The Lost Gods

Book One: Treasure

Nine gods ruled the world. The Dragons of the Three Storms. Sacred Zhar Ptitka. The Basilisk. The Faerie Queen and Guardians. Holy Licht.

In the Land of the Three Storms, the royal family rules by right of the blessing bestowed upon them by the long lost Dragons. The blessing, however, is not what it seems, and comes at a terrible price…

Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Epilogue

Prayer | Reborn

 

Prologue

Several hundred years ago, there existed much more land than our kingdom of Kundou. The Utopian kingdom Ryugouku stretched on endlessly, a kingdom that was a beautiful blending of earth and water, where landfolk and sea folk lived together in contentment. This land was ruled over by three gods, the Dragons of the Three Storms. They were mighty brothers who ruled kindly and well, until a mysterious falling out with the people they ruled. To this day, no one knows what caused the breach but in their rage, the Dragons destroyed most of Ryugouku.

In fear, the sea folk fled to the depths of the storm wild sea. The remaining landfolk huddled on the few bits of land left, cowering in fear and hiding inside the earth until the Storms abated. This is how the landfolk lived for many days, until one brave man ventured out to face the Dragons and beg them to cease their raging. The people did not expect to see him again.

Only seven days later, the man returned even as the watchmen began to send out cries that the Storms were slowing, the waters calming. The people gathered ecstatically around the man, stroking and marveling at his hair, which was not brown as it had been when he had departed, but a pure, smooth blue that called to mind rippling waves or the scales of a dragon dripping with seawater and shining in the sunlight.

Though the people drowned him with questions, he would say only that he had persuaded the dragons to cease their raging and leave this place. Though angry, the Dragons were also saddened over what they had done to their own kingdom. However, even their regret would not persuade them to return. Instead, they bestowed a portion of their power on the one individual brave enough to face them in their own Storms.

Awed by the events the man related, the people declared he must be their new king. The man's name was Taiheiyou, and to this day, the blue-haired kings of Kundou take this name when they are crowned. The three gods departed, and legends say they live on a remote island somewhere far off in the forgotten parts of the vast sea. In honor of the gods with whom they had fallen out of favor, the three islands of Kundou were named after them: Tsunami the main island, and the smaller islands of Typhoon and Arashi. Their final blessing to the people they once loved was a gift of good weather around Kundou-no storm ever rages across the islands, and thus will it remain unless the people ever forget their devotion and respect for the Dragons of the Three Storms.

"Thank you anyway, Sir Merchant. May the Three Storms favor you." Takara smiled politely at the pudgy silk-swathed merchant as the man took his leave. As soon as the door had clicked shut, Takara fell bonelessly into his chair, rubbing a hand tiredly across his forehead.

"You went rather easy on that one, don't you think?" the voice was neither warm nor cool, but a timbre that was somehow a soothing in between-or would be, if Takara's practiced ears didn't pick up on the annoyance in it. He turned to look at the speaker, who was seated with precise care on a satin chaise below the fine picture window overlooking the ocean that surrounded most of the palace. He was renowned through the kingdom for his beauty, remarkable even in a family known for its stunning looks. His thigh length hair was loose today, the ocean blue tresses glinting with the jeweled beads woven at random throughout them. His skin was tanned golden, bringing his fierce blue green eyes to life. His features were elegant but strong; he would never be described as soft. But much beauty was lost in the presence of the slight scowl that twisted his otherwise generous lips.

"I am sorry if it appeared so, Nankyo. He was not going to assist us; it was clear from the start. I did not feel it necessary to waste our time." Takara reached up to pull silver spectacles from his face, tossing them lightly on top of the numerous papers still piled neatly on his desk. Lost in thought, he tugged absently at a strand of his own sea green hair, playing with the amber bead fastened near the end of it.

Grudgingly the blue haired man nodded, rising with liquid grace from his seat and striding over to the desk. A breeze from the open window drifted through the room, disturbing the papers and ruffling the sleeves of his billowing white robes. His hand darted out to prevent the papers scattering, moving it only when Takara rested an ornate weight of sea glass in its place.

"Takara, this is not going at all well. I do not care what it takes, the next man will agree to assist us." He frowned, examining the lists and files piled across the desk, information and statistics for the various merchants and captains that were most likely to accept their request. He started to speak, but a sharp knock indicated that their next possibility had arrived. Returning the papers to their respective piles, the prince returned to his chaise and called permission to enter.

Takara examined the latest arrival with care as he slid his spectacles back into place, narrowing his gray eyes in thought. The man looked familiar, but he could not recall where me might have encountered the figure that was bowing politely to the Prince before standing politely before the desk.

He was handsome Takara could not help but notice. He had unusually fine features for a merchant, with a deep tan but none of the wrinkles that came with a life spent mostly at sea. He was young; he could not be much older than Takara's own 23 years. Most of his hair was hidden by a scarf placed over the top of his head and tied in the back; a style common to merchants. The scarf was made of fine linen, in an abstract pattern of maroon and navy blue, shot through with bits of gold thread. The hair he had initially thought black he could now see was actually an incredibly dark blue. With most of his hair tucked up, his earrings were easy to see. Three jewel studs decorated each ear, each one a different color.

Loose pants were tucked into well-made brown leather boots, though they were mostly lost in the folds of the long, maroon colored tunic he wore. A sash of maroon, green, and beige in an abstract pattern was fastened loosely around his waist, making it easy to stash money, valuables, or even a dagger. The scooped collar of the robe bared the man's throat, and displayed the triple row of slender gold chain that wrapped around it. Secured to the rows of gold was a small medallion bearing the scale motif that was the mark of merchants.

Shaking away his stray thoughts, Takara brought his focus back to the problem at hand. "Please have a seat, Sir Merchant." Takara examined the sheet of paper in front of him, "Your name is Shimano Raiden, yes? I believe you recognize his imperial highness, Prince Nankyokukai.

The merchant nodded, rising again briefly to bow once more to the prince. Takara resumed speaking, "I am Takara Noumi, Prince Nankyokukai's personal Secretary. We invited you here to ask a special favor of you." He lifted his gaze from his papers to the man seated across from him, surprised to see the man was staring straight at him with a smile that was…he would almost say leering, if it wasn't such an absurd idea. He was further startled as the merchant began to speak. His voice was low, smooth.

"I have heard a bit about it from those that preceded me, though all they have stated was that it was a fool's journey." Raiden stared at the secretary, his smile widening. "I confess I'm rather curious about the whole affair."

Takara frowned, both at the smile and the knowledge that the merchants were talking despite strict orders to avoid doing so. He slid a glance to the prince, who only nodded. The merchants would be dealt with. Takara turned back to the smiling merchant, "Well then Sir Raiden, listen closely. Prince Nankyokukai and I have been charged with a special mission, one that prevents our utilizing royal ships. We require a ship to escort us to these coordinates," the secretary rose, moving toward a map pinned to the western wall. He motioned the merchant over, indicating a red marker set near the center of a vast quadrant of blue.

The merchant's eyebrows lifted, the only sign of his surprise at the location. It was literally in the middle of nowhere. "That location is at least…five months away. Of course, that's assuming no mishaps occur. The seas out that way are particularly rough."

Takara nodded, please with the response. "Six months, to be exact. I realize it's difficult, and long on top of that. That is why his Royal Majesty is offering 1 million paaru to whomever is willing to except the mission."

The merchant had stopped smiling, lost in thought. "Hmm…I understand why my fellows were so reluctant to accept the job. That's at least a year at sea, with little to no relief. Trips like that have a rather unpleasant history. On top of that, there's all the business lost-of course, the money you're offering is more than enough to make up for it. Still…"

Takara fought to keep the frustration from his face, "So you are not interested in taking the assignment?"

The odd smile from before returned, "I did not say that. Only, I would like to modify the reward slightly."

Takara's face brightened noticeably despite his desire to remain expressionless, "Modify? In what way?"

The merchant ignored the question, "I remember you, Lord Takara, from the auction three months ago. Are you still upset that you lost that necklace to me?"

The secretary bristled as he finally recalled where he had seen the merchant before, displeasure deepening the color of his eyes as he glared at the smirking merchant, "That has nothing to do with our current discussion, Sir Merchant. What terms would persuade you to agree to assist us?"

Raiden's smile said that he was laughing silently, and that he knew exactly how annoyed the secretary was with him. He did not seem to mind, "I want half that money in actual paaru-500,000. That I would like to be given to my captain, since he is as involved in the decision as I am. He will gladly do whatever I ask of him, nevertheless I feel he should receive the same compensation as I."

"…Very well, as you say. It is your money after all. And the other half you would like in the form of…?" Takara raised one eyebrow, still glaring slightly at the man standing before him.

"The other half I want in the form of-you."

Takara gaped at the man for several heartbeats, not quite sure he had heard correctly. He decided he could not have. "Excuse me?"

"I want you as the rest of my payment-for the extent of the journey. That is my deal."

Takura was afraid he had heard correctly the first time. "That is impossible. You are out of your mind, Merchant. I want you-"

"Agree Takara," the princes interrupted, rising from his chaise, one hand on his hip.

"Highness! You cannot be serious!"

"I told you Takara, to do whatever was necessary to get the next merchant to agree. Did I not? He has stated his terms, you will agree to them."

Takara only stared, not able to comprehend anything about the situation. The prince and he frequently clashed but this… "I see, Highness. As you wish." He turned his flat expression on the smirking Raiden. "You have you terms, Lord Raiden. If you and your captain will report here tomorrow at this time, the contracts will be ready for signing."

Raiden grinned outright, "Excellent." In a sudden burst of movement, he reached out to grasp Takara's shoulders, hauling him close and crushing Takara's lips with his own. The kiss was over before the secretary could recover from his shock. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Lord Takara." Laughing, Raiden strolled across the office and out the door.

Flushed with shame and consternation, Takara whirled to face the prince, who was laughing loudly with the merchant gone. "How could you do that, Kyo? I know you're anxious to be finished, but that was too much. I'm not a whore or slave to be sold at your convenience."

Nankyokukai was still laughing as he replied with cold eyes, "You're my servant Takara, and you'll do as I say. Besides, the way you were staring at him I'd wager you don't find the idea all that awful. You didn't tell me you had an admirer like that, I don't give you enough credit." Strolling toward the back of the office, he opened the door that led to his bedchamber. "I'm glad that's taken care of. If anyone else needs me, tell them it can wait. After this day of tedium, I feel the need for a nap." His laughter echoed down the hall.

"…Yes, Prince," anger growing, Takara somehow managed to keep his temper until the laughing prince had departed. The door clicked shut and it took all of his will power to avoid smashing random objects. Instead he only glared at the view out the window, forcing himself to calm. His eyes shimmered briefly for a moment, like sunlight reflecting off a dark sea. Suddenly he felt the need for a long, exhausting swim.

