The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

changes, which should indicate the seriousness of this matter."
    "So we just abandon them to their own devices?"
    "I didn't say that. There are people there in distress and it is right to do what we can to help them. However, that is definitely not so simple a task as it sounds. The fortunes of Kei weight in the balance. You must not act rashly."
    "I can understand why you would advise leaving them be. But you don't know how much Risai suffered to get to Kinpa Palace. How can you tell me to turn away someone who has gone to such lengths to seek my aid?"
    "You misunderstand. You are the Empress of Kei. Not the Tai King."
    "But--"
    Shouryuu held up his hand. "Some among the refugees say that the Royal Tai was assassinated, and Taiki with him. And also they say the assassin was General Ryuu of the Zui Provincial Guard."
    "Nonsense."
    "I do not believe the Royal Tai or Taiki are dead, and I do not put much stock in common rumors. Still, you need to keep in mind that not a few of the refugees have offered up the name General Ryuu as the leader of the rebels."

Chapter 17
    T hat same day, Risai's doctor allowed her to move to separate accommodations. She still could not stand under her own power and had to be transported by palanquin. With Koshou leading the way, she was borne to room facing a garden in one of the manor houses adjacent the Inner Palace.
    As she was placed on the ottoman, a child ran out from the nearby bedroom. "Welcome home! We've straightened everything up for you. I made sure it was all done myself!"
    "Is that so?" Koshou laughed, resting his hand on the child's shoulder. "This here's Keikei. Think of him as my kid brother. Keikei, this lady's going to be living with us. Maybe I'll get her to look after you. She's a general from Tai. Her name is Lady Risai."
    The boy looked at Risai with an unclouded smile. "Did you get hurt badly? Does it hurt?"
    "I'm doing fine. I must apologize for placing such a burden on you, Keikei-dono."
    "Oh, you don't need to call me stuff like that. You can treat me like your butler." The boy looked up at Koshou. "Ah," he said, "Some people from the Ministry of Summer were here. They left the kijuu in the stables. Can I take care of him?"
    "If Risai says it's okay. That's Risai's kijuu."
    "Wow," said Kaikai, appealing to Risai with a look of wonder and expectation on his face.
    "Kijuu?" queried Risai, turning to Koshou. "Hien?"
    "Yeah, your kijuu's doing fine. I wanted you to see for yourself, but the Minister of Heaven was dead-set against my bringing him into the palace."
    "I wish there were some way of conveying my thanks."
    "Naw, nothing to thank me for. But aside from that, do you think it'd be okay for Keikei to take care of him? He hasn't ever looked after a kijuu before. You'd have to spell out the particulars for him."
    "But of course," Risai said, and Keikei reacted with a quiet yelp of triumph.
    "In the meantime, would our guest like a cup of tea?" suggested Koshou.
    Keikei leapt to his feet. "Oh, I forgot," he said, his clear voice echoing off the walls as he ran out of the room.
    "I don't mean to pry," said Risai, "but is the child yours?"
    "Ah, no. Not related in the slightest. All his relatives got killed and Youko took him under her wing."
    "Youko--you mean, the Royal Kei?"
    "Yep. Though the way things turned out, she doesn't really have the time to look after him, so she asked me to."
    "So this is your house, I take it?"
    "Hmm, hard to say whose it is."
    Risai blinked.
    "Probably best to call it the Taishi's residence, I think. We're taking up a corner at the back of the Taishi's offices, living here thanks to Enho's good graces. Or perhaps I should say he's letting us occupy a few of his bedrooms."
    "Then Koshou and the Taishi are related?"
    "Ah, no, not at all."
    "I'm sorry to keep asking, but I'm just wondering--"
    Risai was puzzling over this when Keikei bounded back into the room, carrying the tea set. "Hey, Koshou. Youko's coming."
    "Youko is?"
    "Yeah. She says she wants to talk to Risai. She asked if it was okay for her to come in."
    "Yes, please."
    Koshou and Keikei nodded and withdrew. After they left, five people came into the room. The Royal Kei at the lead. Keiki and the Chousai, whom she'd met the other day. And then a man she'd never seen before, and a golden-haired child."
    "This is the Royal En of the Kingdom of En and the En Taiho."
    Startled, Risai looked back and forth between the king and his chief retainer. "But why have Your