by Ree Soesbee
Still, Tsuko's armies gathered to the north, and three villages had already been burned. The future grew dimmer with each sunset. Soon the palaces of the Crane would shake, and be broken.
Footsteps approached beyond the paper screen. "My lady?" a low voice called out. A moment later, one of her heimin knelt by the door and slid back the screen. In the hallway beyond knelt the daimyo of the Daidoji.
"Dear Fortunes," Ameiko said, standing from the low table. She composed her features. "What happened, Samurai, that you should look so pale?"
"My lady, there has been another message," Uji replied grimly.
Straightening her shoulders, she asked, "From Lord Hoturi?"
"No, my lady. Actually, yes, my lady, but not in that way."
"Come here." Ameiko knelt once more on the cushion behind the library table.
Uji walked into the small stone chamber. Behind him, the door obligingly closed, slid by the hands of heimin.
Signaling for the servants to leave, Ameiko turned to face the growing light of the window. She arranged her kimono so that the folds spread gently on the floor. When the heimin had gone, Uji knelt beside her. "From the look of your face, Uji-san, the Daidoji have been wounded once more."
"Yes, my lady. Haikeun village has been burned, but the casualties have been light." Uji paused, his dark face becoming sallow and his shoulders tightening.
"Yes?" Ameiko prompted, noting the man's stubborn jaw.
"The messenger asks to stay the winter in Kyuden Kakita.
The first snow will fall soon, and the roads will become treacherous."
"A samurai carried the message?"
"No, my lady." Noting her confusion, he continued, "Eighteen samurai, my lady, and three shugenja. They are Phoenix, of the Shiba family, asking your hospitality."
"Phoenix." Ameiko repeated. How could Yoshi have known this would occur? His letter had mentioned Phoenix allies, but had given no details of their arrival. "Are they injured?"
"Yes, my lady," Uji snarled. "By Lion blades." Nodding his head in polite deference, he stood angrily. "The Lion march through our northern province, just to the west of Sayo Castle. It is obviously their first target in our lands. We ..." His face darkened as he realized that he spoke to the lady, not the lord, of the house. "I'm sorry, my lady. You have much else to do, and the Phoenix are in need of comfort."
"Uii-san," Ameiko said sharply. "In my lord's absence, you will speak to me of all things concerning the clan. As his wife, I care for the house and finances of the Doji—and as the wife of the champion, I care for the entire clan. Do you understand?"
Uji blackened visibly. "Hai, my lady. Forgive me."
"No, Uji-san, you will not be simply forgiven," Ameiko cautioned with a faint smile. "You will tel! me what you know of the Lion troop movements and will explain my lord's wishes regarding these Phoenix. Then, I will write to Kakita Yoshi of our plans so that the court can continue to turn on the will of the Crane."
"Hai, Ameiko-sama. Hai." Uncomfortable, the soldier bowed again.
He turned to the window to compose his thoughts. With narrowed eyes, he watched the artisans in the gardens below, discussing the festival of days past and preparing for the winter to come.
Ameiko turned again to the table, preparing the ink stone with a small amount of ground kohl. Tipping the water vial, she filled the reservoir of the stone with liquid and smeared tlie kohl to paste with her brush.
The brilliant light of dawn crept across the windowsiil. As silent moments passed, it began to illuminate the small chamber with glorious light.
Uji waited patiently for her to command him to speak. He was a broad man, and his shadow clung to the wall. Even without his armor and the well-known black mask, the daimyo of the Daidoji was a dangerous man. Bound to the Crane through ties of blood older than the empire, the Daidoji were the strength of the clan, and Uji was the strength of the 1 )aidoji. He had served the Crane for fourteen years without truly speaking his mind, and this time would be no different. Every word was colored by anger, every action dictated by a hatred of anyone who dared defy his command of the Crane provinces. Where Hoturi ruled through lineage, Uji commanded through strength. The Crane had good reason to fear Uji if his loyalty ever turned. He knew every inch of the lands they controlled, and he had the strength at arms to seize them.
At last, Ameiko nodded. She was ready to hear his words.
