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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 3:36:29 GMT -5
Thrade noted the messenger's frown at the word wife before he could suppress it. Either the governor isn't as well informed as he thinks or he's being fed the wrong information. If it was the latter, than it was probably Shade doing it. The messenger recovered swiftly. "The governor wishes to offer you his hospitality as an honored guest."
Don't do it, Lei. Thrade said. Shade had also warned him against this, recommending a very good, but unpretentious inn in the middle of the city, meant for travelers not for nobles. Sound regretful but inform him you cannot set aside the emperor's hospitality. That'll give him plenty to think about. Thrade wasn't proud of the fact she was a great deal better at the arts of deception than her husband was
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 3:47:47 GMT -5
Lei considered Thrade’s words, his eyes moving away but for a moment while he thought things through. Shigeru’s stronghold could very well turn in to a prison. They both knew that. Lei wasn’t willing to give that a chance, especially with Thrade, who was uncomfortable with walls built by man.
“I regret that I will not be able to accept the invitation to his home, for I have arranged for other lodgings as a diplomat in the emperor’s service.” This conversation would be broken down in detail to Shigeru by night’s end, and these very words were blatant retaliation of his statement to depose himself as Nihon’s ruler. “I must remain neutral, as I am sure he will understand. If he wishes to discuss anything with me, he will visit me at the Nightingale Inn. Now, if you would excuse me, I must be on my way.”
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 3:52:14 GMT -5
Thrade applauded how smoothly he set that up. Unless Shigeru was bone stupid, he knew exactly why Lei was here but it didn't hurt to remind him exactly how far Lei's connections went and the severe consequences that might come from him being harmed.
Of course, Shigeru actually had no idea the sheer amount of hell that would rain down on his head if Lei was harmed. The volcano would seem like a blessing after Thrade and Shade were done with him.
The messenger didn't frown this time, though he looked slightly disturbed, as if nothing about this meeting had gone as he thought he had. He bowed in the saddle, welcoming Lei to the city and informing him he would return the message to his master.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 4:03:45 GMT -5
Lei nodded curtly and turned his horse, heading back towards the center of the street. He had in fact had no plans to go to the Nightingale Inn for the night, but he had heard of it upon recommendation and it was the first place that had come to his head. He whispered his thanks to Thrade when out of earshot, for he would not have acted so quickly if not for his warning. It had been a wise decision to be so short and brief. He let out a long breath and closed his eyes for a moment. He would rent the best room in the house, large enough to entertain Shigeru in a neutral location, where entrapment would not be so easy. But also unknown to Lei was how strong a grip the elder brother had on Shimabara, and he may already be playing into his net. But the messenger’s discomfort had not been lost on him, and he found some solace in the fact that what had transpired went against Shigeru’s expectations.
He stabled his horse for the night, rewarding the stable boy with a shining coin to take extra care of the beautiful steed. The room Lei was able to acquire was ridiculously extravagant, carpeted in red with overstuffed settees and a heavily lacquered table that caused the light to cast on it most unbecomingly. But it may be in Shigeru’s taste for all he knew.
Lei opened the satchel and let Thrade crawl into his hand and set her on the bed with care but not before scratching her between the ears with a chuckle. “I do most humbly apologize for the housewife comment, I did not mean a word of it.”
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 4:09:56 GMT -5
People, not just the messenger, seemed to recognize him, common and well to do alike. That didn't surprise Thrade, for Lei's heroics and kindness were well covered by storytellers everywhere, something her husband rarely took into account, as his humility was a part of his nature, not something forced like someone Shigeru would make out to be. They didn't seem happy to see him, however. Or rather, Thrade grasped as she watched, they didn't seem happy to see him here. It wasn't anger or resentment in their gazes; it was worry and perhaps fear.
Thrade laughed as she shifted back into her real form. "I know you know better than that." She sobered, looking up at him. "I don't like this, Lei. The more I see, the less I like it...."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 4:16:49 GMT -5
Lei sat down beside her on the bed, and put an arm around her, pressing her lightly to his side. He was glad to do so, because he was afraid to touch her in case her hiding spot was revealed. The messenger had seemed to not notice so that gave him some relief. “Beloved, we both knew that this would not be easy. I do agree that we are hard pressed by every side, we may even lose this battle and will have to retreat. But that is what Huo Ting is here for, why the emperor’s best men are here for. They are near us enough that if the emperor must take Shimabara by force, we can do so. If we must cripple the elder then surely the younger will fall. But you know that is the last thing I want to happen. You must have faith in me, my love.”
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 4:37:44 GMT -5
"I have complete faith in you, it's the circumstances I don't trust...." She leaned into his hold. She didn't doubt the other brother knew Lei was here by now, but had no idea what would come of that until he reacted or they got word from Shade's friend. And the village, that village, still haunted her.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 4:42:45 GMT -5
"We will just to be all the more careful of our actions, the words we speak. And don't forget, I have illusion on my side." He winked. "I can be at more than one place at a time." He reached down and drew out of his satchel several paper packets she might recognize. Talismans for various spells, both marked and unmarked, ofuda and curious human-shaped cut outs, some worded with his name and others blank.
