<... and then I returned while Xian Pu continued the surveillance,> Mu Tse finished his report where he and the aged matriarch were seated in the Cat Café’s empty dining room, in their native tongue to cut down on the possibility of eavesdroppers, and Ku Lon nodded thoughtfully.
<So the princess is clear of all suspicion with the law,> she mused thoughtfully. <I am uncertain whether that is a good or bad thing — suspicion from the law could help send her to the village, but that could interfere with Lady Pluto’s plans, and that is always ... chancy.>
The duck-cursed boy stared in confusion at his elder. <I don’t understand. Isn’t the princess the daughter of Lady Pluto’s shield-friend as well as her liege? That’s what the legends say — what you said to to the princess.>
<And the legends are not wrong,> Ku Lon agreed. <However, Lady Pluto has taken on the task of rebuilding civilization from the ashes of the Fall, and she is willing to allow horrible fates to come to those she loves if that is what the future calls for. As well, there are times that near-term pain leads to long-term happiness, and Lady Pluto is better than most at seeing what the long term will bring. Best to not get in her way if possible while fulfilling our duty.>
Mu Tse looked thoughtful and opened his mouth to respond, only to be interrupted by the sound of someone hammering on the door and the voice of Tatewaki Kuno demanding to be let in, in his usual flowery speech. Ku Lon shooed Mu Tse toward the door. “Let him in, we may as well get this over with,” she said with a sigh.
Mu Tse unlocked and opened the door, and Kuno strode in, the usual bokken strapped across his back, ignoring the one he considered a servant to focus on the Amazon matriarch sitting at the table in the middle of the room. “Agéd crone,” he intoned in his most sonorous voice, unconsciously striking a pose that he would have considered of noble bearing if he had been aware of what he was doing, “where have you secreted my loves? Tell me, for they will have need of my presence to gladden their hearts and uplift their spirits in this, their time of need!”
Ku Lon shook here head ruefully. “I must say, your ability to say things like that with a straight face is very impressive,” she allowed. “But I expected you some time ago, you’ve been delayed.”
Kuno frowned with offended disgust. “I was held and questioned for some time by base-born peasants claiming the right to dictate my actions. I was strongly tempted to punish them as they deserved, but in the end decided to be magnanimous. But be warned, my magnanimity is at an end!”
Ku Lon shook her head again in reluctant admiration and motioned at the seat across from her. “Sit, there are things you need to know.”
Kuno stared at her for a few moments, then nodded and sat, not noticing Mu Tse moving to stand directly behind him. “Very well, a few minutes will make no difference. But be warned, as much as it would grieve me to strike one of your ancient years, punishment will be swift if you seek to prevent me in my quest!”
Mu Tse twitched, but Ku Lon just chuckled, then straightened and put on a sober expression. “Tell me, noble warrior, your family is of the most ancient blood, is it not?”
Kuno nodded proudly. “Indeed it is — there are families that may better us in wealth and power, but few that can do so in tales of valor and none in lineage. The Kuno line stretches back to the first arrival of our people to these sacred isles and beyond!”
The white-haired elder nodded in approval. “And that means that your family knows of the ancient stories, passed from parents to children, of the history of your people long forgotten by the masses of humanity except in part in the most ancient legends?”
Now, Kuno was glaring at Ku Lon in ill-concealed suspicion. “Yes-s-s-s,” he drew out slowly, “but such stories are not to be shared with the peasants that make up most of our society — not even with one of your years and skills.”
Ku Lon nonchalantly waved off the statement, reflecting on moments repeating themselves. “There is no need to share them with me, for I already know them. Tell me, young warrior, does the name of Princess Usagi mean anything to you? What of Princess Yasuko and Queen Shizukeza?”
Kuno froze, then lunged to his feet and reached for his bokken, only to find his arm pinned behind his back and the razor-sharp tip of one of Mu Tse’s many daggers resting against his neck. Careful not to move, he glared down at Ku Lon. “Witch!” he spat out in impotent fury. “How have you learned those most sacred of names!?”
