Heian Romance: 6. Satou no Norikiyo

6. Satou no Norikiyo

Satou no Norikiyo is a handsome young fellow from the warrior class. Due to his talents in poetry and his looks, he had gained the heart of all the women in the palace. Although he works as a humble watch guard in the palace, he is the only person who unofficially permitted to gain excess to all ladies quarters. The ladies often fight among themselves in order to gain his attention, it would be an honor if Norikiyo visits their quarters and teach them poetry.

“Abe no Koremitsu the famous physician from Oxen Street!” announced Norikiyo as he approaches Yuiko’s doorstep one fine afternoon.

 “The honorable Norikiyo, what brings you here to the humble quarter of mine?” asked Yuiko intentionally.

Norikiyo then handed Yuiko few medicine books from the Great Sung Dynasty.

“So it was here!! Oh, thank you thank you my dear Norikiyo!!”

“I guess the next step you want me to do is to help you collect animal cadavers for medicine practical training isn’t it?”

“You are absolutely right!! My dear Satou no Norikiyo, you are sharp as a tack!!”

“My lady you must know that there’re been some rumors recently about cadavers and smells near your quarter. So I don’t think it would be a good idea to get you more of these things.”

“Well that is what I want them to think, a haunted place which people will avoid even during the day.”

“The next think you know is that you quarters had been surrounded by bunch of Onmyoji (Shinto priest)!”

 “Ha-ha very funny Norikiyo! Those fools won’t dare to lay a hand on me! By the way, are you free this afternoon? Let’s go riding then. I have been longing for this day to show you my new skills!! ”

 “Sure, my lady.”

Norikiyo is the one and only person who would dare to go near Yuiko’s quarter and make friend with her. They met when Yuiko was 10. Ever since then, Norikiyo would visit her frequently and brings her unique medicine books from the local black market. Not to mention he’s also the person who teaches her archery and horse-riding skills. For Yuiko, Norikiyo is like a big brother, a person who she can depends on, and of course, secretly she is fond of him too.