Ariwara no Himeko

"Himeko is a natural-born duck - as she grows, she may be an asset to her family in that regard."

— Ariwara Komachi, Emperor of Wamato

Ariwara no Himeko is the youngest child of Emperor Ariwara Komachi and the second born to his senior consort, Minamoto no Ayaka. She holds the title of Kōshi, or Imperial Child, and stands fifth in the line of succession. Within the imperial palace, she is known as a mischievous and troublesome child, her charming smile and good nature allowing her to escape punishment for the many jokes and pranks she has played in her short life. She idolizes her older brothers - especially her martially inclined full brother, Ariwara no Masanobu. For their part, her brothers are fond of her, though they rarely pay her much attention. Her father, however, believes she has potential as a future agent of The Emperor's Ducks and has instructed his Ahiru Ojisan to observe her closely and surreptitiously place tests in her path.

Early Adventures

Kōshi Himeko, though only ten years old, has already accumulated a number of adventurous episodes in her young life. She delights in climbing through the hidden corners of the palace, and, despite repeated admonishments, cannot resist eavesdropping on conversations while remaining unseen. In this way, she once uncovered a plot by a discontented daimyo to assassinate her father, the Emperor, after overhearing two of the daimyo's soldiers discussing their orders in what they believed to be an empty hall.

Unbeknownst to her, the Emperor and his agents were already aware of the conspiracy - a fact her father did not reveal when she reported the matter to him. Instead, he nodded, thanked her, and granted her a boon, a promise she has yet to redeem. Himeko herself remains convinced that the true architect of the plot was the Empress, though this belief likely stems more from the hostility the Empress has long shown toward her husband's children by his consort than from any real evidence.

Future Potential

If her father's instincts about her talents prove correct, Ariwara no Himeko will likely become an active agent of The Emperor's Ducks - possibly even before she reaches her teens. For now, this means she may soon begin receiving an unusual education under the supervision of Ahiru Ojisan, the leader of the Ducks. She has already started pressing for permission to accompany her father beyond the palace walls, and in preparation for unauthorized excursions has quietly gathered a stash of peasant clothing and other useful items.