Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Change of Hands ❯ Mirror Images ( Chapter 3 )

Mirror Images

November 11, 1040

 

The Castle of Bellenrogue:

 

The owner stepped over more remains of his previous meal. He scowled, as the little blood that remained in the body oozed out and onto his formally pristine marble floor. He looked about at the endless stream of underlings slithering about the room, hunched in his presence.” Someone with any sense clean this mess!” he screamed in no one in particular knowing the sound of his raised ire would get the needed people moving. To his satisfaction, a group of maids closest to the mess scurried over to the assortment of mangled bodies, with incredible speed belied in the undernourished forms. Not bothering to spend more of his time or thought on a trivial matter, the owner stepped into the back chamber that the hallway emptied into. A group of men stood around a round table. The conversations they were having ceased when the owner entered the room. “ Do not stop on my accord.” The owners voice rang with an air of boredom. The fact of the matter was he suffered form the emotional state on an almost constant basis.

 

“ Lord Accubu, so glad you could join us.” One of the ten men facing the lord of the castle spoke.

 

“ Forgive me gentlemen, I had the most annoying businesses to attend to at the moment of your arrival. I was not expecting you for a week out yet, so your rooms are not adequately prepared” Lord Accubu finished his sentence and stepped in front of the last chair the facing the massive oval table.

 

“ If you have no further misgivings about our being here so soon.” the eldest and original speaker spared a glance out to the preceding hall. Lord Accubu blanched slightly before calming and taking a seat at the table and motioning the rest of the group to do so. “Lord Accubu, as the southern most lord in the Shinobi country, you have the best ear for those humans in the Byzantine Empire. What are the spies and servants saying?” The Eldest member of the group finished speaking and the group members refocused their penetrating glances at the lord of the castle. Lord Accubu looked visibly flustered. He took a deep breath, and began his report.

 

“ Lord Ewashi, The humans to the south are used to paying me and the country tribute, however as of late they have become resentful of their stasis and are trying to rebel. I have had to put down two rebellions in the last six months with my own troops. It always amazes me, the resilience and certainty of the ninguki.” the lord spat the last word with a tone of distaste. Lord Ewashi looked noticeably surprised.

 

“ Perhaps you should take better care of your lands and people within them?” The Lord questioned Lord Accubu's leadership abilities, and not for the first time since the council of Southern Lords was commissioned. The owner of the castle took the admonishment unfazed, as the youngest on the council and one of the youngest lords in the kingdom, he was used to such fatherly disapproving tones by the older council members. That was not to mention his unusual tastes for human blood that demanded payment from the populace. The Lord's tone carried an underlying message against his tastes as well. The young lord couldn't careless.

 

“The human swine, the ninguki, are mine to do with as I see fit.” Lord Accubu thought with distain. “It is my land after all, do they not believe I am competent?” The Lord's thoughts continued without pause, “As an added bonus it keeps the populations low and in concordance with my rules. If a few had to die, better, die for a good cause then what is the harm.” the Lord finished his thoughts and composed them into a viable speech to pitch at the council for the fifth time this year. It was becoming an irritating and boring chore to have to explain his behaviors to his senior members again. Right now he'd rather be writing letters to his many admirers that wanted his never ending attention, even getting teeth pulled or god forbid shedding from his wings was better than this.

 

“ Lord Accubu, are you listening?” Lord Ewashi asked, more of a statement then anything else. Lord Accubu had begun to pay attention to the walls, the table, anything but the council member's words.

 

“ Yes.” the young council member stated blankly. “ You were discussing finances for the rest of the year, and about the rebellions in your kingdoms as well.” to the last part of the statement he raised an eyebrow wondering why the council would assume his disinterest in the subject matter.

 

“ Yes well… As I was saying” A large man with a self-absorbed tone started his report on the issues with rebellions in his kingdom.

