In the tomb the skeleton�s empty sockets gazed upwards and from its fleshless lips came a single silent cry: Tokuyiro!
Tokuyi had now achieved a sufficient level to have a demon servant. He had thought long about this and decided that he wished to have a Neomah. Neomah where not very aggressive so even if the summoning went wrong he might still parley with it.
Time seemed to cease to exist all around Tokuyi there was the raging wind. Then as the moon reached it�s zenith in the heavens a figure appeared from the center of the summoning circle.
The black alien eyes of the Neomah beheld its master. �I am N�Thuma, master. I will serve you.� The demon said. Tokuyi replied �I am Cynis Tokuyi, and I am your master.� The demon nodded.
Master Hestia stepped from the shadows and beheld the demon that his pupil had summoned. He seemed disapproving but said nothing. The look faded from Hestia�s face and he spoke: �you have done well Tokuyi. Take the Neomah with you.� Tokuyi was surprised to see his teacher there, then simply nodded. �Follow me N�Thuma.� �As you please master Tokuyiro.� �My name is Tokuyi.� �Of course, I must have misheard.� Hesta�s eyes narrowed for a moment.
�So tell me demon, how was the one that now was Mason betrayed.� N�Thuma bowed his head slightly. �Very well, hear my story elemental.�
Semosan got out of bed crumpling a piece of paper as he did. Surprised the steel gray haired lord of Ysichio fetched the peace of paper from the mattress. The lord smiled at the few lines of poetry Tokuyiro had left for him.
Silas was pouring over the massive ledger until a figure blocked the light from the window and cast a shadow over the ledger. Silas looked up to the white haired regal female. Her yellow eyes gazed down on him. Her large white eyebrows made her look very wise. Hegra was lost in thought for a moment formulating what she was going to say. �The young entertainer Tokuyiro.� Silas swept a lock of feathery blond hair from his face. �What about him lady Hegra?� �What do you think of him?� �His poetry is beautiful.� Hegra watched him knowingly. �Just his poetry Silas?� Silas smiled. �He is beautiful as well my lady.� �Then is will please you that he thinks the same about you. Though I should warn you that you are not the only one. Lord Semosan seems to share your opinion.� Silas pondered this a Hegra changed into an owl and flew out the window without saying anything else.
Semosan sat on his golden throne as his advisor approached. Hestahra bowed slightly before his lord. �My lord you have called for me?� �Indeed Hestiahra, but not for matters of my castle or my domain.� Hestiahra arched a brow. �What advise would you whish from me then lord Semosan?� The mighty Solar sorcerer thought for a moment. �The poet Tokuyiro, what will he bring me?� Hestiahra thought for a moment. It was known that the Sidereals, of which he was one, had the power of foresight. �I understand my lord is charmed with his terrestrial beauty. Tokuyiro is like a lotus flower pure and gentle, but crush it and its beauty is gone.� �What does that mean Hestiahra.� �I would advise against forcing oneself upon him if one whishes to retain the beauty of this flower.� Semosan held the peace of paper that he had found this morning in his hand. �Methinks Tokuyiro would not mind sharing his beauty with me.� Hestiahra bowed again. �Then at least be assured my lord that whatever action you would take Tokuyiro will never cause any harm to you.� Semosan smiled and dismissed the advisor. Hestiahra turned and walked away, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Tokuyiro sat in an arbor in the rose garden. White roses bloomed around the arbor. The air was silent except for the scribbling of Tokuyiro�s quill. Footsteps came near but the young poet did not look up. There was the sound of someone clearing his throat shyly. Tokuyiro looked up at the bookkeeper. Silas handed Tokuyiro a small pouch. �Your wages.� The poet extended his hand and took the pouch from Silas. �Has lord Semosan send you to deliver the wages to all his servants, or just me?� �No, in a moment of compassion I felt it would be a pity if you should forget to collect them. So I brought them to you.