You have the power to give those orders, and if you wish me to stay in Luval with no argument, you'll make them official," Yuui said, forcing authority into his voice that he didn't feel.
Dayken looked peeved, but nodded in acquiescences. Dayken left with Milcent to carry out Yuui's orders. Boris gave a slow, mocking clap. "Well played, Prince."
"I didn't do that for your amusement."
"I'm amused by you, nonetheless," Boris said, giving Yuui a smirk. Yuui felt annoyed at the tart man's remark. "Your dislike of me is obvious. So why are you enduring me? "
"Yuui, it's so nice to see you," Duchess Naidra called out from the doorway. The sound of her voice was like fingernails on a slate to Yuui. Her granddaughters were in tow: ages eighteen, fifteen, and thirteen. All three girls were in elaborate, ivory dresses and all were impeccably coiffed.
Yuui turned to Boris and said softly out of the intruders' earshot, "That's why."
Boris nodded and said softly, "I'm jaded enough to handle this sort of work. She'll rue the day she laid eyes on me. That is... if that's what His Highness desires?"
"Yes," Yuui gushed.
A bright gold set of runes dissipated in midair, and Zellen appeared by Yuui. "You're back!"
"Can you stay here for a little while, Zel? I need your help."
Zellen gave him a chipper smile. "Anything for you."
The Duchess strutted forward with her granddaughters following. "I wasn't expecting guests tonight. I wanted to have a conversation with you, Yuui."
"Well, I invited the governor and my friend. It would violate etiquette if I took back my offer."
"And the prince is quite big on politeness," Boris quipped before slumping in a chair at the long table, draping his staff across his lap.
The duchess glowered at Boris, but he only smirked back at the woman. Yuui could feel the man's depression lifting slightly, but he wondered why. Meanwhile, the duchess' aggravation was on full tilt.
Zellen leaned over and whispered to Yuui, "This is going to be a long night, isn't it, Yu?"
"Yeah," Yuui admitted.
Zellen shook his head and said, "If only Fai were here. I could have some entertainment harassing him. I wonder what that bum is up to right now. Knowing him, he probably has his feet propped up as he gulps down liquor and chocolates."
Fai let the arrow fly through the pouring rain, hitting the demon in the chest. He ducked as a second one swooped for his head. Kurogane leaped up and sliced that demon in two just as his father finished off a third one yards away.
"Nice job, Kuro-gi," Fai said and started walking closer towards Kurogane. Fai slipped, unlike his usual graceful moves, and slid to the muddy ground. Fai took on a huge pout and teased, "Oh! What did you call this horrible stuff again? Rain? I call it dreadful."
Lord Suwa reached down and picked Fai up by the elbow, snickering at Fai, who was now coated in mud, including his hair and face. "Nothing a good bath won't take care of. You know, it's strange hearing someone not know what rain is."
"Yeah, if you'd seen Celes, you'd know why," Kurogane quipped, with crossed arms. "Stinking ice pit."
"I've seen some since I've been here in Nihongo. There is some rain in the far south of Celes, where wheat is grown, but I've never been there when it was raining. Mostly, we get sleet in the summer where I live. It's kind of like this mixed with snow," Fai said to Lord Suwa, and then he turned to Kurogane. "And Kuro-rude should keep his shabby opinions to his great big know-it-all self."
Fai saw nothing but irritation cross his lover's face, but he was sick and tired of Kurogane's aloofness over the past three weeks, since they had left his family's home. He understood that they were too busy to spend time together, and, not to mention, they were right under his father's eyes. Still, Fai didn't think it was too much to ask for friendly teasing rather than the sharp tone Kurogane had adopted lately.
"Really, Kurogane. You were a guest of the ice king. I won't have you disrespecting his kindness," Lord Suwa chided as he helped Fai onto his horse.
Fai watched Kurogane's expression get even darker as he said, "Yes, sir."
He really wanted to get to the bottom of what was bothering Kurogane. Instead, he looked over the damp field and pointed to a small hill in the distance. "That's where I'll cast the ward."
