East Akashima [Akashima]

[Lakin_of_DpN]

"I think you only want what’s below my waist,” Jarrod Carlton said his tone a mixture of indulgent rebuke and rising lust. Lakin Le Comte had forsaken her usual ritual of sweet talk and compliments and had gone straight to the true object of her visit.

“I want all of you,” she assured him sinking her voice into a low erotic whisper. Lakin stroked the warm flesh of his chorded chest and teased the hardening nipples with her fingertips. She was too far under the sway of hot desire to be drawn into an argument over which attribute of the well-endowed man she approved of the most. Even though Lakin’s sensual touch made him quake with need, Jarrod was not entirely appeased.

“Sometimes I don’t think you even care enough to look up,” he muttered, withdrawing slightly from her advances.

“Are you afraid that I imagine you to be someone else?” There was only a faint trace of a DpN burr in the soft caress of her voice, but it was obvious, Lakin was more interested in tasting the smooth skin of his neck than attending to his answer. Jarrod moved to make a more substantial protest but the effect of Lakin’s lips on his flesh deprived him of any desire to halt her exploration. He was not about to waste time quarreling over the importance of her infatuation with him.

A knock at the door surprised them both, but Lakin didn’t pause in her attentions; when the knock came again, it was an insufferable irritation; when it came a third time, followed by the intrusion of Jarrod’s trembling valet, it was impossible to disregard. Lakin paused but remained where she was, tugging at the badly wrinkled gown tangled about her milky thighs. Jarrod sat up, his glistened body shielded Lakin from his terrified servant as she adjusted the many layers of her gown.

“I have told you never to interrupt me!” Jarrod shouted, with sharp intensity. “This is intolerable.”

“Please Sir, I didn’t want to, honestly I didn’t, but the gentleman…” The valet stopped, succumbing to the distress and fear his Lord incited in him.

“I’m with a Lady; do you suppose any man even the King himself, to be more important than the woman here with me right now?”

“No Sir, of course not,” The silent amusement that danced in Lakin’s dark eyes did nothing to improve Jarrod’s mounting temper.

“Get out and don’t bother me again.”

“But—“

"Just get out!” He yelled, hurling his discarded boot at the overwrought valet. The besieged servant hesitated only a moment before closing the door.

A split second later the bedroom door opened again, only this time, there was no warning knock. “Hell and damnation!” Jarrod swore. He ran his fingers through his thick wavy hair and roughly drew up from the bed.

“I regret the need to bother you at such a moment,” announced a male voice; with fury crushing control. “I only need a moment of your time.”

Lakin froze her eyes not needing to seek the visitors face to know it was the Duke; he had approached her in Scara Brae, and before that Savion. Tendrils of sweet craving withered to nothing, as the Duke advanced toward the middle of the room. Jarrod retreated abruptly, scrambling madly for his discarded clothes, but the Duke didn’t appear to be in the least disturbed by the presence of the almost-naked man, in fact, he didn’t notice Jarrod at all.

“I would in no way have intruded on you, if you had taken the time to answer any one of the several messages I have sent you,” the Duke began. “And please don’t tell me you were indisposed the entire time or that your maid only remembered on your departure.” He continued before Lakin could respond. “I am well aware of your unwillingness to answer any summons from me.”

Lakin bristled, a thin leash of control held her temper. “That’s because you never listen to my protests. How many times must I tell you; I am not your long lost daughter,” Lakin was not intimidated by the dictatorial Duke, or his arctic fortitude. “This is outrageous; and entirely unacceptable. Now please leave!” She demanded. Her steel gaze confronted the Dukes steady arrogance.

“Well my requests for your presence have been altogether ignored, what else was I suppose to do?” exclaimed the Duke, throwing Jarrod such a ferocious look it made the not-so-brave Adonis cower further behind Lakin. “This is no place for a woman of your standing. I had thought your proxy to be lacking by now and wan in his appeal. His appearance seems to be the only likeness to the original,” criticized the Duke. Lakin remained quiet, holding tightly to a shiver of civility.

“You only have yourself to blame I would have much preferred to carry out this meeting in a less vulgar setting.” sniped the Duke. His indignant frown transformed to a cutting smile. “Now if you will agree to come to East House tomorrow at eleven o’clock, I will leave you in peace. It is your future I wish to discuss.”

Lakin snapped, goaded into speech. She rounded savagely on the Duke. “I am not your daughter. I have a very vivid memory of my childhood, so vivid in fact I prefer to forget it.”

The Duke stood his ground. “Eleven o’clock tomorrow and as you know, I have absolutely no ethic in finding you again.” He shrugged stubbornly set shoulders and rest brooding eyes on his antagonist.

“Alright! Alright, I’ll be there, now leave, as you have ruined my evening completely.”

“I shouldn’t think I’ve been here long enough for that” The Duke responded dryly, he added a thin smile, saluted her like any victorious General would and withdrew.

Jarrod let out a long-held breath. “Is that man really your father?”

“No, but he has convinced himself he is. No matter how many times I disagree with him. We met at a funeral in Savion and the old man has hounded me every since.” Lakin, fell back and closed her eyes.

“He is a very powerful man here in Akashima, there are worse things than being the daughter of an affluent Duke. Asaraki Jubei is held in high esteem by the royal family.

“That means very little to me, I am not his relative.” Lakin’s eyes shot open, the realization hit with brutal force and Lakin struck back in cold rage. “Damn, damn, damn you!” she cursed, getting up from the bed so abruptly Jarrod nearly rolled onto the floor.

“You’re working for the Duke! That’s why you brought me here, isn’t it! This is no coincidence—being in Akashima, the Dukes domain.” Hooded by long thick lash, her ebon eyes blazed with betrayal. Her down turned mouth, long slender throat, and compressed lips combined to give a poised look, but the appearance belied the tempest raging inside her.

“That is not true, and it’s unkind of you to leave me like this,” Jarrod protested with as much dignity as he could muster.

“I’m sure you have been well compensated for any discomfort you may feel,” Lakin threw out with cruel honesty. She left knowing she would never be back. The Dukes interference had destroyed her pleasure in his company. She cursed the Duke again, sending a verbal dagger through the air. The sound stabbed the eerie flesh of the surrounding darkness, sinking into it.

[Lakin_of_DpN]

Gardens were everywhere in the East: civilizing the tang of the harbor, behind patina aged structures that still held the invisible splendor of generations of great Kings, along the meandering sandstone streets and in window flourishes on wooden-post dwellings. Even in unexpected places like deep fertile forests that covered most of the land. It was a world of time honored beauty. Furthermore, from the moment Lakin set foot in Yan-Bo, it felt like she had traveled back in time to a far simpler place. The people lived an honest life, to be certain, but not a life of poverty or deprivation, as had been the case in her own realm centuries ago and in the other realms DpN now ruled. She thought there was something peculiar and charming about their simplicity. Why she thought such a thing she couldn’t begin to explain; but there it was. The Yan-Bo people held a genteel quality to them that was fascinating; at least in the case of the females. The men were another matter. Fully grown they resembled war-hard warriors, entrenched in tradition.

~*~

The sleek Basa, Lakin drove, traveled the dusty, rutted road at a rakish pace. The rugged conditions and constant jerking did little to improve the mood of its driver and sole occupant. She stared sullenly ahead concentrated on keeping highly-strung stallions under control. The trip had been riddled with dilemma from the start, and with the sun’s zenith fast approaching, Lakin reluctantly admitted she was lost. Her eyes clouded with anguish. “Damn the Duke,” she swore under her breath, cursing her absent host. At the very least the Dukes servant should have given accurate directions to the god-forsaken place. Lakin had assured the Dukes man, all she needed was guidance; insisting on delivering herself.

“Suit yourself,” he had mumbled ruefully in return, “but don’t blame me if ye get into a whol' heap o’ trouble.” He warned. The cackled sound of his voice repeated in her ears and grated on her nerves. Determined to silence that voice, she diverted her attention to the leafy awning overhead that had fashioned a world of perpetual twilight, the glow was magnificent.

As she began mentally reviewing her rather narrow options; she spied a young girl ahead, dashing out of a clump of berry-laden bushes on the left side of the road. A long rope of extraordinarily bright flowers was strung carelessly over her shoulder. Lakin pushed her horses to an even faster pace as she keenly observed the girls movement over a small stock-pile of dirt and across the road. In desperation, should she lose this chance at finding her elusive destination before her deadline. Lakin let out a loud sharp whistle. The girls head turned abruptly at the unfamiliar noise. Seeing the giant horses rapidly bearing down, the girl moved swiftly off the road to avoid being trampled. Her young face creased with surprise when the elegant-black curricle eased alongside her.

“Can you help me” Lakin shouted to be heard over the grunting horses.

“Will this path bring me to the Jomon Cross that leads to East House?”

“Yes milady,” the girl replied politely. Pointing directly ahead, the small child added helpfully, tis just around the next bend.”

