Chapter 22

  Tsukitsuyoem

  The waves buffeted the ship gently against the pier, and the gangway heaved along with it. Kivaan guided Tsuzumiyu down the unnerving bridge with a steady hand. Kivaan noticed her charmed smile – her unfavourably aligned teeth peeking out from behind petal-like lips – and wondered yet again how he had ever thought such imperfections important. The good cheer in her eyes and the sparkle that lit them up every time she peeked his way did unseemly things to the heart he had always considered untouchable by flights of fancy and emotion.

  Ah, Jiaduni, how I have fallen, he thought ruefully as he finally saw her onto the relatively solid footing of the nivaan-wood pier. The choppy, steel-coloured waves of Yomian’s eastern coast lapped and swirled in an eternal dance about the heavy columns sunk in the ocean bed. Above and far beyond his wards on the pier, a great spur of The Reaper swooped right down to the very coast, and within its wide embrace was a sandy cove and relatively quieter waters. Directly into the living rock of the spur was built the aptly named Shikyo, the keep of the First Guardian. Its many corridors, halls and chambers were predominantly carved from existing caverns and faults, and connected as necessity or chance allowed. Whatever stone had been removed did not go to waste. Soaring out from the spur was a great, semicircular sea wall that both provided extra security to ships and a defence against attack from the Black Sea. Here and there, high up amongst the jagged crags, actual building in the typical style of Yomian – steel-blue shikyo framed with black nivaan – sprouted out of the cliffs where more comfortable living was required or desired.

  “Do you only marry the princess for her home?” demanded Kageyu, her eyes alight with indignant humour.

  “It is a fine prize,” Jiriou called out with dry cheer, ever engaged in skirmishes of wit with the more tempestuous of the Chuho. He was still aboard the ship, but was admiring the view from balustrade nearest those ashore.

  “Do not draw undue attention,” Kivaan urged, bringing Tsuzumiyu to Hajuyu’s side. “Remember that it was from here that the princess and her ladies in waiting were first taken. Do not lessen your guard. I leave her in your care for now.”

  “The princess is in our care now,” affirmed Hajuyu with a demure tilt to her head.

  “Remain here,” Kivaan nodded. “We will enter Shikyo together.”

  “As you say, my lord,” smiled Hajuyu, seeming to be both teasing him and approving of the authority he had taken on.

  Ah yes, why not give her further fuel for her teasing? thought Kivaan wryly. He turned then to see about coaxing their mounts down from the ship. Vashti descended daintily to Kivaan’s side with no guidance needed, although Jiriou’s great wolf leaped excitedly into the ocean and swam ashore with great huffing and puffing and many other ridiculous sounds for a creature of its majestic appearance. It seemed to be with great difficulty that Jiriou refrained from joining his beast, although the yearning in his eyes was clear, despite the way the coastal wind whipped across their skin and robes. The forest lad was wild in both body and spirit.

  Kivaan turned away, leading Vashti by her harness, and only then saw that a small squad of guards had been sent down to the pier from the main keep to see who was alighting. A commotion had broken out as the princess was quickly recognised and – as quickly as due courtesy was fulfilled – their squad leader began the process ensuring discipline and quiet. Moving smoothly, Kivaan made his way back to the princess’ side.

  “Hold there, vagabond,” snarled the squad leader, rounding on him with, what Kivaan thought was, unnecessary rancour. “Keep your distance from her highness, the jewel of Shikyo!”

  Tsuzumiyu looked appalled, and Kivaan noted Kageyu’s temper flaring and decided to be proactive about defusing this situation.

  “The fault is mine, Muto,” he said courteously, purposely indicating that he knew the guard’s rank. “I have failed to make myself known.” Kivaan noted the brooding presence of Oniwa sidling up behind him, Jiriou still aboard the ship and leaning on the balustrade. He seemed at ease, but Kivaan knew him to be coiled like a viper for the strike.

  “I have no interest in knowing you,” the muto grimaced, before turning towards the princess again.

  And then Kivaan saw it; something he had never seen so obviously before. Beneath the muto’s helm, something black and slick with grime convulsed, as if coiled in there out of sight. Just that hint of something vile was enough to make the bile rise in his gut, and, carefully looking to Oniwa and Jiriou, he confirmed for himself that they could not see it.

  Is this a gift of the Blade of Jiaduni? Kivaan wondered to himself. Then he shook himself into action. If that thing is what I think it must be … then I was correct. We have scarcely made land and they look to steal her away again.

