The Price of Honor

Part I 'The Strangers'

The trick in catching Kachuti fish was to pretend that you weren't interested in them.  Weiro lay motionless with his arms submersed in the stream, watching the medium-sized silvery fish as it swam slowly towards him.  Although it looked slow, the boy knew that it could move like a flash of lightning if it was startled.  The trick was to flip one's right hand up just at the right moment, anticipating the dart of movement that would propel the startled fish into the small area of water covered by the left hand that moved at the same time, flipping the fish up and out of the water where it could be caught, dispatched, gutted and cleaned, before being added to those fish ready to be taken home to his mother.  He mouthed a silent prayer to the spirits of the Mother in the area, that they might look favorably upon him, as he always did when the fish was nearing him.  Nevertheless, he was confident in his skill as a Katchuti-catcher, especially since his father had deemed him able to catch fish on his own, after months of watching his father catch, making his own ineffectual tries and learning slowly.  It would be a few years yet until he reached the age of adulthood, but already he was an important part of the family unit.  The extra fish he brought in could be traded with their neighbors for new clothes, food or other such.

The fish swam nearer and nearer, and he tensed himself for the quicksilver movements needed.  However, barely seconds before the fish would reach the right spot, there was a commotion on the path behind him and to the right.  The Kachuti fish, startled too soon, shot forward, evading Weiro's desperate lunge, and disappeared down the rivulet.  His immediate reaction was irritation at the commotion, which had robbed him of the fruits of many minutes' patience.  He had deliberately come out away from the village to a part of the rainforest that was secluded and had little wildlife in order to avoid such interruptions.  However, one of the lessons that he had learned from his father was that sometimes the fish won, whether due to its speed, the fisher's ineptitude, or some other reason sent by the Mother herself.  The correct response was to laugh at it, take a short break (for one cannot concentrate constantly - especially when one is eleven!) and then return to the task, with the aim of evening the score on the next Kachuti to pass by. 

Weiro decided to spend his break investigating the sound that had disturbed him.  He adjusted his leather leggings, picked up his staff, (until he knew what it was that had made the noise, it was worth being a little cautious), and moved towards the sound.  Emerging through the trees he came to the narrow dirt track, winding through the closely packed trees, which led to his village.  Being the most remote of the Ji'Ken villages from the mountain where the nobles and crafters lived, and not on the path to any other nation or place, visitors were rare.  Yet the sounds that had disturbed his quarry had not been those of an animal, but the more regular sounds of a human being.  Or human beings, he corrected himself as, stepping out of the trees, he caught his first sight of the Strangers.

There were three of them, coming towards him. All of them Jillhani, but like no other Jillhani he had seen before.  The first of the three was a woman.  Weiro was just starting to get interested in girls, especially a certain girl in his village named Yae, but this woman was breathtaking.  Older men of the village, who had seen women of the Ji'Mal before, might have been able to put better words to her description.  Striking, they would have called her.  Not beautiful, as there were a number of features that were less than perfect.  One might have suggested that her mouth was a little full, her eyes a little small, or a number of other minor points.  However, what she lacked in physical appearance, she more than made up for in presence.  Her bearing, her carriage, and the way she moved, all of these marked her as a woman of authority, one who was used to being obeyed without demur, one who could turn heads simply by walking into the room.  However, her gaze suggested that this was more than simply someone born into privilege who showed mindless arrogance because that was all she knew.  Beneath her eyebrows moved a pair of deep blue eyes that flickered from place to place; weighing, evaluating, noticing, with a hint of humor to balance the fierce intelligence therein.  From the top of her head, crowned with hair black as the night, with hints of silver and blue running through it, fashioned in a curious braided manner on the top of her head (where all Ji'Ken wear hair loose); down her face with skin almost white with perhaps the merest touch of silver; down her rich vestments to the toes of her feet, she was a picture of control, purpose and presence. 

All of these thoughts were beyond Weiro, who was simply overwhelmed.  And that was without mentioning her clothes!  Weiro had seen his mother and the other women of the village dress up, perhaps in their only silk garments (unless one was wealthy), for festivals, and holy days, but this was no such.  Besides, even he knew that nobody, man or woman, would wear silk on a journey through the rain forest.  Although it was quite sturdy, almost as much so as leather, it was far more expensive and therefore not to be risked in such a venture, where accidents could happen.  The fruits of trading for several months were not to be so lightly treated.  But this woman was not only wearing silk, but silk that had been dyed and painted, increasing its value significantly.  Some in the village had such material, and dearly bought it was, but it seemed crude and simple in comparison to her garments.  [I need to check this later in light of what I make her background.] Her top, leaving her arms bare to past the elbow was a deep emerald green, on which background was printed a variety of different patterns and images, and yet repeated time and again was a strange symbol that Weiro could not identify. [House sigil if appropriate.]  Her trousers were streaked with indigo and electric blue, with the legs whispering as they brushed together as she moved.

Immediately behind her came a man.  Any warrior of the village would have gone on alert immediately on seeing him.  He looked to be in his middle age, with hair that showed grey streaks in amongst the black, gathered behind his head in a knot.  However he moved with the fluid, almost lazy gait and balance of a younger man combined with the economy of movement learned through experience.  If her eyes were inquisitive and observant, then his were ever-watchful, looking out of a hard-planed face, a face darker than that of the other two, at anything and everything that moved.  All of this cried out to any with the ears to hear it that this was a warrior; and what is more, a warrior of no little skill and experience.  This was even before one noticed the twin katana that hung at his sides, his right hand constantly upon the hilt of one of them.  Any warrior would also have been able to tell from his movements and gaze that the woman walking in front of him was his prime concern, indicating that he was some kind of protector.  Anyone who sought harm to her would first, doubtless, have to leave this man's corpse upon the forest floor; and that would be no easy task.  Standing at over six foot, he was taller than his charge, if not by much.  Where she wore bright silk, he was dressed in darker colors and slightly thicker fabric, which suggested that he was wearing leather under his dark silk over clothes.  The symbol repeated on her top was found but once on his, over the right breast.

The third member of the party came a little distance behind them.  Slightly taller even than the warrior, his form was significantly bulkier than the formers lithe form.  Although his bulkiness would be nothing special amongst the Valgarin, he was one of the largest men that Weiro had ever seen.  In contrast to the woman's striding gait and the warrior's fluid movement, this man moved steadily behind them, keeping his eyes fixed upon the two in front.  Upon his back was a huge pack, much heavier than Weiro could carry, and probably a struggle for many of the men in the village.  Younger than the warrior, but perhaps slightly older than the woman, his face bore the patient expression of one who has a job to do; not stupid by any means, but perhaps not as quick as his two companions.  His hair, jet black in color, was cut shorter than the other two, showing a skin of a similar color to that of the woman.  He was dressed in leather, dyed black with just the one symbol for any decoration, as with the warrior.  In his left hand he carried a large staff, although there was a katana at his belt as well.  If the warrior was the woman's protector with his apparent deadly skill, then this man looked to be her servant, who could carry for her, but also if necessary, use his sheer strength and power to good effect in her service.  Although nobody skilled in combat would lay odds on his chances against the warrior, yet he could be of use against any normal threats.  Moreover, his would be the more mundane duties without which any journey would be far more difficult, unpleasant and tiresome.  There was no settlement within a day's walk from their location, and someone would have to organize the camping, cooking, cleaning and other necessary minutiae...

Weiro himself did not make many of these connections.  His view of the strangers' physical appearance was that of an instant gaze on stepping out onto the path some way ahead of them.  However, even before he had left the trees, the warrior stared straight at his position, spoke a soft word to the woman, and readied himself for the encounter.  As Weiro stepped from the trees, the party had ceased moving, and the warrior, seeing that he was a boy, lost a fraction of his wariness, and loosened his grasp on his weapons.  However although he returned to his state of simple awareness, he never discounted the boy for a moment.  Even Weiro, no warrior himself, felt instinctively that this one was the most dangerous, even if the woman was the most awe-inspiring.

The woman spoke over her shoulder to the warrior.  Her voice was firm and clear, yet with a subtle melodious tone that caught the attention. 'It seems that the Mother has led us to some habitation.  Let us see what may come of this.'

Turning back she spoke to the boy, beckoning him closer. 'Marriszych ji'mayn - Greetings landsman.'

Weiro bowed before her, stuttering slightly over his words. 'Marriszych jusasa - Greetings noble lady.  How may I serve you?'  He did not know the correct form of address, but this was the most respectful greeting that he had heard.  He hoped that it was sufficient.

The woman's eyebrow lifted slightly, and an unfathomable look crossed her face, followed by a slight smile.  Now that Weiro stood before her, she spoke more fully.  'I presume that your village is close at hand.  I would ask you to take us there as quickly as possible.  I am in need of some rest and refreshment.'

The boy blinked for a moment, but could find nothing more to say than 'Yes my lady.  Please follow me.'  At this the servant coughed, and the woman's eyebrows rose further, although the smile never left her face.  From behind her, the warrior broke his silence and spoke in a deep voice. 'It is not appropriate, youth, for you to walk ahead of my lady.  Walk alongside her, but one step behind.  Thus you can speak the directions, and she can speak to you if she desires.'

The woman turned to her warrior, her smile becoming slightly rueful. 'Ah my prop and support, you look to my honor as always, even more than I do.  However, at this time we may need to be more flexible than we normally allow.  We are a long way from Ashi'naa.'  The last was said in a lower voice, little more than a whisper.  Nevertheless she motioned to Weiro to take a place beside her.  Not understanding the point of where he should walk, he looked back at the warrior, whose face was unreadable, and then stood just behind the lady and to her right.  As they set off again, he concentrated on staying exactly one step behind her, watching her feet to be ready if she stopped at any point, so he should not overshoot her.  He was aware of the fish that he had caught that afternoon, sitting on the bank of the stream, but somehow it did not seem appropriate to ask these people to wait while he recovered them; even though it meant that they would spoil or be taken before he could return to them.

Fortunately the trail was reasonably straight, and he had little directing to do.  At times the trail grew even less noticeable than it was normally, but the woman took it all in her stride, and did not seem phased by the experience.  As for Weiro, he was torn between hoping that the journey would be over quickly so that he could pass responsibility to the elders [what is the correct name for the leader(s) of the village?], and wishing that it would continue so that he could remain in their fascinating company.  Not that they spoke much to him, or indeed to each other.  However, simply walking through the rainforest in such company was a unique experience for him.  His hope was that a large number of the villagers happened to be around when he led the strangers into the village, and most especially Yae.

Soon he could see the familiar shapes of the raised wooden houses through the trees, and the track began to widen out as they approached the warn dirt clearing that marked the village of [Name- are the villages named yet?].  Soon the group came out of the tree-covered path and into the village itself.  The woman's eyes, although active in the forest path, redoubled their activity as she took in the people, buildings and other components of the village.  'So this is a Ji'Ken village. This ... this will suffice for our purposes' she murmured softly to herself, so softly that Weiro would not have heard it if he were not on her heels.

