Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Nemesis ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 2:

 

A young man walked silently through the silent hallways of the royal palace of Konon.He was tall and nobly proportioned, not yet twenty springs old. His tall lean form was swathed in strong armour with the insignia of the royal house of Konon drawn upon his breastplate. His gait was measured as he walked slowly down the hall, his sharp eyes regarding the security arrangements of the inner wing of the palace. The few soldiers that stood at attention in the shadowy recesses of the hallway bowed when the man passed them. The man merely inclined his head to indicate that he recognized their salute. He paused a while raking a mailed hand through his tousled lackluster brown hair. The dull moon shone on the palace garden and a soft wind blew bringing with it the heavy scent of exotic flowers. The wind played with the stray locks that fell on his handsome face. His sharp gray eyes closed tiredly and only for a spilt second Menesku, the young general of Konon let himself be lulled by the peaceful surroundings. Menesku's sharp handsome face was drawn with determined lines...but it was also marked with another thing. Fatigue. There were dark circles under his eyes and his face appeared paler than usual and when he opened his eyes the look in them was deep and thoughtful, full of a maturity and sadness that belied his obviously young age. Perhaps it was because of the burden on his young shoulders...

 

 

Menesku sighed, brought back into reality rather rudely by the single thought that seemed to occupy most of his thoughts these days .The Black Warrior- the thorn in his side, the beetle in his soup, the mysterious and enigmatic general of Kutou.

 

It was unreal, this constant rivalry between Konon and Kutou. Menesku had heard of a great war that took place between these two countries when the Suzaku no Miko had come, a war that shook the very foundations of their world and left both countries gasping on a pile of blood and bones. Menesku had heard that the Suzaku seishi had succeeded in foiling the attempt of the then general of Kutou and the most powerful of the Seiyruu seishi to gain absolute power, but it had come at a very heavy price. Many lives were lost that day, including the life of the then emperor of Konon, Lord Hotohori.

 

They had still to rebuild on the ruins left by the last war… and now they were neck deep in another war that threatened to destroy the little they had achieved in these years.

 

'Well not if I can help it!' Menesku thought.

 

He smirked .It was almost as if history was repeating itself. Except this time Konon was way stronger than last time. He had made sure of that! And truth to be told he could have brought Kutou to its knees if only.... if only that accursed Black Warrior didn't exist.

 

 

Menesku tried to squeeze his eyes shut, if only to block out the image that seemed to have imprinted itself on his inner eye. There he sat arrogantly on his milk white battle stallion.... his eyes smiling malevolently through the slits in the dragon mask.... his dark black cloak swirled around him like a live beast...the low mocking laughter.

 

"Have you missed me Menesku?”

 

"Damn him!" Menesku swore, swinging a mailed fist into the wooden paneled walls leaving an indent on the assaulted spot

 

"Damn him to hell !" His voice was a low growl.

 

'Well at least he isn't a seishi.'Menesku frowned 'but then Kutou does not have any seishi, not at least since the last war...Why is that?'

 

Menesku did not believe the story about the people of Kutou being wicked and therefore Seiryuu turned from them at all. But he had heard something about the last Suzaku no Miko entrapping Seiyruu in a mystical scroll, but that would have to wait for later...He jerked up from his reverie and headed towards his destination.

 

He paused outside the elegantly carved doors only to relinquish his katana and plumed helmet to the attendant that waited there. Though he had the permission to come in the royal presence at any time he was not allowed to take weapons into the royal presence. His sense of propriety would not allow it.

 

He knocked briefly before sliding the door open.

 

"My lord " He bowed a little.

 

" Menesku!" the young prince of Konon looked up from his journal, his whole aspect lit up on seeing his best friend and trusted general "Come take a seat!"

 

 

Menesku walked forward and sat down cross legged on one of the cushions that were

provided for this purpose .The room was sparsely but tastefully decorated. A few rich embroidered tapestries hung from the walls. An ornately carved wood partition separated the room into two parts; the outer part reserved for receiving guests and the inner part was the prince's bedchamber. A portion of the elegant bed with its silken bedsteads could be visible through the gap in the partition. The curtained windows failed to keep out the heavy scent of the jasmine flowers that wafted in from the surrounding gardens. The soft candlelight danced on the walls as the prince and his general watched each other in companiable silence.

 

The prince of Konon, the eighteen spring old Emperor of Konon, was named after his illustrious great-grandfather Lord Hotohori .He seemed to have inherited all the handsome genes from the man he was named after; Hotohori the second had a tall lean build with a handsome face. He had long dusky tresses, which he liked to tie in a loose high ponytail atop his head. His flashing hawk like black eyes nearly always held mischivieous look. That and the disarming smile he often gave floored half the ladies in Konon and maybe some in other countries as well...And the knowledge of this made him excessively vain .Now he spoke in a firm honeyed drawl.

 

" Menesku you look like..."he checked himself before he said 'shit'.

 

The prince of Konon does not use such vulgar terms.

 

"Like last nights leftovers.." he concluded.

 

"Well I feel like last nights leftovers" Menesku chuckled.

 

"Then I guess that things at the border are not well."Hotohori asked seriously.

