Page 105 of The Last Slayer
“I don’t know, milady. It was many centuries ago. Not even the Advisors could tell, so they rule Higashiro together.”
Ha! So much for the infallible Advisors. “Does Higashiro have a large army?”
“Quite. And very fierce warriors. They would rather die than lose.”
Mmmm…did this mean they committed hara-kiri after a defeat? Personally I prefer revenge to suicide, but you know, different strokes. Still, they sounded valiant…although I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go into battle with them. Alexandros thought Higashiro couldn’t be counted on, and you know things are bad when an incubus starts questioning your dependability.
Seeing my doubtful expression, Toshi said, “Don’t worry, milady. They’re skilled fighters. The Dragonlords of Higashiro became so interested in Japan during the Kamakura period that they modeled their hold after a feudal Japanese castle. And I understand the samurai of the old era were fanatical about fighting and winning.”
So maybe Higashiro’s dragons really did commit hara-kiri.
“Furthermore, it’s their duty to help you.”
“Really? That’s not what Alexandros implied.”
“Perhaps there was a misunderstanding? The members of a triumvirate always help one another. At least those of Madainsair and Lapslora.”
So…the Triumvirate of Clayra didn’t always help one another, huh? Interesting. But then if I had to deal with someone like Nahemah, I wouldn’t either.
“If someone from Clayra doesn’t want to ally with Nahemah, maybe we can recruit her to our side. Form a group of four,” I said. That was far more palatable than dealing with Alexandros.
Toshi frowned slightly. “That would be very bad.”
“Why?”
“Three-three-three is the ideal power balance, milady. If you created a four-three-two or any other combination… Well, I don’
t believe it’s ever been done.”
“But surely, uniting under one cause is more important than preserving some ideal power balance.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. What cause are you referring to?”
Maybe Toshi really wasn’t good at history and current affairs. “Obviously Madainsair wants me dead. That’s their cause. Clayra I’m sure has theirs, and so does Lapslora, though I don’t really know what it is.”
“But there isn’t any special cause for each. Madainsair formed out of a hatred of slayers, and Clayra because the dragonladies wanted to create their own group. As for Lapslora…” He trailed off.
I eventually got tired of waiting. “Well? As for Lapslora…?”
“As for Lapslora…it, er, was formed…well…the uniqueness of each triumvir made them unsuitable for joining the other two.”
“The uniqueness?”
Toshi’s voice lost a bit of volume. “Lord Ramiel is not a pure-blooded demigod. Lords Kenji and Hideki are twins, and you’re half-slayer.”
So Lapslora was a group of…oddballs? Even with preternatural good looks and super magic power, I was never going to be a member of the “it” club. Nope. I was always going to be a social misfit. “Would you like a bath?” Toshi asked, suddenly very enthusiastic about the idea.
“No.” I put on my robe and went to the vanity. “But I would like some water to wash my face and brush my teeth.”
“Of course, milady.” A small snap of his tail and twin basins of crystal clear water appeared on a wrought-iron stand by the vanity. “One cold, one warm for your use. They’ll continue to refill as you deplete them.”
“Thank you.”
He left, and I pushed the curtains open. The morning sun burst in, immediately turning the room into a blinding solarium. The mirrors reflected the light endlessly, and I felt like I was standing in the center of a sun.
I pulled the curtains back into place.
Another day, another challenge.