The houses were made of dark wood on the whole, raised up from the mud and dirt floor on pylons.  However the space under the houses was not wasted.  Some houses stood on top of vegetable gardens, or more rarely simply gardens with flowers.  Others had hives of industry between the pylons as the craftsmen of the village plied their trade; Kimi the tinker with his bench of intricate gadgets that so fascinated the children when they drew near; Hana the woodworker with her less detailed but more sturdy creations; Yodo the herbalist with his strange-smelling concoctions and bundles of herbs; and others.  However as they passed, all activity ceased temporarily as the villagers looked at the strangers.  Unlike Weiro, many of them had seen members of the Ji'Mal before, especially those who had gone to the docks at the foot of the mountain [does the mountain have a name?] to trade.  Yet even these were fascinated by the sight.  The Ji'Ken wearing their comparatively simple leather clothes, with loose hair and intricate tattoos, looked at the strangers in their fine yet strange get up, with one of their own youths walking in the middle of them.
[Any comments on the village? As I haven't actually got online to see one yet, I can't go into much detail...]

By the time that Weiro had reached the hut that marked his destination, most of the village had seen the strangers enter, or had been called from their houses if they did not see them initially.  His mother's sister Namie was the village Juba or priestess, and it was to her that he had led the strangers, thinking that she would be the best suited to deal with them.  She was seated under her hut, surrounded by the paraphernalia of her craft.  From pylon to pylon on three sides of the hut were hung beautiful many-colored banners of silk, which attracted the spirits of the Mother to her.  Piled on the table next to her were the drums and rattles that were used in the ceremonies when the spirits descended, together with the jeweler, beaded and fringed items that were placed around the altar.  In front of her on the table were any number of charms and methods of divining.  As the group arrived, one member of the village was just leaving, having consulted her over some matter to gain the Mother's guidance and approval.

Looking up and seeing the visitors with Weiro she rose to her feet.  By far the elder sister of his mother, his aunt was of a comparable age to the warrior that stood behind him. However, like him, age had not reduced her skill, or her ability to dominate proceedings; rather it had increased them.  Like the younger woman of the Ji'Mal that stood before her, she had presence although it was of a different kind; more earthy, warm, and reassuring, although in some ways possibly more profound.  Walking towards the visitors she spoke the traditional words of greeting: 'May the spirits of the Mother bless you in your traveling.' 

The Ji'Mal lady's mouth twitched slightly as she scanned the paraphernalia behind her, and replied 'May the Mother look kindly upon you and upon your house'.  She placed a slight emphasis on the word 'Mother'; not enough to be considered rude, but enough to remind that the Ji'Mal do not believe in the myriad manifestations of the Mother as the Ji'Ken do, calling them 'spirits'.  Rather for them there are a finite small number of facets to the goddess Ji'Kalna, and as a member of one of the houses, she would recognize one facet above all else.

Namie, of course, was aware of this and picked up on the subtle difference immediately.  Smiling, she introduced herself, and invited the visitors to join her for the evening meal which would be ready shortly.  She dispatched Weiro off to his mother to tell her the news.  The unspoken message beneath the spoken was that with the extra visitors, Namie would appreciate some extra food, and if her sister would be kind enough to help out then she and her family would be able to join her and the strangers for the meal.

After the introduction from Namie, the lady of the Ji'Mal spoke in formal tones. 'I thank you for your offer of hospitality and accept on behalf of myself and my party.  You may call me Ayame.'  Namie kept her expression from turning quizzical, but from her experience this was not the way that the Ji'Mal spoke.  This looked to be a woman of some standing but she had not, as was the norm, introduced herself in terms of her House, which was of prime importance to those who lived on the mountain.  However, her knowledge was circumstantial for the most part, and the house of her visitor was not a matter of particular importance to her; merely an oddity.

She invited them into the house and invited them to be seated on one of the low couches with rich fabric draped over it as she herself moved past the writing desk on the floor to check the meat roasting in the pit oven.  However, while Ayame sat on the offered couch, the warrior stood ever alert in the doorway, and the large servant waited outside.  Namie remembered that the social structure amongst the Ji'Mal was rather more formal than that of the river people.  She was interested to hear of the circumstances that had brought them to the village, but the correct time and place for such talk was after the meal, rather than beforehand, so she forbore.  Also, that would give others the chance to hear the story as well, and she was not so selfish as to want to keep it all to herself.

In a short space of time her sister arrived, bearing the meal for her family together with the sauces that she had prepared already.  Together they managed to combine the two meals into a very serviceable spread, and very shortly the meal was laid out.  Weiro, his father and the rest of the extended family arrived and gathered around the table.  All stood for a moment in silent prayer, before Namie, as the eldest present, spoke up with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Mother for the gifts that she had given them that day, in particular for the food that they were to eat, and for the guests that she had provided for them.  After the prayer the whole family moved to the table and started filling their plates as normal.  After a moment Namie realized that her guests were not joining them and turned around to see what was happening.  Ayame was still standing where she had been while the prayers were being spoken, a look of shock on her face.  However, this was eclipsed by the look of great anger on the face of the warrior in the doorway.  Clearly only his discipline was preventing him from making some response, verbal or otherwise. 

She moved towards Ayame and asked what was wrong.  Ayame shook her head very slightly, but Namie was answered by the warrior, speaking in a hissing whisper that carried throughout the room, clearly still fighting to restrain himself:  'Wrong?! You ask what is wrong, after giving such insult to my lady?  Have you invited us here to spit in our faces?'  He turned to Ayame, with an unspoken question in his eyes.  Ayame made a slight gesture of negation before turning to Namie and speaking in a slow and overly-measured voice, with whitened lips, as if she too were fighting her instinctive reactions.  By this point, everyone in the room had stopped and was watching and listening to this exchange.  Ayame's servant had ascended the steps and was standing behind the warrior.

'I am choosing to believe that you are acting out of ignorance rather than with a deliberate desire to offend me.  I was surprised when no food was offered to the Mother after the initial prayer.  However that was nothing to my shock when everyone took to the food, leaving me to be served last, thus indicating that you view me as inferior to everyone in this room.  No honored guest is ever left until last.  If we were in Ashi'naa now, I could only assume that this was intended as a deliberate slap in the face to me and an insult to the honor of my House.  This would be the cause of a bitter feud between our Houses, which could only be extirpated with blood.'
[Is this OTT?]

Namie's eyes widened at this.  'You must understand that no such insult was intended.  It is our custom to all eat together, with no ranking or status implied in the order.  Moreover as we have no servants, each person will help themselves, and I did not realize that you were used to different ways, thus you have been unintentionally neglected.  Please, take a seat, and I will bring you some food, or if you wish, your servant can do so as he will know your tastes.'

Ayame nodded slowly, and beckoned to the hulking servant in the doorway who came forward, took a plate and started to fill a plate for his mistress. She sat down upon the couch and motioned to the family to recommence eating.  'I accept that this arose due to differences of custom, rather than any deliberate attempt at insult.  Honor has not been offended.'

At the last of these words, the warrior bowed his head, and his anger melted back into his normal unreadable expression.  After this, the meal continued, although in a somewhat quieter and slightly more strained manner than normal.  At the back of the minds of the family was the slight concern that they would do anything that might cause offence unwittingly.  While they did not feel subservient to the visitors, they did not wish for unnecessary violence.

After the main course had been finished, Ayame motioned to the warrior who had remained at the door all this time.  First he and then the servant filled a plate each and sat on the floor by the doorway to eat it.  As was customary, Namie brought out her charms [more specific - how is a reading done?] in order to do the reading. She explained what she was about to do to the guests, and asked if she could read for Ayame.  Ayame started to speak with a slight shake of the head and then stopped.  Finally she shrugged, and spoke with a twisted smile. 'I cannot pretend that I have any real faith in such things.  However at this stage I would welcome any guidance that the Mother may offer me.  Ji'Kalna knows that there has been little enough of that so far.'

Namie cast the charms and then bent over them to decipher what the spirits were saying to her.  It was an art form, this reading, and was very difficult to learn.  On starting to learn the initiate is taught some basic rules for what the different positions signified.  However, with growing experience came the realization that it was far more complicated than any simple rules could express.  It was the whole, greater than the sum of its parts and very difficult to break down, which gave the reading.  Two castings could look almost identical, and yet the minute differences could add up to a very different reading.  Plus, the images that came out of it were just that - images, rather than concrete facts or descriptions.  Thus she told Ayame that she was on a journey, that this journey would take a long time, lead her to the unexpected (whether place, person or event was unsure), and also to danger, although also away from danger.  There would be a choice, no many choices, and things (or was it people) would not be as they seem.  In the end, the choice would be between that which was less good, and that which was more evil.

This was a darker reading than any she had given for a long time, and the rest of the family knew it.  Matters would need to be discussed, and this was for Ayame and the priestess alone. There was hushed silence, as they left the hut softly.  When the travelers were alone with the priestess, Ayame responded. 'I do not know what one is meant to say after such a reading.  I do not know exactly what it is meant to mean.  Some of the points tally with my experience, others of them do not.  Nevertheless, I do have something to offer you in return for your hospitality.  I can tell you of what has brought me here, and why a lady of the Ji'Mal is to be found so far from Ashi'naa, in the state that I am in.  I do not do this out of simple gratitude, but because you may be able to see what is still so dark to me.  I cannot tell you all, but I can tell you enough, and then perhaps you will be able to tell me something in return of how this reading of yours applies to me, if indeed it does.'

With this she put aside the plate and, with Namie listening closely, and the warrior keeping guard, she began to speak.

Part II 'What has gone before'

"Know Priestess, that I am Ayame, daughter of ..."  Here she stopped, visibly shook herself, grimaced and continued. "I am Ayame, once of a proud line of a great House, that can trace its ancestry back to the Mother herself.  My mother, who ruled the House with skill, wisdom and fortitude gave birth to two twin girls; her only offspring.  My sister as marginally the older of the pair became the heir to the House, upholder of its traditions, and next to ascend to the leadership when our mother made her journey to be with Ji'Kalna.  I, as younger, albeit only by a couple of minutes, would have a place of honor in the House, and would work to support the House and its leader in all things.
[Q. Are the Houses run on dynastic succession lines, or is the next head of House selected in some way?  I can't seem to find anything on it, and so presumed the former. If the latter, I will amend.]

"My sister and I were given over into the care of the House servants, to be raised, trained; whetted and sharpened upon the grindstone of discipline to make us fit to serve the honor of the House, and the Mother.  Taisho, now my loyal protector, was one who taught us much of self-discipline in the Tsa'ido way of the warrior; both in the physical disciplines, but also much more in the disciplines of mind and heart that lie behind them."  She turned and looked at the warrior, standing alert by the door.  Gesturing to him, she added "He has brought much honor to the House by his deeds."

The warrior, Taisho, seemed to grow taller hearing these words.  His posture sharpened, and he bowed his head, speaking in a voice thick with pride "My lady does me too much honor by her words".  Clearly this comment was for him the highest commendation that he could seek.  Yet for all his pride and bowed head, his eyes never lost their focus; his stance remained alert.

