by Ryan Kirk
The scariest part was that Moriko couldn’t sense him at all. If she focused hard enough she could sense a spider across the monastery, but this man standing in front of her gave off nothing. It was fascinating and terrifying. She could only sense the nothingness faint against the background of life she had become used to. She could locate him, but just barely, and only when he was a pace or two away.
The Abbot was grinning ear-to-ear. Moriko thought of him as an overgrown boy, a bully who existed to make others suffer. Moriko’s terror was apparent. There was no mask that could cover her shock at meeting someone she couldn’t sense. She imagined it was the same expression one would have if they saw a ghost.
The Abbot could barely contain his glee. “As you can tell, Orochi has a special power. It’s not unique in the world, there are a handful of people in the Three Kingdoms who have the ability, but it is useful to this system. Every once in a while, a nightblade develops out in the world. Evolution and chance make even accidental nightblades a certainty given enough time. It may be a militia member with the sense or even a bar-room brawler. Whatever the case, when they develop, it is up to individuals like Orochi here to take care of the situation.”
Although the Abbot didn’t say what “take care of the situation” meant, there was little doubt in Moriko’s mind. Orochi was a killer, an assassin hired by the monasteries to take care of people like Moriko who accidentally discovered their full potential. Moriko’s former resolve hardened in a moment, forged even stronger by the Abbot’s behavior. The Abbot believed he was telling the truth, but Moriko knew there was still more to the story. A man like Orochi didn’t work for the monasteries. Her mask slipped on again and she became obedient as the Abbot hoped and expected. Her face didn’t even twitch when the Abbot revealed his plan, though her mind felt like it had been uprooted and thrown away.
“Moriko, I let you live because I want you to become Orochi’s apprentice.”
13
Shigeru and Ryuu sat across from each other in the hut. Ryuu felt the room contracting around him, his sense focused on his master, the focus of his anger. He clenched and released his fists, the repetitive movement his only release. If screaming or drawing his sword would have helped he would have. But he was old enough to know better. He pushed his anger down with more anger and forced himself to focus on the conversation thickening the air between them. Shigeru was speaking, slowly and deliberately.
“What will you do if I don’t grant you permission? I am not your father or family, but your master. You have sworn obedience.”
Ryuu shook his head. Shigeru was grasping at straws, trying to bluff his way forward.
“You are my father as much as I am your son.” The words refocused his mind and his anger flashed out, snuffed like a fire with no air. He had said it himself. Shigeru was everything to him. He couldn’t deny it. When he spoke again he felt resigned. “I want your permission. I’m not sure what I will do if you don’t grant it.”
The two sat in silence. Ryuu had been tossing ideas back and forth since they left Madame’s. His anger burned against the wall of rationality he had built over the cycles of training with Shigeru. He craved decision and action.
Shigeru seemed calm but Ryuu could see the emotions toiling beneath the surface. He knew Shigeru too well. A small facial twitch was all he needed to know Shigeru’s mind about anything. Shigeru shared Ryuu’s anger but could bury it under more blankets of logical thought. He had more practice.
After days of war between rationality and passion Ryuu made a decision. He was going to go after Takako. She didn’t deserve her fate. He had come to Shigeru in the evening to ask for permission. Shigeru was doing all he could to talk Ryuu out of it.
“You know if you do this you might be making the choice to kill another person. You wouldn’t even be able to use the flimsy excuse of self-defense. This time you are consciously making the choice to kill. Are you ready to make that choice? Is this worth it?”
Ryuu did not respond right away. They were valid questions, and he had spent most of the journey back to the hut thinking about them.
“I’m already a killer, and this feels like a much better reason to take life than self-defense. It’s what you trained me for and what I am.”
Ryuu wanted to bring the words back as soon as he said them. Ryuu didn’t mean to attack Shigeru, but he was frustrated by Shigeru’s argument. This was what he had been training for since he had seen five cycles. Shigeru trained him to be a warrior but wouldn’t let him fight. It felt weak, like the training was the end in itself. Ryuu felt Shigeru lacked the courage to continue to move forward.
An uncomfortable silence stretched for a few breaths. Ryuu realized he’d never argued with Shigeru over anything important before. They were treading new ground together. He took a deep breath to keep his wits and logic about him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean . . .”
Shigeru held up his hand for silence. Ryuu took another deep breath. Shigeru had come to a decision. “No, you’re right. I know what I’ve done. Some days I’m not sure my decisions were the best, but they are the ones I’ve made. If you’re going to do this I’ll support you, but I want you to understand the full effect of your decision. There is no going back after this. We may never be able to return here.”
Ryuu perked up at the mention of “we.” He had never thought Shigeru would come with him. But then Shigeru’s words sunk into his heart. He hadn’t thought about the consequences. In his head he imagined he would come back with Takako and everything would be great. He never thought about what it meant to be hunted and pursued. The thoughts saddened him. He loved his life here with Shigeru. His resolution wavered, just for a moment. But he steeled himself. Just moments ago he had been telling himself he was willing to sacrifice life itself. He wouldn’t be hypocritical. If he was willing to give up his life he had to give up his home too. It was time to mend the broken fences.
