A Thousand Leagues of Wind, the Sky at Dawn

21-1

Suzu watched as the creature and its rider alighted upon the wall alongside the Horse Gate.

"A kirin."

"It is," came Shoukei's voice.

"I wonder if it's right to bring a kirin to a place like this."

The question of how to deal with the solid wall of humanity surrounding them was written on all their faces. Suzu hadn't the slightest idea herself. She wanted to call out to Youko and run to her, but that didn't feel like the right thing to do.

As they all hesitated, Youko bid the kirin goodbye and turned around. "Hey, everything's going to be fine."

Her smile broke the ice. Suzu and Shoukei quickly crossed the short distance between them.

"Everything's okay? Really?"

"The Imperial forces, too?"

"I dispatched them to Meikaku with orders to arrest Gahou."

"Yes!" Suzu and Shoukei cheered together. But the people standing stock still behind them still gaped in amazement.

"Koshou! Didn't you hear? Everything's going to be fine!"

"Kantai! The Imperial Army will take care of Gahou!"

The two big men blinked in bewilderment. At last, the moment broke. Kantai was the first to sink to his knees.

"Your Highness."

In a flurry, everybody else copied him. Koshou remained standing, staring flabbergasted at the kneeling crowd. Sekki called out, "For heaven's sakes, brother, bow!"

"I, ah, but--"

Youko couldn't help giggling at the sight of the poor, confused Koshou. "No, you really don't have to. C'mon, everybody. Stand up."

Of course, nobody dared lift his head. Only the befuddled Koshou remained standing.

Youko said, "I am sorry that my incompetence should have caused the people of Takuhou so much distress, and wish to apologize to them." She turned to Koshou. "And to Koshou and all his kith and kin, I express my heartfelt thanks. In Shoukou's very shadow, you never gave up the good fight and remained true to the cause. You did what I could not, and for that I am grateful."

"Well, you know, it was nothing."

Youko smiled and looked out over the crowds. Heads were popping up here and there. "And to Kantai and his loyal band, I offer my deepest regards. If there is anything you desire, please tell me now."

Kantai lifted his head with a start. "May I truly ask anything of Your Highness?"

"Anything at all."

"Well--" Kantai said, glancing on the two men flanking him, and then at Youko. He again bowed his head. "I wish to dispel any doubts about the dismissal of Marquis Koukan, former Province Lord of Baku. I ask you to please receive the Marquis at Court!"

"Koukan--" Youko couldn't hide her surprise. "Kantai, are you a citizen of Baku Province?"

"My name is Sei Shin, former general in the Provincial Guard of Baku. And these are two of my regimental commanders--"

The two men Kantai indicated bowed deeply as well. One of them spoke up. "Pardon me, Empress, but I regret to inform Your Highness that soon after the pretender usurped the throne, my troops surrendered to her army. Given the opportunity to wipe away that disgrace, I followed General Sei here."

"I see," said Youko, gazing down at the three bowed heads. Of course, Kantai was no ordinary person. He was here with his comrades-in-arms, who had once been his officers. And now that she thought about it, Kantai's mates had always showed him the greatest deference.

"There is something I wish to ask you, first. Did you gather here in Wa Province on Koukan's orders?"

"That is indeed the case."

They had met once before at her coronation, but Youko couldn't remember his face. But based on the men he had gathered around himself, she could imagine what kind of a person the Marquis was.

"Kantai, I wish you to express my appreciation to Koukan for all he has done. Tell your lord that if he can find it in his heart to serve this foolish empress, then I would indeed ask him to visit Gyouten as soon as possible."

Kantai lifted his head and for a moment looked up at her face before bowing once more. "Upon my word, it shall be done!"

Youko nodded and walked over to Koshou, who still seemed completely at sea. She patted him on the arm and pointed at the guard tower. "Why don't we open the gates? There's no need to keep them shut any longer."

"Ah, right," said Koshou, with a big grin.

As he hurried along behind her, she glanced over her shoulder and asked, "Is there anything you'd like, Koshou?"

"Nothing comes to mind. Just seeing Shoukou brought to justice is enough for me."

"Nothing at all?"

Koshou smiled a bit sheepishly. "This here's all I've been thinking about." He stopped walking and Youko paused as well. "Am I going to be punished?"

Youko sighed to herself. "Why would you think that?"

"I made a pretty big mess of things around here."

"Well, if I punished you, Koshou, then wouldn't I have to impose those same penalties on myself?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Koshou grinned. "Oh, that's right!" he said, looking at her. "Now, I'm just asking you as a good mate, see, as a fellow soldier who ate out of the same pot with the rest of us. But there is a small favor I'd like to ask of you."

"What's that?"

"You being some sort of real important person and all, I was thinking maybe you'd know the right people who could make it happen. I was just wondering if you could arrange for Sekki to get into a good school in Ei Province--?"

Watching this exchange, Suzu and Shoukei burst out laughing. Even Youko couldn't keep a straight face.

"Eh? What'd I say?"

The ramparts filled with warm laughter brighter than sunlight.

21-2

The second regiment of the Palace Guard sent to Meikaku returned to Takuhou five days later.

