The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

the Zui Provincial Guard of the Center and had just moved to her living quarters in Hakkei Palace.
    The Saiho was second in importance to the kingdom only after the king. At the same time he was the Province Lord of Zui, where Risai now resided, and commanded its forces. She was delighted and honored that he would visit her personally like this.
    A retainer arranged the flowers and placed them on a shelf in the parlor. That alone made the room so much brighter and warmer. Though having only just arrived and not yet used to her surroundings, she sensed that might still make this residence her own.
    "I'm really grateful. I'm truly blessed to have the Taiho take such a kindly interest in me."
    "Me too. I'm still a kid and I don't understand a thing about all this government and the military stuff. That's why you becoming general of the Provincial Army is so reassuring." The Saiho plopped himself into a big chair and bowed his head. "I, um, look forward to working with you."
    "Please, the Saiho really shouldn't be bowing head to the likes of me."
    None exceeded the rank of Saiho except the King himself. It was impossible to imagine that he should normally bow to a mere Provincial Guard general such as herself.
    "Well, I'm not kowtowing. I'm simply being polite. So it's okay. I know it's considered out of order, but it's become something of a habit. Gyousou-sama says it is what it is and I shouldn't get worked up about it. So neither should you, I think."
    "All right then," said Risai, suppressing a smile.
    This small Saiho was born in another world. The word was that he was born and raised in Yamato, the legendary kingdom found at the furthest reaches of the eastern seas. This accounted for some of his more eccentric mannerisms, though Risai found them rather endearing. He was kind and warm and gentle.
    "I've got a lot more, you know," Taiki said to Risai with a bright smile. "We've got something of an oversupply in the flower department. Headmaster Seirai has a whole bunch of celebrations planned, but I couldn't wait so I brought them here."
    When Gyousou was a general, Seirai had been his aide-de-camp. Following the change in government, he was put in charge of Taiki's education, and at the same time served as the Minister-in-Chief of Zui Province. Though he was a good-natured person, among the bureaucrats serving under Gyousou he was renown as one of the best and the brightest.
    "Seirai and I really wracked our brains about what would be best way to celebrate. Gyousou-sama said that I could take whatever I liked from the Imperial Repository, but that just made deciding all the worse. There's so much stuff there it makes your eyes spin."
    "Oh, you shouldn't waste such things on me!"
    "Gyousou-sama said he didn't care. He said to choose some to send on his own behalf as well. It's Gyousou-sama's share and Seirai's share and my share too. So don't be too surprised."
    Risai looked at the brimming, cheerful countenance of the small kirin, feelings of thankfulness filling her heart. "I really have been blessed with great fortune."
    She was truly happy. With the King and Saiho extending their best wishes to her in such a manner, a new future reached out before her. The Imperial Court would quickly be put in order and the people of Tai would welcome their new King. All their futures seemed bright and inviting.
    The kingdom and the people would prosper and be happy. To the bottom of her heart Risai was certain it would be so. Not in her darkest nightmares could she imagine that in a few short months all her dreams would turn to dust.
    Her noble visitor left at least this room of her residence glowing with a warm light, while outside the cold winds blew. The light surrounding Risai vanquished the shadows. But she couldn't forget the storm brewing beyond the door. A storm that froze everything it touched: the kingdom, the hills and dales, the streets and cities. The people.
    There could be no doubt about the sound of the wind that day, bearing the piercing cold on its back, availing itself of every opportunity to extend the reach of its icy touch. The whirling, howling wind seeped inside the ears and played its discordant song.
    Enveloped in the festive spirits, Risai was not aware of the wind. But here and there in her new home, the coldness hung in the corners and clung to the walls. Her feet were long to warm and the chill bit at her fingers. Her limbs were heavy with numbness, her senses distant. The only sensation alive in