She paused, her mouth set in a thin, tight line, as if, at any moment, a wail of grief might break forth. Jelena waited in silence, recognizing the sight of old pain freshly recalled and felt anew.
After a moment, Sateyuka regained her composure and continued. “It was no accident-the fire-although we didn’t find out until after the flames had been put out. We lost our entire inventory and most of our equipment as well. My husband suffered lung damage from the smoke. He kept running back into the burning shop to save whatever he could, which was precious little. When it was all over, we were left with two looms, one dye vat almost too warped by heat to use, and three bales of raw wool. Not much with which to rebuild a shop as big as ours had been.
“The next day, while searching the ruins for anything that might be salvageable, my eldest son came across a medallion half-buried in the ashes. It was one of the tokens worn by apprentices of the Weavers and Dyers Guild. Somehow, it had survived the flames. Engraved on the back was the insignia of Kai Kaiori, our biggest competitor.”
“This Kai Kaiori sent apprentices to burn you out? But why?” Jelena immediately realized the naievite of the question.
Sateyuka laughed sharply. “Kai Kaiori is a high ranking member of the Guild. Our shop had been seriously cutting into her business, a situation that she couldn’t tolerate!”
“Did you confront her?”
“My husband and sons went to her shop with the medallion as evidence, but it was useless. She denied she had anything to do with the fire, and she challenged us to prove otherwise. Azareshu tried to fight. He went to the authorities, but they refused to investigate. He even petitioned the king, but we never received a reply.”
Sateyuka rubbed at her eyes, either to relieve an itch or wipe away tears- Jelena could not tell. “The stress of it all proved too much for my dear husband. His lungs became worse and soon, he was too weak to rise from our bed. He died, and my sons and I were left alone.” Sateyuka fell silent, but only for a moment. Their eyes met and Jelena saw a woman who had survived unbearable grief and hardship, yet remained unbowed, with not a particle of self-pity anywhere within her to otherwise poison her recovery.
“After Azareshu died, I determined to rebuild. Thankfully, we had some money put aside, so I was able to rent a small space and purchase enough supplies to deliver some smaller orders. Ai, things were very hard that first year, but we survived. Our best customers were patient. They refused to abandon us, and because of them, we were able to stay afloat.
“Now, the business is almost back to where it had been before the fire. My eldest and his wife are the master weavers now. My other daughter-in-law oversees the dyeing and my youngest son attends to all of the daily business matters. I see to the accounts.”
Sateyuka raised the teapot with an expectant lift of her chin. Jelena held out her cup for a refill. “I’ve told you all of this, Jelena, so that you can better understand what it’s like for us. A few hikui families have managed to prosper, despite how things are, but most just get by, and too many still live in poverty, though Alasiri itself is rich. Still, we live our lives as best we can. We get married, raise our families, run businesses, pay taxes… As long as we remain separate-apart from mainstream elven society-the burden of our situation is barely felt by many of us, and the okui folk can go on pretending that we are all content. It’s only when the interests of a hikui collides with that of an okui that the ugly truth rears its head.”
Jelena sighed and forced herself to relax back into her chair. Sateyuka hadn’t revealed anything Jelena didn’t already suspect. “What am I to do?” she mused. “How can I reconcile all of this with what my life has become?”
“You are very lucky, child,” Sateyuka pointed out. “You are protected by virtue of your marriage into the House of Sakehera. Legally, you now have the same rights as an okui.”
“Maybe so, but it does not change the fact that I am still hikui. How can I live with rights that are denied others of our kind?”
“I haven’t the answer to that question, Jelena. Only you know what is truly in your heart. If your husband loves you and you love him…and I can see that you do by the look in your eyes…then perhaps that is all that should count for you right now. These are weighty matters, these questions of the rights of hikui people. Many women and men, both stronger and wiser than you and I, have spent their entire lives fighting for equality under elven law for our people. It has yet to happen.” She pursed her lips thoughtfully, then added, “Perhaps it never will.”
