“By the north wall . . . ” Prince Kanemore looked confused for a moment, and then his eyes went wide. “Princess Ai?” Kanemore’s eyes glistened, and I knew it was taking every scrap of restraint he possessed not to burst into laughter.
“Is that her name?” Nidai asked. “It’s a pretty name . . . ”
“If she ever finds out you’ve been spying on her, you’d rue the day you ever heard it,” Prince Kanemore said sternly.
“You . . . you won’t tell her, will you?” Nidai pleaded. “I swear I meant no harm.”
Prince Kanemore kept his voice gruff with obvious effort, and now I was trying not to laugh myself. Well enough to appreciate Princess Ai’s beauty from a distance for she was, by any measure, a handsome woman, but the closer one got the less enthralled one might be. She remained one of the Emperor’s principal wives, but even he did not visit her more than once a month or so; an arrangement apparently agreeable to both of them.
I turned to Kanemore. “I assume he’s telling the truth about that tree. Were you aware of this?”
“Certainly. I tried to get the branches pruned more than once, but Princess Ai wouldn’t hear of it. Said it would spoil her view.” He turned to Nidai. “That area is heavily patrolled. How did you manage to do this without getting caught?”
Now Nidai smiled. “The guards keep a consistent pace. All one need do is count ten fingers ten times from the last patrol to the next. They never vary more than the time you can count one hand.”
Kanemore grunted and I could tell he was impressed despite himself. “I’ll make a note to vary those patrols . . . tomorrow.”
“Even so,” Kenji said, “we’re talking about the difference between one boy and nineteen men. Even if we all get in, I doubt any of us are as nimble as our young Nidai-san here. We’ll never be able to climb back out.”
“If we succeed, it will not be an issue,” I said. “If we fail . . . well, it will not be an issue either.”
Kanemore rose. “Tonight two of the guards will be ill. Furitake and I will take the northern patrol ourselves. There’s no moon tonight, so it’s unlikely Princess Ai will be outside. If she is, well, the gods have not smiled on us.”
“It’s not much time,” Kenji said. “We won’t be able to move until after nightfall.”
I shrugged. “Some time is better than none. Besides, we’ll probably need the interval between sunset and dark to get everyone to the north wall in the first place. We still have the patrols from Enryaku-ji to deal with, unless Master Nidai has a solution for that as well?”
Nidai blushed again but kept silent. Kenji shrugged and went to a stack of plain wooden chests and opened the topmost. He pulled out a set of clothes.
“So many of my brothers have seen the worst for so long that they’ve come to expect it.” He held up a fine silk hakama and jacket. “I’ve always wanted to try being a lord for a day.”
I turned to the gathered priests, who had watched all this with expressions varying from fear to amusement. “So, gentlemen,” I said, “does everyone remember how to climb a tree?”
When their preparations were well under way, Prince Kanemore and I departed separately from the hostel, and met again in the southwestern corner of the city where Takahito’s new quarters were announced to be. For the first time, we saw monks from Enryaku-ji on the streets there.
“I suppose it was mere coincidence,” Prince Kanemore said, “that now they’ve shown an interest here?”
“Say rather that certain people may have given them reason to think so,” I said, “though the command would not have come from the monks. Surely you will concede that?”
“I hadn’t thought it was a subject for argument,” Prince Kanemore said.
I bowed. “Just so. Forgive me.”
He sighed. “There will either be nothing to forgive,” he said, “or far too much. I’m not enough of a seer to know which, so I guess we must both wait.”
Since Prince Kanemore was supervising Takahito’s move to this part of the city, it made sense he come personally to check on the preparations. All appeared in good order and proceeding well; the mansion would be ready for the crown prince by the following evening, on schedule, Kanemore was assured. The workmen and servants were told to expect Prince Takahito and his household before sunset the following day.
On our way back up Karasuma, Prince Kanemore said, “I assume you’ve already spoken to Lady Snow.”
