4 Crows Come to Roost 2

The Mikashita palace entrance, like other kin-lord estates, faced towards the Shibai Sharin temple. A fenced garden, flush with buttercups, anemones, and honeysuckles, surrounded the palace. The estate elongated into fruit orchards to the north, while on the south-end was the training grounds- an egg-shaped field surrounded by a stone pavilion. This day, it was brimming with seventy-seven out of ninety-five members of the household. The absentees were out for essential work. The household staff, including Chief Gotou, were a total of fifteen. The kin-members were seated on an arc of the pavilion, while Overlord Senju stood on the grounds, facing them. Mitsu joined her husband's side.

Kento and Nagumo proceeded to squat with their thirty-eight juvenile cousins. Juno (fourteen), Akako (sixteen), Goro (fourteen), Kotone (thirteen), and Shigeo (fifteen) sat around them. Nagumo was his only sibling; including the older ones, they had forty-five cousins. The seven older cousins were employed in village government and did not mingle with the teenagers. That made Kento the eldest in the gang, and hence, the de facto leader. The uncles and aunts flocked separately on another side of the pavilion arc. The leader of the teenagers dictated that it was time for gossip.

Kento: "Shigeo, go ahead."

Shigeo was a bespectacled fifteen-year-old who was rarely found practising taekkyon on the training grounds. Taekkyon was the flagship martial arts of Karasuma village; its progenitors were the legendary fighters- Byeon and Subak of the now-extinct- Joseon kin. Every kin member was drilled in the art from the age of six. Shigeo's talents, however, lay elsewhere. Every news flash, sensation, and hearsay- he was the one to ask about. He would hang around the offices and pluck anything vital that he overheard or found in writing. He would hunker at the citadel library during his leisure, reading about history, magic, and agriculture. This day, he was in higher spirits than usual.

Shigeo: "Kento. Brothers and sisters. I have some thrilling news. It is about the Legacy Trials."

The Mikashita kids set to mutter amongst themselves.

Akako: "If I am not wrong, they are held every three years. The next trials will be held after two years. What is it about them?"

Akako was Kento's first cousin, the daughter of Raiden Mikashita (the second eldest among the Mikashita, after Senju). With sea-green curls and an athletic frame, she was a bold, sharp fighter. Her boldness spilt over to her personality, making her out-spoken and blunt, which, to be fair, was a common trait of the members of the mightiest kin in Karasuma.

Shigeo: "That is correct, but hear this- the Village High Council was convened last weekend. The Overlord was present, along with Lord Heydrian and Chief Strategist Hakaku. Some critical financial issues were discussed by the Hyougi, including our stocks of grains, legumes, salted eels and iron. I also read a banking article from the Karasuki bulletin that talked about balancing budgets prior to spring and-"

Kento: "Shigeo. Why not tell us the thrilling portion of the news first?"

The young prodigy nodded and pricked his eyeglasses up his nose bridge for dramatic effect.

Shigeo: "The most significant topic was the need for expanding the Legacy unit, for the services of which, Karasuma charges the highest commission. Other villages pay over five gold coins for hiring a double stripe squad. Some zealous decisions were taken.

First- the Legacy Trials will now be held every year."

There was an instant surge in murmurs within the gang.

"Every year?"

"Is this why Daigaku preceptors are here?"

"When will it commence?"

Shigeo: "Calm down. I will share everything I know. Second. The age bar for entry into the Legacy Trials has always been seventeen. It has been brought down to fifteen!"

"Fifteen!"

"Is this a prank?"

"Impossible!"

The gang erupted into talking so loudly that Gotou had to come over to quiet them. They settled down, as every child was scared of the Chief's temper. They continued their deliberation through whispers after he left.

Kotone: "Does that mean- Kento, Akako and you, are eligible, Shigeo?"

Shigeo: "Yes. And the trials are going to be held during spring next year."

The gang looked at the three older teenagers, who coincidentally were sitting together. Most of Kento's cousins were under fifteen. A speech was warranted from him. It was no secret that Kento needed to clear the Legacy Trials if he ever wanted to succeed Overlord Senju. It was a prerequisite. He thought deeply before sharing his mind.

Kento: "An early chance to appear in the Legacy Trials? I think I will forego and sit this one out."

The Mikashita kids started chattering all over again.

"No way, Kento!"

"Please reconsider!"

"What is wrong with you?"

"If only I were fifteen!"

Akako: "Kento, you are the strongest taekkyon fighter among us. Why would you forgo? This is not the Mikashita way!"

Shigeo: "I think I understand what he is worried about. We will be up against older, seasoned fighters- who are better gifted in kitsu, seiton, and shuzen. Even young adults from the general military, appear in the trials in good numbers. Kitsu masters with ocular powers and specialized weapons-"

Gotou: "Silence young masters. The Overlord is about to speak."