"Good. I want to get to to the nearby village and get dry," Lord Suwa said as Kentaro and the rest of the men rode up. They had been scouting around the field, making sure no other demons would sneak up on them as they got rid of the three lurking around.
"There should be nothing to harm you at that hill, mage," Kentaro reported as the rain started picking up.
"I hope you made sure. My vow to the ice king is at stake," Kurogane said. Fai noted something very unpleasant about the way Kurogane spoke; it was hostile and accusing. Maybe Kurogane also had some issue with Kentaro and it wasn't just him.
Fai could tell the steward was offended by the sudden wrath in his face. "Is the young lord implying I wouldn't do my job and protect the mage of Celes for some reason?"
After a moment, Kurogane shook his head. "No, I'm not. Forgive my insult."
"Forgiven," Kentaro snapped.
Fai decided to ride on and hurry with casting the ward. He looked over his shoulder to see Kurogane was getting some sort of dressing down from his father. Fai decided he'd corner Kurogane tonight and force him to talk about what had soured his mood.
"What? Give up my Aya to Suwa? Never! I'm her guardian, now that our parents are gone, and I refuse to rush into finding her a husband," Ran growled at Mamoru Takatori. They were in the Takatori family home in the main room where where Mamoru granted audiences with petitioners from his Tsukiyono province. His father had used this room to plot and scheme evil, but he was determined to create a new history in this room.
"But, Ran, don't you see how beneficial this is? Rumor has it that Schwarz is somewhere around Suwa. It would be a way we could travel without raising suspicions."
"Then offer up your sister to Lady Suwa! Ouka's sixteen as well, and she's put away her mourning clothes and adopted wearing a furisode, which means she's looking for a husband."
"I can't put her up as a candidate. You know Ouka's temperament would lead to her being refused by Lady Suwa, even if it got far enough for an official visit. Besides, Ouka's not really looking for a husband, she only wants the glamor of being courted, because she's hopelessly romantic. I know she'd back out at the last minute and bring shame to the Takatori name. Our father spoiled her way too much to be a suitable bride for someone like Kurogane. Aya-chan has a sweet temperament like Lady Suwa's. Admit Aya-chan is a much better match. "
"For that disrespectful, improper lout that tolerates vixens? Not a chance I'd hand over someone precious to me to that..." Ran then growled and slammed his hand on the table where Lady Suwa's petition on a scroll rested. "And you want me to hand her over so we can finally get our revenge on Schwarz? You're asking me to give up the one thing I prize above claiming those four heads."
"Please be reasonable. This is for Aya-chan, too. You need to let her come out of mourning for your parents. The best way to do that is to find her a husband and let her start a family. Kurogane is a good man. You know it. He'll treat her fairly and let her continue her duties as a miko, just like his mother."
"No. I won't agree to it."
Mamoru knew Ran would be tough to convince so he had prepared to play dirty. "You're telling me that you would jeopardize Tsukiyono's standing and refuse such a plum proposal for your sister. It could strengthen ties between Suwa and Tsukiyono that we desperately need in our quest. Your sister could gain status with this match, and you'd refuse her the upward move? In the Fujimiya linage your mother and Lady Suwa were cousins that had a great friendship, so the match would be ideal. You're not thinking of Aya-chan's well-being."
"How dare you! I only think of my sister and her well-being! So never mind about what I decide for my sister. The four of us need to go to Suwa and hunt down Schwarz like men and not hide behind a furisode. Let's go. Now."
"Then I'm not letting you get anywhere near Suwa without your sister. I want you to ensure her safety, rather than concentrate too much on Schwarz. You've ruined our chances before. Not again. You agree to Aya-chan going with us, or you don't go."
Ran's eyes narrowed lethally. "You'd use my sister against me?"
"For her own good! If you can't see Kurogane is an excellent match for her, then you're blind and overprotective. Come to your senses and do the right thing for your sister."
Ran took a long, drawn-out breath. "Fine. I'll consent to seeking out this match, but it doesn't mean it'll happen in the end. My cousin doesn't deserve someone a special as Aya."
To be continued.
