Nightblade

by Ryan Kirk

  Over time Takako learned not just the secrets of the women who worked for Madame, but she learned the secrets of the city as well. She realized almost anybody important in New Haven had a relationship with Madame. She knew most of the appointed officials, generals, soldiers, and spies. She even knew the Abbot of the nearest monastery. Takako was young, but she understood the power of the knowledge Madame’s women brought to her.

  Over the course of her first three cycles Takako came to meet and know almost everyone important in the city, and it seemed at times like almost everyone knew her. Although it had never been spoken of in Takako’s presence, no man tried to buy her services. They would often greet her warmly, and a couple of the older gentlemen would bring her small gifts like she was a surrogate grand-daughter. She was a servant in the house, but her fate was known to all. Already she had overheard whispers of the future. Men were offering ridiculous sums of money for Takako’s first time. Madame was pleased and she let them wait.

  Her reception from the women who worked in the house was varied. Some attempted to bring her under their wing, showing her the ropes and how to be more successful at the house. The majority were not interested in her. She was an additional presence, easy to be ignored. She was not yet one of them, so not worthy of their time and attention. They did not treat her poorly, but they did not treat her well either. The final group of women were those who seemed hostile to her presence among them. The friendlier women claimed it was because Takako was young, beautiful, and unspoiled. The other women were jealous. Whatever the reason, Takako learned to keep her distance from them. They gave her extra chores and let snide comments slide when she was just at the edge of hearing.

  Those women had to be careful though. At the end of the day the house was Madame's and her word was law. She had accepted Takako, and so long as Takako abided by the rules of the house she was to be given all the respect that any of the women received. The women could toe the line, but none of them dared cross it. Their profession may be one of the lowest, but they were the top of the bottom rung and none of them wanted to endanger their position.

  The only aspect of Takako’s life which was odious was her interactions with General Nori. Takako had heard the stories which followed him like a shadow. From what she could tell he was the most powerful man in the region. He was the general of the Southern Kingdom’s second army, making him one of the four most powerful men in the Kingdom. He was also a frequent customer of Madame’s.

  He was unlike the others. Most customers came to be with someone, to take and pretend they were with a person who cared about them. To Nori, a trip to Madame’s was no different than a trip to the lowest class whorehouse. He had a wife back many cycles ago who had given him a male heir. The wife had died in her childbirth to the boy. Since then Nori frequented Madame’s whenever he was near the city.

  None of the women liked him. Regardless of their relationship to Takako, every one of them did their best to keep her away from him. She was the adopted daughter of the house and he was rougher with the women than anyone else. If Nori had been anyone else Madame would have had him killed. But a general of the Southern Kingdom was untouchable, and he took advantage of the fact by treating the women at Madame’s the way he wanted. The General was the only person who could bend Madame to her knee. There was no recourse for her and Takako had heard some of the women say he didn’t even pay full price.

  It was unbearable because the General had his eyes on Takako. Every time he came by he would send an invitation to her she could not refuse. She would come to him and serve him drinks while he spent his time with another woman. He did not attempt to sleep with her, which was both a relief and source of confusion to Takako. He did not come to enjoy the company of any woman at the house. He came for sex alone, so why antagonize her?

  His non-sexual interest in her was worse. Sometimes Takako caught herself thinking it would just be easier if he would take her to bed and get it over with. There was something intimidating in a man who wasn’t interested in sex with you when you were in a brothel.

  Nori was also unique in that he saw Madame frequently. Madame was very concerned about her privacy and few men were ever allowed to see her face. It protected her house and her women, but Nori had demanded. He could have the place burned to the ground and no one would question his right to do so. Every time he visited he had tea with Madame, an action Takako suspected was akin to gloating.

  Every time the General had tea he requested Takako serve. This afternoon was no different. General Nori hadn’t even announced his intention to visit. Despite the rudeness, Madame wasn’t caught off guard. There were enough ears around that she often heard all she needed to know. She knew Nori was in town, and if he was in town he always visited. It was only a matter of when. She had warned all the girls and had canceled the appointments of the girls he liked best.

  For Takako the dreadful news did have a silver lining. She had to be ready to serve tea on short notice and so was able to skip the more physically demanding chores for the days they were on watch. She still had lessons and light chores to keep her occupied, but she wasn’t running around the house sweating so it was a definite improvement.

  Takako felt like waiting for Nori to visit was akin to waiting for death. You knew it was coming, and the fear of it could paralyze you, but there was no way to avoid it. So you just kept going forward. And so she did. She decided to make herself as happy as possible and did her best to ignore her impending fate.

  Nori’s arrival was just as inevitable as one’s journey to the Great Cycle, and when he did arrive it was no great surprise to anyone. Takako changed into her clothes to receive him and went down to the kitchen to grab the tea.

  Takako could not enter the reception room without thinking about her father and their parting. It had been three full cycles and the memory of that day still burned like it had happened yesterday. She passed the exact spot she and her father had their last embrace as she carefully approached with the tea, smiling so all the world could know she was happy to be here serving this man.