 

Chapter One

Nankyokukai sighed, gazing out the window of his bedchamber at the ocean below. It was as flawlessly blue as always, the exact color of his hair except where depth added shades of green and purple to the shifting waters. He hated the color, and anything resembling it. It was a hideous shade, that ocean blue.

Tired of the view, he turned away from the window and rose smoothly from his seat. His emerald and gold robes whispered around him as he strolled across the wide chamber, the rainbow of jeweled beads threaded through his long hair flashing in the sunlight.

Reaching into his robes, the prince withdrew a pair of gold spectacles and slid them on. He halted in front of a tall bookcase, neatly packed with a variety of reading material. Some of them seemed new, the leather binding still stiff, the gold lettering bright and clear. Others were much more worn; the leather cracked and faded, the lettering barely legible. It was one of these older volumes that he finally selected. Though the front was illegible with age, opening the book revealed pages that somehow still looked new. Idly he thumbed through the volume, murmuring to himself with a thoughtful frown on his face.

A sharp rap on the door broke his train of thought. Annoyed, he snapped at the intruder, "Enter if you must."

The door opened to admit the slender form of his Secretary, pushing restlessly at his own spectacles. "Nankyo, your father requests your presence, and our…merchant will be here shortly as well. I assume you wanted to be present for the full explanation?"

"Of course I want to be there, Takara. I wouldn't miss seeing you change ownership for the world." He snickered at the anger that darkened the Secretary's silver-gray eyes. "Though, you'll still be my secretary really. Let's not forget that while you're…entertaining our new friend, hmm?"

"Your father is waiting, little prince." Takara snarled the hated nickname before slamming the door shut behind him.

Leisurely the prince returned the book he'd been skimming to its place on the shelves, removing his glasses and carefully returning them to his robes. With that same slow, relaxed pace he strode across the room and through the outer office to the main hallway. Takara was waiting in the hallway.

"Come off it, Taka. I wouldn't have done it if hadn't been necessary."

"Oh, really? And what if he'd demanded you as his plaything?" Eyes the color of a storm cloud turned to at the beautiful prince.

Nankyokukai only smirked, "He's not so bad looking, really. However, he didn't ask for me, did he? He demanded my pretty Secretary. Walk more slowly or we'll actually get there on time." The prince grasped Takara's arm and forced the secretary to slow. "Now, outline the contract details for me and we'll make sure everything is in order before the signing this afternoon."

The two men talked quietly together as they made their way to the opposite side of the palace, occasionally sniping at each other. Neither man seemed to notice the looks cast their way as they strode down the hallway, looks that were a mix of awe, envy, and fear.

"It certainly took you long enough to get here." King Taiheiyou frowned at his youngest child, displeasure increasing when the Prince failed to look even remotely apologetic. The three figures were in the King's private office, and he had dismissed his advisors so that they could converse in private. A salty breeze drifted through the open window on the eastern wall, and the King breathed it in deeply in an attempt to soothe his rising temper. "I have plenty enough to do without your holding me up more than necessary. What kept you?"

Nankyokukai brushed back the strands of hair that had spilled over his shoulder, tossing his father a bored look, "I didn't feel like coming."

The king let his anger seep into his expression, "At least you realize what you feel doesn't matter. Now have a seat and report to me on the progress of your preparations."

The prince's face had gone cold as he moved with his effortless grace to the seat positioned in front of the King's enormous desk. "We have contracted a ship as of yesterday, the owner will be here shortly to sign the contract. We will then explain the exact nature of our journey to him. Does that satisfy you, Majesty?"

Taiheiyou frowned, "With whom did you arrange the deal?"

"A merchant, Majesty. I am afraid that the more…acceptable owners all turned down the offer. And given the nature of the journey, I was reluctant to make it a royal request as you initially suggested I do."

"A merchant? Is that really the best you could do, Nankyo? Just see to it that you don't waste any more of the royal funds when he starts demanding more money," the king reprimanded.

A soft laugh escaped the prince's lips. "I don't think that will be a problem. Our merchant seemed more than content with the bargain we struck. If he tries to alter things at the signing today, I will set him straight."

Beside him, Takara tensed. Barely quelling the desire to smack the royal upside the head, he forced himself to concentrate on the King's words.

"And you are planning to depart shortly, yes? It cannot wait much longer. Your deplorable habit of moving like a turtle on land will not be tolerated in this. Do I need to explain to you again the vital importance of this mission?"

Expression a mixture of hot and cold, the prince rose from his seat and turned to leave, "You needn't. I believe I understood it the first one hundred times it was explained to me, Highness."

"I didn't give you permission to leave." The king rose to his feet and planted his hands on his desk, blue hair spilling over his shoulders and across the desk.

Nankyokukai paused, his right hand resting on an ornate doorknob. "I noticed; that's why I decided to take matters into my own hands."

"Blast it boy, you will show me some respect or you will regret it."

The prince halted halfway out the door and turned slowly around, stepping back inside and shutting the door behind him. Takara stood just behind him and to the right, pushing restlessly at his spectacles and looking out the window to gauge the time.

A bitter laugh escaped the prince's throat, "I'll regret it? How in the name of the great sea will you make me regret it? You'll have to be pretty damned creative to outdo what you've already done by assigning me this voyage. Come Takara, we have better things to do with our time."

The two departed, leaving the silent, fuming king behind them.

Takara waited until they reached the prince's own office before speaking, "Prince, that reminds me-what is to be done with the merchants from yesterday? The ones who were proving incapable of keeping their mouths shut?

"Ah, yes. I took care of the memory spells myself yesterday before my nap-
while you were off swimming and fantasizing." Nankyokukai snickered as he strode over to his desk, taking the seat that Takara has used the other day. He motioned the glaring secretary to his side as he pulled the contract close to look over the contents. "Not bad Takara-did you have a lot of trouble writing your own name here?" he looked up at his secretary, returning his string of curses with a laugh. "Enough Takara, glaring and cursing won't rescind the deal. Resign yourself to a year as a plaything. It will be good for you."

This time Takara did smack him, but before the Nankyokukai could respond in kind a knock sounded. "Enter," snapped Takara before the Prince could.

He was still good looking, was all the annoyed secretary could think when Raiden sauntered through the door. He frowned at the unwelcome thought, allowing himself to be briefly distracted by the man that came in behind the confident merchant.

The first thing one noticed about the man was his hair, a pale, almost silvery ash blonde. Such hair was extremely rare in their country-most had darker shades of hair, rarer individuals had hair in "water tones" like Takara's own sea green locks. The silver-blonde hair was perfectly straight, and cut close to his head. A small, black pearl decorated one ear, the only piece of jewelry he wore besides the silver medallion bearing the mark of a ship captain.

Odder still was the man's skin-the insignia on the medallion around his neck indicated he was a captain, but his skin was fair. It wasn't tanned and lined like that of someone who spent extensive amounts of time at sea. His face was smooth, unlined-more like the skin of one of the court nobles, who suffered the sun and heat only when they had to. The rest of him certainly bore no resemblance to nobility however.

His semi-formal tunic was sleeveless, and showed off his strong shoulders and chest. The tunic matched the color of his eyes, a soft gray-blue the color of the morning sky before the sun begins to brighten it. Black breeches were tucked into black leather boots that stopped just above his knees. The boots gleamed like new, thought the way the man moved easily in them showed that he'd owned them long enough to break them in. His sash was flamboyant against his otherwise practical outfit, an elaborate star and cloud design in silver and dark blue, with the faintest touches of deep red.

Raiden and his captain approached the desk, both men folding over in a polite bow, the merchant murmuring politely, "Your Majesty, Lord Takara. Good afternoon."

The prince motioned the men to rise, greeting them in return. "Sir Raiden, good day to you. This is your captain, yes?" His eyes slid to examine the man that was only just taller than even the prince himself. The captain stared back.

"Yes, Majesty. This is Captain Kindan Ningyo, of the merchant ship The Fuujin. He has been in my employ for eleven years now." Raiden turned to grin at the captain, who ignored the merchant to bow a second time to the men behind the desk.

"A pleasure to meet you, Captain. We extend our gratitude for your willingness to assist us on our journey," Nankyokukai said politely.

"It is an honor, Highness," was Ningyo's quiet response. His voice was deep, and the brief reply carried a hint of some strange accent.

Nankyokukai indicated the men should be seated, sliding the contract across the desk for them to read. Beside him, Takara moved to set pens and ink within easy reach. "If you will read and sign that my Lords, we can explain the mission to you."

The two men in front of the desk looked at the prince in surprise at his words. Raiden spoke first, "Lords, your Majesty? We carry no such title" the contract lay neglected on the desk.

"If you will read the contract, Lord Merchant, you will see that the title is a slight bonus-I felt it was fitting, all things considered. I'm sure you will agree once the details are explained to you. If you would sign?"

A few minutes of silence passed as Raiden and Ningyo both read and signed the contract. At last they finished, and Takara moved to take the contract back. Reaching over, he was impeded by the hand resting on top of the piece of paper. He looked up at the hand's owner, only to encounter the gloating smirk of Raiden. Willing his face to remain blank, Takara looked back down and attempted to move the hand off the paper. After a few seconds of struggling, the hand finally lifted, leaving the secretary free to take back the contract.

Beside him a sudden coughing fit seized the prince, causing Raiden's smirk to increase.

Ningyo shot a surreptitious glare at the man beside him, then spoke to the prince, "Are you all right, Highness?"

"Perfectly all right, Captain. Thank you. If you gentlemen are satisfied I will explain." The two men nodded, "Very well. Every 200 years a member of the royal family is expected to make a journey to a special island-at the exact location I showed to you yesterday, Lord Raiden. All maps indicate nothing is there of course, but that is only because the Royal House has made every effort to keep the island a secret. At any rate, the purpose of the journey is to deliver a tribute.

"Tribute, Highness? To whom?"

"To the Three Dragons, of course."

Raiden and Ningyo looked torn between laughing politely at a bad joke or snorting in complete disbelief. Ningyo spoke, "To the Dragons, Highness? Surely you are not serious."

The prince's gaze grew cool, "Of course I'm serious. I do not make jokes about such matters-especially as I am the one being ordered to make the journey."

There was a pause, while the two men across the desk attempted to understand what they had just been told. Finally, the merchant spoke up, "Then, what matter of tribute are you offering? Are there special instructions for us concerning the handling and transportation of this tribute?"

Takara spoke up when the prince abruptly grew silent and waved his hand at the secretary, "That I'm afraid is not going to be divulged to you. The nature of the tribute must remain a royal secret."

"…Very well. For what date is our departure planned?" Raiden asked

"Exactly three weeks from today, and preferably quite early in the morning. The fewer who notice our departure, the better. The journey must be as secret as possible. That is why we have hired an outside ship, rather than drawing attention by using a royal vessel."

"That brings up another question, if you will forgive my asking," Ningyo looked to the prince, who only nodded. "Why did you not simply purchase a ship and man it with your own people?"