Ayame nodded to him, turned back to Namie, and continued.  "This was the time of our ascension of the first mountain in our di seth.  For my sister, the path was clear at all times.  For myself, the path became clear one day when we were walking on the beach.  My sister was ahead, examining creatures in the sand with one of our tutors.  I followed behind, discussing the ways of Ji'Kalna with another.  Suddenly I caught sight of something shining on the sand.  I drew the attention of the servant to it, so that he could get it for me, but he claimed not to see it, even though it was only a few feet away.  I would have doubted his word, or his competence, had it not occurred to me that my sister and her servant had just walked over that very area without obviously deviating to look at it or pick it up; and it was something that would have attracted her attention.  I walked over to it myself, and saw that it was a scale of a serpent; of a beautiful silvery hue and larger than my hand.  Even at my age, I knew what this was.  When I turned to show it to the servant who had accompanied me it was clear from his reaction that he could see it, now that it was in my hand.  He immediately knelt on the ground, head averted, in a position similar to that used to honor a priestess of the Mother.  My sister, hearing the exchange, had turned and was coming back down the beach when she saw his reaction.  She moved more quickly, almost running back to us to see what had happened.  As she caught sight of the scale, a number of emotions chased across her face.  As my twin, and having grown up with her, I could read her better than any other; as she could to me as well.  Amazement and shock gave way to a look of pure jealousy and envy.  However this passed so quickly that none but myself could have seen it.  It was replaced by a look of pride and warmth towards me, which finally changed to a look of deep introspection and calculation.  All of this took less than five seconds.  However from that I could read her thoughts as clearly as if she had spoken them.  Firstly, she was stunned at my finding the scale, especially as she had walked across the same area and had seen nothing.  Hard on the heels of this came the first instinctive feeling of envy.  We were raised, as all the Ji'Mal are, to be competitive, and this was a sign that Ji'Kalna had favored me above her, at least in one respect.  She was the elder, and yet I was the one who was to become a priestess.  Yet this too warred with the pride that her sister was to become a priestess, bringing much honor to the House.  Moreover, the fact that she was the eldest was not a matter to create jealousy but rather opportunity.  As future leader of the House, there was little more honor that she could ask for. 
[This is on the assumption that the head of a House would/could not also be a Priestess.]
"However, this meant that her beloved sister would go into training, and if Ji'Kalna permitted, would become the next House priestess; one who would be eager to work with her to promote the honor and glory of the House, and one who, like her, had the ability, drive and discipline to do it.  Moreover one who would not only respect her as head of the House but love her as a sister.  Truly Ji'Kalna had blessed the House that day.  She looked into my eyes and saw something of my understanding, as she gave a slight smile and motioned us all back to the house.  Nothing more needed to be said at the time; although when we discussed the matter that evening, I was able to recount her thoughts to her, and she laughed as she agreed.  It had become a game to us; this ability to read each other, and it had been a long time since either of us had made a mistake at it.  This would be another advantage of my becoming House Priestess; we would be able to function, if not as one entity, then certainly more closely than any other two people.  This was aided by the fact that we were and still remain almost identical in appearance, only distinguishable by those who knew us well."

Ayame looked directly at Namie at this point.  "You are wondering, I imagine, why I speak of such personal details to a comparative stranger; yet have said nothing of my House as you might expect from one of the Ji'Mal."

Namie nodded slowly, without speaking.  However there must have been something in her face that gave away her thoughts, as Ayame gave a twisted smile and replied: "You kept your expression very calm when I originally introduced myself, but I caught the slight widening of the eyes that signaled your surprise at my omission. While I cannot read you the way that I read my sister, yet our experiences and our games taught us the use of this awareness, even if it was imperfect when applied to others.  It has been most ... useful ... when dealing with others at times.  To reduce any concern that you may feel, I can say that you reveal less than most.

"However returning to the question of why I mention this, you will hear more in time.  At this point I need only say that I say what I say, and I omit what I omit, for the sake of honor."  No more needed to be said. 

"I will not spend time speaking of my time as an initiate in the temple of Ashi'naa; or the ceremony of acceptance and the pilgrimage that marked its end and my acceptance as priestess of Ji'Kalna.  There are stories that could be told, especially of the last and my encounters when seeking the second and third faces of Ji'Kalna.  However they are not relevant to this purpose. 

"A number of years had passed during this time.  When I returned to the House, my mother had recently passed to be with Ji'Kalna, and my sister now led the House.  On my return the aged House Priestess made way and retired, having carried on only until I could return to take over the duties.  We were both entering the time of the second mountain, and becoming that which we would be.  Yet still we retained that closeness, even after years apart.

"After we had both become settled in our new roles, we started to plan how our House might ascend.

[My original thought was to base this House on one of the two Great Houses that is no more (for reasons that would be explained in the story).  However from Myr's post, Johann may be dealing with this, and I don't want to tread on toes... Therefore the ambition for ascension is left deliberately blank.  If this is a Great House, then the obvious goal would be to become head of the council.  If not, then to rise higher and perhaps become a Great House themselves.]

"As we were new to the role, we had not yet earned the respect of the other Houses.  This was both a curse and a blessing.  Negatively, they would be unwilling to ally with us or support us in any way; and we could be looked upon as an easy target in the game.  However this was also a factor in our favor.  This lack of respect would cause others to underestimate us.  They would not be as wary of us as they would of others, and this would allow the opportunity for us to attempt a major move, before that underestimation was lost.  Thus we had freedom to act, but would have to act alone, using our own resources.  Moreover we had to act quickly, before any other took it upon themselves to act against us.  The ideal situation would be a sudden move that would instantly raise our position into that of a House to be respected, making enough of a movement to ensure survival, but not enough, initially, for others to view us as a serious threat.  That next level of growth could come later, and more slowly.  On the heights of the game, it is often said that the slowest path gets to one's destination most quickly and assuredly.  A quick volatile play at that level would generally lead to disaster.  We were young and, Ji'Kalna willing, had many years to pursue our goals.

"Therefore we consulted with each other as to what we could do.  Others, trusted servants and members of the House were brought in on occasion to give us their knowledge and expertise, but only the two of us knew to what ends it would be used.

Ayame smiled once again in reflection. "Besides, our so called 'counselors' soon admitted that while they might have the edge on us in experience and raw knowledge, which comes with time, they could not compete with us in mental ability.  And in case you think that they were simply flattering us, my sister made it quite clear that on no account was anyone ever to speak untruth to us, whether it be for the sake of flattery or otherwise.  Stories of our ability to 'read' people had got around, and had been magnified as such things do, so that we were held in awe by others. Some, I understand, believe that we can read minds...  Thus few of our House dared to even consider speaking anything but the truth to us.

"We began to do those things that one might expect from the new leaders of a house; reviewing our various strengths, military, economic, social, and so on; and making some alterations as we saw fit.  However the secret planning continued behind the scenes.

"This secret planning soon began to focus on one thing in particular.  As all Houses, we had traditions that reached back into the past.  Some were comparatively recent, the most recent instituted in the living memory of the eldest, others spanned back hundreds, if not thousands of years.  It was to the oldest of these that we turned our attention.

"It was an oddity - an ancient verse of some length written in an extremely archaic form of the Riss'tsa'ken.  I understand that the Veiled Tongue is not favored amongst the Ji'Ken, yet you will presumably know the basics - that it is a heavily metaphorical, artistic language, where everything is portrayed in rich images.  Thus while a speaker of our language [does the Jillhani language have a name?] who does not know the Riss'tsa'ken could understand every word I speak, say to Taisho here, yet while we would understand each other's meaning, our words would come across as nonsense to the listener.  However, as languages are wont to do, it has changed over the centuries.  It is not easy to understand ancient documents that are prosaic and factual; but it is far harder to interpret the images in an ancient form of the Riss'tsa'ken, which is in verse form.

"I had affected an interest in matters of the past, not wholly false, but certainly a means to an end in respect of this verse.  It was less suspicious that a priestess should be interested in such things than the leader of a House.  Thus I was able to discuss such things with experts, never letting on about the existence of this verse which was a tradition known only to the head of the House and the House Priestess, passed down verbally and committed to memory by these two.  However I was able to gain much general knowledge about the archaic forms of the Riss'tsa'ken, which I passed on to my sister.  After much study of the verse, we came to the conclusion that spoke of something hidden; something of great power.  Even this was not easy to decipher, and took weeks to come up with.  It also gives what we believe are clues to the location of this hidden power.  At the time we had only concluded that it referred to somewhere in Bishani, but within the rain-forests rather than on the mountain."

Ayame stopped for a moment, to take a drink from the cup that was set before her.  All this time Taisho had not stopped his vigilance, and the servant was doubtless outside the house, preventing any from approaching unawares.  Ayame put down the cup, wiped her mouth gently, and continued.  The confident, positive style of her narration began to change at this point, and Namie sensed that the story was about to take a turn for the worst, as Ayame's features and tone took on a more negative aspect.  She might not be as good at reading people as this young Ji'Mal priestess, but she had learned a good deal from her years of service.

"The best plans cannot hope to be perfect or uneventful however.  The time that I had described to you was about a month ago.  This was the point at which we suffered what could have been a fatal setback.  I do not know what the Ji'Ken attitude is towards spies, whether you use them or not.  However, you may be aware that one of the weapons that any Ji'Mal has at its disposal is these gatherers of information.  Some houses have a more effective spy-net than others - some look for quick and plentiful insertion of spies for short-term and specific purposes; others concentrate on long-term cultivation of few, well-placed spies within other households, who can pass on information from time to time; yet others have a combination.  One of our actions on taking over leading the House was to review our own spies (of which the House had few, preferring to concentrate on other areas), and also to consider whether we had any spies in our own servants or house members.  However the latter was simply a review with fresh eyes, to see if there was anything that was obvious, or odd to us, which our mother might have grown used to.  It was not meant to be a full-scale hunt, as paranoia on such an issue would serve the other Houses better than it would us.

"As I said, we had been most careful to keep our actual plans secret from everyone but each other.  However, it turned out that one servant, whose family had served ours for three generations, was a spy for another House, one of our especial rivals.  It had been a formidable investment of resources, sinking a spy into our House and maintaining the link over three generations, each trained in a false loyalty to us, and a true loyalty to the other.  To avoid alerting anyone these spies had needed to remain dormant, and not pass on any real information of value to the other House.  They were in place to act as a warning against anything massive, knowing that reporting such could and probably would break their cover.  This servant picked up rumors, and pieced them together skillfully to work out that my sister and I were planning something big, something involving secret knowledge of our house, and something that could gain us great advantage in the game, quite possibly at the expense of his House.  Thus he broke his silence and reported to his true master.  Although he was immensely skilful in this, he was unable to report without raising our suspicions.  Soon we had found the source of the report and after some ... persuasion ... we discovered what he had passed on, and the full history of his perfidy."

Ayame stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment. "I had thought that we were skilled in obtaining information from someone, but it turns out that we were amateurs in comparison to someone who has been specially trained in the art."

She continued with a grim smile "However, my sister and I gain our knowledge simply through observation, which is available from almost all.  These other methods of persuasion cannot be used on most.  Moreover, there is little that person can do after they have been so ... persuaded."

While Ayame was speaking of this servant's spying, Namie had noticed the Taisho's face grow grim.  The concept of disloyalty to one's House, even in service to another, did not appear to be something that he would ever countenance.  She wondered if he was the one who had 'persuaded' the spy to talk.

Ayame continued.  "It became clear that this other House knew that something was afoot, and something serious enough that they would start to watch us very carefully.  Any attempt to find this hidden power would be fraught with peril, as such attempts would be discovered, potentially leading to failure, or even worse, to another House gaining it in our place.  Furthermore it was probable that the basics of this information had been shared with other Houses, such as were in any way allied with that House, in order to frustrate our plans more effectively.  Moreover, the knowledge would make its way out, voluntarily or involuntarily as these Houses were spied on in their turn.  We had lost our greatest weapon in the game, the sense of underestimation that kept us out of the limelight. 