Signaling her thanks, Lakin guided the horses back on the road and expertly lead them to the curve. According to the servant’s vague directions, another two miles would bring her to East Houses front gates. Lakin eased back slightly in her seat, allowing herself to settle down and let her mind replay the bizarre events of Scara Brae. The challenge had begun nicely, but more than that she couldn't remember. She had woken much later, hampered by a monumental hangover and only a dim recollection of the previous evening’s occurrences. She distinctly remembered arriving at the Steel Mill and encountering the most intriguing and spine-chilling opponent. But beyond that, she could not recall precisely when she had returned, or how the evening had concluded. Struggling to remember only compounded the memory loss. So the reminisce remained in the all-encompassing blackness. She sorely wished she could envelope her private meeting at East House with the Duke, in the same black curtain.

The Duke well advanced in years sat stiffly in a wing chair near the fire, his legs crossed and his fingers drumming restlessly on a nearby table. His insipid skin and extravagant attire gave him the appearance of a self-indulgent aristocrat; a deception which had caused more than one rival to misjudge his steel-like determination and had enabled him to gather his vast fortune and infamous reputation. Now he was about to bring these same traits to work on a situation which had with great regret, eluded him. Somehow, Lakin would be convinced and brought to accept that she was in fact his daughter and that very soon it would be time to marry, settle down, and produce a male heir.

Distant sounds of an arrival reached the Dukes ear; at least the girl had enough good sense to tear herself away from her worthless-admirer when duty called. Maybe there was hope for her yet. Lakin burst into the library, aware of someone other than the Duke in the room. Her swift stride was a visible warning of her unwillingness to be there, and her grim expression an eloquent sign of the effort she put forth to hold her annoyance in check. The overall difference between the Duke and Lakin was surprising, whereas the Duke was thin as a whip chord, pale as a ghost and sluggish in his movements, Lakins tall slender boned figure and lissome appearance gave her the look of a Grecian sculpture. The Dukes spindly grey hair was in direct contrast to the thick, raven mane of which Lakin wore roguishly.

“I’m on time” Lakin said without a greeting. “Bear that in mind before you start this interview.”

[Lakin_of_DpN]

“I do give you credit for punctuality,” remarked the Duke squaring his age-stooped shoulders. “It’s your unwillingness to see the truth that I complain of.” He added, casting a look ripe with vexation.

“Can you blame me?” Lakin taunted. The Dukes eyes widened and he advanced on her.

“Can you blame me?” He tossed back. “If you would only keep an open mind, I should be much more pleased.” The Duke went perfectly still, drawing in long, deep, rage quenching breaths. The pain behind his eyes slowly drained away. “I propose a truce. Putting you out of humor was not my intention. Please forgive me; I can be a very stubborn man,” he acknowledged. Weary of this duel of wills. Footsteps and a quiet click of the door followed the Dukes words and a heavy silence filled the room. Lakin felt bound by his request for peace, she sat quietly on a chair fighting the doubt and frustration that clogged her throat.

“I have something to show you.” The Duke offered, like a white flag.

“Do your servants usually lurk about rooms?” Lakin asked glibly.

“There are those who believe it unwise for me to be alone with you.” The Duke said quite calmly,

“Don’t be absurd,” growled Lakin. The Duke cracked. A smile melted bullion-thin lips and with a rush of amazement, Lakin watched the transformation.

“I didn’t say, I agreed with them.”

“This… is my wife Rhiannon,” the Duke introduced, with love reflected back. Lakin watched a huge veil swirl in a blur of fluid red velvet, divulging a large gilded portrait, that silhouette reverently against the soft backlighting of the room. The visage illustrated was of a striking woman; her jet-black hair was swept back, woven into a strict, ornate bun, and held by an elaborate, ivory and gold ingot pin. Her serene, genteel face was in direct contrast to Lakin, so wide eyed and intent. Flawless skin, powdered to a lily-white mask glistened as if bathed in moonlight, her eyebrows and lashes were black, her lips vivid, painted blood-red. Huge cerulean blue eyes shone like sapphires from the canvas and were at once familiar and utterly mesmeric. The artist’s portrayal exposed the storm of Eyrian magic squalled in the depths of Rhiannon’s gaze exquisitely. Which mysteriously, sent rhythmus bolts of energy softly through Lakin; leaving her unsure whose eyes she was staring into, Rhiannon’s or her own.

The effect was extraordinary. But as much as Lakin thrived on the spectacle she longed to meet the woman she knew instinctively to be her Mother, in the flesh. Lakin lowered her eyes and took in, fully, the splendor of the heavy silk garment that had been carefully, meticulously, wrapped about the elegantly poised woman. Painstakingly stitched embroidery in silver, azure and wine-red, reflected a tapestry of rich, traditional colors. That flowed over the shoulder, across the fringes of the bodice and down the edging of the sleeves. As Lakin stared at the print, she realized it was a magnificent bird, with it's wings spread in full flight. All anger and irritation evaporated, pacified by the arrant beauty and truth in the tableau before her. Even now, after all that had happened, she was still looking for protest but there was none. It was as if she were looking into the blueprint of her own creation.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she looked up at the Dukes proud profile. “I can’t explain this,” she admitted, still unplacated. The Duke made no comment. For a moment Lakin lost all sense of time; she had little idea of how long it was since she had entered the room, or how long she had been kneeling before the woman in the oil portrait. She stared marveling at the enigmatic powers of paint, and particular care in the detail. Lakin had no desire to share her thoughts, instead she felt herself slipping into a willow of confusion.

“This belonged to your mother. It is yours now.” The control densely woven in the Dukes voice encircled Lakin. Immersed in the deep protective baritone; Lakin rose and reached out unconsciously, gently accepting the ring. A dizzying lightness filled her head. She waited a moment for it to pass. Panic ripped through her. What's happening, her mind shouted. I don’t understand. Clutching at the ring, she stumbled back into a dark heavily carved chair just as the grayness started to descend. Please don’t let me faint, Lakin prayed. Leaning deeply in the grove of her seat, she sat, she closed her eyes and gripped the edges of the wood to keep from losing her balance.

It was as if the elements gathered into a harmonious pulse, coaxing and roiling energy from the band of the ring as it passed through her body. A blanket of black followed the ringing in her ears that drowned out all other sounds. The darkness turned to sparks of light. Lakin took a deep breath. The pungent smell of brandy and leather-bound books assailed her nostrils. A cacophony of noises accosted her ears. The clink of glass, voices mingled amid the shuffle of feet and the whisper of the breeze swirling in from the large oak windows. Lakin's heart and mind lurched enthralled by the power she had experienced, knowing it was just the beginning.

Pulled by her arm to a standing position, a gentle grip held her upright as a soft whisper near her ear asked, “are you alright?”

“Tell me about my Mother.”

The Duke beamed, triumphantly. “I will tell you anything you want to know my Dear.”

[Lakin_of_DpN]

With the meeting concluded and her new reality accepted, Lakin was finally able to retire for the evening. Deciding to leave her smaller carriage behind, she waited outside East House for the Dukes coach to be brought around, she filled her lungs deeply with the cool fresh air, attempting to calm her riotous mind, and vowed to use her new position for the good of Yan-Bo and its people. “Asaraki Aiko” Lakin rehearsed her birth name for the very first time, experiencing the Akashiman lilt on her lips as she climbed into the waiting coach. However, she suddenly pulled up short when she saw the carriage was already occupied.

“What’s going on?” she called out in alarm. Lakin felt two muscular hands powerfully shove her inside the coach. She automatically thrust out her hands to keep herself from sprawling onto the coach floor. The door was quickly locked behind her, giving Lakin only a few seconds to straighten herself, before the wheels began moving.

“Please forgive these rather unorthodox circumstances, Asaraki-hime.” A heavily built man seated in the far corner of the coach spoke softly. Indistinguishable, the darkness muffled his features. “It is crucial that our meeting be kept secret,” came his silky warning.

“Why are you here?” Lakin queried in an apprehensive tone, thinking she recognized the dark stranger’s voice, yet finding it almost impossible to believe a royal minister as important as the Master General would act in such an outrageous manner.

“I will explain everything,” he replied. He slid forward into the thin strand of light coming through a partly drawn blind. “Again I apologize for any rudeness, but we have failed wretchedly in arranging a chance meeting.” Lakin shook her head in bewilderment.

“You made yourself known at the Monastery in Scara Brae, did you not?”

“Ah so you do recall. You look none the worse for wear; my man informed me that you had been in the Mill several hours before I arrived. Challenging a Master is no easy task.”

“Of the list, he was the most formidable,” Lakin declared. “Those detestable Monks wiped the entire battle from my mind, or so I suppose. I don’t really know for sure. For the life of me I can’t remember a blasted thing and the harder I try, the more disorientated I become.” A thrashing pain attacked her senses prompting Lakin to abandon the effort and in a flash the agony subsided.

“I can only pray he has no lasting memories of me.” Lakin whispered, her gaze drifting to the fingers of moonlight seeping into the carriage. After a moment she continued. “I assume you are here on the Kings behalf, does he know of me?”

“Yes, but that is another story for another time. I must inform you that I am here under the direct orders of the War Council. The King and I have discussed this matter at length and have both determined you not only have the right to know, but ultimately may be able to assist us in discovering the truth.” A long silence played out dramatically before the Master General announced solemnly, “It appears, Asaraki-hime, according to our latest field reports, East House is using its substantial power to aid the Kuroi Taiyo.”

