Year of the Boar, Twelfth Month, Day 30.

Atsuko has decided that the soldiers should stay in the main house rather than in the outbuilding they have been using as a barracks.  They had been cooking for themselves but Atsuko thinks that the maids need more to keep themselves occupied and looking after the soldiers would give them something to do. I did not disagree with her when she suggested it. It is not as if we do not have the space and I feel safer with them here. Feeding them and washing their clothes will certainly keep the girls busy if nothing else.

There has been no new snow for a few days and the temperature feels unseasonably warm; we spent some time in the grounds this morning and I was surprised to discover that there is a vegetable patch here. There are root vegetables in it. I do not know how this fact escaped me but I suppose I have never really had to concern myself with where my food comes from. Riko is oddly knowledgeable about plants and chattered on for some while about how we were preserving this and that, and how it is that they have managed to keep the frost from the leeks. She seems to have perked up greatly since she has more to do and I am glad. 

I think I will tell Atsuko to take Riko under her wing; she seems far more suited to planning menus and organising House matters than seeing to my needs.  The twins are far better at doing my hair and make up even though it takes both of them to do it. They are doing quite well; they cannot do the more elaborate ceremonial styles perfectly yet but they do seem to have an aptitude for it. Maki has not jabbed me with a hair pin in several days and Kie seems to have mastered the kohl I like to wear. Atsuko was right to choose them for me. 

If the weather continues to stay warm, perhaps I can send one of the soldiers back to the House to find out what has been happening. Atsuko says that if the worst had happened, someone would have found a way to get here and let us know. I sometimes wonder if she says these things simply to placate me; does she really think that would comfort me...? If the worst has happened, everyone will be dead or will have submitted to Fallen Sakura's rule. It will be just a matter of time before he comes for me; I have no doubt at all that the Diplomats would sell their souls if it meant saving their hides which means they would certainly tell him precisely where I am and probably escort him here for good measure.

I had thought that Shigeru would be unlikely to leave Fallen Sakura while the House prepares to celebrate the solstice but in his position, I would take Dying Crane before the solstice and use the festival as an excuse to celebrate my victory. When I give the matter any considerable thought, I am convinced that coming here was a disastrous idea.