“Yes,” I said. “What she’s told me confirms what I already suspected.”
He looked at me. “We’re all taking a terrible risk, Lord Yamada. Can she be trusted?”
I smiled. “No, she almost certainly cannot be trusted,” I said, “but that’s all right. The crux of the matter is whether or not I clearly understand why she cannot be trusted. And I believe I finally do.”
“I knew better than to ask,” Prince Kanemore said. “And yet I did it anyway. I’m praying that you’re far less a fool than I am.”
I had no answer to that which would not either insult my friend or worry him any more than he already was. I decided to change the subject. “I’m just picturing all those reprobate priests scaling the wall of the Imperial Compound. One should laugh. I think the alternative is madness.”
Prince Kanemore checked the position of the sun. “We’ll know soon enough who laughs and who does not.”
There would be no answer to that save time. I left Prince Kanemore at the east gate to make his final arrangements for the coming evening.
For my part, I had done all I could do for the moment. I found a nice shaded spot in the grove north of the Imperial Compound, and to the degree I could force myself to do so I rested and waited. I may have dozed, but only just.
The shadows were lengthening when the first of the priests slipped furtively into the grove. One by one they joined me there and spread out among the trees and bushes so as to be less conspicuous. I moved toward the edge of the grove where it bordered on Karasuma, and kept watch for patrols.
The priests crossed Karasuma in ones and twos, no group larger than three. Kenji himself arrived with the last group and we gathered by the wall. The sun was well set, and the shadows were turning into night. We didn’t dare wait any longer. I made certain my sword was secure and led the way up the tree.
I would have preferred that Nidai had been present to lead this part of the operation, but he had other duties. I slipped only once, and froze on the branch like a lizard until I was certain my fumbling had not been noticed within the Compound. When I finally pulled myself on the large branch that crossed the wall, I got my first good look into the area we were trying to reach. The guards were immediately evident, but as one of them was Kanemore, I took no more notice of them. To the right the veranda of Princess Ai’s mansion was in clear view.
There was someone standing there.
I almost swore or something else equally foolish before I realized it was only one person, a servant, and she was merely finishing a hastily arranged meal outside. I waited until she had finished and gone back into the house. When the screen slid shut, I inched forward on the branch.
I heard a scraping sound behind me and knew that Kenji had followed. He eyed the branch with some suspicion.
“And how shall we deal with this portion of the plan?” he asked.
“Watch me and have those that follow do as I do,” I said.
“Suppose you break your neck?”
I sighed. “Then have them do something else. I’ll leave that part up to you.”
The descent looked simple enough: one hand to grip the branch, the other to swing forward to a handhold further down, then at the lowest part of the swing, push off on the center of the wall’s tiled roof and use that momentum to catch one more handhold an arm’s length further down. At that point, we simply had to hold on and let our weight lower the branch as far as it would yield, and then let go. There would certainly be some sound as the branch snapped back into place, but there was a breeze off the western moun
tains freshening the air; with luck the sound of a swaying branch would be just one among many. I took one last breath and put the plan into effect.
To my utter amazement, it worked.
I dropped farther than I wanted to and rolled, but when I came up nothing was broken or sprained. Kanemore and his companion halted in their circuit to assist the priests who, one by one, dropped into the Imperial Compound like overripe fruit as Kenji herded them up the tree and over the branch. One plump fellow bent the branch a little farther than we expected and shattered a tile on the wall. We cringed as we heard the pieces drop.
“Into the bushes. Quickly!” Kanemore hissed, and the rest of us took cover just in time before two other guards appeared; Minamoto, by the look of them. They were so close I could hear every word they said.
“Princess Ai’s household reported a disturbance here,” the larger of the two said.
“No wonder,” Kanemore answered. “That branch she won’t let us cut has just broken a roof tile.”
“I didn’t think the breeze was that strong,” said the other.
