Chapter 21

  Irumachu Zirieku Eres Taatsu

  Kivaan gazed upon the building, making a marked effort to plaster an expression of gratitude across his generally stony face. It was less an inn, and more a rambunctious tavern with an upper story and a couple of wings that provided – what he suspected would turn out to be – accommodation with the bare minimum comforts. It was the sort of place he and his fellows had been grateful to have available on many occasions, but it was with great effort that he maintained an air of gratefulness today.

  Tsuzumiyu stared at the establishment with a mixture of curiosity and barely disguised horror. Kivaan felt the way she shrank into his chest slightly, her fingers tightening on his robe; even her heartbeat quickened noticeably. It was too soon after her ordeal to be expecting her to rest easy in a place so crowded with strangers who, in this town especially, could be from nearly anywhere.

  “You will be safe with …” And then he stopped, thinking better of it. No. She wasn’t safe even with her handmaidens. Not the first time, and not the second time. The gentle tug of her fist – clenched unflinchingly around the hem of his robe – drew him back.

  “Please,” she whispered, not making eye contact, “I wish … it would not be wholly inappropriate now … to share a room with you … Ki … Kivaan.”

  He desperately wanted to shut the suggestion down immediately and pretended not to see the way both Hajuyu and Kageyu smirked directly at him. And yet what could he say? The Master of Guard had revealed that only two rooms were available. While a practical part of his mind presented the notion of sharing a room with all of the girls – rather than only Tsuzumiyu – for propriety’s sake, he had just as quickly rejected it. Personally guarding Tsuzumiyu for the night would be far less awkward and frustrating than tolerating the nonsense of the Chuho twins.

  “Knight Ascendant?” Tsuzumiyu murmured, her cheeks coloured with a dull red.

  “I suppose it may have to be so,” Kivaan allowed at last, well and truly fatigued by his usual penchant for trying to control every outcome. “I only pray your handmaidens do not torment my men too much.”

  Tsuzumiyu’s eyes sparkled with a humour that had just enough life in it as to be perceivable. It made Kivaan sad, at the same time as it gave him hope that the princess was not nearly as crushed as he had at first feared.

  They dismounted, and Kivaan left Jiriou and Oniwa to see to the steeds while he accompanied the princess and her handmaidens inside. He had not deemed fit to reveal her identity to anyone yet and given that their original garments were no longer fit to be worn and they were now garbed in the raiment of Kivaan and his friends, there were no visual hints as to their allegiance to Shikyo. Even those familiar with the nuanced differences in skin tone and face structure would have little to go on, as the Chuho twins’ porcelain skin and full cheeks would mark them descendants of the far northern tip of Yomian, while the princess’ high cheekbones and leaner appearance was an indication that – at some point – her forebears had dominated the Chitsuzu Zitsu.

  They were seen to their accommodation with no fanfare, although they did receive a great many suspicious and curious looks, as was only natural for obvious outsiders in a place like this.

  “Why do they look at us as if we have horns?” fretted Tsuzumiyu, her general demeanour doing little to make her appear less suspect.

  Kivaan laughed and patted her on the head before he could think better of it. It had been a long time since he had done the same to his little cousin, but at some point he had grown comfortable enough with the princess that his hand had moved on its own. She blushed, and both her handmaidens made a long sound of sly appreciation.

  “It is only natural in a town like this one,” Kivaan said, as if nothing had happened, opening the door to their small sleeping quarters. He was relieved to see that their rooms were at the end of the ground floor wing, and opposite each other. “Those who travel here overland do so almost exclusively as part of a merchant caravan. The fact that we are here in such a small party is not so much a problem as a curiosity.”

  “Is that so?” breathed Tsuzumiyu with relief, dabbing gently at her own head as if to ensure Kivaan had not mussed her hair.

  “It is so,” Kivaan smiled, ushering her into the limited security of the room. He turned to the handmaidens. “I will stay with the princess,” he said firmly, dumping his saddle bags on the floor. He took out a small carved box of charred nivaan wood, and out of it he retrieved five small, finger-sized tablets of kitsuzu, which he pressed into Hajuyu’s hands. He still wasn’t entirely sure that Kageyu wouldn’t immediately attempt to eat it. “Make your way down to the docks and, first, find new attire for the princess and yourselves. Secondly, find what information you can about what ships have departed recently and which are expected. Please hurry, as the day is all but over.”

  Kageyu opened her mouth to say something, the look in her eyes perfectly wicked, but Hajuyu elbowed her inconspicuously but firmly in the ribs and stepped forward, bowing at the waist with utmost deference.

  “As you command, Knight Ascendant,” she said, and dragged the protesting Kageyu away with her.

