Ch. 5: The Shogun's Matters

Aspect yawned and stretched, sleepily blinking in the dawn light. Then memories of the past night flooded him.

Snowshoe!

He looked around and relaxed when he remembered that he had returned to his room after his time out in the woods. His spar with Snowshoe had given him the exhaustion he needed, but perhaps it was something more than that that had given him a reassurance of sorts.

Was it her presence that calmed me?

He wasn’t about to challenge that assumption, and he let a warm smile cross his face.

He rose, dressed himself, and headed out into the hall. Suddenly he ran into Todokii, the tanuki who had joined Kojo on his travels and had accompanied them to Jiang-lao. “Oh! Black Warrior!” He bowed hastily before the black fox, looking flustered. “I’ve been looking all over for you. The Shogun Isu wants you to meet him out in the palace gardens.”

Aspect dipped his head respectively. “Of course. Lead me there, will you?”

Todokii nodded and led him through the hall, eventually passing through a large passageway and ending up outside.

Aspect looked around as they walked. They were surrounded by blossoming fruit trees and fragrant hedges, lining the cobblestone path that ran up the hill. At the top was an ornamental fountain, with statues of tigers and dragons on either side. Sitting there was the Shogun, accompanied by the Blacklai official Kojo. They looked as if they were in deep conversation, but went silent when they saw the Black Warrior approaching.

Isu’s eyes gleamed, the rosy dawn silhouetting his figure against the gradually brightening sky. “Mighty Black Warrior! I’m gratified that you have come. I must speak with you.”

Aspect narrowed his eyes. “Any reason?” He dared to challenge him.

Kojo returned the warrior’s glare coldly. “One.”

Isu motioned for the tanuki to leave, and the three of them sat in the garden alone.

The tiger spoke first. “Firstly, I know you are commonly referred to as the Black Warrior among these parts, but surely you have a true name you call yourself. May I ask what it is?”

The black fox groaned inwardly. I was hoping I could keep that secret for now. Perhaps I can come up with an alibi instead, or it’ll come back to bite me later.

“I am Mien.” He replied after a moment.

What an absurd name. It seemed to be passable enough for the Shogun, however, and Aspect suppressed a sigh as he nodded warmly. “Fine name. I shall address you as such from now on, if you wish.”

Aspect, or “Mien”, as he called himself, twitched his ears. “Either one is sufficient. But I would take care to address me as the former ‘Black Warrior’ when I am in public. I had preferred to keep my name a closely guarded secret.” And I still plan to keep it that way. Only Snowshoe knew his real name, and that was good enough for him. She had given him a secret to keep; he hoped she would do the same for him.

Isu laughed. “As you wish. But now for my second question.” He leaned in, so that his breath stirred Aspect’s whiskers. “Forgive me if this is yours to keep, but I am bound by my own duties to protect my people. I hold nothing against you, and I hope you don’t hold anything against me. But what are your reasons for coming here?”

Aspect caught his breath, taken aback. Although Isu seemed apologetic about it, he couldn’t help but feel that he was being too nosy.

Finally Aspect replied. “...I was sent here by someone close to me to hold residence here until someone else came to join me. I’m not sure who it is yet, or whether or not they have already come.”

Isu narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “Who sent you, and where are you headed next?”

The fox was quiet for a moment. “My brother,” He said shortly. “And I’m headed to Dragonscale Ridge.”

Kojo smiled condescendingly, and he spoke before Isu could react. “I suppose you’ve heard of the legend there, then?”

Confused, Aspect shook his head. Was there something Fire kept from me?

“There’s an old wive’s tale that treasure lies in the temple of Dragonscale,” Isu replied, indignant that Kojo had spoken for him. “The stories say that Shoguns from every province had sent their most determined warriors to retrieve it, but none did. Even the Supreme Emperor himself had once tried it for himself, but he quit due to his own matters at hand. Many people used to take it seriously, but now it’s nothing more than a fairy tale for children.” He tried his best to hide a smile as he explained.

Aspect’s face felt hot. “I had no idea there was such a thing,” He cut in. “All I was told was that someone there was waiting to meet me once I found an appropriate accomplice to join me.”

Isu and Kojo exchanged a glance, before turning back to the black fox. Feeling indignant, Aspect turned to Kojo with a glare. “If you two have questioned me, do I have the liberty to question him?”

Kojo looked taken aback as Isu nodded after a moment, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. “You are quite the sly one, Mien,” He purred. “I would give anything to have you within my ranks.”

Even your future wife? Aspect thought for a fleeting moment before his face flushed red. Idiot! He berated himself. You’ve hardly known her for a day. Keep your tail in your pants for now.

He ignored Isu’s complement and instead fixed him with a stare. “May I?” He inquired once more.

Isu nodded, and Kojo faced the fox with a glare, furious that Aspect wanted to invade his privacy.

“What are your reasons for coming here?” Aspect challenged him. “And what is Snowshoe’s?”

Kojo sighed grumpily. “...I was sent here to keep the Lady Snowshoe company while she courted the Shogun Isu,” He replied, flicking his tail to the tiger. “She has been here for roughly three moons, and will be here until either she marries him or angers him, in which case she will return to her home in Blacklai.”

“Is she here of her own accord?” Aspect dared to ask.

Kojo was quiet, stealing an apologetic glance at Isu before slowly answering him. “...Not entirely. She’s here because her father, Shogun Thawe, wants an alliance with the Shogun Isu. He thinks that with them on either side of the Shigata province, they can pressure the Shogun there to join forces with them.”

“But she loves me, doesn’t she?” Isu asked worriedly, not concerned in the slightest about Thawe’s scheming. “I love her dearly, but I can’t help but feel that she isn’t too fond of me. Have I wronged her?”

Aspect felt a jolt. So even Isu knew that something wasn’t right between them. He applauded him for his awareness, but at the same time struggled to push back his own jealousy. “...Perhaps you have coddled her too much, Isu,” He dared to say as Isu turned to him. “She is a very independent woman. She can take care of herself, and doesn’t need all the extra love you give her. Just because she is a princess doesn’t mean she wants extra treatment.” Before Isu could reply, he added swiftly, “With time, she will grow to show as much love to you as you do for her. A flower needs time to grow and mature on its own, not to be watered constantly. Too much water will kill it.”

Isu looked thoughtful, yet a little hurt. “...It’s hard to not show it when she is so deserving,” He murmured. “All right, I’ll try what you have suggested, Mien. I do hope your observance is correct.” Then his eyes filled with a dreamy look, and he sighed.

It took all he had for Aspect to withhold his own longing. Lucky, lucky him.

Then he consoled himself with the fact that, now that Isu was going to leave Snowshoe to her own devices, he could visit her more often.

“Is there anything else you wanted me for, Isu?”

“Mighty Isu,” Kojo hissed at him. “You’re supposed to call him either Shogun Isu or Mighty Isu. Not just plain Isu. It’s disrespectful.”

“Peace, Kojo,” Isu put his huge paw in front of him, as if he expected the Blacklai Fox to spring at the Black Warrior in attack. “I don’t mind, Mien. Call me whatever you like. But I do have one more thing for you.”

“What is it?” Aspect braced himself for more ‘life advice’ or another round of interrogation.

Isu’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “I want to challenge you to a duel.”