The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise

clouds were brewing."
    "What's the logistical situation in Kyou?"
    "They've set aside emergency stores to deal with Hou. In an emergency, those can be diverted to aid refugees from Ryuu. Contrary to expectations, Ryuu seems to be hanging in there. But if things were to take a turn for the worse and not resolve themselves quickly enough, the situation could grow dire."
    Bunki sighed. "Kyou can't carry Hou and Ryuu by herself. In particular, Hou has a geographical dependency on Kyou. Does Kyou have friendly relations with Han next door?"
    "I don't think so."
    "Then it'd probably be a good idea to think about providing Kyou some aid. At least to ensure a minimal amount of food stores."
    "That wouldn't work, Bunki." Meiki smiled. "Think about the time and labor and money required to transport it. Rather than providing food stores ourselves, it'd be more efficient to augment Kyou's Imperial Treasury directly. Besides, if we're bringing refugees from Kou, we're going to have to call on our food reserves. On top of that, if we try to purchase rice on the open market in order to ship it to Kyou, commodity prices will go through the roof."
    "You are probably right about that."
    "The best course might be to warn the Royal Kyou to monitor the price of grain. That and lumber. It's one of the main exports in Kyou, Hou and Ryuu, isn't it? If two of those kingdoms start to falter, prices will shoot up. Grain or lumber, loosening up supplies here so surpluses can flow north would likely prove the most efficient strategy."
    "But—" Bunki started to say.
    Senshin interrupted her. "What your mother is saying is correct. Sending actual matériel would not be good. People take that kind of thing personally. They feel they're being robbed of their ability to take independent action. As far as the refugees are concerned, the most important thing for them is to persevere and not lose hope. That's what we can provide."
    "Ah—true—"
    "We have a duty to help out where we can. But once we've helped that person to his feet, we also have a duty to let go. I think that assisting Kyou through her Imperial Treasury so she can direct aid to the refugees is a good idea. But Kyou should be the one directing the aid. A neighboring kingdom handing out assistance will reassure the citizens of Ryuu, who will in the future feel a sense of obligation. That would be just as true if Sou were providing the aid, but with Kyou, they will be in a much better position to return the favor because of the geography. Whatever Sou did would likely never be repaid. A debt that cannot be repaid is little different from a handout. Getting refugees accustomed to such a relationship would break that which is most important to them."
    Bunki nodded. Senshin smiled and turned to Rikou. "The same applies to you. I don't so much mind you spending your way through the Imperial Treasury on behalf of the people of Kou, as long you keep in mind that it's possible to be charitable to a fault."
    "I understand."
    Senshin sighed. "Well, wherever you go, you manage to bring home the news of the world. It's much appreciated."
    "Don't encourage him, Father," Ritatsu interjected. "When it comes to Rikou, it'd be better to encourage a little self-reflection than letting him bask in praise."
    "You don't need to keep beating that drum. I'm committed to the refugee problem."
    "And we'll hold you to it. Count on having your feet held to the fire."
    "I figured as much."
    "And you can start," said the scowling Ritatsu, "by getting off your butt and stabling your kijuu. How much longer are you going to make it wait out there?"
    Smiling at the chagrined Rikou, Shoushou got to her feet. "I'll—"
    "That's fine, Shoushou," Meiki said crisply. "People who make messes should at least learn to clean up after them. Goodness gracious, you're not children anymore."
    At this, everybody burst out laughing.
    "That's for certain."
    "Yeah, it's about bloody time our brother became an adult."
    "There's nothing funny about a six-hundred year old child."
    Grinning as well, Rikou bobbed his head. "Yes, yes, yes." He got up and went to the window. Stepping through the window onto the ledge he thought to himself: They're all exactly the same as when I left.
    They'd always be here, the light burning in the window, and those bright faces gathered around the table in warm harmony. Returning from his journeys to find that scene waiting for him filled him with a sense of relief. For good or ill, he hadn't tired of the