The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

second doubts about Gyousou. A general of great renown, Risai as well admired his disposition and temperament, and respected him enormously.
    However, for the first time she felt the whisperings of an ill omen in the air.
    Even if convinced that these feelings arose solely in reaction to the substance of Gyousou's campaign, she did not doubt his might or authority as King for a second. She simply couldn't help wondering why such dark shadows would descend on her amidst such brilliant splendor.
    A short time after that, Kaei suddenly showed up at her residence. It was night and a light snow was falling.

Chapter 13
    " I t looks like snow," said Kaei with a bow.
    Risai escorted her to the parlor of her residence. "Yes, it certainly has gotten cold." She showed Kaei to a chair by the brazier. "I'm honored that you came all the way here despite the inclement weather."
    "Oh, think nothing of it." Kaei shook her head. "I'm the one who should apologize for visiting on such short notice. There was something that I wished to discuss at length with you. I came to this decision on the spur of the moment and impertinently dispatched a note to that effect, so I'm pleased that you would so readily agree."
    "Oh, it's my privilege," Risai said with a smile.
    She offered her food and drink, but Kaei seemed lost in her thoughts. A discouraged expression occupied her white face. On top of that, she looked chilled to the bone.
    Kaei appeared in her mid-forties. In terms of her bearing and actual age, she was Risai's senior. Nevertheless, the Kaei who sat before her now looked like a lost child. This did not strike her as a visit made in the name of neighborliness.
    "Please excuse me for asking, but what's the purpose of your visit?"
    As if awakened from her reverie, Kaei looked at Risai. "Ah, no, I did not have a particular task in mind. I simply wished to talk things over with you."
    So she said, except that for the past few minutes she'd pretty much remained mum. Perhaps cognizant of this herself, Kaei began with a chagrined nod of her head. "Nothing that would excuse taking up your time and barging in on you like this."
    Risai tilted her head to the side. "Please don't think me too forward for asking, but has something been troubling you, Lady Kaei?"
    Kaei raised her head sharply, almost as if Risai had struck her in the chest. An expression of emotional distress--on the verge of tears--contorted her face.
    "Please forgive me if I said anything to upset you. I'm afraid my manners are less refined than they should be."
    "Not at all," said Kaei, shaking her head. "After all, I am the one making the imposition. To tell the truth, I thought long and hard about what I should say to a person with whom I have barely spoken and then suddenly decided to visit. Your getting right to the point is an enormous relief."
    A slight smile came to her face. She ran her fingers along the rim of the wine glass with an air of uncertainty. Unlike a military officer such as Risai, her polished, manicured nails slipped along the edge of the coarse porcelain. And perhaps trembled slightly.
    "Are you cold? I could have more wood added to the fire."
    "No, I'm not cold at--" She apparently took note of her trembling fingers and hastily clasped the one hand in the other. "I'm not cold. Rather, Lady Risai, I am frightened."
    "Frightened?"
    Kaei nodded and looked straight at Risai. She appeared to Risai to be scared out of her wits.
    "With the coronation of His Highness, the Imperial Palace has become a whirlwind of activity. I really wonder what manner of monarch this is. Never before have I heard of an Imperial Court being reordered at such a pace."
    Risai didn't venture to agree with her, but waited for her to come to her point. These were the words whispered all about the Imperial Court. But from the slight quaver in her voice, it was clear that Kaei did not perceive this as reason to rejoice.
    Kaei all but blurted out, "Is it really best for him to advance his agenda so quickly?"
    "Quickly?"
    "It is always necessary to reform and reorganize the Imperial Court. And to banish the criminal and the corrupt. But must the process be accelerated like this? Why can he not proceed more slowly, take the time to scrutinize the landscape and verify the results, and let change permeate in a more relaxed manner?"
    "You think him impatient?"
    "I cannot help feeling anxious. I mean no criticism of His Highness. Far from it. But as for myself, what I find myself doing