 

"Not as well as I hoped it would be my Prince" Menesku said tiredly "It is frustrating really. At one time it appeared that the army of Kutou was in disarray. We had even succeeded in inching our way into Kutou…and then he comes and our armies are fleeing like cackling geese in front of him. “ Try as he might he could not keep the bitterness and venom out of his voice "If only we were not so short on manpower I would have personally executed the cowards who turned their back in battle. Right now all I can do is make them clean the privy."

 

Hotohori wrinkled his nose in disgust "Now Menesku that is a punishment worst than death."

 

Menesku snorted dismissively.

 

"So, tell me about him...This mysterious general of Kutou "Hotohori asked, "The other day Lord Shurien was telling me that the Black Warrior is really not a man, but a dragon "

 

Menesku snorted loudly. 'Shurien is the biggest baka alive.'

 

He smiled "Lord Shurien exggarates. The Black Warrior is nothing but a man in a fancy armour."

 

"Fancy armour, eh?!" Hotohori raised a magnificent eyebrow "How fancy exactly?"His tone was mildly interested.

 

"Its black."Menesku was not very good at describing a persons clothing.

 

"That 's all?" Hotohori sounded mildly dissapointed"So how does he look like?"

 

"I cannot say .He keeps his face covered with a dragon shaped mask. Always." Menesku tried not to sound too disgruntled” Apparently even the top captains of the Kutou army do not know what he looks like. He never opens the mask."

"Must be really ugly then." Hotohori mused absently preening himself.

 

"I couldn't say my Lord .I have never seen his face!"

 

"How true " Hotohori mused "So he doesn't show his face in public. What are our spies doing? Aren't they supposed to unearth stuff like this?"

 

"True my Prince. But a spy cannot discover that which hardly anybody knows. I mean the few people who know his real identity cannot be bought."

 

"Indeed!" Hotohori was surprised.

 

"What I mean is that perhaps only Princess Keeah knows what he looks like.... well except for Suraco..."Menesku raked a hand through his hair "Other than that nobody knows nothing..."

 

"Suraco?" Hotohori mused” The illusion master?"

 

Menesku nodded "Yes him."He gritted his teeth "the devious bastard."

 

Hotohori raised an eyebrow, as was his wont when he was particularly amused.

 

Menesku, however, was mortified for the slip of tongue

 

"I apologize your majesty..."

 

Hotohori silenced him with a wave of his hand " Forget it Menesku!"He paused; his handsome face turned grim "Still how can they obey somebody whose face they have never seen!"

 

"The black warrior answers only to Princess Keeah .The other captains probably started obeying their new shogun out of the loyalty they held for the Princess...."Menesku paused

 

" Now however..."he continued, "I guess he has their respect. After all, he is a brilliant tactician, a devious one, but brilliant nonetheless. "There was reluctant admiration in Menesku's voice "I think that they think he is superhuman as well."

 

"And ...What do you think Menesku?"Hotohori asked.

 

Menesku pondered on his answer for sometime " The reason the Black Warrior shrouds himself in mystery is for the sole purpose of intimidation. He wants our army to believe that he is something beyond human standards. That he is not human. And many of our soldiers shake in their shoes at the mere mention of him..."

 

"I am pretty sure that there are many in the army of Kutou that shake at the mention of your name." Hotohori smiled.

 

"I am sure there are."Menesku said dryly” But they know that I am human. If I am hurt I bleed. If somebody puts a sword through my gut I will surely die. They are afraid of my skill as a warrior...But they also know that I am mortal!"

 

Hotohori raised an eyebrow " Are you trying to say that my soldiers hold the belief that the black warrior is immortal?!"

 

"Sadly they believe him to be more than human, no matter how many times I succeed in hitting him, no matter how many times I point out that the colour of his blood is as red as any of ours…Everything just flies out of their heads when the next hailstorm hits us."

 

"Hailstorms?"

 

"The Black warrior is in my opinion a sorcerer who specializes in elementary magic."Menesku said " A damn powerful one at that! But of course I have noticed that he becomes a little fatigued after a particular powerful move. It is then that I can hit him…"Menesku smirked at the fond memory, then his face fell "Of course I only succeeded in injuring him so far…I am sorry for this and I take full responsibility for this…Failure...”, there was a distasteful flavor in Menesku's mouth.

 

There was a long silence .

 

At the end Hotohori spoke " Have you dined yet Menesku ? "

 

"Not yet my Lord."Menesku said "I have only just returned from the border ..I had some important news that required your immediate attention !"

 

"Hmm.."Hotohori frowned "Join me for dinner then .you can tell me all abbot this important news while we await the servants to set up the table ."

 

"I would be honored my Lord " Menesku said gracefully.

 

Hotohori however spoiled the entire effect by snorting rather loudly "There is no need for such ridiculous propriety Menesku. I am tired of dining alone. Believe me it is too damn boring."

 

Menesku couldn't resist the urge to tease his sovereign and friend "But my Lord you could easily invite one of your advisors to dinner. I am sure they would be more than honored." He said calmly.

