Chapter 24

  Nogo Gisho

  Kivaan studied Tsuzumiyu’s pensive posture and the way her eyes darted from shadow to shadow, as if trying to determine where the next attempt on her freedom would come from. They were following Tsukio, who had been bid await their arrival and bring them before the First Guardian. Even now, they were approaching the majestic set of double doors that allowed entrance into the main greeting hall. Immense columns of hand-carved nivaan timber framed the heavy doors, embellished skilfully with the likeness of the Shikyo heraldic flower creeping about its base and crown.

  With a considered thoughtfulness, Kivaan rested a hand lightly on Tsuzumiyu’s delicate shoulder. He drew her closer and waited for her manner to calm before speaking.

  “Peace,” he murmured. “I am here. They cannot act publicly, and I will stand in their way whether the attack comes during the day or night, in public or in secret.” Even so, he grit his teeth with a private anger and frustration. Even in the wake of her first capture, she had spirit enough to declare herself a princess when faced with warrior strangers. Now she shudders at the darkness in the corner of the courtyard. How can I protect against this manner of soul-wound?

  “Do not misunderstand,” the princess whispered in reply. “I do feel safe with you … I do. I cannot explain it. I feel safe … and yet … my body shudders at every reminder that we are now back where all of this began. My … my body’s reactions are now trained to fear every hiding place in which an enemy may lurk.” Her worried eyes glistened with unshed tears as she turned her face upwards to look at Kivaan. “And … there are so many places like that in Shikyo,” she groaned.

  “I know it is not so simple as trusting that it will be well,” Kivaan replied gently. “But even if only in your mind … remember that not only will I stand between you and your enemies, but your father will as well. He will be sure to take far more care of who watches over you now …”

  “I will not have anyone but you watch over me!” Tsuzumiyu insisted immediately, with a quiet, earnest dread in her voice. “Please do not entrust me into anyone else’s hands!”

  “Surely that is for your father to decide?” Kivaan tried to reason with her.

  “Is that the son of the Second Guardian?” called out an obstinately glad voice, interrupting them without a care. There was a grit and confidence to the warrior’s voice, but also a surprising amount of informality. “You are Tuvaan’s mirror image!”

  Kivaan felt a brief flare of irritation at the bad timing before he saw who had hailed him. There in the doorway to the main hall stood a warrior of only average height for a man, but who radiated a strength and easy charisma that marked him as Tsuzumiyu’s father, as well as being the First Guardian and Lord of Shikyo. His hair hung in long, straight tresses to the middle of his back and was unbound, and a thin moustache neatly framed his wide, welcoming grin.

  “My Lord First Guardian!” Kivaan cried with surprise, his quick eyes reading the exploits of Sarian’s First Guardian bedecking the embossed armour of the supremely confident warrior before him. As one, he, Tsukio, Oniwa, and Jiriou went down on their faces before him.

  “Bah, that will not do!’ announced the First Guardian, coming towards them with quick strides. “Up! Up with you! You are my guests, and I am in immeasurable debt to you all!” He raised his voice then so everyone present would hear him. “Kivaan-zomiyu is my honoured guest, and no stranger to the war we fight with the Black Sea. Do him courtesy and do not hinder his path. His companions may go where he will.”

  "Up! Up with you! You are my guests ..."

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

  Kivaan and his companions drew themselves up to stand again, and while Kivaan and Tsukio were no strangers to the back and forth of courtesies in court, it was clear that Oniwa and Jiriou felt greatly tossed about. In some of the more formal palaces on the central island of Tokikyo, Kivaan had heard it said that even trusted nobles lived their lives with their forehead on the floor.

  “If it please the First Guardian,” spoke up another armoured soldier, his ornate helm marking him as a high-ranking officer, “allow me to take your command until the third watch, that you may see to your guests.”

  “It pleases me,” the First Guardian nodded firmly. “See to the watch and be vigilant. Beseech Jiaduni that he guide us through this night.”

  “As you will, First Guardian,” nodded the other warrior firmly.

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  “The Western lands can never hope to repay the blood debt it owes to our islands,” the First Guardian said solemnly. “For their sake, it is good that all we do and give is offered only to Jiaduni. Go in His strength.”

  This was evidently his dismissal, as the gathered troops gave a great shout all at once, before going about their business with renewed vigour. The First Guardian turned his grim attention to Kivaan and his fellow travellers.

  “Come,” he said. “You have brought my daughter home, along with her ladies in waiting, and travelled far to do so …” He nodded then, as if fully aware of Kivaan’s desired destination. “Yes … and far out of your intended path, too.” He promptly bowed low at the waist. “Kivaan-zomiyu … you have done a service to the First Guardian that he cannot repay. You have my gratitude, and shall have it for the rest of my days. I will press you without remorse over food as to what I may do to reward you. But for now … you and your fellows must rest and bathe, and so must my daughter and her retainers.”

  “We are deeply thankful for your hospitality,” Kivaan bowed again.

