Nightblade's Vengeance (Blades of the Fallen Book 1)

by Ryan Kirk

  If nothing else, Minori was stubborn. He wouldn’t let go of a problem until solved, and this problem, complicated as it was, was no different.

  He and Shin had two main challenges within the next moon.

  The first and most immediate was the escape of the two lords. He had needed only a few moments to figure out what had happened, but by then it was already far too late. The plan had to have been the work of Kiyoshi.

  Minori wasn’t certain how much damage the two lords could do. The city was still relatively sealed. The gates were open and people were welcome to pass to and fro, but Minori had tripled the number of guards at each gate, and every single traveler coming in and out received a level of scrutiny that made even the most innocent shudder in fear. Minori was fairly certain the lords hadn’t left the city yet, but they could send messages. The only way he could have prevented that would have been to seal the gates, thus ending the public pretense. If Shin had come to power under peaceful means, there wouldn’t be any reason to seal the doors to the city.

  Minori turned several ideas over in his mind. What he needed was to find a reason to shut the gates. If the gates were closed, there wouldn’t be any way for the lords to get a message out. Night had fallen, and if Minori knew Kiyoshi, the old man would be moving fast.

  His first challenge was compounded by his second challenge. He had just received word that Juro’s army had made an extremely hazardous river crossing and was moving toward Haven. There wasn’t any word yet of any of Isamu’s armies making the same move, but if Juro’s armies had crossed, it would only be a matter of time before everyone had a force outside the gates. Shin had ordered one of his armies across, but he had done so with the king’s seal, and the message had taken a few days to make it to the border. They wouldn’t be here in time to prevent a siege if that was what it came to.

  Minori cursed the other lords and their families. Shin was the best choice to lead them after Masaki’s death, but no one else seemed to see that. War, if that was what was coming, was unnecessary. All the lords needed to do was accept the smooth transfer of power.

  Minori’s anger was beginning to get the best of him when he sensed a presence nearing his door. He stepped over and opened the door, giving the messenger a little start. The man regained his composure and bowed deeply. “King Shin can see you now.”

  Minori took a deep breath. He understood that Shin had many other tasks he needed to see to, but the challenges Minori was trying to solve had to be first. He had already waited far too long. The messenger retreated, and Minori followed him to Shin’s chambers.

  To Shin’s credit, he didn’t seem to be unduly affected by the title of king. He had elected to stay in his house, and for the most part, nothing seemed to have changed for him. When Minori entered, he looked up, and Minori could see the exhaustion in his face.

  The king dismissed everyone else in the room, and Minori went up to him. He updated Shin on what he knew of the escapes and of the troop movements he had just received. Shin took all the news in silence, and even after Minori finished, the silence seemed to stretch on. Minori waited patiently for as long as he was able, but he felt the pressure of time pressing against him, an enemy always at his back. Forgetting politeness, he threw out the beginning of his idea.

  “My king, if I may, I think we need to create some event that will allow us to shut the gates. It gives us the time we need to make better decisions. If necessary, we can also pin the blame on the lords.”

  The idea seemed to spark something in Shin, and for a few moments he came alive. He studied Minori closely. Finally, he spoke. “I think I have just the idea, but I wonder how you’ll feel.”

  Minori waited for Shin to continue.

  “I think it’s time to burn the palace to the ground.”

  Minori’s first reaction was shock, but over the course of his life, he had learned to evaluate ideas based on more than emotion. He thought about Shin’s idea further.

  Shin waited and watched Minori’s reaction as he turned the idea over in his mind. “It’s a brilliant idea. It’s a powerful symbol, one that the people are very attached to. But at the same time, it doesn’t directly belong to any of the great houses, so they won’t care. We explain that we’re closing the gate to search for the arsonists. A stroke of genius, my king.”

  “Excellent.” Shin’s gaze held a question that took Minori a little time to decipher. When he did, his heart sank, but he had already promised himself he would do everything necessary to bring about the freedom of the blades. Once Shin was firmly in power, Minori could make his play.

