Rika hadn't been able to sleep easy for many years now. It was
something that she had been forced to accept after her parent's
deaths, after she had taken up the responsibility for taking care of
her people. Thoughts of her many tasks, of the dire consequences of
her possible failure, they restlessly ran through her mind night after
night.
But strangely, for the past few nights she had slept soundly.
Rika had felt herself stirring in the middle of the night,
sensing something was out of place. She felt warm, and safe, a feeling
that she hadn't experienced since she was a small child. Strong arms
encircled her, and she instinctively snuggled deeper into soft fur.
'Fur?' Rika thought muzzily.
Carefully opening her eyes a crack, Rika saw orange-gold fur
up against her cheek. Her gaze moved up slowly, recognizing the
woman's fox- like face above her. Renamon's face was peaceful, almost
content, and she seemed to be soundly asleep.
'She's holding me...' Rika felt warm, somehow. It felt so
good, having those strong arms gently wrapped around her body. She
relaxed, feeling all her concerns drop away, and slipped right back
into a sound sleep.
Rika looked up at Renamon as they walked to the court. The
tall, dignified figure strode beside her. moving with smooth grace.
'Did I imagine it?' Rika wondered. She had wanted to ask her this
morning, but somehow she couldn't seem to manage it.
Rio waited by the great doors, looked at Renamon nervously. It
gave Rika a bit of perverse pleasure at how fearful Rio was of the
kitsune. She had not chosen the man, instead he had inherited the
title of vizier from his father, and until recently he had done his
job well.
"My lady," Rio bowed to her respectfully. He couldn't risk
doing anything else, with Renamon's cool presence by her side.
Rika had to fight back a smile at his deeply pained
expression. "So what are the petitions for today?" she asked him.
Rio unfurled the scroll and read, "Several minor nobles have
put petitions before you. There's apparently a land despute going on,
as well as a betrothal that needs your approval."
"A betrothal?" Rika raised her eyebrow curiously.
"Two ladies of noble blood," Rio's upper lip curled in
disgust, "who wish your permision to break with tradition and marry
each other." He shook his head as he added, "You'll just dismiss the
request, of course."
"And why would Rika wish to do that?" Renamon coldly asked
him, not at all liking his presumption. 'It's Rika's decision to make,
not this little toad,' she thought.
Rio glared at Renamon, for a moment forgetting his fear of
her, "It has never been done in this realm! I know that the land of
Ohtori alows such things, but..."
Rika smiled slightly as she calmed them both, "I will hear
their petition, first. Then I will make my decision on the matter."
"Of course, m'lady," Rio bowed.
A guard swiftly pushed open the great doors to the hall, and
Renamon putting a hand gently on Rika's shoulder to stop her from
stepping forward. "Must we walk through the crowd?" Renamon asked her
Lady softly.
"Sorry," Rika murmured back. She smiled up at Renamon sweetly,
"But I'm quite confident that you can protect me."
Renamon's own lips quirked slightly, "I'm so glad."
Rika strode forward, Renamon shadowing her closely as they
walked down the central aisle to the chair Rika usually officiated
from. Renamon scanned the room restlessly as they walked, her body
coiled and ready to move against anyone who would threaten Rika.
Renamon carefully checked the podium, then let Rika sit down
on the chair. Renamon had asked Rika why she used such a plain thing,
not an real throne, and Rika had smiled at her wryly saying, "It helps
keep me humble."
As had become the custom Renamon loudly declared, "All those
who would threaten Lady Rika, you will not live to regret it."
The crowd knew that she meant every word, too. 'Rumours of
what happened at the noodle stand must have already spread,' Rika
noted. They had been eating, Rika along with Renamon in her human
form, when Renamon saw something just behind Rika. She tore the
chopstick she was holding with her teeth, then tossing the sharpened
wood over Rika's shoulder, and the knife weilding assasin had fallen
dead to the ground.
Renamon had lead her away, her arm protectively across Rika's
shoulders. She felt shaken, somehow, even though she knew that the
assasins were still chasing her. It had been so peaceful the last few
days, her guard had gone down a little bit. 'But Renamon,' she thought
as she looked up at her protector admiringly, 'was still ready for
anything.'
Rika dealt with the land dispute simply, quizing both parties
on the ownership of the valley that they both claimed. Not recieving
an useful answer, she instead claimed the disputed strip of land
between their properties for the crown. Both men were forbidden to
trespass there, and Rika hoped that it would give them time to cool
off a bit.
"Nicely done," Renamon murmured with a smile.
Rika felt surprisingly pleased on hearing that, whispering
back to her "Thank you."
Rio tapped his staff on the floor loudly, getting a fierce
look from Renamon. Quite nervously he squeaked, "Next!"
The two women made their way up to the front, recieving a few
glares as they moved on. The taller, long haired one shielded her
companion, returning the gazes calmly. Her shorter friend looked a bit
more delicate on the surface, but when Rika met her eyes by chance,
she saw strength there.
"My name is Kari," the young woman with short, brown hair
declaired calmly.
"And I am Yolei," the taller woman bowed slightly.
"Yolie, Kari," Rika said to them calmly, "what is your
petition?"
Surprisingly it was Kari who stepped forward, "We have come
seeking your permision so that we may be married."
Rika looked over at Yolie who smiled, "Somethig that I have
long looked forward to."
Poor Rio looked like he was going to pop a blood vessel, Rika
noted with a smile. Gently she said, "This is quite different than our
ancient traditions, ladies. Why should I grant this request?"
"I have loved her since I was a child," Yolie looked into
Kari's eyes, "she holds my heart in her hands. I would never be parted
from her."
Kari nodded gravely, "She is my soulmate, m'lady. I would be
less than I am, if I were to be parted from her."
Rika looked into both youg women's eyes, reading the sincerity
in them. She knew that if she granted this request, there would be
consequences. The priests would be angry, not to mention the more
conservative nobles. She felt Renamon's hand on her shoulder, a
comforting, steadying pressure, and she knew what she had to do.
"Kari, Yolie, I grant you my leave to be betrothed to each
other," Rika said softly. The crowd erupted, only to be quelled by a
glare from Renamon. Rika looked out at the noble born who filled the
chamber, "They're intent is sincere, and by our laws there is NO
reason to deny them!"
"Thank you," Kari spoke up happily, and Yolie nodded as well,
her eyes briming with tears.
"I may not have done you any favors," Rika said to them softly
as she looked out at the discontented crowd.
"We can bear it," Yolie answered softly, "as long as we are
together."
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