"The Lion," he began, "are gathering to the west of our border. Tsuko's force is a few days past Sayo Castle. Smaller legions have already entered our lands. We have harassed them as much as we can, but our troops are light in that area. With hostility from the Crab to the south, we are spread too thin to provide direct support against a large force. I'm keeping three hundred men here at Kyuden Kakita, but the Phoenix could prove more than useful. Their shugenja, in particular. We have none here—the Asahina are secluded in their monastery, and even if they wished to join the battle, they could not arrive before spring."
"Who commands the Phoenix at our gate?" Her fingers paced the table restlessly, idling with the calligraphy brush as if eager to release her thoughts.
"They are commanded by Shiba Tsukune, who has defeated Kitsu Koji, on the road just west of Kyuden Kakita."
Ameiko looked up, concerned. "They have already faced the Lion?"
"Twice. Once, in the village of Haikeun, and once against the Kitsu troops."
Tsukune. Ameiko remembered the samurai-ko, lingering impressions of a small, dark haired woman in bright armor shading her eyes. Hoturi and Tsukune.
"The Phoenix will prove good allies. We are fortunate they have chosen to ask our hospitality," Uji pressed his hands to the table, leaning forward over the scattered rice-paper scrolls. "If the Lion take Sayo Castle, we will need all the aid we can get. The winter is nowhere to be seen. Our skies are clear, and not a cloud passes the southern mountains. Even the foothills of the Beiden Mountains are free of snow. The Lion could march any day. If they come to Kyuden Kakita, your life will be in danger. Hoturi made certain that the Phoenix came to us in order to protect the Kakita. To protect you."
"I am certain my lord's duty is near his heart, as always." Ameiko's green eyes were clouded, her hands stilled by thought. "Tell me, Uji... how did he convince them to stay?"
"Katsuda-san, one of the bushi, is injured. They needed—"
"No, Uji-san." Ameiko placed the brush on the paper, ignoring the smear. "This is not about what her men needed. It is about the needs of the Crane." With a calm exterior, Ameiko folded her hands. "Tsukune is a beautiful woman, deadly on the battlefield and trained in the rituals of the Phoenix, our allies. I understand need, Uji-san. I understand too well."
"Lady Ameiko, you should move to Kyuden Daidoji. It is on the peninsula, away from the Crab and too far south to be threatened by the Lion troops. The Matsu are going to siege the walls of the Crane as soon as the snows lift in the spring. Sooner, if the winter is light."
"Leave?"
"Three hundred Daidoji troops, eighteen Phoenix samurai, and three shugenja—that's not enough to defend the province from the full force of a Lion assault. When they have assembled the Matsu troops, they will have nearly ten thousand men."
"The Kakita have their duelists, and whatever small magics can be created by the artisans. Then, there are the Asahina."
"The Asahina are pacifists. They will not aid us in war, even if their champion commands it. And origami will not protect you from a Lion's blade." Uji declared, twisting his hands into fists. "I'm a fool to think a woman could know anything of war."
Ameiko's eyes flashed. "Nevertheless, you will send word to their daimyo, Asahina Tamako."
"My lady, we have already sent three messengers. All have been turned away with a blessing and a prayer to the Seven Fortunes. Tamako has never responded to our earlier messages about the war. The Asahina will not leave their library. They will not fight, even to save our lives."
She watched as he stood from the table, pushing a thick
black string of hair from his face. "You will do as I command. And I will stay in Kyuden Kakita."
"Kuwanan will make that decision."
"No." Ameiko stood, her voice as sharp as broken glass. "Uji-san!" He straightened at the sudden command, jaw tightening beneath darkly tanned skin. "I will make that decision. In Hoturi's absence, I am in charge of his house."
"Ameiko-sama,"
"You forget your place, Uji!"
"Do I?" he snarled. "Then remind me. Tell me how to defend the Crane from three times their number. Give me what I need to keep our land safe, and to destroy those who would destroy us. If you wish to command as a samurai, Ameiko, then you must be ready to die as one. The clan needs you,
Lady Ameiko. You must go to Kyuden Daidoji. If needs be, I will lay my life down to get you there before the first snow of the season."
"I am ready to die." Her chin straightened. "When I swore to be Hoturi's wife, I swore to be a Crane. And if I must die, I will die as one."