Nankyokukai responded to the question, "Again, because it would be noticed. No one will notice the extended absence of a simple merchant ship, even if it does disappear for a year or more. All royal employees stay in close waters; to have them disappear for such an extended period of time would draw questions. "

Raiden was unconvinced, "And if we all die, there won't be any loss of valuable men. No one would care if we die."

The prince smirked, "That would be His Majesty's unstated reason, yes."

Raiden returned the prince's smirk, "Well, I assumed as much when I agreed to it all. My men are the best on the islands; it would take a great deal of danger for them to even notice it. Isn't that right, Kindan?"

"Yes, it is."

Takara smiled despite himself, glad that whatever tension might have started to brew had so easily been dispersed. He looked down at his boss, pleased to see the frown on his face had faded back into his usual, neutral expression. Glancing back across the desk, he spoke to the two men, "Any more questions gentlemen?"

The merchant started to speak, but Takara anticipated the nature of the question and quickly clarified, "About the mission?"

Raiden only smirked, "None about the mission, but I think we'll speak after this meeting?"

"…Fine."

The prince didn't even bother to cover up his laughter this time, and waved his secretary off, "Get the items, Takara."

"Yes, Majesty." Turning around, he withdrew a heavy ring of keys from inside his sash. Takara unlocked the cabinet situated just behind the desk, withdrawing a small box. Relocking the cabinet and returning the heavy ring, he once again faced the desk, opening the box and presenting it to the two, seated men. "A personal thank you gift from Prince Nankyokukai."

Resting on velvet padding inside the black lacquered were two medallions, similar to the ones already around the throats of the merchant and captain. Medallions, ranging in size depending on money and personality, identified the trade and rank of a person. They could be made of any material, the finer the material the higher the ranking of the person who wore it.

The two resting in the box were of moderate size, maybe twice the size of a large coin. They were strung on the triple chain that was the current fashion, and made to be worn as a choker. Both medallion and chain were of white gold. The first was emblazoned with the scale motif of the merchants, the second with the compass motif of the independent ships, an added star signifying a Captain status. Woven into both was the dragon emblem of the Royal Family.

A similar medallion hung around Takara's own throat, though the dragon emblem was woven around the eye that was the mark of the Secretaries.

Raiden laughed as he accepted his own medallion, beside him the captain murmured a polite thanks.

The prince remained impassive, "A trifling thank you, considering you'll only really enjoy it if we manage to return home. But you may wear them now, if you like. We will see you in a few weeks time." With that he rose fluidly from his seat, not noticing the lingering glance of the seated Captain. He paused at the door to his bedchamber, "Takara, be back in an hour or so. There is still much work to be done before we leave, and it won't get done if you're off with your new companion. May the Three Storms favor you both, gentlemen."

Chapter Two

Takara knocked briefly on the prince's door, barely waiting for the curt "enter" before opening the door and stepping inside. The door had only just closed behind him when the sound of Nankyokukai's familiar laughter filled the room.

"Well, well-I guess the inspection proceeded just fine without me." Nankyokukai continued laughing at Takara's flushed face. "You did remember to inspect the ship, didn't you?"

Takara dropped his satchel to the floor and stalked across the room to where the prince was seated at his dressing table, determined to knock the youngest royal to the floor. "Isn't it enough you've forced me into this ridiculous contract? Must you constantly mock me for it, Prince?"

Nankyokukai's reflection smirked at the secretary from the mirror over the dressing table. "Would you calm down? You're over reacting. Honestly Takara, of course I have to tease you-clearly you aren't suffering overmuch from his attentions. Really, I'm jealous."

The secretary halted just behind the prince, glaring at the reflection, "Very funny. I throw out love letters and proposals for you every day. And you get just as many offers in person-it's not my damn fault you're too picky, little prince."

The humor faded from the prince's face, "I have my reasons. Anyway, given the present circumstances isn't it far better that I don't have a lover?

Takara's anger vanished as his own words hit him, and he looked away, "My apologies Prince."

"How did the inspection go? Everything is in order?"

Takara shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He began to speak as he turned back toward the door to retrieve the bag he'd left there. "Everything is in order, we should be ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"I'm impressed. I did not think they would have everything in order so quickly, despite their assurances. What of the crew?"

"More than competent; both Raiden and Ningyo swear by their men and I could find no fault of my own." Takara retrieved a bundle of papers from his satchel and walked over to rejoin the prince, who had reseated himself at his dressing table.

"My father has insisted on a family dinner tonight, to inform them of our journey.
Naturally that means he'll be lying about what we are actually up to, but of course he has failed to inform me as to what his excuse will be." Nankyokukai frowned at his reflection as he lifted a brush and then set it down again.

"Why does he not inform you of his excuse ahead of time? Would that not make things much simpler?" Takara thought he already knew the answer.

"Isn't it obvious? He doesn't want to give me a chance to contrive a way of ruining everything. Leave those papers on the table a moment. There's something else I want your help with, Taka."

"What would that be?" Takara set his things aside as commanded and moved to stand behind the prince again, looking at their reflection. He recognized the composed expression on the prince's face and sighed. "You've found a way to cause trouble anyway, haven't you?"

"Naturally. Thought it's more like lovely timing is all, I was planning to do this tonight anyway." The prince smirked at their reflection, reaching out to pick up a pair of scissors. "I had all the beads taken out of my hair while you were gone, so it's ready for you to cut. I was thinking to about the chin?"

Takara gaped, "You want me to cut your hair? Do you have any idea what they'll do to you?"

"They won't do anything under the circumstances. I'm sure my father would normally delight in wringing my neck over such a travesty, but our current circumstances are hardly normal, are they? Let's be serious for a moment. I'm going to be on that ship for roughly six months, with perhaps only one or two breaks early on. The last three months or so will be uninterrupted water. Do you really want to help me take care of all this?" Nankyokukai shook his head, sending the heavy mass of long hair waving back and forth down his back. "Besides, no one on board needs to be impressed by my gorgeous looks and long, flowing hair. Now get with the cutting."

Shaking his head in regret, Takara leaned over the Prince's shoulder to grab a brush, tucking the offered scissors into his own midnight blue sash. "As you command."

He'd managed to keep a straight face on the short journey from his room to the family's private dining room, ignoring the looks and comments of passerby in silence, but one look at the expressions on his family's faces had Nankyokukai laughing almost hysterically. He could hear Takara groan in despair behind him, and that only made him laugh harder.

His once long hair now stopped just below his chin, still flawlessly straight. He ran a hand through it, still marveling at how abruptly his hair stopped. It was strange, but it felt good.

Nankyokukai finally stopped laughing as his father rose and stalked toward him. Refusing to flinch, a soft hiss was the only sound the prince made as the king backhanded his youngest child with a resounding smack. The prince refused to lift a hand to examine his sore face.

"What in the Storms' names have you done? What is the meaning of this?" King Taiheiyou's face was red with anger.

The prince smirked, "I was bored." He saw his father move to backhand him again and endured the second blow the same as he had the first. Strolling over to the table with a sighing Takara in tow, Nankyokukai stopped and greeted his mother and sister, seated at the end of the table closest to the door through which he had just entered. "Mother, Umiko. You both look lovely this evening."

Queen Nami shook her head, kissing her son's cheek. "Nankyo, how could you cut your hair like that? You look like a commoner."

"I think it's pretty, you look older." Umiko leaned up to kiss her younger brother on the cheek, her own laughter dancing in her eyes.

Rising, the youngest prince looked down the table toward his brothers, who were staring at him with displeasure written all over their faces. Sweeping his own long hair behind his shoulders, the brother seated to the right of the king's chair spoke, "Really Nankyo, could we enjoy one meal together without your ruining it? You look atrocious."

"The fact that we are dining alone together immediately discounts any possibility of enjoyment, Taiseiyou, so don't try to blame our shared misery on me. I like my hair, atrocious or no. Now, I'm ravenous. Whatever are we having for dinner? Oh yes, I invited Takara along. I'm sure no one minds."

The queen smiled as Takara approached to greet her, and she kissed his cheek as she had Nankyokukai's, "Of course we don't mind. Lord Takara, it is good to see you. The two of you are always so busy, I never see you anymore."

"Our apologies, Majesty. We shall endeavor to visit you more often." Takara smiled affectionately at the queen before moving down the table to sit beside Nankyokukai, who had seated himself beside his second eldest brother, avoiding the heir apparent on the opposite side, whom had spoken earlier.

The king had already resumed his seat, though his face still tight with anger, "You are late."

"My apologies, it took longer than anticipated to cut my hair."

Silence.

"Your impertinence, Nankyo, will be the end of you." The king said as the rest of the family fell into a tense silence.

The Queen opened her mouth to speak when Nankyokukai spoke in a frozen tone, "No, somehow I don't think it will." He stared expressionlessly at his father, who only stared back. "I no longer have an appetite. Takara, do stay and enjoy the meal. Mother, your pardon." Rising with his effortless fluidity, Nankyokukai briefly rest a hand on the shoulder of his secretary, signaling him to stay.

He departed without a backward glance.

"Tai, that was uncalled for. I thought you had something important to discuss with all of us." Queen Nami's voice had lost its soft tones. The mass of tiny braids spilling down from the top of her head swished as she shook her head in disappointment. The braids ran down her back, a stark blue against the pale pink of her silk dinner dress. "I was looking forward to this dinner, it's been so long since we last were all together."

Princess Umiko brooded silently beside her, a twenty four year old copy of her elegant mother in pale green, her own hair pulled high to cascade in artificial curls down her back. She stared at her hands, wishing she were eating dinner with her mother on the balcony rather than here with her father and brothers.

"Nami, you know very well that he was asking for it. You saw his hair. He was just causing trouble again. He lives to provoke us--you can hardly blame me for giving him what he wants." The King sat back heavily in his seat, tapping the table idly as he thought, "I'm sick of him, no respect at all; just one fiasco after another. He's been a problem since the day he was bo-"

Nami's face went pale, and she rose from her chair. "You really should learn to watch what you say. Come Umiko, we shall dine in my chambers. I can see the men are not fit for company tonight." Gathering her skirts, the queen led her daughter from the room.

A silence descended, before the eldest prince spoke up, "It seems those two are in quite the mood tonight. I'm eternally grateful, father, that I inherited your temperament rather than mother's."

The King only grunted, "Nonsense, your mother can be perfectly reasonable under normal circumstances. I'm afraid I was in the wrong with that last statement, though it certainly did not warrant her storming out."

Taiseiyou sniffed, "Well, you certainly were not out of line with Nankyo. You really should put him in his place; he's getting out of hand. Cutting his hair, he really went too far this time!"

"Let it be, Sei. Nankyo won't be here much longer anyway-that's what I called us all here for. But it seems I've lost the two whom I most wanted here."

