The heavy scent of burning incense hung in the air as the court came to order. The second great family of Renjou had been chosen to moderate the proceedings, their authority announced by the Chancellor, Shao Ao. The year was 298 BC, and tensions crackled like dry leaves before a storm.

  A man of broad shoulders and sharp eyes, Lord Renjou Takeda, stood at the center of the hall. He was clad in robes embroidered with silver waves, a symbol of his family's lineage. With a firm voice, he began:

  "Last year, strangers were spotted in our lands. A scouting party was sent, and when they returned…" he turned to the other heads of the great families, his tone dripping with finality. "Gentlemen, we need not discuss this further. This is a clear infringement of our laws."

  The room gasped. A murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire.

  Shigen, seated near the front, shifted uncomfortably, wanting to speak, but Lord Takeda lifted a hand to silence him. Shigen clenched his fists but sat back.

  Lord Takeda continued, his eyes sweeping the hall. "We trusted the gentleman Yoshiru, the Black Tide, to scout the village. He did so, but as reported, savages attacked him, and he was forced to defend himself."

  At the mention of Yoshiru the Black Tide, many in the court spat on the ground. The Chancellor, Shao Ao, raised a hand to restore order. "Decency, gentlemen. His Majesty is present."

  Kofi had been silent, gripping the wooden railing before him, but at these words, something inside him snapped.

  "Absurd!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the hall. "This never happened! I saw it with my own eyes! They killed our women and girls—some were carried away, and many drowned! Shigen himself showed us the truth!"

  Gasps filled the hall again.

  Lord Takeda narrowed his eyes. "How dare you speak out of turn, foreigner?" He turned to the guards. "Remove him from the court."

  Before the guards could act, a calm but authoritative voice rang out.

  "Let him speak."

  All heads turned. The voice belonged to Lord Arashi Naran, the head of the Naran clan. He was an aged but dignified man, respected even among his rivals. "The Codex of Mutual Debate Opportunities demands that all voices be heard before a ruling is made."

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  Kofi stepped forward, seizing his moment. "Men were killed, even from Shigen's group. We did not attack first."

  Silence.

  Then, a tall man, draped in red and gold, rose. It was the advocator of the Butcher, his voice a sneer.

  "What if your people killed them first?" he scoffed. "And now you shift the blame to us, hoping to escape our wrath? Nevertheless, I invoke the Codex of Civil Living—savages that are not consented should not be allowed in Tanna!"

  Murmurs rippled through the court. Some nodded in agreement, while others seemed uncertain.

  At this, Kanou Shogun rose and addressed the Chancellor. "May I speak?"

  Shao Ao nodded.

  Kanou Shogun turned to the assembly. "Their arguments hold no weight. A scarcely defended settlement—how could they have inflicted serious harm upon mounted warriors?"

  Lord Arashi Naran nodded. "That is a fair question. I have received reports of suspicious movements from the town of Raiken, where horses and weapons have gone missing."

  The hall buzzed with whispers.

  Suddenly, the Butcher stood, his massive frame towering over the others. He held up an arrow, its tip gleaming in the dim candlelight.

  "This," he boomed, "is what these monkeys are capable of!"

  Kanou took the arrow, studying it before turning to Kofi.

  "Did you make this?"

  Sawai stepped forward. "Kofi and I made them to defend the settlement."

  Lord Arashi Naran took the arrow, examining it closely. "This is fine craftsmanship," he admitted. He passed it to the moderator of the Renjou family.

  Lord Takeda traced his fingers over the fletching and muttered, "This could put at bay those Yao bastards…"

  The room fell into an uneasy silence.

  Finally, Lord Takeda straightened. "Nevertheless, the law is the law. The ruling of the second round is—"

  Before he could finish, a voice cut through the air like a blade.

  "Do you have proof of the attack?"

  All eyes turned to the King of Tanna, Tannagork II. He had been silent until now, but his presence had loomed over the court like a shadow. His gaze locked onto Kofi.

  "You, what is your name?"

  Kofi took a deep breath. "Kofi, Your Majesty."

  The king nodded. "Do you have proof?"

  Kofi turned to Lima, who handed him a bag. He stepped forward, opening it.

  Gasps filled the court. Inside were the bloodstained garments of women and children, torn from their bodies during the attack.

  Silence.

  The king rose, his expression unreadable.

  "Here is my ruling," he declared. "There will be no further punishments. The foreigners will serve Tanna as foreignes gratiati—protected but bound to the land. They will be required to pay significant toll taxes in commerce and arrow production."

  The court erupted in shock.

  "The meeting is adjourned."

  Kofi could hardly believe his ears. They were not free—but they were not condemned either.

  As the crowd dispersed, Shigen clapped a hand on Kofi’s shoulder. "You did well."

  Lima exhaled, shaking her head. "I can’t believe it. We actually survived this."

  Sawai crossed his arms. "We’re not out of trouble yet."

  Kofi turned, his eyes scanning the departing figures. Among them, he saw Shuri, watching him. Their eyes met once again.

  She smiled.

  Kofi smiled back.

  The fate of their people was uncertain, but for now, they had won a battle. The war, however, had just begun.