This year was to be different. Previously, he had chosen to be occupied elsewhere, but now, of his own choice and in his own strength, Theodore had come. With his plans progressing so well, he had reached a turning point that made his presence on Luthien the best way to advance the situation. It was time to take a step out of the shadows.

He turned his gaze to where the Dragon Throne stood in splendor on the tatami-covered dais. Behind the carved teak chair was a wall of ebony bearing a four-meter disc of gold-rimmed carnelian. Flecks of ruby mapped the suns of the Draconis Combine among the pale mosaic chips of the background. On that field coiled the serpentine dragon of House Kurita, its elaborate shape picked out in scales of enameled metal, each gold-rimmed and patterned. The teeth of the Dragon's gaping jaws were flawless ivory and its eye was an amethyst, the continents of old Terra standing in carved relief above the smooth polished surface of seas. Takashi sat on his throne like the monarch he was, imperious and domineering. His black-dyed daigumosilk kimono flashed highlights from its folds whenever he shifted in his seat. The black-striped gray kataginuand hakamaof his kamishimowere of a matte finish, superbly setting off the shine of his underrobe. His once-raven hair was shot through with white, and the white patches at his temples had increased. The war had worn him. The war and his stroke. Once he had scorned the chair and had knelt like a samurai lord of old. Now, with his weakened leg, he could not kneel through a whole day of ceremonies. Any attempt to do so would fail, and the failure would embarrass him. The Dragon would never allow weakness to show; always he sought to give the appearance of strength. Appearances.

That I have learned from you, Father. Appearancesare important. But you must learn that they are not everything.

Subhash Indrahar stood on the dais near the throne.

You, too, play with appearances, my old mentor. You have aided me in keeping secrets from my father. What secrets do you keep from me? Is there something you could tell me about Ninyu Kerai, who stands at your side? Constance says that you have recently adopted him, making him your heir. I had considered him one of myshitenno, a trusted, if headstrong, companion. Do you seek to turn him from me? Or has he always been your agent among those who stand by me?

What is real and what illusion, master of the shadows?

Across the room, Subhash turned. His eyes met Theodore's and he smiled. Startled, Theodore broke eye contact, suddenly finding interest in the shuffle of courtiers at the five steps leading up to the dais. The nobles had already presented their gifts to functionaries who meticulously recorded details of each gift and its value. Now, each in turn at the call of the Lord Chamberlain, they came to present the Coordinator with a poem of praise and good wishes. Most read from papers they carried with them, but some few spoke from memory, and one or two clearly composed their odes on the spot. The Coordinator's fondness for poetry was well-known, and Theodore knew that his father put great store in a man's ability to compose poetry extemporaneously. It was only one more area in which Theodore had failed to satisfy him. He had no talent at all for verse.

At last, the line dwindled and the court poet finished reading the greetings of absent lords. The Lord Chamberlain nodded to Theodore. He stepped forward, well aware of the multitude of eyes following his progress across the hall. With absolute correctness, he bowed as he reached the stairs and again when he stepped onto the dais. He made a third bow halfway to the throne.

"O-medeto,Coordinator," he said in a voice pitched to carry no further than the immediate area. "My talent for poetry is so poor that I have prepared another sort of presentation for you."

Takashi stiffened, but Theodore ignored the reaction. "You have long hoped for a legitimate heir to carry on the clan after you and I have gone onward along the wheel. Today, I bring you that wish. I have a son for you to meet, an heir for the Dragon Throne."

"I have known of your bastards for some time. They are not welcome here," Takashi snarled. "This is poor joke."

"It is no joke," Theodore returned calmly. "Any bastards of mine are, indeed, of no consequence. But I have a legal heir, born of my legal wife."

"Impossible! You are unmarried," Takashi snapped. "Indrahar would have told me."

"It is true, Tomo."Subhash bowed so that he did not see the fury flare in Takashi's eyes, but Theodore had no doubt that the ISF Director knew what reaction his words would bring. Subhash straightened, his face and manner unperturbed. The Chamberlain and the poet padded down the steps, wisely exiting what could soon become a battleground. Takashi turned on Theodore, hard-eyed.

"Who is this woman?"

"Tomoe Sakade." Theodore held his head high. "You are foolish as ever," the Coordinator said to his son. "I will have this marriage annulled."

48

Unity Palace, Imperial City, Luthien

Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine

18 August 3033

"You cannot annul the marriage," Theodore objected.

"By the laws of the Draconis Combine, he can," Subhash confirmed.

So you play your own game, Subhash-sama,Theodore thought. The ISF Director's eyes seemed to say that it had always been so.

Takashi smiled, vindicated.

"But the Coordinator will not," Subhash stated confidently.

"So you have betrayed me. You side with him," Takashi shouted, stabbing a finger at Theodore. The hall hushed at the sudden bellow from the throne. A muscle in the Coordinator's cheek began to twitch, turning his white-lipped scowl into an intermittent feral snarl. He dropped his voice to a harsh whisper. "Will you kill me here on the throne and put this puppy in my place? You would like such a puppet."

"I do not side with the Heir against the Coordinator. I strive for the Dragon's welfare." Subhash's voice was weary, as though he had said the words too often. "The Combine must have a strong succession. The state must remain stable at a time when we are surrounded by enemies on all sides and face enemies from within. The Combine must show no weakness."

"She is a nobody," Takashi said to Theodore, as though

Subhash had not spoken. "A merchant's child. Even her credentials to join the military were forged."

"Iie, Tono,"Subhash contradicted. "She is more."

Takashi stood and took a step toward Subhash, hand half-raised. Theodore was startled, more by Subhash's statement than by the Coordinator's reaction. Did Subhash know of her connection to O5P? A murmur from the crowd made him shoot a glance over his shoulder. Constance was walking toward the dais from the women's side of the hall. Tomoe was nowhere in sight, but Theodore caught a glimpse of Jasmine standing among her attendants, her expression worried. Subhash, too, had seen or detected the head of the O5P's approach. With a small nod, he directed Takashi's attention to her. The men waited in silence.

"Tono, JokanConstance can tell you of the history of Tomoe Sakade," Subhash said, as Constance joined them.

Theodore knew that Constance was quite prepared to do that. It had been their plan from the start. She was composed and calm as she began to speak. "Tomoe Sakade is another woman than the one she appears to be. Her records have been forged, but today the real story is here for you; a copy has been deposited to your databanks, Tono.