  The door closed in the wake of the twins, and Kivaan was left there in a dimly lit and cramped room, alone with the princess. In the corner was a solitary bed that looked as if it might possibly fit one and a half people on it.

  Good. She’ll not think I have any designs on sleeping in the same bed, he thought with relief.

  Tsuzumiyu sat herself down on the edge of the bed, hugging Kivaan’s outer robe about herself in an awkward fashion. It was her only garment at present, and Kivaan could see how uncomfortable that was for her. As the silence stretched on, a knock came at the door, and Kivaan gratefully answered it, recognising the heavy hand and identifying rhythm of Oniwa.

  “Knight Ascendant,” nodded Oniwa tersely, offering a tray of food.

  “This is all beginning to fray on my nerves,” Kivaan said drily, accepting the platter. “Are you all playing some joke on me together?”

  Oniwa snorted and looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. “I passed Lady Hajuyu on my way in, and she made the point that we should observe all due deference in this place.” He tilted his newly shaven head, as if he found the whole situation both ludicrous and fascinating. “What curious customs you highborn all have.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I could present some oddities from your clan if I thought to,” Kivaan chuckled good-naturedly. “But very well, if that is your reasoning, I am relieved. It is as you say. We represent our nation and should leave the best report behind that we are able. I see you have taken the opportunity to shave your head anew.”

  Oniwa nodded and laughed. “I will admit … I have grown accustomed to it, and now prefer it. Certainly, watching the process Jiriou must go through in order to maintain his mane is reason enough.”

  “Is that what he is doing now?” Kivaan snorted.

  “Would that it were so,” Oniwa sighed. “He is drinking and making merry over some game of chance he recognises. Perhaps he will be gone on the next ship if he borrows money from the wrong man!”

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  “Ah,” Kivan sighed, aggrieved. “Will his tongue loosen, do you think?”

  “Obnoxious and crass he certainly is,” Oniwa said scathingly, “but even deep in his drink, he will not spill secrets such as ours. He is a warrior first, after all. Rest easy.”

  Kivaan bowed his head in deference to Oniwa’s assertion. “Thank you for the meal,” he said. “Rest well. I fear I must ask that you and Jiriou share your quarters with the Ladies. Hopefully, between you and Lady Hajuyu, you can prevent Jiriou and Lady Kageyu from coming to blows.”

  Oniwa laughed mirthlessly. “This must be my ongoing penance. So be it!” He looked then at Kivaan, uncertainty in his eyes. “Knight Ascendant … a question … if I may.”

  “Speak your mind, Oniwa,” Kivaan urged.

  “All of these happenings … is there an end? Does this campaign end when we reach Shikyo? You room with the princess … and I trust your judgment to the extent that I believe you no longer think her safe even with her Ladies in attendance.”

  Kivaan smiled to himself, impressed with the mountain lad’s reasoning.

  “Jiriou spoke correctly, you do see far,” Kivaan chuckled. “Your suspicions are correct. In one way or another, a chapter will close when we reach Shikyo, even as another begins. Whether that chapter follows the same actors or not, who can tell?”

  Oniwa nodded. “That is enough for now,” he agreed, seeming relieved. “I put myself unreservedly in your command until we reach Shikyo at least. Perhaps even after. And Jiriou’s mind and heart are set on the same road.” He frowned at the floorboards. “We shall see. Good evening, Knight Ascendant.”

  “Good night, Oniwa,” Kivaan nodded.

  He closed the door, and he was alone with the princess once more, who had not moved from the bed, although she showed signs of having listened with interest to their conversation. Crossing the floor on long strides, Kivaan hooked his foot around the small table that stood near the head of the bed and pulled it over next to Tsuzumiyu. It was a simple meal of grilled fish and such vegetables as were grown in the area, but it seemed a feast to Kivaan in that moment.

  “Jiaduni continues to provide,” Tsuzumiyu smiled gently, gesturing with both hands for Kivaan to take something first.

  “Princess, if we are to wed, you will have to begin learning Eres Zoru,” he murmured, taking her right hand and turning it so her palm faced the ceiling. “Your left hand is for your blade and your work and your utensils. Your right hand is for greetings and the times when you must touch your food directly.”

  “We … we have similar customs,” Tsuzumiyu said uncertainly, as if worried she had offended him. At the same time, she stared with a fascinated embarrassment at her hand in his.

  Kivaan smiled. “So we do. But another eating custom is very different … Eres Zoru is a land of proud and mighty warriors. And it is a matter of personal honour to us that our families eat their fill before we do. Otherwise, what is it that we protect?”

  The princess’ cheeks went a pleasing shade of red yet again, and Kivaan found himself wondering idly if the day would ever come that she would stop blushing around him. What surprised him most was that he realised that he rather hoped she wouldn’t.

  “I … er … Knight … Ascendant …,” she stammered.

