The court was excited, hushed gossip filled the air. Few people knew the truth behind the Emperor's wedding. The Mamushi family was one of the few honored, trusted advisors of the Great Warlord.

"There's something strange about the Emperor marrying the Spymaster. Isn't the Spymaster a man?" Makoto seemed bored despite his words.

"No. Well, yes." Akane giggled, looking distant. "The Spymaster is whatever they choose to be. A pauper, a nobleman, a landowner, a patch of soil, once I heard they were an entire village."

Makoto made a vaguely interested sound, glancing away. "Or perhaps a beetle."

Akane covered her mouth as she laughed. "Yes, exactly." Then she lowered her hand, blinking and following Makoto's eyes.

Clinging to a stalk of grass was a single, glossy beetle the same horrible color of yellow-green the Spymaster favored. The Spymaster refused to confirm or deny any rumors, content to listen to the gossip even as their presence was noticed.

---

Wow it's been a while since I've been here, and not a one of you knows what the Junkyard is.

I'll explain sometime.