Jelena set her cup down with care and rose to look through the ornate window screen out into the street. The sunlight glowed orange and mellow; soon, dusk would fall. She hadn’t realized how much time had gone by. Talking with Sateyuka, sharing tea and pies with her-it had felt so comfortable and safe, like how Jelena imagined visiting a favorite aunt would be.
She turned to face her host. “I must go,” she murmured, then in a slightly stronger voice, added, “This has meant a lot to me. Thank you.”
Sateyuka stood and held out her hands; Jelena clasped them warmly. “You must come back to see me again,” the older hikui woman said, her soft brown eyes twinkling. “I have many friends here in Jokimichi, all of whom will welcome you and lend support, if you should feel the need.” Jelena understood the implied message behind the other woman’s words. “I wish you luck and pray that all will turn out for the best.”
“Thank you,” Jelena replied.
Sateyuka saw her to the door, and after giving Jelena directions back to the avenue that led up to the castle, stood at her threshold and watched as Jelena made her way up the street. At the first crossing, Jelena turned and waved before rounding the corner. Sateyuka lifted her hand in farewell.
As Jelena headed back toward the castle, she realized a seed had been planted within her this day. What form it would take as it grew, she could only guess at, but one thing she felt certain of: her relationship with Ashinji and his family-with all elves for that matter-would never be quite the same.
~~~
“It’s wrong, Ashi! Wrong and unfair!” Jelena exclaimed as she paced around the sitting room, hands clenched into fists at her side.
“I agree, love, but it is the way it is.” Ashinji sprawled on the couch beside the hearth, watching Jelena as she stalked, filling the room with her righteous indignation.
Abruptly, Jelena halted and rounded on her husband. “How can you be so…so unconcerned?” she demanded, glaring at him through narrowed eyes.
Ashinji sat up and held out his hands. “Please come and sit down,” he beckoned gently. After a moment’s hesitation, Jelena came and settled beside him, allowing herself to be held. At first, she remained rigid with anger, but the feel of Ashinji’s body against hers worked its own special magic and her fury slowly cooled. She sighed and relaxed into his embrace.
“I’m not unconcerned, love, just practical,” Ashinji said, brushing her cheek lightly with his fingers. “The weaver and her family deserved justice, and it sounds like they didn’t receive any. It is unfair, but the majority of okui don’t even acknowledge that there’s a problem. They truly believe that all hikui are content to live as our servants and laborers, never stopping to consider that the hikui woman or man they employ might just have higher aspirations.”
“Why are your parents different, Ashi?” Jelena asked. “Even though your father objected at first to our marriage, he did come around. Why?”
“I believe it’s because they were both raised in the borderlands where matters of blood and race are not as important,” Ashinji replied. “Many people out on the frontiers have a human or two hidden in their family trees.”
And a few, like Aneko, pass as okui, Jelena mused silently.
Jelena thought about the crime done to Sateyuka’s family and wondered how many other hikui had suffered unjustly-were still suffering-and her anger kindled anew. Ashinji must have sensed her hardening mood, for he pulled away and regarded her with cautious eyes. She looked into his fa
ce and, for the space of a heartbeat, she saw, not the man she loved, but the visage of an oppressor.
Gods, what am I thinking!
Jelena gasped with dismay. The anger fell away, to be replaced with intense sadness and regret. “Oh, Ashi,” she whispered and her eyes filled with tears. That anything could make her look at Ashinji with something other than love felt like an unbearable agony to her spirit, yet the injustice inflicted upon hikui by pure bloods remained undeniable, and she could no longer ignore it. She remembered Sateyuka’s words -If you and your husband love each other, perhaps that will be enough- and slowly shook her head.
“What are you thinking?” Ashinji asked.
“About…” Jelena paused, then drew herself up with new determination. “About how much I love you. And about how I can’t ignore what’s going on when I might have the power to help change things. I’m the king’s daughter, Ashi! I’m the king’s hikui daughter, and that obligates me to take action.”
Ashinji reached out and pulled her close. “I’m proud of you,” he said. “King Keizo is a fair man. I believe he’ll listen to you.”