 

Hotohori gave a small groan " I would rather prefer the loneliness." A small mischievous twinkle appeared in his eye," And besides I do not think that they are beautiful enough to sit at the same table with me!"

 

Color rushed to Menesku's pale cheeks "Beautiful” He repeated in horrified accents.

 

"Oh sorry Menesku " Hotohori desperately tried to keep a straight face " I believe the word is handsome ".

 

Menesku glared at Hotohori but refrained from answering back. It was not proper for a shogun to argue with his king

 

Hotohori's lips twitched with suppressed laughter. He clapped his hands . An attendant came in and bowed deeply to him.

 

"You called sire."

 

"Yes " Hotohori smiled at the attendant "I wish to dine now. Set up the table . General Menesku will be joining me tonight. "

 

The attendant bowed and exited from the room.

 

Hotohori turned at his friend " So, tell me , what is this news ?"

 

Menesku's face became grim "Remember I told you that very few people know of the Black Warriors true face. We had apprehended a man, a spy, who, I had reason to believe knew what the black warrior really looked like!"

 

"Had apprehended?!"Hotohori asked calmly "Did he escape ?"

 

" His name was Tankana. He was a solider in our army ."

 

" A traitor !" Hotohori raised an eyebrow.

 

"I tried everything. I tried to persuade him, bribe him, I even tortured him…" Menesku's mouth twisted in distaste

 

"Still he would not break !"

 

"Go on " Hotohori said gently.

 

" Then the black warrior attacked us . Naturally , I rode out to meet him. Only this time his attack was a distraction to get me away from the camp ."Menesku's lips were pursed into a single thin line , his eyes glittered with suppressed anger," When I returned, I found the prisoner gone !"

 

"And the soldiers that were left behind to guard the camp. What of them? " Hotohori asked .

 

"You do not understand My Lord"Menesku massaged his forehead "That I had exposed a spy was a closely guarded secret. I did not want this news to get out because I feared that there was more than one mole in our system. I therefore kept this secret only amongst a select few. Still, the Black Warrior got news of this…How ? And why undergo the immense risk of freeing a spy ? It is much more sensible to simply eliminate a man who knows so much. A spy who has been exposed as a traitor is nothing but a liability ."He paused " And now the morale of our army has reached an all time low. I wanted to let you know of this before you heard it from another. I should have immediately transported such an important prisoner to the capital. I should have had better preparations to guard this man. As shogun, I accept full responsibility for this catastrophe and will accept any punishment that you give me ."

 

There was a very long silence .

 

At last Hotohori spoke "This ...is ...unfortunate ..."

 

He glanced a while at Menesku's crestfallen face" So how long was this man in your custody ? "

 

" Three days "

 

Hotohori flinched knowing of Menesku's ruthlessness when it came to interrogation

 

"Still he did not break !" He found it hard to believe .

 

Menesku gave a disgruntled sigh” Yes"

 

"Did he expect to be rescued then ?"

 

"Perhaps".

 

Hotohori ran a hand through his elegant tresses " I am becoming exceedingly interested to see this Black Warrior . I would like to see what is the cause that he inspires such loyalty ...and such fear in men. Tomorrow you rest . The day after tomorrow you and I journey to the front !"

 

" Excuse me... But are you …" Menesku gulped " Would it be safe for you to leave the capital unguarded ?!"

 

 

"I am hardly leaving it unguarded .One third of Konons finest warriors guard the capital." Hotohori said calmly "You should know .After all it is you who made the necessary arrangements."

 

"That is true." Menesku agreed " Still..."

 

"I will not be dissuaded "Hotohori said firmly "I am tired of sitting here .The decisions are mostly made by my advisors. I just sign the required papers ... And I swear that if I have to listen to one more lecture about me getting married from them I will whip out the sword of Suzaku and lop their heads off ."

 

"I did not know that you had such violent tendencies my Lord . " Menesku chuckled .

 

"I did not know that either ." Hotohori smiled sheepishly, then his face became serious " Only think Menesku ,you said that our soldiers needed their morale to be boosted . I am emperor. I am a Suzaku seishi. I carry the legendary sword of Suzaku. If I take my place at the front of the army I am sure we can put a new heart into them."

 

"But my Lord if you go to the front most attacks will be directed at you . "Menesku argued " You are the spine of Konon . If you fall then Konon will crumble ."

 

Hotohori raised a grim face at Menesku "Do you believe that I am one of the best swordsman in the lands ..Menesku?"

 

"I do ,because you are " Menesku said simply .

 

"Well I don't " Hotohori said grimly " I have been never tried in real combat! All I have fought is a couple of duels with some sword masters too afraid to hurt me!"He raised himself "A warrior is forged in the heat of battle ...not in the inner palace. But cease now ,I do not wish to argue with you any more . I am leaving for the front the day after tomorrow. Right now I am hungry. I am sure that you are hungry as well. Let us therefore proceed to the summer room for the dinner."

 

Menesku saw that it was useless to argue any more and rose to follow Hotohori out the room.

 

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Translation of some of the words used :

 

Seishi : sacred warrior

Suzaku no Miko : Priestess of Suzaku

Shogun : General

Baka :Fool

 

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