Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Making of a Lord Chapter 25

  Another week passed, and Kurosai now found himself sitting at the dining room table with Koraen, Chirio and Torakus. Sorae with the other Ladies and all the kids out in the gardens. With a sigh he closed his eyes. "Well now that we are all here I think Chirio should…" Then his eyes went wide when he smelled the feint smell of dragons!

  "My Lord!" A maid rushed in and fell to her knees next to him with terrified eyes. "My Lord dragons are approaching! From the North! Master Umarus is taking the Ladies and children to the safe room."

  "Good. Thank you." Kurosai then joined the other Lords and headed out the side door. "I know this scent but I don't. It mixes too much with leopard blood."

  Once outside it was Chirio that looked up at the sky and stopped with wide eyes. "I know them. As does everyone here."

  Turning to him with confused eyes, Kurosai crossed his arms. "What are you talking about?"

  Turning to his friend Chirio nodded. "That is Tikae, Sidhae, Sakon, and Hideo. Not long after I got home after your son's presentation they showed up asking for refuge. They fled Kenji and Shinra when they went into hiding. I know I sent you word about it."

  Rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh as the dragons fell from the sky to walk toward the gate. "Yeah I don't remember that. But hey that is alright. I was a little preoccupied with Sorae at the time. But it is Tikae and he is welcome here reguardless." Looking up at the gate keepers he smiled. "Open the gates! They are welcome here."

  But just as the gates opened, the lords gasped to see the four of them, and even Jing covered in leopard blood as they walked through the gate. Taking a few steps in front of all the others, it was Chirio that addressed them first with shocked eyes. "Tikae what happened? Why are you all covered in leopard blood like that?"

  Holding up the scroll that Yori wrote on, Tikae didn't hide the glare in his eyes. "The blood is from leopards that were never loyal to you in the first place. And your mate is the reason. For what she has done she needs death." Then held out the scroll for Chirio to take from h im.

  Taking the scroll, Chirio narrowed his eyes at the dragon before him. "Why do you speak in such a away about my mate Tikae? After what I have done for you?"

  His eyes never wavered as he dropped his hands to his side. "Because any woman who can try to blackmail someone into killing her own child doesn't deserve respect or breath. Once you were gone long enough to have made it here, I was called to her study. And she told me then that you were not going to ruin Motoichi's ambition. We were with three dozen leopards that we took care of, but they were supposed to help us kill Soichiro. And if I refused she was going to let Shinra and Kenji know where I was and how to get to me. Seeing as she has been close friends with Shinra since before I was born."

  His eyes were full of rage as he opened the scroll. The growl that came from deep in his chest made everyone go wide eyed. It detailed everything. Who was with him. Weaknesses. The best places to lay in wait. Including the threat of Shinra and Kenji. What sealed it, was that every word. Every bit of it was in Yori's handwriting. Looking up at everyone he growled as his eyes narrowed. "She is done the second that I get home. And this also makes what I want to do here that much more important."

  "Agreed." Kurosai then turned and lead the way back into the palace. Glancing over his shoulder he made eye contact with Tikae. "So Tikae. Lets go. You four come with us."

  "With you?"

  Laughing as he smiled and closed his eyes Kurosai gave a sharp nod. "Well I am assuming that you want to one day deal with your parasite of a brother and pick up where your father left off right?"

  Smiling as he started to walk, Tikae gave a nod. "Of course I am."

  "Good. This will give you a learning experience for meetings."

  X

  Smiling with a sigh as he opened the door, Umarus gave a bow. "It is alright. The smell is not Kenji, but related."

  Nodding his head as he walked with Sorae holding her hand, Soichiro had a big smile. "That's right. That is Tikae. He came to live with us three years ago. He said he ran away from his brother and sister."

  Sighs of relief came from all three of the Ladies. Sorae then smiled as she looked back at them. "Shall we then go back to the gardens with the kids?"

  Nodding in agreement as she followed, Sarigi giggled. "Indeed. It is too nice of a day outside to be stuck inside for anything."

  In agreement as well Kintare laughed as she carried Shone out of the palace and set him down to race and run with the other kids to fall and lay down next to the pond watching the water and the fish of the koi pond. "And spending time with each other like this is good for them. They boys especially they need to at least be friends so they can keep the peace like their father's do."

  Watching as her son kept a close eye on his sister, but was still nothing but a goofball like his father was, Sarigi smiled as she folded her hands before her. "However the mood that Chirio has been in, I doubt that the peace will last very long. This is not something that is typically done. I wonder what is going on?"

  "I am sure if anything is going to happen we will find out about it. Right now let's not think about such things." Sorae then giggled as the kids started to race around the gardens, pulling gasps from the guards that raced after them.

  She knew what was going on. And it was best for Soichiro, but she also didn't want to be the one to let it slip so that he would hear. He had to hear this coming from his father. Not her. But knowing what he wanted, she was sure that Koraen and Torakus would agree to it. And both would most likely tell Kintare and Sarigi on the way home.

