The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

the cobblestones, the woman looked up at him through the veil of her unkempt hair. "He's got the trust of the Empress."
    The woman bowed her head as if to thank him. Groaning, she righted herself and turned to face the Daiboku. The Registrar was still shrieking at them but the Daiboku ignored him and knelt down on the cobblestones.
    "So how'd you end up like this?"
    "I know there can be no excuse for the manner in which I forced my way through. I deeply apologize for the confusion and disorder I have caused. But please understand that there is no malice in my heart."
    The Daiboku nodded. Some of the tension drained from the woman's countenance. She bowed deeply. "I am a general of the Provincial Army of Zui in the Kingdom of Tai. My name is Ryuu Risai."
    The Daiboku's mouth dropped open with surprise. Risai looked earnestly up at him. "There is a matter of the utmost importance that I must humbly discuss with Her Highness. I am aware of my impertinence, but I seek the honor of an audience with the Empress." She prostrated herself before the Daiboku. "I humbly place this petition before you. If you would please communicate this message to Her Highness."
    The Daiboku gave Risai a hard look and then nodded firmly. He glanced at Toshin. "Give her a hand, will you? Find someplace for her to lie down--"
    Risai voice interrupted him. "I have no time for rest!"
    "I'm not putting you under arrest. You need rest and medical care." The Daiboku smiled. "I'm the Daiboku. Koshou's my name. I'll carry your petition to the Empress, so relax. I'll send somebody for a doctor."
    "What?" The Registrar raised his voice. "What are you thinking? This person approached the Forbidden Gate without permission, invaded the premises, scattered the troops, polluted the palace grounds, and damaged the dignity of the Empress! Inconceivable! She should be hauled out of here and dealt with promptly!"
    Illustration
    Koshou looked at the Registrar, clearly taken aback. "Hey, watch your language! She may be a general from another kingdom. You shouldn't be so rude."
    "What general? I don't see any general! Only an imposter!"
    "Yeah, but--"
    "Perhaps the Daiboku is mistaken. Determining the bona fides of all visitors and deciding upon their disposition is the duty of the Registrar. Just because you're on good terms with the Empress doesn't mean you can stick your nose into the business of other ministers!"
    "So what's your problem with her bona fides!?" Koshou roared. Cowed, the Registrar retreated. "You think the Empress is going to be happy if we just throw her out on her ear? Eh?" He nodded his head toward Toshin. "Get a move on. Her kijuu as well," he added, indicating the beast. "Make arrangements for whatever care they need."
    Toshin nodded and put his hand on Risai's shoulder with the intent of helping her to her feet. She gently brushed it away.
    "No, you've got to take it easy."
    Risai shook her head and attempted to pursue Koshou, who was already leaving at a brisk walk.
    "You can't keep doing stuff like this. If the Daiboku hadn't shown up--"
    "Yes, I know," Risai said, turning to Toshin. "I can't thank you enough for your kindness, but providing that the Empress should not become enraged at my sullying the palace any more than I already have, I should hope to accompany the Daiboku to see her."
    "But--"
    " Please. If I don't see her now, I seriously doubt I will be able to again."
    She clung to him as if clutching at her last straws. Toshin gulped. Risai's face was white from loss of blood. Her lips were turning blue. She struggled for each breath, the air wheezing weakly in and out of her lungs. Her shoulders and arms were growing cold.
    This woman does not have many more hours of life left in her. "Daiboku!" Toshin shouted, putting his arm beneath her shoulders to prop her up. "Please allow her to go with you."
    "What's this?"
    "She's simply not going to settle down unless you do."
    Perhaps implicitly understanding the press of time and seeing the look of desperation on her face, Koshou nodded. He handed his sword to one of the retainers, reached out and took the woman in his arms.

Chapter 3
    T he Empress's private rooms, also called the Chouraku-den, were located in a part of the inner palace known as the Seishin. The Imperial living quarters were located at its locus, and all the other buildings of the Seishin were organized around and in reference to it.
    While every palace in every kingdom had its own peculiarities, their overall