L5r - scroll 04 - The Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page A

body, taking in her figure, the darkness of her skin, her flowing ebony hair, and her deep black eyes.
    Kaede realized suddenly that her kimono hadn't closed correctly below her neck. Did Ishikawa notice the skin revealed there? The uneasiness in his eyes told her that he did. The line of his mouth hardened, but he did not turn away. Kaede calmed her mind; not allowing herself to blush. She reached up and gently adjusted the robe.
    "You don't talk about your father much since he lost his name," Ishikawa said uncomfortably.
    Kaede sighed. "That is why his name was taken from him— so he would be harder to think, and speak, of." She indicated with her hand that they should resume walking.
    "Do you have such dreams often?" he asked, pointedly looking away from her and concentrating on their surroundings. Huge oak pillars supported the ceilings high overhead. Hardwood floors whispered quietly beneath their feet.
    "Not often," she said quietly. "Only twice before. The first lime was two years ago during the purge—before Kachiko convinced her celestial husband to stop slaying her former clansmen."
    "Bad advice," Ishikawa said, frowning. "They should have wiped the Scorpion from the face of Rokugan. Liars and murderers, every one of them. I understand, though, why the emperor listened to her. It's hard to refuse Kachiko anything."
    "Yes," Kaede said, glancing at him, "I'm sure it is. The second time I had the dream was last summer, before that terrible plague outbreak in Shiro no Yojin. And now, again."
    "What do you make of it?" Ishikawa asked.
    Kaede put the fingers of her left hand to her lips and traced the contours of her mouth in thought. "I'm not sure," she finally said. "The portents are difficult to read. It feels as though someone has trod on the soul of the empire."
    "Who could do that?" he asked.
    "I don't know," she said, shaking her head.
    Ishikawa grunted. "I know you're sensitive to such things," he said, "but sometimes a dream is just a dream."
    "I pray to the Fortunes you are right," she replied.
    They were passing very near to the imperial wing now. The guards grew more frequent, though none challenged them. It would have been impolite to observe a high-ranking man and maiden out for a late walk.
    As they passed a deserted stretch of corridor, Kaede noticed someone moving across the hallway and into a secret panel. The clarity of the Void was still with her, and she recognized Kachiko, the young emperor's wife. The empress moved like a cat, quickly and quietly. Almost before Kaede could register her presence, she was gone.
    "Now where do you suppose she's going at this time of night?" Kaede asked thoughtfully.
    "Who?" Ishikawa replied.
    "The empress."
    Ishikawa peered intently down the long dark corridor.
    "I don't see her," he said. "I can hardly see my hand in front of my face. You're sure it was her?"
    "Positive."
    "You have the eyes of an owl," Ishikawa said admiringly.
    Kaede nodded, fighting down a blush. "Sometimes."
    "Did Kachiko see you?" he asked.
    "I doubt it," she replied. "Whatever else her powers may be, Kachiko doesn't have Void-enhanced sight."
    "A good thing, too," Ishikawa said. "She probably wouldn't be pleased to have us witnessing her assignations—whatever they may be. I doubt she's gone to collect moonbeams to remedy the emperor's illness."
    "I doubt it, too," Kaede said. Her dark eyes flashed with inspiration.
    "What is it?" Ishikawa asked, a trace of worry drawing his brows together.
    "For months I've wanted to visit the emperor in private," Kaede said, "to see if I could cure him. Kachiko always cuts me off, though."
    "She's very protective of the boy," Ishikawa said.
    "Perhaps too protective," Kaede said.
    "You think she has something to do with his infirmity?" Ishikawa asked.
    Kaede shook her head. "I have no evidence to suspect anything. But what harm could it do for me to see the emperor?"
    Ishikawa shrugged. "None, I'd say."
    "Let's visit him now, then."
    "In the middle of the