 

“It's all the same, even in the northern states. The humans are becoming bold and restless. This has to do with the reports I 'm getting of spies from Spirit World. That's the only thing that's changed since the rebellions started. If only there was some way to prove it…” The young lord's thoughts trailed off as the currently speaking lord concluded his report on the activity in his lands. By now the sun was hanging low on the horizon, as if suspended on a wire. The group of Southern Lords looked across the table waiting in silence for some one to breech the subject they'd all been avoiding. Lord Ewashi sighed, and the table's focus shifted in his direction. The air in the room froze, saturated with anticipation, like the sun outside the room's window.

 

“ We all are aware that these rebellions, unrest, and ill-content have started very recently. In only the course of a few months, the entire Kingdom has experienced serious rebellions from the humans we govern.” The lord paused and looked across the room at all the members of the council seated before him. What he was about to speak, he hoped, weighed as heavily on his mind as on theirs. “ I have been receiving reports that Spirit World spies are among the populace of our kingdoms” Lord Ewashi paused and met the eyes of all the lords individually to discern their thoughts on the matter. “ Ordinarily, this would be of little consequence. There are spies from Spirit World in all the demon kingdoms at one point or another. However, the appearance of the spies coincides with the beginning of the rebellions. This is far to close a coincidence for my liking. I know we have all heard tales of Spirit World purposely creating discord among the humans and their demon rulers to dissolve states they no longer approve of existing. These rebellions have gotten to the point where they are threatening the stability of our country. The only place where I could comfortably direct the blame would be Spirit World, but with no evidence beyond the reports from our own spies, which reveling their presence as you all know would be a inter-worldly disaster, it is impossible to pin the rebellions origin on Spirit World. Does any one have any ideas how to positively prove Spirit World's involvement and fault, and how to do so with out implicating ourselves?” The lord looked around the table at his fellow rulers hoping to ascertain any thoughts on the subject at hand. Each face Lord Ewashi passed stared blankly back, unaccustomed to the request being made of them, one of serious thought. When the lord focused his penetrating gaze and the youngest member of the council, he drew a breath in shock.. The young lord returned his stare with a strength belying his age. “Was it possible that Lord Accubu had been watching me the whole time?” Lord Ewashi thought in surprise. “ I will have to give the boy more credit.” But just to teach the young lord some respect for his elders, the boy's inattention had not gone unnoticed, he would call his stares bluff. “ Do you have anything you would like to add Lord Accubu?” The young Lord smiled, an oddly disconcerting sight.

 

“ Yes lord Ewashi, I am glad you asked.” the young lord waited `till he had the entire rooms attention and then a little longer for effect. Lord Accubu held the council's undivided attention for long after dark, for as soon as the lord started talking the sun, seemingly now itinerant across the sky finished it's decent behind the northern mountains. “ Well, gentleman what do think about my plan.” Lord Accubu concluded. The lord's stared at each other in astonishment. If what the young lord had spoken of worked they would kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

 

“ Are you sure this will work?” Lord Ewashi asked, looking visibly aged.

 

“ Yes. I have done all the researching and planning involved. All I need is your armies to make it work. If all of you agree then I can make this happen. We could be rid of all of our enemies at once. Of course it would be necessary to engage the Northern Lords and their armies as well.” The lord paused and glanced around the room again. Lord Ewashi once again captured the room's interest.

 

“ If all has been said then we need to take a vote. All those for Lord Accubu plan please say Aye.” Half of the Lords spoke Aye. “ So I suppose the rest of you are opposed?” Lord Ewashi asked. A lord from the Northern most part of the council spoke up.

 

“ It's far too risky, if we lose-”

 

“ But if we win there is so much to be gained!” Lord Accubu interrupted. “ I have planned every detail of this attack. There is no way we can lose.” The young lord's eyes blazed with the intensity of his statement. The former lord spoke up again

 

“That is assuming we can trust your judgment. I have problems with enacting so bold a plan concocted by someone no older than my eldest son.”

 

“ Then perhaps that speaks of your failure to trust your own son.” Lord Accubu retorted.

 

“ Maybe so, but I don't think you've listened to a word spoken at this entire meeting.”