We discussed what could be done.  It would be pointless to try to pretend that nothing was happening, or that the servant was wrong.  Suspicion, while easy to generate yet hard to prove as fact, is almost impossible to remove altogether.  We concluded that the only way that our plan could get back on track would be to provide the other Houses with the move that they had been prepared for.  It would need to be an attempt to gain power, and it would need to fail.  Furthermore, it could not be a pathetic attempt, or one with no cost, or it would not be believable.  If it was to fail, it would need to be possible, and yet would need to show us up as immature shallow, incompetent plotters; the image that we wished to project.  If other Houses could see us in this way then our plans would be strengthened.  However, there would have to be a cost; and not a minor cost, but one that others could not see as anything but genuine, a cost that nobody would pay, except as part of a real attempt.

"As we discussed, it became clear to me what that cost would have to be.  I say to me, rather than to her, as I first raised the issue.  While she agreed, it had been my idea.  If she had thought of it before me, she had given no sign of it.  And this was as it should be.  For my revelation was that the cost that had to be paid would be me.  The only thing that was serious enough to convince others would be the fall of one of the two of us.  Others knew of our closeness, and the advantages that it gave us.  If we were separated, it would be viewed as a weakness of the House; not enough to invite attack, but enough to quell fears about our actions.  Of the two of us, it could not be my sister.  If the House leader fell in such a way, it could pull the whole House down with it.  If I fell, there would be some dishonor on the House, but the majority of it would fall on me.  Moreover, if I was banished and cast out of the House, I would be free to continue the search for the meaning of this verse and the power therein, while others would see me as a cast off failure, beneath contempt."

Ayame paused, the words becoming more difficult as she proceeded with her tale.  While this had been a matter of intellectual decision and a necessary part of her service to the House, the loss of one's honor was not something that could be discussed lightly, or even brought to mind without feelings of revulsion and shame.  Namie reflected that for her to have seriously entertained the idea, and to have raised it as a possibility, showed quite incredible strength of character and even stronger loyalty to her House and her sister.  A loss of honor could not be undone, at least not easily.  However high her House rose as a result of the power, if she found it, Ayame would still, in all probability, remain without honor herself.  And someone without honor, has nothing.

As she reflected on these things, Namie caught the look on Taisho's face.  While Ayame was clearly moved by what she was telling, his face showed a conflicting mass of emotions that dwarfed her reactions.

Ayame looked up, directly into Namie's eyes as she continued in a quieter voice, hardly carrying to the other woman.  "I will not go into details of the plan that we evolved, and the acts that I had to perform.  The ceremony of banishment is too fresh in my memory, and too painful to me to speak of.  Know then, for these purposes that I acted as we purposed; I 'failed' in my attempt, and the dishonor of it came upon me, and not upon the House.  I was cast out of the House, never to use its name again, although I am still permitted to use the sigil, although this is more as a symbol of shame, of what I have lost, than anything else.  For my actions I was cast out of the Priesthood [Is this the right word? 'Priestess hood' doesn't sound right at all], and thus out of Ji'Kalna's pleasure.  Once I could take part in, and indeed lead ceremonies in her honor, to gain her approval for the House and to discern her will. Now however, I can call upon the Mother only at great cost.  My old name was removed, and I am now known simply as Ayame.  All that remains to me of what I was are my memories, those possessions that I have with me now, and the loyal service of two who chose to serve me even though banished."

She shook her head as if dispelling the images that she had conjured by her words, and continued in her normal voice again.

"You may still be wondering why I would tell you this story.  The answer is simple, and arises from your reading.  I seek guidance.  I have drained the resources of the Ji'Mal in seeking an understanding of this verse, and even spent a little time amongst the Ji'Coi.  However, now I am sent away from the mountain, it seemed to me that I should seek further amongst others of the Jillhani who may have knowledge that we have lost.  You may not know of the Riss'tsa'ken, but you may understand some of the images that we have discerned as part of the directions.  This is especially the case as we believe that this 'power' is located in the forests away from the mountain, and thus the Ji'Ken would have more awareness of them.

"Why have I told you my story instead of simply asking about the images? First, it would seem odd for one of the Ji'Mal to come so far on such an esoteric manner. It needs some explanation.  Secondly, I have wondered recently whether our difficulties in understanding might have arisen from the circumspect and secretive way in which we asked people.  If they do not know why we are asking something, they are less likely to be able to help us.  And secrecy has proven to be less than perfect as a defense...

She continued, the faint smile returning to her face. "Besides, I have not told you everything, simply enough to try to help you fit together your reading, with any knowledge that you may have of the images I seek, in order to make a sensible whole."

She paused, and looked for a reaction from Namie, who put her head on one side, thought for a moment, and then spoke.  "As travelers you have come to our village and received hospitality, as is only just and right amongst our people.  However now you seek something further: knowledge; knowledge that is intended to help your House in the labyrinthine power games of your Ji'Mal Houses, played on the mountain far away from us and our ways.  Tell me, daughter of the Ji'Mal, what then is the value of my advice to you? I ask nothing for the hospitality or the reading; that would be wrong. However, this extra is another matter.  You work for the good of your house; I seek the good of my village.  How may we help one another?"

Ayame gave her a quizzical look. "The value of your advice I cannot tell at the moment.  It's worth will depend on what it is, and what it brings.  However, if your advice enables me to discern the path that I seek, then you will not find my House, that is my former House, ungrateful."

With this the women began a detailed bargaining discussion.  At the appropriate point, Ayame brought out the images that she sought help with, and Namie responded with the information that she could give.  This was interspersed with discussion of the village, its wants and desires.  Finally, after several hours of discussion, the conversation ended by mutual agreement, and certain agreements had been reached.  Ayame had new directions, and she would have a guide from the village to take her on to a couple of places known to the Ji'Ken.  In turn, one of the village would be dispatched to the nearest dock at the foot of the mountain to deliver a coded message to the supplier of the House in question; coded in such a way that it would be impossible for the messenger to change the terms to make them more favorable; yet with tokens from Ayame that would ensure the message's veracity.  Moreover, Namie was aware that it was in the House's interests to deliver as promised, as silence was also something that had been bought.

It was now time for rest, and the night was well upon them.  Ayame slept in the house in the guest bed provided for such visitors.  Taisho slept at her door, and the servant slept at the overall door to the house. 

In the morning the three strangers took their leave of the village and Namie.  Weiro once more walked with them, selected by Namie as their guide for the first part of the journey as one who had already dealt with them.  As on the previous walk, feelings of overwhelming honor battled with fears of making a mistake and incurring not only the wrath of the travelers, but also of his aunt.  Only this morning he had been summoned to the house to hear of his mission.  On arriving he had found the lady Ayame and the warrior Taisho sitting talking alone on his aunt's porch, and on being greeted had made a comment about his not realizing that they were married.  As with the incident at dinner the day before, it had taken his aunt's diplomatic skills to calm the situation that this caused.  He wondered how many more differences there were in Ji'Mal and Ji'Ken custom, and how he was to know...

After the four had left, Namie announced that due to the goodwill of the travelers, the village would gain a number of gifts from their House, and the messenger was duly dispatched to the docks with the message.  All the villagers looked forward to the silks and other fine items that had been promised in trade for Namie's help (although they did not know any details of that help - that was for the priestess alone to know).  As it happened, nobody had cause to call upon her for the rest of the day, and it was only towards evening that her sister came to visit to talk about Weiro and relieve any fears that she had about her son.

Thus it was she who discovered Namie lying on the floor of her house, dead, and already in a state of rigor mortis.  Her screams brought others to the house, who examined Namie more carefully.  There were no obvious marks upon the body or signs of death, and Namie had not been known to be suffering from any illness or weakness that might have caused this.  Yodo the herbalist said that she had not visited him for any herbs or remedies recently.  Upon closer examination, the only thing that was found was a slight puncture upon her neck, as might be caused by an insect.  However nobody in the village had ever heard of an insect whose sting was deadly enough to cause the death of a woman in her prime.

The village mourned for days, as was their custom, while the village necromancer entombed Namie's remains to prevent any possibility of the Oni.  The young girl who would replace Namie sooner than she had thought traveled briefly to another village to quickly learn that which Namie had not had time to teach her.  However, the pall over the village gradually lifted, and in a couple of weeks a more pleasant surprise came.  Wagons full of silk, and other intricate gifts emerged one day, and were shared out by the elders so that the village as a whole shared in what became known as 'Namie's gift'.  The empty wagons trudged back into the forest, leaving a village in bitter-sweet celebration.  The price had been paid.  Honor was satisfied.

Part III 'Into the darkness'

It was evening, on the third day since they left the village.  Weiro was helping the servant with the camp duties, as Ayame and Taisho spoke quietly in the middle of the camp.  As well as guide, he had taken on the role of a second servant to the group.  While he was not too fond of several of the jobs that fell to him, it gave him a greater sense of involvement in something that he did not understand.  During the day as guide, he was asked questions by the lady Ayame and he gave directions in return, but he did not know what the directions were for, or how they made sense.  Some of the questions seemed very odd, asking about strange features in the forest, or tracks that crossed two others or where certain plants grew.  Every time he answered, she consulted a piece of paper that she kept close to her, sometimes thought for a while, and then they proceeded on.  If he was a guide, then he was a blind guide leading the seeing.  So far he was simply relieved that he had been able to give adequate answers to the questions, even if his answers had seemed to cause them to reverse direction on occasion. 

The other advantage of taking on the servant's role was that it gave him someone to talk to.  While he spoke to the lady during the day, it was only as she directed him.  She showed no obvious signs of wishing to speak to him, and for that Weiro was thankful.  He did not feel comfortable talking to her, not so much afraid of her (as she had never threatened him in any way) as in awe of her.  An older villager probably would have found it easier, as the Ji'Ken as a whole have a more care-free attitude to the Ji-Mal, accepting that they call themselves nobles, but not getting too sucked into the whole rank system, content to go their own way and let the Ji'Mal go theirs.  However, Weiro was still a boy, and thus more unsure of himself.  Taisho, her ever-present protector was hardly more approachable; constantly on alert, ready to react at a second's notice. 

However the third member of the party was a different story.  Bekane was his name, and huge as he was physically, he was far easier to deal with.  In showing Weiro how to perform some of the duties, of which he was unfamiliar, they started several conversations.  He was an easy person to speak to, was Bekane.  He did not say a great deal, but was very ready to listen, as he carried on his tasks.  Soon Weiro had told him about his family, catching Kachuti fish, and even his thoughts and desires about Yae.  Occasionally Bekane would reply with a question to draw him out further, and even more rarely he would offer an opinion.  Such opinions, though lacking in quantity, more than made up for this in quality.  Each time, Weiro was struck with how appropriate the response was.  Perhaps listening more and learning less gave one this ability, he reasoned. 

He learned rather less of Bekane than Bekane learned of him.  He had been a servant of the lady Ayame's house from birth, had some skill in weapons, and some ability in woodcarving.  In a free moment, he whittled a model of a bird for Weiro, who placed it in his pack.  Although the village had a carpenter in Hana who made furniture and so forth, there was nobody who could carve wood like this, and (Weiro believed), nobody had anything like this.  From that point he started trying to think of something that he could give Bekane in return; Kachuti fish not being something that would obviously appeal...

Being engrossed in his duties, and his conversation with Bekane, he did not notice when someone walked up behind him, not until Bekane ceased speaking, and looked up attentively.  Turning around he froze as he came face to face with Ayame, looking down on him with a kindly expression on her face.