“Not behind the wall, as we are. Look up and see how the branches are swaying.” It was true, at least for the sugi. The main branch was still waving from when the portly priest had released his grip, and it had set some of the others in motion, aided by the wind.
The two bushi noted this and, after a few more words were exchanged, withdrew.
Kenji and the last priest quickly made their way down the branch.
“Now what?” Kenji asked.
“It will seem strange if I leave right now,” Kanemore said. “Lord Yamada, lead them to Takahito.”
I knew the way well enough. I steered the priests through the gardens by the most obscure paths I knew or could remember. We had to dodge only one pair of clandestine lovers, who fortunately were paying far more attention to each other than anyone near them. The priests were about as stealthy as a herd of wild pigs rooting among dead leaves, but we reached the area surrounding Prince Takahito’s mansion without further incident. There were guards, of course, but they were all trusted men briefed by Prince Kanemore. Master Chang Yu and a young Taira page were waiting for us there as well.
“Have you finished?” I asked.
“All in place save the last piece, as you requested. Are you certain the spirit will enter by the eastern door?”
“Almost certainly, as that is the only way it should be able to get in.”
Master Chang sighed. “I did warn you about anything touching the other barriers before the trap is sprung. It will be warned.”
“On the contrary—it will be reassured. Just be prepared to insert the final piece at our signal.”
Master Chang looked dubious but promised to do as we directed. The hole before the threshold was already dug. It would be the work of a few seconds to set the object and complete the circle, though a few seconds might prove far too long.
The priests, without a word spoken, quickly divested themselves of the clothes covering their robes. They looked like tardy butterflies shedding themselves of their cocoons in late summer, to emerge already tattered and careworn. Kenji quickly set to work arranging the priests: four each at the north side, west side, and south. At the east wall by the door only two priests were posted, carefully chosen by Kenji, while four more were held in reserve. When all was in readiness, he reported back.
“My brothers are in meditation now, preparing themselves. How long?” he asked.
“As long as it takes. You hear anyone snoring, kick him.”
Kenji smiled. “Count upon it.”
I left him there and went inside. A lone figure in rich robes sat, forlorn, on a stool on the dais where once Teiko had kneeled in state.
“Is it happening?” he asked.
“Soon, prince. Be ready.”
“I am ready, and I hate waiting,” he said.
I could not blame him for that. I wasn’t entirely fond of waiting, myself. I was somewhat relieved when Kanemore appeared, but only a little. While there was no one else I’d choose to be beside me in a fight, this was one instance when Kanemore’s sword would not be of much use.
“Have you agreed with Kenji-san and Master Chang on a signal?”
Prince Kanemore grunted and tapped the shaft of a bamboo flute tucked into his robe.
I frowned. “I didn’t know you played the flute.”
“My late mother despaired of my ever becoming a poet like my famous namesake,” he said, “but she was somewhat mollified to know I had an aptitude for the flute. I seldom have time to play, though. I thought I would seize the opportunity, as it may be my last.”
“I look forward to hearing you play many times,” I said, not knowing whether this could be.
Kanemore turned to the Prince. “You understand what is expected?”
“I will not fail,” the boy said.
Pray that none of us do.
I went to the door and signaled to the guards. One by one the lanterns around the veranda and on the path were extinguished and the bushi withdrew to a discreet distance. I had told them it was to thwart any physical attack that might be mounted, but the truth was there was little more they could do now save be underfoot at the wrong time. Their distance was for our protection, not theirs.
It was, as expected, a moonless night. Without the glow of the lanterns a deep darkness settled around us, and for a time I could not even make out my hand in front of my face. Yet without the lanterns, the stars above shone unimpeded, and my eyes soon adjusted to the darkness. I stood in the doorway, and Prince Kanemore joined me there.
“I know there are men surrounding this house,” he said, “and yet I can see no one.”
“Perfect. If we cannot see them, then neither can anyone else.”