“What! I know Akashima has gone mad over this damnable war on Black Lotus, but that is a totally ludicrous accusation. The Duke would not risk his reputation or family fortune in such a way. You are absolutely wrong in this matter.”

Pleased with Lakin’s reaction, the Master General held up his hand to stop Lakin’s tirade. “We have uncovered enough discrepancies to know that you and the Duke are being deliberately incriminated. Yet the facts against the Duke are extensive and warrant an inquiry. This situation is rapidly growing into a major concern for the War Council. For over three months vital information has been moving both in and out of East Akashima through a network of organized criminals who are routinely trafficking Black Lotus along a stretch of secluded beach in Yan-Bo, near East House.”

“The Dukes private beach?”

“Precisely.”

Lakin grimaced. “I find it hard to believe the Dukes people are involved with the Kuroi Taiyo. Almost everyone who lives at East House has been with the family for generations.

“At this time we have no solid proof against you personally, but the Duke, he is another matter. It is clear, however, someone who is well-informed regarding the activities on the Estate is assisting the Kuroi and implicating the Duke.

Lakin tilted back in her seat unconsciously drumming her fingertips on the window ledge. “I can’t think of anyone but I am no authority on the Dukes servants. As you know I have only recently arrived at East House.” “I do realize that no one is above suspicion.”

“The War Council agrees and that Asaraki-hime is the dilemma. All we know for certain is that the person leading these activities is none other than the Jackal. We thought the hierarchy of this evil society was successfully breeched. Regretfully our soldier’s body was found near the Great Crystal Spire in Capital City.” “I don’t believe the Duke is in any personal danger, but it might be practical to move him elsewhere until this situation is resolved.

“Clearly you are not familiar with the Duke.” Lakin exclaimed wryly. “The Duke is not a man to be moved elsewhere.” Lakin seriously doubted there would be any co-operation on the Dukes behalf. Factoring the current crisis Lakin asked crisply, “what is to be done?”

The Master General took a moment to scrutinize the woman facing opposite him. He was not personally acquainted with Lakin, but the King expressed complete confidence in her allegiance. “A plan has been devised to expose the Leader and put an end to the Black Lotus trade. Will you assist us?”

Lakin did not waver for a moment. “When do we begin?”

[Lakin_of_DpN]

The private room at the 黒夜明け Black Dawn was crowded, thick with drifting smoke and the heady aroma of cheap wine. “What price do I hear for the lot?” Half-drunken rambling met the auctioneer’s booming call. His face was flushed, he smelled of sake and his hazel green eyes held a wicked snarl. “Come, now. Are you men or boys fresh from your mother’s skirt to hold back like this, you have a great opportunity before you? There is a lot of gold to be made here in Yan-Bo gentlemen, not to mention in the rest of the East. Look you there!” He singled out Xen, a bulky man whose shape cast a shadow over the rest. “The batch is almost pure, the strain potent as venom.” The Auctioneer’s pale eyes glittered. Like a hungry wolf he could pick up the scent of any vulnerable creature. Xen stared vacantly back at the leering Auctioneer. The other four men clustered around the wobbly table sat forward. Their bloodshot eyes pointed unfocused and blurred to the tall stack of packages revealed by a hole in the far wall. The concealing curtain was flimsy, but they could see large square blocks wrapped in individual white cloths with the notorious Jackal insignia, 黒はす embossed in vibrant red ink.

“Who’s to say it’s all you claim, Yasuhiro? You swindled us grand the last time. We paid you three thousand gold, for a full load. Instead we received less than half the quantity promised in from Capital City!”

“Gentlemen, gentlemen.” The Auctioneer at the head of the table waved an open hand. His baroque features eased to a pedestrian smile. “A slight miscalculation, I assure you. My… shall we say, supplier did not understand the exactness of our agreement. As you know, we will supply only the best quality product and there will be no error on delivery. If you recall Hiro, you were fairly compensated for that small misunderstanding. The Auctioneer’s eyes traveled with insulting purpose over the young, flawless form of a female waiting obediently in the shadows. Hiro nodded amiably.

“Yes, yes, so I was, so I was.”

“Gentlemen this is the highest grade at the best price, the Jackal himself guarantee’s it. That is his motto after all.” With a theatrical flourish the Auctioneer slid the fine muslin from the viewing hole. Two women with gaze-consuming figures, entered, covered by only the sheerest of negligees.

“Your profit will be enormous my friends, another Jackal guarantee?”

Po Zhu, a gradually balding man and highly ranked Kuroi Taiyo informant studied Yasuhiro uneasily “Are the wenches part of the deal? The pair would sweeten the pot.”

“And are they untouched?” cut in a drunken Guard with hard features and cold eyes.

“Untouched virgins. Hmm sweet indeed,” Hiro snorted.

“As if you’d have any chance of winning the bid, Hiro. You’ve been losing heavily at the tables this past week and more, from all I hear.” Xen mocked.

“I’ve enough to top any piteous bid of yours Xen”

Yosuhiro intervened as the pair seemed ready to trade blows. “Gentlemen, a little decorum, please! The rules of the Kuroi Taiyo demand strict order. Now what price do I hear for the merchandise in the neighboring room? The women included. Five thousand gold? Six thousand?”

“What about Lakin, or should I say Asakari Aiko?” Hiro asked, as he leaned forward, lust gleaming in his grimy eyes. “It’s her I want, not them.”

The others began to whisper. The words Asakari Aiko ran from one man to the next.

Hiro slammed his cup down. “To taste her I’d pay double, Six thousand gold and more!”

Yasuhiro scowled at the mention of his feisty cousin. Damn her for appearing suddenly, and for her beauty, which was unrelenting misery to him. He would try to convert her, but regrettably Yasuhiro saw defeat in that approach, he would have to come up with something extraordinary, something imaginative. He had his eye on East House long before his uncles long lost daughter manifested and there was too much money to be made in Yan-Bo for Yosuhiro to risk any disruption from East Houses new arrival. Besides if she was stubborn, she would soon learn who her Master was, the Jackal had issued that order brutally. No one would stand in his way for much longer, Asakari Yasuhiro thought smugly.

“When the time is favorable, Aiko will be offered, just as promised.” He snapped the window closed and turned, glaring at the group of men. “And until that time the bidding begins. Of course, if you don't wish to bid now, you will not be informed when my sweet little cousin goes up for auction. Now that my friends would be a tragedy indeed.” A long silence gripped the room. Each mans breath caught as he pictured the silken beauty of Lakin’s skin, the sultry whisper of her voice, and the rich glory of her ebony hair deep and untamed.

“By Kami, I’ll not stand for Six thousand” Hiro leapt to his feet and tossed down a bag of gold.

“Seven thousand!” Xen followed, not to be outdone.

As the bidding leapt to a furious pitch, Yasuhiro sat back in his chair, smiling vainly with his beefy fingers in a steeple. Tonight the lure of his beautiful cousin would bring the Jackal a great deal of gold.
~*~

Across Yan-Bo, a solitary rider plunged through the night. Brooches of fog rose and drifted, cast up in pale, clawing coils. Thick and damp, they lurched at horse and rider. But the black-clad traveler forged on arrogantly. The sound of hooves hammered out of the darkness. One man dared to ride this treacherous stretch of the beach by night, one man whose eyes burned like the fires of Hades. The Jackal. Who killed with the cold accuracy of a hardened executioner.

[Lakin_of_DpN]

The Duke studied the last message on his writing desk in a measured, dignified manner. Frowning, he held the pale birch letter up to a flickering candle; his hazel-gray eyes immediately scanning the scrawled-out words. Mounting concern darkened his grim, craggy features as he tucked the sheet away. Barely two months had passed since the first warning letter had come. Since then he had aged ten years with worry. And matters had only grown worse, as his faceless enemy enslaved more, and more of his people with its intoxicating power. Sighing heavily, his gaze fell to the fine beads of liquid coasting down the walls of his glass. The Duke replaced the decanter, then sat back and ran a hand across his throbbing neck. The brandy hadn’t numbed him to the black devil overwhelming the East. Yes, having his daughter back was truly splendid; soon he would see a son of his loins, but only if he lived that long, of course. The Duke felt a damning rush of pain just thinking about it. He inwardly shuddered, wondering if he possessed the strength to stick to his principals.

Propelled by a wave of fury, the Duke lunged wildly. He slammed a clenched fist down on his desk, silently telling himself, he damn well wouldn’t go down without a fight. For Yan-Bo’s sake he had to get a hold of himself. His jaw tightened and the Duke expertly regained his stiff demeanor. Unless he planned carefully, he would lose everything. His enemies would see to that. He reached for the gilded miniature on the edge of his desk and touched the water-color gently, thinking about the wife he had lost too soon and the daughter more important to him than life itself.

