Daimyo Two Hearts
A romantic tale from the middle of the Shogunate, originating in the daimyo's court at Chanos.
The book follows two young Dragonblooded from the northern provinces attending the Shogun's summer court in Meru. One of them is the favored son of daimyo Li Jaeha of Chaos, Li Zicheng; he is handsome and cultured, but leery about involving himself in politics and governance. The other is the accomplished soldier from the neighboring rural Pahua Basin province of the northeast, Hang-Ha. She is fearsome and intimidating, yet cares deeply for the people under her daimyo's rule. The two share an instant dislike of the other due to the deep tension between the two provinces, who are only seperated from open war by Shogunate decree.
After a challenge to his honor Zicheng enters the court's contests to defeat his new rival. They face each other several times, trading victories and barbs. The passion between the two intensifies with each day until Hang-ha bests Zicheng in the final contest of iajutsu; her celebration is cut short when she learns that news had come in the morning that Zicheng's father had fallen ill. Finding her opponent alone in the gardens she sits with him in silence and respect. Away from the venomous court and rigors of competition a mutual affection grows.
Meanwhile the Shogun's advisors worry over the implications of a romance between the two young of warring northern factions; a united north would introduce a strong threat to the central bureaucracy. A plan is formed to send the young warrior away with a commission to the Shogunal legions.
Years later the peasants of the northern provinces rise up in rebellion and Zicheng, now daimyo, struggles with the war he has found himself duty-bound to prosecute against his lover's people. On the eve of battle Shogunal boats beach themselves as Hang-ha returns victorious from the Threshold; with a third army on the field of uncertain loyalty, a temporary truce is called. The pair are reunited under banner of truce and affirm their love at last, their marriage sealing alliance between Chanos and Ravenglas.