� Tokuyiro smirked. �You have a quick tongue for a bookkeeper.� �I am sorry if I interrupted your work.� The poet shook his head. �Not really, not sure what to write so I�m just writing random things down.� Silas smiled and there was an uncomfortable silence that seemed to last forever. Silas swallowed and started to speak slowly and carefully: �Tokuyiro this might sound strange but I have been watching you. I was wondering if you would perhaps be open to a�� Silas was interrupted by soft footsteps entering the arbor. A woman in white clothing stood at one of the entrances to the arbor. Her black eyes looked at Tokuyiro. �The master would like for you to read some of your work at dinner, something light and entertaining.� The Neomah looked at Silas. �I am sorry to interrupt your conversation but my master told me to hurry.� Silas nodded bitterly, he had the courage to tell Tokuyiro how he felt now, but what about tomorrow? �Of course N�Thuma, you can only do as your master commands.� There was a bitter undertone as Silas said this. The demon narrowed her eyes for a moment, but apparently decided to forgive this slight. N�Thuma left the two, walking back to the castle. Tokuyiro got up and smiled at Silas. �I better start rehearsing for this evening. I will see you tomorrow perhaps?� Silas just nodded disappointed. Tokuyiro left in a hurried pace, following the Neomah. Silas watched him and let out a sigh while resting his head against one of the arbors white marble pillars.
The long table was set for three. At the head of the table sat the radiant lord Semosan, opposite sat the fair lady Hegra, and at the middle of the table sat the advisor Hestiahra. By the light of a dozen candles radiating a golden light Tokuyiro read his poetry. His words carried with them a garden where the trees where filled with pale pink blossom, where the sun shone down upon the dew on the grass. His poetry spoke of lover and heroics. It spoke of lands far away that might or might not exist.
Hegra glanced at the lord of the castle. �My lord? Is your appetite waning?� The lord looked at his plate noticing that he indeed hat eaten little. �I was distracted Hegra, do not fear for my health.� Hegra�s face was expressionless. Hestiahra arched an eyebrow at Hegra. Semosan sighed and put down his knife. �If you will both excuse me, I have other matters to attend to� Hegra and Hestiahra nodded politely.
A waxing moon shone its silvery light upon the dark garden below. Hegra stood on the balcony overlooking the garden. Her heart was heavy. How she would like to take wing and just fly away, far away until she could fly no more. To fly to the ends of the world, that would be fabulous.
A shadow broke away from the room behind Hegra. �It most be saddening to have wings and yet no be able to fly away.� The white lady�s yellow eyes narrowed at the one stepping into the silvery light. Hestiahra smiled politely. �Do not worry my lady, I know your heart. And what you feel is only natural. To chain a free creature like yourself, I can only find this cruel.� �But you do nothing about it Hestiahra, you have such sweet words, but your deeds are lacking.� �It is my courage that is lacking, I will readily admit that. You know the power of our lord.� �I am aware of his power. I am not impressed by it.� �Then my lady would be bold enough to save someone from a fate much like her own?� Hegra�s expression turned stone cold. �What do you mean sorcerer?� �The boy Tokuyiro, unwillingly he has caught the eye of the lord. The lord does seem to have an unhealthy interest in the young poet. What would happen is the lord would force himself upon this frail creature who has even less power then either you or me?� The white lady turned away from the advisor looking out over the garden again. �What would you suggest Hestiahra?� �Take him away tomorrow and keep him hidden in the manse, keep him there for the night after that. I will talk to the lord, I will talk him out of this thoughts that arouse him.� Hegra just nodded in agreement but said nothing. Hestiahra moved back and disappeared into the shadows.
