“My lady,†said the chamberlain, proffering a deep, deferential bow, “Lord Kagero has arrived.â€
The chamberlain slid the door open as Kagero Kozakura stepped in, dressed in a resplendent suikan. The Hyur’s jet black hair, fringed with gold, had been hastily combed as if he hadn’t been expecting such abrupt summons. As Kagero knelt on a nearby cushion and offered the traditional sitting bow, he heard the screen slide softly behind him with a click.
“You are cruel, my dear son,†a feminine voice berated him in a mild whining tone. “You have not been to see me for nearly two moons, and now you intrude upon my work. I am extremely ill-used.â€
Lady Kyokuho Kozakura was pushing nearly forty cycles but looked as young as the day she had married into the clan. Her black hair was smooth and straight, parted in the middle and flowed nearly down to her back, her face as silky as the immaculate kimono she wore. In front of her was a rosewood calligraphy desk and a small brush, though Kagero knew that Kyokuho would never finish a work of calligraphy; all of her work was finished by one of her retainers to put the finishing touches on it, as Kyokuho would say, though she herself had only accomplished one or two strokes at most.
“My deepest apologies, Mother,†Kagero murmured deferentially. It was true that Kagero hadn’t seen his step-mother in several sennights, but that was mostly because he actively avoided the Lady Kyokuho as often as politeness allowed. After mentally counting to fifteen, Kagero lifted his head and placed his hands on his lap. Though Kyokuho wore an affectionate smile, her friendly expression was devoid of warmth, and her kind demeanour was little more than a viper’s dance as it waited for the right moment to strike.
“You work far too hard. It’s almost as if it is you are the patriarch of this house rather than your father,†Kyokuho continued crooning, putting on a pout that was far too delicate and feminine for a woman of her age and countenance.
“Please do not speak ill of my Lord Koryusai. It is my shame to be such a burden to my honored father,†Kagero said, bowing once again. Though his eyes were affixed to the tatami mats beneath him, he could practically hear Kyokuho’s smirking; his stepmother so delighted in burying him beneath etiquette.
Fortunately, it seemed that Kyokuho tired of playing games. “I suppose you are wondering why I summoned you.â€
I am wondering why I answered, Kagero thought to himself.
She gently pushed aside the calligraphy desk, her mask of false maternity being replaced with the steely gaze of ambition. “Tell me what you know of Clan Yumishi.â€
“I am...not familiar with them,†Kagero responded uneasily, searching his memory. That much was true, to a surprising degree. As the eldest son of Clan Kozakura, Kagero was responsible for being the clan’s diplomatic liaison, particularly when the clan patriarch Lord Koryusai was not personally available. Though he had been on many journeys throughout Hingashi--they were one of the best ways to avoid being in the same room as Kyokuho--he had not once encountered a Clan Yumishi in any of his dealings.
Kyokuho nodded, pleased with herself. From her smug expression alone, Kagero knew that she took not-insignificant satisfaction from being able to hold knowledge of this obscure clan over him. “Indeed, I expected not, for they are Doman in origin. They lost much of their holdings during the Imperial invasion.â€
Lady Kyokuho began making a show of inspecting her rosy nails, feigning disinterest in a subject that she herself brought up. “The current head of the household is Aritake Yumishi. A cowardly and pathetic man from a clan that is all but extinguished...but he is shrewd in business and knows his way around koban.â€
And this involves me because…? Kagero had been raised thoroughly Hingan, and though it was traditional to dance around the point for the sake of politeness, Kyokuho took such a concept to considerable extremes, generally as part of a pointed effort to be as insufferable as possible.
Kyokuho raised a delicate finger to her chin. “Lord Aritake is responsible for certain business dealings that benefit many Hingan lords, Lord Koryusai among them. I am told that such funds go towards the reconstruction of Doma.†She sniffed disdainfully. “Nevertheless, it has been some time since any have heard from him or his representatives, and there are some noble peers of our lord that are growing somewhat nervous at the prospect.â€
She sighed, lightly tracing a circle on the calligraphy desk beside her. “It would put many anxieties to rest if Lord Aritake were to turn up. You know how it is with...business dealings. It is always uncomfortable to see one’s koban in the hands of another, with nothing in return.†Kyokuho cooed.