Hantei, Commander of the East, just maybe...if he is as practical and cold blooded as they say—there’s no time to waste. From a secret panel at the back of his desk the silver haired Duke took out a dark-cherry-box inlaid with black opal and jade. For long moments he stared down at the polished wood, a keep-sake from his time in the Samurai Caste. He took out a quill dipped in ink and began to write. Candle-light played over the page as the sharpened point scribbled with a large flourish across the gold embossed paper. From somewhere behind him came the crack of a branch. The Duke twisted; he looked through a huge heavy-oak window, his heart pounding. But no further sound came from the gloom, nothing moved except the wind swirling in from the coast, laden with the sweet scent of Sakura blossom.

~*~

The blush of daybreak tinted the sky a crimson blur. They burst from the thick patch of Concordia Evergreens bordering the lower gardens. There were five of them, all dressed in the same black full length kimono, hakama pants and black haoris. Lakin squinted from her spot beside a row of Sakura saplings, trying to see them clearly. The man in the lead was larger than the rest, his face hidden by a make-shift mask. She spun about, but the other four were already waiting, appearing as dark smudges against a haze of snow-like petals. “What do you want?” Lakin demanded. She turned around to face the man nearest to her, struggling to keep her voice steady.

“Want?” Harsh laughter came muffled from behind his crude disguise. “Not much. Here to warn you.”

Lakin contemplated running, but there were too many and they were too close. She could yell, but no one would hear her. Why hadn’t she seen them sooner? If only she’d told someone of her plans that morning. It didn’t matter. She would never let them harm the people she now considered family.

“Go on about your business, you’re not welcome here.”

“Tasty little minx, aren’t you?” Xen the giant ambled toward her. “Tough, aye!” He kept coming, close enough now for Lakin to see his coarse brown eyes and the emblem on his chest. “I’ll do the talking. Which means, you will do the listening?” His filthy hands caught a handful of her hair, and then tightened bit by bit.

Lakin groaned.

She slid her hand beneath her cloak until she felt the comforting edge of her short sword, Defiance. Freeing the blade, it bit deep into Xen's leg. At close range it was deadly. He shouted in pain and released his hold. Lakin focused her thoughts quickly, finding the calm, deep pool inside her. Sparks of azure energy twinkled along her fingers, rising up from her ring pulsating with cerulean life. The color slipping from gray to blue matched the intense light that gleamed in her eyes. Her hands appeared transparent, but with the same shimmering aura hugging the skin. The sounds and rhythms of arcane voices enveloped her mind, so she could sense the power on an enormous scale, which both terrified and exhilarated her.

Another man, Po Zhu, short and stout came at Lakin from the left; she spun, unsheathed The Blade of Carnage and brought it around defiantly with what appeared to be tiny waves of blue energy flowing up and down its length. Clashing, sparks exploded between the two blades. Po Zhu’s sword crashed harmlessly to the ground. She followed through with short chopping blows which prevented Xen and Po Zhu from advancing any closer. They were forced to retreat.

“You have my attention. I just hope what you have to say is worth listening to.”

Lakin shoved her fear down and by raw force of will she attacked.

[Tainted Bushido]

It had been months, months since he had seen the blossoms of the eastern provinces. Months since he had smelled the familiar scent of the sea, wafting closer as he approached the capital. He would have preferred to avoid East Akashima at all costs, but with the trouble he had encountered in West Akashima, and his subsequent trip to the north, he could not find what he was looking for on that route. Avoiding the capital city so as to not be executed for desecrating the sanctity of such a place, the Ronin had eventually wandered the roads that made his home, much to his dismay.

At least, he knew the capital city of eastern Akashima well, for he could stay off the more public roads and arrive through back alleys to the other side, continuing his journey. He could then move through the south, and eventually end up in the west; far from the village that had seen bandits rob the customers of a geisha house he had been staying at momentarily. A disgusted sigh crept across his lips as he thought about the disgusting hands of that peasant upon Rengoku, his katana.

It was however, by avoiding the main streets, and subsequently the Samurai guard of the Asaraki family, that would bring him to witness events best left unseen. He had once been a member of that guard, for the entirety of a month, before he was kicked out for the failure to protect an important courtier. Now, he wielded her soul in his own Katana, and bore the shame of a Ronin, in return for his life. To the former Samurai, it was a fate worse than death, hardly above a peasant, and just as expendable. Still, he could not help but feel a bit of the indignation at seeing five men around one woman, who seemed to be wildly swinging a western blade. A snort of disgust left his lips as he sneered and whispered. "Little one, it’s time to work."

Bushido was clear in such a case, there was obviously something wrong with these men if they felt it prudent to corner such a woman. Compassion for her overwhelmed him as he resolved his duty of protecting her. His hand hovered above his sword as he prepared the draw, and slowly inched forward, his jingasa hiding his face as he narrowed his eyes upon his target. No warning shot would be needed, he could not afford to leave too many of them alive, for they would certainly fight back once he had finished his opening maneuver.

Reaching up he released the clasp on his straw cloak, revealing the black armor he had been afforded by his family before being renounced. His dirty brown kimono showing its age as it seemed a more faded brown in the sunlight. However he focused intently on his target before he smirked, the smile widening as he felt Rengoku lighten for him, anticipating the blood to flow. He would only get one shot, and then the battle would be joined. As he lowered into a crouch he grasped the hilt of his Katana before he pulled with the expertise afforded to him by his training.

The sound of metal upon metal rang out as Taka drew his blade in a wide arc, the blade slicing out. His eyes found their mark as the man on the far right of the group found his neck sliced deeply, cutting the major artery of the neck. The men had been so focused on the woman that they had neglected to look for potential ambush, giving the Ronin plenty of time to size up the strike, and in one simply strike had managed to fell one of them. Taking the traditional half moon stance the blade was held even with his eyes as he crouched and hissed, "Perhaps if you wish for a fight, I can be more accommodating with your wish. May the Kami guide you to your final resting place."

He could only hope his distraction would give the woman an opportunity to accomplish much the same, or they would be overwhelmed quickly. Not that Taka minded, it only meant more for him to kill.

[Lakin_of_DpN]

She ran at the closest unmoving shape, hot adrenalin churning through her. And with a ragged cry she dragged up the hilt of her blade. Carnage charged the air, a regiment of dense cerulean energy rippled along its length, glowing dark and thick; instilled with incredible strength. Her adversary shifted his weight looking to see where her attack would come from. Lakin slashed hard at the man’s shoulder. But he was sharp; he caught her steel with his own. Suddenly she was rolling on the ground, kicking, gouging, and striking with the end of her blade; for she had no room to swing. They fought wildly, Lakin slammed the bone chiseled hilt of her sword into his heavy-set jaw and she saw his eyes lose focus. She hit him again and his expression went slack, but only for a moment. He was a war-honed warrior and no matter how magically strong Lakin was he had endured worse. He shook his head to clear it and was about to draw back his own fist when Lakin lashed out, she dealt a lethal thrust; Carnage took the man completely off guard. His eyes rolled up into his head and the cold grip of death seized his heart.

“Spirited wench, I give you that. Now how will you stop all four of us? I’m only going to say this once.” Xen’s thigh oozed blood as his dirt streaked fingers tightened on his wound. Muddy brown eyes flat and expressionless fixed on Lakin. “You and the Duke are going to leave the Kuroi Taiyo alone, understand Asakari Aiko.” His beady eyes hardened and his calloused fingers clenched down hard on his bloody flesh. “And if you don’t listen, then accidents will start to happen. All kinds of accidents.” Xen nodded to one of his brawny companions.

Lakin’s attention was divided between her intruders and a strange awareness. She barely heard Xen’s menacing threats. The knowledge came spontaneously, a sixth sense creeping in upon her while her mind was occupied.

A shadow ghosted in behind the fourth intruder. Directly to Lakin’s right. Seconds later, the wild-eyed rival gave a grunt. Six feet of quivering muscle crumpled to the ground. His blood flowing unceasingly through his fingers still clutched at his neck. Staggered, Xen, Po Zho and the fifth-man Hiro scattered like frightened animals through the woods. Lakin’s thankful eyes narrowed on Taka and she gave a tiny nod of assent.

She sank down in a heap between two Sakura trees and drew in a long, frayed breath. There in the rich black earth she sat bone still, staring up at Taka while the sun spilled over her shoulders and the cherry blossom wind combed through her hair. Lakin remained shaken in the middle of the Sakura groove, her face hauntingly gray and then sheet-white. She had never taken a life. “Ancient Ones give me strength.” Lakin started to tremble and locked her hands beneath her knees to keep from screaming. But all she could see was his face, pale and lifeless, dark with death. She knew then what she must do. She seized upon the idea with grave determination, driven by an all consuming guilt that had been the ruin of many DpN ministers.

“They will need a proper burial.” Lakin couldn’t take her eyes off the man she had killed, tears blurred her vision and a sharp piercing stung her throat as if from a sharpened needle. Sobs welled up and she willed them away, striving to keep a thread of composure.

