Original Fiction _ untitled as yet.

[Nekko-Sama]

The bird soared high above the courtyard dipping its wings in the clouds. It's destination was a bough in the single graceful tree at the heart of the courtyard. The bird flashed it's white wings as it settled it's tiny claws onto the branch and settled it's feathers in orderly fashion. The bird's head swung around as it considered the courtyard below. A small boy with light sandy hair was crouched in the rushes next to a small pond in shadow of the courtyard wall. The bird studied the boy and gradually relaxed as it decided that the boy was harmless. The breeze picked up and the bird settled into preening, secure in it's perch high above the ground. The boy moved closer to the tree and the bird paused in it's preening, swinging it's head around to gaze at the boy again. The bird breathed in once readying itself, muscles tensed ready to launch it's weight into the air. Then the world exploded and the bird considered the passing leaves of the tree as it fell. It's body thudded softly among the dead leaves at the feet of the tree. The bird blinked it's bright eyes as it breathed shallowly. The dust raised by the impact of the bird's body gradually settled over the bird like a golden shroud. It coalesced on the bird's eyes as the light faded from them. The feet of the boy were the last scent the bird's tiny brain registered as it's heart beat it's final pulse and stilled.
Kaoru regarded the pigeon that he had just killed. He felt nothing. It's little death would feed him and provide him practice. His father was expecting much of the seven year old. Gran Maoh was a food merchant and connoisseur of dishes. The Maoh was always bragging about the family being descended from the cooks of emperors and kings. Kaoru hated his father.
Kaoru picked the pigeon up and considered it's wounded breast. His aim was off and he had damaged the meat of the left side. He harrumphed to himself deciding to make a stew instead. Roasted pigeon was boring anyway. He forced his fingers into the bruised flesh and dug out the round metal shot he had used in his sling. The pigeon's eyes with their dusty coating made no protest. His fingers came out bloody with the round shot gleaming through streaks of red. The bird's flesh was already cooling. He snorted softly to himself and moved towards the lower kitchens. Safa would help him pluck the bird and gut it. Safa and her husband Kiomo were considered the lowest of the kitchen servants for they moved slowly with age. The Maoh kept them on in service only for their knowledge and that they also doubled as nurses to Kaoru.
Safa greeted him with warmth and a quick hug. She never spoke, having no tongue. Her old limbs creaked and protested at her stooping to give the child affection. She was the only one who did in the house and was his favorite person in the world. Kiomo was gruff and silent, but that was by choice. He snatched the bird and began plucking it quickly in efficient movements. They paid no mind to the chaos in the grand kitchens which adjoined the lower kitchens in which they stood. Safa made soft shushing noises and hurried to wash Kaoru's bloody hands. He stood making no move to complain. He decided that his father has probably sent for him and patiently waited for her to finish. She groomed his hair in an effort to make it look smooth and pushed him toward the inner door. He strode with purpose dreading the end of this small journey into his personal hell.
After removing his shoes and straightening his tunic, he paused to listen to the movements inside the house. Straining to glean from the rhythm of the sounds within, the temperament of his father. Hurried footsteps and muttered whispers of the servants informed him of his father's displeasure. He sighed and made his way to the main hall.
His father sat on a raised dais. Smug and ponderous in girth his arms jerked with fervent energy as he shook and pointed his hands at the servants. Kaoru found him pompous and despised the sight of him. This fat man who sat like a king barking at the underlings as if they had no wits at all, when he was the most worthless being Kaoru ever clapped eyes on. He sighed deeply and waited for his father to notice his presence.
Gran Maoh was angry that his dinner arrangements were not going smoothly. The guests would arrive in no less than two hours and the tables brought from storage were not polished. The cutlery was mismatched and half of the dishes meant for the menu tonight were incomplete and with insufficient ingredients. He meant to make an example of someone. Kaoru feared that it would be him, but considered the mayhem and understood that his father meant to use him. He noticed one servant standing to the side doing nothing. The young man's eyes were downcast and his shoulders slumped. This must be the unlucky scapegoat. Kaoru considered the man's clothing and noticed no sash of rank over his shoulder. He knew nothing of what went wrong today was any of this man's fault, but he would pay. Then the Maoh directed his gravelly voice at Kaoru.