  Looking over at Soichiro she smiled as she shook her head. 'No I can't say anything to them right now. Not where he can hear me that wouldn't be right.'

  X

  Once again sitting in the dining hall, Chirio knew that all eyes were on him as he let out a sigh. "I asked Kurosai to call you two here because I was worried about what Yori and Motoichi might do. And in light of what Tikae has told us and proven, it would seem that my worry was right. Those two threaten to destroy the peace that has been around for thousands of years between the four lands. Both with us and our father's before us."

  Crossing his arms Koraen nodded with a sigh. "I can agree with that. None of us said anything, but none of us have ever gotten a good vibe from that cub or his mother. Figured that she was only kept around because of him, then Soichiro when he came around. So what is it that you want to do about the problem?"

  Rubbing the sides of his head Chirio growled. "Eveil or not, I could never bring myself to take the life of my own cub at this age. If he was grown and it was him or me that would be different. And Yori, killing her would be an easy out for her. What I want to do is something worse than killing her or taking the title of heir from Motoichi."

  "What is that?"

  Turning to look Torakus in the eye, Chirio smiled as he dropped his hand from his head. "I am stripping their titles and they are not only out of the palace, but won't be allowed in the palace walls either. Forcing them to live like the 'vermin' as they call it live."

  Blinking, and unsure if he should say anything, but knowing that it did need to be brought up, Tikae cleared his throat and drew all eyes to him. "But My Lord. What would stop him from growing and training and then coming back to try to kill you to take the title when he is grown? Or any of the other lands as well."

  Looking him in his blue eyes, Chirio sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "If he does that he will look to take over the North. Since it was once promised to him then took away. Both he and his mother will see that as a way of if they can showing me that I can't stop it. And that leads me to the second thing that I am going to do. I want myself, Kurosai, Koraen and Torakus to sign a blood pact. One that will last for one thousand years. Detailing that if in that thousand years, the North does anything to the East, West or South, the four armies will join together and take him out. The Northern Army is vast, but it is nothing when stood next to the West, South a
nd East. Even if they paired with Kenji and the dragons, they wouldn't stand a chance."

  Crossing his arms, his eyes focused, Kurosai nodded. "I think that is a good idea. It will be at least another hundred or so years before he will even be old enough to think about it. Let alone actually do anything. That gives us time to get more troops in our army as well. Because you know that Motoichi would be doing the same thing if he does what you think he is."

  His finger going up by his face, Torakus turned to Chirio with a smile. "So this means that Soichiro is going to be the heir right?"

  His eyes taking on a look of sadness, Chirio sighed as he looked down and let them half close. "He will not. Soichiro's main guard Kenta has a son named Hiro. He is nearly grown and is loyal to me as well. Has said many times that he has ever intention on joining the Northern Army when he is grown to help me more. He is a good kid and has been trained well. The North will be in good hands with him. He is going to be my heir. That way, if they do, they won't target Soichiro if something happens to me with intent to kill him. Hopefully that will spare his life if the worst happens."

  "I understand that. I would do the same thing if I was in your situation I think. I would not risk the only good thing you have in your life." Standing and going to the other table, Kurosai picked up the scrolls that he and Chirio worked on while they waited for the others to get there, he laid them out. "Each of us get a copy of the pact and…."

  Looking up Tikae blinked as he thought of something else. "But what about the loop hole?"

  This time Chirio gave him an odd look. He didn't understand what he was talking about. "What do you mean loop hole?"

  Nodding Tikae kept his eyes on him. "Lord Sanzo, Lord Shone, Lord Kiyoshi. I am sure that sometimes in the next thousand years that they are going to take mates and have sons of their own. Motoichi, if he does what you fear, will send someone to kill them and not think about it. When that demon is took out, he will declare war anyway."

  "I see your point." Kurosai then smiled. "Course by the time that they are old enough to take a mate and have kids, that is at least a hundred years from now. And with everyone in this room, plus at the very least three more grown and strong demons also. It would be alright and we would just do what the pact says and march against him."

  Nodding Torakus was the first to sign them. "But come on guys. I mean I am going along with it, but wouldn't we do something like this anyway?"

  Nodding Chirio was the second to sign them. "You would. However I know Yori and Motoichi I am sure is going to be even more cunning and underhanded than his mother is. It details in here also that he doesn't have to be the one to do it. If there is a force of demons that attack the South, whether he does it or not, he will be the one that is took out for it."

  Watching as Koraen took his turn to sign them, Torakus nodded with a smile. "Well I can see where something like that would be a good thing. Use fear of his plans whatever they are being thwarted before they happen to force peace for the next thousand years."

  The last to sign them all was Kurosai then he rolled it up and gave them each their copy of it. "Well. I am sure that working together like this, we will be able to stop him from taking over the North and keep peace longer than that." As he handed Chirio his, he laughed. "But we can expect how things are going in the North right?"

  "Every chance I get."

