by NAK Baldron
Of course not. We wouldn't want a riot now, when we've been waiting for the right time to spill the emperor's blood and rid Shinzo of his house forever.
No one spoke. Shaya and Akio looked at her with open disgust, while the others stood silent. No doubt still in shock from how close they came to a bloody battle.
"The examination is over," Hekima acted as if nothing was amiss. "You'll join the examiners back on stage, after the crowd has calmed down."
Why is the crowd unruly?
"Please rest for a few more minutes," Hekima continued. "A sorcerer will gather you when they're ready." She left the way she'd entered, while the guards took their original positions with no sign of nearly coming to blows a moment earlier.
"Thank you," Akio formally bowed to Ren, legs straight and torso bent with a straight back.
"Um," Ren fidgeted, "You're welcome? It was nothing really. Of course, I'd help Shaya. I owe her everything."
Akio straightened and gave Ren a quick smile. Ren didn't realize it, but he'd just won the eternal loyalty of Akio, and solidified his position within clan Kaito.
"Akio," Shaya said. "We need to talk."
She led him away from the others to a corner where the guards weren't standing too close. The room wasn't large enough to avoid being overheard, so she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I've passed the examination."
"You can't—"
"I didn't take the vow. Nor will I. They've agreed to train me without betraying my loyalty. I can't share the secrets of my training, but I'll be free to leave when I choose."
They stared at each other—Shaya desperate to know what Akio was thinking, but he'd locked his thoughts away behind the face of stone.
"Don't you see?" She asked. "I'll be the only thief lord in history to be a sorcerer. When I return, I'll have powers beyond any other rival and can rebuild my clan. Our clan!"
"As you command, Kaito-Tanken Shaya," Akio lowered his head.
"Damn you! Don't be like that."
"I am your first sworn. My blood is your blood. My salt is your salt. My steel is your steel. Command me and it shall be done."
The cold indifference in which he recited the words were too much to bear—Shaya shoved him with open palms. Akio stumbled two steps back but kept his face down and his hands at his side.
He'd rather I beat him, than speak his mind.
"Akio, First Sworn of clan Kaito. You're hereby made acting leader of clan Kaito until my return from the Amethyst Nation. Go now. Arrange the proper documents and witnesses." Shaya's voice echoed faintly off the back walls of the room.
Everyone looked at them. If Ren's face was any indication for the feelings of the rest of the room, they were all afraid.
"As you command, Kaito-Tanken Shaya," Akio gave a formal bow, turned and left without looking Shaya in the eyes.
Damn you, Akio.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE FIVE OF THEM STOOD upon the stage, while the crowd below cheered. Eight sorcerers stood behind them lined up shoulder to shoulder in the same way Ren and the others were. The young woman continued to represent the Amethyst Nation to the crowd at large.
"These five have passed their examinations, and have been found worthy to join our ranks, concluding the 1,154th examination. Food and drink are provided in celebration. Please enjoy yourself."
A cacophony of sound filled the courtyard, and Ren clenched his jaw in pain.
"What?" Ren asked, he hadn't heard Shaya over the sounds of the crowd.
She spoke directly into his ear, "I need you to come with me to sign documents."
"What about the celebration?" Ren yelled, "Are we free to leave?"
"It'll be fine. It's not as if they will leave without us."
Ren laughed—she was right.
Ren allowed her to lead the way, and they walked off the stage to join Akio, who handed Shaya her sword. She fastened it securely inside her blood sash and pulled the sword halfway out of its sheath.
"Move aside," Akio commanded, using his daggers to point the men and women out of his way. "Make way," He was careful not to point at any of the children.
The crowd was slow to move. More people had shown up for the final celebration, and the courtyard was so packed that it became stifling hot. Ren breathed heavily through his mouth and nose as they pushed their way toward the gates. Even the threat of being cut didn't persuade the people to part quickly.
After what felt like an eternity to Ren, they were free and back on the cobblestone streets outside the walls of the emperor's estate.