  General Nori was an imposing figure. He stood taller than most other men and had the physical size to match. He had been one of the strongest men in the world at one time, it was said. As he had aged his body had decayed, but he was still the strongest man Takako had ever seen. He could have broken her father in half, and she suspected that he could even best the younger guards who vigilantly watched the house. It was rumored that he was still the best swordsman in the Three Kingdoms.

  General Nori’s hair was starting to grey, which only terrified Takako more. There was something about an older man who had the habits of a killer that made shivers run up her spine. Soldiering and killing seemed to be something young men did, not something older men should be adept at.

  Nori bowed his head a small fraction of an inch when Takako entered. Coming from him it was an impressive sign of respect, although Takako didn’t trust it. Takako served the tea, trying to perform the actions as with as much grace as she could manage at high speed. She hoped to escape before having to spend too much time in the General’s company.

  As she moved to stand and leave, Nori gestured for her to sit. Takako glanced at Madame, who made no motion to counteract the General’s request. Her stomach sinking, Takako knelt down off to the side and slightly closer to Madame’s side as required of her station.

  Satisfied, Nori and Madame resumed their conversation. Takako’s stomach twisted as she tried to fathom the layers of meaning to their conversation. She knew from all her training that Madame and those she interacted with rarely spoke of what they meant. Takako tried to decipher the hidden meanings, but was too distracted to focus.

  Despite Takako's inability to follow the conversation the topics seemed rather mundane. There was talk about the weather, the General's health, his recent activity and the such. Takako found herself flustered, convinced something more was being said, but being bored by the conversation itself.

  She was caug
ht by surprise when Nori turned and spoke to her.

  "How are you finding Madame's hospitality?"

  Takako bowed her head towards Madame in a gesture of respect. "Madame has been very kind to me, and she has taught me much about the world that I didn't know before."

  Although Takako had been referencing her book studies, her comment brought the barest hint of a smile to the General's face. Takako realized the general had understood a different meaning. She found herself even more nervous, a feat she hadn’t imagined possible a few moments ago.

  "Tell me, Takako, what have you learned while you have been here?"

  "I have learned much. I have learned how to read and write, how to cook, and how to prepare the tea. And I have learned about people."

  "What can you tell me about me?"

  "You are a general without equal in these parts. You are one of the top advisors to the Lord and command the largest contingent of men under his control. You have been victorious in battle, and while your men fear you, they also respect you."

  Nori smiled at that summary. It was the most terrifying face that Takako had ever seen. "I appreciate the directness of your answer even if it does lack a certain amount of tact. But all you have proven to me thus far is that you have studied history and have listened to rumors about me. What do you know about me?"

  Takako glanced over to Madame for guidance but her face was completely neutral. No help there. She had been taught in these moments to be honest. It was a lesson Madame hadn’t been able to replace from Takako’s childhood.

  "You are a controlling man who is not used to either rejection or failure. You believe that you can control not just yourself but others as well. You have had no experience yet which contradicts the belief. It makes you strong, but like many strengths, also doubles as your weakness. You feel you are given the authority to punish those who do not please you and enjoy being able to exert power over others. You believe you make the laws that govern the land but are not answerable to them."

  The silence in the room was deafening. Takako noticed Nori with his hand on the hilt of his sword. Perhaps she had gone too far this time.

  The moment stretched, and Takako let out the deep breath she didn’t even realize she had been holding when Nori relaxed his hand and brought it back to his lap.

  "You are a very observant girl, and very clever as well. I do not know if anyone has ever spoken as directly as you have. Certainly no one that lived to tell about it." He paused for effect. "However, I shall allow you to leave with your life today."

  Takako bowed her forehead to the floor and exited the room. Her heart was pounding, and it took all the courage she possessed to control her breathing and facial expression. Stupid! She could have been killed and Madame never would have done anything to protect her. She cursed herself and her fate as she went back to her room.

  In her absence the room she had just left remained quiet. Madame did not show any expression of concern or care. But, Nori thought, she never did. If she had been a man and a warrior she would have been a very dangerous enemy. As it was she was still be a force to be reckoned with, but Nori felt she thought too highly of herself. She valued information over strength. Information was valuable but the ability and will to take life had no equal on this world.

  Madame resumed their conversation. Nori appreciated one thing about the woman. She was intelligent. Their conversations were always interesting. In time the conversation turned to Nori’s son, Akio. Nori was proud of his son, who was nearing the age of manhood.

  “My son is young and untried in battle, but I am confident his skills will be of great use to him as he enters manhood.”

  “I am sure he will bring honor to your family name, much like you have.”

  “It is very much my wish that this be so. I wish to put him on the path and provide for him any opportunities that will lead to his success.”

  Madame nodded, already guessing the turn that this conversation was going. “It is as much as any parent would hope to provide.”

  “You don’t have any children, do you?”