The second son spoke up, his quiet voice hard with anger, "Che, I never understood why mother was always so soft on him. He's nothing but trouble. All he did this afternoon in court was cause trouble. First he incited a handful of farmers-it took me the rest of the morning to calm them down. After that fiasco he started conducting business with a couple of merchants. We were supposed to be fining them, not giving them more money! Then he started eating candy and passing it out to some pickpockets we'd arrested. He's utterly useless." He turned to look at the young man seated next to him, "Oh, Takara. I forgot you were here."

Takara said nothing, only stared back until Indoyou looked away.

"Never mind your mother, I can speak with her later. Takara is here, he can make up for Nankyo's absence." The king stared at his food a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I am sending Nankyo, accompanied by Takara, on a special mission, one that will keep them away for some time." He held up a hand as Taiseiyou started to speak, "Never mind what the mission is, that will stay a secret for now. I only tell you this because I want his absence to remain a secret. Should anyone question his whereabouts during the next year or so, you are to say that he is incapacitated, recovering in the country. Not to be disturbed. Lord Takara, confirm for me once more what your departure date is."

Takara looked up from where he had been staring into his wineglass, "We depart exactly one week from tomorrow, and we plan to leave at daybreak."

The king nodded, "That will suffice." He returned his attention to his sons, who only stared back with confused expressions, "Then start to circulate rumors that Nankyo is feeling unwell, and that he may have to retire permanently from palace life."

"Yes, sir" the brothers dutifully chorused.

"Takara, see to it that Nankyo starts to appear less and less in the coming week. I would like for you to inform people that he is feeling unwell. Make sure he cooperates, all right? You are dismissed." Taiheiyou waved his hand at the secretary.

Takara rose, bowing to the king and two princes before turning on his heel and heading silently for the door, his silver-green robes whispering softly around him.

"Hold a moment, Lord Takara. I will walk with you." Taiseiyou bowed apologetically to his father, murmuring assurances that he would return shortly. "I would like a quick word with Nankyo before he locks himself away to sulk all night." He followed the secretary from the room.

"Takara, what is this mission all about?" Prince Taiseiyou looked anxiously over at the secretary as they made their way down the vast marbled hallway toward Nankyokukai's private chambers.

"With all do respect Highness, it's none of your business." Takara's voice was cool. "His Majesty has commanded my silence, I will abide by his wishes."

"Ever the obedient servant - you are your mother's son. Remind me again why you work for my brother? Wouldn't you rather work for your future king? Come now, Takara. What would you like?"

Takara stopped walking, turning to face the prince. "I would say the matter you plan on discussing with your brother is a large part of my reasons--hardly the behavior of a future king, wouldn't you agree Highness?"

Taiseiyou drew a sharp breath, "What do you know about it? It's none of your concern!"

"It's my concern if Prince Nankyokukai says it is. Now shall we continue, or would you prefer to continue our discussion here in the hall?" Spinning on his heel, Takara resumed his brisk pace, turning right at the end of the wide main hall onto a slightly narrower one, heading for the very end of it.

Beside him the eldest prince shook his head in disgust. "Clearly you've been working with him too long - you're as lacking in respect as he is. Don't speak so carelessly to me again, Secretary."

"My apologies, Highness." Takara murmured softly as they reached their destination. Opening the door into the front office, the two quickly crossed to the door that led into the bedchambers. Takara knocked briefly before entering the room.

A brief look around found the youngest prince reclining on the window seat, already in his bed robes. He was fiddling with a pendant, but at the approach of the two men he hid it again beneath his robes. Takara spoke, "Prince, your brother wishes to speak with you."

"Oh? Is that why he's followed you here like a scared puppy? What do you want, Sei?"

So confident in the dining room earlier, Taiseiyou suddenly felt incapable. His youngest brother had that effect on people. "I wanted to discuss the--" the heir fumbled with his words.

His brother sneered, "The what? Can't you remember, big brother?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Yes, I do. What's your point? I'd like to get to bed, so hurry up." Nankyokukai turned to look out the window while his brother struggled to speak.

"The King's Stone, I want to know what we're going to do about the King's Stone. You're going to be gone a year, Nankyo! What am I supposed to do while you're gone? What if father finds out I don't have it? You can't just leave, we have to fix this."

Nankyokukai's cold laugh rang through his bedchamber, adding to the tension rather than cooling it. "We? What have you ever done to help me fix your problem, hmm? As far as I can recall, I'm the one doing all the work. But-" he swung his legs down from the window seat, rising with slow grace to his feet and stepping toward the heir. "Cease your worries. You will be fine for another year or so - the Stone is safe enough where it is. And when I get back, I should be ready to return it to its rightful owner."

Nankyokukai shoved his brother away. "Now, let me go to sleep." He stalked off toward his bed.

"You can really fix it then?"

"Yes. Leave."

Nearly shaking with relief, Taiseiyou stumbled from his brother's room. He would get more information tomorrow - the promise of a solution was enough for now.

Watching the door close, Takara sighed. "Honestly, Nankyo - haven't you tortured him long enough?"

"Don't ask stupid questions, Taka." Nankyo stripped his robe off and tossed it over a chair. Naked, he slid into his bed with a sigh of his own. "How has my father chosen to explain my absence?

"You're falling dangerously ill."

"How uncreative. Well, our leaving early will certainly ruin that." He laughed softly as he pulled the blankets close around his body, burying himself in the bed. "We leave at dawn, so wake me three hours or so before that, Taka."

"Goodnight, Nankyo."

"Indeed."

Takara went slowly around the room, robes whispering as he closed the curtains and snuffed the few candles.

Going through the door at the back of the prince's room, Takara stepped into his own chambers. Heaving an exhausted sigh, he quickly prepared for bed.

He lay in bed, only the faintest rays of moonlight breaking the absolute gloom. Before long, he began to toss and turn restlessly. Try as he might, his mind would not rest. Conversations and incidents of the past several days replayed in his head, tightening his stomach with nervousness and worry.

"Sweetheart, I really don't want you going. You sound sickened when you speak of this trip - I don't think you should go." Hana looked up at her son, worry in her light brown eyes. Afternoon sun brought out the color in her silver streaked, dark green hair.

"I'm going mother - as much as I hate it, I want to go. It's…only right." Takara kissed his mother's cheek. "Please don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I never should have permitted you to work for the palace. If I've learned nothing else from my life here, I've--"

"--Learned that you should never trust a royal. Work hard, be loyal, but never trust them. Yes, mother, I know." Takara shook his head, laughing.

"Don't be smart with me, boy." Hana smiled up at her son. "Well, I'm not going to fret myself to death. You've done superbly so far, and if you really are decided I'm not going to press it. You could have told me sooner though."

"Ah, but then you would've fretted yourself to death." Rising from the stone bench on which they were seated, Takara gave his mother another kiss. "Now, you get back to your garden. I'll expect to see these flowers in perfect condition when I return."

"Of course, haven't I kept them perfect for the past forty years now?" She rose, hugging him tightly for several long seconds. "Be careful, Taka."

"I will, Mother. I always am," Takara stepped away, and smiling he strolled back toward the palace, trailing his fingers along the flowers and trees edging the path of the intricate royal garden so meticulously shaped and cared for by his mother over the decades.

"We shall see you first thing in the morning then, Takara." Raiden and the secretary stood in the entrance hall of the palace. A cool evening breeze drifted through the open windows, dispersing the day's humidity.

"Yes, at dawn or shortly thereafter. You will be ready?" Takara looked over at the merchant, who smiled.

"Of course. It's not my favorite time to be awake, but we shall be ready."

"Excellent. Enjoy your evening then," the secretary turned to leave.

"Not so fast." Raiden grabbed his wrist, reaching up his second hand to grip the secretary's chin, forcing him to tilt his head up. Leaning down he kissed Takara softly, pulling back slightly to murmur, "It works better when you participate."

Takara jerked away, "Forget it." Spinning on his heel, the secretary stalked off, trying in vain to ignore both his own red face and the laughter of the servants and officials passing through the hallway.

With a groan Takara forced the thoughts from his mind. Rubbing a hand over his face, he climbed from his bed, wrapping a robe around himself to keep out the cool night air. Reclining in the chaise beside the room's picture window, Takara sat and watched the sky as clouds hid the moon from sight, only to bare it again a few minutes later.

When a servant came to wake him a few hours later, he was still on the chaise, his head resting on his folded arms, his legs tucked up beneath him.

 

Chapter Three

"Get up, Nankyo!" Furious, Takara made a third attempt to wake the prince. "Stop annoying me and get up already - I swear I'm going to use water next!"

Nothing.

Glaring at the pile of blankets on the bed and the figure buried somewhere beneath them, Takara huffed in frustration. "Why do you insist on doing this every morning? You would think that today of all days you could cooperate."

He stood in silence for a moment, before suddenly smiling. Bending slightly, he grasped the blanket in his hands and yanked.

"By the Dragons! That's cold! Storms Taka, you said water was next!" Nankyokukai snapped, glaring at his secretary through messy strands of ocean blue hair.

"I lied."

"Hmph, you're going to pay for that," the prince clambered from his bed and stalked naked toward his massive closet. "Is everything ready?"

"Of course. We have only to show up at the docks. I thought we would eat breakfast at that inn by the harbor you like so much. I made arrangements for it yesterday; the captain and Raiden will meet us. We are due there in about two hours. We would have had more time, if you had risen when I first woke you."

"And where, pray tell, is the fun in that?" Nankyo said offhandedly as he secured his dark blue robes with a cream colored sash. Finished, he strolled to his dresser and snatched up a brush. "I honestly think I prefer my hair this way; I wish I'd done it sooner, I would have been able to sleep in a whole two hours on most days."

"Indeed. Are you going out like that, Nankyo?"

"No, though I doubt anyone that may be out at this hideous hour would pay me any attention. But part of the reason for leaving today is to avoid unwanted attention, so better safe than sorry I suppose. Wait until we reach the gates, I'll cast a glamour then." Nankyokukai yawned.

Preparations completed a few minutes later, the two men made short work of exiting the castle. Exiting from the servants' door, they paused just outside the carved stone gates protecting the palace from unwanted visitors.

"Alright, here we go. I think just a simple one will suffice, I'm too tired to cast a full glamour," Nankyo yawned again, then closed his eyes. Holding a lock of his hair in one hand, he held the other in front of his face. His lips moved almost soundlessly, only bits of his chanting were audible in the early morning air. His chanting continued uninterrupted for a minute or two, Takara stood silently by. As the chanting died, the prince's hair seemed to alter in color, shifting from an ocean blue to a mint green.

Opening his eyes, the prince smirked, "Good enough?" He waited as Takara nodded. "Then let's get going. I wouldn't want to keep our escorts waiting too long, and this glamour is only good for about an hour."

Pulling up a scarf to protect his own head from the early morning chill, Takara sighed softly and followed Nankyo out into the streets.

They walked in silence, footsteps gradually falling into time. Their steps seemed especially loud in the eerie quiet of the dark morning. Passing through an intersection, they turned at the sound of new footsteps. Coming toward them from their right was an elderly man, his head down.

