by Julie Kagawa
“Where was everyone else?” I wondered. “The rest of the clans, I mean? I would think a huge demon army attacking the capital would be cause for concern.”
“They were all fighting among themselves,” Reika answered. “No one can even remember how it started, but the Hino had declared war against the Mizu for some imagined slight, the Earth Clan was fighting the Shadow and Wind clans, and the Moon Clan was off doing their own thing on their islands per normal, and not getting involved. No one realized the danger Genno represented until it was too late.”
“Yes,” Daisuke added solemnly. “The day that the Master of Demons marched upon the capital, the Taiyo stood alone, a single oak before the tsunami.”
“Four hundred years ago,” Okame repeated. “And the empire almost fell, but it rallied. The other clans pulled their heads out of their asses, banded together and marched on the capital to take it back. The way the stories tell it, Genno was defeated, executed and his remains are buried in some secret, remote tomb. Hard to threaten the empire when you’re a pile of bones.”
“Unless,” Reika put in, “someone is trying to revive him using an ancient and powerful artifact that will grant a single wish.”
“Merciful Kami,” breathed Master Jiro. “I have heard of cults, cabals, of blood mages, who worship the Master of Demons as a fallen god. Whose minds have been corrupted by Jigoku’s power so they are no longer human. Who despise the empire and every honorable soul within it, and would see Genno rise again to bring chaos and darkness to the land. If they got their hands on the Dragon scroll, if they used the Wish to bring Genno back to life…”
“They don’t have to,” I said. “The Master of Demons is already here.”
Everyone stopped and stared at me again. “Hakaimono isn’t retrieving the scroll for a cult of blood mages,” I said. “He already made a deal with the Master of Demons, or his ghost, I suppose—if he went to the Steel Feather temple and retrieved the pieces of the scroll, Genno would break the curse that binds him to Kamigoroshi.”
“Jinkei preserve us,” whispered Reika, going very pale. “This gets worse and worse. A freed Hakaimono and a returned Master of Demons? The land will not survive.” Her gaze sharpened, cutting into me. “How do you know this?” she demanded, suddenly dubious again.
“Tatsumi told me.”
“In your dream.”
“Yes.”
“Yumeko-chan…” The shrine maiden paused a moment, then sighed. “Dreams are important, I fully understand that,” she began. “They can be visions, warnings, portents of the future. But sometimes, they can just be dreams. I know you’re desperate to help Kage Tatsumi, but your vision might not be what you think. The souls that can consciously journey though Yume-no-Sekai are few and far between. Are you certain this isn’t your worry and…other feelings for the demonslayer coming to the surface?”
“I am very certain,” I told her, deliberately ignoring the last question. “I walked through Yume-no-Sekai and found Tatsumi, who told me that Hakaimono and the Master of Demons had struck a bargain. Tatsumi said that Hakaimono was going to the Steel Feather temple to get the scroll for the Master of Demons, and that we had to stop him.” No matter the cost, even if we have to kill him to stop Hakaimono. My stomach clenched, remembering the look in Tatsumi’s eyes, the quiet despair as he pleaded for me to end his life. I set my jaw. No, I won’t let that happen, I promised. I won’t lose Tatsumi to Hakaimono, and I won’t let the First Oni win. Whatever it takes, I’m going to bring him back.
Reika sighed, clearly uncertain, then glanced at the older priest in the corner. “Master Jiro? What should we do?”
The priest was silent for several heartbeats.
“This changes nothing,” he said at last. “If anything, it confirms the importance of our mission. We must reach the Steel Feather temple before Hakaimono does. We must defeat the demon, and either drive him back into Kamigoroshi or, failing that, destroy him and his host completely. And we must protect the pieces of the scroll at all costs. Under no circumstances can we allow Hakaimono to deliver them to the Master of Demons.”
“So we have to get to the Steel Feather temple,” Okame said, frowning. “The one supposedly hidden and lost to the ages for hundreds of years. Sounds easy. Um…where was it again?”
“The northern part of the Dragon Spine Mountains,” Master Jiro said, sounding like he was quoting the passage from a history scroll. “Seek the place where the mountain kami gather, and look to the crows that will point the way.” He paused, brow furrowed slightly, before shaking his head. “Not the clearest of directions, I grant you, but it is what we must go on.”
