by Paul Kidd
“Dunno.” Sura made a face. “Ew! Maybe it’s got some sort of eerie naked corral in there or something?”
Chiri and Kuno gave Sura a look of pained distaste. The fox could only wave her hands.
“Well I don’t know! It’s evil! It doesn’t have to be logical!” Sura tried to think. She planted a fist upon her hip and scowled.
“Why would anyone just drop their clothes, or a full suit of armour? And all in an instant? No one saw or heard a thing!”
Chiri closed her eyes.
“Transformation.”
The others turned and looked at her, understanding blossoming in an instant. The rat spirit caressed Bifuuko in her hands and nodded.
“When we shape change, we drop our equipment and our clothes. Only our bodies change shape.”
Kuno decidedly approved of the idea.
“Ah, agreed! But what are they changing into? And what is making them change…?”
With no ready answer, they all walked on to the middle of the village, where the roadway ended, trailing off into an overgrown old path. The first dark trees loomed perhaps five hundred paces away, across an empty field of grass.
With daylight here at long last, the forest seemed more normal. The trees were vast and old, with great interlocking branches. The space between the tree trunks looked dark and still. A few insects stirred – a bird finally called. But it still seemed strangely quiet, with a disturbing brooding air.
Kuno stroked his chin.
“Do we go in?”
Beside him, Sura gave a nod. She drew the sheath from the blade of her long spear.
“We go in” The fox readied her equipment, breaking open an oilskin packet of bright yellow, painted fu papers. “If it’s a realm-jumper, we banish it. If it’s a restless spirit, we find its remains and put it to rest. If it’s mortal kidnappers, we kick their arses and get the kid back as quick as we can.”
Settling his pack, Kuno looked thoughtfully along the length of the forest eaves.
“Sano san’s men found nothing at the kidnap site. Clearly we need to make our search in a different way.”
Tonbo thoughtfully scratched at his stubble. “Perhaps they did not know what to look for?”
Chiri settled Bifuuko safely in her hair.
“Excuse me, Kuno san, but I believe we must start elsewhere. Men have already searched the site where Yukiwakumaru was taken.” The white rat gestured to the further reaches of the forest. “Let us be more thorough. Let us find out where the very first victim was taken, and work onwards from there. Perhaps there will be a link we can discover.”
Kuno gave a bow.
“An excellent thought, Chiri san. I shall inquire directions from the head man at once.”
Kuno moved off to speak with Hoshina. Soon there were several aged villagers gathered, all giving Kuno directions, details and contrasting advice. As they argued over their recollections, Kuno attempted to sort out some sort of order, but was rapidly becoming overwhelmed.
Chiri stood vaguely watching Kuno – but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Sura came forward, eyes on the forest, to rest a hand upon Chiri’s shoulder.
“What’s up? Do you sense something?”
“Something. The elementals are disturbed….” The rat spirit’s pink eyes were troubled as she looked up at the trees, grass and spring nearby. “Subdued. Or… timid. I cannot quite pin it down. It is only a feeling.”
Sura nodded. “Well – I trust my friend’s feelings.” The fox looked over to Kuno and sighed. The man was stiffly trying to insist an octogenarian great grandmother be more precise with her directions. “Mind you, I also recognise when they might need help. I’ll be back!”
Sura girded herself and wandered into the gaggle of villagers, arms open and welcoming. She took the grandmother aside, chatting with her amiably about local families, their foists and foibles. Soon she had two old women eagerly describing twists and turns inside the forest, describing their one-time favourite haunts.
Chiri turned away. She felt a cold wind from the forest and shivered, drawing her robes tight about her shoulders.
The fields close to the forest had several places where field mushrooms and edible puffballs liked to grow. The elderly village women were a tad vague about paths and directions, but amazingly precise when it came to finding free delicacies. Sura walked ahead of the others, seeking out the fallen logs, piles of brush and old tree stumps that served the elders as signposts. She located a patch of startlingly yellow toadstools (once accidentally served to a visiting samurai lady up at the manor house – responsible for some rather bewildering visions and dreams). Sura turned right, led the way through low grass, and finally found a patch of mighty horse mushrooms swelling almost visibly from yesterday’s rain.