His head was bare, and he wore a short robe rather than the more common long ones worn by Takara and Nankyokukai. He also carried a peculiar looking bag.

Takara looked at the old man, then looked at the prince. Receiving a nod, he called out, "Good morning, Sir. What purpose has a Healer out and about at this hour?"

The old man looked up, startled. He apparently had not noticed the two men standing in the intersection. As Nankyokukai and Takara approached him, the reason for it became clear. The man looked to be on the verge of tears. "Sir, what troubles you?"

"Forgive me, my Lords." The man bowed in apology, "I am just returning from a birthing."

Takara spoke softly, "I see. Did it not go well, then? How are the mother and her new child?"

The healer's face twisted further in misery. " The mother is doing well, given the circumstances…"

Silent until now, the prince's voice was suddenly very sharp. "What circumstances? What of the child?"

The old man looked up at him, "I think you already know. She gave birth to "cursed" children. I tried to convince her it was merely a stupid superstition…but you know how peasants are…"

Takara grimaced and shook his head, "I had thought that superstition was dying finally."

Nankyokukai looked away, cursing fluidly beneath his breath. "The second born was killed then?"

"…Yes, my lord. It was. The parents insisted on burying it themselves."

"I am sorry you had to start your morning in so gruesome a manner, healer. May the Three Storms look more favorably upon you," Nankyo's voice was low, his words barely audible. He turned and walked away.

Takara rest a hand on the old man's shoulder in an attempt to offer comfort, "You tried to prevent it, take heart in that. Know that his Highness Prince Nankyokukai works to put a stop to the practice once and for all."

The man managed a weak smile, "It is good to hear that one of the Royals cares. The old rumor is true, then?"

"Perhaps. May the Three Storms favor you," Takara nodded a farewell and turned, darting on quick feet after the prince.

"Prince, slow down please. If you keep this pace up, we'll get there on time."

Nankyokukai slowed his pace, looking back to smirk at his secretary, "Taka, did you just encourage one of my bad habits?"

"If it will calm you down, yes." Takara took his arm, and forced the prince to stop. "There's nothing you could have done."

"I'm fine, Taka." Nankyo grasped the hand gripping his arm, holding it for the barest second before removing it, "Now come on, I know how eager you are to see you're lover."

Takara glared, "He's not my lover!"

"Yet."

"Shut up."

Nankyo only laughed and resumed walking, this time at a much more leisurely pace. "So you admit it's a possibility? I really can't wait until the day you have to thank me for renting you to him. I do believe this is funnier than that time I kissed you. Do you remember that?"

"I'd almost managed to forget, thanks so much Nankyo. There are still people that think we're lovers, thanks to your stupid stunt."

"Well, it got rid of that lecher didn't it? You're never properly grateful for my favors. You should work on that."

"Shut up."

Nankyokukai laughed, but Takara's practiced ears recognized the forced tone in it.

"There's the Inn, Prince."

The prince looked thoughtful, "We haven't been here in a long while, have we? I guess we've been too busy, how sad." Nankyokukai stepped forward, pushing open the weather-beaten door and stepping quietly inside. Takara stepped in behind him, closing the door softly.

Nankyokukai stepped through the lobby into the dining area - a brief glance located two men already seated at a table near the window. "Come on Taka, I think he's getting restless."

Raiden shook his head as the two men approached, "You are late, but I hear that's a habit of yours prince. Good morning. Did you sleep well Taka?" This last he said with a grin. Reaching out, he snagged the secretary by the wrist, jerking him over to take the seat next to the merchant.

The prince laughed at the look on his secretary's face, gracefully taking the seat beside the silent captain. " Good morning to you both."

"Your hair is interesting, Highness. I like the length, if you don't my saying so, but I do not much care for the color." Raiden was still grinning, throwing an arm around the shoulders of the grumbling secretary beside him.

"I like the length myself, and the color should fade shortly. Now, let us eat. I'm afraid I did not each much for dinner last night."

At that Takara looked as if he might speak, but a shake of the prince's head stopped him. Shifting, he instead glared over at Raiden, who smiled back unrepentant. "Remove your arm."

"Why? I like it where it is."

Takara moved to tell Raiden exactly what he thought, but before he could the captain spoke up from the opposite side of the table, "Enough, Shima. It's too early in the morning for your games. Save it for the ship."

Raiden laughed, "Alright, alright." Removing his arm, he held it up to call over a sleepy looking waiter. The four placed their orders, and ate in silence when the food came.

"The Fuujin? What a creative name for a ship," Nankyokukai's voice was dry.

Kindan frowned. "It's named for the local deity of Arashi Island."

"I know who Fuujin is."

The captain's frown deepened. "We bought it from a retiring merchant."

"A fine purchase, I must say. One of my best." Raiden looked smug.

The group was in the captain's quarters, gathered around the desk situated at the back of the room. The room was luxurious, yet more evidence of Raiden's successful business. "So tell us, Captain, what is the plan? I trusted you with the finer points of the trip, I would hear them now." The prince looked at Kindan, who said nothing.

Raiden spoke up instead, "The first half of the journey is actually rather easy. We make a similar trip rather frequently. Look here - the nation of Pozhar is roughly a month away; we tend to pick up gems and fine wool there. We'll stop there to pick up most of our long-lasting supplies. Afterwards we travel another two months, until we reach Sanhoshi Island, which is our home.

"Your home? You live out in the middle of the ocean?"

"What do you call living here?" Raiden smiled, "But yes, we find that when it's time for a break, far from civilization is the best way to enjoy it. I found the island a while ago, and Kindan here joined me several ago. We've even built up a small community, as our men bring their families and all there to live. You'll like it, Taka."

Takara said nothing.

"After that the hard part begins. We have roughly three months of sailing to the location you gave us, once we leave Sanhoshi. From what you've said, there's no way to restock once we reach it. So we'll do what we can in the way of fresh water, but basically we turn right around once you've left the tribute or gift or whatever. So that's six months of almost uninterrupted travel."

"I am impressed, gentleman. You sound like you've got it well under control."

"I have a question, Highness. Why did you insist on leaving this morning, when everyone else thinks we are leaving a week from now?" Kindan asked curiously.

"To cause problems, of course. This will ruin my father's secretive measures quite nicely." Nankyokukai smirked at the captain. "You do not like my answer."

The captain frowned back at him. "No, I do not. I find nothing amusing about going out of your way simply to upset people. It's reprehensible behavior in anyone, but especially a prince. I am only doing this because Shimano agreed to it, not because I want to play escort to a spoiled, trouble making prince."

The prince's voice was cool. "You do it because you're well paid. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe it's getting stuffy in here." Nankyokukai turned and left the cabin. The door closed quietly behind him.

Raiden turned to face his friend, "Kindan! Would you please control your temper? I know you don't like the man, but a job is a job."

"Of course, boss."

"Don't give me that. If you're well aware the prince likes to be difficult, you shouldn't play into his hands as you did just now."

"What in the Dragons' names is that supposed to mean? Neither of you know anything about him, why don't you just shut up!" Takara's temper snapped.

Kindan snorted. "Why are you defending him? The things that are said about him are seldom kind. And did he or did he not trade you for passage? Not to mention his positively vile behavior this morning, he wasn't even sorry for being late. Honestly, we get up well before dawn and he can't even deign to be on time. That's no one worth defending, I don't know why--"

"Exactly," The secretary's voice was ice. "You. Don't. Know. Yes, he traded me off. Yes, I'm mad at him for it. But you know nothing about the situation, nothing at all."

Raiden frowned over at the raging secretary, stepping closer to try and soothe him. "Would you calm down? Why are you so upset?"

"Do you know why we were late this morning?" Takara narrowed his eyes up at the merchant, before rounding on the seated captain.

"Because he's always late?" Kindan's tone was scathing.

"No. In fact, Nankyo is only ever late for engagements with his family. All other appointments are exactly on time, barring problems beyond his control. Or did neither of you notice that he was waiting for you the day we gave you those new medallions you're wearing?"

The two men looked at each other, then looked away.

"And just so we're clear, gentlemen, I'll tell you something that you don't deserve to hear. We were late this morning because we ran into a troubled Healer. He had recently left the home of a woman who had given birth to twins. The parents insisted on killing the second, as per the custom for such "cursed children." That's why he was "vile" this morning. Does that meet with your approval, gentlemen? Then I am going back to bed. Don't even think of touching me." This last was said to Raiden, who was still trying to approach the raging secretary. He turned to leave.

"Stop a minute would you? You and I are staying in here. Go lay down there." He pointed to the bed against the far wall. "I won't touch you all right? I'm not suicidal." Raiden cast a glance at his friend, who had turned to stare out the windows.

Kindan sighed, "I'm going to check on things outside. Hopefully we'll be underway soon." He exited the cabin, but stopped short once outside. The prince stood just to his left, looking out over the water. He opened his mouth to say something - anything, but Nankyokukai spoke first.

"So, Captain. When are we leaving? I'm getting impatient." Nankyokukai's gaze remained on the water.

Kindan stared a moment, not sure whether he should be annoyed or not. "We can't leave until the wind changes. An easterly wind is of no use to us. You'll just have to learn patience."

"Hardly. Is that all that's keeping us here?" The prince looked over at him, and smirked. "Fetch Takara for me." Nankyokukai climbed the few steps to the helm. A few minutes later, the captain, Raiden and Takara joined him.

"Captain, tell your men to make ready." Nankyokukai stood still a moment, eyes closed. A heartbeat later, his lips began to move. He began to chant, quietly at first but growing in volume. It began as a murmur and grew to a near shout. As he chanted, he lifted his right arm, the finger spread wide. As the chanting reached its peak, the wind slowed, nearly stopping. Then it began to change directions.

Nankyokukai barely heard as the captain began shouting order; it seemed to come from far away. His chanting tapered off, and he opened his eyes. "Ugh, I haven't done that for a while. Taka, take me to my cabin."

Takara moved to walk alongside the prince, whose steps lacked their usual grace. Once the secretary reached out to steady him. Behind them Raiden and Kindan watched in silence.

*~*~*~*

"I'm thinking, Shima, that I may have made a slight mistake."

Raiden rubbed his forehead with his fingers, grimacing. "I think we made a major mistake. I had no idea you were that contemptuous of the Prince. You should have said something sooner."

"I did not expect him to irk me quite so much as he does. Normally I have no problem ignoring his kind."

"I have to admit it was startling to see you lashing out like that. But try to calm down, eh? It's going to be an even longer journey if the two of you can't get along." Raiden groaned, "Not to mention you've helped me undo all the work I put in trying to get Taka to mellow."

"Hey, don't blame that one on me. You set yourself up for it the minute you insisted on taking him as payment. That's your own fault. But I was rather surprised myself; I didn't realize he was such a firecracker. If that's how he acts every time someone bad mouths the prince, it's no wonder there are rumors about them being lovers."

"I highly doubt that's true," but Raiden was frowning. "I don't think he would sell off a lover - current or former - just for passage."

