by Ryan Kirk
Ryuu’s mind jumped to Moriko. He missed her every day. “There is.”
“Good, then come over here. Can you duplicate what you did with the dayblade?”
Ryuu dug through his memories and nodded. Tenchi asked him to stand behind him and put his hand on Tenchi’s shoulder. Tenchi reached down and put his hand against the ground. He looked up at Ryuu. “We do this together. I’ll show you the way, but you need to find the person.”
Ryuu didn’t even have time to nod. He had focused his sense on Tenchi, and as soon as they were connected Ryuu felt his sense torn away. It spread out and out, and Ryuu could feel the earth pulsing beneath him. There was a sense of tremendous speed, of tremendous distance covered. Ryuu shook off his shock in order to keep himself linked with Tenchi. He searched for Moriko, knowing how she would feel. It was as though he was looking for a drop of water in a sea of energy, but something in his will did the work for him. He got closer and closer until he sensed her. She was in a strange, barren land, angry and hungry but not alone.
It was just a moment, but Ryuu knew everything. He knew she had been wandering south trying to find the Azarians. She had seen battle and had found them, tens of thousands of them at least. She was surrounded by them, a rabbit surrounded by wolves. But she was alive, and as near as he could tell, physically fine.
And just like that the distance receded underneath him, and he was back in a hut, sweating over Tenchi, trying not to throw up from the disorientation.
Tenchi looked at him with his quiet humor. “I didn’t know there was another nightblade out there as well. So much has been happening I haven’t been paying attention to. How long have you known her?”
“Two cycles. She was Orochi’s disciple.”
Tenchi stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Now, that is interesting.”
He seemed to shake off his train of thought and turned to Ryuu. “I hope the concept has been validated.”
Ryuu was stunned. He thought he could pull off the same feat now that he had done it with Tenchi, but he would wait until Tenchi was gone. Ryuu still didn’t fully trust the nightblades and didn’t want to show off all his abilities, even the new ones. Pieces settled into place, raising even more questions for Ryuu.
“If you could do this, why didn’t you find Shigeru?”
Tenchi glanced at him. “Who says I didn’t find Shigeru? I was the one who made the decision to leave him alone. After he escaped from the island he had nothing, and his life was meaningless. It was the best punishment that could have happened. Although, I admit to forgetting about him after a time. He kept our secrets well. If I had known about you, we might have come after him.”
Tenchi stood up. “From now on, I’ll train you directly, as often as possible.” The leader of the island seemed to have something else on his mind. Had he sensed something Ryuu had missed? He walked out of the hut. “Get your rest. You’re going to need it.”
Ryuu agreed, lost in his own thoughts. Moriko was in the heart of the Azarian camp. He wondered what she was up to, a world away.
As Tenchi left, Ryuu felt another presence at the door of his hut. He groaned. It was Shika, calling for him at a late hour. He didn't want to see her, not now. If he met with her, he wanted it to be when he was fresh and ready to deal with politics.
There was a three-way conversation outside his door. Tenchi, Shika, and Rei were trying to have a quiet argument. Tenchi was telling Shika that Ryuu was exhausted, and it wasn't a good time for visitors. Shika was insisting she'd only be a moment.
Their bickering made Ryuu sick. There had to be a better way to spend their time. He struggled to his feet and to the door. His appearance silenced the argument.
"It's okay, Tenchi. She can come in. If she causes me too much trouble, I'll just have Rei kick her out for me."
Tenchi didn't look so certain, but conceded defeat.
Ryuu gestured Shika in.
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Shika looked torn, and Ryuu was surprised. He had only met her at the supper, but there she had been a dynamic and forceful presence. He had expected the same here.
"There's a few reasons. First, I wanted to see how your healing had gone. Rumor has it you interfered with the dayblade's efforts."
Ryuu smiled gently. "Apparently I did." He flexed his left hand. There was some residual soreness, but everything was working well. He was still amazed at the healing.
"There aren’t many nightblades who could do that."
Ryuu shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't something I meant to do. I'm still not quite sure how it happened, but Tenchi seems to have a more clear idea."
Shika nodded. "He and I may disagree, but there isn't any doubt he's got more knowledge and wisdom about our skills than anyone else alive. You are fortunate to train with him."
Ryuu heard the respect in Shika's voice. "Shika, if I may, why do you disagree with Tenchi if you think so highly of him?"
She sighed. "It's sometimes hard to explain, and I regret the trouble it's caused on the island. If you asked me logically, should nightblades stay on the island or return to the Three Kingdoms, I wouldn't know which way to answer. Up until this cycle, the Three Kingdoms have gotten on well enough without us. I can't explain why I feel so passionate, but I am. It's time for the nightblades to return home. I've felt it now for a while, this desire getting stronger every cycle. And now you're here, and I can't even think straight, I want to return to the Three Kingdoms so badly. And I'm not the only one. There are others too, lots of us."
Ryuu was polite enough to shut his open mouth. It wasn't the explanation he'd expected, not even close.
Shika's outburst had put her in a thoughtful mood, and she didn't speak for some time. Ryuu shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to say to her.