Kagero understood immediately. Legitimate business concerns of this manner would be taken care of by a retainer or a servant. The fact that Kagero himself was being called upon to investigate meant that this Aritake must have been responsible for feeding the vices of a number of Hingan lords with his "business dealings": vices that would not reflect well on them if word reached the court of the bakufu. If he had truly disappeared, it was possible that Aritake planned to maliciously use such gossip, perhaps as blackmail. Or perhaps Aritake had been captured, and one lord or another’s political rival was skinning the man alive for delicate details that could be used against their enemies in court.
On the other hand, there was a great deal of political clout that could be gained from securing Aritake, dead or alive... or more precisely, securing whatever dirt he may have possessed on any Hingan lords. If Aritake was found or made dead by Kagero, the Hingan lords may breathe a sigh of relief that their secrets were safe, but they would be tacitly indebted to Clan Kozakura for helping them save face. However, if Aritake were still alive, then it would be the Kozakuras holding the keys to their proverbial castles. They would offer feast in one hand while holding famine in the other.
He eyed Kyokuho carefully. She had named Kagero’s father as Aritake’s business associate out of politeness for Koryusai’s position as lord of the clan, but both she and Kagero knew that Lord Koryusai Kozakura was one of the most humourless and stoic men alive, and while it was not totally impossible for him to have some unseen hedonism, it was highly unlikely. Which meant it was likely Kyokuho’s cravings that were going unfed as a result of Aritake's absence.
Though such a fact would ordinarily be carefully guarded, there were few things Kyokuho enjoyed more than reminding Kagero of his own powerlessness; she had casually, though indirectly, revealed her dealings into illicit businesses--with an ijin, of all things! Yet, given his position there was naught he could do about it, not even to his father. She simply enjoyed seeing him squirm.
After all, Kagero was the eldest son, but he was not the heir. Though he held value as a diplomatic pawn, his words would be dismissed by all as idle rumors borne out of resentment for his stepmother. Not even the chattiest gossip would indulge him in such nonsense.
Not unless he had immutable proof.
“What do you wish to be done, Mother?†Kagero asked dourly, though some of his reluctance was feigned; if he could obtain proof of Kyokuho's dealings with Aritake that would be, in the words of ijin, a game changer.
Yet there was also the distinct possibility that Kyokuho was aware of this fact. Was she perhaps daring him? Hidden underneath her preening and grooming was a dangerously ambitious mind that was not to be taken lightly.
Kyokuho clapped her hands, thoroughly pleased by this current state of affairs. “Pray make haste to Shishu, my son, to the port city of Kugane where ijin roam, and do keep an eye out for Lord Aritake while you are there. Oh, and I am afraid the family retainers will be unable to accompany you.†She clearly intended for this excursion to be as discrete as possible.
Kagero bowed. “Should your generosity allow it, Mother, I humbly request that Sekka be permitted to accompany me.†As little love as he bore his stepmother, he still required her permission for even these basic things as travelling with his personal retainer.
“That Raen brat? Hmph.†Kyokuho frowned. “I do not see how you can trust such bawdy, promiscuous people. There will be quite a heavy punishment placed on her if she is discovered in your bed. She was raised from the dirt, and she continues to snub our patronage! What an ungrateful little girl.â€
Beneath the sleeves of his suikan, Kagero’s hands tightened into fists.
Kyokuho’s frown quickly turned into a self-satisfied sneer. “Very well, my son. You have been a good boy, after all. I suppose I can allow you a companion on such an important venture.†She raised the sleeve of her kimono to cover her mouth in a poor attempt to cover her mocking smile, her tone like that of a goddess bestowing a blessing upon a desperate peasant.
Kagero bowed again. “My thanks, dear mother.†With that, he politely shuffled backwards, only turning his back when he had reached the door.
