by Duncan Lay
‘If Gaibun has told Asami about it, then he is hardly going to betray us,’ Sendatsu told her, tying his belt into place.
Huw clambered out of the bath and grabbed a towel. ‘We cannot let Jaken’s plan come true. We will not fight to exchange one tyrant for another.’
‘Better to live on your knees than die on your feet,’ Asami observed.
‘You have much to learn about humans,’ Rhiannon said softly.
‘This is getting us nowhere. We should eat something and I’ll tell you what has been happening since you left, while we wait for Gaibun’s return,’ Asami said to Sendatsu. ‘But you might have to deal with your father somehow. Not only does he have Mai and Cheijun but he also has the books from the tombs of our forefathers hidden in his villa.’
‘What?’
Asami sighed. ‘It is a long story. Come, let us eat and talk.’
Huw and Rhiannon walked awkwardly in their new clothes. Huw at least had some idea of what to do with his, although Sendatsu had to help him work out where the top went, and how to tie the belt. Rhiannon, on the other hand, had to be dressed by Asami. Even then, the robe finished mid-forearm and halfway up her calves. It was both short and tight, and although it did not look foolish on her, Huw stared.
Asami led them into a small dining room, where she had laid out plates of rice, seaweed, octopus and shrimp. Sendatsu fell on the food like a starving man.
‘You don’t know how much I have missed rice!’ he said through a full mouth.
‘How are we supposed to eat this?’ Huw held out two long, thin sticks. ‘Do we stab with these things?’
Rhiannon experimented, trying one in each hand, then two in one hand — and not having much luck with either.
‘There is obviously some art to them but I don’t know what it is,’ she admitted.
Sendatsu showed them how to hold the chopsticks and scoop food out of the bowl and how to pick up a piece of octopus or shrimp.
‘I’m just using my fingers. Much easier,’ Huw said, scooping up some rice and stuffing it into his mouth. ‘Tastes very strange,’ he grumbled.
Rhiannon tried some seaweed and had to stop herself spitting it out. ‘If this is the secret of elven long life, then I don’t know if I want it,’ she said.
‘I don’t see the sense in it,’ Huw declared, after dropping rice all over the table. ‘Fingers, or a spoon, work much better.’
‘You’ll get used to it,’ Sendatsu encouraged.
Rhiannon held up her chopsticks and reached into the magic, turning the wooden sticks into a crude spoon.
‘You’re right, I’m much better already,’ she commented, digging into her bowl of rice.
Huw held out his chopsticks. ‘Can you do that to mine?’
‘Asami, can you explain what has been happening while I was away?’ Sendatsu asked hastily.
As they ate, she told them humans were attacking the barrier.
‘It has to be the Forlish. Nobody else could do that. But why?’ Rhiannon asked.
‘This could be perfect. Ward must think the Velsh all but defeated and plans to conquer Dokuzen next,’ Huw said. ‘We can join together to defeat the Forlish!’
‘I don’t think it will be that simple. Why has he turned on the elves? Is he not fighting in the south?’ Rhiannon said.
‘Unless he has won those wars and is looking for new victories,’ Huw mused. ‘But you are right. There is something here we are missing. He has no reason to attack Dokuzen, he must know what he risks in trying that. The elves are the only people capable of defeating his armies. If only we had some way of discovering his purpose …’
‘We have enough problems facing us here,’ Sendatsu said gently.
‘More than you know,’ Asami said. ‘The Council plans to meet in two days’ time, where it will decide what to do about the human attacks. But both Jaken and Sumiko plan to make their move then. So we shall need to decide who to support.’
‘That is simple. Whoever will help my people, and promise to return Sendatsu’s children,’ Huw said.
‘No, I need my children before then. I don’t want my children in my father’s villa if it is going to become some battleground.’
‘You may not be able to stop that.’ Asami sighed. She quickly explained how she and Gaibun had tried to break into the tombs of the forefathers and steal more of the books of knowledge.
‘Jaken burned the tomb — but he must have taken the books out first. We think they are in his villa. Sumiko desperately wants them, because she can use them to convince the people she was right to take power from the Council, if she manages to overthrow Daichi.’
‘We also need to get hold of those books,’ Sendatsu said. ‘I found one, protected by magic, in the human world, at the site of a massacre. We think the elves killed all humans with magic before coming to Dokuzen —’
‘What?’ Asami gasped.
‘I think we might have the answers — if we could but read this book. But it is in a language nobody recognises.’
‘Sumiko knows. She has a book that allows them to be translated. With her help, we can read that book,’ Asami told him.
‘Then we need to talk to her now. We could hold all the answers here.’ Sendatsu dug through his bag and produced the book.
‘The answers?’
‘To why the elves left the human world, why they killed those humans — everything! It is exactly what Sumiko wanted from me!’
‘It might be,’ Asami said. ‘We can’t read it yet, remember? I’ll contact her and we’ll see what she says. She might already know you are back.’
‘How?’