“Shigeru, don’t question what you did. My path was set the moment those bandits killed my parents. There was never any turning back, despite your hopes I might lead a normal life. I’m proud of who I am, and because I am proud of my skills I must use them to save Takako. I know I don’t know her that well, but if I’m not willing to help someone whom I am convinced is innocent, what is my life and training worth?”
Ryuu could see Shigeru was overcome. He couldn’t guess what was running through his master’s head.
“I will be proud to accompany you. Even though tracking an army is easy, I believe I will be able to provide some valuable lessons along the way. My presence too close to the army may jeopardize your mission, but I can take you most of the way. In the end it will still be up to you.”
Ryuu nodded and their decision was made. They spent the next day preparing, closing up the hut in case they weren’t able to return. Everything they needed was packed with them, even though it amounted to very little. Ryuu understood a truth as they packed. Shigeru had always been prepared for this, regardless of his comments otherwise. They didn’t own anything superfluous. Their only possessions were a pot, a pan, and some bare utensils. There had never been a need for anything else.
They left early the next morning as the sun was starting to hint it was about to peek over the trees. After a few hundred paces they came to the last spot they could see the hut from. They took a moment to look back at it. Each experienced a strong emotion although it was different for each of them. Ryuu was nostalgic but hopeful. This hut was where he had grown up and where he had felt safe and cared for most of his life. He was leaving it, but he took a moment to try to memorize the view, beautiful with the rising sun in the background.
Shigeru was also reflective, but more concerned about the future. Ryuu had brought him back. For many cycles he had lived with his soul in the grave, ready to return to the Cycle at a moment’s notice. He felt his time drawing near. The boy who had been his rebirth seemed also to be the man who would bring him death. He found now, as he felt his death appr
oaching, that he wasn’t ready. He wanted to see how the story would unfold. He was convinced Ryuu would change this age. He hoped he would be alive to find out how.
It took almost a half-moon to find the path of the army, but after they found the trail it was easy enough to follow. The army was heading to the Three Sisters, the same as they did every cycle. There was no need and no ability to hide the tracks of thousands of men and horses. A blind man could have tracked them from their scent alone.
Shigeru and Ryuu took the guise of poor travelers, tying their swords low on their backs and hiding them behind clothing. They couldn’t draw as fast as they would need to in an emergency, but they trusted their sense to protect them from any dangers.
Their trip took them through territory Ryuu had never been through before. He felt his sense growing in power, extending its reach for hundreds of paces in every direction. It was an unspeakable experience being able to feel the world around him in such detail. If he focused he could sense the bugs and insects which busied themselves beneath him. The world was alive and his greatest danger was losing himself in the information he brought in.
Without Shigeru, Ryuu might have gotten lost. Shigeru was always bringing him back, forcing him to focus on what was essential. Ryuu knew his sense traveled much further than Shigeru’s, but Shigeru had the weight of experience on his side. He could identify creatures and events Ryuu couldn’t. He could also maintain his focus for longer. Ryuu had never seen him lose focus in all the time they had lived together.
After a half moon of uneventful traveling, Ryuu sensed the army. It felt like he was nearing the city, but the city was on wheels, moving and reshaping itself at random. Ryuu had expected columns and more order than what he was experiencing. It cast his sense into doubt.
Shigeru put his mind at ease. “It’s the army. An army is in constant flux, stuck between order and chaos. While I’m sure Nori would love to have orderly columns, marching thousands of men over terrain which is not flat prohibits him. I am surprised you can sense them from here. I figure we still have a day or two until we come close enough to meet their rear-guard.”
“Can you sense them?”
“Not at all, but if you would rely a little less on your sense, you’d see the evidence of an army passing through here not more than a day or two ago.”
Ryuu, chastised, glanced around and saw all the evidence Shigeru was referring to. The path had been more trodden recently, although the change happened so gradually Ryuu hadn’t noticed it. It did look like the army had passed through in the past day or two.
“Remember, one of the best ways you’ll be able to improve is by using your sense in conjunction with everything else you experience. You do it well in combat, but now you need to apply the same principles with every breath you take.”
Ryuu nodded. His patience for Shigeru’s lectures had diminished since they began this trip. His blood hungered for action, not for learning. It was only through force of will that he remained respectful.
As they resumed their journey Shigeru asked Ryuu about his plan. Ryuu spat out his answer in frustration. “I don’t know. Find her and bring her out.”
Shigeru stepped in front of Ryuu and stopped him. “Stop. I know you’re impatient. But if you are going to get Takako back, charging in won’t do. Even you can’t hope to fight an army. Even the strongest warriors die if they aren’t calm, if they can’t reason. You’re much too good to die because of a stupid mistake.”
Reason and impatience clashed within Ryuu’s soul. He knew Shigeru was right, but he didn’t care. He tried to step forward but Shigeru laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
“No.”
Ryuu’s anger exploded and dissipated like a wave against the rocks. He hated being wrong. He sat down. “Fine. What would you do?”