The chamberlain slid the door open as Kagero Kozakura stepped in, dressed in a resplendent suikan. The Hyur’s jet black hair, fringed with gold, had been hastily combed as if he hadn’t been expecting such abrupt summons. As Kagero knelt on a nearby cushion and offered the traditional sitting bow, he heard the screen slide softly behind him with a click.
“You are cruel, my dear son,†a feminine voice berated him in a mild whining tone. “You have not been to see me for nearly two moons, and now you intrude upon my work. I am extremely ill-used.â€
Lady Kyokuho Kozakura was pushing nearly forty cycles but looked as young as the day she had married into the clan. Her black hair was smooth and straight, parted in the middle and flowed nearly down to her back, her face as silky as the immaculate kimono she wore. In front of her was a rosewood calligraphy desk and a small brush, though Kagero knew that Kyokuho would never finish a work of calligraphy; all of her work was finished by one of her retainers to put the finishing touches on it, as Kyokuho would say, though she herself had only accomplished one or two strokes at most.
“My deepest apologies, Mother,†Kagero murmured deferentially. It was true that Kagero hadn’t seen his step-mother in several sennights, but that was mostly because he actively avoided the Lady Kyokuho as often as politeness allowed. After mentally counting to fifteen, Kagero lifted his head and placed his hands on his lap. Though Kyokuho wore an affectionate smile, her friendly expression was devoid of warmth, and her kind demeanour was little more than a viper’s dance as it waited for the right moment to strike.
“You work far too hard. It’s almost as if it is you are the patriarch of this house rather than your father,†Kyokuho continued crooning, putting on a pout that was far too delicate and feminine for a woman of her age and countenance.
“Please do not speak ill of my Lord Koryusai. It is my shame to be such a burden to my honored father,†Kagero said, bowing once again. Though his eyes were affixed to the tatami mats beneath him, he could practically hear Kyokuho’s smirking; his stepmother so delighted in burying him beneath etiquette.
Fortunately, it seemed that Kyokuho tired of playing games. “I suppose you are wondering why I summoned you.â€
I am wondering why I answered, Kagero thought to himself.
She gently pushed aside the calligraphy desk, her mask of false maternity being replaced with the steely gaze of ambition. “Tell me what you know of Clan Yumishi.â€
“I am...not familiar with them,†Kagero responded uneasily, searching his memory. That much was true, to a surprising degree. As the eldest son of Clan Kozakura, Kagero was responsible for being the clan’s diplomatic liaison, particularly when the clan patriarch Lord Koryusai was not personally available. Though he had been on many journeys throughout Hingashi--they were one of the best ways to avoid being in the same room as Kyokuho--he had not once encountered a Clan Yumishi in any of his dealings.
Kyokuho nodded, pleased with herself. From her smug expression alone, Kagero knew that she took not-insignificant satisfaction from being able to hold knowledge of this obscure clan over him. “Indeed, I expected not, for they are Doman in origin. They lost much of their holdings during the Imperial invasion.â€
Lady Kyokuho began making a show of inspecting her rosy nails, feigning disinterest in a subject that she herself brought up. “The current head of the household is Aritake Yumishi. A cowardly and pathetic man from a clan that is all but extinguished...but he is shrewd in business and knows his way around koban.â€
And this involves me because…? Kagero had been raised thoroughly Hingan, and though it was traditional to dance around the point for the sake of politeness, Kyokuho took such a concept to considerable extremes, generally as part of a pointed effort to be as insufferable as possible.
Kyokuho raised a delicate finger to her chin. “Lord Aritake is responsible for certain business dealings that benefit many Hingan lords, Lord Koryusai among them. I am told that such funds go towards the reconstruction of Doma.†She sniffed disdainfully. “Nevertheless, it has been some time since any have heard from him or his representatives, and there are some noble peers of our lord that are growing somewhat nervous at the prospect.â€
She sighed, lightly tracing a circle on the calligraphy desk beside her. “It would put many anxieties to rest if Lord Aritake were to turn up. You know how it is with...business dealings. It is always uncomfortable to see one’s koban in the hands of another, with nothing in return.†Kyokuho cooed.