Youko had stayed behind to help put the ship of state aright in Takuhou. But she eventually got fed up with the people of the city prostrating themselves at her feet right and left and confined herself to the castle compound. There she could converse at ease with Suzu and Shoukei as they inventoried the weapons and prepared meals for the wounded. Koshou was the same old Koshou. Having fought the long battle alongside her from the beginning, Koshou's mates grew relaxed around her as well, and went back to calling her "Youshi" the same way they had before.

Kantai and his lieutenants remained on a more formal basis with her, but that was no doubt because he was a general in the military and it was too late to teach that old dog new tricks.

"The Imperial forces approach!" came the shout from one of the turrets.

Youko climbed to the top of the castle wall in time to see a horse-drawn wagon entering Takuhou. She ran toward the main castle gate. The wagon stopped as soon as the driver recognized Youko. He climbed down and bowed deeply, then helped a small man off the wagon.

"Enho."

Enho turned his gaze from the soldier to Youko. "Well," he said, his face breaking into a smile, "I see you're doing well."

"Are you all right?"

Enho nodded, and his eyes darkened. "Rangyoku and Keikei?"

The question was like a dagger in her chest. She buried her face in her hands. "Rangyoku, she--"

A big hand thumped down on her shoulder. It was Koshou. He pointed at the middle gate. "Don't keep the old guy standing around chatting like this. Find a place to sit down."

Youko nodded, and Enho's eyes narrowed a bit. "I believe we've met once before."

"You were a great help to my little brother."

"And how is he?"

"Doing well, thank you. I'd like to bring him by later, if you don't mind. He's been wanting to see you again."

"I look forward to it."

Koshou bowed and continued on toward the main gate. At Youko's urging, she and Enho headed to the middle gate.

"I'm really sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I wasn't at the rike when I should have been. If I had--"

"How is Keikei?"

His soft query stung her ears. "He's in Gyouten. He seems to have made it through the worst."

"I see," said Enho, with an understanding nod. "It's not your fault, Youko. You should stop tormenting yourself about it. If anything, it was my responsibility. They were aiming for me, after all."

Youko lifted her head. "Why would Gahou--or Seikyou--wish to harm you?"

"Well--" said Enho, hanging his head, "I previously lived in San County in Baku Province."

"At the Evergreen Seminary, you mean?"

"So you've heard about it?"

"Then you were there?"

Enho flashed her a self-deprecating smile. "I was. Seikyou made overtures to me there, overtures I rejected. That was the beginning of the trouble."

"Obviously, Seikyou--"

"The Imperial government had uses for the seminary, he said, and we were all to become his underlings. Seikyou is a crook at heart. Cooperating with him could only divert us from the Way. I consulted with the superintendent of the seminary and urged him to turn down Seikyou's offer. As a result, many people lost their lives."

Enho's shoulders slumped as he walked.

"Did they hurt you in any way?"

"I'm as well as I need to be. Don't worry about me. My resolve was to stay fast to the Way, not to sacrifice so many innocent lives in the process. What is such a personal resolution worth, then? Even at my age, this is a question I cannot answer."

"Indeed."

"Now and then, more than teaching the Way, I have to believe that tilling the land or taking up arms to fight would be more meaningful. Look what happens when I try to stay above it all and only teach. The farmer who plants in the spring and gathers his harvest in the fall sees a far greater reward."

"But haven't you been sowing seeds of righteousness among the people all along?"

Enho looked up at Youko. "I see. " He sighed and smiled. "Even living as long as I have, some things take a while to sink in. But a young piece of work like yourself gets it right off. There's no need for you to think so little of yourself."

"I suppose so." Youko hung her head for a moment, and then nodded. "There's something I like to ask of you, Enho."

"What's that?"

Youko stopped in the courtyard. "I'd like to invite you to the Imperial Court and appoint you Lord Privy Seal."

Enho laughed heartily. "What, put an old fool like me in charge of the Sankou?"

"I need a tutor."

"True," Enho said. "After all the pains the Marquis went through to find me a place to live, I suppose there wouldn't be much point in going home again. But if you'd like me to be there, I'd happily come."

"Thank you very much."

"Okay, then," Enho said with a nod.

"Did the Marquis attend the Evergreen Seminary?"

"He did. I wasn't teaching at the time, but the principal brought him along. I taught him as I taught you. He was a good student."

"I really have to apologize. I swallowed everything Seikyou told me, hook, line and sinker, and dismissed Koukan."

"Simply admitting that goes a long way in clearing up the misunderstandings." Enho smiled. "Saibou will be happy to hear it."

"Saibou?"

"The chief minister of Baku Province, also an alumnus of the Evergreen Seminary. When Koukan was relieved of his post, so was the chief minister. After that, they became wanted persons. Nevertheless, he visited me several times on Koukan's behalf. I believe you met him on at least one occasion."

"Eh?"

"He came to the rike. The next day you asked me who he was."

The man who wore the veil. "Oh, so that was Saibou?"

"Yes. It was good meeting an old student, but painful seeing such a promising student brought so low. And it undoubtedly caused Rangyoku and the others a great deal of distress."