~*~

The Duke inched his horse along the path, where the rolling meadow met the Concordia wood; engaged in earnest conversation with Shuunen, his Steward. At the clearing he halted and opened the leather satchel slung across his saddle. He skimmed the naval dispatch he had received that morning. Grimacing, he read the terse lines of numbers indicating latitudes and longitudes of the various trading vessels and the passenger ships active in the Eastern Sea, and beyond Jadet and the Comb Mountains. There was nothing earth shattering in the information. Outwardly at least, it was a routine list of shipping facts. But something about those figures troubled the Duke. Something was not quite right. He knew that water well, of course. A retired naval officer he had experienced its frigid eastern swells personally. Most of the numbers marked locations off the coast of Yan-Bo and a few farther South near the mouth of the Firewiner River. Yes, he could feel it, something stabbed at his memory, but try as he might the Duke couldn’t put his finger on what it was. Dourly, he shoved the papers back into the satchel, then ran a gloved hand along Yonaka’s glistened neck. Suddenly he felt a choking sensation in his chest, an unnatural gut wrenching agony that rattled him to the very bone. It felt like something unearthly had run its stony finger along his spine.

“Lakin!” The Duke called out, he rode blindly, instinct driving him forward.

Immediately after his Steward let out a shrill whistle. A cloud of dust erupted and the East Guard swarmed in the Dukes direction.

Conflicting feelings stormed within Lakin. Nothing could have made her happier, than to see her father, but at the same time she felt an undeniable sadness. She rose and embraced the Duke; he gently rocked her back and forth before he gripped her arms and surveyed her face. “You’re safe now.”

“They will pay with their lives.” The Duke hissed, trying to comfort his daughter.

Lakin attempted to move away from her fathers tight grasp. “And just what do you think you are doing? You’re covered in dirt, and you can barely see through those tears.”

“I—I must bury” She was talking more to herself than to the Duke.

“The only place you’re going right now is back to the House so you can rest. I suffer—just thinking about what could have happened to you. Let me take you home my Dear and then we will talk.”

Lakin tilted her head, scarcely listening.

“Talk” “Yes I suppose you’re right. I need to tell you everything. I thought it best to keep things to myself. I can see now that I was wrong Father. It will never do for them to see how close they came to succeeding.”

"Who came close...tell me Aiko, who were they?" Unable to stop himself, the Duke pressed her for answers even though he knew who was to blame.

“Seize him!” The Duke shouted, breaking away momentarily from Lakin.

“It’s been far too long Taka. An old friend of yours is due to arrive any minute now. Hantei, I’m sure you remember him?” The Dukes voice was utterly calm. Dangerously calm.

“No Father, don’t hurt him. He saved my life." Rising, Lakin stumbled slightly. Her fathers command broke through the mental haze, drawing her back. "Please—“

“You must be mistaken my Dear, this man is a known criminal and enemy of the Caste” The Duke comforted his daughter.

“If it wasn’t for that man, it would be me lying there instead of them.” She told her father wearily. Her gaze fell to the bloodstained bodies on the ground.

“Enough. We will discuss this further at East House. Bring him.” The Dukes order was final.

[Tainted Bushido]

The thugs ran, as he thought they would, and it was in the aftermath that the rush of battle left him feeling so empty. They were street thugs, hardly worth the effort of killing them. Still, as he saw the woman nod minutely towards him he nodded back unsure of her place. She was unlike any Akashiman he had seen, and was probably a foreigner. He carefull relaxed his stance, assuming a much less hostile one as he surveyed the carnage, ignoring the woman as she began to break down after the combat. Flicking the blood from his katana he prepared to sheath it as he heard a cry from afar. The voice perhaps the last he wanted to hear in these provinces.

Everything happened so fast, that even Taka's keen mind spun from the rapid fire events. He saw Duke Asakiri, the Lord who he had once served as a Samurai stand before him, before the East Guard immediately seized upon him. His katana was still unsheathed as he held the tip barely an inch from the ground. The East Guard surrounded the Duke and his daughter, cutting them off from any attack the Ronin could have mounted to assassinate their Lord.

Two of the guard drew their own katanas as they eyed Taka, measuring him up like a chunk of meat. One was a rather tall fellow, whose hair was in the familiar ponytail of a samurai, the warrior's top knot. His ice blue eyes seemed watching for the slightest notion of treachery as he eyes the Ronin. The other held a coppery red hue to his hair, which was also pulled back into a ponytail. His green eyes were darting about, as if seeing the weaknesses in Taka's stance, and waiting to act.

Taka met their gaze as he saw who it was, Sanzo his brother in arms, and their friend Aein. He had trained beside them for the majority of their lives, and the fact was Taka was often too fast for them to catch, but time had been far kinder to them than it ever had been to Taka. The fact they had been promoted to the Duke's Honor Guard spoke volumes of their skill, and Taka was not keen on finding if six months had truly made them his superior.

“Seize him!” The Duke shouted, breaking away momentarily from the girl. “It’s been far too long Taka. An old friend of yours is due to arrive any minute now. Hantei, I’m sure you remember him?”

Taka lowered his gaze to Rengoku out of its sheath before with a quick motion the katana was back in its saya. Hantei, his old Commander would have killed Taka on sight rather than allow the shamed samurai to even breath in his presence. With that knowledge, he knew that what he had feared coming into the city had been correct, it had been a death trap and he had become caught in it. His shoulders slumped as he resigned himself to his fate. Sanzo and Aein seemed to relax a bit more with the posture as Taka replied, "Perhaps not long enough, if this is my fate, let us not draw it out any longer."

The girl and the Duke seemed to argue, and his ears picked up the word father thrown by the girl. Had he truly just saved the daughter of Lord Asakiri? That would make the second such occurrence in the past few months, and he was not too keen to repeat the experience of the last. Though it was interesting news that the Duke had a daughter, it was hardly comforting in the face of his own death. Still he remained silent as he looked defiantly at Sanzo and Aein, waiting for one of them to speak; after all they had been friends at one time, until his banishment.

“Enough. We will discuss this further at the house. Bring him.” The Dukes order was final. It seemed the conversation was at an end, as Sanzo raised his katana in preparation, even as Aein gestured forth with his hand.

"Please, give me a reason to cut you down you coward," Sanzo said his voice filled with a hatred. Aein slowly stepped forward and reached out for the swords as Taka carefully raised a hand to ward off the act.

"My honor and soul are all I have left anymore old friend, please do not rob me of even that," Takas voice pleaded.

A swift backhand saw him on the ground as he tasted a coppery liquid pooling in his mouth. Spitting it out, blood flowed slowly from his mouth, while he slowly rose to his feet. Aein hissed his own voice filled with emotion, "We're no friends Taka, you should have known that."

"I give you my word, they will not be drawn except in defense of the Lord and his daughter," Taka said again as he slowly drew himself up.

"The word of a Ronin has no weight Taka, give up your blades, or we will cut you down for resisting, like the honor less dog you are," Sanzo said.

Taka could feel Rengoku increase its burden, afraid of being apart from the Ronin. Still he carefully pulled the twin Saya's from their place on his hip. Carefully he held them out to Aein who took them. When Taka spoke his voice soft, "Please, do not damage them, they're all I have anymore."

He felt a blade slash him across his bicep before he heard Sanzo's voice, filled with rage, "Walk forward traitor, and if you give me even the slightest pause, I will kill you where you stand."

[Lakin_of_DpN]

Filled with self-loathing, Lakin remained close to her Father and in spite of the commotion spotted Taka immediately. She had acted like a witless fool. This was all her fault, if only she had been more careful. The Ronin stood there, breathing sharply, his arms dangling at his sides, his legs slightly spread. How besieged he looked, Lakin thought, with his obsidian layer sheened in sunlight, his sides heaving from the rough treatment. He reminded her of a fine stallion that had been caught and hobbled, but, that would forever remain wild. This quality in the Ronin seemed to anger the guards; one wrestled away his weapon, trying to dislodge its tenacious bond with the Ronin. The other sliced cruelly at Taka’s unsuspecting flesh. Lakin’s gray eyes darkened; livid with anger and pain as the lash drew blood. But the Ronin made no sound; his fathomless eyes stared into the distance. She glared at her Father in shock, her face void of color. A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed hard, attempting to move it.

“Please order them to stop.”

Before she quite knew what she was doing, Lakin slipped away and ran toward Taka. A younger guard, holding tightly to the reins of a large white gelding caught Lakin.

”Asaraki-Aime, you must not.” He acknowledged her station, releasing her instantly.

“You are not permitted to speak to the Ronin. Please—your mount is saddled.”

Lakin saw that her sidesaddle was indeed on the gelding. She walked up to the powerful beast and patted his nose affectionately.

“He helped me; does that mean nothing to you Father?” Lakin asked in a gentle tone.

The Duke remounted his horse; he studied the strip of road that shimmered in the bright sunlight to the east, after a slight pause and deliberately keeping his tone resolute and assertive, he spoke. “No one is to touch the Ronin without my permission. Give him back his weapon, we have his word. It still means something to me.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes gleamed, submissive with gratitude. Her anger melted to trepidation and with a tug, her geldings reigns slithered out of the young guards grasp. The Duke nodded softly.

“Do not thank me Aiko; his fate has already been decided.” Lakin gracefully mounted her horse with the young guard’s assistance. Amaterasu was at her peak in the sky and the Duke lifted his face to the sun, drawing in its warmth as it chased the cold from his bones. They rode together for several minutes in silence.