  “I will see to it tonight. I will personally make sure it happens.”

  Shin nodded his approval. “I can’t trust anyone else. Thank you.” Shin bowed deeply to Minori, more deeply than was necessary or even appropriate.

  With that, the meeting adjourned, and Minori turned and left without another word.

  The night was dark and cool, but Minori didn’t notice. The evening had been a busy one. After he left Shin’s hall, he had blades loyal to him obtain several carts of hay and went to find Koji. He wanted help tonight, and although he wasn’t as sure of Koji as he once had been, Koji was still the only really trustworthy help Minori had.

  Together the two approached the palace. They remained at the gate, waiting for the carts Minori had ordered. When the blades started lining up the carts of hay purchased from around the city, Koji looked at Minori with a question on his face.

  Minori met his gaze. “We need to burn the palace.”

  To Koji’s credit, his face remained impassive. So impassive, in fact, that Minori was having trouble reading him. Minori felt a sudden need to justify himself. “No one is inside. Shin ordered the palace evacuated after Kiyoshi’s escape. It’s only wood and stone.”

  “Perhaps, but to many people, it’s much more. You’ll unleash an anger that will be difficult to control.”

  “And it will all be pointed at the two other lords. Koji, by doing this, we can help Shin solidify his power. Once he is king and there is no doubt of it, the blades will have the freedom we once had. The steps we take are sometimes unpleasant, but if burning a building will bring about that day for the blades, it’s an action I’ll take gladly.”

  Koji shook his head, but he didn’t walk away. Together, they brought the carts into the castle and laid the hay in several of the rooms. The work was quiet, but Minori found he enjoyed the physical labor. Minori looked at Koji and decided the next step was one he had to take on his own.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll light the fires. I won’t ask you to take this step with me.”

  Minori walked back into the palace and grabbed the nearest torch. He started at the back of the royal home, touching the torch to the piles of hay, making sure each was well lit before moving on. His pace was quick but deliberate, and there was only one place where he paused: Kiyoshi’s old room. Minori had piled far more hay in the room than was necessary. With a fit of rage, he tossed the entire torch in and began to leave. Already the smoke was gathering across the ceiling, and Minori knew the palace only had a bit of life left in it. He walked out and rejoined Koji.

  Together, they stared at his handiwork for a few moments. Minori was surprised by how much of the palace had already caught fire. The entire structure would soon be cinders.

  He turned to Koji. “Come. It’s time for us to leave.”

  They left just as the city of Haven was starting to come alive. After so many evenings of hiding in their houses, the flames brought people out, many of them huddling with their families in the street, looking toward the center of the city at the fire that consumed the old king’s residence.

  Koji looked as though he were about to part ways with Minori, but the elder blade laid a restraining arm on his shoulder. “There is another task I’d ask of you.”

  Koji stared at him silently, and Minori wished he understood what was going through the young man’s mind. “I need you to kill the escaped lords. I know they are still
in the city, and if they escape, they will cause war to break out in the Kingdom. I can’t bear to see that. Begin with Lord Isamu. Of the two, he is more dangerous.”

  Koji considered the request, finally nodding. Minori breathed a deep sigh of relief and watched as the young nightblade vanished into the darkness.

  Chapter 24

  Kiyoshi woke from his light sleep. Something was wrong in the world. As soon as he became conscious, he lost the sensation, but he had the feeling that it had been very distinct. His first instinct was to look around and scan the area with his sense, but he discovered nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone was sleeping peacefully in their little corner of the shrine, and Kiyoshi could still hear the labored breathing of Masaki.

  Only after a few moments did he realize that the sky was far too light for this time of the night. All vestiges of sleep fled from his mind as he sat up. Light that bright could only come from a fire. A big one.

