The Twelve Kingdoms: A Thousand Leagues of Wind

Following these pathways, they moved unbeknownst to humans. It was called tonkou, or "the art of hidden escape." Keiki could travel on the currents of the wind, but he couldn't move that far. He certainly couldn't travel all the way from the palace at Gyouten to Hokui.
    Because he couldn't make the trip by himself, he sent his shirei in his stead. Hyouki reported in detail about the conditions of the palace. Upon his return, he would in turn relay to Keiki how Youko was doing.
    "Koukan's whereabouts are still unknown."
    Youko nodded. Koukan had plotted her assassination and then slipped his shackles and was currently on the run.
    "There is a rumor among the province lords that Your Highness has fled to En in fear for her life."
    Youko had to smile. "I thought they'd come up with something like that. Well, then, let them go on believing it."
    "Nevertheless, you must be on your guard. If Koukan were to discover your current location, he would certainly conspire to kill you again."
    "No need to worry. Hankyo and Jouyuu are with me."
    "I shall communicate the same."

    She saw Hyouki off. In fact, there was no need to "see him off." He simply left from where he was. And Youko exited the room.
    The basic layout of the apartments in the building consisted of one open room or living area attached to two private rooms. This was the case with Youko's room as well. In terms of Japanese architecture, it consisted of two 3 jou bedrooms adjoining a 4.5 jou living room. In a big house, the bedroom on one side would have a bed for sleeping and the other room would be furnished with a divan that could be used as a bed or couch, along with a writing desk and shelves so that it could be turned into a study. Between the two rooms was a living area. During seasons when the climate was agreeable, the door could be opened and screens set up to preserve some privacy.
    It was also common to completely remove the thin, sliding doors, creating a large open space. More than a room, it turned into a broad extension of the veranda. Youko figured she could put a table and chairs there.
    There wasn't any class in the sliding doors at the rike. Paper was glued to the fine latticework within the doorframe, like a Japanese shouji door. Those doors were closed. When you went to bed, unless you wanted to discourage others from coming in, no matter how cold it was, it was considered polite to leave the doors open a crack. So Youko opened the doors just a bit.
    From Youko's living space, she could directly see the portico facing the small study that was sandwiched between the courtyard gardens. She saw a silhouette advancing down the corridor. She fixed her attention on that spot.
    She could only make out that it was a man. Not young enough to be a boy, and not an old man. He was wearing a cotton-padded jacket over a plain outfit. And a hat. A black veil fell down from the brim of the insignificant-looking cap. Furthermore, a shawl was wrapped around his neck up to and covering his face. As a result, she could not make out any features of his face.
    "Who is that?"
    Now matter how hard she looked, his face remained hidden from her. The silhouette appeared to bow and disappeared into the study. Youko observed this, drawing her eyebrows together. Then she left the living room and headed down the corridor to the orphanage.

    "Rangyoku."
    Hearing Youko's voice from the hallway, Rangyoku lifted her head. Keikei jumped to his feet and took Youko by the hand.
    "What's going on?" Rangyoku asked.
    "Let's go play!" Keikei said.
    "Could I speak with you a minute?"
    "Go ahead," said Rangyoku with a smile. She took the pot from off the brazier. She had brewed some tea in the kitchen and was warming it on the brazier. "Oh, that's right. Enho has a visitor, so you don't have classes tonight."
    "That's right," Youko smiled, taking the teacup Rangyoku offered her.
    "Do you know who it is?"
    "His visitor? I don't know. I haven't heard anything."
    Keikei tugged on her sleeve. "Hey, sis, it's that guy, the one with the calico hair. I delivered the letter for him."
    Ah, Rangyoku nodded. She thought maybe he'd said his name was Rou. He had black hair mottled with brown. He visited Enho occasionally. He seemed to be some kind of servant. She didn't know anything more about him than that.
    "Rou- san. So then who that creepy visitor?"
    "Creepy?"
    "The way he always hides his face. The way he calls on Enho now and then. First he sends Rou- san. He always comes at night, and always