The Duke brought the horses to a slow walk. “You will not speak to the Ronin, Aiko, he is well below your station. A disgraced man in the eyes of our people. A man without honor.”

“But he saved me. That was an honorable act and I will forever be in his debt. I may not know your customs Father, but I’m sure that good deeds do not go unnoticed here in Yan-Bo. DpN lore demands the debt be repaid.”

“My Dear” the Duke responded, his eyes twinkling “It is much the same in Bushido Shoshinshu, but this situation is far more complicated than you know. Taka was an honorable man once, revered in the Samurai Caste. Hantei himself was Taka’s Master. And his good deeds were many. This all changed the day his Charge died. The woman he was sworn to protect was his Lord’s mistress and betrothed. It is not common knowledge so I am trusting that you will keep this information to yourself. Hantei was deeply in love with Harumura-Aime, they planned to wed once Hantei proved himself worthy. He didn’t trust her safety to anyone but Taka, and in his care she was murdered. His hate has turned him into a bitter man, cold with no heart. His heart died with Kimiko. Death or life as a Ronin is the fate of a disgraced Samurai Warrior. Condeming him to the life of a serf, a peasant was not enough for Hantei, he wanted Taka’s blood to suffer. I am not aware of all the facts, but there have been rumors. They say Hantei unleashed his revenge upon the Ronin’s family, murdering his parents. Eternal suffering that is Taka’s fate.”

“And you my Dearest Daughter will not put yourself in the middle of this personal war waged by Hantei. Taka’s destiny was sealed by the Daimyo along time ago.”

Tossing her head Lakin urged the gelding on, deliberately distancing herself from the Duke. She was forced back to his side, where the rolling meadow met the woods. He reached over and grabbed her bridle. “Would you care to tell me what is wrong. I have explained everything to you.” He began in a patient voice.

Weighing her words carefully Lakin replied. “Release him and I will do anything you ask in return. He doesn’t stand a chance if we take him back to the House. Hentei-joutei will be there by now, and when he finds out we have him, Taka will surely be killed.

“I will do what I can Aiko, do not concern yourself with a story that was written long before you had knowledge of its existence.”

“Father, those precious words are in my care now and I will not let any harm come to them.”

~*~

Hentei-joutei stared gloomily out of the library windows at the magnificent gardens. The meeting with the Duke had come at an inconvenient time, the King intended to visit this spring and preparations had to be finalized. New people would have to be hired to work the Dojo in honor of his Majesty’s fleeting visit. Crossing the room soundlessly on the thick oriental carpet he poured himself a cup of sake harboring many misgivings.

~*~

Setting a trap for the Jackal was reasonably simple. Earlier that morning, Lakin had received three sets of documents, each containing important but different information on naval surveillance and coastal operations in place on the peninsula. Lakin had been instructed to lock the first set of documents in the Dukes desk at East House, the second set in a more casual place in the adjoining drawing room, and the third set in a safe in the private library of the Dukes Capital City residence. The Master General intended to circulate the news that Asaraki Jubei was taking an active role in the War Council, alerting the Jackal, letting him know there was vital information in the Dukes possession. It was anticipated that the Jackal would then trigger his contact at East House to obtain the information. Then use the information in the documents to bring in the next shipment of Black Lotus. The Royal Navy would be ready and waiting.

[Tainted Bushido]

His katana and wakizashi were forced back into his hands before he knew what exactly had transpired. The girl had run back to him, and he wasn't sure the reason, but she had apparently appealed to the Duke's more merciful behalf. As he carefully tucked the blades back on his left hip where they had always been he moved, detecting a bit of resentment from the samurai about him. His eyes however, were ever wary as they passed through the small forest of sakura trees.

They eventually came to the Duke's estate, where only the East Guard had been allowed. His duties had always been patrolling the capital, and never truly took him beyond the gates, though he had often dreamed of once stepping through. How ironic that he be allowed his one time wish, only to die because of it. He could tell there was much going on as that girl seemed to look furtively back at him. Perhaps it had been the tension of the situation, but she seemed far too concerned with the Ronin's fate. As he stepped into the courtyard he heard a door slam open as a rather enraged man stepped forward, moving straight for Taka, sword drawn in preparation.

The man had black hair which even now flowed about in the wind, catching and playing with the loose strands. So fast at the man come that he had not even prepared properly for the battle to come, instead forgoing tying his hair back as most warriors did. He wore a sky blue kimono, which matching haori and hakama. Hantei stepped forward to deal with his anger and when the members of the East Guard parted before Taka, he did the only thing he knew, he knelt as he had once many times before and bowed his head. His neck exposed, and the warrior stopped upon seeing the gesture.

"You seek to rob me of my vengeance by giving yourself to me Taka?" The voice seethed at the movement.

When Taka spoke his words were loud, the arm he had placed before him, knuckles to the ground none other than his wounded arm, "To the Commander I am but nothing. If the waves have cast me upon the shores of your anger, then so be it. May the Kami guide my soul through Meido, so the next life may teach me the true lesson of Loyalty."

The ice blue eyes of his one-time Commander seemed to look upon the Ronin. A look of puzzlement overcame him before he hissed, "No argument, no trying to shirk your fate?"

"I have said all the words I can on the matter. If it is my Fate to die, then may your blow be swift," Taka replied. Blood flowed from the wound as it reopened flowing over his brown robe and to the ground. Hantei looked at the Ronin for the longest time before he raised his katana in preparation for the strike.

"Hantei-san, be still!" The Duke called out.

Immediately the sword was sheathed as he bowed to the Duke and spoke, "I trust I will have my time with this dog in due time?"

The Duke's face was a mask of stone, before he spoke, "Until I say otherwise the Ronin Taka is under my protection, that means even you are not to touch him. When this crisis is at a close, perhaps then we can measure Taka's honor and see if our first assessment was truly the best."

Hantei nodded before he looked over at Taka, a look of disgust over his face as he spoke, "Be glad Ronin, you survive my wrath again." He then spat on the ground before the ronin as he moved back into the house the door once again slamming behind him in a clear sign of his anger.

Taka remained prone, his neck exposed as he felt eyes upon him, many eyes. Some with pity, other with curiosity, many with a burning hatred to match Hantei's own. As Taka drew a ragged breath he pulled himself to his feet before a hand clutched his bicep, trying to pinch the wound closed once more. He felt light headed from the loss of blood, but continued to remain silent as he stood there, his blades still sheathed at his side. How he was still alive was a mystery to him, but he knew the girl was at the crux of the matter.

"Come Ronin, I have matters to discuss with you. Perhaps there may be vindication yet, I shall have one of the healers come as well and tend to your arm," Duke Asakiri said, before he turned to walk in. Taka moved after him silently, knowing better than to speak in turn. He was merely a tool now, and tools did not talk. They were used and tossed away when their job was done, and if he hoped to escape the Lord Commander Hantei, he would need to be forgettable.

Moving through the hallways Taka made sure as to not bleed on the carpet as he did so. His footsteps were light as his eyes looked about the hallways, while sparse with the occasional painting they had a carpet that ran down the center of each. It was comfortable to say the least, but he knew better than to speak, he was not one of the Duke's men, he had no rights, and by technicality he should have died in the courtyard.

When they reached the office he was Duke Asakiri sit at the desk before he spoke, "You show up at a perilous time Taka. What possessed you to even show your face in this province again?"

"I was merely trying to find a way to the south western part of Akashima. I had encountered some trouble in the western province, and with the anarchy occurring in it I thought it best to go around the other way than risk entering the same town again," Taka replied dutifully.

The Duke shook his head before he spoke, "I see. As you can see things have become difficult. The Black Lotus trade continues and we are receiving threats from a man calling himself the Jackal. Add atop this your return and we have a dangerous mix."

"Say the word and I shall go, leave and never return again," Taka replied bluntly.

"That is the crux of this problem. I cannot have you free; as Hantei now knows you're here. I also cannot have you stick around for you would only serve to break the focus of my commander. My daughter has spoken in defense of you Taka, and that only serves to complicate the matter as she would do anything to protect you. So I must of course ask if you have ever met my daughter before today." The Duke said as he pressed his palms flat against each other and leaned forward.

"I did not know she even existed until today. I merely saw five thugs cornering her and fought on her behalf out of compassion," Taka replied looking down. His white hair hid his face from the watchful eyes of the duke who studied Taka for awhile.

"She was in hysterics, so I guess this is combat stress, for she certainly is not bred for it as you were. I thank you profusely for helping her Ronin, but understand it cannot cleanse the shame you bear. Help with this matter however, and the possibility remains open for your return to the ranks." Taka's head rose up and snapped into position as he looked upon the Duke's face, detecting a hint of amusement in it as he continued, "I thought that would catch your attention Ronin. We can sort through this mess with Hantei after we are done, but for now I may find need of a Samurai who is not bound by the same rules as my own."

Taka was immediately prostrate before the Duke as he said, "My blade is yours to command my Lord, until such time you have no further use for me."

It was at this time a small woman entered the room and clucked her tongue looking at Taka before she said, "Get up Ronin, I need to take care of that wound before you loose the ability to fight."