“Gonna be a long walk,” Okame sighed. “The Dragon Spine separates the Tsuchi and Mizu families, and the northern part of the range extends all the way up into Wind Clan territory. Which, conversely, is on the other side of the empire. Unless Hakaimono has a broken leg, or is on this side of Iwagoto with us, I don’t see how we’re going to beat him there.”
“The Path of Shadows,” I said, making him wince. “It’s the fastest way, and Lady Hanshou already gave us leave to use it. We should find Naganori-san, and get him to open the Path for us.”
Through all this, Daisuke had been unusually quiet. Now, as we prepared to leave the room, he set his jaw and rose gracefully from the mats.
“Forgive me,” the noble said, his voice apologetic but firm. “But I am afraid I cannot come with you this time.”
I blinked at him in shock. “Why, Daisuke-san?”
“I am a Taiyo.” He gazed around at all of us, solemn and proud. “My duty is to the emperor, my family and my clan. Anything that puts them in danger is an affront to me, as well. The Master of Demons is a serious threat to the empire. Honor demands I return and inform His Highness of what I know.”
“The Kage have messengers, Taiyo-san,” Okame said immediately. “Send a missive with one of them. Apparently they’re very adept at traveling across the country in the blink of an eye.”
But Daisuke shook his head. “I am sorry, Okame-san. But I would not trust something this important with a clan who have very recently attempted to have us killed. Any message or note I might send could be seen by the wrong eyes, and I am not willing to risk that. Besides, the Shadow Clan have garnered a reputation for being…untrustworthy, within the Sun lands. Better that I deliver this message in person. My family will listen to me.”
“You would leave us,” Reika demanded, glaring angrily at the noble. “Knowing what is at stake. Knowing we must reach Hakaimono before he gets the scroll.”
“I am sorry,” Daisuke repeated, sounding repentant but firm. “But I’ve made my decision. I must return to the Imperial city to warn the emperor. Yumeko-san.” He bowed in my direction. “It has been an honor. I wish you luck on your journey, and I truly hope you can save Tatsumi-san.” He turned away, sliding back the door to the hall. “Sayonara. Hopefully someday our paths will cross again.”
“Never took you for a coward, Taiyo-san.”
Okame’s voice was mocking, and the brittle silence that followed was a tangible thing, making the hairs rise on the back of my arm. Daisuke had gone very still, his back to us, but I saw his hand come to rest on his sword hilt. Reika exchanged a glance with me, and then slowly scooted back against the wall, drawing Master Jiro and the two dogs with her. Okame seemed oblivious to the tension, standing in the center of the room with his arms crossed, a furious look on his face.
“Okame-san.” Daisuke’s voice trembled, but whether from anger or something else, it was hard to say. “I would ask you to take that back.”
The ronin’s glare morphed into a smirk. “Why should I?”
“Because honor demands that I challenge you to a duel for such an insult, or that I cut you down right here. And I have no desire to do either. So please…” Daisuke still didn’t turn, but his eyes fluttered shut. “Retract your statement. Apologize, so that we can forget this and move on.”
“Oh? Am I not duel-worthy, then?�
� Okame stepped forward, his sneer defiant. “I’m not the Kage demonslayer, I wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Or is it because I’m ronin? Don’t want to waste your skills on the unworthy, is that it?”
“I don’t want to kill you, Okame-san!” Daisuke finally spun, glaring at the ronin, though his expression was conflicted. “How many times must I say it before you believe me—I care not that you are ronin, that you are no longer samurai. You are a brave warrior. I have watched you stand with us against monsters, demons, assassins and vengeful ghosts. You have become a brother in arms, and I consider you a worthy friend. I do not wish to challenge you, because I far prefer you alive, but…” He sighed, briefly closing his eyes, as if pained. “I will not deny you a duel. I will give you an honorable death, if that is what you desire.”
“You once challenged Kage-san to a duel,” Okame said, making Daisuke frown in confusion. Reika, too, furrowed her brow, uncertain where the ronin was going with this. “Remember that? It was to be your greatest duel ever, the one that would test your skills to the limit.”
“Yes,” Daisuke said slowly. “I remember. But, even before my own desires, my duty to the empire comes first. I truly regret that I might never cross blades with Kage Tatsumi.”