A notch had been cut into an ancient tree nearby – the mark of a path now long overgrown. The fox patted the tree thoughtfully, looked carefully about herself, then pushed onward – beneath the forest eaves.
Tonbo stopped and carefully wrapped a towel about his upper head. He slid his helmet up into place, and tied the chinstraps tight. The man flicked a glance towards Chiri and her elementals.
“Chiri san. You have doubts.”
The rat spirit looked nervously about. She shimmered and turned into her half-and-half form, tall ears and long whiskers feeling out into the still airs all around them.
“I am anxious as to our ability to deal with the forest monster, Tonbo san. After all, the Sano samurai were seized swiftly, silently, and without notice.”
Sura was in no way worried. Now cheerfully changed into her half-and-half form, the fox pulled a sheaf of bright-painted fu papers from her robes.
“We’ll be safe as houses! This is what we’re trained for!” Sura waved her papers. “Hey! Hello? We have these! We have spells, fu papers, elementals…! The Sano guys were just a bunch of brainless samurai.” She made an apologetic wave towards Kuno and Tonbo. “No offense!”
Tonbo gave a grunt. “None taken.”
The fox walked along, black nose gleaming and tail fluffing out with style.
“We’re hard, we’re mean, we’re a Spirit Hunting machine! What could possibly go wrong?”
Thunder immediately sounded close by. Chiri exchanged a wan look with Tonbo.
“I know I’ve said it before, but I really do wish she would not say that…”
Sura looked at them in all innocence. “What?” She blinked, utterly unconcerned. “I mean it – what could happen? Trust me – I’m a fox!”
Kuno put an armoured hand upon Sura’s arm.
“Please, Sura san. I believe you are making Chiri feel ill…”
Morale was decidedly lacking. Sura shook her spear high, and sang raucously out into the dank forest air.
“Oh we’re a lean, mean
Ghost busting machine.
Wag your tails! Wag your tails!
We’re a lean, mean.
Wild adventure team
And we’re going to wag our tails…!”
The other Spirit Hunters followed doggedly behind, weapons in hand.
In the gloom nearby, thunder gave another sullen growl.
Rain began to fall over the Sano township. Early morning sun lit the clouds an eerie yellow-gold – flicking to brilliant white as lightning suddenly flashed across the sky. The still air trembled – and then the downpour began in earnest, clattering down across thatched straw rooves.
Magistrate Masura thundered down the dirt road into town, slashing at his exhausted horse with a riding crop. His armour flapped in the rain, his eyes wild with urgency. He drove his horse onwards as it slipped and slithered in the mud.
Behind Magistrate Masura came Hijiya Hoichi and Masura’s hatamoto – all racing on horses whose eyes rolled white with exhaustion. They slewed to a halt in the town road as Magistrate Masura gyred his horse around wildly, searching for the town’s main inn.
Sano samurai and foot soldiers came racing forth, bowing and helpfully taking the newcomers
’ reins. Senior men emerged from a house carrying umbrellas. One sheltered Magistrate Masura as he dismounted, ushering him off towards the house.
Sano Moko rushed from the door – fully armed and armoured, with dark circles beneath her eyes. Utterly ignoring the weather, she beheld the magistrate with gratitude and relief.
“Magistrate Masura! It is a very great honour that you have come!”
“Sano Moko! It is good to see you.” Lord Masura wiped his face, trying to keep the panic from his voice. “Sano san. My agents tell me the Spirit Hunters are here!”
Rain clattered wildly off the umbrella: the sound almost deafening. Moko bent her head close to Magistrate Masura to make herself heard.
“The matter is already in hand, lord! You honour us deeply with your concern.” The samurai woman guided the magistrate through the downpour. “The Spirit Hunters have already entered the forest!”
Magistrate Masura froze – utterly aghast.
“The Spirit Hunters have gone?”