She then began work on Taka's bicep and subsequently his wounded shoulder from his journey in the north as Taka watched the Duke rise as if to leave, "Stay in here in the meantime, so that I may go to my daughter, Hantei will not disturb you here."

[Lakin_of_DpN]

Yasuhiro saw all around him the ghosts of his childhood and heard the echoes of deep-rooted hate. Nothing had changed. He stood in the doorway, looking out over the main hall of East House with a tight ball of disdain building in the pit of his stomach. News of Hantei’s arrival had reached his ears; Yasuhiro himself, could not have predicted it. Arrogantly proud, it was an uncharacteristic move on his uncle’s part, to ask for help. The Duke was outnumbered in the East, the bulk of his infantry were trapped in the Comb Mountains; an avalanche would hold them there until a break in the heavy conditions, and soon he would discover that his naval forces were being outmaneuvered by the Kuroi Taiyo. So, Commander Hantei’s sudden appearance had warranted a strategic visit. An alliance between Hantei and the Duke would not be tolerated by the Jackal. Yasuhiro’s face was round and fleshy; his thin lips pinned down into a scowl. Color flared in his cheeks and his eyes were wholly void of any warmth or sentiment, he pulled off his white crisp gloves and tucked them away as he strolled into the library.

The room was deathly still, with no one in sight; Yasuhiro seated himself at the Dukes desk, making himself comfortable in the large leather chair. Casually he slipped his key into a tiny gold fasten. His green eyes narrowed darkly and his features hardened as the lock popped open. And as he predicted, everything he needed was inside. He found a small pot of ink and large, leather writing compendium, meticulously kept. Yasuhiro’s eyes widened as his fingers skittered over a stack of documents pushed to the back of the drawer; he recognized the cipher at once. His mood softened after browsing the dispatches and in far better spirits he rolled the parchment carefully and slid it away. Using his uncle’s scrawl, he began to write. Yasuhiro sealed the first letter, and from his pocket produced another with the Dukes name scribbled across it.

~*~

Lakin sat back in a large timber chair clutching a warm cup of Ninyama tea in her hand. She had been trying to enjoy the sweet-smelling brew for the past half hour. But the shock she’d seen in her adversary’s eyes, how they had turned to fear and desolation just before he died still haunted her. Listening halfheartedly as the cook, Leona, repeated various pieces of local gossip, Lakin absently sipped her tea, distracted by her thoughts.

“Aiko,?” Leona admonished in a firm voice, “You need to eat something, I made Manju, just the way you like it.” “It looks wonderful.” Lakin responded. “Cursed, Kuroi Taiyo, the sooner they’re dealt with the safer Yan-Bo we will be. If anything should happen to you, your Father, I can’t imagine what he would do, what we would all do.” She added softly. “Thankfully, the Duke has extra guards posted around the estate, but still, we must be cautious.” Naomi continued, pouring reprimand into her voice to disguise her anxiety. “It is vital that you stay close to the manor and don’t wander off on your own.”

“I know, I won’t be so foolish in the future.” Lakin instantly replied. Hoping to avoid any further discourse on how dangerous things had become and how she should confine herself to East House manor. Lakin took a sip of tea, broke off a small portion of Manju and began heartily chewing. Satisfied that her mistress would observe her wishes, the petite Nekojin cook returned to the large stew-pot simmering on the cast-iron stove.

At first Lakin’s visits to the kitchen had been of an investigative nature, but that had changed over time. She had come to savor the warmth of the lively kitchen. Lakin spent an hour of each day there; partially to escape the endless list of engagements, but mostly because she enjoyed the friendly company. Leona had taken Lakin into her confidence completely, reporting that the local gentry’s reckless and occasionally shocking behavior appalled the Duke, continuing passionately to say that the Duke detested clubs and gambling dens, that he spent the majority of his time at East House. Irrefutably moral. Naomi openly shared her knowledge of the Dukes faultless connections. Lakin had also been made aware of the servant’s impressions of the Duke; they respected the Lord and had accepted the somber noble into their hearts. Lakin was now certain of her Fathers innocence.

The Duke and his people were not involved with the Kuroi Taiyo, and with vehemence, had informed the Master General. She was taking another bite of the Manju when her newly appointed guard, Haru, suddenly appeared in the doorway. Lakin immediately noticed he was wearing his armor and helmet. The piece of steam cake fell to her stomach like lead. The guards only wore formal attire when there was a stranger at the manor; Lakin had all but forgotten Hentei-joutei.

The hefty, formally garbed warrior bowed ceremoniously. “Asaraki-Aime, “he acknowledged quietly. “The two criminals have been buried as ordered.” Then reading the stricken look on her face he continued. “The Ronin is comfortable. He is with your Father in the front office.” Lakin was relieved to hear the news and relaxed a bit, although she was still nervous. Until the Ronin was free, she would never be completely content. “Your cousin Yasuhiro is waiting in the Library, the Commander will return soon, he was seeing to his men.”

At the guard’s announcement the cook turned sharply, watching Lakin with fretful eyes. Naomi groaned, “now that Yasuhiro, you need to be very careful of him. He was always a spiteful child, never quite happy with his situation and always hurting some poor animal when he visited. Sad really the Duke did try to bond with the boy, but it all came to nothing. It was like Yasuhiro despised the Duke. Why he would, I can’t tell you, the Duke was nothing but kind. He has a mean streak in him—that one. Do try to keep well away, Aiko,” she warned.

“I have no intention of spending any more time than is politely necessary. He frightens me with his harsh eyes.” Lakin admitted.

Haru stood in a military fashion, upright and unflinchingly stern. “I was instructed to give you this,” he declared and with proper etiquette bowed lightly. He handed Lakin a pale gold letter, and recognizing the seal, she opened it immediately.

My dearest daughter, meet me in your mother’s garden,
I have uncovered something beyond belief.
It is imperative that you come alone.

Her Fathers signature was at the bottom of the page.

“Thank you Naomi, I’ll be back later and the Manju was delicious.” The Duke had been very specific in his instructions so Lakin kept the contents of the note to herself. She ran through the vast hallways that resembled a maze, until she came to a staircase with wide circular stairs that were probably the grandest she had ever seen. Rows of her ancestors, their portrait's displayed in gold frames observed her every step. Lakin mounted the stairs, until finally she reached the foyer, silver sconces lit the hallway and the dark-stained flooring held valuable Fallien carpets, immaculate in the cascading sunlight. She made several twisting turns before reaching the conservatory. A set of large mullioned doors that shone like jewels and elaborately designed handles opened onto her mother’s garden. The delicious scent of Gisela-roses swirled up, enticing her forward.

~*~

Waves crashed against wood, and somewhere in the distance she heard the cry of Seahawks and the swish of oars as they dipped. Giddy Lakin opened her eyes to gloom. He had caught her running along hedges of beautiful, blue Gisela spires. Of course her father wasn’t there. She chastised herself for being an inexperienced fool the minute she saw his silhouette. But it was too late now, Lakin thought, feeling blood ooze from a cut on her head. She was tied up and flung into the back of what felt like a rowboat making its way in the night. Lakin heard a murmur of voices nearby and the whack of oars. Without warning coarse hands grabbed her up into the air and thrust her inside a damp Hessen-weaved bag. Queasiness churned through her belly. Back and forth she rocked and pitched, at the mercy of her captors. She heard a door screech open and felt herself being dragged over rough wood decking, until she was thrown down upon a stone cold floor. A knife tore at the crude sacking. The next moment Lakin was blinking hard, then blindfolded tightly.

“Hmm welcome Aiko.”

Moaning Lakin pushed to her feet, though her legs were so unsteady she could barely stand. “Who are you?”

The stranger taunted her. “What, not afraid? Outstanding I find that entertaining in a female.”

“You picked the wrong female, you certainly won’t like me” Lakin spat, striking out with her fist. She missed him however and his response was to bind a length of satin chord around her hands, fastening them behind her. “There, better? Oh and don’t think to try your little magic tricks on me Aiko. Your powers are useless here; thanks to a little Salvar relic I picked up on my travels.” He snarled, rubbing a hideous black statue. “Hmm, that should tame you, somewhat.”

“Another assumption you will come to regret,” Lakin snapped. “Who are you?” She hurled out again.

“That my dear little cousin is privileged information.” Yasuhiro whispered, not content to stay silent.

“A hell-cat with gray diamonds for eyes, Yasuhiro. But, will she be so fierce in a few moments?”

Lakin’s hands clenched another piece of the puzzle fell into place. Her heart began to pound; she felt misery in her being, her Eyrian magic had abandoned her. They couldn’t have her father? She felt her knees go weak at the thought of her father paying the price for her stupidity, but she wasn’t about to show these rogues that she was in a panic. “Yasuhiro,” she said acidly.

“I should have known. What can you possibly gain from this?” she demanded.

“It is very simple, really. We want my uncle’s obedience. If he doesn’t do as we ask—you my dear will meet a very painful end. And on a personal note, I expect to be the Duke of East House any time now.”

They would hound her Father to play his part in their illicit plot.

“Now that we have the naval cipher, the rest will fall into place; thanks to you of course.” Yasuhiro chuckled.

