DECEMBER 844 AQE
Aojiko stepped through the darkened halls of the palace as silently as a shadow. Her long blond hair was no longer unbound as it had been in the woods but twisted into an elaborate plait atop her head. Eyes the color of a gray, stormy sky pierced through the gloom of night like an assassin’s honed blade. Speaking of, she had replaced the dagger as well and now carried in her sash a single, elegant fan trimmed with silver. The white tassel swung in motion with her deliberate, graceful strides.
The servants and guards she passed gave her a wide berth. They knew what she was and they kept her at arms length because of it. She didn’t mind. She enjoyed being left to her own devices. The last thing she needed was to be harried on her way to meet with Warlord Nagisa.
Pausing, Aojiko took a moment to gather herself before going any further. She buried her feelings deep down, locking away her bitterness and hate. Even though she was certain that Nagisa suspected what was truly in her heart, she wasn’t about to give her any concrete evidence to support those suspicions. It was best if everyone believed her to be the loyal dog, happy to do her master’s bidding. Nobody wanted to face the fact that Aojiko was little more than a slave. Not even Aojiko wanted to admit it.
Memories assailed her as the notion that she was a captive swirled around in her mind. It would be so easy to get lost in ruminations, but that was something she couldn’t afford just now. She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and continued striding down the hallway.
When she arrived at her destination, however, her hand hovered over the door handle, hesitating for a moment to go inside. She could hear Nagisa speaking through the solid oak planks, though what was being said couldn’t be distinguished. Suddenly, she wished she was back on the mountain, back in her quarters, hell, Aojiko wished she could have been anywhere else. She envied those with the freedom to choose, those like Taoru Hiryuten and his daughter who could have lived anywhere and done anything, but that wasn’t her lot in life. It never had been. Since she was a child expectations had been thrust upon her and when she fell short…
Aojiko swallowed the bile in the back of her throat and shook her head to clear it. This was getting her nowhere. Not to mention it was unwise to leave her mistress waiting. Summoning every ounce of her resolve, Aojiko grasped the handle and thrust open the door.
“Ah yes, Aojiko,” a strong, female voice greeted her as she stepped into a small chamber. “How was your trip to Red Fang Peak?”
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Other than the older woman, Warlord Nagisa, who had spoken, there were only two more people present. One was Nagisa’s young daughter, Kiatsu, whose purpose here was merely to observe and learn. The third person was a man a handful of years older than the young Kiatsu. He wore the uniform and markings of a captain, but with a mere glance, Aojiko could see he would never live up to such a rank; his character was weak.
“Somewhat productive.” Aojiko folded her arms across her chest casually. “Hiryuten remains elusive. He’s quite clever. He saw almost immediately that he was being set up. Had it not been for the girl, he wouldn’t have involved himself at all.”
The captain swore. “That gutless cur…”
His reaction needled the air Zosara, who had seen in an instant that Taoru Hiryuten was anything but a coward. Her magical insight had revealed his strength and power was tenfold that of the mere boy seated before her now.
“He’s nothing of the sort.” Aojiko’s tone remained steady, not betraying so much as a hint of her irritation. “He’s a wise man who picks his battles carefully.”
Nagisa watched the exchange closely before speaking up. “His virtues are not what I’m interested in, Aojiko…”
“As I said, he’s clever. He didn’t display any magic.” She left out the whole truth, the private truth that was so precious she would die to keep it secret. Aojiko did not need her seer’s insight to sense the truth of Taoru and his daughter; they were fire Zosara to their marrow.
“Did Lian—” The captain cleared his throat, his neck flushing a little. “Did the girl reveal…?” He didn’t finish his question; he didn’t have to.
Aojiko shook her head. “No magic from her either. However, she has impressive martial prowess. She took down four bandits alone like they were twigs.” She couldn’t stop a grin from playing across her lips. “The girl wouldn’t make a poor consolation prize, Nagisa…”
The warlord was already shaking her head. “No, she’s inexperienced and volatile. I can’t trust the crop to a field that’s never been plowed. I need the seasoned warrior!” Her frustration was evident. She had been trying for months now to entice Taoru into her service, even tempting his daughter, and still, her efforts had not borne fruit.
In a way, Aojiko sympathized. Mostly, she was glad another Zosara had avoided the warlord’s grasping talons. If she’d had a choice in the matter, she would have left Nagisa’s service in her youth, but freedom had become a distant dream. Her fingers subconsciously shifted to the spot on her arm where, hidden by her sleeve, a welted brand had been scorched into her flesh long ago…
“You could use Lian in other ways…” the captain ventured, his voice almost timid. “Taoru is incredibly protective of her. Given the right situation…”
Dislike for the captain grew to a new height, but Aojiko kept her face impassive. Even when Nagisa turned a hopeful expression to her “pet” Zosara. “Captain Juzo presents an intriguing notion. What do you think, old friend? Have you seen evidence of this?”
“Yes.” The word was bile in her mouth. The question had been direct; there was no getting around it. Aojiko remembered the look on Taoru’s face when he had come to his daughter’s defense. Though she had not shown it, that gleam in his eye had terrified her. “There’s no doubt the girl is his weakness.”