“Spawn of a woman, go to the market and take that insufferable Safa with you! Take this list and make sure you get everything on it!”
Kaoru only nodded and moved forward to catch the scroll that was thrown at him. He quickly bowed and made a swift exit. He retraced his steps to the lower kitchens and noted that the grand kitchens which adjoined had become more frantic. He smiled and hoped that his father would become embarrassed in front of his friends. His smile faded with the thought of who else might have to pay for the debacle.
Safa was cleaning the dead pigeon when he reached the door to the lower kitchens.
“Safa, we have to go to the market for items required by my father's table. Please get cleaned up. We are to hurry”
Safa nodded and left the bird's naked little body on the table. Kiomo groaned as he got up from his post at the small oven and moved to the table to hang the bird on an aging hook.
Kaoru waited patiently for Safa to wrap her head in a shawl and change her shoes to the clogs meant for travel on the streets. She moved with slow shaking grace, betraying the beauty she must have had in her youth. He watched her walk quickly towards him with small sure steps. The heels of her worn clogs dragged on the ground making her sound as if she were shuffling. He knew that she would slow him down, unable to carry all of the items they were to buy at market and felt a small spark of anger towards her, which rapidly cooled with regret. His father was fat and stupid, but amazingly clever in being mean spirited. He resolved to strike back at his father and a plan formed quite easily. His father would be angry but he can only take it on one person. Kaoru knew it would hurt, but it was acceptable to be the one punished if he were the one actually guilty.
He ducked back into the lower kitchen doorway and looked for Kiomo.
“Kiomo, please be sure to be ready to accept deliveries at this door. Send for a servant to take the deliveries into the grand kitchens after the deliverymen leave their invoice.”
Kiomo grunted assent and pulled a stool over to the doorway and firmly situated himself with his legs stretched in the sun. Kaoru then took Safa's elbow and moved to the east courtyard gate. The market was within two blocks and stretched two more towards the east end of the town.
The Gran Maoh had settled in the town of Rugah long before Kaoru was born. Before the arrival of the Maoh the market consisted of a few stalls set up by outlying farmers and trade was sparse and meager. The Maoh's lackeys and sycophants followed him to the small town which was isolated from the rest of the kingdom and well out of the way of most travel and trade routes. The Maoh personally oversaw the improvements to the town's infrastructure and naturally felt he should be accorded all the respect of a lord. Two decades later the market is a bustling area of activity and commerce. The street it is located on is known as the Maoh's golden road.
Kaoru unraveled the cord tying the scroll and perused the contents. Mentally mapping the market according to wares he plotted the course of their trip. All of the stalls and stores carried tabs for the Gran Maoh's house which were settled at the end of the month. Kaoru bit his lip as he counted the days to the end of the month. Twelve days before his current mischief would be discovered. He nodded to himself and reached up and tugged on Safa's sleeve pointing to the first stall of many to be visited. He decided to use the invoice sheets located on the counter's table to simply write out what was required. After handing it to the proprietor he stated,”If you can ensure the items listed are delivered within the half hour, there will be an extra talon of gold.” The proprietor's eyebrows shot up as greed lit his eyes. He nodded and shouted to the idle hands in the stall. Kaoru ignored the bustle and escorted Safa to the next location. He hummed to himself, pleased with his little plan of extortion. When the Gran Maoh confronted him, he would shrug and state that the extra cost was worth the satisfaction of the Maoh.
Within half an hour of visiting the market, all items on the list had been ordered. Safa's arms were empty and she idly straightened Kaoru's tunic and smoothed his hair as he surveyed the market. They had made their way to the farthest edge of the market from the house. Kaoru strolled back considering the activity of the stalls, especially the one's the orders were placed with and noted with relief that most of them were already sending runner's down the street with parcels carried high above their heads. He slowed his pace and took Safa's hand. Kaoru found new dread welling up at the thought of the coming night's events.