  “Princess,” said Kivaan firmly, gesturing to the food. “Please eat. I am trained to survive on what I can harvest from the woods and among rocks. You must eat proper fare while you are able.”

  “I … well … yes … my Lord,” she managed, only slightly more coherent this time.

  With great self-consciousness, she tore off a strip of fish with her right hand and ate it delicately, shielding the socially crass act with the wide sleeve of her robe. She nodded to Kivaan, wordlessly begging him to eat now as well and not force her to eat her fill on her own.

  With a little smile, he indulged her. They ate in a companiable, yet still sightly awkward, silence until the platter had been cleared of food and all that remained was a pitcher of water and smaller decanter of the local alcohol. Kivaan gave it an experimental sniff and recoiled at the sharp, piercing odour.

  “It is a distilled drink, Princess, not fit for your consumption,” he declared disdainfully, pouring her a cup of water instead.

  “Indeed?” she wondered, curiosity evidently piqued.

  Kivaan glowered. “Yes,” he said.

  “Surely …” She gave him a nervous little glance out of the corner of her eyes. “Surely … as a princess … I should … um … culturally enrich myself … er … learn the customs of neighbouring nations …”

  “Not all customs are worth knowing of,” Kivaan replied with great certainty.

  “Not worth emulating, to be sure,” the princess pointed out, some of her former spirit sparking into life, “but surely worth knowing? How else will we know what to accept and what to condemn?”

  Kivaan narrowed his eyes, a suspicion flickering to life. The way she hunched her shoulders and looked at her lap did nothing to allay it.

  “Are you fond of drink?” he demanded, surprise tricking the horror off his face.

  "It may help you sleep."

  AI-rendering of original characters and narrative by T. Sharp

  “N-No!” exclaimed Tsuzumiyu with perhaps too much fervour. She allowed herself a quick glance up at his face to read what she could of his judgment. “A … little bit …”

  Kivaan opened his mouth to groan his protest to Jiaduni but then thought better of it. The princess still huddled within his robe, clutching it to her breast as if it were a shield to ward off the evil surrounding her. Such teasing would be counterproductive. Instead, he nodded quietly and poured a measure of the liquor into her cup. As he handed it to her, she finally released her hands from their tense watch, taking it from him with both hands and a shy little dip of her head.

  “It may help you to sleep,” Kivaan murmured.

  Tsuzumiyu downed the measure in a single, swift, movement that took Kivaan completely by surprise. A little squeal of shock escaped her lips at whatever sensation the liquid left in its path, and she set the cup back down on the table and moved to pour Kivaan his own portion.

  “Ah, no,” he said quickly, and as gently as possible.

  When she looked hurt, he smiled and gestured about them.

  “I cannot in good conscience do anything that might adversely affect my ability to keep you safe,” said Kivaan. “Not here. I would be glad to share a drink when we arrive at Shikyo.”

  Tsuzumiyu’s smile – nervous enough already – faltered more, and the wretched look in her eyes spoke volumes.

  She desperately does not want to manipulate me with her emotions … and she is unable to put on a brave face in this moment. She cannot even hide what she is feeling, let alone herself from her enemies. Ah, am I truly considering this?

  “I should … take things a little easier sometimes,” Kivaan amended slowly, picking up his cup and holding it out to her. “Princess … if you please.”

  He thoroughly disliked the smile of uninhibited relief that flooded her entire face, and the way her eyes shone with a heartfelt gladness at his capitulation. It was a dislike founded on lifelong habits of discipline and protocol, and he felt all of it slipping away when she looked at him as if he were the sun rising over her verdant valleys and streams. He disliked it because he found himself never wanting to see her cry or in fear again, and he wondered what lengths he might go to achieve that.

  Jiaduni, what have you done to me? he wondered bleakly, accepting the drink he was poured and gently tipping it down his throat. I was never warned that a woman could make a face like that.

  “I will not force too much upon you, my Lord,” Tsuzumiyu smiled, her eyes swimming with the sheen of happy, unshed, tears.

  Kivaan laughed, mostly at himself. “I am beginning to suspect you will not have to force me very often at all,” he confessed wryly.

  Tsuzumiyu blushed hotly and dipped her gaze to her lap, although the happiness did not depart. And, for his part, Kivaan poured her another drink and felt himself relax slightly as he enjoyed her happy discomfort and wondered what else he knew nothing about.

  Irumachu Zirieku Eres Taatsu: eff – scars leave a beautiful road

  Chitsuzu Zitsu: eff – Emerald Hills, a wide expanse of gently rolling hills in between The Nation of White Towers and The Crooked Spine. Many nomadic tribes wander there, although some have settled more permanently in key defensive locations, or places on busy trade routes.

  Kitsuzu: eff – gold. Lit – bright valuable treasure