"Well, it's not like it matters now. Get to bed. All three of you were up way too early; you look exhausted. Besides, now is the perfect time to make your apologies and possibly get him back to 'mellow.'"

"And what of your apologies?" Raiden looked over at his friend.

"…I'll make them eventually. I get the distinct impression, however, that they're not expected."

"You're not asleep? I thought you wanted to rest."

"I can't sleep."

Raiden stared in silence at the figure sprawled in the desk chair with his arms folded neatly before him. Takara was staring at the desk, but his eyes were unfocused. "You are nervous about the journey? There is no reason to be, at least not for quite some time."

"The journey is not the source of my worry, though it has to do with it. What does it matter to you anyway?" Takara looked up, his earlier anger still clouding his face.

Raiden sighed, attempting again to sooth away his own headache. "I came to apologize. Kindan and I were out of line - we should not have spoken of the prince as we did, especially in your presence."

"No, you should not have. But you are hardly the first to do so."

"You have to at least concede he brings it upon himself. I still am sorry."

Takara glared half-heartedly up at the merchant, "I concede nothing, but I will accept your apology."

Raiden frowned, lost in thought as Takara continued to stare at nothing at the desk. He wasn't entirely sure his apology had been accepted. Moving toward a small cabinet, he spent a few minutes fixing a tonic to ease his headache. Finished, he turned back toward the desk, "You should drink something Taka, it will help you sleep." Raiden stopped short.

Taka's head had fallen to rest on his arms, and his eyes were closed. "Taka?" Silence answered him. Raiden smiled softly, "Can't sleep, eh? I wonder if you are a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper."

Moving around the desk, Raiden carefully lifted the secretary from the chair. Takara's eyes opened slightly, and he stared vaguely up at Raiden. "C'mon, to bed with you."

"I'm…fine…" was the sleepy response.

Laughing quietly, Raiden guided the secretary to the bed, removing his boots and settling him in. He ran his fingers through sea green hair, a sad smile suddenly overtaking his face. "A heavy sleeper, eh? I guess you had to have something in common with him. I wish it hadn't been this though."

 

Chapter Four

"You're sulking."

"No, I'm just bored."

Raiden looked up from the papers he was examining and leered, "Well, I could use a break myself, if you really need something to do."

"I'm not that bored," Takara cast one more look at the book in his lap, then set it aside. He shifted restlessly on the bed he'd sat on to read, pointedly ignoring the looks Raiden was sending him.

"Somehow I knew you'd say that," Raiden shook his head. "We've only been at sea a week. How can you possibly be bored?"

Takara looked at him, "I'm a Royal Secretary. It's all I can do most days to keep on top of my workload. That's not taking into account who I work for, and you're asking me why I'm bored?"

"If you're that desperate for something constructive to do, you could always help me out here. I abhor such work, but my own secretaries never last very long." Raiden managed to keep from laughing as Takara's face brightened. "Here, take a look. Maybe you can figure out what I'm missing, my numbers keep coming out wrong."

"Let me see," Takara came around the desk, sliding on his glasses. He lifted the sheaf of papers in front of the merchant, "Hmm…these are all your transactions for the past several months…place of purchase…and here," he lifted a separate stack, setting the first down. "Buyers…amount paid…due…total cost…" he set that stack down as well, slowly going over and reorganizing the papers Raiden had scattered across the desk. He barely noticed when Raiden moved to let him have the seat.

Two hours later, he looked up, removing his glasses, "I found your problem. You failed to list one of your donations to the National Auction. You have the necklace listed here in purchase," he indicated the list in front of him, "but you didn't record it on these lists," he indicated three other piles. "So your records show that you still have it, even though I recall seeing the piece myself at auction."

"How did I miss that? I would have thought I'd remember something like that. Ah, I see. This wasn't me - an associate handles the auctions now, I no longer deal with them directly. I really only bid these days. My liaison handled the donations this year. He must have assumed I'd already made necessary note of it, but honestly I never remember anymore what goes to the auction. I donated what? Ten pieces?"

Takara smiled up at him, eyes laughing, "Thirteen actually, now that I've accounted for that necklace. An amount worthy of royalty when you consider that each piece alone is worth a small fortune or three…I actually won these last two here, the fire gem bracelet from Pozhar, and the black pearl necklace from Arashi Island."

"Ah yes, you do have an obsession with fine jewelry. An odd habit for a man."

"Says the man who buys, sells and collects jewelry for a living."

"As you say, I do it for a living. But since we're on the subject, I have one piece here that might amuse you. More likely it will annoy you." Raiden laughed as he strode over to the cabinet near the bed. Riffling through it for a moment, he withdrew a wide, flat, black velvet box. Striding back to the desk, he set the box before the still seated secretary. "Take a look."

Takara looked up at him in suspicion, but opened the box. He stared at the contents a moment, unsurprised. "You really have to rub it in, don't you? You were the only one able to outbid me on this item." Gingerly he lifted the necklace from it's velvet padding. It was a heavy chocker, three rows of the rare blue pearls that were a specialty of Typhoon Island in Kundou. Between each pearl, though, was set a small, green, glittering stone. They were the reason he had wanted the necklace, the green stones that were imported from Piedre. People there called the stone 'esmeralda,' and it was one of his favorite gems. "I'm still angry you won this. I was looking forward to adding it to my collection."

"Well, maybe I'll give it to you someday. As it is, I still enjoy keeping it. I will give you this though," Raiden tossed a small object at the secretary, who caught it deftly.

Takara stared at the ring he was holding, impressed despite himself. It was simple in design, but worth a fortune for all that. The band was wide, with small whorls and loops carved into it; a large green stone sparkled in the lamplight. "This is white gold…and where did you find an esmeralda of such size? It's amazing."

"I'm the world's top merchant in items rare and exotic, I can find anything. Keep it, as a…token of my affection."

"Another sign of ownership, you mean? No thank you." Takara rose from the desk, moving to return the ring.

Raiden frowned, and refused to take it. "Well, I'm not going to take it back. If you won't wear it, at least keep it until you will. I gave it to you, it's yours now."

Takara returned the frown, eyes narrowing in confusion as he looked up at the merchant. But he tucked the ring away in his sash, turning away back to the desk. A sudden burst of shouting from outside interrupted his thoughts.

"Oof, he's heavy," the sailor set the body down on the ship's deck before stepping back out of the way, giving the captain and first mate space.

Kindan tore his gaze away from the remains of a ship to gaze at the unconscious man they'd pulled from the water. His skin was pale, most likely from nearly drowning. Slate gray hair lay smooth and flat against his head, wet strands plastered to his cheek. Heavy white bandages were wrapped several times around his eyes. His clothing was mostly intact, and soaking wet it molded to his lithe form. "It's a miracle he survived whatever happened. Why are his eyes bound like that? Is he injured? Examine him, Mr. Same." He watched as his first mate knelt to investigate the bandages that were wrapped around the figure's eyes. An all too familiar voice halted the action.

"What in Storms' names are you doing? Stop it! Leave the bindings!" Nankyokukai had come up just behind the captain, and without waiting to see what Same intended; he dropped to his knees and shoved the first mate away. "Do you want to kill the entire ship? Don't you fools know who this is?" He glared up at the captain, "I would have though you of all people would have recognized what's left of that ship's insignia. Are all of you really that ignorant? This is Culebra, the Basilisk Prince of Piedre."

"The what?" Same looked utterly confused, and he seemed to have forgotten the rude shove he'd just received.

"That's just a stupid myth from the Stone Lands." Kindan had not forgotten the prince's behavior.

Nankyokukai rose languorously to his feet, sneering. "So you believe in dragons but not in serpents? You're sadly lacking in faith as well as knowledge."

"My supposed lack of knowledge and faith is nothing compared to your glaring lack of manners, Highness. I've warned you about addressing me on my own ship."

"Of course, Captain. But you have to understand that--"

A movement from the unconscious figure interrupted his sentence, "Wh…where am I? Who's there? Roca? Granito? Where are you?" His voice was hoarse.

The prince turned away from the seething captain, kneeling in front of Culebra and speaking in a tone no one on the ship had heard from him. "Culebra, hold still. Don't wear yourself out further."

The prince of the stone lands jerked his head at the sound of Nankyokukai's voice, "Your voice is familiar, who are you? Where are my men?"

The crowd of sailors watched in curiosity at Nankyokukai's next action. Holding up his right hand, he held it up to the other man's lips, touching them lightly. The man seemed briefly startled by the touch, jumping slightly, but a second later his tongue flicked out to lick the prince's fingers. He relaxed a second later, "Nankyo! What are you doing out here on the ocean? I thought there was a familiar scent and voice…what happened? Where am I?"

"Come, let us get you to bed first and then I shall explain what I can. Do you remember Takara?" Nankyokukai asked this as his secretary and Raiden came rapidly towards them.

"Of course, is he here as well?" Culebra turned his head as a new pair of hands helped to lift him to his feet.

"Prince Culebra, what happened?" Takara looked over at Nankyo, who shook his head. "Never mind; it can wait until later." Slowly he and Nankyokukai made their way to the blue haired prince's cabin, talking quietly with the disoriented Prince.

Raiden watched them go as he stepped closer to the captain. "Kin, what's going on? Why wasn't I summoned? Who was that?"

The captain sighed, running a hand through his short hair, "Damned if I know. One of my men called the warning, and we saw what was left of what must have been a fairly large ship. Then we spotted that man in the water, but before we could examine him that thrice-damned prince decided to get hostile with my crew. He was adamant about us not removing those bandages around his eyes. He claims the man is the "Basilisk Prince." If true, that means something attacked a royal vessel…" At this last statement, the captain's expression shifted from frustrated to solemn. "I hope they weren't attacked by what I think they were. But out here, there's only one thing that could destroy a ship like that." He looked at his men, "Back to work! Excitements over, and we still have a ship to run! Mr. Same, keep the men on alert. Whatever destroyed that ship could still be nearby."

The men scattered, gray haired Same barking orders as Raiden and Kindan made for Raiden's quarters. Closing the door, Raiden poured them drinks as Kindan took a seat at the table. He accepted his drink with a nod, "We're only a week out of Kundou, Shima. Why the hell would they be attacking ships that close to land? And a royal vessel, to make matters worse. They've always stuck to merchant ships in the past."

Raiden stared thoughtfully out the porthole to his right, idly tapping a finger against the side of his glass, "If that ship was this close to Kundou, then it was coming from Pozhar. Something vitally important I'm sure, if Piedre's highest prince was on board. But the attackers wouldn't have known that. Perhaps they're simply stepping up their violence to include any ship at sea."

"Well, I suppose it was bound to happen sometime. I really hope they ventured far enough away that we won't hear them singing…"

As if on cue, a high, eerie keening broke their conversation. The two men rose heavily to their feet, unhappy expressions on both their faces. Exiting the cabin, they stepped outside just as Takara and Nankyokukai returned to the deck. Dusk had turned to dark, giving the strange singing an added grimness.

