by Ryan Kirk
Eight dead. Minori was no slouch with a blade, but he was certain he couldn’t take on eight soldiers attacking him at once. By his estimation, the girl couldn’t be much better than he was. If she was good enough to kill eight highly trained soldiers, word of her skill would have trickled up to him before.
The logical explanation was that she had help. But Minori couldn’t imagine who. He’d had her watched, and all she ever did was visit teahouses and search the archives. Blades tended to isolate themselves from civilian society, their powers a wall between them and the rest of the Kingdom, but she was a loner even by that standard.
Minori’s thoughts were interrupted by Shin’s approach. The blade stood and bowed.
With a gesture from Shin, both men sat down. Minori waited for Shin to start.
“Who is this girl?”
Minori fought the urge to shrug. He had requested more information from Starfall with his last letter to Hajimi, but days would pass before his message was answered. All he knew about her was what Hajimi had written in his introduction, which was little.
“I thought she was working alone. She doesn’t have the skill to kill eight soldiers. I apologize for the loss of your men.”
Shin waved the apology away. “There are far more where they came from.”
Minori’s eyes narrowed. Was Shin admitting that he had more nightblade death squads, or just making a general claim about how many men he had?
Shin didn’t pause. “Anyhow, their deaths will serve a purpose. They were wearing armor taken from the king’s guard. People are already talking about how the guards were killed last night. Their grip on the city loosens by the day.”
Minori kept his posture and face still. Shin was the sort of man who always had plans within plans, who couldn’t be underestimated.
“There are two problems for you, however.”
Minori’s eyes came up and met Shin’s, the question unspoken.
“First, rumor on the streets say that it was a nightblade who killed the guards. While I suppose it is true, I worry the rumor is going to be damaging to your people. I’ve asked several of my plants within the city to argue against the rumor, but it is like trying to stop a grass fire with a single cup of water.”
That was unfortunate, and Minori wished he’d taken a moment to get the feel of the city this morning. But with eight soldiers dead and no other bodies, of course people would assume a nightblade. This wasn’t something he’d considered. Granted, he hadn’t thought it was something he’d even have to consider. He wondered just how hard Shin’s people were trying to change public opinion. Anger against the nightblades only served the lord in the long run.
“The second problem?”
Shin pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Minori. There were only a few characters, which Minori read quickly. The message was simple. “M, I’m coming for you.”
Shin seemed to find the paper amusing. “It seems the girl knew you were behind the attack. Are you getting sloppy, Minori?”
Minori debated, just for a moment, if there could be anything else to the note. But there wouldn’t be. The girl was not one for guile. “No. I believe she thinks I am someone I am not. But the note speaks truly. She will be coming for me.”
Shin didn’t respond, clearly waiting for Minori to continue speaking. The nightblade knew what the lord was waiting for.
“It doesn’t change anything. The blades should be on their way shortly, and they will pledge loyalty to you. Haven will be yours in a little while.”
Shin nodded and stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Good. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
With that he turned and walked away, leaving Minori alone, unable to find peace in the gardens.
Minori left Shin’s grounds and let his feet carry him wherever they desired. A walk always helped to clear his head.
He pushed aside all thoughts of the girl and the problems associated with her and focused on his next actions. He didn’t trust Shin, but it was only through the lord that he could realize a future in which blades held more sway in the land. To bring Shin into power, several events had to happen. First, the king had to die. Minori wasn’t sure how much longer Kiyoshi could keep the old man alive, but it couldn’t be for much longer. Minori could always try to kill Kiyoshi. Without the dayblade, the king wouldn’t last for more than a day or two.
That left the other two lords. They would never hand power over to Shin, at least not under any terms that Shin would accept. Killing them was an option but provided only a temporary solution. They both came from large families with a clear designated heir. If either died, the entire family’s holdings would most likely rise in revolt. Perhaps they could be held hostage long enough for Shin to consolidate power?
Minori’s mind wandered over the different options, and eventually he found that he was nearing the grounds of Lord Isamu. He was surprised to have wandered so far. Driven by curiosity and convenience, the blade decided to investigate Isamu’s holdings more carefully. Perhaps the information would be useful one day.
When Isamu’s holdings came into view, Minori was immediately surprised. The walls were surrounded with guards. On the one hand, it made sense. Haven, although the capital of the Kingdom, was part of Isamu’s family lands. As such, he wasn’t required to observe the same limit on soldiers the other two lords were. Minori had expected there would be a few more guards, but Isamu’s grounds were practically crawling with military. Even at night, there wouldn’t be any chance of sneaking into the castle without taking at least a few lives.
Fortunately, as a nightblade, Minori didn’t have to get inside to know what was happening. He found a quiet alcove and situated himself so he wouldn’t be jostled. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his mind. Driven by an actual purpose, the meditative act was easier than he expected. His sense came alive, and he threw it forward, toward Isamu’s castle.
He sensed the massive number of guards surrounding the castle, but he lingered on them only a moment. Most were bored, and there was little he could learn from such bodies. He pushed deeper inside the castle.
