Phoenix wings spanned wide. Sparks streamed from the tips of their feathers as they soared through the dawn-lit sky, falling to earth like confetti, like the stars of Amidrakh Tengerüüd set aflame by the Everburning City's light. The Phoenix Wing of the shogun's castle dominated the fortress just the same. Sitting cramped at the desk in her visiting princess' suite, Yuina cursed herself for refusing it.
Still, space in the castle meant nothing compared to space in the world. Nothing compared to the freedom Isamu's Labyrinth gave her. The freedom to escape. The chance to warn. To hide. To protect.
Dear Niikhaan,
Paper hissed, groaned, crumpled and burned- another Shirub relic incinerated by dragon's flame. Too alien. But at the same time, too familiar. Too gentle. She didn't mean to invite him for tea.
Niik.
"Ugggghhhhhh!" Unable to choose between shaking her head or slamming it into the desk, Yuina did both, listened to the pounding of her skull like clashing bo staffs fill the night.
A knock at the door.
Blood came rushing back. It painted her cheeks like the blush she'd not-so-long ago removed.
Or, rather, that the maid at the door had.
"...Are you doing alright, My Lady?"
"Oh, Hana. Yes, I'm fine. I just... I'm just writing a difficult letter."
The old woman's smile stole the warmth from her face and returned it to her heart. "Ah, diplomacy. I don't envy you for that, My Lady. Masuyo is enough to deal with."
Laughter came and gave her a moment's relief. Then, her eyes fell upon the empty page before her. Niikhaan could read less Shirub than Khasan. Besides, Yuina didn't know the characters for what she had to say.
This is stupid. This is foolish. You will get yourself killed. You'll turn the courts against me.
Memories of Dai's face when he'd told her what Osamu knew sent a jolt through her spine. No. Not knew. Suspected.
And while Osamu's moods were constant as the sea, his hatred for the Outskirts was set in stone.
Be careful.
"Lady Yuina?"
"Yes... diplomacy." A forced smile. Not even it could hide her shaking hands as she wrote, and scolded, and begged. But Hana pretended not to notice because she wasn't allowed. Smile wavering, the woman dipped her head in a shallow nod and moved toward the exit. "Oh! Hana!"
She stopped. "My Lady?"
"I know it's high time for you to go home... but..."
"You would like me to wait?"
Nodding brought forth a gulp. "If you wouldn't mind. This letter isn't one that should go out with the usual post. It's going.... It's going north."
Once more, her maid bowed, her bound, greying hair sagging forward like a pouting lower lip. Other than that, only her eyes betrayed any hesitation. Any desire not to obey her imperial mistress' command.
But just as she couldn't address any flaws on her lady's part, she couldn't do that either.
"Yes, My Lady," said Hana, and she retired from the room.
...
Dragons occupied nearly every inch of the castle held by the Ryuu's heir. Armoured scales guarded where soldiers did not, and teeth and claws and wild eyes threatened those who questioned his will. All over the castle, sprawling dragons prowled and writhed, but here, Dai stood beneath a mantis's gaze.

YOU ARE READING
On Thin Ice (Prequel to Guild)
AdventureTHE WAR IS YOUNG, and the gods are hungry. Ogonsekai has been warring for twelve years, so many remember the age before. An age of submission. An age of silent resentment and knives behind backs instead of on tables. An age when the Outskirts bowed...