Lei Shen and Thrade

[Jenny]

In the Heian capital of Kyoto, surrounded by tranquil ponds where brightly colored, prized Koi fish swam and by lush gardens where the cherry trees were heavy with blossoms in the spring, sat the two tiered house where Lei Shen and Thrade made their home, gifted by his generous emperor not only by rank, but as a gesture of affection. Theirs was the envy by many a courtier and even Lei’s predecessor as head council had nothing so fine as this.

At this very morning, as the blush of dawn bloomed over the skyline of Kyoto, Lei sat on the wooden floor of a stone gazebo that was mirrored in the shimmering water that surrounded. The stone was worn and pitted for it was old but hints of the once intricate carvings within the stone made by it’s builder when Heian-Kyoto was still young remained. Lei had made it a habit to meditate at the coming of dawn every morning, a duty and pleasure from the days of his priesthood.

The sound of heavy footfalls along the rocky shore stirred Lei from his meditation, and he looked across the water at the far border of their estate and saw a line of horses walking across the thin path that ran through the lush territory. The banner the riders held was the insignia of the emperor and the red winking light cast off their armor in the early morning signified that these were soldiers from the palace. In moments, the emperor himself came into view and gave Lei a nod and a smile. The horsemen turned onto the long stone path that led to their home as Lei was already hurrying into the house, making haste to put on something more presentable, rather than the drab meditation robe covered with splintered wood and stone dust.

[KD]

Thrade's presence there made the plants about the house grow wild and more lush than anywhere else, adding a hint of wildness to the tranquility that was an echo of the couple that lived within. Thrade was fae and elven, a Shifter descended from the Seelie though as a half breed she had never been accepted among them. While she adapted to customs and appearances as Lei had taught her, there was always something otherworldly about Thrade, a hint of feral power in her green eyes.

Thrade's focus the past few months had been in studying her Shifter abilities, which had fallen a bit by the wayside. She was curled up comfortably with an old tome when Lei came in. She lifted her head blinking at her husband and turning her head toward the window, eyes narrowing slightly, her hearing picking up on the sound of hoofbeats. She didn't need to ask who it was, she she knew the sound and essence of every horse on the grounds. Even if she hadn't, Cezir, her falcon companion, was perched on the roof of the house and could have told her. She set the tome aside and rose to her feet, making an effort to smooth her ever mussed hair.

[Jenny]

Lei gave his wife a loving kiss on the cheek and wished her a good morning before making his way to the wardrobe where his various kimono hung. He almost chose one of his best, a red silk kimono pattered with lotus flowers, usually for an official visit to the palace, but chose a white one instead, with bursts of muted color here and there where Chinese dragons flared along the sleeves and back, a pattern that matched his strange tattoo of which the tailor painstakingly embroidered as a birthday present.

“The emperor is on his way,” Lei spoke as he dressed although he had a feeling she already had noticed the party’s approach. “I don’t know the reason, but I hope it isn’t an unhappy visit.”

Thrade would already know of the turmoil within the southern province of Kyushu. It was a constant topic of discussion between gossiping courtiers, where stories were usually twisted dramatically. Nevertheless, it had been heavy on the emperor’s mind for the foothold so far away from Heian-Kyoto was weakened as infighting between the government fueled fires of violence.

Lei’s insides twisted a bit as he thought of this, a touch of premonition. But he pushed that aside, shaking his head. It was peaceful here in Kyoto since the warlord’s rebellion had been quelled. In this light, surely the rest of Japan would be reluctant for an all out war within the provinces, not without the promise of retaliation from the strongest force in all of Japan, Emperor Haru’s battalion of which Lei swelled with pride to be a part of.

[KD]

The kind of serene ease and quiet dignity that was a cloak around Lei had never come naturally to Thrade. No matter what, she always looked like she would be more at home running in the wilds, which was true. Nonetheless, she managed to look somewhat okay, dressing herself carefully.

He'd never been able to hide his feelings from Thrade. She picked up on that moment of discomfort instantly but said nothing about it, only running a light hand down his arm in comfort.

