The sun was setting down, giving to the last rays that penetrated the room a picturesque and melancholic aura. After all the changes he had been through since his father passed away, Eiichi was feeling things would never be the same anymore. He had given up on the advantages of youth, instead treasuring all the memories of a time when he wasn't isolated by his duty of head of State, and where life used to have a semblant of normalcy.
But she, who hadn't undergone the changes of time, would miraculously bring him those moments back to him in a way that every time she left, it was even more painful.
"Thank you, Hupo," he said in a surrendered tone.
"You're welcome!" she replied, before turning around to check on him. "Is there a problem?"
He shook his head, focusing on arranging the parchment and the books on the drawers. "Nothing, don't worry. But I really need to go now. You should leave as well, it's getting late."
Hupo put back a carved piece of wood back and headed to the window.
"Fine, my Lord. I understand my presence is not wanted anymore. I will leave, I promise. But I'll let a poisonous gift behind," she said, giving his back to him.
"Sure. Now, let's...?!"
The girl was facing him, standing on the edge of the window.
"Since you are banishing me from your lands, I shall leave my soul to curse you till the day you die."
Eiichi gasped as the teenager's body disappeared from the frame, then pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh. She really needed to get rid of this bad.
"Did I scare you?" Her head popped up from the window frame with a mischevious smile.
Eiichi gave her a furious look, but it wasn't enough to unsettle her. Of course, he had never been the intimidating type, and that was what the Council and some clan leaders reproched him. He didn't have it in himself to be cold and charismatic as his father was. His young age didn't help him get a better opinion, and for a matter of fact, The Sages would ususally tell him that they would take care of some important matters in his stead.
"Did I go to far? I didn't mean to scare you that much..." Hupo was observing him, trying to figure out what was on his mind. Eiichi smiled, turning his head to the the door.
"I'm good, I was just lost in my thoughts."
"Then be careful not to get drowned. The mind is like a vast sea! Enjoy your meaaal! Oh, and if you pass by the kitchen, tell them I want double portions of my favorite dishes. I'll pass by around a couple of hours... Bye!" She said, her voice getting distant as she disappeared once more from the windowframe.
Eiichi switched the lights off and letting dusk reign over the empty room.
"Get drowned in my own thoughts..." he mumbled under his breath, as his sight was enchanted by the deep blue. It was an odd phrase indeed.
As he closed the door behind him, he made a mental note to ask Professor Liu if he ever heard this expression before.
** **
"SO! It's only you and me now. Since the Lord in Heaven granted my wish, I plan on making a good action today and give Sanbao a Ginseng root for free. Or maybe tomorrow. I'm not supposed to be hanging around the entrance of the Palace at this hour..."
Hupo jumped from the railing of the balcony to the thick branch of oak that extended it as an invitation.
"You know what I've been thinking? Since Dana is busy now, we could make a little trip to the city center..."
'I know you wanted to go there from the start. I saw you take some money before leaving your room today," Luxing said.
"Well, I mean... Now we're going to celebrate our particpation, but if the refused it, I would have needed a big consolation gift!"
'I didn't say you shouldn't. I want some fresh air and a bubbling atmosphere. It can be so gloomy here in the Palace... Just make sure you don't speak out loud to me when we are among commoners, they might mistake you for mentally ill.'
Hupo giggled. "Of course! I have no intention of ruining this wonderful evening."
She let her feet slide on the branch to land on the roof of a small storage-house.
"I wonder what kind of people we will meet. I hope Dana will let me get acquainted with the other participants too!" She rarely met with people her age, and even in that case, she wasn't allowed to make any friendships so far because she had to keep a secret of the fact she was a Seal, in case the information leaked.
She knew from her History lessons that the most powerful countries of Toumen that were also called the Seven Dragons had each one of them a Honou that they collected after the Late Empire was dismantled by civil war. For most of the people they were a mere legends, but in the closed circles of power, they played a far greater role.
Hupo never questioned the importance of being a Seal, and even if it came with a lot of restrictions, she wouldn't have traded her position for nothing in the world. To have Luxing in her life was a blessing. Her mother and her father passed away in her early childhood, and left her with only some distant relatives that were part of the ruling family like Eiichi and Dana. Although she could feel she wasn't treated in the same way, Luxing had been like a father and a mother in all those years and would make her forget the void left by their absence.