 

“ I agree!” Another lord spoke from the other end of the table.

 

“How would you know?! You've been too busy sleeping to pay much attention yourself! Lord Accubu spat back

 

“Gentlemen!” Lord Ewashi broke through the din of the ensuing arguments.” As the leader of the council need I remind you, I have the power to break all ties in the case of voting.” The group of quarrelling lords looked in his direction. Once he was sure he had the entire table's attention Lord Ewashi continued. “ I will vote to pass this resolution..” Lord Ewashi stated and Lord Accubu's eyes started to light up as thoughts of victory danced through his head. “ However I will only do so if Lord Accubu agrees to let me help him lead the attack.” Lord Ewashi glanced in the young lord's direction. The spotlight once more returned to the young lord. Lord Accubu looked slightly disappointed in having to share the glory of the attack with the elder lord, but nodded in agreement. “ Since Lord Accubu agrees with this stipulation, then I cast my vote in favor.” Lord Ewashi waited for the uproar of disagreement, but was surprised to hear none. “ If we are all in agreement on the matter then the council is adjourned.” Lord Ewashi stated and stood up. The council all stood in response and headed for the door. One by one they filed out into the hall. Lord Accubu started to exit last, when Lord Ewashi touched his shoulder. “ I know you were looking forward to proving your abilities to the council. The plan is brilliant, the other members of the council just do not believe in you yet. I only said I would aid in order to get everyone to agree. Without the full support of the council the Northern Lords will not even consider such a brazen move. They are even older than me you know.” Lord Ewashi finished his last sentence with a twinkle in his eye at his attempt at humor.

 

“ I know…” the young lord trailed off.

 

“ Do not worry about the others I will do all the coercing necessary to get them to present a solid front for the Northern Lords.” Lord Ewashi finished and resumed his progress towards the door. Right when he was about to pass through the frame of the door he stopped.

 

“ Accubu.” he said to get the slightly sulking Lord's attention. When Lord Accubu returned his gaze, he continued. “ I am very proud of you. Your father would be beaming if he had seen your performance for those pompous old fools.” Lord Accubu face alighted for a moment; it was the first compliment he had received from any of the council.

 

“ Thank you.” Lord Accubu said with some actual gratitude, before he added, “ Uncle Mordian.” The elder lord smiled in return before stepping into the hall to have one of the maids escort him to his room for the night. Lord Accubu stood in the room an instant longer soaking in the elation of victory for a few more seconds, before turning and leaving the room like the rest of the council. The young lord didn't head directly to his room though. Instead he walked into the courtyard garden in the center of the castle complex. He stepped outside and into the cool night air. “It's perpetually cold here. I'm beginning to miss my uncle's warmer climate.” Lord Accubu thought. Despite being farther south the mountains kept the air, cool all year. “But it was warmer here in the winter.” thought to cheer himself up. The reason he was waltzing through the cool night air materialized in the sky to the south. A messenger flew in from over the northern mountains, facing away from the prying eyes of the council member's rooms. The messenger landed a few feet from Lord Accubu and walked the rest of the way with a slight limp on his left side. “ What have you learned?” Lord Accubu asked the robed messenger.

 

“ The Shiniquian council has taken notice of the rebellions in the country.” the messenger began.

 

“And?” Lord Accubu stated in his bored and irritated manner that seemed to be a constant with him.

 

“ And they are starting talks of mobilization to aid us if necessary. Also they have sent an ambassador to Spirit World.” this last bit of information sparked Lord Accubu's interest. The messenger paused and waited. Obviously wanting a higher bribe, Lord Accubu scowled at the man's behavior and reached into his pocket.

 

“ Hadn't I already paid him enough? This last piece of information had better be worth it.” He pulled out 10 more gold pieces and places them into the man's eager hands.

 

“ The Shiniquians seem to have actual evidence that Spirit World is involved through one pathway or another of theirs. They are currently in the midst of over the proper course of action to stop the hostilities between us and Spirit World.”

“Is that all?” Lord Accubu asked thinking he had paid the man too soon.