[Nekko-Sama]

Kaoru was bathed before the feast, his mind drifted. His thoughts separated from self floated in the steam. He watched them in detached adoration, wondering what path they would follow in the hot clouds around him. When He felt alone, coldly approaching the world. His hands unable to grasp the unseen horror around him. His spirit, flashing in moments of mischief. Escapades too small for remembering. Childhood from the outside, what is it within? Was this supposed to be the time for comfort? What was that? Safa's tears? Anger flashed in his eyes as they flickered on the steam. Unable to follow that thought, he angrily abandoned it. Distraction found in the bubbles of the lather. The cold rinse shocks him out of his daze with a very childlike sputter. No chance for complaints as Safa snatched him up by his arms and swept him into the large bath. Her arms lowered him in, no thought to the sleeves as they darkened in the water. Her small voice humming a sad refrain, rasping over the ruin of her mouth. He closed his eyes in this one safe routine. Safa who was safest made sure of it.
The hot water reddened his skin. He inspected his arm. He watched the water make membrane sails of the small downy hairs on the crook of his arm. Safa made good this small time of repose to ready his dinner clothing. She continued to hum the same short refrain. Odd guttural moments in her song made Kaoru think, this must be her tears. He stood suddenly, spraying water as he made his way to Safa's side. He peered up into her face, blinking out the welling in his eyes from the steam. He checked for tell-tale glitter, the color of the schlera, the tenseness at the corner of her eyes. A breath in his chest relaxed from his nose in a subdued sigh. She smiled and wrapped him in a warm cloth. Her hands gently gathering the cloth at his throat to prevent drafts, she guided him to the bench. She lowered her hands and contemplated the floor near his feet waiting for him to cloth himself. He smiled to himself. She let him be independent where the younger servant women attempted to coddle him. The bath was his only retreat and Safa, the only person he trusted. She knew his thoughts. He was enough of a person to have pride, and he prided himself on how grown up he was. He noted the color of the pants and tunic and determined from the jade color his father was in a jovial and vain inflicted mood. He groaned to himself at the thought of his father, the Gran Maoh preening about the color being favorable to his countenance. He grit his teeth at the thought of those fat jowls of his shaking as he yammered on. The only thought coagulated in his brain as he tied the sash on the tunic: Will I be like him?
Safa combed his hair and wiped a pomade of pomegranate oil over his crown. Anointed in the fashion his father preferred he made his way to the Main Hall. His older sisters cooed to him, beckoning him over. They clucked at his simple attire.
“What is he? A peasant?”
“Why didn't you come home? We had an entire outfit picked out for you!”
Kaoru ignored their teasing and took his place behind his father. The Gran Maoh ignored him as he chatted with a entrepreneur seeking funding. Kaoru stared at the wide sash wrapped around the Maoh's middle. The pattern stitched in the cloth, so cleverly crafted as to look watermarked. He waited and wondered if he would become so snide and insincere.
He bowed genteelly to each guest and kept his eyes lowered. He noted that all of their shoes expressed them. The entrepreneur's shoes were laced thongs over cloth, the round curves of his toes showing the light tan stain of the clay from the outer street. Kaoru noted this and narrowed his eyes. His father is changing things up a bit, and inviting people who had no money. Almost all of his father's guests payed good money to support teams of carriers who drove gilded carts or carried pallets adorned with cushions. Either the entrepreneur was a proud independent man, or a pauper. Kaoru groaned inwardly, noting that he would have to keep an eye on the entrepreneur through out the night.
After the main batch of guests had arrived, the Maoh directed them to the second garden's airy room. The drinking would start here. The walls were festooned with sashes of rich embroidered cloth, mildly tattered with age, but brilliant in hue. Kaoru strode silently to his station at the far right of the table. He never sat next to his father during meals. His presence always obstructed his father's ability to fondle his female servants. He watched as the sliding doors were pushed away from the middle of the room. They revealed the main hall, set with tables niched above long deep grooves on the floor in which each guest would settle their legs. Cushions and wooden blocks wrapped in soft cotton sheets, beaten smooth to have the sheen of water provided back rests. The guests sighed in unison, almost rehearsed. Kaoru's nose wrinkled slightly at the practiced mannerisms. His eyes found the landscape of the second garden, revealed by a matching pair of sliding doors. The pond was lit with tapers floating in wooden boats. Matching wooden boxes, slightly smaller than the boats, lined the outer walls creating an illusion of greater distance making the demure garden seem grander.
The Maoh flirted with the female guests overtly and made subtle jokes among the men. His guests were all familiar with him and comfortable in his presence. Of like mind they all found each other very interesting. Kaoru relaxed a little. No one at the party was new or strange other than the entrepreneur. There was little chance of his father becoming angry at any of the guests or getting offended. The entrepreneur was actually pretty safe compared to the servants. He obviously wasn't going to be staying at the house and probably would leave earlier in the party.
No one at the party paid any actual mind to Kaoru's presence. They would compliment his father on his fine progeny, himself included and say something condescending to him. They always assumed familiarity with him, as if they were his relatives. He grunted at the irony of the thought. Some of them were probably cousins of his father. The entrepreneur finding interesting conversation moved away from Kaoru's father and ensconced himself at another merchant's elbow. Kaoru stifled a yawn and waited. He stared at the small reflecting pond with it's shimmering lights. Soon he would have to be formally introduced and then he would be allowed to leave to eat his small meal in the comfort of the lower kitchens. All of his father's functions were for adults and his presence was not required after the mandatory show of his beauty. Kaoru knew that his father only prized him as another trinket. There was no love between them.
The courtesans approached him and stroked his hair. His light brown hair and hazel eyes were striking compared to the norm of the dark hair and dark eyes of the region. His skin was pale with a pink glow. His father found him to be a pleasure for the ladies eyes and made sure to utilize his presence for the women's amusement. Kaoru didn't smile but maintained his face of neutrality. Their interest would wane and they would move on. He sighed as he waited.
His father cleared his throat and searched out his son. “I must be sure that everyone has seen my son! A treasure to my hearth!” His statement brought laughter and applause. Kaoru simply stepped forward and executed a courtly bow that made the courtesans giggle. He broke his mask of neutrality to smirk and presented a winning countenance to the group. He kept silent knowing that the spotlight was not meant for him, but to warm up the Maoh to his party. He stepped back and fell in with his sisters waiting for the guests to settle into their seats. His sisters moved forward, being of age to participate in the festivities. He waited until they were all seated and bowed. He turned on his heel and made his way down the hallways until he reached the doorway to the lower kitchen.
Safa had already prepared the pigeon. He smiled knowing that she had probably made a simple stew. His plans without practice. He settled into his meal contemplating what else he may have to do before sleep. His thoughts coldly clicked and shuttled in his mind. He finished his meal satisfied that he had nothing else to do. Safa wiped his hands clean and escorted him back into the house. She moved him down the servants' hallways, out of the way of the party and it's participants. He rubbed his eyes as he entered his room and let Safa pull of his tunic and pants. His sleeping robes warmly wrapped around his body he settled onto his futon on the floor and relaxed. His mind still clicked and whirred but the activity slowed and blurred as sleep finally swept over him.