Nankyokukai frowned out at the water, then looked up at the captain, "What in the Storms' names is that horrid sound?"

Takara winced beside him, "It's horrible; I feel like I'm going to be ill."

Kindan looked as if he'd rather not say, "Where is the stone land Prince?"

"He's sleeping. What's that sound?" Nankyokukai snapped.

Kindan snapped back, "Put your claws away, Prince. I just didn't want him to hear, it's something I highly doubt he needs to know right now. That, Highness, is the sound of mermaids enjoying their dinner. Do I need to tell you what that dinner is?"

The Prince's eyes narrowed, "Mermaids?"

Kindan sneered, "What? You'll believe in a Prince that can kill with one glance but you can't believe in mermaids?"

"Did I say that, Captain? I was merely surprised - all my reports concerning attacks by so-called mermaids mention merchant ships exclusively. I have not yet heard such rumors in conjunction with non-merchant vessels."

The captain was still derisive, "What would you know about attacks on merchant ships?"

Unnoticed by the two men, the rest of the ship had shifted their attention from the slowly fading singing to the latest argument between captain and prince. "My, your knowledge is lacking, Captain. Lord Raiden has stated before that you are the best there is, but I confess I find that hard to believe. I am in charge of all matters pertaining to trade, shipping, and travel. It's my job to know what is happening to the ships going to and from Kundou. I tend to notice when a ship goes missing, especially when those disappearances are attached to rumors as bizarre as mermaids."

" I know what you're in charge of, why else would rumors of you float constantly about the harbor? But given your love for impeding, confounding, and annoying everyone you meet, I was shocked to hear that you actually do your job. Seeing as that would actually help people."

Nankyokukai laughed, "Ah, but you see - my father and brothers wanted me to fail. Rest assured that I'm still the " spoiled, trouble-making prince" you take me for."

"I can see that."

"Then clearly you are as observant as ever, Captain. May I request sustenance for the non-existent prince in my room? Or do you only feed non-mythical individuals?"

Kindan said nothing, merely waving a hand at his first mate before turning to stalk off to his own quarters.

Nankyokukai turned to speak quietly to Takara, who only nodded, before returning to his own room. Takara watched him go, a smile forming on his lips. He looked up at the sound of laughter, to see Raiden smiling back at him. "Is it just me, Taka, or are those two amusing?"

"It is rare to see the Prince argue so frequently with one person. Most back off after one or two attempts. I think he is enjoying himself, in a way." Takara spoke as he climbed the stairs to join Raiden on the landing. The Captain holds his own rather well, though I think he is still coming out the loser."

Raiden opened the door to his quarters, waiting as Takara stepped in before him. "Kin rarely meets anyone so willing to call him into question. Even I seldom give him so much trouble." He fell silent as he watched Takara restlessly shifting the papers still piled neatly on the desk. Looking thoughtful and just slightly mischievous, he approached the secretary, turning him around to face him and lightly grasping Takara's chin to force the shorter man to look up at him. "You've been a great deal nicer to me the past couple of days. Are you poisoning me slowly or something? Being kind to a dying man?"

Takara stopped fighting the grip on his chin and offered a slight smile, "I told you, I'm bored…and you've been awfully contrite ever since we left port. I felt bad for staying mad."

"Oh, so if you feel horribly guilty, you'll be extremely nice? Hmm…how guilty would I have to make you to earn a kiss?"

Takara's face clouded up again, though some of his earlier humor remained, "Forget it, you're still in trouble for that one. I refuse to be cooperative property."

Raiden dropped his grip, unhappy. "I really wish you'd stop seeing it that way. I've been interested in you since the auction a few months ago, but it's impossible to get near the Palace for the express purpose of asking a Royal Secretary on a date. And I learned long ago that messages of that nature are ignored."

Takara nodded, "Almost every individual attached to the Royal Family gets dozens of such messages a day. We do not take them seriously. And what do you mean you 'learned long ago' that they're simply ignored?"

Raiden grinned, "Are you jealous? You shouldn't be - a friend of mine was mooning over the Princess for a long time."

Takara turned away, "I'm hardly jealous."

Raiden watched him, still grinning. "Shall we eat dinner? I'll have one of the men bring it up. I would fetch the other two, but I would like to enjoy a meal without bickering. I don't think Kindan wants to see his Highness right now anyway."

Takara laughed, though he still was fidgeting with papers on the desk and would not look up, "No, I'd imagine not." He looked up briefly at Raiden, and then looked away toward the windows in the back of the room. "Nankyo already told me he would spend the evening with Prince Culebra. So I guess it's just you and I."

"Ah, that's what I like to here. If you're still bored after dinner, I can recommend some recreation."

Takara glared.

"I'm going to kill him, I swear it," Kindan slammed his door shut and leaned back against it, burying his head in one hand. He rubbed his temples tiredly; "I have more than enough to deal with right now without that royal pain in the ass taunting me every five minutes."

He continued to mutter to himself as he began unwinding his sash, removing his short over tunic once the sash was gone. Sighing he fell onto his bed, hands clasped behind his head. He would undoubtedly need to be on alert most of the night, so a nap now would be his best bet.

Nearly an hour later, Kindan rose. It was no use - he was still too furious to get any sleep. Not bothering with his tunic and sash, Kindan yanked his door open and returned to the main deck. His white blonde hair blew softly in the cool evening air. He spoke as his first mate approached him, "How are we, Mr. Same?"

"Doin' fine, Captain. We're out of range of the mermaids for now, and the weather seems clear. Should be a quiet night, eh?"

"Don't get comfortable. If we were able hear the mermaids earlier, you can be sure they were aware of us. If they attack us now, we won't be as fortunate as we were on the Kumiko. Keep the men on alert."

"Aye, Captain," the first mate nodded, his dark eyes glittering in the light of the full moon. A brief smirk flitted across his face, his gaze on something past the captain's shoulder.

Kindan's eyes narrowed and he turned, unsurprised at the site that greeted him. "Good evening, Highness. Did you need something?"

"Not at all, Captain. I merely thought you might like to hear some of the details of the attack?"

Kindan bit back an angry response, "Of course I want to hear it. Raiden will as well." He turned and headed for the merchant's quarters.

"Make sure you knock loudly, we wouldn't want to interrupt anything," Nankyokukai laughed.

Kindan threw the prince a disgusted look and knocked lightly on the door. Hearing nothing, he opened it and stepped inside. The prince was close behind him.

Takara was seated at the desk, papers scattered across it. It looked as if he had been working on them at some point, but Raiden was at the moment proving distracting. He was standing just behind the low back chair, his arms twined around a protesting Takara with his head buried in the secretary's neck. He looked up at the sound of the opening door, torn between amusement and frustration. "I didn't hear you knock, Kin. Oh, and you've brought the Prince. To what do we owe the honor of this intrusion?"

Nankyokukai smirked at his Secretary, who only glared back before directing his gaze toward the desktop. The prince looked up at Raiden, "My apologies, but the Captain felt you would like to hear the details of the attack."

Raiden released his grip and rose, his teasing manner fading. "Of course. Kin mentioned the man was a prince from Piedre. That concerns me because as you stated earlier, the mermaids have always kept to merchant ships."

Nankyokukai took a seat at the table, his head resting in one hand while the lay on the chair's armrest, "Yes, Prince Culebra, more frequently called the Basilisk Prince. He was in Pozhar for the past three months renegotiating trade relations. That's irrelevant here, but it explains why Piedre's highest-ranking Prince was in the middle of the Shizukana Sea. At any rate, late in the afternoon their ship suddenly came under attack. Culebra said that the attack began under the water, ramming them hard enough to put holes in the ship. After that he heard his men shouting about "women" and "monstrous fish." He said the air reeked of the scent of blood and fish, as well as something he'd never smelled before. A little while later his bodyguard helped him escape, but apparently the man was unable to flee with him."

"I don't understand how he managed to escape, surely the mermaids would have noticed him?" Kindan stated.

The prince frowned, "The stone lands have magic of their own, and if those mermaids are as frenzied as my reports claim then it's entirely feasible for them to have overlooked one individual- how else would I get my reports?"

Raiden looked thoughtful, "That still doesn't explain why they attacked a royal vessel. Normally they stick to merchant ships, as those can simply be chalked up to storms, sailors gone insane, etc. It's not unusual for those to disappear. But the loss of a Prince would cause serious repercussions. Rumors of mermaids and wild attacks from the ocean would be taken more seriously…" the merchant trailed off as he turned to look over his shoulder. He was perched on a corner of his desk. Behind him, Takara was writing furiously across a sheet of paper. Two full pages rest nearby. "You're taking notes?"

Takara didn't look up, "It's my job."

Raiden smiled, and turned to Kindan. "Any ideas?"

Kindan shook his head, "None. To the best of my knowledge the mermaids prefer to keep their vendetta small. It's not unusual for them to attack in broad daylight, but I can think of nothing to explain their chosen target."

Nankyokukai eyed the men suspiciously, "The two of you know seem to know a great deal more than most merchants. Explain yourselves."

Kindan hesitated, but at a look from Raiden grudgingly explained. "We've run into them twice, and we make a point to keep abreast of what other merchants and sailors have to say. No one else may believe it, but those of us that travel the seas for a living know that the mermaids aren't just a sea-crazed rumor."

"You've run into them twice." The prince's voice was flat.

Kindan huffed, annoyed. "Yes, twice. The first time we were attacked on Raiden's smallest ship, the Kaki. We were two weeks from Kundou when it happened. But the damage was minor because the attackers pulled back. We barely had a chance to discern what was happening."

"The mermaids pulled back? How is that even possible?" Nankyokukai sounded skeptical. At the desk Takara was still rapidly taking notes.

The captain continued, "Something on the ship surprised them enough that they backed off."

"And what was that?"

"It's none of your business. Suffice to say it didn't work the second time." Kindan's voice was sharp.

"Have it your way. What of the second attack then?" Nankyokukai asked.

Kindan's voice was strained, "The second one almost did kill us. They attacked not long after sundown, and as Prince…Culebra stated, they started by damaging the bottom of the ship. But a squall sprang up just as they launched their attack above water. It confused their efforts and forced our ship away." He frowned unhappily, dropping his head to rub it tiredly with one hand, "We barely made it to Sanhoshi in time. Any longer and the Kumiko would have been beyond repair."

"…Kumiko? That ship was not registered under your name."

Kindan raised his head, frowning in confusion at the carefully blank look on the prince's face, "No, I registered it under an alias to avoid associating it with Raiden's business. It is my personal ship; it was completed only six months ago. We were out on a test run when we were mistaken for a merchant vessel and attacked. It is still undergoing repairs at Sanhoshi."

"How interesting. Takara, you brought your birds along, did you not?"

"Of course. But only those trained for Kundou and Pozhar, as we will not be traveling close enough to the other countries to use birds."

"That will suffice. Send one letter each to my father and Pozhar, informing them of what has occurred. Make note in your letters that it is left to them to inform Piedre of the disaster."