She looked up at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't come here to talk politics with you. That can wait until you're in better health. Do you mind if I ask Rei to come in here?"
He shook his head. "If you can get her to come in, but she's pretty vigilant about that door."
Shika smiled, as though she had a secret Ryuu didn’t understand. She poked her head out the door and said a few words to Rei. In a moment both women were inside the hut. Ryuu realized he was alone with two beautiful, strong women. He started thinking of Moriko.
Shika's voice was low. "Ryuu, I want you to be careful."
Ryuu smiled. "There's no need for the dramatics. It's just a broken arm, and now I know it can be healed."
Rei shook her head. "That’s not what she's talking about, Ryuu." She turned to Shika. "What's happened?"
"He's had men on the ships lately. Two or three every time."
Rei lost her smile, and Ryuu knew he was seeing the warrior underneath. "You don't think he'd dare?"
"I want to think he wouldn't, but it makes me nervous."
Rei nodded and the two women turned to Ryuu, who was lost as to what was going on.
"What are you two talking about?"
Rei left the explanations to Shika. "I don't want to say too much, Ryuu, but I am worried for your safety. Please be cautious, and whatever you do, bring Rei with you wherever you go."
"Even here on the island?"
Shika nodded. "Even here on the island."
Questions were running like rabbits through Ryuu's mind, but he couldn't catch any of them. Shika stood up and dismissed herself. Ryuu wanted her to wait, wanted her to explain, but he knew she wouldn't say more. She left, leaving behind more questions than comfort.
Rei was about to follow Shika out, but Ryuu stopped her.
"Rei, I thought you were Tenchi's prize student. But you seem quite close to Shika."
Rei paused for a moment as she considered. "I have nothing but respect for Tenchi, and I'm not sure he's wrong, but I know what Shika speaks of. I feel it too, the burning desire to go home. And anyway, we're all blades here. We need to stay together if we're going to survive."
18
The war was going better than Renzo ha
d hoped. There had been large deviations from his original plan, but the critical pieces continued to move forward. What was important was that Renzo's campaign was working its way through the Southern Kingdom, making more progress every day. Every league they covered was one more step towards his ultimate goal.
And now Akira had called a Conclave. Renzo was curious, wondering what trick Akira had up his sleeve. Renzo hadn’t even known what a Conclave was until Tanak told him: a mandatory time for the three lords to meet, only to be called in times of the most dire crisis. Tanak had given him all the details. They each smelled a plot, but neither had any idea what it could be. Tanak had ordered his armies forward while he left with his honor guard to the Northern Kingdom, host of the Conclave.
They had been on the road for a few days now, almost halfway to their destination. At first, Renzo’s mind had circled the possibilities, but there was no guessing what Akira was up to. He had settled back into his daily routine, ready for anything.
Tonight they camped at the border of the Western Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom. Tomorrow they would cross the river which divided the lands, but for tonight they stayed in Tanak’s territory. Renzo sat in his tent, allowing his sense to roam far and wide, far beyond the bounds of the camp. He was curious about the movement of Akira's troops, curious what old Sen was doing. Renzo prided himself on keeping track of all that happened in the Three Kingdoms. Knowledge was power, and it would bring him success in his endeavors.
He sensed them then, a beacon burning in the empty fields north of the encampment. Renzo sighed. There shouldn’t be any reason for them to be here, but they were calling for him.
Renzo dressed himself in the garb of a soldier of the Western Kingdom. He did not want to be recognized as Tanak's adviser. The uniform would allow him to move freely through the camp and out of it. He put on his swords and fingered them gently. Perhaps they would drink blood again tonight.
The journey out of the camp was uneventful. Renzo had the papers in case he ever got stopped, but the men were still lax, even after the attack that had almost claimed Tanak's life. Renzo made a mental note of it. He would have to bring the subject up again, even though they had already discussed it several times. Tanak needed to live, at least for a few more moons.
Once he was out in the field, Renzo took a moment to meditate and extend his sense. Now that he was away from the crush of people he was surrounded by day in and day out, he had the chance to sense his surroundings more clearly. He focused first on his guests, ensuring they had come alone. When he was certain he was safe, he stood back up and walked towards them.
It was a dark night, the sort of night his guests seemed to prefer. The moon was near full, but its light was blocked by a thick layer of clouds. They were clothed all in black, and if Renzo hadn't already known they were there, it would have been easy for them to ambush him. Renzo was on his guard. They might be working together, but he certainly didn't trust them.
Renzo heard, rather than saw, one of their short, painted blades hum through the night. He almost drew his blade, but his sense told him he wasn't in danger. One of them just seemed to be bored and was practicing. The short sword was sheathed as Renzo approached.
"About time."
Renzo glanced at the speaker. He had never met this one before. "You don’t have the right. Getting away from camp takes time. And your people still haven’t reached the pass. You can’t judge me for being late."
The two glanced at each other. The one on Renzo’s right spoke. "There have been . . . complications."
A silence stretched between them. Renzo suppressed his frustration, but his time was precious. "Why have you summoned me here?"
"It's about the boy."
Renzo shook his head. They continued to use the diminutive term, even though the “boy” had killed two of them already. He was a man grown, although Renzo suspected he was still coming fully into his power. "I've already told you where you could find them."