His feet were burning. The skin between the toes was crisping and cracking. He blinked at the rising dust and the stench of rotten meat. The cracks in between the stones under his feet issued forth black shadows that whirled and danced around him. Faceless in the burning light, the shadows revealed familiar faces, skewed and contorted. Kaoru turned his face to the sky and sobbed. This dream again. No real meaning, it just comes. The fear was still the same as the first time. The tears scalded the corners of his eyes as he regarded the dancing forms. They made him sad. They danced and danced and he couldn't make them stop.

[Nekko-Sama]

Kaoru woke up with a start. The sky was still dark and the hallways breathed the dreams of the people still sleeping in the house. He wanted to go back to sleep. He wanted to continue dreaming. He wished that he could understand why he had such a strange dream. He thought about the dancing shadows and their faces that elicited such terror and affection. He thought about the notion that they were hiding something from him. He sometimes saw a baby's wooden high chair, something that he probably had as an infant. He couldn't understand why it was there.
Kaoru sighed and rolled onto his side. He considered the slow faint pulsing of the skin on his wrist where his life blood coursed. It was important he find out why the chair was there. He stood up dropping the twisted covers like sheets of water. He shook the covers off his ankles as he moved to the hallway. There was an attic space, above the high kitchens. Their vaulted ceilings concealed a hidden alcove where items of no worth to the Maoh were stored, kept only for their monetary value. He knew how to climb up and now was the perfect time with everyone still asleep. His father always had the servants get up early, but Kaoru had often woken up two hours or more before the others. His feet curled on the cold floors as he padded to the Main hall. There was a small staircase hidden behind a wall pillar. A large swath of silken tapestry covered the staircase opening. Kaoru climbed the stairs, his thoughts remembering the texture of the baby chair. Each step brought a memory of a sensation. The grain of the wood. The smell of the cushions. The perspective of his own feet tucked out over the edge of the seat. He opened the door and his eyes searched out the dim darkness. No light other than that of the small window illuminated the room. The air was still and quiet, as if listening. He paused suddenly afraid. He clenched his hands and jaw, gritting his teeth in anger that he would feel fear. He felt out ahead of his body, fingertips searching and identifying textures. Tarp, cloth, folded silks, small wooden boxes and a tray with some utensils. He suppressed a yelp as his thumb caught a sharp end of a utensil. He smelled blood and tucked his thumb into his mouth to taste it. He considered the dark and mapped his exploration in his mind. He had come here before and remembered the general layout, but several items get shifted before parties. His eyes relaxed as they further adjusted to the dark. He saw it then, the baby chair's top rail faintly glowing in the light from the small window. He crawled on his hands and knees, never letting his eyes fall. It was here! He reached out his right hand and stroked the small armrest. The old lacquered surface worn thin from time and use betrayed the grain of the wood, looking like a stain. The cushions were long gone, but the seat still had smooth edges were so many little legs rested. His hand fell to the seat to feel for any kind of warm and his mind flew away. His eyes beheld a feasting table. His feet so small in their embroidered socks seem to float above the edge of the table. He is sitting in the chair. There are murky forms laughing and clinking dishes. He smelled a strong odor, a musky stew. His mouth watered as he felt hunger. A bejeweled hand scooped a small ladle of the stew in his mouth and a gamey flavor spread over his tongue. He felt the burn of tears in his eyes and shook himself out of the dream. The chair sat silent in the dark, mute again. Kaoru sat for some moments in the dark, not sure if he was crying. He waited until he stopped shaking and noticed that the small window seemed brighter. He stood realizing it was the false light before dawn. He didn't want the servants to know he was in the storage room. He didn't want them to ask questions or gossip. He had to be sure not to be noticed by anyone. He closed the door and quietly snuck down the stairs. He checked to see if the Main Hall was clear before darting across to the corridor to the wing of the house that held his quarters.He went back to sleep with a troubled expression that slowly faded into the face of a child. When he woke, Kaoru knew the dinner had gone well by the state of the kitchens. Silence. It was midday and no banquet. Everyone was still asleep. Kiomo and Safa were the only servants awake. He knew that he could travel with impunity as long as he woke no one so he left Kiomo to smoke his pipe in the sun at the front gate and Safa washing the bedding in the servant gardens. He decided that it would be safe to explore the town today and maybe the outskirts.

[Keiryu]

its good so far as ive read it! but i have to go but ill come back and finish!!

[Nekko-Sama]

Dai-shur Mei was an old man. His wealth accrued over a lifetime of service to the Empire seemed to stoop his shoulders. He had many callers to his mansion and was always sought out for advice. He had retired over 10 years ago but was so reliable with wise words that the emperor kept him on retainer. He felt that this should honor him, that he should have some sort of satisfaction. He felt alone, and afraid. He felt the sadness creep over him steadily with each day. It had been creeping over him for years. He felt his way around his home with his feet, barely watching wear they went, so familiar the layout of his home. So large and empty. His children had all preceded him to the grave. All with honor, or else taken by illness. He reminisced over their portraits, such poor substitutes. He ate his meals like a ghost, not really tasting but following a faded memory of action. His only will to live was still in service to the emperor, though he did it merely to stave off boredom and the steady death it could bring.