  Kiyoshi got to his feet, which was enough to alert Daisuke. The shadow opened his eyes, but with a gesture, Kiyoshi indicated he should stay where he was. If the situation got out of hand, Daisuke would be able to figure out what was happening and keep everyone as safe as possible. Kiyoshi needed to know what was going on. After his imprisonment and subsequent escape, Kiyoshi was cut off from his extensive network of shadows. He felt like a blind man finding a path through the woods.

  He took off toward the light, with a growing certainty that it was the palace that was ablaze. It would have been intentional, and Kiyoshi mentally gave Shin, or Minori, credit. The act wouldn’t anger the houses but would provide the perfect excuse to seal the gates. Ultimately, it was no matter. He had expected they’d have to break through a sealed gate.

  Kiyoshi moved easily and quickly found himself flowing forward with a growing number of citizens of Haven. The feeling was unusual. After so many days with the streets empty in the evening, seeing so many out and about was like being slapped with a cold fish.

  Kiyoshi wasn’t surprised when he turned the final corner and saw Masaki’s home devoured by flame. What he was surprised by was the totality of the destruction. The arsonists had been thorough. Nothing would be left but ash. Hundreds of volunteers gathered around the palace with water, but for now they were keeping their distance. The fire burned bright and hot, and there was no chance of putting it out.

  Kiyoshi found himself reflecting on his memories of the palace, his residence for almost twenty cycles, the closest place he had to a home. And now it was gone. His first reaction was one of anger, but he was too old to remain angry for long. He had too much perspective. What he felt was a deep sorrow, a hole in his heart. The palace wasn’t just his home. It had been the heart of the Kingdom. The palace had burned down before, but knowing that the fire was an act to narrow down his options seemed so petty. Despite their differences, Kiyoshi believed some things were sacred, set apart from his machinations. Apparently Minori had no such beliefs.

  Torn by the fire, Kiyoshi turned his attention to the crowd. The emotions on their faces matched the feelings in his heart. They were angry and sad, and in addition, they were afraid. Tension had been building in the capital for more than a moon now, and Kiyoshi sensed this was the breaking point. They wouldn’t take much more.

  He opened his ears and slid through the crowd listening to the citizenry. Several talked about the fire itself, but as he wandered, he picked up on other threads. A number of people, particularly those who were wealthier, were talking about getting out of the city tonight. They could read the signs, and they knew that soon the city would be sealed, if it wasn’t already. Kiyoshi saw a few men, who he identified as merchants, ushering their families back toward their houses to pack and leave.

  The seed of an idea was forming in Kiyoshi’s head, but he was wise enough to continue wandering. The best ideas came of their own accord, the product of an open mind. He kept his ears and his mind open, and was surprised when he heard the whispers that were beginning to run through the crowd.

  Someone, somewhere, had seen two nightblades leaving the palace just as it caught on fire. Their robes had given them away, and one of them had been wearing the red ribbon that had been seen around town with increasing frequency. Kiyoshi stopped and tracked the whispers, listening as they spread as fast as the fire in the palace.

  An overwhelming sorrow seized Kiyoshi. He sank to his knees, the hole in his heart threatening to swallow him whole. For all of their back and forth, he had never thought it would come to this. Minori had been so intelligent, always thinking steps ahead of his opponents. Had he really been so blinded by his purpose that he missed what was happening?

  Kiyoshi, a veteran of the political movements of the court, saw everything unfold before him. Each set of events, falling into place one after the other. From his perspective, he wasn’t sure how he could fix the damage that Minori had caused. Everything he had worked for, the past twenty cycles of his life, his redemption, it was all over.

  A profound feeling of hopelessness settled on his shoulders, pressing them closer to the ground with its weight. He had never felt as old as he did at that moment, his very frame threatening to collapse under the pressure. He had a short blade hidden on his body, and he wondered what it would feel like to release his energy to the Great Cycle. Who knew how many people he had sent there himself? He imagined the cold steel being drawn across his neck, and he felt no fear. His hand wandered down to the hilt, but some small part of him prevented him from taking that final action.

  He had never given up before. Even in his darkest moments, he had followed whatever small light would guide him, and this moment wouldn’t be any different. Somewhere, somehow, he would find a way.