The Overlord of Karasuma, and Kin-lord of Mikashita, Senju Mikashita was a tall, broad-shouldered man in his mid-thirties. He had a pale, square face and was completely bald. His years of service in the Legacy Unit and the military had given him sunken eyes and an older visage than his biological age. But he was extolled as a legendary warrior, the likes of which had never been seen before. Perhaps, only Lord Heydrian came close to him in military exploits and prowess. In his flowing Overlord robe and hat, striped with red, he looked like a mythical figure. The Karasuma sigil (a crow in flight) was pinned to the lapel of his robe.

Overlord Senju: "My beloved brothers, sisters and young Mikashita. May the goddess be with you all. Peace has endured in our village for years, for which I owe gratitude to the hard work and cooperation of members of all kin. But I must apprise you that these are difficult times. A recent survey by Chief Strategist and Economist Hakaku Yamazaki, brought to light, the fact- that our mine reserves are depleting, and the riverine catch is dwindling every year."

"But the bread-earners of Karasuma are our warriors. The demand for military services has increased in the continent of Kinheni, with growing numbers of bandits, and proliferation of hostile beasts in forests, farming lands and waterways. Historically, we have kept a check on the strength of our elite military unit known as the Legacy Unit. However, in light of recent events, we have arrived at some decisions to overhaul the Legacy Trials. The Kin-lords of the other six houses are communicating the same message to their subjects, as we speak."

Senju shared the resolutions of the Village High Council, elaborately- which Shigeo had presented to the children, summarily. There was generous applause from the pavilion when he concluded. Frequent trials not only meant more elite warriors but also burgeoning tourism and trade. A large number of the Mikashita owned businesses in the marketplace, Toimaru.

Senju: "Come spring next year, I will nominate, at most, twelve participants to the Legacy Trials, as is the usual practice. Three have already been selected. And their names are-

Hajime (Twenty) from the Bursar's office.

Megumin (Nineteen), from the Mikashita-kin barracks.

Yuuta (Twenty) from the citadel library."

There was more applause from the audience and whistles and hurrahs from the children. The trio stood and bowed to the crowd; they were popular as 'the bulwark-trio'- for their exploits as a team.

Senju: "I am very confident that they will bring laurels to our kin. The remaining nominations will be selected from aspirants in due time. I must repeat- that kin-subjects fifteen and above are allowed to participate. It would be natural for those under seventeen to be uncertain about their abilities, and this is radically short notice. Hence, two gifted preceptors from the Daigaku have been deputed to every kin, to train the fifteen and sixteen year olds, and hone their abilities, before the trials begin. They will overlook registration and training of all aspirants, including those seventeen and above. Without further ado, I invite to our midst-"

"Keiji Sensei. And- Yuuki Sensei."

The crowd awarded a genteel ovation as two men descended from the pavilion. Keiji was twenty-six years old, five feet ten, slender and incredibly good looking, with long flowing chestnut hair. Yuuki was six feet tall, twenty-three, sporting long silver hair and a robust build. It was common knowledge that they did not belong to any kin- and hence, no kin or epithet was appended to their names. The Daigaku hired foreigners consistently to train those who passed the Legacy Trials and fill its research wings. Kin-members who entered the Daigaku as preceptors had to give up kinship during their tenure. They had to don the liturgical white and wear the Daigaku crest. The sacrifice was meant to prevent favouritism among kin-members during and after trials. The preceptors were hired by the Daigaku Dean on the advisory of the Hyougi (members of the Village High Council). But, it had become a tradition- that the foreigner preceptors eventually married into kin families after their tenure ended and settled in Karasuma. Keiji and Yuuki were still bachelors; the gasps and sniffles of the girls and unmarried women in the crowd bore testimony to that. Both preceptors were dressed in white robes with the Daigaku crest (an elaborate golden snowflake) embroidered on the front.

Keiji: "I offer gratitude to the Overlord for his kind and encouraging words. As preceptors of Daigaku, we train the warriors who qualify in the Legacy Trials. However, a special exception has been made this time, as the priority of the Daigaku is to ascertain quality of entrants in the trials. The Hyougi will be the judges in the contest and we will host distinguished guests from across the continent. Even participants who fail the trials, are very often picked up by foreign employers. Therefore, it is integral that we tailor the aspirants from every kin to meet the standards of the Daigaku and protect the legacy of Karasuma."

Akako: "Forgive me, Keiji Sensei. We might be young, but we have trained rigorously, everyday, since we were six. Perhaps other kin feel vulnerable enough to seek outside help and guidance, but the Mikashita are ready for the trials."

An awkward silence fell on the pavilion. Keiji grinned boyishly, much to the fancy of the ladies. He exchanged a glance with Yuuki, and they nodded to each other. Together, they turned towards the Overlord and his wife. Senju and Mitsu understood the design and beckoned their assent. Following this, Yuuki took the baton.

Yuuki: "I am sure the little lady is a fine warrior. And I would be glad to stand corrected. Let us try something fun. Everyone who is eligible for the trials, and an aspirant, kindly step forward. We will have a demonstration."