"Weiro, you have fulfilled your aunt's expectations and more, both in guiding us, and in other matters.  Tomorrow we go on to the last stage of our journey, based on what we have seen and what you have told us.  However it is not appropriate for you to come with us any further.  The place to which we go is described as a place of danger, a place where you would not be able to guide us."

Weiro fought the feelings of disappointment that welled up within him.  For all his feelings of discomfort in speaking with her, and for all his fears of failing, now his part was drawing to an end, he felt an overwhelming sense of regret.  After these last few days, returning to the village and his normal life would seem dull and ordinary. 

Ayame, seeing his emotions clearly upon his face, smiled at him again.  "I appreciate that you wish to continue with us, and I have no complaint of your abilities thus far that leads me to send you away.  However, while your spirit might well triumph, you are not trained in self-preservation.  If we were to take you into danger, we would either have to abandon you, or we would have use our energies in protecting you, which would make us less efficient as a group.  I do not say this to shame you.  For your age you have done all that could have been asked of you. And in thanks for your help, I have a gift for you."

She took his hand, opened it and placed something in his palm, closing the fingers over it.  She held her hand over his for a moment before releasing it.  "Keep this well young Weiro, and remember me when you look upon it."  With that she returned to the centre of the camp.

Opening his hand, he saw a perfectly polished black stone, with an intricate symbol carved into the middle of it.  Showing it to Bekane, he asked if he knew what the symbol was.

Bekane smiled as he saw it.  "It is a token of valor.  See here, forming part of the symbol is the symbol of our House." He touched the sigil over his heart.  "And these other symbols that surround it are symbols of commendation and praise.  These are normally given to warriors of the house.  Taisho will have many of these.  If you were to see him in full battle dress, his helmet would bear many, detailing the great deeds that he has done for the House, and the honor that he has gained for it and for himself in the process."

"And you as well Bekane?"

"No my friend.  As I said, these are given to warriors.  You should feel very honored that my lady thinks so highly of you.  And do not begin to say that you are not a warrior.  Yesterday when that pair of giant lizards attacked, you immediately placed yourself in front of my lady to protect her."

"But you did as well Bekane.  Why should you not get one of these?"

"Because I did no more than my duty, as did Taisho.  He does not receive a token every time he fights, as fighting for the House and our lady is his duty, as in a lesser way, it is mine.  These are awarded for especial valor, going beyond what might be expected of someone in their position.  It was not your duty to protect her, as it is ours, yet you still rose to the task.  It was not your duty, as it is mine, to provide for the camp, yet you have done so.  In giving you this, my lady is showing that she is not sending you away in any form of disgrace or censure for your behavior, but that she recognizes your service. So when you go, go with your head held high."

He smiled shrewdly at the boy.  "Besides, if I know anything of the world, heroes tend to be popular, and that stone proclaims you as such.  If there were, let us say, any particular person that you were hoping to impress, well..."

With that he left Weiro to his own thoughts and devices.  Once again, he had had the right word for the situation.  Sad as Weiro would be to leave, there would be some advantages to returning to his village, and some things and people that he would look forward to seeing again.

The next morning they parted company.  Weiro returned to his village along the tracks that they had traveled along previously.  The other three pressed on, further into the forest.

Soon the track that they had been following petered out into nothingness, but the party continued on, Ayame checking the position of the sun, and other corroborating signs from time to time, to ensure that they were on the right track.  If she had any doubts nagging at her, from the lack of any obvious signs of life or civilization, she did not show it.  The boy had led her to the area that she sought, such that she could use the guidance that she had from her traditions to identify the way forward. 

Finally, after several hours and many miles covered, they emerged into a small clearing with two large trees on a mound in the centre.  While they were taller than the trees roundabout them, they would not have caught the attention of any casual viewer.  However at the sight of them, Ayame smiled a slow, deep, satisfied smile:  "The ever-living ever-silent brothers, guardians over the place that is within and yet without.  When the light is brightest, the shadows will speak."  Speaking the words quietly under her breath, she moved towards the mound.  Looking up, she saw that the sun was almost overhead.  Shining down through the branches of the trees, the shadows cast by the interlocking branches shortened as the sun rose.  The three waited until the sun was perfectly overhead, and then Ayame looked down at the space between the two trees.  At that point only, and at that time only, the intricate shadows formed lines of text on the surface of the mound.  She read the words carefully, committing them to memory before the sun should move and mar the pattern.  Then, standing before the trees, she spoke the words, slowly and carefully. 

As she spoke, while the three could not see or hear anything change, they could all sense that something was different.  What it was, they were not sure, but it was clear that the words were having some effect.  The air in the clearing, and especially on the mound felt somehow heavier; the sounds of the forest roundabout, while not loud at any time, became muted as if they had been moved away from the clearing to a far distance; the light shining down upon them stayed as bright as it had been before, but it felt somehow sharper.  The closest comparison that Ayame could draw was thinking back to some of the ceremonies in the temple in Ashi'naa, where the music from different instruments blended together to give a sound that was haunting, deep and yet slightly odd, as if one of them were fractionally out of tune, producing an infinitesimally slight jarring feeling. 

As she spoke the last words, the feeling intensified to such a pitch that the three could no longer be certain of the validity of information that their senses were giving them.  As other things faded from awareness, the gap between the trees seemed to come into sharper focus, compared to the fuzziness of the world around it.  All three, sensing that this was the next step, moved towards the gap, each step taking them further and further into the weirdness and sensory cacophony.  Finally they staggered through the gap, and things began to come back into their proper focus.  Except that they were still not quite right.  They were still on the mound, yet at the same time they were not.  Images of the two trees, the grassy slope, with the clearing and forest beyond, superimposed themselves onto the images of two great tall statues upon a raised plinth, with the clearing replaced by a large room, and the forest become walls of stone, covered in intricate carvings.  However, this last set of images was weaker than the former, as if seen out of the corner of one's eyes, or like a silhouette picture that becomes something else when stared at.  As if rejecting the double-images, Bekane closed his eyes and touched the ground, feeling earth and grass beneath his fingers.  Ayame, however, seeing his actions, moved to him and grasped his arm, pulling him upright with a sharp word.

"No! Keep your eyes open, and see the room ... the room ... the room.  Believe that we are here and not still in the clearing.  This is some form of warding to keep out any without the will to penetrate it, in case they had come to the clearing and seen the writing by accident.  Focus on the room!  We must stay here! On your honor, on your loyalty, fight it!"

As the three kept their eyes focused on the one set of images, the sense of the clearing and the forest began to fade slowly, as the room and its surroundings became clearer.  In a few moments, the double-images had passed and they slumped down upon a stone platform, in a room that none of them had seen before.  White-faced and shaking, they collapsed onto the floor, almost defeated by the supreme effort of will that had broken through the defenses of this place.  Bekane, head throbbing, turned away and vomited over the edge of the platform as his stomach untwisted itself.  Taisho, facing an enemy unlike any he had been prepared for, sat, hand on katana but temporarily unable to fight even a child, breathing harshly, eyes dull and without their normal alertness.

It was Ayame who was least affected by the experience.  After a couple of moments rest, she assured herself that her companions were able to recover, given time, and began to examine the room.  Somehow the room was lit, although there was no obvious light source.  The platform on which they had arrived was bare apart from the two statues.  These showed two men with arms linked together above the party, whether in embrace, or conflict it was not clear.  However these were less interesting than the walls.  Ornate carvings covered every wall, with pictures of beasts, men and plants, all surrounded by an ornate script that bore a similarity to that of the Jillhani language.  Following it around, she tried to make out the message there. This was more than an interest in aesthetics, as she needed to work out what to do.  The room had no obvious exits, and no items within it.  They had passed the first barrier, but it seemed that there were others to be negotiated as well.  Finally, she came to the wall directly behind the platform where they had appeared.  Here the carvings were even more intricate, with the central one most of all.  It depicted two people seated opposite each other.  The details seemed slightly odd, but they were recognizable as such.  Between them was a board.  Looking at it, Ayame recognized the game that they were playing.  It was Shogai, the complex game of the Jillhani that lent its name to the even more complex political maneuverings of the Houses. 

The multitude of pieces were set up as if the game was just about to begin.  For a while she stood there and looked at it.  This was the most detailed carving, suggesting that this held the answer.  Deep in thought, she brushed her hand against the carving, touching one of the pieces.  Suddenly without any noticeable change, she found that instead of a carving, she was holding a stone piece in her hand.  Turning to Taisho, who had recovered enough to come to stand behind her, she showed him the piece.  "It seems that we are being challenged to a game.  Presumably if we win, we will be rewarded.  I do not want to think about what will happen if we lose..."

Calling Bekane to her, she looked at the board carefully.  "You both have some knowledge of this game, but I have studied in more detail and will therefore play.  However feel free to comment where appropriate, if you feel that I may be missing something."

Turning back to the board she touched the piece against its original square, and it was once again part of the carving.  Reaching out, she selected the piece that she wished to move and placed it against her chosen square.  In response, one of the pieces on the other side changed position.  As with the first piece, it was impossible to tell that it had been in any other place before.  The game had begun.

Games of Shogai could often take several days to play, and this game was being played with consultation over a number of the moves.  After the first hundred moves on each side, Ayame knew that whatever was 'playing' as her opponent was as least as good as she was.  Sweat starting to form on her brow, she carried on with the game.

Hour after hour passed, as gambit countered attack, and the position grew ever more intricate.  Without any natural light, it was impossible to tell how long they had been in the room.  From time to time the other two offered observations, but the game was hers, and she was in so deeply that she was feeling the position of the board as well as seeing it.  Twice now, she had thought to defeat him, only to be countered by something even more subtle that could have destroyed her position. 

Finally, almost in desperation, she saw a simple little trick that could be added on to a more standard trap play.  Adding this in to the computation in her head, she saw a way out of the position.  It would require risk, and a good deal of nerve, but it could succeed.  She made the deciding move, and piece after piece started to fall.  Her army crumbled around her as her opponent seized upon her 'lapse', and pressed home the attack.  However, although the opponent saw and countered thirteen of the trap levels that she had set in her play, the fourteenth level, this simple trap, was its undoing.  Finally, after her two thousandth move, Ayame knew that she had the winning position.  From then it was simply a matter of avoiding any stupid mistakes and guiding the position home. 

As she made the final move that sealed her victory, she felt once again the sense of warding that had accompanied their journey through the gap.  Turning away from the game, she blinked and screwed up her eyes as the light level in the room began to fade.  The throbbing in her head combined with a haziness in her eyes as the walls seemed to ripple and move before her.  However she was not the only one who saw this.  With a bitten-off oath, Taisho drew his swords.  "My lady, move to the platform I beseech you.  The room is alive!" 

Trusting his judgment, she moved quickly to the centre of the room, away from the walls.  Standing on the platform she saw what her warrior had sensed.  The carvings of creatures, human, animal and other, were starting to meld and reform, moving away from the wall as the game pieces had done.  However where the game pieces had become immobile stone, these seemed to be forming living darkness.  As each creature rippled away from the wall, it sucked the light into itself.  The form could not be made out clearly, but the sense of danger was clear.  Had she, then, failed the last test with this as the punishment? Or was this then another test?

