The Four Wheel Saga Book 1: THE LEGACY TRIALS

Chapter 11: Fish Out of Water 5

Uzziah turned out to be a well-mannered lad with a penchant for discipline; he used the honorifics correctly, showed proper deference to the preceptors, and exhibited every trait of a gracious host. He had alert, inky eyes and pitch-black, braided hair. The young Yamazaki was about Kento’s height, darker in complexion and looked much more weathered. He had an air of maturity around him that seemed to make others do his bidding. As the group proceeded towards the main edifice of the floating house, Uzziah ordered some of the attendants around- sending one for refreshments, another to fetch his mother, Midori Yamazaki. He tasked a tall, muscular man named Shufuku to remove barnacles from the canoes and carry out cleaning and repairs wherever necessary. Illumi-Masaki-Nadeko’s canoe, particularly, needed some attending due to a lot of lamia snuffed around its hull. It smelled like an unclean butcher shop.

The citadel-bred youngsters, in contrast, were barely ever courteous to their preceptors or elders and had the annoying tendency to gossip and interrupt each other. As they had been raised in palatial quarters, the tribal settlement was a rural experience for them. Hajime and Yuuta had already begun teasing Megumin, saying that the house was likely to sink because she had boarded it. Nadeko and Masaki had started their tattle, with Illumi sandwiched between them. Shigeo had begun a discourse on the Wajin tribe settlement- about how the houses were constructed with shelter-kitsu to withstand harsh elements of nature.

Uzziah: “I would like to appeal to our revered guests to maintain decorum in the Yamazaki house. Here, a peaceful mind is the virtue above all.”

The group quieted themselves, embarrassed, but remained glib regardless, albeit through whispers. Yuuki and Keiji could barely keep themselves from smirking at the comical scene.

Kento had been silent all along. Before they had left on the journey, Senju had apprised him that a visit to the Yamazaki house was scheduled. Kento remembered meeting Uzziah several times before when they were ten-year-olds. They had even attended the grand carnival during the Goddess Festival that

year. They had almost become friends. But years later, Uzziah looked and sounded different. The jolly kid who used to love apple candies had turned into a stern, glacial teenager. Uzziah had pretended not to recognise him. Or had he really forgotten Kento? What did he go through in all these years that made him this way?

The path led to a wide shoji door, six feet tall and equally wide. It slid open to reveal traditional interiors with minimal furniture. Members of the house went about their chores, occasionally halting to pay courtesy to the preceptors from the Daigaku and Lieutenant Yorokobi.

They were received inside by Midori Yamazaki, wife of Hakaku and mother of Uzziah. She had a dusky complexion and a pleasant face, with braided hair- cinched into a large bun. Midori greeted the older warriors with affection and fawned over the children with motherly love. She offered them food and refreshments brought by an attendant. Uzziah took his leave, asserting that he had to join a foraging party. They were allowed some time to rest before being summoned by the lord of the house.

Lord Hakaku’s reading room was an inner sanctum of the main building. It was the only room in the entire structure painted opaque and had glass panels to insulate sound. While it had no windows, a segment of the roof was made of tinted glass to illuminate the room. A steep staircase rose from a corner, leading up to a private terrace, which could be utilised for lounging and surveillance. Inside the room, tribal art and craft adorned the walls; stacks of books were neatly arranged, with low tables and seat cushions, for study. Chief Strategist-Economist Hakaku Yamazaki was perched opposite one of these tables, strewn over by a plethora of documents- reports, maps, inventory lists and registers, which he examined with a magnifying glass. As the party entered, he gracefully left his seat and welcomed them.

Hakako: “Yuuki, Keiji- you are gladly received. Young residents of the citadel, you are also welcome to my humble abode.”

The party bowed in deference and presented their credentials which he accepted and acknowledged. Keiji, as a senior preceptor, enjoyed the rank of a Commander. In contrast, Yuuki had a position equivalent to Vice-Commander. Both were higher than Lieutenant Yorokobi’s, which was two levels below Vice Commander. Hakaku, on the other hand, as Chief Strategist, was the same rank as a kin- lord or a War General.

Lord Hakaku was almost the same age as Overlord Senju was- in his early forties. He had a luxuriant, impeccably black beard, covering most of his face. His clothes looked home-stitched and rustic. It was known to all that Hakaku was very close to the Overlord. Despite being born into different kin, the child prodigies had found themselves crossing paths, first as rivals in the then Legacy Trials and then as comrades in the Legacy Unit. They had fought as allies in the Zenmetsu war, as War Generals.

During the said war, the six village-nations-

Karasuma Karamishi Karakori

and

Karamohi Karayama Karasuki

had been divided into two warring factions. After the war (in which Karasuma and allies were triumphant), Hakaku was due to be the next kin-lord of the Yamazaki-kin. But he had committed a taboo with Midori of the Wajin tribe (one of their allies). Fighting together on the fringe of the continent, Hakaku and Midori had saved each other lives more than once. They had found solace in each other's arms. On their way back, Midori had found herself with child. They had approached a local sharin priest and gotten married. The then kin-lord of Yamazaki-kin (Hakaku’s father), Saburou Yamazaki, had rejected Midori as a daughter-in-law and had banished his son from the citadel for marrying outside the warrior kin. He had proceeded to make his younger son, Baraku, the heir. Hakaku had retreated to the Wajin tribe settlement with his bride, who accepted him with open arms. Over time, owing to his

wisdom, he had been recognised as an elder of the tribe. He had contributed substantially to the development of the community since then.

When Senju Mikashita had become the Overlord, he had appointed Hakaku as Chief Strategist and Economist, and thereafter, a golden age of Karasuma had been set into motion.

There was always the issue of long-distance travel to Karasuma. To overcome the distance and time, Hakaku teleported, whenever necessary, to the citadel, through the seiton technique.

After the guests were seated, an attendant served some dandelion tea.

Yuuki: “Lord Hakaku, do the tribals work for you in exchange for pay?”

Hakaku: "You are speaking of the attendants, I presume? Some of them have pledged themselves to my service. Others are in-laws. There is no distinction of blood in the Wajin tribe. The one you declare as family, becomes your family.”

There were testimonial nods of approval all around. Hakaku’s attention went to Kento. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Hakaku: “Kento, my dear boy. I have seen you around in the Mikashita grounds, but haven’t had a chance to speak with you over the past year. I feel guilty of the oversight.”

Kento: ”I understand, Uncle. You and Father are busy in the administration of the village.”

Hakaku: “I am glad to hear that. But I give you my word, the next time I visit the Mikashita estate, I will certainly spend some time with you. (to Keiji)- I received the news of the lamia attack and would like to hear how the events unfolded, in detail. If what you say is true, then the lives of sailors passing through that route are in imminent danger and hence, we have to act quickly. Besides, the Overlord has sent me a confidential message by-way-of an elemental bird. He wants me to convey a salient piece of

information to you. We will proceed on the topics, but, first, let us excuse your students.”