"Tomoe's real family is Isesaki. As you know, they are a merchant family. But they are more than that. She is descended in a direct line from Ingrid Magnusson, a descendant of the founding Prince of Rasalhague. The Order of the Five Pillars learned this after taking Tomoe in as an orphan. As we were not able to prove the connection at the time, she was not told.

"As she grew up, she expressed a wish to serve the Combine as a MechWarrior. We made that possible while we continued to search for proof of her ancestry. We hoped that she could serve the Combine as an example of cooperation and understanding. She found a better way of serving the Dragon by herself, it seems. As wife to the heir, she is a fine choice, for her ancestry is truly noble and offers powerful political potential. There is no slight to the clan's honor in this marriage."

Constance started to speak again, but Subhash gave her no chance. "There's more. Ingrid Magnusson married Karl Sakade of the Isesaki clan, which dates her back more than 500 years.

"When the usurper Stephen Amaris slaughtered Richard Cameron to take control of the Star League government, he too left a job unfinished. In the massacre of loyal League supporters, Johanna Kurita and Duncan Cameron, absent from their apartments on a tryst, escaped. They fled Terra with the aid of a merchant of the wide-ranging Isesaki Shipping Company. Seeking refuge among the stars, they traveled to the edges of Rasalhague Province, a region known even then for fierce independence. After the horrors they had seen, neither wished to have any more to do with the affairs of the Inner Sphere. They wanted only peace for themselves and the children that they hoped to raise. They changed their names to Sakade, and using Johanna's connections for a last time, were officially adopted into the Isesaki clan.

"The clan elders were not acting entirely out of good will. They leaked the information to Coordinator Minora who, in gratitude for their aid, granted the company a royal patent for trade anywhere in the Successor States. A patent that has been confirmed by every Coordinator since that day."

"I did not know this when I signed the patent," Takashi said petulantly.

"Regrettably, Tono.The secret of Isesaki Shipping was lost in the turmoil following Coordinator Jinjiro's removal from office. The information was only recently recovered." Subhash folded his hands in front of him. In a reassuring tone, he continued, "Had you known, you surely would have praised the match between your heir and this lady of noble ancestry. Thus, you cannot be faulted for objections. You acted correctly, given the information available to you."

"Yes, Tono,"Constance agreed. Theodore was relieved to see that Subhash's revelations had not stolen her poise. "You have certainly not acted wrongly. She is a worthy wife for the Heir to the Dragon. If any are at fault, it is Director Indrahar and myself for not informing you sooner."

Takashi sat down, frowning. Elbow propped on the throne's arm, he leaned into his upraised hand until the lower half of his face was covered.

"Allow me to call her forward, Tono."When Takashi gave no answer, Constance turned and gestured toward the woman's side of the hall. The crowd, already surreptitiously trying to observe and eavesdrop on the argument on the dais, openly turned its attention to what was unfolding.

Tomoe stepped away from the ranks of the women, her stride far shorter than normal, constrained by her formal kimono. Her elaborate wig and court cosmetics made her appear to be one of the court ladies. She was a vision of grace and beauty, Theodore thought. Regal. She would fill her new role as fully as she had all her others. He could not keep the proud smile from his face.

Holding her left hand, the ten-year-old Hohiro stood as tall as he could, clearly conscious of his dignity. On the other side of his mother, his five-year-old sister Omi struggled with the skirts of her kimono. Several times, she stumbled and was saved from falling only by Tomoe's strong grip on her hand. Tomoe flawlessly performed the bows of presentation before the silent Takashi, whose stern face was half-masked by the hand in which he rested his chin. Hohiro fumbled the last one, but no one laughed. Omi refused to bow, preferring to hide behind her mother's skirts.

"Tono,there is another male scion of the Dragon," Tomoe said. "Minora. He is almost into his second year. He is in the care of JokanFlorimel on her estates."

Takashi stared wordlessly at his sudden daughter-in-law. Theodore tried, but could not read his mood. Takashi lowered his hand from his face, revealing that his tic had subsided. Gripping the arms of the throne so hard that his knuckles faded to white, he leaned forward.

"Am I the last to know?"

"In this, the Dragon knows what the Fox does not," Subhash stated.

Takashi barked a rough laugh that dispelled the tension gripping those assembled near him. "Be seated, JokanTomoe."

With those words, Takashi had accepted his son's wife and children. Theodore took a deep breath when he realized that he had not taken one for some time. He moved to Tomoe's side, but was intercepted by an anxious Hohiro, who demanded to know if he had done well. While Theodore was reassuring his son, Subhash summoned the Lord Chamberlain and bade him make formal announcement of Theodore's marriage and the existence of the heirs. After a moment of stunned silence, the hall erupted in wild jubilation.

Takashi settled back on his throne, face expressionless. To the assembled courtiers, he surely seemed majestic and lordly; to Theodore, he looked disturbed. Recognizing the tension in the muscles of his father's face, Theodore knew that the Coordinator was not mollified by the revelations of Constance and Subhash, but Takashi could do nothing. He must accept what had happened. Appearances must be preserved. For now.

At the edge of his vision, Theodore noticed Subhash Indrahar turn to Ninyu Kerai. The ISF Director was speaking softly, but not so softly that Theodore could not hear his words.

"Tie up the loose ends, Ninyu -kun."

49

Yoshin Apartment Building, Blenshireton, Wolcott

Pesht Military District, Draconis Combine

21 September 3033

 

Kathleen Palmer entered the apartment. A quick survey of her tattletales assured her it had been undisturbed during her short absence. She checked on the boy in the bedroom. He was still asleep. She returned to the door and locked it, throwing the bolts on the additional ones she had installed after renting the flat two weeks ago.

Satisfied, she stepped into the kitchenette, removing her pistol from her sweater pocket and laying it on the counter. Two minutes later, she had a cup of fragrant jasmine tea in her hand. Her dinner would be ready in two more. She turned to the table, ready to read the headline on the telescan while she waited. She froze in mid-motion.

A red-haired man in a gray jacket sat at her table.

"Hello, Kathleen."

"Ninyu."

"I am pleased that you remember me," he said, smiling.

"You are a hard man to forget. How did you get in?"

He shrugged. "Where is the boy?"

"You mean Franklin."

"Do you have another son?"

She stared at the floor. "Why did it have to be you?"

"Whether it was me or some other who found you, it would make no difference. The end must be the same. You should not have run."

"I knew it was only a matter of time when I heard the announcement of the Prince's marriage. The insurance was no longer necessary. It had become a liability."