Chapter 20
1135 Words
Dozens of buzzing voices filled the corridors of Lord Takeo Matsuda’s manor. Voices of many servants giving instructions and overseeing a great many tasks that involved cleaning, polishing, arranging, making last-minute repairs and laying out decorations. But despite the great bustling hive of activity going inside the mansion, there was nothing loud or wildly disorganized about it. Rather, there was a distinct air of hushed anticipation hovering around Lord Matsuda’s servants. It was as if they were looking forward towards something they may not have seen or heard about, but they are absolutely will promise to be very rare, almost-unheard of event that may prove to be very … exciting.
The kitchens were just as busy, if not more so. The vast rooms were filled with vaporous clouds that came from frying, steaming, grilling and boiling. There was the clanking of iron pot covers being lifted and lowered, the sizzle of meats, fish and vegetables meeting iron grilles heated by charcoal. Within those many pots and cauldrons, one could hear the bubbling sounds of soups, broths and stews being made. Here and there, puffs of fire from the stoves would flare up as woks and pans were wielded with great skill. Interspersed amongst all the cooking taking place was the clink of precisely-sharpened knives slicing and carving fresh fish and occasionally, game meats, as well as fresh, crisp vegetables. In some corners, mixing bowls clinked with cooking chopsticks that stirred sauces.
Preparations for a banquet of a grand and sumptuous magnificence were well underway.
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In another massive chamber, the musicians that Lord Matsuda had commissioned were busy rehearsing, tuning and adjusting instruments of various shapes and sizes. Sheafs of paper made a quiet, rustling sound as the musicians studied notes and complex musical overtures and movements. Heads solemnly nodded and voices quietly consulted with one another.
It must be noted that not all of the musicians were from the kingdom of Yashima. Having been a long-time ambassador on his Emperor’s behalf, and being exposed and acquainted with the various kingdoms and cultures of both the Eastern Realms and the Western Commonwealth, Lord Takeo Matsuda is well-known for having a much more eclectic taste in music. Not a few would even go so far to say that his musical tastes can be quite - odd.
It was fortunate that the aged aristocrat has ignored such petty talk ages ago. It has never stopped him from continuing to appreciate music in its many varied forms. Any musician from any land, no matter what his or her origins may be, are welcomed by him.
Naturally, that included the former princess Ariadne, who is now the harp player Aryah. As well as her former handmaiden, Lihyal, now known as Lani, who plays the lute.
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The gardens and grounds of the manor are also being made ready for the Matsuda family banquet. Groups of gardeners and groundskeepers swept lawns, trimmed branches, watered plants and arranged colorful flowers blooming in season.
In various locations, household guards and sentries that have served generations of Matsuda lords readied their gear, polished armors and sharpened halberds, spears, and swords. They also readied silken banners bearing the crest of the Matsuda clan. All this was done to make sure no outside riffraff or disturbances will disrupt the banquet.
Or so they hope.
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“Don’t tell me you actually saw him?!” one of them gasped in surprise as she was dusting a wooden shelf.
“Yes, I did. As plain as day!” the other insisted while rearranging various decorative knick-knacks on an antique stand.
Two of the middle-ranking maidservants, Mina and Saya, indulged in a bit of gossip as they were busy tidying up the rooms in the manor. Being also fast friends, they rarely miss an opportunity to chatter about the goings-on in their place of work. Such a trait has proven a constant annoyance to some of their fellow servants, as well as the senior ones who supervise them. Efforts to curb them of this habit have so far been unsuccessful. It was a good thing the two girls were diligent workers, at least.
“So where? And when?” Mina continued, questioning her friend.
“In one of the outer corridors, near the arbor. The one that has all those pretty fancy flowers the gardener takes care of,” replied Saya.
“You mean the one where that female musician from the West likes to practice her harp?”
“Aye, the very one.”
“Ooh, so that’s that then. So what does he look like? They say he’s tall as a pine tree and is as fierce and ugly as an ogre, with fangs, great horns, wild eyes and red hair!”
“Hah! Far from it! He’s surprisingly easy on the eyes. Handsome he is, no doubt. With long glossy hair like black silk threads. But there’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.” Without missing a beat, Saya was able to arrange some fragile ceramic vessels in their proper places.
“What do you mean?” Mina prodded further. She was giving the last of the wooden shelves one final gleaming polish.
“I don’t know, Mina. Honestly, there’s something about him that gives me the spooks. He’s like a ghost. Something cold and untouchable. As if he’s not at all human.”
“Hmph! I wouldn’t be surprised if was in your sandals, Saya. That sort of people aren’t people. The lord hires him and his like for one reason and one reason only.”
“You don’t say, Mina! Really?”
“Oh, yes.” Having finished her dusting, Mina looked at her friend and fellow maidservant straight in the eye. “They’re not people. They’re weapons. Weapons the lord wields as he wishes if he wants something done, and done quickly and quietly,” she said in a hushed and overly-dramatic whisper.
Saya shuddered in fear.
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All is set. The tea cups and antique ironware pot are ready. A finely woven bamboo whisk and a separate pot holding fresh spring water that has been boiled to the right temperature were also made ready. A porcelain canister the color of pale celadon green held the finest Dragon Cloud tea leaves.
Kana, one of Lord Takeo Matsuda’s senior and most trusted maidservants, carefully arranged all the tea item on the tray. After a while, she stepped to take a good look at her handiwork. Perfect.
As inconspicuously as possible, she reached into one of her kimono sleeves. She pulled out a small glass vial that had held a small amount. she did not need much. One concentrated drop takes effect quickly.
It was in the exact shade of reddish-brown liquid that Kai used to treat Aryah’s wound.
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