The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

awaited them around the New Year, that was when they'd hold a large-scale hunting expedition. Though the affairs of the Imperial Court had pretty much been put in order, this still struck her as cavalier behavior.
    From the confused air circulating through the room, she wasn't the only one who thought so. General Asen of the Palace Guard of the Right broke the silence. In a strangely low voice he asked, "And the game?"
    Illustration
    "Jackals."
    The abruptness of the answer made Risai gulp.
    "We must deal with those government officials who corrupted their offices under the cover provided by the late king. We cannot turn a blind eye while these beasts roam the countryside. If set free, it is likely that, begrudging their fallen state, they will light fires elsewhere. They are a wily bunch, and the personal fortunes they've amassed are indispensable to the future of Tai."
    Risai realized to her horror that he was speaking of a political purge. The small room was filled with groans and sighs as others gave vent to similar feelings.
    "Once the festival is concluded, only the New Year awaits. A diplomatic mission will be posted to Ren. With the envoys accompanied by a general who has commanded both the Palace and Zui Provincial Guards, I believe our quarries will suspect nothing. Throw a big enough net and we should snare them all."
    "And during that time the Taiho will be sent abroad?" Asen asked.
    Gyousou nodded. "This is not something I wish Kouri to witness."
    "But isn't he bound to hear about it sooner or later?"
    "I'll see to it that he does not. What is being discussed here shall not be mentioned to Kouri, or to anybody else not participating directly in this campaign."
    "But producing these indictments in secret? This--"
    Risai raised her voice to object. She understood that the rod could not be spared when it came to dealing with these wayward officials, but summarily executing them without a public trial was akin to a lynching.
    "Of course we shall follow the rule of law in its entirety. But not in the public eye. The government departments involved in this campaign have carefully selected and organized the prosecutors. All other officials will be kept completely out of the loop. Everything should be wrapped up by the time Kouri returns. He should notice a new face here and there, and a slight decrease in the total workforce."
    Aren't you lying to him? Risai felt like asking, but thought better of it. Considering the kirin's benevolent nature, its natural abhorrence of bloodshed, and its loathing of injustice, keeping him in the dark might well be preferable. Exposure to blood alone would make a kirin ill. These actions could certainly be read as an indication of Gyousou's compassion towards Taiki.
    Even as she compelled herself to consent, another voice was heard, that of Kaei, recently appointed head of the Ministry of Fall.
    "Are you sure this is an acceptable course? With all due respect, the Taiho will find out sooner or later. Rather than hiding such things behind his back, why not communicate the truth to him directly?"
    "My orders stand," Gyousou answered brusquely, ensuring that his was the last word on the subject.
    Listening to the details of the campaign, Risai again felt something like a cold wind at her back, an acknowledgement of her frightening lack of second thoughts about bringing down these Machiavellian courtiers in one fell swoop. Indeed, originally King Kyou's favored retainer, Gyousou had thereafter installed his subordinates throughout the Imperial Court. He would already have a firm understanding of what people did and didn't do, who the problem children were and how they should be disciplined.
    Since assuming the throne, Gyousou would have already drawn up his plans, who should be removed and who should be replaced. He had undoubtedly foreseen what might happen when those "jackals" were brought to heel. In fact, this "winter hunt" was aimed not only at corrupt officials, but was part of an ongoing strategy to flush the hidden quails, and wipe the slate clean.
    Observing the purge unfold, those with treachery and evil buried in their hearts, those who had ingeniously hidden their evil acts from view, would feel the heat and panic and scamper from their holes.
    This man-- Risai thought, looking at Gyousou. This man will pull off in a year what takes a new king a decade--even a half century--to accomplish.
    Risai felt the chill run through her. Up to that point, she hadn't harbored any