Striving

Tirian dismounted his horse as the sun sank low in the sky, activity bustling through the camp. Dinner was being cooked throughout, and children gamboled about the clearing. Tirian allowed his horse to be taken away and scanned the scene before. A smile came to his face. *Yes, they are happy. They deserve better, but they are happy despite their circumstance.* He stretched, loosening tired muscles, wishing that such an easy exercise would relax the mind, as well.

Most of the men were out, as he had known they would be, patrolling in wide arcs, not just around the small group of people living in the wild, but patrolling the lands surrounding Dying Crane. His smile disappeared into thought, and he rubbed his chin considering the circumstances of the Lady Yuika. She looked well. The time of severe physical symptoms of pain and wretching, sweats and chills, from the opium addiction had passed, for the most part, although lingering craving would remain for a little longer. She now was showing personality that was not clouded, although she still bore a haunted look. Tirian's face darkened. *THAT is to be expected, I suppose.* He had been sure to present himself daily to Yuika, and to engage her in conversation on every occasion, if only to help her build trust in the ones that would help her. As often as it could be afforded, he gave Nanami time away, who had proven to be more faithful than he had dared hope. Her constant vigilance over her Lady made Tirian wonder about the separate allegiance to which she had alluded. She had taken Tirian's advice, and employed one other servant for the sake of guarding her bedside, and those times were spent in silence. The secret of Yuika's recovery would remain between Tirian and Nanami . . . for the most part. Her service had allowed Tirian to concentrate more of his efforts on blocking Itsuki, the duplicitous diplomat, whose game he had yet to discover.

It was to her that his attention was now turned, as his thoughts were broken by a quick, quiet step that most would have failed to hear. "What news, Hardir?"

"My Lord," he said, with a touch of strain in his voice, "we have done as you asked, and monitored all activity going out of the House of Dying Crane." Tirian turned to face him, and the other's face slackened. "My Lord, you are exhausted. Why do you not rest?" Tirian simply stared at him, and Hardir sighed. "I believe that you are right. Someone within the House is networking outside, and it is not her Ladyship. We cannot say who it is, though the actions are done discreetly."
Tirian nodded. "And you have accounted for our friend?" Hardir nodded. "Then it is as I suspected." Raising a hand, he shook his head. "Nay, Hardir. I know your argument. I assure you that I know the culprit."
Hardir hardened his face and said, "My Lord, you ask much of your men, and they do it willingly and without question. You know that they would follow you anywhere, and indeed have. But I still do not see why you help."
Tirian slumped his shoulders. "Hardir, my friend. You know why we help. Someone must, and we can." Looking into Hardir's eyes, he continues, "Let me confide in you, what I am able. The Lady Yuika is not in control of her own House, and it is not by her choice. This is not a decision that she has abdicated, nor in any way has she shown herself incompetent of rule. She has been trapped in a cage, and though she bears her own measure of responsbility, she did not lock her own door." Studying Hardir's face, and seeing comprehension and compassion, he continued. "Her advisor has a much different course set for the Lady than that which will benefit the Lady or the House. Of this, I am certain. My most recent encounter with her assures me that not only are your findings linked to her, but that it is she who has been using the Lady Yuika's opium as a leash. As clever as she is with her tongue in manipulating her Lady and the others at House Council, she reveals much with her face and manners, and more with the cunning speech that she contrives to twist that which I already know. She would have me believe myself deluded and lovesick. She has suggested to Nanami that my motives are to be brought into question, suggesting that I am trying to gain a hold over a House Ruler." Hardir scowled. "It is quite a reasonable assertion, Hardir, given that they know me not, the Lord of a House that no one knows. Unfortunately for her, she made the accusation to one who sees her Lady growing more well by the day, as well as a servant who has no trust for Itsuki anyway. Further, there has been no occasion for her to accuse, and she continues to try to make Yuika's improprieties a measure of incompetence before me, and in the presence of others. She says in the hearing of all that she would be more capable of 'tending to her Lady's maladies than some simple servant and a vagrant lord.' She's quite good. It has been hard work and quick words to keep her at bay, and I believe I finally have her on the defensive." He paused and sighed. "More than this regarding Yuika I cannot tell, except to say that she had reason to willingly accept such a hiding place, and that is the reason that we guard her lands."
Hardir interrupted, "But what of her own guards, m'Lord?"
Tirian shook his head. "They are unaware of these inner workings, and how many of them are loyal yet to Itsuki is hard to say. But you see the concern, do you not, my friend?" The man nodded reluctantly.
"It is very like Silver . . ."
Tirian raised a hand, shaking his head. After a pause, he said, "I will discover her reasons, and I do believe I am close. Your work in this has been invaluable. We may have to intercept her communications at some point, but I would like to trap Itsuki first. She betrayed the location of the opium to me, and I would like you to discover it. Go lightly, go armed." He gave Hardir the location and then fell silent, turning toward the sunset again.

"My Lord?" Tirian looked back at him. "What of the diplomat's spies? Shall we let them back in?"

Thinking a moment, he answered, "Let them pass. But I must be made aware immediately upon their passing our perimeter, even if it means your coming to the House yourself." Hardir nodded and made to go away. "Hardir," Tirian called. "Instruct the outrunners of their orders, and then you must gain rest." Hardir flashed a look of gratitude and compassion, and then walked away at a steady pace.