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 5:28:13 GMT -5
Thrade watched him silently. It was rare for her to see him practice this kind of magic and it was always interesting to see it, even if it was outside her experience.
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 5:33:58 GMT -5
He replaced the talismans into their paper wrappings for protection. "My fellow potentials and I, when we were children training to be priests, would cut so many of these out, some more neatly than others, and try to use them to trick our elders. Spells that would start a flame beneath their foot, or to use paper cut outs like these," he tapped the envelope with the human shaped talismans, "to try to cut class." He chuckled. "We were little terrors.”
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 8:49:25 GMT -5
She enjoyed hearing stories about when he was a child. "I know exactly how that goes. Tari had to tie me to a chair in order to teach me how to read," she reminded him with a grin, speaking of the monk who had found Thrade running wild like an animal. Since one parent had considered her existence an embarrassment and the other didn't care to acknowledge her existence at all, Tari had taken her in and eventually she and her husband had adopted her. When Lei had first met her, it had been the fact he reminded Thrade of Tari in many ways that had coaxed her to shed her animal form and speak for the first time in quite a while.
Her lips curved into a wicked smile she had probably learned from Shade. "I'm sure the governor would be even more fun to terrorize if the situation calls for it."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 21:37:32 GMT -5
Because the governor of Shimabara already knew his identity, Lei decided he no longer needed to wear the clothes native to the region, and put them away, and would wear his usual attire. Despite the horrendously tacky surroundings of the room they had rented, he was glad to be able to sleep in a real bed for it had been several days of traveling and pitching camp in military tents. He could stand the red velvet coverlet, intending to keep his stay only long enough as necessary. Lei did miss their real home, with its simple beauty and peaceful gardens, particularly his place of morning meditation, which did not feel the same on Kyushu’s rough terrain. Still, it was a necessary routine as it kept his body primed as a spiritual vessel and his mind sharp. He had not forgotten his roots, as indicated in the stories from his childhood, for it truly made him the man he was.
In the change that fate wove for him on that fateful day, where within him was borne a samurai as well as priest, he too kept those skills honed in study and practice at a warrior monk temple on Mt. Ryuhozan, which lay tucked in the mountains along a well trod path that was accessible from the Shen property. His sensei was an old monk whose strong spirit kept his body full of strength and vitality despite his age, and was mentor to some of the best fighters in Kyoto. He was quite selective in his students, but upon recommendation by emperor Haru himself, and knowing Lei’s true character the monk was willing to take him into private tutelage. Lei took his lessons quite seriously and would visit twice a week at least to keep his body fit and his fighting skills honed to a deadly edge. You would not think that someone as gentle as Lei could fight so fiercely, but he could defend himself against the best of them.
Lei also took pleasure in studies, accessing a vast library of knowledge. He made it a point to always be aware of important events in Kyoto, which was crucial in his position as an advisor in the emperor’s council. As a leader in the community, Lei would take part in festivals and spiritual events, many times presiding over the religious festivals himself or standing in his rightful place beside the emperor. In these social gatherings, he earned a place in the heart of the people, as was a result of Lei’s wining nature and gentle spirit.
Despite this busy schedule, he never allowed Thrade to feel loneliness and gave her the time she deserved out of love and did not shirk on the duties of a husband. He was glad when she joined him on occasion in the festivities and rituals, but he left her be if she felt discomfort about them, never once making her feel out of place or awkward, as his religion was not her own. On Sundays, he would take her into the wild to wander amongst nature, a pleasurable experience as her influence made the forest thrive in wild beauty. It was not uncommon for the wild animals to approach her in reverence.
A message was sent to the Nightingale Inn that Shigeru planned to call upon him the following morning, which gave Lei and Thrade precious personal time. Lei intended to make use of it, for one did not know what tomorrow would bring in the midst of all this tension. They had a tender interlude and lay for a long time in each other’s arms, at peace in the presence of one another.
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 21:42:58 GMT -5
"Shade says he's jealous of you," Thrade murmured lazily. She lay curled against him, her head on his shoulder. "Or at least, jealous of what he thinks you are. I doubt he knows you at all, no matter what he tells himself."
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Post by Jenny on Jul 8, 2012 21:49:22 GMT -5
Lei chuckled a little and kissed her on the forehead. “Such a malcontent individual would feel jealousy at one at peace with himself. He takes what he wants and forces the people of Kyushu into loyalty whereas someone like me has worked hard to cultivate a good relationship with the people of Nihon. A life earned out of love and gentleness is more rewarding than that of greed and pride. I am sure he is quite the paranoid person, where one might stab him in the back as easily as one would kiss his hand. What of me does he have to know when my life is as it is?”
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Post by KD on Jul 8, 2012 21:53:30 GMT -5
"He doesn't see that, can't recognize it. He only sees a man hailed as a hero and sage who has the emperor's ear, who has traveled to far away lands and has an exotic creature as a wife. He sees that you have power, which he always wants more of." She kissed his shoulder. "Ironic, considering power has never been what drove you."
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