He was walking in his garden when the servant approached him. The servant wore silk and was well groomed. The gold bangles on either wrist denoted that this servant was from the emperor's house. Dai-shur said nothing as the servant handed him a scroll wrapped with a blue ribbon. The servant bowed and stated in a grave voice,”The emperor wishes for you to visit a wild land. You are to inspect the household of the acting governor of the region. It is the emperor's wish that you do not refuse.”

Dai-shur sighed and nodded. He did not open the scroll but instead carried it into his study. The study doors opened to the garden letting in a cooling breeze. Summer was over and the autumn skies were high. He sighed again and settled himself at his writers desk to read the scroll. His hands flattened the scroll as he inspected the contents. He felt his hands go numb when he read the location. Rugah, below the northern steppes. It was a two week trip by cart. His lips tightened as he recognized that he knew of someone who lived there. His heart jumped and shuddered at the thought of seeing them again.
He calmed himself with the thought to prepare for the trip. It was the end of summer, but the winds still danced with dust. A covered cart was the best way. He sent for his assistant who fetched all of his travel gear and his ever eccentric medicine box. He sighed and knew that at least his emperor cared about the far flung hem of his empire. He wondered if the emperor was so caring as to remember the past as well, and has conspired to arrange a meeting of fate.

Dai-shur considered the small boy in front of him. The long trip had taken it's toll on his strength making him waver in the heat of the sun. The dusty road stretched out in either direction, as featureless as the trip had just been. The mountains to the north shimmered faintly in the heat of the autumn sun in an azure hue. The boy stared back with an unsettlingly heavy and somber gaze. The trip had been long but not so long as to produce hallucinations. This boy had her face. The hair and eyes were lighter and warm gold light seemed to emanate from the boy's skin, but aside from those difference, a mirror to her visage. He clenched his hands and squelched his emotions before they stormed across his face for all to see.

“Hello young man. Who might you be?”
“Kaoru”
“Is this the village of Rugah?”
“Yes sir”

An awkward silence creeped between the two and the only conversation audible then was the driver of the cart soothing the horses. Dai-shur wanted to interrogate the boy, and found him fascinating. The way he carried himself, like a small lonely god, disarmed the old man with sweet abandon. He cleared his throat.
“Are you here for the party at the Gran Maoh's house?” The young boy's forward question startled Dai-shur. “Yes, I am. Can you show my driver the way to the house?” Kaoru considered the ground at Dai-shur's feet for a moment, then nodded. They both moved to the cart where the driver mounted the lead horse. Kaoru's eyebrows shot up when he realized he would have to either ride the trail horse or ride with the driver on the lead horse. He moved quickly to the trail horse and clambered like a monkey over the rigging to clutch the harness while straddling the horse's broad back. Both the driver and the old man were startled by the display of nimble youth.
Kaoru gave directions and pointed to the large tan colored roof in the far northern corner of the town. His thoughts ran to the state of the house, and the fact that if this old man were indeed staying no one would know he was in the house, because no servants would know. On impulse he decided that he would have Kiomo attend the old man. Let rumor spread around this old man's sudden appearance at a party. It would be the simplest way to ensure the old man stayed out of trouble.

[neko-sennin]

I've read Part One, and so far it's interesting. When I have some time, I'll come back and see where it's headed.

[Nekko-Sama]

Thanks, if you want to read more than what is posted then I will have to PM it to you since it is getting longer and longer.... :nod.

[neko-sennin]

I have finished reading everything you've posted so far. It looks as if things are building up, yet to what, you have done an excellent job of keeping us in suspense about. I know you haven't gotten many responses so far, but I would implore you to continue posting the chapters, rather than PM-ing, because it would be a shame not to share such a well-written tale. There are so few stories around here that get very far before the writer gives up or something...

[Nekko-Sama]

I will try to post them here then. I haven't been online lately. Been doin the job hunt. The story is still a lil fragmented. I get inspired moments but I have to sew all the moments together to make a cohesive story. Time time time.....

[neko-sennin]

Take your time, Nekko-sama. Whether long or shot, a story is written one word at a time.

[Nekko-Sama]