  Smiling Kurosai gave him a sharp nod. Then turned to everyone else. "Well now. Since the serious stuff is over let's go join our mates and kids in the gardens. You Tikae, go clean up the blood and then come and join us too." Then he lead the way out the hall as a maid lead Tikae and his men to the hot spring.

  The rest of the evening was spent with everyone together in the garden as they all talked and watched the children playing happily. But Kurosai couldn't help but fear the worst when it came to his friend and his youngest cub. He just knew that what he was doing needed to be done because Yori and Motoichi would figure out some way to destroy the peace that they have all known for so long.

  His eyes quickly finding his son as he ran with Sanzo and Soichiro playing around the koi pond he couldn't help but smile. They were all so young and innocent from the evils of the world. 'But just like the others I am going to have to make sure that Kiyoshi is a match for anyone. I will mold him into the greatest demon Lord that the lands have ever seen from any of them. He will go down in history as the strongest of all time if I have anything to say about it. And his sister whenever she gets here.'

  Making of a Lord Chapter 26

  Standing with Motoichi at her side, both he and Yori herself wore an unusual smile as they waited for her mate and youngest to come through the gate. Already forming what her note was going to say in her mind's eye. Telling Shinra and Kenji every little thing that Tikae has done and what his main goal is and everything. 'Damn him! Not even a scratch!'

  Glaring as he stormed past her, Chirio growled as he held a confused Soichiro in hi sarms. "Come with me now. Both of you."

  Flinching at the rage in his voice Yori followed him. Though she didn't hide the glare for the tone he used. A glance and a nod down at her son and she smiled. 'Show him what you have learned to play as. Show him that he can't do what he wants my son.'

  Nodding back to his mother, Motoichi kep this smile as he rushed up to walk next to his father. "Father next time may I please go with you and Soichiro? I would really like that."

  "Later."

  Glaring as Motoichi fell back to walk next to her, Yori forced herself not to growl as she walked through the palace. "Where are we going Chirio."

  "My study." Chirio was using all his self-control not to rip her head off of her shoulders where she stood. As he rounded the corner to his study, without a word he handed Soichiro to Kenta who was standing there with his son already as he ordered. "Kenta take Soichiro with you. Hiro come in."

  Growling as she walked through the door, Yori threw her hands on her hips as she glared up at Chirio. "You better explain yourself Chirio! What the hell is going on here?!"

  Pulling the scroll out as he turned and growled at her, Chirio slammed it down on his desk, splintering it and sending papers and scrolls flying everywhere. "You would have really had your own son killed!?"

  Her eyes flashing in rage now, Yori put herself between Chirio and Motoichi as she crossed her arms. "Yes I would have! He is weak and of no importance to anyone but you. Motoichi was first born! He is the heir to the North! I was having him killed so you couldn't take that away from him you bastard!"

  Growling so loud that everyone in the room flinched Chirio pointed to Hiro as he kept his eyes glaring into Yori's. "Soichiro or not he is no longer my heir! Title is stripped! From both of you! You are no longer my mate, and he is no longer my heir. You can both get the hell out. Hiro is my heir."

  Her eyes going wide at first, then flashing as her rage soared higher than every before in her life! She stormed up to him and tried to push on his chest then slapped him hard in the face. "You are going to tell your own flesh and blood that he cannot take over when you are dead or done and name the son of some guard your heir! I will not allow it! Do you hear me!" She then raised her hand to slap him again.

  Having never struck a woman before in his life and knew he would never after this either, Chirio saw her intent to slap him again and backhanded her away from him. Using nowhere near the force she used. Growling at her as she stayed on the floor he kept his glare. "Get out Yori. Take that cub with you also. Out of the palace and out of the palace grounds. Now."

  Growling Motoichi pulled his small sword and charged his father. "You bastard! Don't you dare touch her again! I will take your life now and be Lord today!"

  Reaching out with just two fingers, Chirio easily stopped his son's full force swing. "You got a way to go yet cub before you could take me on."

  Standing as she tried to compose herself, Yori lifted a shaky hand to touch her face where she still felt a slight tingly sensation. She had never been struck before in her life!
By anyone! "I see then Chirio. If that is how you want to play this game then that is how we will play it." Taking her son by the hand and headed for the door she stopped and glared over her shoulder at him. "But make no mistake Chirio. Motoichi will not only be Lord of the North one day, but he will take over all the lands. He will be the one Lord to rule them all.

  Laughing with a smile as he crossed his arms, Chirio gave her a sideways look. "Not for at least another thousand years Yori. I made sure of that in the South."

  Her eyes narrowing Yori growled as loud as she could. "What does that mean?"

  Facing her fully, Chirio laughed again. "While in the South, Koraen and Torakus joined us. We signed a blood pact. It doesn't matter if Motoichi knows about it or not. If anyone attacks the West, South or East at all, the three of them will seek him out and take his head."

  Her eyes still glaring, Yori took a deep breath then pulled her son with her as she stormed through the palace and out into the gardens, then through the still open gate. As it started close she growled at the palace. "I will show him. He will regret what he has done to us."