“Sit, child!” Ku Lon demanded, nodding at Mu Tse, who reluctantly released Kuno and stepped back (though keeping the dagger at the ready). A fuming Kuno retook his seat under Ku Lon’s stern gaze, and she nodded. “Better. As for how I know those names, your ancestors weren’t the only bodyguard regiment to fail in its duty four thousand years ago.”
With a gasp, the shocked kendoist asked, “You are the descendants of the Lost Ones?”
Ku Lon chuckled. “So, that is what you call us? Yes, we are — a few thousand of us left in the mountains of China.”
For a time, Kuno simply sat and stared at the tiny elder in awe, then rose and bowed deeply. “I did not know! Please, forgive any offense I may have given in my ignorance.”
“Sit, sit!” the now faintly embarrassed Ku Lon insisted, and the kendoist yet again took his seat, then frowned slightly at Ku Lon.
“While this is joyous news indeed,” he said, “why did you need to hinder my quest to tell me now?”
“Because,” Ku Lon replied with a sad smile, “I must tell you that your ‘quest’ is over — your loves are beyond you. When Happosai sought to violate the pigtailed girl, the one you have labeled ‘the foul sorcerer’ fought to prevent the assault. He failed, at the cost of his own life. But in his failure, he bought time for the pigtailed girl to awaken to her true destiny, and in her awakening kill her attacker.” Kuno drew in a shocked breath, and Ku Lon nodded. “Yes, she is Princess Yasuko, the one we have awaited these many centuries, and so as above you as you are above the common herd and beyond your reach. But her awakening has been traumatic, and she will be withdrawing from Nerima seeking peace — and her newest handmaiden, Akane, will most likely be leaving with her.”
For a time Kuno simply sat, tears streaming down his face. Finally, he rose and bowed to the ancient matriarch. “My thanks for your words, however painful the knowledge they bring might be. But, if my loves are beyond my reach, I shall at least offer my services as a guardian for these most precious of maidens on their travels.”
Ku Lon shook her head regretfully. “It shames me to have to refuse such loyalty, but at this time men are the last thing she wants around her, and she already has bodyguards.”
The tall kendoist frowned down at Ku Lon, crossing his arms across his chest. “To date, you have manifestly failed in that task. Why should I trust you with it now?”
Behind him, Mu Tse’s dagger twitched as his face twisted in anger at the accusation, but Ku Lon remained calm. “Because, child, circumstances have changed. Before, the princess was unaware of her destiny and so would have rejected the protection we would have liked to give her. Until her memories awoke, not even Lady Pluto could intervene. But now she is awake, and will not escape our eye again.”
Kuno stared down at the tiny woman, again awestruck. “Lady Pluto!” he finally gasped out. “She is involved in this!?”
“Yes,” Ku Lon replied, “and has been these past two years. But until the princess awoke, even her hands were tied. But now she is freed to take a more active role in Princess Yasuko’s life. I do not think you need to worry overmuch for the princess’s safety.”
Kuno raised his eyes and stared at the wall behind Ku Lon for a time, then nodded. “You reasoning cannot be denied,” he admitted in a defeated tone, turning toward the door to the café. At the door he paused, then without turning around asked, “You will be with my ... with the princess and her handmaiden?”
“Yes, we will,” Ku Lon said softly, and Kuno nodded, straightening.
“Then let them know, that if ever they have need of my wealth, my blade, my life, they have but to ask — all that I have or am is theirs.” Without waiting for a reply he strode through the door and was gone.
Mu Tse stared at the now empty doorway. “That was actually sad, in a weird, twisted sort of way,” he mused, and Ku Lon nodded agreement.
“Yes, it was,” she said, “but we have other concerns now, and it is time for you to be returning to your post — Part-Timer.”
Mu Tse shook his head ruefully. I’m never going to get rid of that nickname, am I?” he asked as he disappeared into the back to the sound of Ku Lon’s chuckles, and a few seconds later a duck flew across the room, out the door, and off toward the Tendo dojo.
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(Posted Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:21)
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