“Hallooo! Where is everyone?” Lord Sen’s booming voice rolled into the room just ahead of the general himself, who strode in, trailed closely by Sadaiyo. Both father and son were dressed in heavy leathers, sweat-stained and dusty from the saddle. “Amara!” he called out, then noticing Ashinji and Jelena, he said in a somewhat quieter voice, “Hullo, children. Do you know where your mother is?”
“I think she and Misune took the girls out to tour the castle gardens, but they should be back very soon. It’s nearly dark,” Ashinji replied.
“Taking Lani out to dangle her in front of the eligible young bucks, is more like it,” Sadaiyo commented. Sen frowned.
“Must you always be so crude, Sadaiyo?” Ashinji responded, tight-lipped. “At least try to control your natural savagery where our sister is concerned.”
Sadaiyo shrugged at the insult, unfazed, and said, “While you’ve been lazing away the day on your backside, Father and I have been out working.” He crossed the room to stand by the hearth. Jelena eased herself off the couch and went to sit on the floor near the window. She found it difficult enough being in the same room as Ashinji’s brother. At the very least, she would put the length of the room between her and him.
“Your brother and I accompanied the king and Prince Raidan on a tour of the city’s defenses,” Sen explained. “Fortunately, most of the fortifications are sound, but I can’t say that about the old fort out on the Meizi Road. That’ll have to undergo major renovations before winter. Some enterprising local has turned it into an inn. Raidan was livid! I thought his head would burst!” Sen chuckled at the memory. He turned and addressed Jelena. “The king has invited us all to dine with him this evening. You’ll get to meet your uncle Raidan and his family, Jelena.”
“I’ve already met my uncle’s wife this morning,” Jelena said, remembering the strength of command that had radiated from Princess Taya.
My uncle must be a man of great strength himself, to have such a wife , she thought.
“Oh, yes. The Kirian Society. She is part of that, isn’t she?” Sen sniffed loudly and rubbed his nose on the back of his hand. “Hmm, well. I need a bath and a drink. The rest of you’d better think about getting ready, ‘cause we don’t want to be late.” He looked pointedly at Sadaiyo, then turned and stumped up the stairs.
With Sen’s departure, an uncomfortable silence descended upon the sitting room. After enduring several moments of the tense atmosphere, Jelena spoke up.
“Ashi, let’s go to the bath house now.” She stood and held her hand out to him.
“Good idea,” Ashinji replied. The two of them left Sadaiyo standing by the fireplace, his eyes hooded and inscrutable.
Chapter 11
Two Blessings And A Curse
"Things are happening so fast, Ashi…perhaps too fast.” Jelena sighed and lay back on the bed beside Ashinji. “In two days time, I am to be presented to the King’s Council as Keizo Onjara’s daughter…and then…” She paused, momentarily overcome. Ashinji gently rubbed the back of her neck, offering silent support. “And then,” she continued in a shaky voice, “my father will present me to the people of Sendai, legitimize me and invest me with the title of Princess.”
The king had made his announcement that evening during dinner in his private quarters.
“My uncle Raidan and his sons…What must they think?” she mused.
Prince Raidan, Princess Taya, and their two sons-sullen Raidu and cheerful, curious young Kaisik-had greeted her politely enough; with the exception of Raidu, they had treated her as a welcome new family member. When Keizo had announced his plans, however, Jelena felt the change in her uncle’s attitude like a breath of chill wind upon her face. Raidan had remained unfailingly polite, but his hazel eyes had gone flint-hard.
Ashinji stretched languidly and stifled a yawn behind his hand. “The prince is a good man, and well-respected…and he is loyal to the king,” he said. “You have nothing to fear from him, I’m sure.” He frowned. “I couldn’t help but notice how your father’s Companion kept staring at you all evening. It was a little disturbing…like watching a lioness licking her chops over a rabbit.”
“Yes, she did make me feel a little uncomfortable, but she’s a Kirian, after all…she knows about my blue fire. I think she must be able to sense it somehow.”
“Perhaps,” Ashinji replied.
“My cousin Raidu did a fair amount of chop-licking over your sister, Ashi,” Jelena commented.
