The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

Tai--"
    "And struck him from behind. Concerned that some sort of calamity must have occurred, we communicated directly with Tai at the highest levels, but the Phoenix would not reply. We heard nothing back from the Ministry of State, either. More recently, we were contacted by En and for the first time learned about the particulars of the situation."
    The Royal Han wrapped the belt in the cloth. "I present this to you. I was relieved to hear that this cut does not necessarily mean that the Royal Tai has been killed. It came into my possession through a strange series of coincidences. Almost as if the Royal Tai wished evidence of his existence to be known abroad, perhaps?"
    "Yes," Risai answered, reverently accepting the cloth package.
    "Through this miraculous connection, the Royal Tai and his subjects are still linked together. You must keep the faith."
    "Thank you," Risai said, though her words could not be heard through her tears.

Chapter 33
    I n her bedroom, Risai took a long look at the belt. We are still connected. It was true. Or so she tried to convince herself.
    The only working mine near Rin'u about that time was Mt. Kan'you. It was said to be the oldest in Bun Province. From what she could remember, the gemstone fountains had all dried up. The mine only produced small, low-grade stones.
    Gyousou had vanished on the outskirts of Rin'u in the heat of combat. And this belt was discovered at Mt. Kan'you. That would suggest that Gyousou's enemies caught up with him at Mt. Kan'you. But what happened after that? Though the details were completely unclear, a small trail of breadcrumbs had been left behind, traces of Gyousou that Risai could pursue if she ever made it back to Tai.
    Risai took a deep breath and clenched her fists. The other kingdoms said they would help in the search for Taiki. Even if that did not produce the results they wanted, she had not yet exhausted all her options.
    She was trying to convince herself of this when Koshou's big-hearted voice boomed out behind her. "Risai, seen Keikei about?"
    Risai glanced over her shoulder. "The Royal Kei was visiting earlier. I sent him out to play. He said he was going down to the stables."
    "That's odd. I took a gander around the stables on my way here and didn't see him. He's not one to stay rooted in one place for too long."
    Risai smiled. "He's a lively kid."
    "Full of vim and vigor, that's for sure."
    "A good boy, too."
    "Well, you know--" Koshou grinned self-consciously, as if he himself was the one being praised. "He's a hard worker, all right, and not one to get himself into a snit."
    "He doesn't have any close relatives?"
    "His mom and dad died a while back and he ended up at an orphanage. He had an older sister, but she got killed."
    "That's so sad--"
    "A sad story, to be sure. But the way he's dealt with it, there's a big man inside that small body."
    "He really is a fine young lad. But is it right for Keikei-dono to be working in the stables, Koshou? Doesn't he have school or other tasks to tend to? Besides, though Hien may have a calm disposition, she's still a kijuu. I know we're talking one chance in a thousand, but--"
    "Ah, don't worry about it. He begged to do it himself, after all." Koshou added with a grin, "You don't need to call him 'dono,' neither. Just Keikei's fine. Like he said, he's the butler."
    "Has he been listed upon the Registry of Wizards?"
    "He's too young for that. Youko wants him to make up his own mind when he gets older about what path he wants to follow. It's a bit odd, the way you refer to him. Makes him sound like a little prince or something."
    "Do I?" It had never occurred to her. But when she thought about it, that did seem to be the case. "I guess so, now that you mention it."
    "You mean you weren't aware of it yourself?"
    Risai shook her head. The sound of someone singing somewhere in the manor reached her ears. The clear, bright voice of a vivacious young woman. "I believe that's Shoukei. The royal scribe and the lady-in-waiting come and go around the clock here."
    "That's true. Both coming and going, and living here."
    Risai blinked. "And which would describe their relationship to you?"
    "None of the above," Koshou said, with a wave of his hand. "Let's just say I'm borrowing the place for the time being. No relation whatsoever."
    "And no relation to Youko or Keiki as well?" Risai pressed.
    Koshou answered with a confused smile. "I know this will sound a bit strange to you. But I started out my career as a