  Madame felt her heart drop, a familiar sensation to this question. How had Nori known? “No. I am not able. But the women here are as my own daughters.”

  Nori laughed. “You are a horrible mother to whore out your children.”

  Madame shook with rage. It wasn’t much, but it was a better fate than these women would have had elsewhere. But Nori wasn’t done.

  “I came today to ask for a consort for him for the spring season when we go to war.”

  Madame was taken aback. The question itself was beyond rude, beyond being socially acceptable. The request was impossible. No woman had ever left Madame’s house. They were her daughters of misfortune. The work was what it was, but it was safe. Madame always made it so. Sending a woman off to war was wrong.

  “I’m sorry, general, but as you know the women of this house aren’t allowed to leave the premises except under escort, and are never allowed to leave the city.”

  The general waved away her excuses as though he were brushing away a fly. “I’m sorry that you feel that way. I have long been a supporter of this little endeavor of yours. It has always been a quality establishment. But I will have a woman for my son.”

  Madame felt a flush of anger and struggled to suppress it. She had to remain calm and decide how to deal with this man. If a man, any man, could come in here and leave with one of the girls she would soon be dealing with mutiny. Her mission would be ruined. She couldn’t let it happen but couldn’t think of a way to stop it.

  The general continued. “It is my desire that my son have a consort who will instruct him and be available to him without reservation so he may maintain his focus on the campaign. As a young man in a position of privilege, it would not be unheard of for unscrupulous women to approach him and attempt to get him to divulge information. A consort would protect him against such indiscretions. I believe Takako will serve him well.”

  Madame felt her stomach drop even further. She had always assumed Takako would become the general’s favorite when she came of age. Already her beauty was well known around the region, and Madame had looked forward to grooming her to be the consort of the most powerful men in the city. Information was power, and Takako would acquire much of it.

  Madame’s mind raced as she sipped her tea. She thought about attempting to kill Nori. He had been a well-known swordsman back in his day, but she hadn’t heard anything about his skill since he had taken to commanding the army. Her guards were superb, but she had no way of knowing. She was not a fighter and couldn’t judge. It was too risky and difficult to hide or frame. Nori was one of the most powerful men in the realm and his death was sure to have more consequences than Madame could calculate.

  On the other hand she feared for the reputation of her house and the women who worked for her. Working at Madame’s was safe. Their work was dangerous for many women and deaths, beatings, and maiming were common stories on the streets. As long as they lived under Madame’s house, her women were safe and protected. Every day they turned away desperate women. Madame had a reputation around the city for defending her women and no men dared try their luck, no matter their level of intoxication. To risk her reputation risked everything. Madame felt her future unraveling.

  Accept or resist, neither option put Madame in a better place. There was a good deal of time left before spring season, and it was worth playing with Nori while she tried to figure out alternatives.

  Nori was tired of waiting. “Madame, I know you believe your house is different. That although you live richly, you are somehow the protector of these women. But make no mistake, at the end of the day your girls are whores. They are the best whores in the whole region, and whatever lies you tell yourself to make them so are fine by me. But Takako will come with me in the spring to accompany my son. Prepare her, and your house will stand. Cross me, and your house will burn with you and your girls inside.”

  All Madame could do was nod her
assent. She would protect her girls, no matter the cost, but she did not know how.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Despite her desire, Moriko did not try to escape. Her inability to work up the courage to try infuriated her. She wanted to see the outside world more than she desired food. But she believed the monks and she believed her new friends, if they could be called friends. Her courage failed her, vanished like a shadow in the night. Everyone she asked had the same story. The easy escape, the first few days of freedom. The inevitable capture and lashes. Moriko understood. You could escape the monastery but you couldn’t escape the monks.

  Life wasn’t all bad though. Tomotsu was a welcome presence in Moriko’s life the first few seasons of her time at Perseverance. He was an optimist and never gave up hope of escape even though his first attempt had been so unsuccessful. Moriko doubted he would ever get around to escaping again. He talked a lot about it, but he never planned anything, never took any concrete actions. Life in the monastery was difficult but food was always provided, the fires always burned at night, and the life of a monk was one of privilege in society. Although the life may be severe at times, it seemed worthwhile to all the monks who trained them. They were believers.

  There was always plenty of talk about the outside world. Moriko remembered being treated as an odd child by her family, but other children had stories that made her realize how lucky she had been. Once people found out they possessed the sense they were shunned from society, often beaten or hunted. The monastery could be hard, but it was safe compared to a life outside the walls.

  Monastic life was nothing if not routine. Rise with the sun, morning exercise, chores, classes, lunch, combat training, sense training, supper, more classes, bed. At least, Moriko thought, it was not hard to fall asleep at night. The first few nights had been more difficult. Moriko missed the old forest, the sounds and peace and serenity that she experienced while she lived there. She missed her father and their journeys into the old woods. She missed listening to the sound of his voice as he explained the things she didn’t know. But busy days and physical exhaustion kept her from lamenting too much.