Youko looked up at the sky. "But why?"

"Who knows? I think it was just one misunderstanding following another." He tilted his head to the side.

"Still, it's good to know you're okay. I worried that you'd been injured."

"Oh, my injuries were nothing to be worry about. In any event, I'm a fast healer. The brigands who attacked the rike were pretty surprised. That's why they took me with them."

"How's that?"

Enho smiled and didn't answer her directly. "Well, at any rate, it'll be nice to see Kinpa Palace again."

"Enho Sensei--"

Enho chuckled. "When the time comes, though, you'd better use my proper name, Otsu."

"Otsu Sensei?"

Enho nodded. "I was born in Shikin, San County, Baku Province. The present-day city of Shishou. My full name is Otsu Etsu, also known as Rou Shou." Enho laughed heartily. "King Tatsu used to call me Count Shou."

"Eh?" Youko leaned forward with a puzzled expression. Enho only continued to smile back at her.

21-3

"Are you going back?" Suzu asked Youko. Suzu and Youko and Shoukei were staying in the servants quarters in a corner of the castle compound. They were getting ready for bed.

Youko nodded. "I've been away for too long. Keiki is starting to take it personally."

"Yeah. You're probably right."

"I've finally made up my mind. There's still a lot of stuff I can't make heads nor tails of, though."

"It's tough being Empress."

Youko nodded again. Suzu and Shoukei exchanged glances. Youko asked, "So what are you two going to do next?"

"Eh?" said Suzu, her eyes widening. Shoukei quizzically tilted her head to one side.

"You came here to see me, right? And so you did."

"Ah--" Suzu and Shoukei said together.

"Indeed. What to do next?" queried Suzu. Shoukei remained lost in her thoughts.

"You never thought about it?"

"Never crossed my mind," said Suzu. "Though I ought to go back to Sai at least once and express my gratitude to the Royal Sai."

Shoukei stared at the ceiling. "There are people I need to thank and apologize to back in my home country. But I fear I'm still persona non grata there." Then she laughed. "Oh, I do have a promise to keep. I need to take a trip to En."

"A promise?" asked Suzu.

Shoukei smiled. "I promised Rakushun that I'd see him again and give him a report about what happened."

Youko furrowed her brow a bit.

Shoukei said, "What's wrong?"

"I suppose news about the unrest in Wa Province has reached En."

"Undoubtedly it has. Rakushun pays close attention to the goings-on in other kingdoms."

"He's probably worried," Youko said. "Be sure to tell him all about it. But make sure to emphasize that things were resolved in a less-than-disastrous manner and he can sleep easy." Youko rolled her eyes toward the heavens. "If you can, you might want to play down my actual part in what went on here."

Shoukei giggled. "I understand."

The soft laughter filled the room. The conversation momentarily came to an end. Youko suddenly blurted out, "I've still got a problem that needs solving." When Suzu and Shoukei turned to her, Youko tilted her head to the side and asked, "What makes for a good kingdom?"

"A kingdom without any bastards like Shoukou in it," Suzu quickly replied.

Youko smiled thinly. "I get that part, but… what kind of lives do you wish to lead? And what sort of kingdom would you wish for in order to accomplish that?"

Shoukei and Suzu thought about it for a minute. The first one to open her mouth was Shoukei. "I hate cold and hunger. That's what made life at the rike so tough. And I'm hardly one to talk, but I hate being treated badly, and being treated with contempt."

Suzu nodded. "I agree completely. It's great to stop having to put up with stuff like that. Because when you are putting up with it, it makes you feel so small."

"Yeah. You just curl in on yourself."

"Sorry," Suzu said, "but I don't think we're answering your question."

As if thinking about something else, Youko shook her head. "No problem. I'm only looking for advice."

"Really?"

Youko nodded, and then said with less certainty, "At any rate, you've told me what you're going to do next, but what about after that?"

Suzu and Shoukei exchanged glances. Shoukei was sitting on the bed, her arms around her knees. She stared at her hands. "I want to learn more. I'm so stupid about everything it's embarrassing."

"Me, too," Suzu chimed in.

"I don't necessarily mean going to school and all. I mean learning about everything wherever I find it. It's too bad the Everygreen Seminary isn't around any more."

"You want to study--" Youko smiled. "How about this, then? I've asked Enho to be Lord Privy Seal and my tutor. What do you say you both come to work at Kinpa Palace and let Enho teach you there?"

Suzu and Shoukei gaped at her. "Hold on, you're saying--"

"Serious?"

Youko looked at them. "Right now, I could use all the help I can get. Even one more pair of hands will make all the difference." She glanced from Suzu (who seemed to be holding her breath) to Shoukei.

"What about Koshou and Kantai?"

"Of course. I want to find a place for them as well. I absolutely need people I can trust inside the palace, every last one of you."

Shoukei heaved a great sigh. "Well, you can't fight fate. I'm willing to give it a try."

"I'm in. You could ask for the moon, Youko, and you know we couldn't turn you down."

"For the moon?"

Suzu giggled and Shoukei unsuccessfully stifled a laugh. Youko couldn't help but join in. Their gentle laughter echoed off the walls of the small room.