They found the fake documents, Lakin feigned ignorance. “Kill me now; my father will not help you.”

The Jackal’s eyes never left Lakin as he pulled a black-pearl encrusted dagger from his pocket. Its blade was cultured in a curve, a fatal sweep of mythril. He smiled as he lodged the point against Lakin’s throat. “Oh don’t worry, I will if your Father doesn’t follow instructions.”

~*~

"Get up Ronin, I need to take care of that wound before you loose the ability to fight."

The door to Taka’s room slammed against the wall, and the Duke stood in the doorway, a furious flush on his face and his hands braced at the frame. “The Jackal has Aiko.” “I’ll see him in hell for this.” He roared shaking a rolled parchment in his hand. The cook’s eyes, gold and green gems went hard and unreadable. Dizzy, Naomi collapsed in a seat, trembling. The Duke stormed across the room to her side.

“Naomi I need you—of all people to be strong.” He raged helplessly. The Duke spun sharply and forced the letter into Taka’s hand.

“If they don’t hear word of the Commanders departure within the next hour, or if I make any attempt to get Aiko back, they will kill her.” The Dukes chest heaved with emotion and his eyes burned hot with anger. “Bring my daughter back to me Ronin and I will give you anything. Anything you want. I don’t know who to trust anymore, not even in my own guard,” he said desperately.

“You risked your life for her once today, will you do it again?” the Duke pleaded.

Naomi excused her behavior with a small nod realizing her hysterics had not helped. “My Lord—The Raven, it’s a Tavern on the docks. Ask for Liotta, a Nekojin barmaid. She has the gift of sight and for the right price she will give you the information you need.”

Hope filled the Duke momentarily, he dangled a large bag of gold in front of Taka. “This should be enough, but if you require more, I will send it to you.”

Naomi rose gracefully, dressed Taka's wound and signaled gently she was finished. Her smokey-gold eyes that changed color so vividly with her emotions locked with his.

“I knew your parents well; they were people of principal and great courage. You have a chance to regain your honor; it is your duty to take it.”


To be continued…

[Letho]

General Notes: First order of business is to apologize for the delay. Partially because of my busyness/laziness and partially because of inauspicious circumstances I wasn’t able to do this judgment sooner. I should’ve known better then to make promises I couldn’t keep. But anyways, the judgment is here, about a week later then promised. I would also like to say that most of my comments will be pointed towards Lakin as there was significantly more of her writing in this thread. And besides, after being on Althanas for so long and after reading so much of Pat’s work, there really isn’t much to say to him that wasn’t already said before. But onto the rubric.


CONTINUITY – 5

Lakin, this could’ve been done better on your behalf. The essential piece of advice regarding continuity is to treat every thread as its own story, keeping in mind that most people who read it won’t have knowledge of the events that happened before it. Because of that you should always strive to elaborate on how your character happened to be wherever he currently is, why she is doing whatever she’s doing. There were some attempts on this from you, where you wrote about some Pagoda battle and previous meeting with the Duke, but it gave no more than a vague idea of what happened prior to the beginning of the story. Continuity is all about answering the story related questions that the reader might ask himself. For example, what is DpN? Why was she in bed with Jarrod? You might know the answers to these questions, but an average reader does not. As was to be expected from a seasoned veteran such as Pat, he did better there, giving a good example of how to introduce your character into the story.

SETTING – 6

The setting had its highs and the lows in the thread. On one side, Lakin, you present beautiful and elaborate descriptions of the many gardens across the Akashima landscape and the stuffy barroom filled with shady characters. And then in another post you say that your character walked into a library. That’s it, a library. No dust motes hovering through the thick sunrays, no smells of oiled leather of the armchairs and the distinctive scent of old books lined up on the shelves. Nothing. Try to remove this oscillations from your writing. I’m not saying to write an extensive description of everything, but always try to give some extra information on the surroundings. Pat, on the other hand, was rather solid throughout the thread. Nothing standing out, but nothing missing either.

PACING – 4

This is where I have to hurt the score a little bit because of one major issue. Transitions. Transitions from one scene to the next, from one event to the next need to be smoother and accompanied by explanations. The easiest way to achieve a good transition from one scene to the next is to look at every scene as an act in a play. It needs to have a head and a tail, some sort of a beginning and an end. An example of bad transition in this thread is between the third and the fourth post. The third ends up with Lakin accepting the fact that she’s the Duke’s daughter and with the Duke telling her everything she wants to know. The fourth one jumps to after this hugely important meeting and goes straight to the quasi-kidnapping without properly dealing with this huge change in Lakin’s life. Also there was some backtracking in both Lakin’s and Bushido’s posts, something I’m not a big fan of. Sometimes it’s necessary, I know, but try to keep it to a minimum and keep the story going forward.

DIALOGUE – 6

This was fairly well done, though there are times when the dialogue left me a bit confused. Namely, in that scene in the carriage with Lakin and the Master General. And there were several instances where the speakers changed within the same paragraph, which is seldom a good thing (the scene in the kitchen comes to mind). Always make a new paragraph when another person speaks, regardless of how briefly. Other than that, I don’t have any major issues with the dialogue. You can always enrich the dialogue with adding some specifics to it depending on the character, so a lord would always speak eloquently and grammatically correct while some street thug would slur and use short sentences. There were some attempt at this with Xen and his thugs, but it can be done better. Just don’t overdo it and make everyone sound like a drunken dwarf.

ACTION – 7

Action was good, mostly justified, but not perfect. I’ll skip the praising of the good combat scenes and move to the mistakes. For example, why was Lakin so amorous towards Jerrod? Also, after being the Duke’s daughter for less than a day, Lakin seemed a bit too insightful in the inner works of the Duke’s house. It’s nothing to lose sleep over, but such details come off a bit unrealistic from a character who was introduced to her heritage mere hours ago. I’d also like to mention Taka’s actions throughout the thread. It felt very The Last Samurai to me, and that’s a very good thing because that move is awesome. But more on that in Persona.

PERSONA – 7,5

I have to say that I liked the characters in this thread. Not only the main protagonists, but also the NPCs. I liked how Lakin’s confidence seemed to shrink as she was introduced in this world she had no knowledge and about and I loved the whole bushido code and the conduct of Taka’s that followed it. There were some flaws, though; there always are. Lakin, I would like you to explore the emotions of your character a bit more. Not only when something important happens (like killing a man for the first time), but throughout the thread you should put in occasional bits of how the character feels at that point and why does she feel that way.

MECHANICS – 5

Lakin, you seem to have a problem with the usage of commas. Sometimes you use them when you shouldn’t and something you don’t use them when you should. This disrupts to flow of reading and that’s never a good thing. I’ll give you an example:
Lakin lowered her eyes and took in, fully, the splendor of the heavy silk garment that had been carefully, meticulously, wrapped about the elegantly poised woman. Painstakingly stitched embroidery in silver, azure and wine-red, reflected a tapestry of rich, traditional colors. That flowed over the shoulder, across the fringes of the bodice and down the edging of the sleeves.This should look more like something like this:
Lakin lowered her eyes and fully took in the splendor of the heavy silk garment that had been meticulously wrapped about the elegantly poised woman. Painstakingly stitched embroidery in silver, azure and wine red reflected a tapestry of rich, traditional colors that flowed over her shoulder, across the fringes of the bodice and down the edging of the sleves. If you read that, you’ll find that it flows much better. You’ll notice that I kicked out “carefully” as well. If something is “meticulously wrapped”, saying it’s also “carefully” wrapped seems a bit redundant.

There are some typos in both of your posts. Nothing too concerning, but do try to reread your posts and correct them whenever you can. Also, Lakin, “Dukes” and “girls” are plural forms of “Duke” and “girl”. So it’s not “Dukes interference” but rather “Duke’s interference”. Keep an eye out for that.

TECHNIQUE – 5

There was nothing overly eye-catching regarding the technique in this thread, but there are some things that could’ve been done better. Lakin, sometimes you could do with better wording. For an example, when you say that “...her grim expression (was) an eloquent sign of effort...” saying that it’s a “subtle sign” might be a better choice. Also, adverbs regarding the dialogue. Rather than saying that someone “asked glibly”, try to express the emotion of superficial plausibility through the dialogue itself.

CLARITY – 6

The thing that stood out the most are all the Japanese (I’m assuming they’re Japanese) words in the thread. I’m not a big fan of these. Some are easy to decipher, but other made me want to google for it. And when you’re googling, you’re not reading and that’s not good. Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use these expressions. But the first time you use it, it could be helpful if you further explained what it meant. Helps clear things up.

WILD CARD – 5

Why a five? Because I felt robbed in the end. I feel that this thread should’ve perhaps been submitted with the follow up as a single story. As it is, nothing was resolved and there was no sense of completion in the end. Yes, it does keep the reader wondering what would happen next, but seeing how short the thread was, it could’ve easily been submitted with the follow up.



TOTAL SCORE – 56,5


SPOILS:
Lakin_of_DpN gets 750 EXP and 200 GP
Tainted Bushido gets 400 EXP and 100 GP

[Zook Murnig]

EXP/GP ADDED!