Uji looked at her for a long moment, seeing the strength behind her words. If there was any weakness in her pale face, any sign of uncertainty . . . but there was none. Bowing humbly, Uji lowered his eyes. "My apologies, Ameiko-gozen." He held the bow, waiting for her to return the gesture as a sign of understanding.
For a moment, Ameiko considered turning her back and leaving the samurai in shame. "You have spoken to the wife of your liege with anger, Uji-san," she said coldly.
"No, my lady." He replied. His voice was emotionless and sincere. "I have spoken to my lady with honesty."
Understanding rushed through Ameiko. Uji's status as a high-ranking daimyo gave him the right to question his lord, and his responsibility to the Doji house gave him the obligation to do whatever was necessary to defend that house. "Uji-san," she said quietly, "I thank you for you concern, but I will remain here."
"Hai, my lady."
"Give the Phoenix the rooms in the west wing. It has the best sunlight for the season. The shugenja can use the large chamber for their rituals to the kami."
"Hai."
Ameiko bowed slowly, staring into Uji's eyes as he raised his head. He stepped lightly backward, straightening.
"Uji-san, one further thing." The daimyo of the Daidoji turned, his hand on his obi. "Does he love her, this Phoenix samurai-ko?" she murmured, her voice silken.
"No, my lady. It is said that he does not."
She nodded, lifting the blackened brush from the table and feeling its soft, wet bristles with her fingertips. "Do not fear for my safety in this palace, Uji-san. The Lion cannot harm me, no matter how many men they command."
"Ameiko-sama," he said, drawing a sheathed tanto from his belt. "Please, keep this with you. It was my father's, and it will keep you safe."
"No, Uji," she smiled. "It is too beautiful, and an heirloom of your family. It should be kept in the house of the Daidoji, not given to a daughter of the Fox."
"You may have been born in the Fox lands, Lady, but you .ire now a Crane. This dagger has defended the Doji for a hundred years. Let it continue its duty, and protect you from the Matsu, if they come."
"Only love can destroy me, Uji. Believe that." A faint smile touched her features. For a moment, even the cynical Daidoji I )aimyo understood how truly beautiful she was. "No dagger can protect me from that death, no matter how noble or how honored the weapon may be."
"Doji Ameiko-sama," he began, offering the dagger a third time. The golden hilt shone lightly in the growing light of the morning. "I would not give this to your husband, nor to his brother. You rightfully deserve the protection of the Daidoji, as a lady of the house, and as one of the bravest souls I have had the honor to know. The dagger does not honor you. You honor the dagger, simply by being its guide."
Nodding, Ameiko smiled and took the dagger in her small hands. "Thank you, daimyo of the Daidoji. I only hope that if the time comes that I must use it, I will have as much courage as those who carried it before."
Uji nodded respectfully. The screen of the library slid open again, and he left the room.
Alone once more, Ameiko knelt behind the low desk. Her blackened fingers gently touched the hilt of the ornate tanto. Though small, its gleaming blade was well oiled. Ameiko knew nothing of weapons, and the little martial training she had received had been for the art of dance. Light glinted down the edge of the blade like fire on water, shining with all the colors of the rainbow and reflecting an orange sun on the gently curving golden hilt. Raising her eyes to the window and the forests beyond, Ameiko sighed. The forests called to her, but their song would wait. Now was not the time to leave the safe walls of Kyuden Kakita. Even if her blood begged for release, she had to remain.
Placing the dagger on the table and removing the stained sheet, Ameiko dipped the brush into the ink and began composing her letter to Kakita Yoshi. As she wrote, she heard a faint scrabbling at the window—scratching claws and whuffling breath. A fox raised an eager yip outside. It barked again, encouragingly.
Knowing the source of the disturbance, Ameiko closed her eyes. No, Sister, she thought softly. Today, I must be the Lady of the Crane. Tomorrow, we can run through the forests, but not today. Though Ameiko longed to join her true family, she knew her mind and heart must remain with the Crane.
It was not right that she leave Hoturi now—not even if all the laws of the spirit world demanded she return. He needed her. He loved her.
Outside the window, a mournful bark sounded. Paws scampered across the garden, lightly brushing the trees.
