Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Maze, Chapter 7

was afraid of  him anyways. I also knew that he was a good, amazing person, but I was still scared."
    "I see."
    "Sometimes, I was really scared of him, but whenever I thought about meeting him, I felt really  happy, and when I knew that I wouldn't see him, I would feel lonely. That's why when I heard that he was  leaving Mt. Hou, I felt so terrible inside."
    Keiki nodded. "But that's a very good thing. There isn't a kirin who feels sadness when he is by his  ruler's side, and on the opposite side, there isn't a kirin who won't be unhappy when he is away from his  ruler. A ruler and his kirin are inseparable."
    "Yes..."
    "A kirin is only a vehicle through which the Will of the Heavens is expressed. In other words, a kirin  does not have his own intentions; very simply, we pass on the intentions of the Heavens."
    Taiki nodded, and Keiki rubbed his head. It was a warm hand. Taiki was also very happy that he  could finally receive Keiki's affection now.
    "Taiki, you said that you were afraid of Lord Gyousou. I think I can understand the reason for your  fear."
    "What is it?"
    "You shouldn't call that feeling „fear.' It might be more appropriate to call it „awe.'"
    "Perhaps..."
    "Because, Taiki, you met your destiny. So that's why you felt such awe."
    Taiki looked hesitantly at Gyousou. When he saw Gyousou's eyes, he thought that Keiki was  probably right about everything.
    "Taiki cannot tell a lie. That's just how kirin are--they are a creature who cannot bow to anyone but  their own rulers. Thus, you chose the right person for king."
    "Yes..."
    Keiki looked at the small kirin's deep black eyes. "Had I known earlier, I would have made this more  clear. Then you wouldn't have felt such regret. At the time, I should have stayed on Mt. Hou for longer. Had  I done that, Taiki wouldn't have been so anxious... I truly am very sorry."
    "No! It's my fault for not asking about it earlier."

    Keiki heard these very Taiki-like words and couldn't help but smile. "From the bottom of my heart, I  offer my congratulations."
    "Thank you."
    He finally saw Taiki smile.
    Keiki turned to look at Gyousou, who was standing close to Taiki. After Keiki passed Taiki's  confession to Gyousou, he had not been the least bit distressed, nor had he looked disappointed. Even more,  he had never said anything blaming Taiki. He had just looked sternly at Keiki and asked him if he really was  the king.
    "I would also like to congratulate King Tai."
    "I thank you." Gyousou smiled.
    King En also wished Gyousou well. "En offers its congratulations as well."
    "Many thanks."
    "When will you come for another duel?"
    "Do you still remember?"
    "How could I forget? Long ago, I lost one fight to you. --At that time, I'd felt that you were an  extraordinary person, but who would have thought that after so many years, you'd become a king?"
    Gyousou smiled as he said, "Are you still willing to be my opponent?"
    "We are colleagues. Shall we set a time?"
    "King Tai," interrupted Enki, who was sitting on the banister of the terrace, admiring the view. "By  the way, what is that weird thing over there?"
    Enki pointed to a pavilion across from the terrace.
    King En put on a serious face. "Don't speak so rudely. I'm sorry for his behavior."
    Gyousou laughed, showing that he didn't mind. He looked at the youth and said, "That is a remnant  left behind by the previous king. I plan to tear it down in order to buy grain to supplement the treasury of the  kingdom. King En, do you have a surplus of grain over there?"
    "King Tai, you're in luck!" Enki laughed. "In our kingdom, there have been plentiful harvests in these  past few years. We're worried that the prices will fall because of this."
    Taiki smiled as he watched the others conversing. Keiki jiggled Taiki's hand. "Would you like to take  me to your gardens and stroll around? We didn't finish last time I was here."
    "Okay. But I really don't know it very well."
    The youth that was sitting on the banister jumped down. "Well, then let's go explore!"
    Taiki looked up at Gyousou. "May I go?"
    "You may. But you must come back in the evening. Though it will be simple, we must still have a  banquet tonight for our guests."
    "All right."
    Keiki extended his hand, and Taiki took it without the slightest bit of hesitation.

    "Would you like me to call Hankyo and Jakko out?"
    "Can you?" Taiki looked up at Keiki.
    Keiki laughed. "We are all kirin, so it doesn't matter. Taiki, call your shirei out as well,