"And he defeated those who we sent."
Renzo stared daggers at the two men. He knew that, of course, but he kept his abilities secret. Better they underestimate him. They expected him to be scared of them, but he wasn't. He had assessed their skill and found them wanting. He was the strongest on the island, and he was by far the strongest here. "That's your problem."
"No, that's our problem, and He isn't happy. Now He really wants the boy dead, but the boy has gone beyond our sight."
Renzo already knew all of this. He had sensed the battle, sensed the two of them go to Lord Akira. He couldn't track her, but Renzo knew where Ryuu had gone, and Renzo assumed she was with him.
"So what do you want from me?"
"We know that you know where he is. Tell us."
"No. I've already told you he was dangerous, and I told you where he was once. That was the deal. You don't need to worry about him now, he's gone far away."
One of the two men stepped closer to Renzo. "I don't think you understand. This was business. Now, it's personal. If you don't give us what we want, the deal is off."
Renzo stepped back, not because he was scared, but because he was surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Was I not being clear enough? He wants the boy dead, and it has become very important to him. Give Him the boy or it's off. All of it."
Renzo thought quickly. He hadn't expected the situation to escalate so far. One nightblade wasn’t that much of a threat. Even alive, there was no way Ryuu could stop the pieces that were now in motion. Renzo frowned. It was a betrayal more than he cared for, but he was committed. When he started this journey, he had promised himself he would go as far as was necessary, no matter the cost. His hesitation lasted only a moment. Getting people onto the island would be a challenge, but one he had already thought through.
“Fine. It will be done.”
Renzo started describing what they would have to do, his disdain for his actions melting as he went deeper into his treachery.
19
The man Moriko had fought, the one who reminded her of a bear, remained by her side for the rest of her first day in the Gathering. His name was Lobsang, and Moriko couldn’t help but be entertained by him. He was open with her and answered most of her questions without guile. While she had seen firsthand his skill with a blade, in person he was the type of man who seemed to find joy everywhere he went. His laugh was loud and frequent, and after a day with him, Moriko found herself more relaxed and at ease than she had any right to be. She tried to remind herself she was in the middle of the Gathering of the Southern Kingdom’s greatest enemies, but it was hard to be serious about it when children were clambering up this mountain of a man, trying to pull his long hair.
Lobsang was not the leader of the clan, but Moriko gathered that he was well respected. He had multiple wives, whom he introduced to her at his earliest possible convenience. She asked him about the young men she had injured when they first met, and Lobsang laughed again. They were young men who had earned some small regard in the kind of small horse raid that Moriko learned were common among the clans. It was a way for the young men to gain combat experience. The warriors who were more experienced had chalked the youth’s success to luck, but their egos had grown. They had become a terrible nuisance, but clan rules prevented them from receiving the discipline many of the warriors felt they deserved. Then Moriko had come from nowhere and taken care of it for the clan. All of them had been beaten by a single woman. They wouldn’t be able to live down the shame for many moons. Lobsang was overjoyed and didn’t make any effort to hide it. He told Moriko they were considering adopting her into the clan just to have her take care of proud young men. Moriko couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.
Moriko was fascinated by everything she saw. She estimated the clan she had stumbled upon had about five hundred members in approximately eighty of the portable structures. They had a large number of horses, and although Moriko wasn’t an expert, even her unpracticed eye could tell they were mounts of uncommon grace. Pe
ople moved among the tents, laughing and doing chores. Everyone seemed happy, but Moriko felt an underlying tension, subtle but ever present.
Moriko had dozens of questions about their day-to-day life, and as she spoke with Lobsang, she started to develop a more complete picture of Azarian life. The People, as they called themselves, were a tribal, nomadic culture. They moved across the land, following herds of animals that roamed the plains. Their lives were hard, filled with leagues of travel and a constant struggle for survival, but Dorjee sounded like a competent leader. The clan had grown under his leadership, and the People were more content than at any time in the elders’ memory. But Lobsang said times were getting tougher. It was getting more and more difficult to find food. The herds were becoming scarce. It sounded like he would say more, but then he studied Moriko and held his tongue. She decided not to push. Lobsang had been very open with her, and she didn’t want to endanger that, not now.
The children were active and happy, and Moriko felt like this place was a home for them. When she asked about the Gathering, she found out it was a meeting of all the clans that happened every cycle during the summer moon. It was a time to make marriage alliances, settle disputes, and trade news with other clans. The idea seemed brilliant to Moriko. An annual meeting kept the blood fresh in all the clans, and it was a good way to maintain clan alliances. Again, Moriko felt there was something about the Gathering that Lobsang wouldn’t speak about, but she kept her peace.
The Gathering wasn’t the only subject Lobsang was silent on. He didn’t bring up anything about the hunters, and Moriko was careful not to ask. She didn’t want to raise any suspicions. His silence on the subject was indicative of something. If the scout’s report to Lord Akira was true, hunters were killing off clans, and there was no way it wouldn’t be news at the Gathering. Moriko was content to let it be a mystery for today. She enjoyed Lobsang’s company and didn’t want to drive off the big man by being too nosy.