Chapter 2: Chapter One - The Destined Meeting (Part 1)
Chapter Song Suggestion - "Grundar by composer Alexander Nakarada"
A long time ago in the Kingdom of Xi lived a cowardly but lecherous Emperor who indulged in the pleasures of his harem, entertained by his collection of beautiful women across the kingdom and beyond. Overwhelmed by his frivolities, he neglected his duties to his people and the throne.
The Emperor had several wives.
The first and second wife bore him strong, healthy sons, while the third gave him a daughter. The fourth was barren but the fifth presented him with a pair of auspicious twins. However, the sixth wife was the one he doted on and that common knowledge stoked the ire of the other queens, who were merely pawns in a political game.
On the eve of the lunar year, the sixth queen laboriously gave birth to a young prince. His bawling echoed throughout the palace, heralding his tiny but significant presence – one that would change everyone's lives.
Months before, the palace prophet foretold that the next child born of the lunar eve will be a formidable ruler. He will be destined for greatness.
This prophecy made the other queens anxious and resentful because their children became inferior against the infant Prince's distinction. Nonetheless, the Emperor welcomed his son with open arms and though no one dared to mention, it was beyond doubt that he would ascend the throne.
Inevitably, the speculation created unrest within the Emperor's harem and militia. Years passed and the young prince grew up into a fine, handsome man skilled in the arts of war ─ sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, strategic planning and winning the hearts of women.
Unfortunately, for all his accomplishments, the Prince was rumored to have a heart as cold as ice.
Every woman wanted to fall into bed with him, some believing they could succeed in making him love them, but they all failed miserably.
The Kingdom soon descended into a dark period when the sixth queen fell ill and passed away. The Emperor became inconsolable, falling into severe depression. Nothing could bring back the light in his eyes. Not even his Golden Son.
The nation deteriorated into calamity whereby the poor became poorer, living conditions plummeted and underground crimes escalated. With the Emperor in a questionable state of mind, there was no one to govern and rectify the problems.
Before long, the palace advisors and councilmen began to fret about their country's dilapidation. They protested against the Emperor's sovereign.
The Kingdom was split into two factions, mainly of those against the Emperor and those who placed their hopes upon his successor. After the Emperor's abrupt death, the Kingdom was divided into four states – Beihai, Shiryuu, Donggu and Nanyang.
Each state was ruled by a Prince. However, only the Emperor of Xi would dictate them all.
As foreseen, the young prince was crowned the new Emperor of Xi and later earned the titles of Dictator in his reign and The Crimson King from his battles. Unlike his sire, the Crimson King ruled with an iron fist, showing no mercy to neither his enemies nor traitors alike. Just a whisper of his name made one break out in cold sweat.
There were some who believed he was the devil cloaked in armor, a terrifying nightmare to scare the children while others viewed him as their savior.
The new Emperor's reign improved the kingdom's quality of life, his power and intimidating authority lent him the strength to subdue tyrants and of course, instill fear within his neighboring adversaries.
But it was still far from the ideal country he wanted to build. The existing discords between the provincial districts ruled by his half-brothers were too extensive to narrow overnight. After all, a broken bridge could only be mended over time.
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In his palace, the young Emperor pored over the Kingdom's monthly reports, wearing a perpetual frown. There was so much unrest — the complaints and requests piling up until he had a splitting headache deciding which problem to tackle first.
He heard before he saw his royal advisor entering the room, the uneven gait of the man's footsteps resounding against the hard concrete.
Without glancing up, he asked impatiently. "What is it, Jin?"
"Pardon me Your Majesty, but the council of Shiryuu requests our aid to suppress the Ashina rebellion. We have confirmed their leader Kusunagi has been recruiting warriors from the Western district to overthrow Lord Daifuku. How do you wish to proceed?"
"Send Commander Rei to suppress the rebellion and deliver Kusunagi's head to me. Kill anyone who resists and make an example of those who do. Send a missive to King Kairyuu while you're at it. It's high time he took responsibility for his people."
Jin hesitated, lowering his head regretfully. "Unfortunately, Commander Rei is in the South. He won't return for a fortnight." More hesitation. "There are rumors suggesting King Kairyuu has gone missing."
The Emperor paused, finally lifting his head. He watched his advisor with aloof focus. "What do you mean he's missing? And who else is available for dispatch?"
Jin shook his head in disappointment. "Both General Nakoda and General Attaw are handling business in Heiryuu province while our best lieutenants are training in the outskirts. Only the Captains are available for immediate dispatch." He appeared to have difficulty explaining the next one. "As for King Kairyuu's disappearance, I've heard His Majesty hasn't resided in the palace for months. The presiding council is using a proxy in His Majesty's place."