Ren stretched his arms wide, as did Akio and Shaya, and let the cool ocean breeze carry away the stench of the crowd.
"Where are we going?" Ren would follow Shaya anywhere, but not knowing made his scalp itch.
"My home," She led the way with Akio taking the rear position.
* * *
"AKIO WILL BE AN EXCELLENT CLAN LEADER, and as my first sworn, is the only choice." Shaya reiterated this point for what had to have been the tenth time.
Kasai-Tanken Shirou and Sora-Tanken Miku had both come to Shaya's home along with their first sworn. Policies were in place to assure clan affairs were handled on the rare occasions that a Thief Lord was forced to leave Shinzo. However, there wasn't a precedent for placing a non-blood kin in charge. Clan Kaito was the first to be so close to extermination since the ancient clan wars.
"Akio is not your blood," Shirou said. "I'm not sure you can place a non-blood relative in charge while you're gone. What's more, you make it clear that you don't know how long you'll be away. It seems to me that you have two choices. Don't leave, or dissolve the rights and standings of clan Kaito."
Akio stood mute.
Is he on their side? Ren thought. Does he want her to stay?
Shaya clenched her fist, but her face of stone didn't falter, "Clan Kaito will never surrender its claims, nor its territories. You mistake my purpose if you think this is truly a debate."
"You mean to dictate terms to us?" Miku said. "We respect the time of daggers, but no such protection is guaranteed to your first sworn. Only tradition. Place him in charge, and we can kill him. Thus, eliminating your clan's claims."
Still Akio didn't move, and Ren did his best to match Akio's stoic stance. With no practice, Ren found keeping a face of stone near impossible, but biting his lip kept his expressions muted.
"I'll remind you, clan Kaito pointed out the betrayal of the clan Gin. It is Akio who leads the investigation into their betrayal. Surely, the death of a traitor is preferable to my own modest clan."
Miku scoffed, "You'd feign modesty in an attempt to lull our guard. Akio is the finest killer alive, but even he can't win against twenty well-armed men. I think we'd all risk four men to split your islands."
"What makes you think Goruden-Tanken Hiroshi would split anything?" Shaya asked. "He'd buy a hundred mercenaries to kill Akio, claim the prize for himself, and kill any of your men who got in the way."
Shaya stepped forward, "However, if you're willing to back my choice of a successor, and vote it lawful, there'd be nothing he can do without risking his own destruction. Honor would demand his clan be returned to salt and dust."
"A moment please," Miku said, and the two of them conferred with one another.
After nearly an hour of debate, it appeared Shaya had won, or at least convinced them of a draw. They didn't have to agree with her stance, that Akio had every right to run the clan, but they would have to protect themselves. If Goruden-Tanken Hiroshi managed to claim all of Shaya's holdings, he'd be more than double the size of any other clan. With clan Gin one piece of evidence away from utter destruction, no clan would risk allowing Hiroshi to gain any more holdings. The time of daggers was too close at hand, and with such an advantage, he'd be able to take on all the clans. They needed Shaya, and through her Akio, on their side.
At least, that had been Shaya's explanation. She hesitated to bring it up at first, because it admitted her clan was the weakest. But conservative
tactics and general pragmatism was how the clans beat the emperor and managed to hold on to their position for all these years.
"We agree," Shirou said. "On one condition."
"What condition?"
"That you marry me upon your return."
Akio pulled his dagger, but Shaya cut the air with her hand. He sheathed the dagger and retook his stoic position. Ren swallowed hard and felt his own face burn.
I'll never look at her again.
"You insult me," Shaya said. "With your right hand you'd allow my position, while with your left you'd steal my holding for yourself."
"You would still be Kaito-Tanken Shaya, and—"
"And nothing. Once we had children, you'd have me killed and claim everything in the name of our child. Even if you're a patient man, your child would inherit everything."