“So, answer me this, noble, and answer truthfully.” Okame took a step forward, staring the noble down. “Do you think I would have any chance against Kage Tatsumi if I challenged him on that bridge?”
Startled, Daisuke frowned at the ronin, pure puzzlement crossing his features. “If…you were to duel Kage-san?” he repeated.
“Yeah.” Okame crossed his arms. “If I stood in Kage Tatsumi’s way and demanded he fight me on the bridge, what do you think would happen?”
“Okame-san…” Daisuke paused, as if gathering his thoughts. “You are…a passionate warrior,” he began. “And your skill with a bow is such that I have never seen before.”
“Oh, stop with the mincing around, peacock.” Okame snorted, shaking his head. “We both know the answer. He would destroy me. If I challenged Kage Tatsumi on that bridge, I wouldn’t even have time to blink before my head would be in the river.”
Daisuke frowned, but he didn’t deny it. Striding forward, Okame came within a few feet of the Taiyo noble and leaned in, his gaze intense. His voice was low as he growled, “So what makes you think I’ll be able to protect Yumeko-chan when we face Hakaimono?”
Daisuke stepped back, eyes widening. Okame didn’t move, continuing to glare at the noble with hard black eyes. “You’ve seen the demonslayer fight,” he went on, his voice grim. “I wouldn’t stand a chance. Without Tatsumi, you’re our sword, Taiyo-san. You are the only one who can maybe go toe-to-toe with the Kage demonslayer and not be sliced to pieces in the first pass. I can stand a hundred yards away and annoy him with arrows for a little while, but once he closes the distance…I’m dead. And then Yumeko-chan, Reika and the priest will be left to face Hakaimono…alone.”
“Do not dismiss us so casually, ronin,” Reika broke in, sounding annoyed. “We are not entirely defenseless. Chu and Ko will fight to the death, and Master Jiro and I have the power of the kami at our fingertips. Even against a demon like Hakaimono, we would give him a fight to remember.”
“I know,” Okame said without glancing at her. His gaze was still riveted to Daisuke, who hadn’t looked away, either. “I know we would all fight very hard, and that we’re all ready to give our lives to stop the demonslayer. But from what I’ve heard of Hakaimono, it’s going to take each and every one of us working together to have any hope of bringing him down. Taiyo-san, if you leave now…” Okame paused, thinking, then shook his head. “I can’t see us winning. I’m not the type of warrior who can stand against an oni of that power. If you return to the Imperial city, Hakaimono will kill us. And then he will take the pieces of the scroll to the Master of Demons, who will then be free to summon the Dragon. And the empire will fall.”
Daisuke was silent, his features expressionless. Okame held his gaze, unrelenting. “I know I’m an honorless ronin dog,” he said quietly. “I know I’ve lost all concept of duty, obligation and sacrifice. The emperor must be warned that Hakaimono is free and the Master of Demons has returned, I realize that, but…right now, we need you more, Taiyo-san. If you return to the Imperial city and we fail to stop Hakaimono, you might not have an empire to protect much longer. So, I’m asking you, as a friend and a brother in arms, will you help us save Kage Tatsumi?” One corner of his mouth twitched, the hint of a smirk crossing his face. “Or do you still need me to drop to my knees and humbly beg your forgiveness for implying that you’re a coward? I don’t normally beg, for anything, but I’ll prostrate myself right now, if that’s what it takes.”
“Okame-san…” Daisuke closed his eyes. “You…”
“Excuse me.” A soft tap came from the door, a moment before the servant slid it open, peering in at us on her knees. “Pardon the interruption,” she said, with a wide-eyed glance at Daisuke and the ronin, facing off a few feet away, “but I have an important message from Lord Iesada. Before you depart, he wishes the Lady Yumeko and the rest of her companions to join him for tea in the autumn wing of the castle. If you follow me, I will take you there.”
“Give us a moment,” Reika said shortly. The maid blinked, either in surprise or offense, but slid the door shut once more, leaving us alone. I wrinkled my nose as Reika immediately rose, walked to the door and pressed another ofuda to the frame, silencing the room again.
“Why does Lord Iesada want to see us?” I wondered. “He’s been horribly rude, not to mention his shinobi tried to kill us in the city. Do you think he wishes to apologize? Is this an ‘I’m sorry I tried to assassinate you’ tea ceremony?”