“Yes, lord! They believe my brother Yukiwakumaru chan is still alive. They are determined to recover him. They ask that no samurai be sent into the forest until they have made their own attempt at rescue.” They finally reached the shelter of the trees. “My lord – we can wait inside. I am sure there will be news of my brother soon.” She bowed to Magistrate Masura in gratitude. “My family is honoured at your clear and deep concern.”
Lord Masura bowed to Sano Moko in return.
“We will join you inside, Sano san.”
Moko and her men hastened back inside. As the horses were walked through the rain towards the stables, Magistrate Masura conferred with Hijiya Hoichi under the eaves.
Hijiya Hoichi was a short, solid, powerful man with features set into a permanent scowl. He gave a swift, military bow.
“My lord! The fox and her team are gone. I beg permission to lead our men into the forest to search for his Imperial Majesty!”
The magistrate turned towards the forest and stared through the rain. He stood with shoulders set, slowly flexing his hands.
“No. No – the monster has also apparently struck the Sano clan. The Spirit Hunters are on the task already.” Lord Masura bowed his head. “We must keep his Imperial Majesty’s disappearance a secret. If the Spirit Hunters are performing this task for the Sano, then they will also be rescuing the emperor.”
Magistrate Masura began to move towards the house. Hoichi moved after him, looking appalled.
“Lord! Can the Spirit Hunters be trusted with so sacred a life? Will they keep the secret?”
“We must trust to their skills and their discretion.” The imperial magistrate walked onward. “They are His Majesty’s one and only hope.”
Sick with worry, Magistrate Masura followed Sano Moko into her headquarters. Hijiya Hoichi was left alone to look upon the rain-soaked streets, appalled and concerned.
“Discretion?” The man looked helplessly out into the storm.
“One of them is a fox!”
A lightning flash lit up the forest, freezing stark images of grasping branches and coiling bramble thorns. An instant later, heavy rain came lashing through the trees.
The boy emperor ran in terror through the downpour, stumbling wildly through roots and mud.
Dressed only in torn under-robe and hakama, he was drenched with rain and cut by thorns. He ran wildly onwards, still sensing the massive beast in the dark behind him. Still feeling the terrible chill of the monster’s hate.
He ran.
Staggering on, the emperor suddenly reached the edge of a frightening lake filled with ancient dead trees and mats of slime. Thick foliage overhead shielded patches of ground here and there from the rain. Water cascaded down the tree trunks, splashing like waterfalls. The emperor came to a halt, clinging against a dead tree. He looked about himself, dazed and exhausted, trying to wipe his eyes clear of rain.
Water spattered in rivulets beside him. Out on the lake, rain drummed the surface into a sharp haze of mist. The emperor paused– taut, freezing cold and exhausted. He bent over, desperately trying to regain his wind.
Somewhere in the gloom beyond, a shadow moved.
From the corner of the emperor’s eye, he saw a tiny shadow slip out of sight behind a tree.
A child’s laughter echoed in the air. The emperor whirled, staring in fright. But nothing moved – there was no sign of life…
Laughter came again – eerie and taunting. This time it came from somewhere above.
The emperor held his bared sword clumsily, turning about in fright as he heard first one whisper, and then another. Shadows were moving – and then suddenly he saw a shape squatting on a branch just up above.
It was a black shape – almost transparent, like solidified smoke or mist. It had a body like a baby, bulbous and smooth, and clung to the tree like a squirrel.
The head was horrible: a white lump, like an ill-shapen handful of hard white clay. There were gaping round holes where two eyes and a mouth should have been.
As the emperor watched, the malformed head cranked itself slowly, horribly sideways. The head suddenly released, flicking back upright, making a clear, loud ‘thock’ – like a small gourd drum.
A second hollow ‘thock’ came from behind and above. The emperor turned, seeing another of the creatures creeping closer. A third slid silently through the sodden underbrush, then flowed up into a tree.
Childish laughter echoed in the gloom.
The emperor drew back, trying to retreat from the terrible staring creatures. He heard another drumbeat echoing off in the deep woods, and then another. More and more white faces gathered to stare at him from the trees.