Shigeru grinned. “I wouldn’t be here in the first place. I don’t know how you can find one person in an army without going through official channels, and I sure as hell don’t know how you plan on sneaking the commander’s son’s consort out without anyone noticing. But if you pull it off, I’ll be very damn impressed.”
Ryuu thought about the problem as they continued to get closer to the army. They were approaching the foothills of the Pass and soon it would be impossible to sneak into the army unobserved. Out in the open there were always gaps, places where one could sneak through if they knew what they were doing. In the pass the army would narrow down and there would only be two entrances, the front and the back. If he was going to make his move it would have to be in the next day or two.
The problem became more complicated when Shigeru announced he wouldn’t get closer to the army. Ryuu challenged him, thinking it was another ploy to make Ryuu work harder, but Shigeru’s mood allowed for no argument.
“Ryuu, I’m a hunted man and there are people in that army who may be trained to hunt me. I am not going to put you in further jeopardy by accompanying you any closer.”
Ryuu tried to argue with Shigeru, but he realized it was pointless. Shigeru would not be budged. Ryuu wondered what cause Shigeru had to fear, but it was a question he had held for a long time. He could wait for his answer, Takako couldn’t wait for him. They agreed to meet in three days. Shigeru would continue to follow the army’s path until it was too risky. If Ryuu could retreat back along it they would meet up without difficulty. They set up a back-up point in New Haven in case circumstances prevented them from meeting up on their first attempt.
The two parted company, and for the first time Ryuu felt like he was alone. Leaving Shigeru felt like leaving a part of his heart behind. Ryuu didn’t want to die without seeing Shigeru again, but he was set on doing this, so there was nothing to do but go forward.
Ryuu opened up into the slow trot he had perfected in many cycles of running through the woods chasing after his master. He knew he could keep the speed up indefinitely and it would allow him to cover the remaining distance in the shortest time.
Late that afternoon Ryuu could sense the rear guard and knew if he continued he would be seen. He opted to turn off to the side and approach the army through a parallel valley in the foothills. As night fell and the army set up camp he climbed up to the top of the valley that separated them. He knew he had to act tonight. After tonight the army would be well into the pass and almost impossible to infiltrate. There were sentries posted along the ridge line he was on, but they were spread wide.
Ryuu lay in grass just high enough to cover his body. He was thankful for the new moon. Dark skies meant he would not be seen. He tried to still his heart so he could focus, but he couldn’t. It felt tight, like he would burst open at any moment, spilling out all his hopes, dreams and plans on the ground with his entrails.
Without his calm, he couldn’t focus his senses well. He could tell there were two sentries nearby, but he couldn’t extend his search any further than that. He would need a uniform to get into camp. Those two were as good as any.
He thought he had been crawling slowly, but he was behind the two guards in short order. His attempt at stealth was unnecessary. The two were laughing and telling lewd stories from their time in New Haven. He could have walked up right in front of them and not been noticed.
A quick series of blows rendered the two men unconscious, bodies falling to the ground with a muffled thump. Ryuu stripped the guard closest to his size and tied and gagged them both with leather straps he had brought with him. He had just finished throwing the guard’s clothes over his own robes when another pair of sentries came over the hill. He had been so distracted he hadn’t even sensed them. The sentries were no more than ten paces from the guards he had just knocked out. They were in tall grass, but anyone looking would find them without a problem.
With no options Ryuu stood there, acting how he imagined a sentry would act. As the pair approached Ryuu tried to calm his mind. He would be in a lot of trouble if they were his replacements. The guards walked right up to him and it took Ryuu every piece of focus he possessed not to stare at
the guards he had just tied up.
Ryuu noticed the stitching on one of the men’s uniforms as he approached. Shigeru had forced him to memorize insignia. This man was a lieutenant, probably the commander of this whole sentry unit tonight. Ryuu cursed. He would know his men. Ryuu looked outward, trying to keep the back of his head pointed at the officer.
Fate was not on his side. The officer stopped and stood behind him, taking in the view of the valley below.
“Where is your second, ensign?”
Ryuu thought fast. “Pissing, sir.”
“He couldn’t do that here?”
Ryuu grimaced. He hadn’t thought of that. Lying wasn’t his strongest skill. He’d never had to around Shigeru.
“Said he wanted some privacy, sir.”
“Then you should have turned your back, soldier!”
Ryuu fingered his sword with his off hand. He had no answer and wasn’t sure if one was expected. He pretended to maintain his vigil, the perfect sentry.
The officer swore. “You are both to report my tent immediately once your relief arrives. I don’t know what you’re up to, but we’re going to get to the bottom of it. Probably trying to sneak women in again . . .”
The lieutenant and his second stomped away and Ryuu let out a deep breath. He hadn’t even gotten close to the camp yet!
There was little time to reflect though. As soon as the officer and his second were out of sight Ryuu was racing through the night. Fear focused him and his sense spread out in a protective canopy, warning him of any immediate dangers. When he reached a good vantage point he stopped and observed the camp below him.
Those first few glances were almost enough to convince him to turn around and abandon the attempt. When Shigeru had told him the army would have a few thousand men he had imagined a large group of people, but a camp for so many was a massive affair which spread out thousands of paces. Hundreds of campfires burned below him.