[Jenny]

Lei smiled at her and planted a soft kiss on her forehead before making the finishing touches on the complicated knots the obi belt of a kimono require, but to his hands it was a half-conscious effort for he was so used to Japanese attire, whereas Thrade was not expected to adhere to the dress of the times, due to her foreignness, which was both a curse and a blessing in her life. The servants that the emperor had insisted Lei take into his home for day to day duties had once been set on their ways as Thrade had been a stranger, but in their months living here they had a more relaxed yet still polite demeanor as Thrade’s honesty and loving spirit made her way into their hearts. In servitude to Kyoto’s elite all of their lives, these were not back-country folk that had been forced to work in homes just to survive, these were groomed members of the Kyoto community that walked and breathed perfection from the moment they were born.

And sharp-witted for any situations. Harumi, a sour-faced woman who was far from mean spirited, clucked orders to the other servants as head house maid as soon as an inkling of the emperor’s presence shone in her eyes. Already tea had been brewed and waiting and suitable refreshments for such an important visitor were well on their way. You would think the woman was a typhoon at the way she moved, clearing the receiving room of any spec of dust that might remain even though unscrupulously cleaned every day, every item in the house, every corner of the room, immaculate.

A servant came forward to tend to the horses and lead them to the stable as the soldiers dismounted. The emperor’s steed was a shining black stallion whose well groomed coat gleamed in the sunlight. The colors of the Kyoto flag were draped on the saddle’s trappings. The saddle alone would feed a poor family for a year.

Lei crossed the threshold to greet his emperor, going through the required formalities before any socializing could be done. The emperor then reached out and clasped Lei’s hand in friendship, a slight breach of etiquette, but theirs was a bond stronger than any rule in the book, customs be damned.

[KD]

Thrade liked Harumi, personally. She reminded her a lot of Tari, the monk that had raised her. She smiled quietly to herself as she stood in the doorway, watching the emperor enter. The intricacies of power and politics were still largely a mystery to her, but she'd grown to find it interesting watching it here.

[Jenny]

The servants hushed immediately, withdrawing in respect as the emperor took a seat at the head of the table, sitting gracefully on a silk pillow. Lei took his own seat and politely served the first cup of tea to Haru before anything was discussed between them. The table had already been laden with fine foods light enough to compliment the hot tea, not quite a meal but enough to keep the belly satisfied. One may not know what would transpire between the emperor and his head councilman.

The soldiers were shown to another room for refreshments. High ranking as they were, they had no business in this conversation. They were mainly here for the emperor's protection as escort.

Harumi withdrew near Thrade at a respectful distance to the main room, in ear shot in case she was needed. She smiled warmly at Thrade, which still looked as if she had licked a lemon, but a smile it still was.

[KD]

Lei would share any pertinent information with her later at any rate but there were forms to follow. That too, she had slowly managed to grasp. Thrade gave Harumi a mischievous smile. "Admit it, sometimes it's nigh impossible not to eavesdrop," she teased, moving to another room to pick her book up again.

[Jenny]

"I do it all the time dear," she gave Thrade a wink before returning to her own duties.

There was silence in the room as each sipped their tea, both men lowering their eyes for a moment. The green tea was a fine color and very smooth, the best in the household. Only the best. Lei was glad for the soothing liquid that may quell his quaking stomach. His hands did not shake, his demeanor was composed as it always was.

"You honor me at my home, my emperor." Lei began with a pleasant smile. "It has been some time since I have had the opportunity to see you."

"Lei, call me Haru, there will be no further formalities between us while we are alone. You can relax, I will not bite." The emperor gave Lei a winning smile and Lei could not help himself from smiling back, his body relaxing.

"But yes, it has been some time. I am sorry for my absence, there is trouble in the south, and I have made all attempts to keep the peace."

"So it is true, then?" Lei repllied with all seriousness.

Haru nodded. "Yes, I am afraid so. It is a troublesome affair. The provence of Kyushu is locked within a state of civil war. Our forces do what we can to police the squabbles, but we are spread too thin. I am tired, Lei. These past few months have worn me thin."

Haru sighed heavily. "They just won't listen to reason. The governers act as childrens and clamor at each other though I hold them apart. And there have been deaths, countless unnecessary deaths..."

Lei's brow furrowed. "What has happened between the offices that has caused all of this madness?"

"It is hard to pin down." Haru shook his head. "At this point just about anything sets them off. But we have sources who say it started as a land war."

[KD]

Thrade, who actually had a bit more experience than was obvious with this kind of squabbling....the fae could be a petty bunch, no matter how much they tried to believe otherwise....had wondered as much to her husband. Having seen this kind of manipulation before, Thrade had wondered to him if someone was a driving force behind the skirmishes though she was hard pressed to figure out why someone would want to set up so much turmoil down in the south. Shade, that shadow touched assassin that had become an unlikely ally, had told them when asked that she hadn't observed anyone acting in a manner that suggested any of that was true, however.