 

“ No. An emissary of mine is living inside the palace.” The messenger paused once more. This time Lord Accubu offered him nothing but an inkling of his foul temper. Sensing his employer's displeasure, the man continued.

 

“ He has made her way into being one of the queen's closest servants.” this time the man paused for nothing except effect and tension, but the young lord was in no mood for the man's dramatic misgivings.

 

“ Well get to the point!” Lord Accubu snapped at the man.

 

“ He has found the Queen to be with child. No one in their kingdom is aware except the King and his and the Queen's immediate family. There have been a few attempts on his life, presumably by Spirit World. Most likely he is withholding the information to protect her from any assassination attempts and any instability in his country, especially with the rebellions in our own.” The messenger finished relying his information and stood awaiting further instructions. Lord Accubu turned over the new information in his head.

 

“ If the Queen really was with child it could prove to be the wedge I need to put my plan into action. The King is already a sentimental fool, this will only make my plan that much easier.” Lord Accubu thought with excitement. “ Thank you that will be all for now. Return to the palace and the surrounding villages and get a good measure of the human's loyalty to the King. It will prove to be immeasurably necessary in the coming months.”

 

The messenger stood a moment longer seeing if he could fish out more money from his employer, before turning and taking flight into the sky. The action did not go unnoticed be the young lord, who silently vowed to rid himself of his expensive spy after the plan was well under way. “ King Dorian your gentle heart will be your undoing.” Lord Accubu thought wickedly as he strolled back into the castle Lord Ewashi watched from a window in the dining hall in which he was seated. He shook his head,

 

“I will have to teach that boy to be more discreet with his meetings, though he does deserve some credit for holding it in the courtyard facing away from the guest rooms” Lord Ewashi thought pensively. He looked out the window to the East the moon was rising to bath the landscape in its silver light.

 

Castle MediAnne:

 

King Dorian sat staring meditatively at the very same moon, caught up in a never-ending stream of meetings over the current issue of his vassals. Someone had found conclusive evidence that Spirit World was involved in the rebellions to the west of his Kingdom, so the ensuing meetings over what should be done had began in the early afternoon. It was now nearing midnight, and while the King didn't mind the late hours, he was a bit of a night hawk himself, he was beginning to bore of the circular conversations that tend to happen when the older and more stubborn of his vassals have the floor for any length of time. It had been four hours and they were still discussing how to properly brooch the subject to Enma. “ Honestly I think it would be best to just tell him of our evidence and ask him to explain” One of the younger lords tried to convince the other older members for the third time tonight.

 

“ Lord Kai I can not in good conscience allows such a problematic issue to be approached in such a lackadaisical manner.” King Dorian looked in his closest advisor and second in command's direction. He looked drained, but still gung ho for more, from hours of repeating himself and explaining the basic necessity to act on the information while it was still fresh. It had taken him until eight that night to get them to agree to send an ambassador into Spirit World to deal with the political implications of their information. Now it was near midnight,

 

“ No it`s after midnight, the moon`s too high“ King Dorian thought. “ And still they persist in the false conclusion that they can just ignore the problem since it has little to do with our own country.” Dorian scowled as his thoughts turned sour. “ Old stubborn goats. I wish they would die already so their son's could be council members. Then we might get something done in a nearly expeditious way.” The King thought crossly. The lord from a southern province asked for the fifth time in the last two hours why it was required that they even approach Enma about the subject. Kai took a deep breath and began to explain when King Dorian interrupted when he raised his hand. “ I believe Lord Kai answered that question not thirty minutes prior. Perhaps your memory is failing you in your age, Lord Genendowa” The king finished with a tone of admonishment. The lord flushed and quickly apologized for asking Lord Kai to repeat himself again. While the King had their undivided attention he decided to us it to his advantage. “ Since the council can not seem to agree on anything today, I shall be offering my opinion on the matter.” The king picked up a glass of wine from he table and continued. “ I believe we need to speak to Enma on this matter, and further more I believe the sooner we do so the better. If we wait too long there is a chance that our informants will get discovered and Enma will have more time to cover his blunder. If we act now then he will have less time to bribe those involved and we will have a better chance of ceasing the hostilities between Spirit World and the Shinobi's. This scenario is most preferable to any of the others discussed today, and we should act accordingly.” the king finished and took a long drawl from the wine glass. He set the glass done on the table, which was promptly refilled by one of the few servants given privy to the council meetings. Each member contemplated the King's words, before Lord Kai spoke up.