A Seal was meant to dedicate his or her life to the protection of the country and the safety of its inhabitants, a role she was sure she could fulfill with Luxing on her side. Protecting people was the noblest of the goals she coudl have had in her life, and with Luxing by her side, she was determined to make Shenchi prospere in peace for as long as she was alive. And she knew another thing for sure: one day she would also be able to freely wander in middle of people and discover the world she had been deprieved of.
As she jumped down the wall, her heart started racing and a tinge of excitement was prickled her cheeks. Last time she was only able to walk to the bridge at the entrance of the city before getting caught by Gi and Daichi. This time, she had a piece of fabric with which she could cover her head and go unnoticed.
"Finally, freedom" she whispered as the breeze stroked a free piece of fabric against her shoulder as she covered her hair.
Luxing had a feeling that this time they wouldn't get cught. He would lie if he said he didn't look forward to walk in the city again. It reminded him the times when he wasn't so fond of humans and she had used to take him on morning strolls to get acquainted with human lifestyle. He never spoke to Hupo about her ancestor, but lately she would gladly engage a conversion with him on how people used to be, and on her family members she had never had the chance to meet. Her fascination for the story of the Great Kawagi was perhaps a way for her soul to get back to those roots she was kept on the dark, and yet her situation was closely related to that incident over seventy years ago. Even if they didn't tell her anything, she would eventually come to learn the truth.
'No changing in God's rules and no inverting' had said that hermit he met in the past century, 'Sooner or later, the truth will be known, and nobody will be able to do anything about it. That's the law of God.'
He wondered when that time would come. And when it would, would he be able to protect her?
"Look at that! IT'S WONDERFUL!" she shouted, pointing at the central square buzzling of people eating, dancing and walking on the edge of the river. Colorful paper lanterns were adorning the facades of the short buildings, while the water of the river was sparkling the reflection of the light.
'Hupo, I said not out loud...' he whispered her, then realizing with a bit of humor how ridiculous it was.
'Got it, boss. I got so excited that I forgot it...' she said inwardly.
'I can see that. Let's make a tour. I see that some things didn't change much,' said Luxing, 'that's good news! I can give you a little tour if you want, but I haven't been here in a long time so I can't guarantee anything, little one.'
'Who cares? Let's get lost! We can't possibly lose sight of the Palace when it's on top of the hill,' she replied looking at the frontshop of an apothecary that was diplaying all sort of plant, insects and other things she didn't know where they came from.
Luxing broke into giggles and the two of them proceeded deeper in the city, sometimes laughing or commenting without being heard by the people who was passing by.
'I guess we've seen enough, didn't we? Better go back to the Palace before they bring you dinner,' Luxing said.
'Mmh, I know. We're heading towards the hill anyway...' she stopped in her walk as her eyes were caught by the title of a book displayed outside a library.
The Great Kawagi And Other Legends.
"The Great Kawagi, the Great Raven..." Hupo mumbled as she took the book in her hands. For what she knew, he used to be warrior of Shenchi who turned against its country and was said to be the author of the Late Autumn Massacre. Little is known of his whereabouts, and most were saying that he actually died that very night and became a vengeful spirit. He was supposed to be the evil character of a sad story, but Hupo couldn't help but feel sorry for him. His story was too sad, and somehow she could empathize him.
"Interesting story indeed. Although pretty tragic, you know? It is only a legend, but I sometimes wonder hw much of it is true. Those up there like to keep things a secret from people like us." The librarian, a middle-aged man in his sixties, appeared from behind the counter.
"Indeed. I read it multiple times and even heard different versions, but something always bothers. It's like it's missing some pieces..." she said, putting the book back on the shelf.
The man chuckled as he wrote down on a paper. "That's the point of legends. You're not supposed to know everything, they are only made for you to get the message they want to convey you. Oh, it seems that today I've sold enough." The librarian looked at her with scrutiny, then smiled.
"This book has been on the shelves for too long. Maybe you will find you answer there. You can have it young lady, it's not worth much anyway," he said, poiting at the book with a nod.
Hupo felt a little embarassed, and took out the money from her pocket, but the man laughed once again and said that he was glad he found someone who could understand it and that earned a lot of money that day.
On her way back, Hupo and Luxing walked in silence. As they distanced themselves from the city into the small wood, Hupo noticed the moonlight was clearing the path as if they were on bright day.
Many things went smoothly, and although she knew that it wouldn't always been the case, but she hoped deep down that it wasn't the end of it.
She had just started enjoying it.