Jin expected the Emperor to be nettled by the news but the man calmly set down his pen, rolled up his remaining documents and arranged them neatly into scrolls.
"Since the situation is unfavorable, I have no choice but to handle it myself. There is no better time to visit Xin Palace."
Jin's eyes widened in alarm and he stammered anxiously. "B-but Your Majesty! You shouldn't have to concern yourself with the rebellion. It's a trivial matter. I'll send Captain Shamon to deal with Kusunagi at once."
The Emperor crossed his study, disappearing behind the folding screen to change into battle uniform. His silhouette was stark against the paper panels as he disrobed. "It's always the smallest flames that make a wildfire, Jin. We should never underestimate our enemy no matter how insignificant they appear. Often times, the unsuspecting victim is the mastermind. Besides, I wouldn't mind a bit of fresh air."
Jin absorbed the weight of his Emperor's wisdom.
It never ceased to amaze him how wise and perceptive the Emperor was. Even though Jin was a decade older, he never regarded His Majesty as a naïve adolescent. In fact, he admired the younger Emperor whose brilliance surpassed his own – wooing Jin with his intelligence and confident nature.
"Prepare the horses and gather a few soldiers." The Emperor's voice broke through his woolgathering. "I will depart for Shiryuu in an hour's time."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jin complied and went to carry out the order.
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Somewhere in Shiryuu
"Lupa, wait up!" she hollered, clambering over the shallow rocks. It was a challenge to run across sinking sand and even trickier when it's on uneven terrain. Her skirts caught onto one of the jagged edges, a sharp rip rendering a tear at the hem. She cursed under her breath as she dislodged the material. "Damned skirts!"
"Hurry up, Inka! You're going to miss the ceremony if you don't catch up!" Her brother's excitement drifted in the billowing wind.
A smile ghosted along her lips at his eagerness. Tonight, the Ashina women were celebrating the 'kalvgv galohisdi'- coming of age rite. It was a tradition to initiate all females of age into womanhood and if they were lucky, they would witness a mating ceremony.
Her favorite part was the 'unaligohi alasgida' mating dance – to witness a couple's chemistry. Outsiders may find this intrusive on an intimate level but, the Ashina deemed it as honorable. Inka assumed it was meant to ward off unwanted clansmen sniffing around another's 'property'.
Spotting her brother, she grabbed onto his outstretched hand. Together they skulked in the shadows and climbed to sit on a wall facing the bonfire.
"Look, it's starting!" Lupa whispered enthusiastically, his chubby hand clutched safely within hers.
Grinning down, she mussed his hair. "You're more excited than I am,"
Lupa flashed a toothy grin, his unkempt bangs falling into his eyes. "It's the ceremony you've always talked about." His expression faltered. "I wish I could see you in your ceremonial dress."
A wave of sadness washed over her, but she pushed it aside. "Me too. But it is impolite to celebrate when a family member dies. This ceremony is better left for our tribe members. Let them be happy."
"Don't we deserve to be happy too, igido?" Her brother gazed at her with soulful eyes. For a young boy his age, she lamented that he had seen more death than he should, wishing he'd engaged in buffoonery like normal children.
"You're too young to understand, iginvtli, but someday you will," she popped his nose playfully. "Now pay attention. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself when your time comes to choose a bride."
The young boy smacked his chest proudly. "I am the son of the Great Ashitaka! I know no embarrassment and when I grow up, I will choose a bride our family can be proud of ─" He broke off, confusion creeping in. "Inka, why do I have to choose a bride?"
She burst into a peal of laughter, unintentionally attracting attention. "Like I said, you will understand one day."
He pouted crossly, folding his arms. "Why won't you tell me now?"
"It's not something I can explain. When your instincts become that of a man, then you will know."
"I still don't get it," he sulked.
She hushed him when the warriors warmed up their hide drums. "Quiet now, the ceremony is starting."
It began with a soft tempo, escalating into a rhythmic pounding, accompanied by the rise and fall of chanting voices. The participants fell into a circle, their young faces shining with anticipation. The twin shadows in the dark beheld the mating dance, watching the women twirl to the cadence of their own heart, hoping to catch the eye of a fine bachelor.
Inka devoured the scene with bated breath when a man finally stepped forward to claim his bride. He sidled up to one of the taller dancers Inka recognized as Pooja, her cousin's best friend. Pooja was a year younger and also their village's prized beauty. From the sidelines, several older women giggled at the beguiling sight of the handsome couple.
Inka shook her head at their cheekiness, watching the duo danced flawlessly, as if they were made for each other.
"They look happy." Lupa sighed wistfully. "Will we be happy like them one day?"
His innocent question weighed heavily upon her. "I don't know, Lupa," she answered truthfully. "Waya is unprejudiced to his creations so perhaps one day we will know the same happiness,"
"I hope so! But why is the mating dance so important, igido?"