One creature leapt down from the upper branches – far larger than the others, with a swirling energy deep within its shadowy form. It crept forward, jet-black gaze boring into the young emperor. He felt his skin tingling and could only stare as the creature cranked its head slowly to one side, winding, winding, winding…
The emperor felt his sword arm sag.
The piercing, gibbering screeches of the titanic corpse monster erupted from the darkness. The little shadow creatures all froze then fled like squirrels through the trees, leaping spectacularly from bough to bough. The larger of the creatures froze, then backed away, before it suddenly spun around and fled into the rain.
The corpse monster was coming – underbrush was cracking, and the howling of the skulls echoes madly through the trees. The emperor turned and bolted along the lake shore, slithering as he tried to leap over a fallen tree. He fell splashing and blundering, falling face first into the muck.
Where he found himself face to face with the moss-covered skull of a child.
His hands were plunged deep amongst the bones. Sobbing in horror, the boy wildly fought free, blundering into the lake water. He frenziedly washed at his hands and robes – but the corpse monster was closing in. The earth shook as the creature thudded slowly forward through the trees. Struggling to his feet the emperor ran staggering off into the rain.
Overhead, a peal of thunder shuddered through the sky.
In an odd, curved little clearing in the forest, the four Spirit Hunters were moving forward through the rain. Bifuuko hovered over Chiri’s head, spreading an umbrella of solidified air that protected herself, Chiri and Daitanishi from the downpour. The others had to make do with straw raincoats. Both Kuno and Tonbo used their dripping helmets to shed the rain, while Sura took shelter beneath a waterproofed, broad straw hat.
Kuno and Tonbo had tied up the hanging tassets of their armour to help them walk through the undergrowth. They joined Sura as she sheltered beneath a great, sloping tree.
They were far enough inside the forest now for monsters to be roaming. Sura produced a reel of hairy string, and began measuring out lengths of fifteen paces. She cut a length of string and tied one end to her belt.
“Right – we go in tied pairs. That way no one gets separated or lost. No one splits up.” The fox jerked her muzzle towards C
hiri. “Chiri – you’re with Kuno. Tonbo, you’re with me. Each pair will keep the other pair in sight.”
Kuno gave a stiff, brisk nod of agreement. He took up a cord and linked himself to Chiri, making certain the knots were properly tight.
They moved slowly forward: Tonbo on the left flank, linked to Sura’s belt. Kuno kept a dozen paces to her right, with Chiri and her elementals moving along at his other flank. They moved through the rain as silently as they could, their eyes and ears searching – checking every patch of soil and every possible trail.
They moved on for a long, careful hour, taking the direction given to them by the old village women. As the rain slackened to a slow, steady drizzle, they followed a narrow stream on into the forest depths, wending their way through great moss-covered groves. Here and there, huge old boulders loomed in the rain. Little pools of water glittered in hollows in the stones.
One of the enormous stones had been surrounded by little carved rocks – some with the faces of fish, others with the faces of toads or grimacing men. Moss had pitted the old stone, and centuries of rain had worn them almost smooth. Chiri came and carefully knelt beside them, looking at the carvings in interest while Daitanishi kept a watch at her back.
A slight shadow moved in a nearby tree. Daitanishi and Bifuuko instantly whipped about to keep watch. A dozen paces away, Kuno swiftly drew his sword.
Nothing moved. Nothing stirred. There was only the slow drip of water from the trees. From the forest a dozen pace away, Sura popped out from behind a vast old tree.
“What have you found?”
“Stand ready!”
Kuno signalled the others to wait and watch. He moved forward through the underbrush, to where the disturbance had ruffled the branches. But there was nothing to be seen. Birds and animals had all vanished. There was only the constant sound of rain pattering against the leaves.
Daitanishi and Bifuuko drew in close beside Chiri. The rat stood, eyes narrowing – her senses reaching out into the forest. Something was disjointed – something was definitely wrong. The rat’s pure white fur stood on end.