Silas strolled through the garden a frown of worry upon his brow. He looked around searching for Tokuyiro. �What is a bookkeeper doing in the garden?� A voice came from the shadows of the arbor. Silas was in no mood for this. He strode up to the arbor and entered its cool shadow. N�Thuma sat on one of the benches inside, her black eyes looking at Silas. �Where is he demon?� Silas demanded. The Neomah did not show any emotion. �I was not told to be silen, but I must ask you that if I tell you, you must not tell anyone else.� �What is going? What is this?� �Will you promise Silas?� Silas clenched his teeth in anger. �Very well, now tell me.� N�Thuma rose and walked close to Silas. �Hegra has taken her to the manse.� Silas shook his head, not understanding. �Why?� �I am no sure but I believe that Hestahra is plotting something. I might be wise to follow them.� The bookkeeper was in doubt for a moment then strode of to go to the manse. N�Thuma smiled slyly as the young blond man left.
Hestiahra looked at the young man, less then a third of his own age, in the eye. �You will wait for the signal this night�. The young man bowed his head in agreement.
The majestic sorcerer was enraged by the news the advisor brought him. �She has done, what?� Hestaihra bowed humbly before his lord. �Hegra jealous of the attention and beauty of the young poet has kidnapped him and taken him to the manse. No doubt she will blemish his features and steal your hearthstone.� Semosan grabbed his two-handed hammer. �We will just see about that. No one betrays me without justice swiftly following.� Hestiahra straightened himself. "Of course my lord, but you best make haste.� Semosan growled something and ran of. As soon as his lord left the room Hestiahra hurried of to the secret passage.
Silas entered the manse on his guard. He was not allowed in here. It was not long before he came to the heart of the manse below the earth. He heard the voices of Hegra and Tokuyiro. The young bookkeeper breathed deeply and strode into the hall. Hegra smiled as she saw Silas, but said nothing. Silas neared and wanted to say something to Hegra, but his tongue failed him. �You have done well N�Thuma.� The Neomah materialised essence glowed around him for a moment as he did so. �What have you discovered?� N�Thuma bowed before his mistress. �Not nearly as much as I would like. Hestahra is up to something, he is plotting against Semosan and you.� Hegra snorted. �No doubt he wishes to infuriated Semosan so he will attack me. Let him come, I will have words with Semosan and then we will deal with Hegra.� Silas looked back and forth between the demon and the Lunar. The white lady looked down at Silas and then at Tokuyiro. �You two must leave. This will be too dangerous for you. N�Thuma protect them.�
It was even less then a minute after Semosan had entered the manse that Hestiahra gave the signal and the army of Dragon Blooded marched forth to dispose of the Solar. They went into the tomb to find the sorcerer. Hegra escaped by virtue of her shape-changing powers. Hestiahra smiled as the gates to the manse where sealed by the terrestrial sorcerers. Yet justice did come, the treacherous advisor never saw the monstrous owl swoop down soundlessly and then it ripped his head from his shoulders.
Inside the tomb Semosan realised it was Tokuyiro�s beauty that had been his downfall. Deep in his heart he swore he would return and that such beauty would not beguile him once more. And he vowed to avenge this treachery. But when all was lost, despair did overcome him, and he also realised then what he had lost, he reached up crying one name in his mind: Tokuyiro.
�Treachery, beauty, love, freedom. Such a tale is it not? I did as my mistress asked and I protected the two young Dragon Blooded. I never saw my mistress again, whether in the end she found her freedom or death, I do not know. But after a few months the spell that bound me ended and I returned to my home where I stayed. I stayed there until I heard a summons, a familiar voice and how I wanted to hear that voice again, see that face again. I answered Tokuyiro now called Tokuyi�s summons. I was surprised to see Hestahra now called Hesta there, I think he recognised me from a memory perhaps. But I think he did not remember enough to know who I am. Hopefully this tale will be less tragic.�
Sharima nodded. �Will you tell Tokuyi now then where you have been?� The Neomah shook his head. �I will meet him in the imperial city, afterwards I will explain, when the time is right.� The Efreet stood silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement. �I will see if I may accompany you, I wish to extend my gratitude to the young sorcerer when he returns to the Blessed Isle.