"Likewise." He held her hand in place with his for a moment, then released as she went outside. The sound of her foot steps trailed off into the cicada's echoes, leaving him with his thoughts. 

"I hope the Emperor is well..." Ishawari whispered. 

[center] *** [/center] 

The lord of Majima rose from his chair with the help of a servant. His illness subsided for now as color slowly returned to his face. Before him stood three members of the Royal Court, the only officials left he could trust. They bowed on bent knees, averting their eyes. 

"How fares my son?" Emperor Mifune asked, standing on his own two feet.    

"My Lord, Daigo reports the boy is safe with the Nightingales." Useugi, the oldest of the three, said. "They wait for the right opportunity to advance toward the next line of the poem." 

His tense shoulders relaxed, but he was still visibly troubled. 

"Any clues as to who sent those assassins?" The Emperor said, clenching his teeth. [i]They tried to kill my son![/i]

"Nothing concrete, my lord." The woman official, Setsuna, responded. "But we believe Official Hideo Gan might be behind it all. The traitors in your court seem to gravitate towards him." 

The Emperor scowled at the name: Hideo Gan. For years, the man has pecked at his side, relentless with his proposals, suggestions, and underhanded schemes. [i]Of course it would be this man! I'll kill him myself![/i]

"They plan in secret," The third official, Meijo, said. "Dissent has already sowed its way through the royal army. If they intend to overthrow you, my lord, it will be soon."

"We've doubled your guards, my lord, but..." Useugi shared glances with the other two officials, then craned his head up to stare into the Emperor's sullen eyes. "We think it wise you follow the poem's verse as well." 

"My fate is sealed here, Useugi." Emperor Mifune said, "We will stall the court for as long as we can, until my son is safe. So long as he breathes, our legacy will endure." 

"Our agents are in position to help with the prince's escort, my lord." Meijo assured, "They will give their lives to make sure he reunites with The Mentor." 

In that moment, Emperor Mifune sighed. Weakness overwhelmed him once more, and the servant quickly shuffled over to carry him back to his chair. The three officials pounced to his aid, but Mifune brought up his hand. 

"We will not rest until that is made into a reality." The Emperor said, and they bowed in agreement. 

[center]***[/center]

Ishawari rose from the small wooden stool, then carried it over to the doorway of the prince's room. He placed it against the sliding door frame, then gently sat down. Arms crossed, back pressed up against the door frame, he watched as the boy slept in peace. He resisted the urge to do the same, but his body yearned for rest, and he eventually nodded off into his own slumber.