"I will see to it. Shall I bring them to you for signing and sealing?"

"No, because I am not here. Use my seal, but sign your own name. Despite the circumstances, this mission is still a secret. State that you're vacationing with your new lover or something, that will sufficiently explain your presence." Nankyokukai snickered as he rose, "Enjoy the rest of your evening, gentlemen"

Raiden and Kindan watched him go, as Takara set his notes aside to begin the letters. Raiden laughed, "The man has no doubts about his authority. He doesn't even wait to see if there are any questions."

Takara paused briefly, "If you can't keep up, he doesn't need you. He went through three secretaries before me, and most of the staff is still terrified of him."

"That's no surprise. I still say the man could benefit from a few lessons in manners. I'll be at the helm if any more surprises spring up. Sleep well." Kindan left, the door slamming shut behind him.

Raiden looked at Takara working busily away, sighing. "I guess this means we can't pick up where we left off?"

"Oh, we can if you want. If I recall correctly, I was debating between breaking your fingers and dumping ink all over you. Do you have a preference?"

The merchant threw him a disgusted look, "You really need to loosen up. I can see there's no talking to you now that you have an assignment. I think I'll go attempt to cool Kindan's temper."

Takara's gaze remained on his papers, "See you later then."

"No fun at all…" Raiden muttered as he left.

 

Chapter Five

"Hey, this is my hiding spot! Go find your own." The boy glared down at the figure huddled in the shadowy corner formed from row after row of shipping crates. Dust stirred in the weak sunlight peeking through the cracks in the board walls.

"I'm sorry…" the figure rose slowly to his feet, his hands going jerkily to his face to wipe away the tears. He moved to walk past the glaring boy, but was stopped. He looked up in surprise.

"Just wait a minute, they'll spot you if you try to leave now and I don't want to get caught. It took me all day to get a chance to run away. C'mon, sit down." The taller boy moved back into the corner, dragging the crying boy with him. Sitting down on the dusty floor of the warehouse, he lifted the small bundle clutched in his left hand. "I'll even give you some food, if you promise not to tell anyone I'm here when you do leave."

"O...okay…" the crying boy once again wiped his face, succeeding only in mixing his tears with the dust that permeated the place. He crouched next to the other boy, silently accepting the pieces of dried fruit handed to him. The two ate in silence for several minutes, listening to the pounding and stamping of the people outside, or farther away in the large, dark warehouse.

"Name's Kinni - who're you?"

"K,Koori…" the crying boy spoke softly, his voice sad and shaky.

"Why are you crying? Boys aren't supposed to." Kinni frowned.

"I, I'm sorry. I got lost, and I've never been to the docks before alone."

"Oh. Well, I guess they can be kinda confusing…why did you come here? You're from the city, right?"

"Y-yeah." Koori sniffled, his voice still whisper soft, as though he was afraid of being heard.

"So what're ya doing here?"

Instead of answering, the smaller boy's face crumbled, his sniffling began to turn to sobs. Dismayed, Kinni moved on his knees toward the other boy and placed his hand awkwardly on his shoulders, "Hey, c'mon, don't do that. Boys don't cry, stop it."

"I..I..I don't want to go home." Koori sobbed, looking blankly at the other through teary eyes. He wiped his eyes, gasping loudly in an attempt to stop crying.

"Then don't. That's no reason to cry." Slowly Kinni removed his hands, sitting back on his heels to look thoughtfully at the other boy, only just visible in the weak light.

"I…think I have to. They'll hurt my sister if I'm not there."

Kinni frowned, "Hurt your sister? Why? Were they hurting you?"

"Yeah…for not doing my lessons right. They'll pick on her if I'm not there." He was back to sniffling - talking seemed to calm him down.

Kinni looked up briefly at the sound of footsteps pounding near their hiding spot, sighing in relief when they continued past and faded away, "You've gotta keep quiet, if they find us now we'll both be in trouble. I don't plan on going back, I don't know about you."

Koori's voice sounded curious, "Where are you going?"

"Dunno - but I'm not going back to that shop. I have some money saved up, I want to buy my way onto a ship. Most don't take on new people unless they have something to offer, ya know?"

Koori was silent.

"Oh yeah, you're from the city. You wouldn't know I guess - most of the good ships only accept people of good breeding, you know from the academy and all. I'm just an orphan, so I have to bribe my way. I have 700 paaru saved up, that might be good enough for one of the smaller ships." His tone wasn't as confident as his words.

"You're going to be a sailor?" Koori's voice was wistful.

"Yeah, just like my dad was. I'm going to be Captain of the best ship in the world, and I'll use it to bring home the ultimate treasure."

"Why?"

Kinni was offended, "Because that's what you're supposed to do! Sailors travel the world, bringing home treasurers and wonders untold - that's what my dad always told me. He said he once brought home the ultimate treasure, so I'm going to do it too."

"What's the ultimate treasure?" Koori had stopped crying..

"Um, well…I don't know yet. My dad never told me, he and my mom just always laughed." Kinni frowned in the darkness. "But I'll find it anyway, don't think I won't."

The wistful tone was back in the smaller boys voice, "I'd like to look for it, to just go far away and not come back for a long time."

Kinni snorted, "Then you should. If you're from the city, they'd probably let you on a ship."

"I don't think I'd be a very good sailor. And besides, I can't leave yet."

"Cause of your sister? I guess I couldn't leave her either, if it was me. Well, why doesn't she run away?"

"She…umm…doesn't want to. She likes it where she is, even if our teachers and all pick on us a lot. They're not mean to her unless I'm gone usually."

"Oh. Why do you let them pick on you? Just yell at them or something."

"I tried that, but my mom just gets mad at me then. She says it's "part of growing up" and that I have to be tough."

"It's because you keep crying that they're so mean. Crying means you're weak - that's what my dad used to tell me when I was a little kid. 'When you want to cry, laugh instead,' that's what my dad used to say. My mom got mad at him for that."

"Laugh?"

"Yeah - when your teacher's pick on you, just laugh at them. It makes them really mad."

"I don't know if I can."

"Well, it's better than crying isn't it?"

"Y, yeah. I guess so."

Kinni opened his mouth to reply, but snapped it shut again at the sound of heavy footsteps drawing closer to their corner. Across from him, Koori drew a faint, sharp breath and then fell completely silent. The two young boys waited tensely for the steps to move on, growing nervous when they instead stopped on the opposite side of the towering stacks of crates.

"He wouldn't have come this far."

"It's been two days already, he could have."

"Why would he come all the way out here? Let alone inside the warehouses? We're just wasting time."

"Then you suggest where we look."

"I've got an idea, come on."

Heavy feet clomped away, voices receding gradually into silence. Kinni released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He whispered, "Who are those guys?"

"They're looking for me…" Koori was starting to sound tearful again.

"Hey! Don't start crying again, they'll catch us for sure."

"I..I'm sorry. I don't want to go back! I want to go away - where no one can find me. But I can't!" The boy broke down into renewed sobs, and panicked Kinni surged forward, dragging the other boy close against his chest to muffle the sound of his sobs. "Then just leave - no one is making you stay."

"I c,can't…my sister needs me and, and…"Koori wrapped his arms around the other boy, still sobbing.

"And what? Stop crying, c'mon…" Kinni patted the other boy's back before settling for simply hugging him.

"No-no one would take me on their ship."

"Why not?"

"No one likes me!"

"Aw, that's not true. You have your parents, right? And your sister?"

Koori only cried.

"Wrong answer I guess," Kinni muttered to himself. "Well, I like you - even if you cry a lot."

"You just met me."

"So? That doesn't mean I can't like you. I only hate mean people, and you cry too much to be a mean person. But if you get us caught because of the noise you're making, I'm going to be mad."

"S,sorry…I'll s,stop." Instead of pulling away, the boy only pressed himself closer to Kinni, shuddering slightly as he forced himself to stop crying.

Kinni looked frantically around the dark space for a distraction, embarrassed over the way the other boy clung to him. He spotted something he had not noticed before, "Is that your bag?"

"Huh?" Koori looked up, shifting to look at the space Kinni was staring at, "Oh, yeah. It's some food and stuff I brought with me. I was going to run away, but I got lost at the docks and hid in here yesterday."

Kinni started, "You've been in here an entire day? I never stay here longer than a few hours, wow. Is there any food left? I had to skip lunch to get here."

"Some fruit I think," Koori pulled away wiped his eyes one last time, smearing his face further with the dust that hung in the air.

Kinni moved to grab the bag, digging eagerly into it for the promised fruit, "Wow, oranges! These are my favorite."

"There should be some pears too…" Koori crawled over to join him, digging out a pear and biting into one. For several long minutes the small space was filled with the scent of fruit and the sounds of biting and chewing.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand Kinni grinned in the fading light and reached for the pack, "What else do you have in here?"

"Not much, just some more fruit, another tunic and my dagger…" Koori leaned over, rifling through the pack and withdrawing something. He held the object out to Kinni, who took it carefully in his own hands.

"Wow, it's heavy. What's it made of?"

"I don't know. It was a present from a weird looking woman. You can't tell in here, but it looks like a dragon - it even has these bright blue stones for its eyes."

"Sounds neat," Kinni hefted the dagger again thoughtfully. "I bet you could get a good price for it, if you really wanted." He handed it back, "Come on, they're going to lock the warehouse up for the night in another hour or two. I know a much better place to spend the night." He rose to his feet, holding out a hand to help Koori stand.

The smaller boy shook his head, "I should go home…it'll only get worse if I stay away much longer…"

Kinni stood in silence, "Well, c'mon then. You don't want to travel around here in the dark. Do you want me to walk you back home? I know a lot of shortcuts through the port town up to the city."

"NO! I'll be fine once I'm away from the port."

Kinni said nothing, merely taking the other boy's hand and guiding him out of the massive warehouse. He stopped just short of the entrance, finally turning back to look at his unexpected warehouse companion. His eyes widened.

The other boy was beautiful - he looked more like a girl than a boy, really. And that was in spite of his bedraggled state. His dark purple hair had at some point been pulled into a knot, but now fell messily around his head, the remains of the knot falling against his right shoulder. His face was streaked with tears and dust, but his eyes remained a stunning dark blue. His clothes were covered in dirt and grime but clearly well made for all that. Kinni shook his head, "You're a mess, I guess you really have been hiding here since yesterday."

Koori hunched his shoulders, ducking his head in embarrassment. "I'm-"

"Ah, don't say you're sorry again. That's as bad as crying."

The smaller boy just stared back in silent confusion in a moment, before slowly moving to try and straighten his appearance. Lifting his pack, he rifled through it a moment before pulling out a piece of cloth that Kinni realized was a sash - an expensive one. Koori frowned as the cloth caught on something in the bag. Jerking hard, he freed the sash and sent something heavy tumbling to the ground.

Kinni knelt to pick up the dagger where it lay on the ground, gaping as he