The Twelve Kingdoms: A Thousand Leagues of Wind

that."
    "Your Highness, I . . . . "
    Youko interrupted him. "Go away."

Chapter 12
    O h, so you were born in Japan as well?
    "Yes," Suzu answered with a nod.
    And you were swept onto the shores of this world. How unfortunate.
    "It was awful," Suzu agreed.
    I know, I know. Nobody in this world can truly understand how difficult a kaikyaku's life is. But I do.
    "Yes, it is. It's really, really tough," Suzu said. "But I'm so happy to have met the Royal Kei."
    I'm pleased as well. You have nothing to worry about anymore. You're a fellow kaikyaku like me. I'll do whatever I can to help you. If there's anything troubling you, let me know.
    "I am indeed grateful, Your Highness. I . . . . "

    Suzu turned over on her cot. Her imagination failed her. She couldn't think of what to say next.
    Since hearing about the Royal Kei from Riyou, she'd had this conversation with herself night after night. The Royal Kei would be full of sympathy for her. They'd converse about Japan, about the trials of the past, their plans for the future. But Suzu had no power, no wealth, no freedom. Surely, the Royal Kei would come to her rescue.
    How can I help you?
    Could she demand that Suzu be sent to Kei to live in the palace? A luxurious palace, not at all like Suibi Grotto, with generous and kindhearted servants. There they would talk together and stroll through the gardens. And while she was at it, how about giving Riyou a taste of her own medicine?
    This child is my fellow countrywoman. If you have treated her badly, I shall not forgive you.
    When the Royal Kei said that, Riyou would grovel at her feet. She'd be sorry, then. No matter how bitter, faced with the power and authority of the empress, she would have no choice but to comply.
    I shall name Suzu mistress of Suibi Grotto. Riyou will be her servant.
    "No, that isn't necessary," Suzu said, shaking her head. "That is not what I want. I only desire that the mistress of the grotto show me some kindness and gratitude. That alone would be sufficient."
    My, Suzu, you are a good person.
    The Royal Kei smiling at her, Riyou's grateful eyes meeting hers.
    "Not hardly," Suzu muttered to herself. "Riyou would never thank me for anything."
    She wrapped the quilt around her shoulders. Still, if she could only meet the Royal Kei, that would make up for everything. If she could go and see her . . . .
    As she closed her eyes, she heard high tone of a ringing bell. Outside a winter wind was blowing. The high tone mingled with the sounds of the dry, rustling brush, the turbulent chorus of wind weaving through the undulating peaks.
    Suzu suddenly sat up and listened more closely. Kang, the bell rang again. It was Riyou calling a servant. She hurriedly slipped out of bed, threw a robe over her nightdress, hastily tied the sash and ran out of the room.
    What was going on in the middle of the night?
    Riyou didn't care when her servants went to sleep or woke up. Suzu's room had cots for three servants, but the other two had quit a long time ago. Even at the cost of losing their place in the Registry of Wizards, they had decided to run away and had been fortunate and lucky enough to carry it off. At least that's what the other maidservants said.
    Urged along by the shrill, incessant sound of the bell, Suzu ran down the hallways and into Riyou's quarters. Already, two other servants had arrived ahead of her. As soon as she entered the room, Riyou's vituperations flew at her.
    "You're late! You're such an idiot and slowpoke!"
    "I am sorry. I was asleep."
    "So was everybody else. You're such a sluggard the stable hands got here before you, and you're supposed to be my personal maid!"
    The man and woman who had arrived first averted their gaze. Were they careless enough to rise to Suzu's defense, they would feel the brunt of Riyou's scorn as well.
    "I beg your forgiveness."
    "Even when asleep, servants should be attentive to the needs of their master. That's why I deign to provide you with room and board in the first place."
    Suzu bowed her head. The strange fruits that grew on the mountain, the yield from a plot of land in the ravine, a modest stipend from the national treasury, the meager rent from the fields at the base of the mountain farmed by the locals, taxes collected from the shrine village below Suibi Peak--this was the totality of Riyou's income, and what Suzu and all the others had to live on.
    "This is unbelievable! Twelve servants and only three bother to show up!"
    Riyou looked at the middle-aged