Scott McGough: Outlaw:Champions of Kamigawa

The fox-woman chided herself for unkindness. She was predisposed to think well of Princess Michiko, the Daimyo's daughter, and it was unfair to make comparisons. Further, everyone at court agreed that Michiko was blessed of divine beauty, as breathtaking and impeccable as a dove in flight. She was tall, long-limbed, and she moved with an easy grace that was almost hypnotic. Her face was wide, open, and inquisitive. Her smile was a warm reward, her tears a bitter punishment.

"Lady Pearl-Ear!" the princess whispered excitedly. "Riko says that some important delegates from her school will attend today's assembly."

"Indeed they shall, Princess." In looks, in voice, and in demeanor, Princess Michiko reminded Pearl-Ear very much of Yoshino. "I saw them arrive myself earlier this morning."

"Do you think the scholars have brought good news?"

"That I do not know. But come now, and we shall find out together." She bowed to Riko. "You must excuse us, Riko-ome. If you wait for us in your chambers, I will send word when the assembly has ended."

The student returned the bow. "Thank you, Lady Pearl-Ear. I will be waiting."

As Riko went up the stairs, Pearl-Ear took Michiko by the hand and led her down the hall.

"What have you two been studying today?" Pearl-Ear found it was easier to separate the two girls if you kept one of them talking.

"We were reading about the soratami. If I am to rule by my father's side one day, I must learn about all the tribes of Kamigawa." Even as Michiko answered, she craned her head to wave to her friend.

"That is an impressive task, Michiko-hime." Pearl-Ear tugged gently, and the princess turned to face her as they walked. "The moonfolk are a mystery unto themselves. Few outside the tower have ever seen one. My own people have had cold but cordial relations with them for generations, and even we know very little about them."

"Riko says the academy has frequent dealings with them. She thinks there may even be records in the school archives dating back a thousand years."

"The academy's resources are indeed vast."

"Someday, we will go there together and research the soratami properly."

"You and I, Princess? Or you and Riko?"

Michiko smiled. "All three, I pray."

So like her mother, Pearl-Ear thought. "Quickly now," she said. "The assembly cannot start without you."

Together, they crossed the great hall and moved into a smaller suite in the western annex. The room had high-backed chairs lining one wall and a row of tables lining the other. Though there was all manner of food and drink on the tables, no one ate and no one sat.

Instead, roughly twenty of the most esteemed members of the court all stood in small groups, talking in urgent whispers. Lady Pearl-Ear recognized General Takeno, weathered, worn, and bent from twenty years of war. The moonfolk ambassador who had been outside the Daimyo's chambers on the night of Michiko's birth was there, flanked by a robed wizard and a boy with white hair and blue eyes. Pearl-Ear recognized Choryu, another student from the academy and a friend of Riko's and Michiko's. He was older and more advanced in his studies and often attended to high-ranking academy officials on their visits to Eiganjo.

The rest of the assembly included soldiers, ministers, merchants, and other prominent humans from the Daimyo's kingdom.

Michiko suddenly pointed at one of the corners. "Look, Lady Pearl-Ear! A kitsune-bito, like you."

Pearl-Ear started and quickly scanned the corner. There was a fellow kitsune in the room, a male with a small, compact build. His gray eyes laughed as they locked onto Pearl-Ear's. Then he disappeared behind a cluster of army officers.

"Do you know him?"

Pearl-Ear nodded, not taking her eyes off the spot in the corner. "I do. But I think he has taken to using charms from the marketplace outside. I would have sensed him otherwise."

Michiko's eyes became excited and she whispered, "Who is he? Is he a spy? Is he checking up on you?"

Pearl-Ear patted her shoulder. "Nothing so furtive, Princess. My people are a playful lot, given to tricks and jests. I imagine he was sent here by my village elders to provide or obtain information. And he is hiding from me only because he is very childish."

"I think he's handsome," Michiko said. "What's his name?"

"Let's just call him Sharp-Ear for now."

Michiko wrinkled her nose. "I don't understand."

"My sister is indulging in a little wish fulfillment." The male kitsune spoke from behind the two women. He slid in between them and draped an arm around Pearl-Ear. "Lady Pearl-Ear is hoping that I'm not here to stay."

Pearl-Ear forced herself to speak calmly. "Princess Michiko, my brother. Bow before the princess, Sharp-Ear."

The lithe fox-man stepped back and bowed low, sweeping his arm dramatically out behind him. "Forgive me, Michiko-hime. I meant no disrespect." Still bowing, Sharp-Ear swept out his leg as well, balancing on one foot with his tail waving side to side.

Michiko laughed. "None taken. Lady Pearl-Ear never said she had a brother."

Sharp-Ear straightened up and took the princess's hand. "She has seven," he said, and then he knelt with Michiko's hand pressed to his furry gray forehead. He bobbed back up and released her hand. "And nine sisters. We kitsune go in for big families. I think I have two or three siblings that I've never even met."

"That sounds like a beautiful dream." Pearl-Ear had crossed her arms and was glaring reproachfully at Sharp-Ear.

"Lady Pearl-Ear!"

"No, Princess, pay her no mind. Sharp tongues are also a mainstay of the kitsune-bito." He leaned in and nudged Pearl-Ear's cheek with his shallow vertical muzzle. She turned her own face away, offering only her cheek.

Sharp-Ear seemed unfazed. "I have missed you, sister. The entire village plagues me incessantly for news of your exploits here at court."

"You won't have anything to tell them if we don't let Princess Michiko begin the meeting." Pearl-Ear turned to Michiko. "If you would?"

The princess nodded and made her way up to the front of the room where a small dais had been erected.

"Why have you come?" Pearl-Ear whispered.

Sharp-Ear kept his eyes forward, fixed on the princess. "I have come, like everyone else, to share news of the war."

"What news? I am special envoy to the Daimyo, and I-"

"Shhh. The princess is about to speak."

A servant rang a chime and the chatter in the room died down. Michiko raised her arms and called out, "Honored guests. Loyal retainers of the realm. Representatives of all Kamigawa. On behalf of my father, Daimyo Konda, I bid you welcome."

The room answered in unison. "Long live the Daimyo."

"He already has," Sharp-Ear whispered. Pearl-Ear elbowed him through his robes.

"This meeting," the princess continued, "is for the

Daimyo's benefit, and yours. If he is to address your problems, he must know what they are. All entreaties will be heard. But first, General Takeno will speak on the recent progress he has made in defending this stronghold."

Michiko stepped down and the wizened general mounted the dais. His hair was white and thinning, his fingers trembled, but his eyes were clear and his voice strong.

"The kingdom continues to suffer intrusions from the spirit world." A rough murmur started to rise, but Takeno silenced it with a stern look. "There have been no casualties for almost a month. We have a limited area to defend and our troops can respond in a matter of seconds. We have mastered the art of containing them in these confined spaces, with only minor wounds on our side. The situation is stable."

"Forgive me, General, but that is not the case." To Lady Pearl-Ear's horror, the voice was her brother's, speaking from directly beside her. All around the room, nobles and generals and dignitaries stared and whispered behind their hands.