  Kiyoshi didn’t know how long he knelt in the dirt, but eventually he stood back up, slowly and painfully. He was heartbroken, but he wouldn’t give up. He could feel that his end was near, but he would fight until that day came. Piece by piece, his mind regained its focus, and he started to think through the next challenges. If there was going to be an exodus from the city tonight, he and his companions had to be part of it, leading to far less loss of life than if they fought their way through a gate on their own.

  With a concrete action in front of him, Kiyoshi strode back to the cemetery, his crisis of purpose a thing of memory.

  The sun was rising by the time Kiyoshi returned to the cemetery and had prepared everyone for their departure. It had taken time to wake the lords, and Kiyoshi spent time giving Masaki another healing. The healer didn’t have a plan. What he saw was an opportunity, and he was wise enough to take it. They left for the smallest city gate just as the sun was beginning to warm the land.

  The group moved silently. Kiyoshi had outlined his ideas to Asa and Daisuke, but they would have to improvise based on whatever they found when they reached the gate. All Kiyoshi knew was that time was of the essence.

  When they arrived, Kiyoshi allowed himself a small grin. There was a large crowd of citizens at the gate, and the gate was still open. At Kiyoshi’s request, Asa found a higher vantage point and reported that several units of Shin’s guards were managing the gate. They were letting people through, but slowly. Asa reported that the inspections were intense and thorough. There wouldn’t be any sneaking through.

  Kiyoshi listened to the sound of the crowd. Off in the distance, smoke was still rising from the burning palace, and the rising sun was darkened by the plume. It seemed to make the crowd more anxious. To Kiyoshi’s ears, they were close to rioting. Right now, the drawn swords of Shin’s guards were enough to hold them at bay. All Kiyoshi needed was an inciting incident, and the crowd would become a stampede.

  He asked Daisuke to get a better idea of who was guarding the gate. The blade nodded and disappeared. While they waited for him, Kiyoshi asked Asa to go through the crowd, asking those who looked most angry what was taking so long.

  Daisuke soon returned. Only one nightblade was at the gate, and there were fewer guards than Kiyoshi had assumed. Daisuke’s best g
uess was that only two units were stationed at the gates, a total of twelve guards, not much more than would be on the gate on any other day.

  Kiyoshi figured Shin had to spread his units thinner than he wanted. Most of the blades would be searching the city for him and the lords. It was much harder to hide from a blade than from a regular guard. Shin’s units—limited in number even taking into account the troops he’d smuggled in—would be pulling all sorts of duty. They had to be managing the crowd at the palace and ensuring the fire didn’t spread beyond its walls. They would have normal patrols to keep the city calm, as well as try to manage the gates.

  All of this made Kiyoshi’s life easier. He waited for Asa to return, and by the time she did, Kiyoshi knew exactly what they would do. He gave out instructions to their small party, and they began. Asa and Daisuke melted into the crowd, leaving Kiyoshi with the two lords and the sick king. Masaki was on the stretcher Kiyoshi had made, carried by Isamu and Juro. The lords hadn’t liked being forced to work for their escape, but Kiyoshi didn’t care in the least.

  Kiyoshi heard Asa’s voice from somewhere in the crowd. The crowd, angry as they were, were still being largely respectful. That needed to change. Asa shouted, “Come on! I will not wait any longer!”

  From the other side of the crowd, Daisuke shouted, “Yeah, I’m not a criminal! I’m free to come and go as I please.”

  Kiyoshi hoped one of the guards would rise to the bait, and they did. In a way, he sympathized with them. They were just following orders. One guard, who Kiyoshi noted was higher-ranked than the others, stood on top of a cart. “Every person must be inspected!”

  Daisuke responded, still well hidden by the crowd. “I’m not an arsonist. I’m a citizen! I just want my family to be safe.”

  Kiyoshi could almost feel the crowd respond. These were families and merchants. None had done anything wrong. They were simply seeking safety.