 

“ I think we have discussed the issue enough. We ne-”

 

“And I think that you're being too brash in your assessment. Do you know for sure that Enma was involved? This is a serious accusation you're making young man.” Lord Genendowa interrupted.

 

“ I am sure that Enma was involved. I have checked my sources thoroughly an-”

 

“ So why haven't our sources been able to confirm that Enma was a part of the rebellion in the Soriano Mountains?”

 

“ Maybe it is because your sources are slow or worse yet bribed. Has the thought ever occurred to you that your sources are always wrong when it comes to assassination attempts or even simple information on the well-being of the human populace?” Lord Kai retorted. Lord Genendowa blustered and took a deep breath, preparing to verbally punish Lord Kai for his impertinence.

 

“ While, I am sure that you have good reasons, or rather justifications for why your spies have not produced the proper information, the facts still stand that they have not been reliable.” Lord Kai started. Lord Genendowa puffed up to speak again, when the king raised his hand in opposition. Lord Genendowa stilled and Lord Kai continued. “Since this is the case, then I would have to ask our fellow council members if they would choose to hesitate on the words of a man with commonly false information?” Lord Kai artfully posed to his fellow members. He finished his sentence and stole a glance around the table. His fellow members stared back, and in their eyes he finally saw some hint of agreement to the point he'd been trying to make all day. A small smile graced his elegant features before King Dorian made a gesture to gain their collective attention.

 

“ I doubt that anything more meaningful can be added to this discussion.” The King paused and looked around the table to confirm or conform the others to that opinion. Having pressed those in opposition to his will, He continued. “ Since that is the case I move to make a final vote.”

 

“ I second that motion.” Lord Kai said not for the first time today. He silently prayed they wouldn't tie this time..” All those in favor say `Aye'” Lord Kai spoke decisively. Aye spoke just over half of the council members, finally drawing the meeting to a close. Satisfied in having convinced the others that the information was sensitive enough to warrant further action, King Dorian stood and began towards the door. He was quickly followed by Lord Kai and the other council members anxious to vacate the room before more objections were raised. Lord Kai caught up to, and continued in step with the King. They rounded a corner and continued in silence for a few more paces. Lord Kai looked around for others that might have been lingering around the corridors. After having satisfied his paranoia, he stopped walking to get the King's attention. King Dorian stopped a few steps away and turned to face Lord Kai.

 

“ What is it Kai?” King Dorian asked, concerned over his friend's odd behavior, “ He would ordinarily be gloating over his recent rare victory in the council “ he thought apprehensively.

 

“ I'm not too ecstatic about convincing the council to act. I was honestly hoping they would prove me wrong. It's a much better alternative to the reality of the situation.” Lord Kai finished and looked to the king for a response.

 

“ We can not change the reality of the situation, only accept what it is, and move forward from there. I don't want this to be true and more than you do, but the facts are solid. To say the least, it would be interesting to see Enma try to weasel out of this one.” The king smiled and started to saunter towards the end of the hall before adding, “ Come on! It's late and we have meetings all tomorrow morning.” Lord Kai caught up in a few paces.

 

“ You know what I heard? The Shinobi's are sending their ambassador to Spirit World as well. In fact,” Lord Kai started while glancing at one of the clocks decorating the wall, “He should be arriving there right about now.”

 

Atheria: I know it's not a big change but it was really needed for continuity's sake, you know not to just have them sitting there in frozen forever. As always R&R And thanks to everyone that has read (and the one person that reviewed) the reviewer is my new best friend.