70
Masanori
The grand double doors to the throne room opened before Masanori. Dark wooden floors spread across the hall filled with ordered lines of nobles there to witness the empress’ judgement.
Dragon statues nestling blue flames brightened the chamber. Taniya and Kira, the royal advisors, stood behind the central dais. Their glares burned into Masanori’s shoulders with the fire equal to the scorn that he would see in the empress’ eyes had he dared to look at her.
He approached the raised platform. He was garbed in his standard bushi uniform; black, well-fitted silken hakama and a kimono with one missing sleeve. The intricate, white lines of his irezumi decorated his arm: slender contours blended to create several small yōkai huddled behind an imposing figure with a crown of antlers
