Nathan entered the castle and followed the royal corridors toward Kaguya's main audience hall.
He had walked through these passages before, but the reaction to his presence had changed.
Guards straightened as he approached. Attendants stepped aside before he reached them. Conversations quieted, and more than once, someone bowed so abruptly that Nathan wondered whether they had been warned he disliked being kept waiting.
He had done nothing to create that impression.
At least, not here.
"Shogun-sama."
Nathan acknowledged the greeting with a brief nod and kept walking.
He had retained Ryo's appearance.
The black kimono, the familiar face, and Kyomei resting at his waist made him easy to recognize. News from Minami Kyoto had reached the capital ahead of the procession, and the servants seemed to know exactly whom they were looking at.
The Black Ronin.
The man who had killed two Daimyos, defeated a Kijin, and married Sakura.
Now the Shogun stood within the royal castle.