Bekane stood close to his lady covering her defensively.  Of the two of them he always took the defensive role with his staff, blocking one avenue to Ayame, as Taisho took the fight to the creatures.  Taisho's weapons formed a deadly web of steel as he moved around, the metal almost singing aloud as he manipulated the swords.  As he engaged the first creature, his blades passed through its head and chest before moving on to the next one.  However, while his steel clearly repulsed the beast it did not kill it as it would have done to any living creature.  Moving on in his dance of death, he concentrated in maintaining distance between the creatures and Ayame.  If they were going to die, it would not be through his failings.  If he could not kill the living dark, then at least he could hold it at bay as long as his strength lasted. 

However, faced as he was by opponents that would not die, he knew that he could not hold them forever.  A few had broken through his defenses, and when any portion of them touched him, the area affected began to feel numb.  He struggled on, desperately seeking some way to permanently injure the shadow creatures. 

Suddenly from behind him he heard his lady's voice raised in tones of command.  Whirling around as he engaged multiple enemies, he caught sight of her.  She stood on the centre of the platform, eyes blazing, calling out words of power in a strident tone.  One arm was outstretched in a gesture of negation and abduration, the other was held closer to her chest, fist clenched, with blood welling out between her fingers and running onto the floor.  Her face was white, in a rictus of extreme agony and pain, yet her voice never stopped chanting, calling down the wrath of Ji'Kalna upon the darkness that was attacking them, albeit in tones that became more and more ragged as the agony that was coursing through her increased in intensity.

Continuing his movement, he saw that the creatures that had been all but unaffected by weapons of wood and steel, could not stand against this.  Their form started to blur, collapsing in upon themselves.  Finally in a burst of some form of power that shot through him, the creatures disintegrated, the darkness retreating into the normal shadows of the room.

Seeing no further threat, he turned to check on his mistress, and saw her slumped on the floor, with Bekane supporting her. Approaching her, he saw her relax her hand and open the fist.  Two deep cuts, obviously self-inflicted, ran across her palm and down her arm, as she lay in the pool of her blood that she had spilled.  Taisho, a veteran of many combats, grew pale as he saw how much blood she had lost.  While she had saved them from the living darkness, she might have done so at the cost of her own life.  He had seen fighting men die from blood loss, having lost no more than that.

Bekane was already binding the wounds and giving her water as Taisho approached. Kneeling down beside her, he checked on the bandage, and then picked up her dagger from the floor.  It was her ceremonial dagger; somehow she had kept it even though cast out of the priesthood.  He had seen her use it before to draw blood for ceremonies, but never anything approaching this amount.  His limited understanding of such things was that the blood was symbolic, and therefore not a great deal was needed.  Automatically he cleaned the dagger, and returned it to the sheath at her side, to prevent any further injury to her.

Ayame looked up at him, and spoke in a weak voice: "All ....... gone?"

"Yes my lady, you have destroyed them all."

"N..not me ...  the Mother .... only her power ... able to overcome ... darkness ..."

With that, she collapsed into unconsciousness.  The next few hours were a nervous wait for the two men.  While she needed rest, this unconsciousness was close enough to the state of death that they had to constantly watch her.  Mashing up some food with water, they eased it down her throat so that she could take some sustenance, as well as dribbling water into her mouth on occasions. 

After a number of hours, she recovered enough to wake.  She took on some more food, and lay back down.  However, instead of returning to sleep, she looked at Taisho and said "You have a question. Speak it!"

"My lady, it can wait.  You should rest..." Taisho spoke hesitantly, however she cut him off in mid-sentence.

"I cannot rest - not yet.  I might never wake. Speak. Keep my mind occupied."

"My lady, I do not understand why you cut yourself so deeply.  I do not understand these things, but I have never heard of anyone performing this sort of act."

At that she laughed weakly, her body shuddering with the effort.  "No, things are rather different now from the ways of the temple, are they not?  Do not forget, my protector, that by doing what I had to do, I have been cast out of the priesthood.  I have incurred the Mother's anger, and it is ... difficult ... to call upon her, far more difficult that it used to be.  I was calling down her anger upon these things of darkness, but in doing so, I called it down upon myself.  There is a price to pay for what I did; this is part of it."

Taisho looked puzzled.  "Are you saying that you need to shed more blood in order to call upon Ji'Kalna?  My lady why did you not call upon me? My blood is in my veins to be shed for you!"

Ayame laughed harshly, her laughter turning into a coughing fit that sent spasms through her body.  "It is not about amounts of blood.  Does Ji'Kalna want my blood simply because it is blood? Of course not.  She has no need of it.; it has no power of its own.  If I had simply needed blood I could have brought along an animal to use.  No.  The blood is a sacrifice.  In normal rituals one sheds a small amount of blood to identify oneself with the ritual.  Here, I am calling upon the aid of one whom I have spurned in being cast out.  I ask aid from one who is angry with me, and the corresponding sacrifice must be greater to prove my sincerity and seriousness.  But it must be my sacrifice - giving of myself, giving of something precious, and what can be more precious than my blood?  Shall I sacrifice something that cost me little, or nothing?  That was the error of ancient times, when we sacrificed other humans to Ji'Kalna.  Now we reject that position.  The sacrifice of one who is not willing is no sacrifice at all...  Yes, you are willing, my strength and protector, but it is I who must pay the cost ..."

"But my lady, you gave up your position in order to serve your House. Although you lost your honor, yet your actions were still honorable.  The Mother is wise; would she not understood this?"

Ayame's face contracted in pain before she answered. "'The greater good'. Is that what you mean?  Listen to me - I did what I did for a reason, but that does not negate the fact that I did it.  The House's honor may be intact, but my honor is destroyed.  I took that step of my own will, and I have to suffer the consequences.  There was a price to pay, and that price must have a cost, or it is no price at all.  Yes, she is wise, but should she ignore what I have done? She may do so if she wishes, but I cannot expect it of her..."

She looked him in the eye as she continued.  "But you should know that as well as any.  You chose to accompany me, even though it would mean that you too would be banished."  She frowned for a moment in thought.  "As I think about it now, I have never asked why you did that.  At the time I was simply relieved that I would not be going alone."

Taisho stood for a moment, as his thoughts raced back to an encounter with Ayame's sister, the head of the House, on the day of Ayame's banishment.  Kneeling before her, he had listened to her outline the basics of what Ayame was to do.  Then she had spoken to him.  "Taisho, on your loyalty to this House, I give you this charge.  You are to go with Ayame, and protect her with your life as she works towards what we seek.  You are to aid her in every way in accomplishing this mission.  However, remember this.  Your loyalty is to this House, not to her.  This mission is critical to the success of this House.  My sister knows this, and is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to see its success.  You too must be prepared to make such a sacrifice.  Nothing must stop this mission, nothing and nobody, whoever it is."  She had lifted a bundle wrapped upon her lap, and brought forth the House natami. [If this isn't a Great House, I can change this to some other symbol that a lesser House would have.]  At her bidding, he had placed his hand upon it, and swore again his eternal loyalty to the House, and also his loyalty to the mission.

Returning to the present, he replied to Ayame's question.  "I did what I did for the sake of honor and loyalty, my lady.  What other reason could there be?"

She nodded and then slumped back, exhausted by the exchange.  After a few moments, without moving, she asked "Is the room as it was, or has anything changed?"

"My lady, while you lay unconscious, I examined the room carefully, and there is one change.  The carving of the game has altered.  The person whose side you played, now has the carving of a casket on his lap.  I touched it to see if it would come loose, but it did not."

Ayame's eyes fired at this information.  Beckoning to Bekane, she said "Carry me to the carving."

With gentleness that belied his size, he lifted her in his arms and carried her slowly across the room.  Reaching the wall, he stopped and waited as she extended an arm to the wall.  As she touched the carving of the box, it came loose in her hand.  Taisho, anticipating this had his hands ready to catch it, and lifted it before it hit the floor.

As Bekane lowered her gently to the floor, Taisho placed the casket beside her.  Turning on her side, she gently opened the casket, and looked upon what lay within.

Part IV 'The prize'

Initially the contents of the casket were rather anti-climatic.  The casket itself was made of some material unknown to the three Jillhani; elegantly carved with symbols, pictures and words.  In itself it would be a rich prize not only for its beauty, but also for its rarity.  If this was an unknown material, it would be a unique item, and could be shown as a treasure of the House, or perhaps gifted to another House as part of a move to enlist their services.  Few, if any, would refuse such a gift, even bearing in mind the strings that might be attached.  Gifts are not truly gifts in the game of Dinugai, the game of council.  Accepting such a gift would be a symbol of honor to the giver, and the recipient would almost be obliged to respond with something at least of equal value, whether item or service, or lose face; especially as such a gift would be made publicly enough such that the other Houses would get to hear of it.

However the value of the casket itself was momentarily ignored.  Logic suggests that if a container is of great value, that which it contains must be of greater value still.  Thus Ayame opened the casket and looked within, eager to see the prize that she had won.

Stones.  The casket was full of stones.  They did not look to be anything special.  None of them was obviously a precious stone that she recognized; there was no gleam or sparkle, no delicately carved facets catching what light remained; no luster or attractiveness to them.  Assuming that they could get back to the world outside this room (wherever it was), she could empty the casket onto the floor and fill it again with stones that she (or rather Bekane) could pick up from the track, without anyone knowing any different.  If the casket would be a great gift to another House, giving them one, or even all of these stones would be seen as an insult.  The fire that had lit her eyes, and lent her new strength in her exhaustion, died, and she slumped backwards into Bekane's arms.  Taisho spared but a glance into the casket before continuing to scan the room for any danger.  His normal alertness was tripled after the horrors that they had faced in order to get this casket.  It was not for him to understand what these stones meant; that was for his lady.  However, he did allow himself a slight disdainful twist to the lip as Ayame caught his eye.

However Bekane's reaction was rather different.  Unnoticed by Ayame who was in front of him and drained, and Taisho who was scanning the area, Bekane took one glance into the box, and turned even paler than normal.  With a great effort of will, he kept his arms steady as he supported Ayame, and in a few seconds he had recomposed his features.  A slight heaviness of breath was all that remained to suggest that he had been affected, and that could have been put down to the events immediately preceding.

Ayame roused herself from her stupor with an effort.  "They do not look much, but let us see what, if any, value our prize has for us."  The word 'prize' was spoken in a weak sneer, as if she lacked the energy for greater disgust.  Propping herself up she started to reach out her hand towards the stones.  However she was halted by an urgent cry of "My lady, no!" from Bekane.  Her eyes widened slightly as she turned to him slowly.  Taisho did not leave his watchfulness, but his eyebrows rose sharply at the seeming effrontery of her servant.

She looked at Bekane, eyes now slightly narrowed.  "I trust you have a good reason for such a statement?"

Bekane bowed his head in shame.  "A thousand apologies my lady for presuming to order you.  I can only claim concern for your safety and the need to speak quickly.  However I submit myself to your displeasure and censure for my act."

Ayame, still looking sharply at Bekane, considered him for a moment, and then spoke again.  "Explain yourself. What safety concerns have you and how do they warrant such an outburst?"