“Huh. Don’t think I didn’t notice. Lani’s at that age now. She’s beautiful, smart-and marriageable-and she knows it.” Ashinji rolled over and pulled Jelena against him. His hand strayed down to rest on her thigh.
“Whatever changes are in store for us, we’ll face them together, love,” he whispered.
Jelena twined her fingers in his hair and kissed him.
~~~
“Mother, Father…Misune and I have an announcement to make,” Sadaiyo said. The family had just sat down to breakfast. Jelena had awakened that morning to more nausea, and had no appetite. Ashinji, ever sensitive to her mood, kept throwing worried glances her way as she slowly sipped a cup of tea.
“Well, what’s your news, Son…tell us,” Sen urged around a mouthful of bread. Sadaiyo took Misune’s hand and together, they faced Sen and Amara. “We waited to tell you because we wanted to be sure.” He paused for effect, then crowed, “Misune is pregnant. You’re to be grandparents!” Misune smiled triumphantly.
“Goddess be praised!” Sen whooped with joy. Amara rose from her seat, embraced Misune and kissed her on both cheeks. She then turned and put her arms around Sadaiyo, who seemed caught off-guard by his mother’s affection. Awkwardly, he returned her embrace.
“Today is a very good day for this family,” Sen said. He stood up, arms half-raised as if he, too, were about to embrace his son; instead, he reached out and squeezed Sadaiyo’s shoulder, then his arms dropped to his sides.
For only a moment, Jelena saw something she’d never seen before-Sadaiyo’s cold face transformed into that of a child desperately yearning for his father’s love-then, just as quickly, the child faded and the man returned.
“I’m glad I’ve…at last…made you happy, Father,” Sadaiyo said, a rough catch in his voice.
Sen sniffed and rubbed his eyes. “Yes…well…,” he huffed and sat down.
“Jelena, how are you feeling this morning?” Jelena looked up, surprised by her mother-in-law’s question.
“Not well, Mother, but it’s nothing, really,” she assured.
“It’s not nothing,” Ashinji countered. “Mother, Jelena has been unwell for nearly two weeks now.”
Amara nodded, a knowing look in her eye. “Perhaps it’s time to send for a doctor,” she said.
“Oh, no, Mother, please. I really don’t need a doctor.”
“Yes…you do!” Ashinji glowered at her.
; Amara exchanged a look with her husband. “I believe I’ll send for one right now,” she said.
Jelena nodded in acquiescence. She knew when to give in.
Later that morning, as she and Ashinji waited in the sitting room for the doctor to arrive, Jelena, who had sensed a mood change in her husband beyond worry for her, prodded him to talk.
They had the room to themselves; Sen and Sadaiyo had gone out on official business, Misune and Lani had retreated to the bathhouse for a long soak, and Amara was upstairs dressing the twins.
“What’s gotten you so upset, Ashi?” Jelena laid her hand atop his and gazed at his profile. “I know you’re worried about me, but…”
“Yes, of course I’m worried,” he responded, then said, “That was the first time I’ve ever seen my mother embrace Sadaiyo like that. I don’t think he quite knew how to react.”
“Your parents are thrilled that their Heir is expecting his own Heir,” Jelena replied. “It means the House of Sakehera will continue after your father is gone.”
“Of course, you’re right…” Ashinji paused, then exclaimed, “Ai, Goddess!” He shook his head slowly, eyes closed. “I know it’s evil of me, but…I can’t feel any joy for my brother. I’m ashamed, Jelena… ashamed to admit I would secretly enjoy any misfortune that might befall him.”
“Oh, Ashi.” Jelena rested her head on his shoulder. “There is nothing about you that is evil. If you feel this way about your brother, then it is his own doing. He has tormented and abused you your entire life. You aren’t the one who should feel ashamed, it’s him!”
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Ashinji brushed his lips against her neck.
“Yes, but I can never hear it enough.” A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Amara had declined to accept full-time servants while they lived at Sendai, and so it was left to the younger family members to perform certain tasks like opening the door to visitors.
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