Kiomo grunted when he saw Kaoru on the trail horse pulling the cart. He stood and tamped out his pipe. Kaoru had settled into the rhythm of the horse's walk and was actually enjoying the ride. His smile was a mild breeze on a pool of water. Kiomo noticed his smile, but didn't smile in return. Dai-shur was oblivious to this lack of exchange, being safely wedged among his travel items in the cart.
Kiomo moved to the driver and started to help the driver pull packages off of the top of the covered cart when the passenger climbed out. Kiomo almost dropped his armload of packages when he recognized the old man. Time had not changed much in the man except his white hair and wrinkled visage. He stood just as tall and proud as he did in the past. Kiomo felt a mote of anger flare but squashed it. He was sure that this old man wouldn't recognize a servant. Dai-shur Mei was a famous man in the east but Kiomo was not and was sure that Dai-shur wouldn't bother to look into the face of a servant.
The heat of the sun baked the dirt and a smell of dust and animal dung stung his eyes. Kaoru clambered down from the horse when the driver stopped the lead horse. He approached Kiomo and instructed him to take the strange old man to the room next his own. Kaoru paused mid step in his approach to the main hall and turned to face the old man. “What is your name, sir?” Dai-shur was again mildly shocked by this boy's manner, but found it oddly refreshing. “I am Dai-shur Mei. I am here to visit the outer regions of the empire for my health.” Kaoru nodded and bowed. “I am Kaoru, only son of Gran Maoh. You will be announced at this evening's banquet most likely. Please excuse my lack of manner and the mean greeting from our house.” Dai-shur was astounded at this little gentleman's demeanor and wondered at it still as Kiomo led him to his room.
Dai-shur observed the silk swathes covering the walls, the smooth floors and the gardens as they traversed the winding side hallways. The main hall was the heart of the front of the mansion. The large courtyard near the kitchens was the heart of the rear of the mansion. The space in between which should have been the heart of the actual mansion itself was probably the master suite where the Gran Maoh stayed. The dragon cradling the pearl indeed. When Kiomo bowed in front of a door, Dai-shur's eyes narrowed at the hint of familiar that clung to this old servant. Something about this man brought a feeling of nostalgia and pain forward. Dai-shur decided to investigate this servant later, wanting to focus on unpacking. Dai-shur watched as Kaoru walked into the room with the impudence of a prince and started to help Kiomo set down packages. Dai-shur himself carried his medicine box and set it near the futon on the floor. Kiomo went back out to the cart to fetch the rest of Dai-shur's things as Kaoru started to paw through the packages like a child looking for a gift. Dai-shur made no complaint but settled in to watch like a game hunter observing the bird's flight.
Kaoru opened each package carefully and examined the contents. Clothing he put into the chest of drawers, toiletries he placed on top of the drawers. Each package carefully exploited for it's contents then the packaging tucked into the small chest in the corner. Dai-shur made no comment but found it strange that the boy asked no questions. Kaoru would occasionally ponder some small knick knack but would simply shrug and then place it on the chest of drawers. When all of the packages were empty and put away the medicine box was the last item unexplored. Kaoru looked at Dai-shur finally and asked if he could look inside. Dai-shur smiled and nodded, but cautioned Kaoru not to open any of the small containers inside.
Kaoru pulled the box closer, feeling the texture of the smooth wood and breathing in the heady camphor smell that hovered around it. The medicine box was constructed of camphor wood and after the design of a travel writer's desk. It had one large hinge on the back and a simple lock on the front. Kaoru fingered the lock and looked to Dai-shur, who had silently moved closer with the key in his hands. Kaoru accepted the key and turned it in the lock. The lock made satisfied clicking noises then sprung open like a rabbit bolting from a warren hole. It startled Kaoru into dropping the key. Dai-shur chuckled as he gathered the key and tucked it back into a pocket inside his billowing sleeves. Kaoru gathered himself and defiantly looked at Dai-shur as he opened the top half of the box open. It creaked softly as it divulged it's secrets.
Small bottles stoppered with cork clinked together. Some were sealed with wax and covered with a thin layer of dust. Bits of small cloth and herbs gathered in the bottom corners of the box. Kaoru noticed that the contents he could see were in a tray that lifted out. He puzzled over the best way to pull the tray out when Dai-shur smoothly reached in and grabbed two ridges and lifted the tray out. The contents underneath the tray were a treasure. Small boxes nestled amongst bundles of herbs. Rosemary, thyme, sweet grasses that Kaoru had never seen before all lay in neat rows separated by small cards with names unfamiliar to him. He looked up at Dai-shur with a smile of discovery that seemed foreign to his face. He fingered each bundle, bringing some of them closer to his face to breath in their scent. Satisfied with his exploration he replaced all the bundles in their original positions and returned the tray to it's niche on top.
Kaoru noticed the top half of the box had another lock and that the weight was as heavy as the bottom of the box. He looked to Dai-shur to see if he could have access to this as well, but Dai-shur was closing the box.
“I think young man, that is enough exploration. I am a tired old man come from a long trip, but I am honored to be your guest. I hope you would honor me to announce me at this evenings banquet, as your friend.”
Kaoru's eyes widened a bit, his chest tightening. No one had ever treated him this way. He had never been an equal to anyone and this old man treated him as an adult. Kaoru nodded and smiled. “I will be sure to announce you as my honored guest, Dai-shur Mei.” He laughed as he thudded out of the room, looking every inch the excited seven year old that he was.
Kaoru was excited at this evening's banquet. He had claimed a friend and guest, even though he didn't know the old man other than his name. Kaoru felt a little worried about the old man drawing his father's attention, but decided that if he played the obstinate spoiled child with a new pet his father should relent.
He decided to nap so that he could stay up for the evening party. He knew that his father couldn't argue against him staying, now that he had his own guest. He was delighted at the prospect as well as a little afraid. He may get his guest into trouble. He sighed as he rolled over on his futon and closed his eyes.
The dream stole over him like a cold wind. It pushed out all the light in his heart and held him trembling. His feet were burning and his mouth dry. The high chair was entirely visible and the dark shadows were dancing faster. They seemed to part specifically to let him see the chair. The chair was as it was when he last sat in it as a toddler. The cushions a light green silk with tassels of gold. The wood gleamed with the brown-red lacquer in the hot light of the dream desert. He walked towards the chair in his dream with his hand outstretched. He dreaded touching it but knew that if he did he would experience the memories that he seemed to have lost. He didn't want to remember them, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he should remember. That it was important to remember for it was a part of him. Without it he wouldn't be whole. He felt the heat emanating from the wood as he got closer. He reached......

