The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

left the Ka-den.
    The one appeared expressionless, deep in his thoughts. The other replied, "I'm not sure what to think. For the time being, at least, we now have some understanding as to what led up to the disappearance of the Royal Tai and the Tai Taiho."
    "That's not what I meant," Youko said with a bit of a frown. "The woman wants us to help her save Tai. What do you think about that? "
    Koukan raised an eyebrow. "Lady Risai seems to be requesting that concrete measures be taken on her kingdom's behalf. But what Kei can provide in its present state becomes somewhat problematic."
    As Koukan began to speak, Keiki stopped and bowed. He'd been called back to the provincial offices to attend to business. Koukan as well had to attend to his duties as Chousai and exited the Seishin.
    Her entire entourage couldn't spend all their time tending to Risai, Youko thought as she headed to the Inner Palace. Kei was a kingdom in motion, and she had problems enough of her own.
    Like Koukan said. It was easy to ask for help, but when reality reared its ugly head, what exactly could she do? Exactly two years had passed since her coronation. She was an inexperienced, illiterate taika empress, a stranger in a strange land who left most of the weightier matters of government to Koukan and Keiki. With the free time not taken up by the tasks they shouldered, she studied under the guidance of her tutors.
    That was the way things stood for now. There was nothing from the Imperial Treasury or the Imperial Court to spare for other kingdoms.
    With these thoughts on her mind, as she headed toward the west wing of the Inner Palace, she spotted a man in armor coming toward her along the colonnade.
    "Oh, Kantai."
    Recognizing her, Kantai stopped and bowed. Kantai was the general of the Palace Guard.
    "Just the man I was looking for," Youko said.
    Kantai took a measured step backwards. "If Your Highness is looking for a fencing partner, I must beg off. I just came from giving your retainers a real work-out. I'm afraid that any attempts to 'blow off a little steam' at this point would lay me out flat."
    Youko smiled. "No problem, no problem. Why not sit back and relax for a while, then?"
    "Yes," Kantai said with a bow, and accompanied her to the library at the heart of the Inner Palace. During the day, this was where Youko relaxed when not conducting official business.
    "This is one ragtag dynasty," Youko said to herself as she brewed herself a cup of tea. Kantai started a bit and Youko smiled thinly. Whatever could be done to save Tai, it was energy she should be expending on behalf of Kei.
    Before mastering the business of government, this monarch had to learn how to read and write. That summed up the state things were in. A good half of her retainers had originally been self-styled "knights of the streets," ignorant of both the law and the basic rules of warfare. They pretty much had to be taught everything from scratch. And there was no surplus of teachers. The responsibility had fallen directly upon the General of the Palace Guard of the Left.
    "Now you're training the junior retainers as well. I'm sorry for piling so much on your plate, Kantai."
    "Not at all. It's all the same to me. With no wars to fight, I've got plenty of time on my hands."
    Youko laughed. They both knew that wasn't the truth. When she'd first come to this world, she'd been amazed at the large scale of the armies. But once she became apprised of the facts, she understood the reasons why. There wasn't anything she would call a "police force" here. Acting under the direction of the Ministry of Fall, the army conducted patrols and enforced the law. No only that, but public works also fell under the jurisdiction of the army.
    Projects that did not require the conscription of civilians were directed by the government, and the work was performed by the army and chain gangs made up of criminals serving out their sentences. Charged as well with the defense of the Imperial Palace and the cities and the protection of aristocrats, there was always plenty for the army to do, even if there were no battles to fight.
    "It doesn't amount to much, but consider this a small reward," said Youko, holding out a tea cup.
    Kantai smiled and accepted it graciously. "Appears to be alcohol-free, but thank you anyway."
    They both laughed. Youko asked him, "What do you know of the Royal Tai? He seems quite famous in some quarters."
    "Ah," said Kantai, nodding. "I'm not personally acquainted with the