A Plan In Motion

Emrica stood before a few members of the inner court, the shogun, his right hand and the sorcerer. The shogun could not help contain himself with a wolfish grin on his face.

She did a respectful stoop and waited for their request.

See that, said the shogun out loudly to his past wives and concubines. "That is being respectful. Something that you women have lost, along with your beauty."

The shogun then ushered his right hand to take over as he motioned for some grapes from the servant who stood close by.

Emrica stood motionless and void of emotion as she stood before the courts.

The shogun's hand walked forward and began to speak so all could hear. "You will be treated like a princess here until you marry in the next 30 days!"

Is there anything you want to ask?

Emrica: Will I get to visit my family?

You will after some time, said the right hand. Do not worry, they will be taken care of and you will see them.

The shogun then motioned to a concubine who was standing at the side to lead Emrica to the place she would now be staying.

After everyone dispersed, the shogun called the sorcerer to his side.

I need to get her something very special for my wedding day.

Fabian: Jewelry?

Shogun: No, something even more special for my bride. It would be something that would remove any doubt in her mind about my love for her.

Fabian: 'Your love for her, Fabian said coldly in his mind!'

'This might be a perfect opportunity to get what the item that he wanted.'

I think I know what you want, Fabian answered.

Shogun: I am listening.

Fabian: There is a legend that a sea god, gave a mortal, a box. That box allowed the mortal to recreate anything that was placed in it. Even if it was a small fragment of a diamond, it could recreate it.

That box is rumored to be in Udo Shrine in Japan, protected by two Komainu. Get your men to fetch me that box and I will give you something that might cause her to love you forever.

Shogun: He smiled at that notion and then said, consider it done.

The shogun sent 100 trained men to the shrine to acquire the artifact. If they did not return with the artifact, they would be put to the death by the shogun. Thus they had to return with it or not return at all.

Twenty days later, two out of the hundred men returned with the box. The other men had been killed by the ferocious might of what they could only describe as lion-dogs that resided by the shrine.

They presented the box to the shogun who gave it to the sorcerer. Are you going to create a precious and rare gem?

Something even better, he said as he took the box, and retreated to his study alone. The magical powers of the box only worked once every thousand years so he had to be very careful.

In his study, Fabian took the last petal of a one of a kind flower named the golden Camellia.

Then he placed one petal, he placed it into the box. The box created an entire Camellia flower.

With that one flower, he was able to create two elixirs which should cause incredible regeneration to the mortal that ingested it. Unfortunate he could only make two of the yellowish liquid.

That night, he told the Shogun about the two elixirs, who got extremely titillated about the elixirs. He told Fabian to hold onto it until tomorrow, the day before the wedding. There he will make a 'special announcement' before his guests and the court.