  “Come, come,” urged the Lord. “I am eager to further take the measure of the Second Guardian’s firstborn.”

  “Father!” called Tsuzumiyu, in an outburst wholly inappropriate to most courts. She went down on her knees then, and Hajuyu and Kageyu did so as well. “My Lord …”

  “You need not bow in front of me, child,” said the First Guardian with a softness that Kivaan had not heard from him yet. “Speak your heart and mind.”

  “Thank you,” Tsuzumiyu breathed, turning her face up to beam happily at her father. “If it pleases you …” She stopped then and blushed prettily, as if she had not really considered how she would say what she wanted to say.

  Hajuyu and Kageyu hid their expression respectfully and conveniently behind their wide sleeves while their mistress floundered for the right words. Tsuzumiyu meanwhile managed to both look very pointedly at Kivaan and also avoid looking at him at all, and at last the First Guardian raised a dark eyebrow and grinned again.

  “What is this?” he laughed, shooing away all those who needn’t be there. He waited until he was alone with only his Castellan and the companions. He stepped closer again. “Has my daughter at last lost her wits over a man?” His grin only widened, as if he thought these were the greatest tidings he could have ever hoped for.

  “Father!” she pouted, looking appalled. She risked a glance over her shoulder at Kivaan, unwittingly confirming her father’s assumptions and also further fuelling the fire in her cheeks when she saw him smiling with good humour. “No, you too, Kivaan-zomiyu?” she groaned.

  “What is it that you wish of me, my child?” demanded the First Guardian, an obstinate belligerence covering over what was clearly a doting affection.

  “Um …”

  Kivaan sighed deeply and bowed low at the waist while ensuring he spoke clearly.

  “My Lord the First Guardian, I am your loyal servant and sword. I am a fervent adherent to Eres Jiaduni and Eres Zoru. I have offered to take the princess under my sword. She is willing, and I now ask her hand of you that I might protect her directly through the dark days ahead.”

  The First Guardian was silent, his humour wiped from his face in an instant.

  “This is very sudden,” The First Guardian said with great consideration. He toyed for a moment with the long hilt of his blade with one hand while also stroking his moustache with the other. “Do not misunderstand me … if she will have you, I trust in her judgment. She has positively begged me, her hands on my feet, not to marry her to great warriors I have chosen for her. Consider my blessing given on your union.” His hand left the hilt of his blade and tapped his castellan on the arm. “Witness and note my word on this matter. I have given approval for the union of Kivaan-zomiyu of Hotsukiyoem and Princess Tsuzumiyu of Shikyo. Make it so.”

  The castellan nodded silently, although even his stony face cracked a relieved smile at the news.

  “Now,” the First Guardian went on, “we shall celebrate these glad tidings presently … and I shall investigate your view, Kivaan-zomiyu, on what you mean by ‘dark days’.” He looked again at his daughter. “And you, my daughter … you say this now because you do not wish to be apart from the one man you feel that you can trust now. Is that not so?”

  Tsuzumiyu nodded quickly, her eyes hopeful.

  “Will you all be comfortable with bathing in adjacent hot springs then? Partitioned, of course … but near enough for swift aid from those you trust.”

  Kivaan could tell, deep within his gut, that only the First Guardian’s presence was keeping the Chuho twins from making their outrageous suggestions and sounds. Hajuyu’s eyes had a sparkle to them, while Kageyu’s ears were going a deep red.

  “I am comfortable with that, Father,” Tsuzumiyu smiled beautifully, her face an explosion of relief. “Thank you.”

  “Hmm?” observed the First Guardian, raising an eyebrow with a mixture of mirth and intrigue as the stroking of his own moustache comically intensified. “Kivaan-zomiyu, have you indeed returned my daughter to me? Is this the child who lived clinging to my legs and peering out from behind at every man except me?”

  “I assure you, this is indeed your daughter,” Kivaan replied drily, only speaking with such informality because of the First Guardian’s close friendship with his own father. “I also extend my gratitude for your forbearance with our situation. It has been some time since any of us felt at ease.”

  “Yes,” the First Guardian smiled grimly, returning to business. “Tsukitsuyoem-zomiyu has enlightened me to your trials up to the time you parted ways. You have come far for such a small party beset on all sides and protecting a precious cargo. There is no forbearance on my part, only undying gratitude at the safe return of my daughter. We will make vows and exchanges later, in keeping with custom, but even so … in this moment … as a father I give my precious daughter into your hands, Kivaan-zomiyu. It strengthens my heart to know there is another now that she can fully rely on.” His grin broadened then and he clapped his hands together once. “Now! Enough of this huddling in the doorway!” The clap summoned nearby servants who immediately drew near and bowed slightly with a token deference that left them ready and able to immediately carry out their task. “Ensure our guests are refreshed and made ready for the banquet!” commanded the First Guardian to the servants. Then he turned once more to the travellers. “Take your time. Be refreshed. I will see you at the banquet I have prepared for you.”

  Nogo gisho: eff – this moment.