Fealty
30 November 1998
by O'donna Dean

The ride home to Unicorn lands was pretty uneventful. Marako and Suzu talked of battle and how to anticipate ones enemy. Lao-Jin and Honda rode along and occasionally would ask questions of Marako. Marako enjoyed being with her clansmen again. She knew what to expect of them and they knew what to expect of her.

When it was time for Marako and the others to part their ways, Suzu asked if she could accompany Marako home.

"Why?" Marako asked.

"I would like to be in the assembly when you present yourself to your Daimyo, Otaku Kamoko-sama."

"You want to hear of my travels and my adventures, is that it?"

"Hai, Marako-sama. If they are anything like the others, it will be a spectacular story."

"Very well Suzu-san, you are welcome to come with me."

"And that is what I have done in the months since I left Unicorn lands." Marako said as she finished her story to her sister Kamoko, the daimyo of the Otaku clan. She bowed her head to the floor and waited to be dismissed. Her daimyo bowed slightly to her and Marako knew that this was her cue to leave. Marako gracefully stood up and walked out of the assembly hall. She could feel that every eye was on her as she left. Just as she reached the door she could see that Suzu had also gotten up to leave. Marako walked out the door with Suzu close behind.

Marako walked in silence to her room. She could feel that Suzu wanted to ask her questions about the tell that Marako had just told the assembly. When Marako had reached her door she turned and invited Suzu into the room with her. Marako sat down on her pillow and gestured for Suzu to do the same. A servant came in and poured them both some tea.

"So what is it that you want to ask me Suzu-san?"

"I am just amazed at everything that you have done in such a short time. I think that I could learn a lot from being around you. Marako-sama, I want to take an oath of fealty to you. I want to serve and protect you. I know that you can protect yourself but there will soon be people who will hate and despise you because of your standing. For that reason I feel a need to be by your side. You need people around you that you can trust and I believe that I have show you that I am loyal to you and that you can trust me."

Marako sat there taking in everything that Suzu was telling her. Suzu was right that people would soon resent her, and that maybe they would want to kill her because of it. She did trust Suzu, and she knew that Suzu was a good fighter and that she would only become better.

"Suzu-san, I accept and welcome your oath of fealty. You must return home and tell them of your decision to serve me. When you have done this return to me and I will start teaching you what I can to help you become a better warrior."

"Thank you, Marako-sama. I promise you that you will never regret your decision."

"And I hope you will not regret yours."

Suzu bowed to Marako and left for Shinjo Palace.

Marako knelt before her sister. She had been summoned to her sister's private chamber. The fact that she had been summoned is not what bothered her; it was the look on her sister's face when she had entered the room.

"Marako-san, I have heard some troubling rumors about you and I have brought you here to calm my mind."

"I will try to do my best Kamoko-sama. What are the rumors that are bothering you?" "First I have heard that Shinjo Suzu has taken an oath of fealty to you. Is this true?"

"Yes, Suzu-san took an oath to me. Is this the rumor that is troubling you?"

"No, this is not what is troubling me. I think it is only right that you have someone that is loyal to you and that wants to serve you. What is bothering me is that there are rumors that you want to take over as the daimyo of this family. Now that you are easily recognized, some people feel that you will not be loyal to me."

"Kamoko-sama, I will always be loyal to you. You are not only my sister, but you are also my daimyo. I will always be loyal to you, no matter how popular I get with the people. If you need other proof besides my word just tell me and I will go out in the main courtyard and commit seppuku. If that is what is needed to show my loyalty to you, I will do it."

Kamoko sat silently looking at her sister. Marako could feel her gaze and it felt as if her sister could see into her soul. Marako was prepared to commit seppuku if her sister asked her to. She could not imagine being anything but loyal to her sister.

"Marako-san, my sister, I am sorry that I ever gave credence to the rumors. I now know in my heart and soul that you are loyal to me. Please forgive me for doubting your loyalty to me. I will take care of those that started these rumors about you."

"Kamoko-sama, apologies are not required. It is your job to verify the loyalty of those that are around you."

"Marako-san, I feel it is time for you to join me in guiding this family. I want you to have your own lands to rule, but this might take me a little while to do."

"I would be honored to have my own lands. I have to finish my training and there is one more adventure that I want to go on. After that is over I will be ready to settle down and rule my own lands. I will always serve you Kamoko-sama, never doubt that."

"I will never doubt it again, my sister."