Safa shook him and shook him. His face was wet with tears and his breath caught in hiccups. Safa cradled him, making her hollow shushing noises. He calmed and let himself be rocked. She layed him down and rearranged his coverlet. He stared at her collar as she stroked his forehead. His eyes fell slowly as she comforted him and he eventually settled into a restless and dreamless sleep.
The kitchens were bustling with action and the banquet tables were layed out in a flower pattern. Kaoru noted this as he passed the main hall on the way to the bath. Safa had gathered his dinner clothing and followed him. Tuoy, the first sash servant of the house was in charge of this banquet's set up. The lowest Sash of a set of twelve. Tuoy was eleven yrs old and soft for his age. Tuoy treated him with disdain. Tuoy was afraid of him. It made him want to cry sometimes. He didn't understand why. Safa always comforted him, Tuoy would just turn and walk away. He didn't understand why. He was as cold as Kaoru was to any other person in the house. Besides Safa. Sometimes though, Kaoru caught Tuoy staring, and with such a sad face. Kaoru wanted to make Tuoy cry, to tip out some of the sadness.
Kaoru sometimes thought it was because Tuoy was alone. The lowest Sash was the fastest to have turnover as it was the one Sash that consisted alone of children. The Gran Maoh's idea of fostering. Made up of bastard children of Maoh's closest cronies. Tuoy was competent and tutored the younger Sashes. When Tuoy turns thirteen he will rise up in rank to Second Sash. Classification to a group of glorified slaves.
Kaoru shook his head and wandered on to his bath and his beloved Safa's sad songs.

[Nekko-Sama]

Dai-shur Mei heard the small boy's sobs during the afternoon as he lay doing his best to sooth his aching bones. He stared at the ceiling, brow knit with thought. Such a serious little man, and such a heart rending child. It felt horrible but Dai-shur knew he would have to use the boy. It displeased him, but he was here on the specific request of the emperor, and Dai-shur was loyal without question. His feelings would haunt him as some of the hungry ghosts that haunt his dreams.
His thoughts flew to the strangely familiar servant. Kiomo... He started to drift off into sleep. He was reminded of his travels as his back popped painfully snapping his attention into consciousness. Rubbing his lower back he reminisced over the bumpy roads, then his mind traveled back farther. He had always served the empire, even as a child. His father was a general in the emperor's first army. Growing up without want he had pride and impudence himself, to rival the little prince next door. He started traveling for the emperor even then. The emperor was but a child then. He gathered information, sometimes settled matters personally. He tried to avoid calling in the emperor's troops for action as it thinned the warring emperor's Dowager mother troops. He had even performed assassinations for the empire. He thought it strange that he would be reminded of his younger days traveling, while thinking of the strange servant. He snorted and dismissed the matter, he had better things to worry about.
The emperor's instruction scroll was explicit. The entire family was to die. The father's excesses had reached the emperor's ears finally and the emperor was not amused. The entire household would be scrutinized for who was loyal to the emperor and who was loyal to the head of the mansion. A clan this size was just small enough for him to take care of on his own. He knew that he shouldn't be fond of the boy as he would have to kill him. He stretched his back and rolled over onto his side with a pillow between his knees. He surrendered to sleep to ease his body.