"Our children, would claim a position of strength." Kasai-Tanken Shirou stepped closer, "Let's not play coy, we both know where we rank within the clans. Together our children would gain a position to bargain with."
"Miku speak up," Shaya said. "Tell him it can't be done."
"Nonsense," Miku aid. "It's never been done, but it can be done if you choose."
"Never," Shaya said.
"Fine," Shirou said. "You're right. This is no way to win your affections and join our clans." He showed his palms, "Concede to this. Swear to give honest consideration to my proposal, to think about the truth in my assessment of the tactics and the advantages to both our clans. Do this, and I'll back Akio's position."
Sora-Tanken Miku nodded she'd vote with him.
For a long moment Shaya stood silent, "Allow me a moment alone."
They agreed and Shaya retired to her room to think, leaving Ren and Akio alone with two Thief Lords. The four of them stood silent, each with a face of stone. He couldn't see his own face, but Ren knew it was the weakest.
After ten minutes, and a sound Ren thought was pottery breaking, Shaya returned from her room. "I swear to give honest consideration to your proposal of marriage Kasai-Tanken Shirou. From now until the time I return. Until which point, I place Akio as leader of clan Kaito."
"I swear to back Akio and recognize his leadership as lawful," Shirou said.
"Agreed."
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, after an awkward meal, two scribes entered Shaya's home with the formal documents needed.
I Kaito-Tanken Shaya recognize Akio of clan Kaito, as acting Kaito-Tanken from now until my return from the Amethyst Nation. Upon my death, Akio shall become formally Kaito-Tanken Akio, with all the rights and properties thereof.
I am of sound mind and body upon signing this contract, and acknowledge Henry of clan Kaito, Kasai-Tanken Shirou, and Sora-Tanken Miku as the formal witnesses to this contract.
-Kaito-Tanken Shaya
I Kasai-Tanken Shirou formally recognize acting Kaito-Tanken Akio.
-Shirou
I Sora-Tanken Miku formally recognize acting Kaito-Tanken Akio.
- Miku
I Henry of clan Kaito formally bear witness to this contract and the signing of those herein mentioned.
-Ren
I Akio of clan Kaito formally accept the position of acting Kaito-Tanken Akio.
-Kaito-Tanken Akio
With the final swish of Akio's pen mark, the scribes took the contract and pressed it against a blank parchment. Using a stone rolling pin, they rolled the completed contract against the blank parchment. After several passes with the stone, they pulled the document back, to reveal a mirrored copy on the formally blank parchment.
"Kaito-Tanken Shaya," the scribe said, offering the documents.
She waved them away and gave Akio the duplicated document, "Congratulations, acting Kaito-Tanken Akio."
Carefully she rolled the original document and slipped it into one of two polished oak cylinders for safe keeping.
"We're finished here," Shaya announced, and the other Thief Lords left.
Unsure what best to do, Ren said, "Congratulations, Akio."
Akio clapped Ren on the shoulder, "Guard her with your life. If anything happens to her, I'll kill you."
"Akio," Shaya scolded him like a child.
"Please," Akio said. "Look after her."
"I promise," Ren shook Akio's arm, and the pact was sealed. "I've got a letter of my own to write. I'll meet you back at the courtyard."
Shaya didn't say anything, but Ren knew he'd see her there. She and Akio had much to discuss alone, and he waved goodbye to them as they left together. From the chair next to the window, he watched them walk toward the emperor's wall, sharing each other's confidence.
* * *
Brandon,
I can't thank you enough for all your help, and I promise to repay you one day. You'll be pleased to hear I passed. The Pearl Nation officially has a new sorcerer.
Well, at least an apprentice. I don't know how long my training will last, but I'll be sure to see you first thing. . . .
Ren's letter continued with promises to come back and teach. After which he shared the highlights of his adventure but kept out the part about joining clan Kaito. Some things were private after all.
. . . there is nothing standing in my way now. I'd love to see Johnathan's face when he reads of my acceptance.
If I could ask one more favor. Please get a photo for me.
