The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

kingdom in a personal pique. If things aren't put right quickly, we'll have another Empress Yo on our hands."
    By now Youko was trembling with fury, feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. A deep sense of despondency welled up inside her. Her intent was not to take the people or kingdom for granted. But arguing that she only had their best interests in mind would likely have little traction here. She could easily fume in the face of their ignorance. The problem was, looking in from the outside, the facts would have been difficult to discern. Even Youko couldn't have anticipated that any of her ministers would be carrying around this degree of resentment.
    So this is what it's come to? was all she felt.
    All anybody could have done based on her words and deeds was guess at what was going on. And arriving at a certain assessment of the facts, act on that basis. She couldn't see how she could possibly dissuade somebody who had already come to that conclusion with such certainty.
    "So, long story short, you've come here to assassinate me?" When Youko posed the question, the Naisai faltered a bit. "If that's what this is about, well, them's the breaks, I guess. I'd resist if I had the means to do so, but darn it all if I didn't leave my sword back in my quarters. I guess that puts me at your mercy."
    "Stop acting like such a smart ass!"
    Youko couldn't keep a wry smile from her lips. "I don't much care how this goes down, but I'd like to keep any additional harm from coming to the Tai Taiho and General Ryuu. If you find their presence such an affront to Kei, then repatriating them should be sufficient. Tai has need of its people just as much as Kei. You may presume to diminish the suffering in our own kingdom, but you do not have the right to impose your will on the subjects of other kingdoms. So I would ask you not to add anything more to the suffering of the Tai people."
    The Naisai looked coldly back and forth between Youko and Taiki. "In the midst of chaos in Tai, they abandoned their kingdom and sought refuge in Kei. I can't see it as a great loss to lose a Taiho and general like that."
    "Isn't that a judgment to be decided by the Tai people alone? If they feel as you do, then I'm sure they will deliver that judgment with their own hands. So, do I have your word that you won't lay hands upon them in that way yourselves?"
    "I can't make any such promises, but I shall make the effort."
    "At the very least, let's get out of here. Let's not spill any blood in the presence of a kirin."
    "Wait--" came a voice behind her.
    Youko shook free the hand the clasped her arm. "If they are not part of your plans, then I suppose we can continue where we left off."
    One of the underling guards batted away the hand still reaching for her. Youko was escorted out in the company of the Naisai. Pinned against the wall by half a dozen other men, Risai turned her pale face to her as she exited the room.
    If she could, Youko deeply wished Risai and Taiki to understand that none of this was their fault, that none of this should weigh heavily upon their minds.
    The thought had barely crossed her mind when she was thrown sideways. Her mind hadn't reacted to the surprise when a scream erupted behind her. She picked herself off the floor and spun around. With a leaden thud, an arm clutching a sword fell at her feet.
    Somebody shouted. A man advancing on Risai had pivoted and aimed his sword at Youko. Before the tip of the sword made contact, a beast's paw tore through the man's chest. The sharp, bloody talons withdrew and the man toppled over.
    There was nobody behind the man except Taiki, standing frozen in place seemingly quite far away.
    "At least put up a fight!"
    Youko glanced over her shoulder to see a white-faced Keiki running toward her. A number of bodies lay on the floor of the room. A number of others ran screaming through the gore trying to escape.
    "You certainly showed up at the right time," Youko said with a grim smile.
    "En Taiho left some of his shirei behind. Why didn't you do more to resist?"
    "Hey, I wasn't armed."
    "Even without a sword, you could have done something! Please stop saying you can do without Jouyuu."
    "Okay. At any rate, thanks for coming to the rescue."
    Keiki gave her a look like a parent dealing with a fractious child. "Whenever any shirei keep you company long enough, they inevitably end up covered with blood."
    Youko grinned. "Sorry." She said to Risai and Taiki, "My apologies. I've caused you a great