Beginning the first strokes of an elaborate kanji symbol, Ameiko tried to smile.
touch of a black hand
Four days later, news of the tournament of the Emerald Champion had spread throughout the city. Entrants from the minor clans had begun to come forward. Each clan was allowed only three entrants, and most sent fewer. To enter more samurai would imply that the clan's faith was not fully behind their entrants. Fond of appearances, the Imperial Court spent its days discussing the samurai who dared to challenge for the position.
The Emerald Champion was foremost of all the Emerald Magistrates, keeper of imperial law and title, and general of the armies of the Hantei. It was a prestigious and powerful position. With his standing guard of Seppun, the Emerald Champion's duty to the emperor and the empire was unquestioned.
"Make sure that old man remembers how to use a sword," Yoshi mocked lightly as Hoturi and Toshimoko sparred.
Toshimoko snarled. The days were passing slowly. The Lion still marched. Crane brothers still died. As he practiced on the tournament field near the emperor's palace, Toshimoko tried to keep his mind from returning to that fact.
"I'm not concerned that he knows how to fight," Hoturi said seriously, assuaging Toshimoko's gruff humor. "I'm more worried about that arm. Sensei, you're slower than usual."
"Slow? I'll show you slow, by Shinsei!" The wooden bokken blades crashed together once more, sliding effortlessly through their kada. Each kada was a practice lesson, one following another with simplicity and grace. The movements were precise and natural, made through the centuries by a hundred thousand swordsmen, each a child of the Crane.
From the side of the practice field, Yoshi watched Toshimoko and Hoturi test their blades. Those who passed by had eyes only for the sparring duo, allowing Yoshi a blissful respite—one he could use to the Crane's advantage.
He pondered the passing of the last few days. The emperor had made no more appearances, nor had Bayushi Kachiko stepped out of their chambers. Despite Yoshi's considerable skill, he could not keep the Crane within reach of the emperor. Each time he arranged a meeting, it was put aside by ill health and careful machinations.
The winter remained bitter cold, but no clouds dotted the horizon. No snow came to grant the Daidoji a reprieve from Lion forces. The little news from Sayo Castle was not good. Tsuko's legions gathered, harassed by the Daidoji but still strong.
Yoshi watched Toshimoko and Hoturi leave the field. The empty practice ground was
covered in half-hardened mud, scarred by the tread of eager feet. It would not look this way tomorrow. Tomorrow, the field would be filled with bright banners and courtiers.
Tomorrow, the true battle would begin.
xxxxxxxx
On the morning of the contest, Hoturi wrapped a bandage around Toshimoko's arm, and a heimin helped him into a gi and hakima of fine soft silk. Yoshi stood nearby, relating (he latest news.
The Crab had arrived only yesterday, telling of a battle at I he southern pass.
"Beiden," Hoturi sighed, leaning back on his heels. "They fought at Beiden Pass, as we thought they would." If any place in the palace was safe for them to speak, it was here. The Crane chambers had long been held by the clan, protected by the most trusted Daidoji guards.
"All the court will have heard of it by now," Yoshi thought aloud. "To the right, Toshimoko-san, or you'll make a fool of yourself out there." Toshimoko twisted the obi again, cursing softly as Yoshi continued. "It is said that the actual battle occurred nearly a twelve-day ago, on the day of the Horse. Runners from the pass have only just reached us with news of the battle. It will be some days more before the results of the combat are known."
Considering, Hoturi stood. "I will speak with the Unicorn today, during the competition. Tadaji has always been a kind man, and I know him well. Their horses travel significantly faster than our own, and their news is often more advanced. We could use them as our allies, for that alone if not for the strength of their armies. I would be glad to fight with the Unicorn by our side—and better, to have Tadaji's strength in the court allied with you, Yoshi."
"If you must speak to the Unicorn so unprepared," Kakita Yoshi knelt upon a scarlet cushion and nodded thoughtfully, "be sure to talk to him frankly. The Ide are still very much the gaijin they were when the Unicorn returned to the empire two hundred years ago. Sometimes, where they will not respect sincerity, they will respect open emotion." Looking up into the shocked faces of the other two Cranes, Yoshi snapped his fan shut with a precise clap. "Crude, yes, but it will be effective. Do you doubt my advice?"