The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

weaker than she expected, and even leaning back against the pillow she felt winded. The doctors had not permitted her to leave the bed, so Risai had to meet with visitors in her sleeping quarters.
    Suzu washed Risai's face, arranged her hair, and dressed her in a light tunic. She had apparently taken upon the responsibility of looking after Risai by herself. Not much time had passed since the coronation of the Royal Kei. This perhaps could account for the Imperial Palace being so short-handed.
    Or perhaps Risai wasn't trusted, and guarding against the possibility that she might fall out of favor, they'd decided to restrict the number of court ladies attending her to one.
    About the same time Suzu had finished dressing her, three visitors entered the room. The first one to step into the room and take a seat next to Risai's bed was Youko, the Royal Kei. There was no way she could forget her fiery red hair.
    "How are you doing?"
    "Thanks to Your Highness, I appeared to have escaped death. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Having been blessed by your extraordinarily good graces, I must beg forgiveness for appearing before you in such a slovenly manner."
    "Oh, don't worry about it. I know you must have suffered a lot, and your recuperation is my first priority. To those ends, I'd like to do whatever I can. If there is anything you need, please let me know. Anything at all."
    Illustration
    Risai estimated her age between sixteen and seventeen. The striking and unusual manner in which this young Empress spoke communicated great sincerity and good faith. She had imagined someone more frivolous and inconsequential. Risai was taken aback by the unexpected presence of a Royal Kei possessed of such soldierly fortitude.
    She had a different air about her than Taiki. They both came from the same Yamato. Risai realized for the first time that, for no factual reasons, she had assumed the Royal Kei would be like him.
    "I thank you very much."
    "Would you mind relating to me a bit of your story? If you find it trying, then you need only say so."
    "Not at all. I came bearing a message to be expressly delivered to Your Highness."
    Youko nodded. She glanced at the two men standing behind her. "I thought it might be rude to bring men to a lady's sleeping quarters, but I'd like them to stay, if you don't mind. This is our Chousai. He goes by the name of Koukan. And next to him is Keiki."
    Here as well Risai realized the extent to which the totality of her understanding was based upon Taiki. She couldn't help smiling sardonically to herself. But of course. The golden hair meant he must be a kirin. The Tai kirin was a black unicorn with hair like burnished steel.
    "Your reputation precedes you, Kei Taiho."
    Keiki gave Risai a somewhat surprised look. Risai smiled in turn. "The Taiho--Taiki--spoke of you often. He said that he was fortunate to call the Kei Taiho a friend, that he was a magnanimous man who showed him every kindness. The Taiho seems to have developed a great affection for the Kei Taiho."
    As Risai spoke, Keiki averted his gaze with a conflicted look on his face. At the same time, the Royal Kei cast a surprised look at him over her shoulder.
    "Oh, I'm sorry. Have I said something unbecoming in your presence?"
    "No," Keiki muttered.
    Youko smiled. "No offense given or taken. Such unexpected information simply startled me. In any event, I would like to learn more about what has happened in Tai, even if it limited to Taiki alone."
    Risai nodded. "I'm not sure where the best place to begin is."

    The previous king of Tai was known posthumously as King Kyou. He reigned for one hundred and twenty-four years.
    King Kyou loved pomp and splendor and drowned himself in luxuries. Though when it came to governance, he hewed to the straight and narrow. While housing his indulgent and merrymaking compatriots in the Imperial Palace, collecting a harem of beauties in the Inner Palace, and exhausting the riches of the Imperial Treasury with the forbearance of a drunken sailor, he never bestowed ministerial responsibilities upon such wastrels and philanderers, and never mixed the business of state with his pleasures.
    "Sleep in the dark and rule in the light." That was his motto.
    In fact, setting aside the question of whether he could be called an enlightened statesman, while sitting in the Imperial Court, King Kyou was not in any way deficient in his abilities. He respected precedent, principle, and order. He had no taste for revolution