What he felt shocked his mind and almost forced him to retreat inside himself. There were even more guards inside. Isamu hadn’t advertised anything in council, but he had far, far more men in the city than he was letting on. Minori wanted to look deeper, toward the center of the castle, but the gathering was too much information for his mind to take. He’d have to get closer, and he didn’t want to show himself.
The intelligence was good enough for today. Minori returned his sense to his immediate surroundings, an experience made all the more disconcerting when a blade was placed against his throat. He hadn’t sensed a thing.
Minori’s heart leapt, and if not for the firm pressure of steel, he would have jumped. It was one thing to scare a civilian. It was impossible to sneak up on a nightblade. Or at least, that’s what Minori had thought until a breath ago.
Reflexively, he attempted to turn his head, to see who had pulled off such an incredible feat. But as soon as he did, he was shoved forward into the wall of the alcove he’d been standing in. A gravelly voice, clearly someone attempting to disguise himself, spoke. “Try to turn around, and this blade goes a little deeper into your throat. I’m not supposed to kill you, but I won’t have a problem if I have to. I’d ask you if you understand, but you’re a smart man, so I know you do.”
Minori’s mind, usually so useful to him, shut down. He was used to being in control, to knowing everything that was happening. But this man, whoever he was, had taken that all away in a moment, and Minori didn’t know how to react.
Frozen, Minori listened as the man spoke again. “I’m here to deliver a message. You think you’re clever, but you’re not. If you go anywhere near one of the lords again, you are giving up your life. We’re always right behind you. Always.”
The voice stopped, and Minori wondered what was going to happen next.
He didn’t have long to worry. The man r
emoved the blade, but before Minori could move, the man drove his fist into Minori’s kidney. The blade shuddered in pain, but he felt the warrior’s hand against the back of his head before he could react. With a single, sharp, violent move, Minori felt his head being driven toward the wall in front of him, and his world went black.
Chapter 15
A long time had passed since Kiyoshi had to heal injuries sustained on a battlefield. In a way, it was a pleasant relief. While the work required energy and focus, the damage was easier to repair, and the results were much more apparent.
The work had been finished a while ago. Kiyoshi doubted the wisdom of his decision. Because he had healed Asa, it would be more difficult to heal Masaki. But Kiyoshi had the distinct feeling that Asa was important to everything that was happening. Events seemed to swirl around her, and despite his decision regarding Koji, he hated to see a fellow blade die.
He sat by her side. When she was brought to him, she had succumbed to unconsciousness. Her wound, although not immediately fatal, had been serious. It had been an easy decision to heal her. While he waited for her to awake, he caught up on some of his reading. Despite the chaos in the world, there was little for him to actually do. His decisions had been made, and those who listened to him, like the shadow who had been following Asa, already knew what to do. It was hard at times for a leader not to act, but Kiyoshi felt the skill was one far too few had mastered.
Asa soon woke up. He wasn’t surprised to see her stir so soon after a healing. Her physical strength wasn’t great, but her will was strong.
She started, as they always did. Kiyoshi had been careful not to place himself too close to Asa. When he was younger, he had experienced a few close calls as formerly injured warriors came to. Now he simply smiled at a fellow blade and waited for her to gain her bearings, which didn’t take long. Everything he knew about Asa supported the idea that she was intelligent, and she scanned her surroundings and calmed down in just a moment. Kiyoshi was impressed.
Her eyes met his. “Who are you?”
He kept his smile gentle. “My name is Kiyoshi.”
“The Kiyoshi? The dayblade who serves the king directly?”
Kiyoshi nodded.
“And you’re behind the man who’s followed me since I killed Takashi?”
“He’s been following you since before then.”
Her face twisted, and Kiyoshi allowed his grin to grow. He could tell she was trying to figure out what to ask next.
“I’m certain you have many questions. They will all be answered. Perhaps, though, you would like something to eat while you question me?” Kiyoshi gestured toward a plate of food set off to the side of the room, and Asa dug into it without question. People were often starving after being healed, which took energy both from the dayblade and the injured. Kiyoshi had already eaten a healthy meal himself.
As she ate, Kiyoshi studied Asa. She was using the time to organize her thoughts, and she was studying him without hesitation. He liked her.
“Where would you like to begin?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Why have you had someone following me?”
“Because you are trying to find Osamu. When word came to me about what you were trying to do, I decided to have you followed. It seemed like of all people, you had the best chance of finding him after all this time.”
“How did you know what I was doing? The first person I ever told was Hajimi, and that was less than a moon ago.”
Kiyoshi smiled. “I’m smarter than Hajimi, and I think there is nothing more important to a blade than information. In my many cycles, I have developed many friendships, and we are always sharing all sorts of information. I know the man who trained you, so I know your background. It wasn’t hard to determine what your real motives were.”
Asa’s eyes focused on him, and Kiyoshi saw for the first time the drive she possessed. She asked, “What do you want with Osamu?”
“My business with him is personal, and I’d rather not share.”
She wasn’t happy about that, but it was all she was going to get.