Bekane raised his head slightly, but still did not meet his lady's eyes.  "My lady, I would humbly beg of you that you do not investigate these items yet.  My reasoning is thus.  We have seen many things today that have been other than they seemed.  Two trees in a meadow become two statues in a room.  A carving of a game becomes a real game.  When we thought that you had won the game, as you had, instead of receiving a prize the carvings on the walls turned into living darkness and attacked us.  I remember the Ji'Ken woman's words that things would not be as they seem.  While Taisho and myself have tried to best each challenge that has arisen, each time it has been you, my Lady, who have conquered; forcing us to concentrate on the room when we would have returned to the meadow; winning a game against an opponent who would easily have beaten the other two of us; and finally calling down the Mother's anger upon creatures that our weapons could not harm. Each time it has taken a supreme effort of will on your part, albeit in different ways, to achieve this.

"We saw the contents of the casket, which do not seem anything special.  However as you reached for them, it came into my mind to ask why we should assume that they are as they seem.  Might they not be something more powerful? Furthermore, we cannot be sure that this is not another test or trial.  In either case, meaning no disrespect to you my Lady, you are in a weakened condition from your last great effort.  Be it far from me to suggest that you would not be able to cope with whatever might arise; that is your decision, not mine.  However, if I may presume to suggest, perhaps an investigation of the contents might be best undertaken when you have rested and regained some of your strength.  If anything were to go amiss, Taisho and I would of course do our utmost to protect you.  However in light of what has happened so far in this room, it would be folly not to mention this. 

"As this only came into my mind as you reached for the stones, I had no time to explain myself, but only for a quick word.  Thus I shamed myself by speaking as I did, but only because I felt that it would be a greater shame to say nothing of my fears."  With that he bowed his head again.

Ayame nodded slowly to herself.  "Your words ....  your words were hasty and uncouth, but wisdom and loyalty lay behind them.  I accept your reasoning, my servant, all the more so as I can say what you will not; that I am weakened, and in my present state I would not be able to face any one of the experiences we have bested.  My mind is slower than normal, perhaps because of my loss of blood, and therefore, it seems that I need to look to you both for more guidance than I would normally.  I forgive you your words, and while I am weakened I grant you both permission to speak your mind as quickly and crudely as is necessary."  Her eyebrows rose at this last point.  "Always presuming, that is, that you have a good explanation for any such comments.  Now, advise me the two of you.  Should we stay here where danger comes from the walls, or should we attempt to return to the clearing, not knowing what we carry and whether there is anything more to do here?"

Taisho, still on guard, spoke at this point. "My lady, before we decide anything, you should take some more sustenance.  If we are to return we may have to face another warding, and you will want strength to overcome it.  I would be hesitant to say that this place is safe, but it seems to me that all the things we have faced have been responses to something that we have done.  It might be that until you investigate the box, there will be no more events here."

Bekane, with concern on his face, chipped in.  "My lady, I agree with Taisho that the immediate danger is passed.  However what we have not mentioned is that you yourself are in need of medical attention, more than either of us can provide.  We have, of course, the healing potions that will sustain you for a period of time, but I fear for your health.  Also, meaning no disrespect, I do not imagine that it would be wise for you to attempt to use your powers to heal yourself in light of what happened before.  I would suggest that as soon as you feel able to try to leave, we do so.  I can carry both you and the casket as far as is necessary.  Then, when you are stronger, you will be equipped to examine the contents.  At the worst, if we need to come back here, then we can do so at that point.  However, I suggest that either Taisho or myself attempts to return before you do.  If there is a problem, it is better that we face it."

At this it was agreed.  The three of them rested for a while and took on food and water.  Then Taisho stepped up to the platform and, weapon in hand, he walked between the statues.  However, nothing happened.  Ayame, carrying the casket in her hands, and being carried by Bekane spoke softly.  "Picture the clearing in your mind. Will yourself there.  Leaving should be easier than entering; the warding seemed to want people to leave; now it will get its wish."

Taisho stood under the statues, closed his eyes and concentrated.  Almost immediately his form began to waver and grow unfocussed. Suddenly he was no longer there.  Bekane stepped up to the platform and the two of them thought of the meadow and the interlocking trees that they had seen.  Once again they had the sense of two scenes overlaying each other, but this time they were seeking the stronger scene, and it was with little effort that they found themselves in the meadow.

By the look of the sun, it was the middle of the afternoon.  They had spent at least two days in that room, for the game had certainly taken at least a day to play, probably more.  Although they had not traveled here in a straight line, they were still more than a day's travel away from Weiro and Namie's village, which was the closest habitation of which they were aware.  Therefore the first priority was to make what progress they could in the rest of the day, and then find a suitable area to camp for the night.

The march was largely uneventful, certainly in comparison to the last couple of days.  After a solid trek through the forest, they came to a cave that was dry, empty and secure.  Bekane set about cooking the first hot meal that they had eaten in a few days, while Taisho went through some katana exercises.  Ayame, tired even by being carried through the forest, fell into half-slumber.  When the meal was ready, they sat around eating and making plans for the following day.  Taisho was of the opinion that they should make for Ashi'naa and the security of the House compound, where Ayame could receive the best care, and the casket could be safely examined.  Bekane suggested traveling via the Ji'Ken village, looking to get care for Ayame as quickly as possible, and also suggesting that she might want to have investigated the stones (being well enough to do so of course) before returning to Ashi'naa.  Technically she was still banished, and she might want to have an idea of what she had brought before she spoke to her sister.  Ayame, feeling somewhat lightheaded and drowsy, said that she would decide in the morning.  She retired to sleep almost immediately.  After disposing of the fire and the remnants of the meal, Taisho and Bekane agreed on the order of the watches and Bekane retired until the middle of the night.

Ayame slept fitfully, disturbed by dreams of darkness, and an angry goddess, interspersed with dreams of rejection and failure when the stones turned out to be merely stones; having given up her honor for a box full of pebbles.  Normally quite a heavy sleeper, tonight she was uneasy.  Thus she came awake in the middle of the night due to something that had disturbed her.  Opening her eyes slightly, by the light of the moon that bathed the entrance to the cave, she could see Taisho, sleeping in front of her.  However what had awoken her was the faintest sounds made by Bekane as he moved slowly and carefully towards her.  The big man was moving so softly that even Taisho, who never slept very deeply, had not awoken.  Wondering what he was doing, she lay still, eyes open a fraction.  He moved towards her as if to speak to her or check on her, and she relaxed a fraction.  However, as he stood silently over her, he squatted down gently, and reached out his hands for the casket that was laying beside her.  As if in a daze, she watched him pick it up and turn silently to move away.  Convinced now that something was very wrong, she opened her eyes and called out in a loud voice: "Bekane!"

Two things happened instantly.  Taisho awoke from sleep in a split second, grasping for his weapons, instinctively; and Bekane turned and looked at her, startled.  While she was not at her mental clearest, his face told her all the story that she needed.  Surprise at being caught combined with a look of guilt and yet resolve.  Bekane was not taking the casket for any honorable reason; he was stealing it.  His reasons she could not fathom, but his actions were clear.  Even clearer was the thought that he must not get away with it.  With an oath, she spat out "Thief! Taisho, stop him!"

Taisho, although newly awake, had already grasped the situation.  Even before she spoke he was on his feet, weapons in hand, and moving swiftly towards Bekane, who for his part was also running towards the cave entrance.  However he was hampered by having to hold the casket.  Although he had his pack on his back and his sword by his side, he had not drawn it.  Moreover it was obvious to Ayame that surprisingly fast as he was, he could not run from Taisho who was gaining on him, normal ability supercharged by the rage coursing through his veins at such a vile betrayal.  Even with a weapon, she doubted that Bekane would have a chance to defeat Taisho, and he had his hands full.  It seemed that Bekane thought the same, as he turned and hurled the casket at Taisho from almost point blank range.  Taisho attempted to move and knock the casket aside with his weapons, but the power of the throw from the big man and the close proximity gave him little chance to react.  He moved, but the casket still glanced off his side, slowing him for a second.  This was enough for Bekane to run swiftly into the bushes.  Taisho was torn between pursuit of the betrayer, and the protection of his lady and the casket.  With an oath, he stopped, recovered the casket that was still held shut by the clasp, and returned it to Ayame.

"It seems, my lady, that there was more than one spy in your House" he said as he handed over the casket.  His tone was level, but one look into his eyes would have dispelled any idea that he was calm.  For Taisho there was almost nothing more vile than the idea that one could betray one's House.  He had traveled with this man, and gained a deal of respect for him, as well as that he had from their previous interaction in Ashi'naa.  To find that he was a deceiver was a hard realization to face.  If Ayame had any talent at all in reading people, this at least was one servant that would never betray the House, (or else he was the most amazing actor that had ever lived).

"I suppose there can be no doubt that this is what he was doing" mused Ayame slowly.  "Let us pray to Ji'Kalna that there are no more false friends in our House."

She thought for a moment, brain working feverishly.  "I wonder now if his advice yesterday was driven, not so much by a desire for my welfare and warning against the dangers that may lay ahead, but rather in an attempt to prevent us from reaching the safety of the House. He cautioned against examining the stones, and then suggested leaving the room, but going back on a roundabout route.  Thus we would be carrying that which we did not understand on a long journey, where there would be plenty of opportunity for him to steal the casket."

She shook her head. "Oh I have been blind! All this was designed to slow us, and if I had not woken accidentally, it would have succeeded! I am a fool!"

She looked up and saw Taisho's expression of rage had turned to a look of shame. "My lady, it is as you say.  But it is I, not you, that have failed.  I was the one who should have been aware of his movements this night.  While you woke, I slept irregardless.  Now is not the time, but when we have returned to Ashi'naa, I will deal with my shame.  Then I will beg of my Lady, the honor of dying by the blade."

Ayame shook her head.  "Let us not speak of this now.  If we carry something of worth then our main duty is to see it returned.  If you feel that you should have done more, then the next couple of days will allow you to make some recompense.  You will have to be guardian, support and servant to me from now on. However, before we set out tomorrow, I will investigate what I have here. No more delays!"

She returned to sleep, but Taisho sat awake, rage taking the place of sleep.  Who knew but that Bekane might not return for another attempt tonight? Several hours later, when the signs of dawn were clear in the sky, Ayame awoke.  Although still weak, she had recovered enough to be able to move about with the aid of a staff that Taisho cut and carved for her.  He persuaded her that they should travel at least some way before stopping to examine the casket further.  If Bekane was still out there he might follow them, but Taisho could deal with him.  However there was always the chance that he had gone to get help from his real masters, and if so they wanted to be gone from the cave when he returned.

They traveled slowly through the forest.  At times, Taisho supported Ayame as they walked, but only when she was at the end of her strength.  She told him that his primary duty was still as her protector, and she was determined to do as much as she could on her own.

After a few hours travel they came to a small clearing where they sat.  After eating, Ayame took the casket and opened it.  This time she ran her fingers through the stones, before taking them out of the casket and lining them up on the ground.  There was nothing in the casket apart from stones to explain what they were, or what to do with them.  She turned to the outside of the casket for any clues that this might give.  However there was nothing that was obviously helpful.  Finally, she picked up one of the stones and examined it in great detail.  As the rest it was smooth and easy to hold; it was a dull and uninspiring color and shape.  However one true statement that Bekane had made, despite his reasons for saying it, was that things had not been as they seemed. 