“I’d prefer at least one lantern inside,” he said. “It’s pitch black in there.”
“And if something happened to that lantern, we would be even blinder than we are now.”
Kanemore sighed. “As a tactician, I know you are right. Yet I would still like more light.” His hand was clenched around his flute.
“So would I, truth be told. Yet I think we will be able to see what we need to see.” I hoped that was true, but if darkness was part of the nature of what we faced, there was no lantern we could depend on.
We waited. After a while Kanemore withdrew to keep close to the prince. Soon after, two of the priests fell asleep. I heard a harmony of gentle snoring, then a curse and less harmonious yelps as Kenji persuaded each back to wakefulness. One of the priests in front of the door began to shiver in fear and Kenji was there to calm him. I wasn’t sure how long our ragged lines of defense could be maintained, but I suspected it would not be long, even with Kenji’s best efforts. I sighed and looked to the northeast.
The stars were going out.
I could see little save that for a moment a star hung there, twinkling in the sky and in another moment, it winked out. I knew that a large black cloud was rolling over the mountains to the northeast, extinguishing the stars as it went. I could not see it, but I could see its effect.
“Our enemy is coming,” I said.
I heard Kenji hiss and curse again and his quick footsteps around the veranda as he made one last check on his brother priests. Kanemore heard my warning and joined me in the doorway.
“Oh, my . . . ”
I had forgotten Prince Kanemore had not seen the cloud before. I had, and even so I was having trouble grasping the full extent of its magnitude. I also knew it would grow even stronger once it reached the city where the ghosts were waiting. I knew there was no way our simple barriers could contain anything that size. We would almost certainly be overwhelmed. That is, we would be if the size and power of the dark energy were all that mattered.
“We’re not going to be able to contain that thing!” Kanemore said. “It’s larger than mountains!”
“And yet only one person at a time died,” I reminded him. “There is both more and less to it. Trust me.�
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“With my life,” Kanemore said. “I was mad to think this would work, but there’s no turning back now.”
He was certainly right about the latter. If he was also right about the first, well, we would all soon know. The stars went out overhead, and an even deeper darkness settled down on us. It wasn’t simply an absence of light. I felt as if a blanket woven of fear and hatred had settled itself around me. Someone whimpered. It might have been me. I was afraid if I didn’t speak now, I might never speak again.
“K-Kenji . . . ”
I heard his shouted command; somewhat wavering, but clear. In another moment the two priests positioned at the doorway began to chant a sutra against evil influences. It was, beyond a doubt, the worst, most grating, and inharmonious vocalization of a sacred text it had ever been my misfortune to hear. Yet still the darkness shuddered like a living thing. My head was somewhat clearer.
“Kanemore, to the prince,” I said, but it was unnecessary. I heard his slow footsteps as he backed away into the main room, and I followed as best I could.
There were two anguished cries, almost in unison, and then the greater darkness filled the room.
PATHETIC.
I did not hear the voice, I felt it; rather, I fancied, like the head of a drum feels the stick. It was time to speak again. I gathered strength and made certain my voice was fully under my command. I would rather have consigned myself to a festival fire than let our enemy bathe in my fear.
“Welcome, Lord Sentaro.”
For a few long moments, time seemed frozen. Then the darkness was a little less diffuse. I knew it blanketed Princess Teiko’s former home completely like a black fog, but as it filled the room the darkness concentrated itself and two great staring eyes opened.
“So,” I said, “the darkness is no longer content to be blind.”
The thing laughed then, and the room shook. I heard cries of fear and dismay from outside and could only pray that Kenji could keep matters under control, for inside all was in the hands of darkness.
LORD YAMADA. I SUPPOSE I SHOULD BE SURPRISED, BUT YOU DO HAVE AN UNNATURAL TALENT FOR APPEARING WHERE YOU ARE NOT WANTED. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO DO?
To Break the Demon Gate Page 24