Kagero understood immediately. Legitimate business concerns of this manner would be taken care of by a retainer or a servant. The fact that Kagero himself was being called upon to investigate meant that this Aritake must have been responsible for feeding the vices of a number of Hingan lords with his "business dealings": vices that would not reflect well on them if word reached the court of the bakufu. If he had truly disappeared, it was possible that Aritake planned to maliciously use such gossip, perhaps as blackmail. Or perhaps Aritake had been captured, and one lord or another’s political rival was skinning the man alive for delicate details that could be used against their enemies in court.
On the other hand, there was a great deal of political clout that could be gained from securing Aritake, dead or alive... or more precisely, securing whatever dirt he may have possessed on any Hingan lords. If Aritake was found or made dead by Kagero, the Hingan lords may breathe a sigh of relief that their secrets were safe, but they would be tacitly indebted to Clan Kozakura for helping them save face. However, if Aritake were still alive, then it would be the Kozakuras holding the keys to their proverbial castles. They would offer feast in one hand while holding famine in the other.
He eyed Kyokuho carefully. She had named Kagero’s father as Aritake’s business associate out of politeness for Koryusai’s position as lord of the clan, but both she and Kagero knew that Lord Koryusai Kozakura was one of the most humourless and stoic men alive, and while it was not totally impossible for him to have some unseen hedonism, it was highly unlikely. Which meant it was likely Kyokuho’s cravings that were going unfed as a result of Aritake's absence.
Though such a fact would ordinarily be carefully guarded, there were few things Kyokuho enjoyed more than reminding Kagero of his own powerlessness; she had casually, though indirectly, revealed her dealings into illicit businesses--with an ijin, of all things! Yet, given his position there was naught he could do about it, not even to his father. She simply enjoyed seeing him squirm.
After all, Kagero was the eldest son, but he was not the heir. Though he held value as a diplomatic pawn, his words would be dismissed by all as idle rumors borne out of resentment for his stepmother. Not even the chattiest gossip would indulge him in such nonsense.
Not unless he had immutable proof.
“What do you wish to be done, Mother?†Kagero asked dourly, though some of his reluctance was feigned; if he could obtain proof of Kyokuho's dealings with Aritake that would be, in the words of ijin, a game changer.
Yet there was also the distinct possibility that Kyokuho was aware of this fact. Was she perhaps daring him? Hidden underneath her preening and grooming was a dangerously ambitious mind that was not to be taken lightly.
Kyokuho clapped her hands, thoroughly pleased by this current state of affairs. “Pray make haste to Shishu, my son, to the port city of Kugane where ijin roam, and do keep an eye out for Lord Aritake while you are there. Oh, and I am afraid the family retainers will be unable to accompany you.†She clearly intended for this excursion to be as discrete as possible.
Kagero bowed. “Should your generosity allow it, Mother, I humbly request that Sekka be permitted to accompany me.†As little love as he bore his stepmother, he still required her permission for even these basic things as travelling with his personal retainer.
“That Raen brat? Hmph.†Kyokuho frowned. “I do not see how you can trust such bawdy, promiscuous people. There will be quite a heavy punishment placed on her if she is discovered in your bed. She was raised from the dirt, and she continues to snub our patronage! What an ungrateful little girl.â€
Beneath the sleeves of his suikan, Kagero’s hands tightened into fists.
Kyokuho’s frown quickly turned into a self-satisfied sneer. “Very well, my son. You have been a good boy, after all. I suppose I can allow you a companion on such an important venture.†She raised the sleeve of her kimono to cover her mouth in a poor attempt to cover her mocking smile, her tone like that of a goddess bestowing a blessing upon a desperate peasant.
Kagero bowed again. “My thanks, dear mother.†With that, he politely shuffled backwards, only turning his back when he had reached the door.