Thrade stepped outside, breathing in the scent of the air and letting her senses spread out through the plants and wildlife around them. It was her way of meditating, her focus spreading outward instead of in.

[Jenny]

"A land war?" Lei's eyes narrowed slightly as he repeated it. It sounded so mundane a reason for the breakout of a civil war, but that was the failing of human nature.

Haru nodded an affirmation. “Land and blood. It seems that the infighting started between two officials, both sons of the governor of Shimabara. Both born within one year of each other, brought up as bastard sons of the same household, both mothers of low status with reputations of ill repute.”

Haru chuckled a little. “I am beginning to sound like a gossip, but still the facts are facts, and I want to set the story straight.” He cleared his throat and continued. “These sons as they were of age were given separate offices, both supervising an industry unique to the province.” Haru waved a hand, “I will not go in to detail, for it is frivolous information and is unimportant. What is important is, they crossed one another, a mix of bad blood between them, and now one is set upon the other. Anyone that remains neutral within the province does not stay long. Blood is smeared across the countryside. And those of importance have either become indifferent or ignorant of what is really going on.”

[KD]

Cezir fluttered down from the roof and Thrade wrapped a piece of cloth around her arm so he could land there. She could still feel the scars on the land that had come from all the trouble that had plagued them. They'd had a long bout of peace, but it seemed unfair that such a good emperor should be plagued by so many troubles. But then again, it did give him a chance to prove what a good emperor could do. She flinched as she touched on the section of woods that had been so damaged when those accursed sisters had appeared, drawing her memories away from that. Her hand fell to her stomach automatically, a pang of grief for the child taken from her.

She turned her thoughts from that to the news she'd received more recently from over the sea, where she had come from. Where she had met Lei in their adventuring days.

[Jenny]

Before Lei could say a word, Haru spoke again. “And, I am sure, you are wondering why I have brought such unhappy news to you, my friend. You may wonder what place you may have in this…”

“Well, it has crossed my mind,” Lei chuckled a bit.

Haru sighed heavily. “As I have said before, I am spread too thin. This is a very serious matter to attend to, on top of keeping our country in one piece. At times it is as if I am holding a beautiful tapestry, always mending the holes that the crows peck within the weave to gather the gems that are captured within it. And Nihon is beautiful, indeed.”

“A nice analogy, your Highness,” Lei commented graciously.

“Thank you, Lei.” The emperor chuckled, but there were lines of worry on his brow. “To be blunt, I need your help. You alone I trust most in our kingdom. I would be at peace if I had but a hundred of you.”

Now it was Lei’s turn to chuckle. “Well, I am trained in illusion magic, as you may remember.”

“Yes, Lei.” Haru turned sober again. “You are priest, warrior, and advisor. I can think of no better man able to charm Kyushu back to its senses. I need you, Lei. Are you willing to do what I cannot?”

“Do not sell yourself short, Haru.” Lei started to protest, but the emperor held up a hand.

“I am not an egotistical man, Lei and I know to ask for help when I need it.”

“Of course I will do anything I can for Nihon, and most of all, for you, my dear friend.” Lei smiled warmly. “Do not fret about it, I promise I will do my best to prevent any further bloodshed.”

“And I thank you, for that. From the bottom of my heart,” Haru replied with the same warmth and sincerity.

[KD]

Thrade was an observant woman, she could easily hazard a guess as to why the emperor had come. He had the affairs of an entire country to attend to, and couldn't focus simply on one part of it. Lei, on the other hand, could do that for him....and the emperor trusted no one else the way he did Lei.

[Jenny]

The emperor sobered. “All of my resources, they are you own. You are not one to take advantage of my generosity but in this case, I insist. You may go about this as you wish, whether aggressively or covertly. I leave the decision to your wisdom.”

“Thank you, I will not abuse your trust.” Lei nodded to him.

“I have never given it a second thought, my friend.” Haru smiled. “At the least, I would think of your wife. Clever as she is, she too will need protection. If not for yourself, take some of my good men to ensure her safety. I would be vexed to think that any harm would come to her.”

Lei nodded. Naturally, Thrade would not be one to stay in the capital while he was out in the thick of things. She would insist at being at his side, and he would have it no other way.