Reika snorted so loudly that the dogs raised their heads and pricked their ears at her. “Most assuredly not,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Well, we don’t have to attend, do we?” I asked. “We can sneak out of Kage lands through the Path, and Lord Iesada would be none the wiser.”
Daisuke turned then, his expression faintly horrified as he faced me. “That would be an enormous insult, Yumeko-san,” he said. “Iesada-sama is a lord of the Kage and does us a great honor. To ignore him would be unforgivably rude. The Shadow Clan itself might take offense to such a slight.”
“What do you care about it, Taiyo?” Okame demanded roughly. “I thought you were going back to Sun lands. Don’t worry about the rest of us—I’m sure we can muddle through somehow.”
Daisuke’s shoulders slumped, and he bowed his head with a sigh.
“You shame me, Okame-san.” The noble’s voice was soft. “I know of no samurai who would admit an opponent was too strong for him, but you, a ronin, put aside your own honor, your own pride, to make me see the truth. You are absolutely correct—warning the emperor will accomplish nothing should the Master of Demons succeed in summoning the Dragon. My place is here, with those I have sworn to aid.
“Yumeko-san,” he continued, rising to face me, his expression intent. “I must beg your pardon, as well. If you would still have me, let me swear a new oath. I vow to protect you and the Dragon scroll, to be the blade that stands between you and your enemies, for as long as I have the breath to keep fighting, or until the Harbinger has passed on from the world once more. Let me accompany you to the Steel Feather temple, and I will face Hakaimono unflinchingly. On my honor, he will not touch you as long as I still breathe. That is my new vow. If you will accept it.”
I nodded. “Arigatou, Daisuke-san.”
“Good,” Reika snapped. “So, if we’re finished making vows and being honorably dramatic, perhaps we can leave? Hakaimono isn’t getting any farther from the Steel Feather temple. And now, we have to decide if we’re going to attend Lord Iesada’s tea ceremony. Though I might be getting slightly ill, because I think I agree with Yumeko’s plan. What do we care if we insult the Kage, if it prevents the coming of the Master of Demons and the Dragon?”
“Forgive me, Reika-san,” Daisuke said
, stepping farther into the room. “But insulting Lord Iesada is not the only issue at hand. Sometimes, sitting across from your enemy is the quickest way to discern their secrets.” He lowered his voice, even though Reika’s ofuda still clung to the door, keeping our conversations secret. “Once we leave Kage lands, we must reach the Steel Feather temple as quickly as we can to warn them about Hakaimono, and to prepare for the demon’s arrival. If any in the Shadow Clan intend to stop us, we must be ready for them. The wise tactician keeps his intentions close, speaks softly and pries his enemy open without the other even realizing it. I believe we should attend Lord Iesada’s ceremony. Perhaps we will learn something that we did not know before.”
“I have to agree,” Master Jiro put in, surprising us. “Someone in the Shadow Clan wishes to stop us. We must discover all we can so that we are not taken off guard. However,” he continued, and put a fist over his mouth as his voice grew husky. “I believe I will let you young people attend the ceremony. Please tell Lord Iesada that I am unwell, and send my apologies. I will remain here with Chu and Ko, make sure they do not wander into trouble.”
Reika gave her master a suspicious, amused look. “How can you be a priest and not like tea?” she asked. Master Jiro sniffed, drawing a pipe from his robes.
“When you are old, Reika-chan, you are allowed certain eccentrics. Not liking tea, or anything to do with it, is one of them.”
Okame groaned. “Ugh, I hate tea ceremonies. They’re so unbelievably boring.” He sighed. “You chatty types can do the talking. I’ll just sit back and try to remember all the steps I have to take before I can actually drink the tea. Blink twice if I’m about to do something offensive. I wouldn’t want to hold the teacup wrong and bring so much dishonor to our flawless noble, he’ll have to fall on his own sword in shame.”
“I would certainly not fall on my sword,” Daisuke said, giving the ronin a wry look. “That implies that I tripped and tumbled down the stairs, impaling myself at the bottom like a graceless water buffalo. I would kneel on a pil low and perform the ritual with honor and precision, like all noble samurai.”