Forgetting what the stone looked like, Ayame bent her will upon it, feeling with every sense that she had for anything that might explain why this had been concealed with such skill and power.  As she gazed fixedly at the stone, something started to change.  As with the journey to and from the room, or the walls that came alive, it was not an obvious feeling as one might describe them.  The stone remained a stone.  Yet while she was looking at it, hearing the sounds of the forest, feeling the grass beneath her; she was also receiving other sensations.  Words, thoughts, pictures and other images arose in her mind without passing her senses.  She was receiving information of some kind, although she was not sure what it was.  The flood of data increased, such that she became less and less aware of her surroundings.  She saw images of people in strange dress, heard language that sounded like the archaic tongue that she had studied. However all this was eclipsed by the feeling that she was receiving something more; something that became clearer and clearer; something that was invigorating her and giving her a form of power unlike anything she had experienced before, even in the temple of Ji'Kalna.

As the flood of images receded, she could not say exactly what she had learned, but she did not need to.  Rising to her feet, she wove her hands in a complex pattern and called out words in a tongue both strange and somehow familiar.  In front of her the air rippled and shifted, and a portal appeared.  Ayame was familiar with the ability to travel by gate around Bishani, but this portal was different.  Instead of glowing the familiar color it was composed of darkness.  A dark mist started to flow through the hole in reality and form itself into a shape in front of her. 

Taisho, who had been guarding her as she investigated the stone and had watched her call forth the portal, now leapt in front of her, swords at the ready.  "Beware my Lady - the living darkness returns!"

Ayame laughed softly, with an edge that Taisho did not recognize.  "Do not be concerned my warrior.  This time it is I who control the darkness.  This, it seems, is the power of the stones, or at least one of them."  Her eyes once again gained some of the fire that they had lost when she first saw the contents of the casket.  "Truly a power worthy of our struggles, even if this is the only stone that offers anything.  Think of what this will mean for our House if we can control such.  I doubt any but the Mother herself would be able to defeat these, and we would be using them in her service, for her glory, so why would she oppose us?"

Taisho was caught between pride and joy in what the House would achieve, and concern over the creatures.  "My lady, this is power indeed.  Forgive me for my caution, but powerful though this is, can it be controlled?"

Ayame smiled, as more words rose unbidden into her mind.  Speaking them aloud, she watched as the creature dissolved slowly into the mist from whence it came, and the portal shimmered out of existence. "This time there will be no need for the shedding of blood, except perhaps a token in honor of the Mother.  I do not know how, but my study of the stone has placed these words within my mind.  I know not what I say, but somehow I know what I need to say."

Taisho returned his katana to their sheaths and bowed low to Ayame.  "Truly you will bring great honor to our House by this.  Mighty and powerful were our forebears if they could command such forces as this; and blessed is our House in the eyes of the Mother that she has granted wisdom to you and my Mistress in finding this secret that they had hidden."

That was when it hit her.  In the overwhelming sensations that had swept over her and her luxuriance in the feelings of power that had flowed through her, she had paid little attention to the other images and words that accompanied it.  Although she was not sure how it all fitted together, she could be sure of one thing.  This power, these stones, and the room from which they came were not of Jillhani origin.  Some of the words she had recognized, some she had not.  Some words had come but once, others many times.  But one word in particular had come again and again, in contexts of power, authority and ownership; a word that, now she thought about it, gave her the origin and source of the stones, the room and this power; a word that arose from the most ancient stories of her people and which was synonymous with oppression, hatred and terror:

D'Jarus.

Part V 'Those we do not name'

'The sorcerers'; 'the hated ones'; 'the oppressors'; 'the masters of darkness'; 'the enslavers'; 'lords of demon kind'.  Ayame had heard these names and others; as well as the most common expression: 'those we do not name'.  All of them referred to one group, their true name seldom mentioned, and then with loathing, revulsion and fear.

Every Jillhani would have heard something of them; although it was something that no foreigner would ever be told.  Exactly what any individual Jillhani would know would depend on their background; their family, village or House traditions; and their interest in the subject.  Often the D'Jarus would be the ultimate bogey-man; sometimes used to threaten children who refused to obey 'Obey, or the sorcerers will come and tear your essence from within you'.  They might well feature in the earliest legends of a group, so far back that few or none could say what, if any, historicity was contained therein. 

But one thing would be true to all tales, all legends, all mentions.  They were held up by all Jillhani as the great enemy from the past; the ones who had enslaved all Bishani; the basis of the secret shame of the nation.

Nobody knew exactly what had happened as there were no official records kept at that time.  Nobody could even say exactly when it happened.  However, the different stories agreed that at one time the D'Jarus had swept into Bishani, and had overcome it in days.  They were masters of the magic arts, able to rip open the fabric of reality and call forth abominations, and other foul powerful creatures to do their bidding.  The Jillhani had been simply overwhelmed by their power and before they knew it, they had been enslaved.  The records do not say how long they were enslaved, perhaps not wishing to dwell on such national shame.  It is said that they made the Jillhani labor for them, creating works of marble; some say that there was a great city built by the sweat and blood of the workers.

The other element that would form part of all tales was how this slavery was ended.  The Jillhani had been overcome by the fantastic power of their oppressors.  They could not hope to match them, could not even dream of freedom.  In the depths of their despair, they did the only thing that they could do:  pray. Pray to the Mother; the only one who could help them; the only one who could come down to defeat the vile oppressors and cast them back into the nothingness from which they came; the only one who could make of Bishani a free land once again. 

And come she did.  The sorcerers, self-confident in their own power, so it is said, were stunned by the power of the goddess as she poured out her anger upon them.  And not just her.  The Jillhani slaves, unable to free themselves by their own power, took heart from her appearance and rose up against their oppressors; screaming defiance, channeling all the hatred, shame and fear into one great fighting rage; fighting, fighting and fighting yet again with anything they had - picks, shovels, their own chains; until they dropped unconscious or dead with exertion; until they were ripped apart by the foul conjurations of their oppressors; but finally until no D'Jarus was left anywhere in Bishani.  Some tales even speak of others, non-Jillhani, joining in the fight against the D'Jarus, but these are few and far between. 

If there was any moral to these tales and legends, it was this.  After the battle, the Jillhani were determined that never again would they be slaves; never again would Bishani fall.  The Mother had saved them, and she above all was to be honored and obeyed.  The Jillhani as individuals and as a nation would always be ready to defend themselves.  Never again would they be caught unawares; always would they strive for the perfection that was possible, and indeed necessary, for them to remain Jillhani.  This was the price of, and the basis of, their continued freedom.

All these thoughts and more flooded into Ayame's mind as she stood there, almost numb with the shock of what she had realized.  The stone dropped from suddenly shaking fingers, and she stared at it in horror, as if at something unclean, poisonous or vile.  All her life she had heard the stories, of something remote and terrible, evil and mysterious.  Now suddenly part of those stories had leapt out of legend into reality, and she had held it in her hands.  Worse than that, she had taken it inside her, with the images and words that now lay, enigmatic, unexplained, inside her mind.  She felt defiled, dirtier than she had ever been before.  Collapsing to her knees, she vomited into the grass beside her, instinctively wishing that she could as easily vomit out what she had just taken in.

Taisho was beside her in a second, concern upon his face.  "My lady, what ..... what has happened?"  His eyes flickered from the stones on the ground, to Ayame and back to the surroundings.

In halting words, Ayame explained the reason for her shock.  Taisho instinctively flinched from the stones, a look of horror and revulsion on his face.  "Then those creatures that we faced ... the living dark that resisted our weapons ..." He did not add "the living dark that you called forth", but both thought the same thing. 

"Yes, my warrior.  The darkness that I called forth, the darkness which I would use in the name of our House, and of the Mother, is the power of the ones we do not name.  In all probability it is the same kind of power that held Bishani captive according to the legends, all those years ago."  She sat, slumped on the ground, still shaking at the shock. Taisho stood above her, his customary guard and watchfulness over the area broken by the terrible fascination and yet abhorrence of the objects lying around them on the floor.  His eyes flickered constantly from their surroundings to the stones and back again. 

After about ten minutes, Ayame recovered enough to think clearly.  Pulling out and donning a pair of gloves she carefully picked up each stone in turn, placing it back in the casket.  The one that she had 'used', she placed within a small bag for identification, before placing it, too, in the casket with the others.  Then she gathered herself.

"Come Taisho, we should not remain here.  Let us continue on our way for a while, and let my mind think over what we should do with this 'prize' that we have."

They set off into the forest, Ayame carrying the casket, Taisho following behind, ever observant.  One positive result of the experience in the clearing was that Ayame seemed to have recovered her strength somewhat from the bloodletting.  Although she was far from at full strength, yet she was able to walk unaided for a few hours.

As the two of them walked in silence over the hours of their march, their minds were both, not surprisingly, on the casket and what lay within.  Interestingly both of them were following the same kind of mental path.

After the shock of the revelation, Ayame was silently chiding herself for her instinctive reaction.  The stones were of the D'Jarus (there, she could say the name without wincing like a child or a fool).  The stones were therefore potentially dangerous, and certainly not something that should be treated lightly.  However her initial thoughts of rejection were moving towards a more accommodating attitude.  So they were of D'Jaran origin; what, in itself, was wrong with that?  The evil and terror of the name was in the fact that they had oppressed Bishani with a power that the Jillhani could not match; but here and now the power was in Ayame's hands, not theirs.  Power was power.  It was not good or evil in itself; like a katana is not good or evil, it can be used for either but that will depend upon the wielder.  Besides, this talk of good and evil might be suitable for the lower classes, but there were limits to how far one could push such ideas.  She was Jillhani after all, not one of those milksop Dyrlings with their nanny lion god who did not allow all manner of things that would be perfectly acceptable in Bishani.  The stones summoned darkness; but what of it? Even the Mother had her dark sides, which were followed along with the light sides of her natures and aspects.  The important thing was that she, Ayame, had the power, and she would be able to use it as she saw fit.  Besides, it would be in the greater interest for her to learn such things.  If the D'Jarus ever did return, would the Jillhani seek to stop them with their katanas?  She had seen how much damage even an expert like Taisho had been able to cause on the living dark: none whatsoever.  Yet if she had the power of the stones, she could match fire with fire, or darkness with darkness.  Yes, Ji'Kalna could help them and they would call upon her.  But if the ancient stories spoke true, when she came, the Jillhani fought with her.  It would be an insult to Her to expect her to fight for them while she, Ayame, held the means to fight as well.  And who better than her to learn how to use such things? A priestess of Ji'Kalna (and she had no doubt that she would be reinstated when they learned of what she carried), who, on her quest to learn of the ancient traditions that had led to the stones, had studied the ancient mysteries and legends probably in more detail than any other; one who knew of the D'Jarus as much as any, and would be able to make the best stand against them.  She owed it to her House, and her nation to continue her study of this power.

Walking by her side and slightly behind her, Taisho kept flicking his eyes to the casket, as if concerned that the darkness would seek to escape its prison and overwhelm them.  However after the initial revelation he was growing ashamed of his response.  He, a celebrated and decorated warrior of the House had had his concentration and alertness broken by a children's story, like the greenest of raw recruits.  It was not his place to speak of the nameless ones, or even to think of them.  He was a warrior.  He served his Mistress.  She, along with the lady Ayame, would be able to work out how best this power should be used for the glory of the House.  Perhaps they would summon up an army of these creatures.  Perhaps he would be placed in command of them to fight for the honor of his Mistress.  Yes, the creatures that he fought had been awe-inspiring and terrible in that room; but now they were in the hands of his House, to fight on their side.  He had seen the control that his lady had over them.  If this was the power of the dark ones that had allowed them to control Bishani, then what might it do for the House?  And who better to rule Bis