When Dai-shur awoke it was to a polite knock on his door. It was the servant Kiomo again. He was there to inform him that the banquet would be starting in an hour and to ask him if he required any help dressing for the party. Dai-shur said nothing, trying to shake off that strange feeling. He simply grunted dissent and readied the futon for his return to it later in the night. Kiomo bowed and left the room with no comment. Dai-shur resented the distraction, for he knew he would have to figure it out at some time. If Kiomo turns out to be someone who could interfere then he would have to be dealt with quickly. Dai-shur changed into an exquisite robe of simple design. He required no help to put it on as he found the artifice of some peoples clothing stifling, choosing instead to not follow fashion trends. The dark blue and indigo made him look thinner and older than he actually was. At fifty six years his hair was white with some dark strands and his face weathered and cracked but he was still mentally acute. He carefully crafted the image of an elderly man. Who would question a grandfather whose hands shook while holding a tea cup? His long sleeves accentuated the shake like a dying butterfly presenting a fragile image. He applied camphor ointment to his wrists and the crook of his arms. He closed his medicine box and checked his keys. He wiped the rest of the camphor ointment into his hands, ensuring that he smelled strongly of it.
He made his way to the Main hall and found himself standing amongst a small crowd of merchants and courtesans. He looked for Kaoru and found him sitting on a cushion in the corner next to a large swath of tapestry. He made his way to the small boys side and politely coughed to break the boys reverie of the floor. Kaoru looked up and smiled and grabbed Dai-shur Mei's hand. He led him over to a large man, barrel chested with a double chin, light hazel eyes and wearing a dark green silks. Kaoru cleared his throat loudly ensuring that he had captured everyone's attention in the room.
“May I present to my father, my guest Dai-shur Mei.” He bowed as he announced this to the large man. Dai-shur moved closer to the two considering the man known as Gran Maoh. It was rumored that he had gained his seed wealth through running a vicious pirating gang. That was twenty years ago and time and the sedentary life increased his girth and crushed his voice into a gravel that hypnotized. The Maoh's eyebrows shot up at the display, but was pleased to have something of a spotlight appear for him to take over.
The Gran Maoh laughed and led Dai-shur to a group of low chairs. He sat him down and leaned close.
“We don't have many poets from the capital these days. Ever since the capital was moved the correspondence and important persons have stopped visiting this far corner of the empire. My guest list used to be much larger. Now it is a small company of friends and the rare guest or entrepreneur who calls.”
The Maoh's charm was apparent. Dai-shur nodded and smiled in fashion.
“In my old age I travel, attempting to find satisfaction before death. I have no children or grandchildren to keep me at home. I'm surprised anyone even remembers my poor attempts at poetry.”
Dai-shur rasped a laugh that transformed into a cough. He continued talking after the spat of coughing cleared.
“Your son so charmed me with his fine carriage and demeanor, I could not interfere in his little joke of claiming me as his very own guest. I must confess he makes me want to stay on a bit. I had planned on departing after the duration of this feast but I hope you will allow me to stay.” Dai-shur smiled when he finished, hiding his eyes in the creases of his face.
The Gran Maoh tilted his head and smiled his most charming smile. He slapped his knee and laughed. “Stay a few weeks. I have several different feasts for the spirits at the end of the summer. The solstice will start with a guest already present for the parties!”
He leaned closer and softly added,”I serve many different delicacies. Maybe I can find something new that you have never tried.”
Dai-shur nodded and bowed a slight bow of thanks. He continued the rest of the night nodding and adding polite commentary to the conversations around him. He occasionally sat with Kaoru, conversing softly about various people in the room. He felt slightly guilty for pumping a small child for information, but the child was an exceptional one with great reserves of knowledge and wisdom beyond his young years. The various guests named and described by Kaoru were dutifully logged into memory. The party ended with Dai-shur feeling satisfied. The main objective of his night was achieved.


The Gran Maoh eyed the young servant. He was apparently only ten. He was the only boy among the batch of orphans that were collected at great expense from the cities. The boy's bare shoulders shook with sobs as blood dripped from the flayed flesh of his back to mingle with the cooling urine at his feet. His face was appealing in and open, dog like way. The Maoh never bothered to learn the names of the rank-less servants. They were the most temporary. The base nature of these servants made them prone to run away. The many caravans coming and going from the village always provided cover for their vanishings. The boy's flesh was soft and pale. His blood was sweet to the nostrils of the Maoh. The Maoh decided to keep him until the full moon feast. His delightful flesh should be healed by then. The presentation will be the same as now though, the tattered rags of the boy's tunic folded over his belt, gathered as an oddly graceful skirt. He waved his favorite Twelfth Sash, one of only four. The whispered rumor amongst the middle sashes was that to make Twelfth Sash was to become concubine to the master, no matter the sex of the servant. The Gran Maoh was discriminating in his taste of lovers and took the most exquisite of both when ever he could. Arashi who fawned at his feet was his favorite. The Maoh instructed him to take the boy and have his wounds tended to. He informed Arashi,” He will earn his bread from now on at the full moon feast this year.”
The boy was pliant to Arashi's gentle hands, letting himself be gathered up like so much precious cargo. The image was one of tenderness with the bloody boy cradled in the androgynous man's arms. The Maoh waited for Arashi to return from tending the boy, for Arashi was always passionate after a good beating. Arashi reentered the room after half an hour, and without speaking undressed and climbed into the Maoh's bed. He tenderly touched the Maoh, as if seeking permission. The Maoh closed his eyes and sighed.

[neko-sennin]

Looks like the wheels have started turning. I look forward to seeing how Dai-shur handles his "mission" as well as what revelations Kaoru finds about his past.

Sorry for the lateness of my response, but last week we somehow picked up a really nasty adware/spyware-type virus, so I didn't even get to read your next chapters on my last day off. I've just finally started getting caught up on things in the last couple days.

PS: So, how far have you gotten in the Book of Hondo, so far? :nod

[Nekko-Sama]

Sorry, haven't been online much. The story is on pause until holiday. I have very little time to write these days. Too much homework! :P Be assured I am still writting this puppy.