  “Princess Tsuzumiyu,” he said firmly, shouldering his way easily past the muto while Oniwa immediately created space between him and the guards. They all looked flustered and unsure of what to do now. Either very bad at their job … or not here in an official capacity, Kivaan assessed. “I will see you to your father. I must convey to him …” And here he paused and stared meaningfully at the muto, whose face turned a sickly grey, “ … the duty of my father, Hotsukiyoemmi Tuvaan.”

  “Ah!” croaked the muto, immediately shifting from haughty and domineering to simpering and cajoling. “Indeed, my Lord, you should have announced yourself so that your servants might better serve you! Please! Please do allow us to convey you to Shikyo and bring you before Jirushinidair kii Shikyo Kyoano!”

  “Please do,” Kivaan smiled tightly, offering his arm to the princess. He was deeply gratified – and a little surprised by his own smug feelings – when the muto’s eyes practically bugged out of his skull at the familiar gesture.

  “My Lord, you’ve grown so bold in such a short amount of time,” Hajuyu said with a teasing appreciation.

  “The ocean air is known to make a man more decisive,” joined in Kageyu.

  Jiriou cackled, having grown accustomed to the eccentricities of the Chuho twins, and even found common – if crass – common ground with Kageyu’s sense of humour and mischief. As if their teasing was all the motivation he required to leave the ship, he finally came ashore and rejoined the party.

  “Are we meant to scale a mountain to the keep?” Jiriou hissed at Kageyu, seemingly outraged at this insult.

  “Dear me, no,” purred Kageyu suggestively. “Those towers you see are the private chambers of the ladies of the court … that is why they are the furthest up and out of harm’s way. Knight Ascendant Jiriou …” And Kageyu paused for dramatic effect, half-hiding her coy expression behind her wide sleeve, “do you wish to see my private chambers?”

  “I do not!” he snapped, made immediately angry in his embarrassment and horror. “Consider my curiosity in the heights of Shikyo thoroughly quenched!”

  “Perhaps Jiriou requires more of the sea air,” Hajuyu hinted innocently.

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  “Ladies, please,” murmured Tsuzumiyu, her own cheeks glowing at the barely restrained innuendo.

  The Chuho twins made their unnerving, long sigh of appreciation at her innocence, but obediently suppressed any further mischief. Kivaan smiled his appreciation at the princess, but immediately realised – given the topic of conversation until just a moment ago – how that must have seemed when her cheeks only grew hotter and she ducked her gaze behind her fringe.

  Ah, excellent. I am still just as awkward as ever. He smiled again, this time for himself. Even so … this is nice.

  The landward end of the pier did not arrive on the beach, but rather ramped up gradually until it came level with the top of the seawall, itself a mighty bastion of skilfully shaped shikyo set in immense blocks. The workmanship made Kivaan wonder if the stone had been mined for this purpose and the empty cavities left behind were merely repurposed into living and defensive areas opportunistically.

  I know nothing of my own nation, he realised, brow furrowing. I should at least know the history of the Seven Guardians and their keeps … and yet, such was my surplus of interest in myself I know hardly anything of even my father.

  “My Lord?” murmured Tsuzumiyu into his grim thoughts.

  A little light returned to his mindset, and he could feel his face relax. How unfair, he thought, bemused. How can someone so delicate have such power over me?

  “I believe I have reminded you I am no lord,” he sighed.

  “I know the custom of Anchi Chuho wives to call their husband ‘Lord’ well enough,” the princess sniffed primly. “You shall not toss me about so easily … my Lord.”

  “Ah, it seems I am not the only who has grown bold with the sea air,” Kivaan snorted, surprising himself with a half-chuckle at the princess’ assertiveness.

  An irritatingly appreciative sigh came from behind them, but Kivaan was more or less able to tune out the foolishness of the Chuho twins now.

  “I look forward to relieving my ladies in waiting of their duties for some much-needed rest,” Tsuzumiyu sighed benevolently. “They have been through much.”

  “Indeed,” Kivaan agreed. “It would seem they can only sigh with their continued hard treatment.”

  "Perhaps you do only desire me for my father's keep..."

  AI-generated content based on original characters and narrative by T. Sharp

  The sea wall was even longer when walked than it had seemed from the ship, but at last they came to a place where the shikyo was now lapped at by wet, then dry, sand. Still, the wall remained some three spans above the sand as it continued its gentle curve towards the north-eastern end of the keep. Here, a bridge of still more shikyo block ascended to meet the top of the sea wall, and finally it became apparent that the seawall doubled as the road one must take to the main gate of the keep, and a highly exposed one at that.

  Out of curiosity, Kivaan cast his gaze towards the other arm of the sea wall and saw that it was reserved for the docking of lighter scouting ships and defensive emplacements and guards. Unlike the road they now trod, that sea wall ended in a smaller gate clearly only meant to service the soldiery, and it was segregated from the road they now walked on by the three-span drop into the sand and then the wide expanse of beach between.

