The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

true appearance would only get the ministers all in a tizzy, I borrowed it from His Highness. You seemed to have been somewhat taken aback. Did I appear as somebody familiar to you?"
    "Ah, yes."
    "Somebody important to the Royal Kei?" Hanrin's smile resembled a blossoming flower. "That is one of the attributes of the koseisan. Those who look upon it see a reflection of what the heart desires. I do not perceive this when I look in the mirror, and apparently neither does the Taiho."
    "That is because I detected the aura of a kirin," Keiki sighed and bowed. "In any rate, let me take this opportunity to welcome you. I believe this is the first time we have formally met."
    "Indeed," she answered with a nod. "I'm pleased to meet you as well." She all but tossed her lithe form into the nearest chair. "And how should I address the Royal Kei?"
    "Well, my first name is Youko, and--"
    "Good. Then I shall call you Youko. The old grandma that I am, I've gotten so I can't tell one Royal Kei from the other. How about you, Keiki? There a nickname you prefer?"
    "No, Ma'am."
    "Oh, that's too bad. These days, I call myself Risetsu. Of course, His Highness may get it into his head any day to call me something else, so don't consider that name etched in stone. You know?"
    And she cast a look up at the person standing next to her. But of course, Youko thought. Keiki just gaped.
    "I am the Royal Han Go Ranshou," Hanrin's companion said with a bemused smile.
    Youko came back to herself and nodded. She hastily offered him a chair. "I'm sorry. Please, have a seat. I didn't mean to be rude."
    "Nothing of the sort," he smiled.
    Illustration
    Hanrin laughed, her voice like a bell. "Don't sweat it. We set the ground rules for this meeting, so there's no need to fret about protocol. You can leave the apologizing to me." She tilted her head to the side and said, "I'm pleased you didn't take any of this the wrong way, Youko. His Highness truly does want to meet this general from Tai. A formal visit would take too much time to arrange and would inevitably turn the Imperial Court upside down. That's why we adopted this subterfuge."
    "That's perfectly fine with me. It was Risai you wished to meet, then?" Youko said, turning her attention to the Royal Han.
    He nodded. "According to the rumors coming out of En, this would be the general of the Zui Provincial Guard. Although she is still recuperating, may I assume a meeting would not be out of the question?"
    "It shouldn't be a problem. She's not in any condition to travel far. But the worst of her wounds have healed. She is now working to recover the strength in her legs and arm."
    "I'd appreciate you not mentioning precisely who wishes to visit her. I do not want to startle her. Simply say that a visitor from Han would like to speak to her."
    Youko nodded. "I'll get her."
    "Hey, seeing that you're supposed to be arranging this audience as a private individual, it would make more sense if you went to see her. You can show him the way, can't you, Youko?"
    "Sure," said Youko, motioning to the Royal Han.
    Slouched in the chair, Hanrin took a firm grip of Keiki's robe and cheekily waved goodbye.

Chapter 32
    W hen Youko arrived at Taishi's manor, Keikei was in the courtyard leading Risai around by the hand. With some assistance, the gaunt Risai was now able to move around under her own power. The other day she'd been able to climb on Hien's back, which brought her no small measure of satisfaction.
    "Youko!" Keikei smiled, seeing her. "Look. Risai's able to walk now."
    "Try not to overdo it."
    "I'm okay."
    Youko nodded and then explained that Risai had a guest. Risai cast her eyes on the person who'd entered after Youko. His eccentric countenance notwithstanding, Risai had the feeling she had seen him before.
    "Keikei, could you leave us alone for a while?"
    Keikei agreed without complaint. "I'll go tend to Hien. Yesterday, Risai taught me how to groom him."
    "Is that so?" Youko smiled as he ran off. And then turned back to Risai. "He's come from Han. He wishes to speak with you."
    Youko put her arm around Risai's shoulders. As they returned to the parlor, Risai became all the more convinced that she'd seen the man somewhere before.
    "You seem to be in good spirits," he said, offering Risai a chair.
    Risai nodded in gratitude. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"
    "I've come from Han. There is something I would like you to take a look at."
    He took a small, cloth package from the breast pocket of his elegantly