- Ren
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THEY'RE GOING TO MISS OUR DEPARTURE, Adaku transmitted.
Who cares, Abaze transmitted back. We're going and that's all that matters. They're swine anyway.
Ren's nice, and Shaya is Kaito-Tanken. She transmitted. Clan leader?
So, He shrugged his broad shoulders. Who cares if she's leader of some backwards island clan? She's little better than a city whore. Though I'll admit she's better looking than most.
You're an ass sometimes! She turned her back on her twin and joined the other sorcerers who gathered around a wine cask at the end of the table, laid out in the room they'd waited in before.
What did she know? Their father made it clear what kind of people they were allowed to be with, and whom to associate with. None of these people matched their father's criteria. Not by a long shot.
"Shaya, Ren," Adaku said.
They'd made it after all, which meant Abaze would still have a chance to get what he wanted from Shaya.
"We were held up," Shaya said.
Abaze meant what he said, but he'd love to get Shaya alone with him for thirty minutes with no guards around. It would be a night neither of them would forget.
"Now that we're all present, it's time to depart," Ginger said. She was the young sorcerer who'd represented the interest of the Amethyst Nation to the crowd.
Two of the Sorcerers who must have been checking the crowd, because Abaze didn't recognize them, began to draw a large circle upon the stone floor, using a white stone as chalk. When they finished, the intricate knots of the circle reminded him of a stone floor inside the temple back home.
"Please step inside the circle," Ginger requested.
The group did as instructed, and Abaze took an extra step to be closer to Shaya. He could make out her figure despite the loose clothes she wore.
The five sorcerers who'd examined them clapped their hands in unison, and the party was no longer standing inside the stone room of the emperor's palace. They'd gone from a place in late evening to one in mid-day. The source-light hung directly overhead, casting a harsh glare upon the top of the tower Abaze found himself on.
He was staring at clouds which stretched off into the distance.
They were in the sky!
The entire roof of the tower was covered with lush grass, which danced in the currents of the strong winds, shifting through the rainbow from blues to reds, and back again.
Where are we? Abaze transmitted.
You're in the Amethyst Nation, a voice answered, and not his sister's. This voice carried the mellow tone of a scribe.
Please follow the ramp off the
platform. The same voice continued.
Together, they all walked forward off the platform in the same direction. The grass had been an optical illusion. Instead of short grass, like a well-kept garden. The grass was taller than a man and spaced far enough apart to walk between each individual stalk. Above had been only the tips of the blades of grass. The bottom layers were all a vivid violet color, which cast a haze of light.
"How did you make them neon?" Ren asked.
They're not neon, the voice continued. Please continue to the bottom of the ramp.
They reached solid ground, and Abaze felt the familiar crunch of dirt underneath his feet. When he looked to his right toward Shaya, he found the other sorcerers were gone.
Don't worry, the voice said. My name is Nicholi, I'm the official chronicler of the Amethyst Nation. You'll each join me for a chat. After which you'll rejoin the other sorcerers and begin your formal education.
"Is this another test?" The young brat from the Ruby Nation asked with an obnoxious inflection at the end. It was the annoying dialect of a Ruby Nation commoner.
Not at all. I'm here to preserve your tales for posterity. To ensure your names lives on throughout history.
Sweat trickled down Abaze's face—it was much warmer down at the base of the grass than it had been upon the platform, and the air was far more humid. It reminded him of what his father had warned about the Onyx Nation. Their whole nation was a jungle marsh land. "More water than they know what to do with," his father had joked.
Abaze hopped on one leg and looked down at his feet. He thought he'd felt a snake slither by, but perhaps it had been from reminiscing about the Onyx Nation. They were known for their snakes and spiders.
Now you should all see the door at the center.
Abaze turned around again to find a door in the center underneath the platform, where before there had been a solid stone wall. Not wanting to waste any more time, he stepped forward first and opened the door. But instead of a room or stairs, he found a solid wall of white light.