  “Perhaps you do only desire me for my father’s keep,” Tsuzumiyu said, evidently not above pouting slightly.

  “Hm?” Kivaan smirked. “You think I will live here with you, princess?”

  Tsuzumiyu’s eyes widened in horror, a protest beginning to form on her lips.

  Kivaan laughed and pre-empted her outrage. “Naturally, you will come to Hotsukiyoem … the keep of my father.” His smile turned a little grim. “If your father gives our union his blessing.”

  “I told you already,” Tsuzumiyu murmured self-consciously, “he will not refuse a warrior as gallant as yourself.”

  “Gallant, hm?” Kivaan sighed, unsure how he felt about that. “We shall see.”

  They passed through the main gate, unchallenged at the muto’s signal, and were led across the outer bailey. Here they left the mounts to be stabled, although Oniwa insisted on staying to ensure proper treatment of all their beasts. Upon his insistence, Jiriou readily accompanied him. While he seemed to be fascinated by his altercations with Kageyu, he had also apparently had enough for one day. Even so, Kageyu delivered several parting injuries in the form of detailed directions to her private chambers.

  They came to the gate into the inner bailey, and here the muto was dismissed – although not without a certain look of unease at Kivaan – and then Kivaan heard it. A hail from above, on the ramparts, and his heart lifted immediately.

  “As expected!” cried the jubilant voice from above, followed by the awkward tread of a man still recovering from injury. “Kivaan!”

  Kivaan looked up, and the broadest grin he had worn for some time now spread across his face at the sight of Tsukio limping hurriedly down the stairs towards them. For all his injury clearly still plagued him, he was even more cheery than Kivaan, and his whole body radiated his excitement at seeing his friend again.

  “Tsukitsuyoem, you villain!” Kivaan laughed roughly, as the two met in a fierce embrace that nearly bore them both onto the shikyo cobbles. “We came to Chosam only to find you departed mere days before!”

  Tsukio chortled, refusing to relinquish his hold on Kivaan. “What was I to do?” he grinned. “My father was a merchant and I know the size of those vessels. Had I stayed, we would not all have fit so nicely onboard the small trading ship coming soon after. Imagine another mount aboard!”

  “How did you …,” began Tsuzumiyu, before clasping her hands over her mouth in horror at her own impropriety.

  “My apologies,” Kivaan laughed, finally shaking Tsukio off him. Then he shot his friend another look. “You even read the stars to find these things out?”

  Tsukio held up his hands disarmingly, an innocent smile spread across his merry face. “I had nothing but time and clear night skies after I parted ways with you, and so I knew I must do what I could to aid you.” His smile softened. “And the stars told me, with rejoicing, that you would be successful in your mission, and you would bring all of those we lost along with you.” His eyes twinkled like stars themselves as he met Kivaan’s gaze. “The best tidings a friend could ask for.”

  “Agreed,” Kivaan said earnestly. “The news we received in Chosam that you were alive and on your way home was very welcome. Now. This …”

  “Congratulations, Princess Tsuzumiyu,” Tsukio said formally, bowing low at the waist. “Much has happened to my friend who was only recently bemoaning the idea of marriage.”

  “Oh!” Tsuzumiyu blushed hotly, smiling happily through it all, “I … thank you. We are very glad to find you alive and well.”

  “Alive, certainly!” Tsukio laughed. “As to my wellness …” He winked at Kivaan. “I do not think our sparring will ever be quite so near a match again, sadly. It took me too long to receive treatment for my injuries. I fear my movement will never be quite the same.”

  Kivaan felt his blood run cold at his friend’s candid admission. Surely not … and yet … this is Tsukio. Not only is he wise beyond his years … but he can read the stars. He would not say such a thing if it were not true.

  “Surely time and ongoing treatment will help?” protested the na?ve princess, although her well-meaning warmed the hearts of both men.

  “Maybe so, princess,” Tsukio smiled in return, although Kivaan saw the dark shadow in his eyes that came from knowledge to the contrary. “We can certainly beseech Jiaduni for a change to our fate, even as we willingly drink his cup. But come! Your father awaits us in the keep! He has prepared a … modest reception under the circumstances.” Tsukio grinned.

  Ah, what is this mischief-maker up to this time? wondered Kivaan wearily.

  “As you say,” was what he said aloud. “Come princess,” he smiled. “You must introduce me to your father.”

  “With all my heart,” she murmured shyly.

  Muto: eff – leader of ten; a military rank in the Yomian islands.

  Jirushinidair kii: eff – first Guardian; lit – he strives with damnation - first

  Kyoano: eff & lit – strong blade