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Nankyokukai would be all right, and that events wouldn't bring all of Kundou down on Pozhar, she shifted to fretting over
her blood-drenched settee.
Raiden reappeared and handed over a small kit to Kindan.
Takara watched them work on Nankyo, the Countess' grip on his arm all that kept him from doing them bodily harm at
causing the prince more pain, which even the spell he'd cast could not completely prevent.
Wound bound, Nankyokukai gave in and passed out. The four gathered around him, expressions somber and worried.
"Storms!" Raiden groused, "How in the Dragons' names could we have forgotten? All of us!"
"You should have told me," the Countess said reprovingly.
"We should have," Raiden agreed. He looked at Kindan, "I'm disturbed at how rapidly they found us here. They must have
been watching us even while we were on the ship. We're lucky only one was stupid enough to try it there. Are they working
in tandem? Or is this just a bunch of solo efforts?"
"Probably a little of both. I'm sure there are bands, and solo mercs leeching off of their efforts. This& was probably a solo
effort. If it had been a group, Nankyo and probably myself would both be dead." Kindan shook his head, "He probably tailed
us from the carriages, seeing us disembark. We're pretty distinctive here."
The Countess pursed her lips, "I will have servants stationed to stand guard, until proper security can be summoned. You
should have told me sooner he was in danger. I am most displeased with all of you. Did it not occur to you that we are in as
much danger as he? You will explain this to me in full after we get Nankyo to bed." She moved to ring for a servant,
"Though how we're going to get him upstairs& "
"I'll carry him." Kindan said shortly. He matched the deed to his words, stooping and carefully lifting the prince into his arms.
As he turned, he glared at Raiden. "This is the last storming time I do you a favor. From now on I'm sticking to the normal
routes and you can find someone else to man your personal voyages." He turned to Sonya, "And if it's all the same to you,
Countess, I'd prefer to summon my own men here to guard him."
"I can hardly argue that," the Countess said with a nod. "Shall I send a servant for them?"
"Send for Same," he said shortly before carrying the prince carefully from the room.
Raiden laughed, watching him go.
"What's so funny?" Takara asked, annoyed that he found anything amusing.
"Kindan in a guilt-ridden snit." Raiden said, unrepentant. He turned toward the Countess, his levity fading. "Countess, I most
humbly apologize for all of this. Once his Highness is well enough, we will take our leave. I think we've caused you more
than enough trouble."
"Nonsense, darling." Sonya managed a smile, "I do believe it was my cousin who caused problems first."
"Speaking of which, where is the Duke?"
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"I put him in his room. He is still unconscious, I'm afraid. If you're hoping to learn his motives, you will have to wait until he
wake up."
"That won't be for a while," Takara said in a mixture of weariness and amusement. "I've seen Nankyo do that before to
people. It's like bathing in ice water, they say. For hours. He's lucky it didn't kill him."
The Countess nodded, "It's no more than he deserves. I would like to apologize again for what he did. Still& it is incredible,
Taka. It's you and yet it's not you. I'm finding it terribly disconcerting talking to you. I keep thinking you are Nankyo& but
then you do something that is definitively Takara in nature." She laughed lightly, "Twins are not uncommon here, but I do
not believe I've ever seen such a stunning pair. I would love to see the two of you walk into a crowded room together - you
would take many the breath away."
Takara looked uncomfortable.
Raiden dropped an arm across his shoulders and changed the subject, "I don't suppose we could have an early lunch,
Countess? I think perhaps we could all use it."
Sonya nodded and clapped her hands together, expression and motions turning brisk. "An excellent idea. I'll go see to it
myself. Go refresh yourselves and check up on Nankyo, and lunch should be ready in about an hour." So saying she lifted
her heavy skirts and strolled gracefully from the room.
Takara moved to follow her out, "I'm going to go see Kyo."
"I wouldn't do that quite yet, Taka."
"Why not?"
Raiden's expression was serious, "Because I think maybe Kin would like a few more minutes to himself." He smiled a bit, "If
you thought those two were intolerable before, they're going to be impossible now. Especially Kin, I think."
Takara sighed.
Chapter Twelve
"Douse the lights," Nankyokukai said irritably as he tried to open his eyes.
A soft, familiar laugh was the reply, "I don't think one can turn off the sun, Nankyo."
"Then close the Storming curtains." With a wince, he sat slowly up in his bed and cracked his eyes open again. Whatever
he'd been about to say died as he took in the man sitting beside him. "It's going to take a long time to get used to this," he
said finally.
Takara snorted, "You don't say." He stood to close the curtains. "Better?"
"Much. How long have I been asleep?"
"The better part of two days. Would you like something to eat?"
"Yes." Gingerly he threw back the covers and slid from his bed. Ignoring Takara's disapproving frown he moved to one of
the chairs by the fireplace. "Stop glaring at me like some nanny, Taka. I'm injured, not crippled."
"You shouldn't be moving around."
"Dragons' Teeth, I'm fine!" Nankyo grimaced, "Perhaps a little sore."
Takara rolled his eyes and moved to ring for a servant. When the man appeared, he ordered food. "Also, would you let our
companions know that his Highness is awake?"
"Of course, my lord." The servant bowed and left.
Frowning, Nankyo looked at his secretary. "Taka, why was there a sailor standing outside my door?"
"Guards," Taka said. "We're not taking any chances. Not until we're back aboard the ship."
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"I don't like the idea of being kept under lock and key. What about you?" the prince glared. "You're in as much danger as I."
"They're keeping an eye on me too, never fear." Takara made a face. "So far it seems no one else knows you're here.
Reports from the ship say that a few more attempts have been made there. Hopefully we'll be all right until we depart."
"Which had better be soon."
"We have four days left. We can't rush things beyond what we already have."
Nankyokukai sighed, "How is the Countess?"
"Sonya is still distressed, but she's calmer now than she was before. Next time the Duke causes problems, try not to
complicate things by getting shot."
"I hadn't exactly planned on getting shot& I am sorry to have worried you."
Takara sighed, "I think you live to either anger or worry everyone around you. But would you please avoid further attempts
to get yourself killed? It's bad enough I have to deal with your pending death as is."
"I'll attempt to behave," Nankyo said with uncharacteristic solemnity. "Believe me, I never want to get shot again." He
reached out a hand, which Takara accepted and squeezed softly before letting go. Looking away, he changed the subject,
"Is the Duke conscious yet?"
"You know very well he isn't it. Did you have to hit him with it twice, Kyo?"
"Considering what he did to you, he's lucky he's alive. If he so much as looks at you in a manner I deem threatening, he
won't be waking up ever again. " He smiled nastily, "How convenient that he won't know which of us he's looking at."
Takara didn't reply. Nankyokukai looked up, frowning at the hesitant look on his face. "What is it?"
"This really is a weird situation, Kyo. You and I. I'm just curious& I mean& "
Nankyo sighed, "If you're trying to ask if I'm unhappy about this turn of events, then the answer is no. Rather disconcerted,
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