“Will you stop me?”
“From what?”
“Killing him.”
Kiyoshi stroked his beard as he considered his answer. “No. If you decide to kill him, I won’t stop you.”
Asa looked as though she was turning the words over in her head.
“Fine. What do you know?”
“Probably nothing more than you.”
“Where’s Osamu’s brother?”
“Dead. He joined the Great Cycle almost fifteen cycles ago.”
“Where do you think Osamu is?”
“Somewhere still in the Kingdom. He never would have left.”
“I agree.”
The younger blade seemed to be considering her next question, so Kiyoshi asked one of his own. “Do you know why you were attacked?”
Asa stared at him, and Kiyoshi could see she did know and was debating whether to tell him. “Because I know who Osamu is.”
A simple statement of fact, and it rocked Kiyoshi. After all this time, could she really have figured out the truth? He didn’t trust himself to speak. If she was going to share with him, that would have to be her own choice. She hesitated for only a moment.
“It was Minori who sent the men after me. He knows that I know he is Osamu.”
Kiyoshi leaned back, his mouth wide open. “How do you know?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have any real proof yet, which is why he’s still alive. But when I met with him, he told me he had been at Two Falls. What he didn’t know was that I’d looked at the lists. I know every blade at that battle, and Minori’s name was never on the lists.”
Kiyoshi saw the same connection Asa had. “So, he has to be Osamu.”
Asa nodded. “He fits the profile. He’s a nightblade, and not only is he old enough to have been there, he’s admitted it. I think he realized his mistake and tried to have me killed. Thank you, by the way, for saving me.”
Kiyoshi brushed the gratitude away. Events were happening too fast for him to follow. For so long, nothing had happened in regard to Osamu’s fate; but in just a few days, Asa had changed the entire situation.
“May I ask one final question?” Kiyoshi said.
Asa nodded.
“I know you want to kill Osamu. But what really drives you? Osamu killed plenty of people in his time, and no one has pursued him as relentlessly as you have. Why you?”
Asa frowned. “Why do you want to know?”
“Because I want you to work with me. But before I ask you to, I want to know you. I know you’re driven by revenge, but I want to understand your character.”
Asa took a few bites of food to give herself time to think. “I won’t claim it’s because of justice. I’m not that noble. It’s revenge, but it’s revenge motivated by wanting to do what’s right. Osamu did a great wrong at Two Falls, and he should go to his grave knowing it was his actions that came back to haunt him. Not only did he kill my father without cause; he killed my brother and mother as well. By killing my father, he destroyed my family.”
“So you want to kill him because it’s right. It’s what he deserves?”
Asa nodded.
“If your theory about Minori is correct, this is a pointless question, but I need to understand you. What if he spent the last twenty-some cycles doing only good deeds? Would you still insist on killing him?”
To Asa’s credit, she considered the question carefully before answering. “Absolutely. No matter how good his intentions were or what he has done since, what he did deserves punishment. Even if he was a great man, I would still seek his death.”
Kiyoshi considered her answer, which was what he had expected. Then he sensed someone at his door. He called for the visitor to come in and was greeted by Daisuke, his best shadow, the one he had assigned to Asa and, most recently, Minori.
Daisuke, in many ways, was unremarkable. He was of average height, with a face that wouldn’t a
ttract any special attention. Only when he moved did onlookers get any idea of his true nature. His footsteps were smooth and silent, and Kiyoshi knew Daisuke to be one of the physically strongest men around. From his bearing, the dayblade could immediately tell that something had happened. The shadow looked to Kiyoshi for permission to speak freely in front of Asa, and Kiyoshi nodded.
“Minori met with Lord Shin again. I assume they were speaking about the events of last night. Afterward he went to Isamu’s castle. He was using his sense to gain a better understanding of the troops inside.”
Kiyoshi could tell there was something more. “What did you do?”
“I became concerned he was plotting an assassination attempt. I warned him and knocked him unconscious. When he wakes up, he’s going to have quite a headache.”
Kiyoshi supposed it was good news. Minori was a bold player, more than willing to take dramatic moves. If he was trying to elevate Shin, he might also consider an assassination attempt.
Asa looked at the elderly blade with unconcealed curiosity. “Who are you, really?”
Kiyoshi gave her a short smile, but his mind was distracted by the information he had to process. “As you’ve guessed, I’m far more involved in the affairs of the Kingdom than most people assume. That’s the way I like it.”
He paused, trying to find a metaphor. “There are plenty of people who have plans and plots. Including you. But very few people can understand how all the pieces come together. For example, when many dayblades are training, they become so enamored of their ability to sense the flow of energy within a body, they forget to look for external cues. Is the person sweating and running a fever? Once a dayblade in training missed a bone sticking out of a child’s arm. But people are no different. Everyone is focused on their own lives and their own problems. My goal, my real gift, is to see everything and how it all comes together. Then I try to keep the Kingdom intact.”
“And how do I fit into all of this?”
A sudden thought occurred to Kiyoshi. “May I give you a demonstration?”