The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

is no sign of the taika at all."
    "Yes. According to the communique produced by the envoy, only the Royal Tai died. It did not touch upon the disposition of the Tai Taiho. However, by this point, the rumors concerning the Tai Taiho evaporated without a trace. At the same time, refugees began leaving Tai in droves. The word was the Tai Taiho had died, but seeing as the Phoenix had not announced his passing, I had to believe they were mistaken. Subsequently rumors about the coronation of a new king were noised about. In this case as well there were no envoys and the Phoenix made not a sound."
    "What do the refugees say?"
    "They are of many opinions. Some say a pretender has assumed the throne. Some say the Taiho has chosen the next king. And some say that were it simply a matter of the king passing away, then the throne would sit empty. But the vast majority believe there was a coup d'etat in the palace, the Royal Tai was assassinated, and the Taiho has fallen into the hands of evil-doers."
    Even in her own kingdom, it was difficult to communicate to the outside world exactly what was going on inside the Imperial Palace. Everything ended up as rumor and hearsay. The reason was that information was rarely imparted directly to the people.
    Youko let out a breath. "No matter how I look at it, I can't believe that the Royal Tai and the Taiki are dead. Risai said that the Royal Tai was driven from the Imperial palace. So that's got to be what happened. In short, there's a pretender on the throne. The pretender led the coup and drove the Royal Tai and Taiki from the palace."
    "I agree. Although a pretender is a king who lies about having received the Divine Mandate and then occupies a vacant throne. Strictly speaking, this is not a pretender but an usurper."
    "Oh, yes. Because the legitimate king still lives."
    "That would be the case. General Ryuu commanded the Zui Provincial Army and Zui is the home to the capital of Tai. Having access to the heart of the palace, she could be expected to have the most accurate perspective about what was going on there. As I can see no discrepancies in her account, I do find it difficult to believe she is lying."
    Youko frowned at Koukan. "Are you saying you question her veracity?"
    "Should we at least try to verify what she has told us?" Koukan replied without hesitation.
    Youko sighed. "Yes, of course. I did say I wanted to help Risai, but I really have no idea what to do. If this were only as simple a matter as a pretender."
    "Very true. We don't even know what has become of the Royal Tai or Taiki."
    "Asking Risai would be the most efficient thing to do. What does the doctor say?"
    Koukan furrowed his brow. "So far he has nothing to report."
    "Oh."
    "There is something I've discussed with the Taiho. The Royal Tai and the Tai Taiho have connections with the Royal En and the En Taiho. Moreover, En has received the largest number of refugees. So an official request has been made to the ministries of Summer and Fall in En informing them of the circumstances involving General Ryuu thus far, and requesting any additional information about the situation. Their reply should not be long in arriving."
    Youko nodded. The royal scribe entered the library to tell her that Risai had awakened. Youko hurried to the conservatory, but by the time she got there Risai had drifted off to sleep again.
    The doctor had been called at the same time and said that at this point he still hoped for the best. "Because of the crown jewel, the Hekisouju, she should soon turn for the better."
    "I see," Youko said with a nod, looking down at the face of the sickly and emaciated general. "That she would go to such extremes--" To rescue her kingdom she had suffered wounds across every inch of her body.
    I want to do whatever I can, Youko told herself, but she didn't know what that might be. Only that she must save the general. And Tai. And Taiki.

Chapter 6
    F eeling herself slipping back into sleep, Risai focused her efforts on her eyelids, mustered her energy, and opened her eyes. She found herself cheek by jowl with a man's face. He craned his ear toward her mouth.
    "You were mumbling something--" He drew back and smiled. "Ah, you're awake."
    She thought she recognized the man but couldn't say from where. Over his shoulder, a girl rushed up and looked at her. Again Risai only sensed that she should know her somehow.
    What are these people doing in Hakkei Palace?
    She tried to remember, but her thoughts encountered only