"According to legend, our ancestor the Great Aenoh found the love of his life while travelling as a performer. Unfortunately, the woman he loves belongs to another ─ a daimyo. She was a captive slave, bred to entertain her master and that was what they had in common ─ the spirit of dancing. In order to profess his love, Aenoh performed a dance that captivated his audience and he succeeded in making the woman fall in love with him. Alas, they cannot be together only to share their feelings across the room with Aenoh's mating dance and her answering performance. It is believed that should a couple be able to complete each other's dance, then they are truly destined to be together."
Lupa wriggled his nose in disgust. "That's stupid. What's so special about this dance and why should people care if they are destined to be together or not? We should do as we wish."
"When you grow up and meet the right woman you might understand Aenoh's actions. In life, you must learn not to take but to give as well, and to be careful of hurting people without intending to. You are earnest in action but always be wise and think before you act or speak."
"Maybe you're right, igido. I hope I will grow up quickly so I can understand better."
Tossing her head back, she laughed gaily, pulling her brother in for a crushing hug. "Oh Lupa! How I wish you would stay just the way you are!"
"I can't breathe!" he protested, pushing against her arms. "Besides, I want to be strong to protect you and etsi."
"Etsi is a strong woman who can protect herself just fine," said a voice from behind.
Both siblings jumped in fright, almost tumbling off the wall.
"Etsi!" Lupa exclaimed, jumping straight into their mother's arms.
The Chieftess cackled happily. "I just finished a meeting with the elders and here I find the both of you sneaking around in the dark."
"We wanted to watch the rite," Inka confessed, hopping down to dust her skirts. Her mother didn't miss the telltale caution of her daughter's gesture.
As a child, Inka was trained like a boy because the Chieftain had always wanted his firstborn to be a son. Her husband's obstinacy to acknowledge Inka's gender resulted in her mother having a hard time molding her into an acceptable female who still had her feminine charms. Thus, Inka was forced to wear womanish skirts and dresses every unofficial day she wasn't off scavenging or hunting.
Her mother's smile faded at the subtle reminder that her only daughter wasn't out there celebrating her rite. In the clan, any form of celebration was strictly forbidden to those in mourning.
She set her son on the ground and gently squeezed her daughter's shoulders. "I am sorry you couldn't have your own rite, uwetsiageyv."
Inka shook her head briskly, her eyes tormented. "No, nothing is more important than losing one's father and Chieftain."
The three of them fell silent at the reminder that the man they loved was gone, assassinated by an unknown enemy. Their woes were drowned out by the raucous shouting of a fruit peddler, stumbling his way into the camp. The activities came to a sudden halt, a quiet hush descending over the village.
"The Crimson King is coming!" He cried breathlessly. "He's coming here to kill us all!"
The villagers gasped in dismay, their loud clamor dismissing the silence.
The Chieftess stood unwavering, her appearance composed. "Calm down, mister. What do you mean the Crimson King is coming here?"
"There is a traitor amongst us! Someone told the Emperor's informant about Kusunagi's rebellious plot against Lord Daifuku!" He blurted in a flurry of panic.
The Chieftess's gaze sharpened at his words, her mounting fury palpable like the desert wind. "What did you just say?"
The fruit peddler swallowed hard, sweat dripping down his pallid face. He dropped to his knees and started begging. "Please! I didn't have anything to do with this! I am innocent!"
"Where is Kusunagi?" the Chieftess demanded in outrage, her eyes combing the assembled crowd.
"He's not here, Chieftess!" someone shouted.
"Kusunagi has been missing for nights!"
The Chieftess swore under her breath. Quickly, she spun towards her children. "Inka you're in charge of gathering all the woman and children to safety. Take your brother with you. I will lead the men and we will stand against the Emperor."
Inka hesitated, her face etched with worry. "But etsi, the Emperor is rumored to have no mercy for traitors. What if he won't listen to reason?" An underlying quiver in her tone betrayed her fear.
Softening her expression, the Chieftess cupped her daughter's cheek. "You are the heir of the Great Ashitaka. And you're my daughter. Go without fear, as I do every day and as your father had done."
Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she blinked them away. The Ashina tribe were a fierce race of unbreakable warriors who braved danger in the face. It was their way of life, and also their pride. Nodding her head, she hugged her mother before snatching Lupa's hand. Together they fled the scene.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
nessawrites
nessawrites Thank you for picking up this new novel of mine! Here's a mini glossary of the tribal words from the story :
Igido | Iginvtli = Sister | Brother
Waya = God
Etsi = Mother
Uwetsiageyv = Daughter
Daimyo = General (Japanese)
Song suggestion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W73RFySDuDM
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