‘She is connected to the barrier. You had to pass through it when I brought you here. The barrier has weakened further since I sent you through and I have been breaching it each quarter-moon but she probably knows already that somebody came through. The thing she doesn’t know is how many — or that two are human.’
‘Fine, then just you and I shall meet her —’
‘No, we have to talk to her as well. I need to learn about magic and Huw needs to gain her support to save the Velsh,’ Rhiannon said.
‘She has her own plans,’ Asami warned. ‘It might be best to hide —’
‘That was not why we came here. Please contact her,’ Huw said gently.
Asami glanced over at Sendatsu, who nodded.
‘I discovered many fragments of information out in the human world. This book might tie it all together. We might finally learn the truth,’ he said passionately.
‘I shall send a message to her. She can travel through the oak tree in my garden, the same way you arrived, and be with us almost as soon as she gets the message, if she wishes.’
Asami stood and walked back into the garden.
‘How will she send a message?’ Rhiannon asked eagerly.
‘Probably using a bird. That is the fastest method.’ Sendatsu dug into the rice again.
‘Do you really eat this?’ Huw complained, holding up a shrimp.
‘Forget about the elven food,’ Rhiannon said impatiently. ‘We must be clear on this. We give Sumiko nothing until she has promised us what we want.’
‘But she will need to see some of the book. For all she knows, for all we know, it is nothing. Or it might be a prayer book for Aroaril — something intriguing but nothing she can use against Daichi, my father and the Council,’ Sendatsu said.
‘One page then. But no more. She must promise to help train me, to restore your children and help the Velsh against the Forlish before she gets any more.’
‘Nothing much then,’ Huw muttered.
‘We have to get her promise, sealed with magic,’ Sendatsu said. ‘I don’t know if just her word can be trusted. She made me many promises before I left Dokuzen but, thinking back, I wonder if she was fooling me even then?’
Rhiannon snorted. ‘A little late to remember that!’
Sendatsu shrugged. ‘Better late than never.’
‘Speaking of which, how long does
it take to send a message by birds?’ Rhiannon asked. ‘Only I felt magic a while ago — and then nothing since.’
Sendatsu rubbed his face. ‘Don’t start suspecting Asami,’ he warned. ‘She would never do anything to hurt me.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ Gaibun said as he and Asami walked back in.
Sendatsu leaped to his feet. ‘Brother, you are back! Did you see my children? Did you give them my message?’
Asami and Gaibun exchanged a look.
‘I did not get to speak to them,’ Gaibun said awkwardly. ‘Nor could I see them. But there is one way to get news of them.’
‘What?’
‘Your father is here. He is waiting in the reception room.’
The rice in Sendatsu’s mouth turned to ash, the octopus in his stomach to writhing snakes.
‘You told him? You brought him back?’
Gaibun’s face was unreadable. ‘He already knew. He told me to bring him. He wants to talk to you.’
‘You can’t! He wants to rule all humans!’ Huw said.
‘I can send you to Sumiko now, if you like. I had already sent the message before they arrived,’ Asami offered quickly.
‘No.’ Sendatsu stood. ‘He has my children. I need to talk to him.’
‘He will not give you anything easily,’ Gaibun warned.
Sendatsu managed to find a smile from somewhere. ‘He is my father. I know that better than anybody.’
‘He also has books we need,’ Asami reminded him. ‘Try to get yourself into his villa.’
‘Was Hanto with him?’
Again, Gaibun’s face was impossible to read. ‘So you came across Hanto out in the human world?’
‘We killed his two companions, although he escaped. Does that mean you knew about Hanto?’
‘Well, of course! But I did not see him at the villa. Do you think he told your father you were back?’
‘Someone did,’ Rhiannon said.
‘Do not seek to accuse me, human!’ Gaibun hissed. ‘Or I shall have your head!’
‘Nobody will be drawing swords in this house!’ Asami snapped. ‘Sendatsu can find out the truth anyway, when he meets his father.’
‘We shall see about that.’ Sendatsu walked out, feeling as if his body and mind were not attached.
‘What will he offer to get his children back?’ Asami said.
‘He has always been his father’s pet. He has never gone against his father before,’ Gaibun warned. ‘Perhaps you should send these humans home. If Jaken found them here, he would not be merciful.’
‘We must put our faith in Sendatsu,’ Rhiannon said. ‘He has changed. I cannot believe he will let us down.’
‘I hope those words do not return to haunt you,’ Asami warned.
9
But their life with the dragons had changed the Elfarans. While they could not use magic themselves, magic was part of them and they were still immortal, still unchanging, never dying or getting sick or older.
Sendatsu’s song
Sendatsu walked through the villa as if in a dream. In some ways, it truly felt like it. The patterned floor, the frescoes on the walls, the hangings and fine furniture all jarred to eyes used to the far cruder furniture and homes of the Velsh. Even the wrecked villas he had stayed in were but an echo of this one.
Even so, he barely took any of it in. Two things occupied his mind — Mai and Cheijun. He had been forced to leave them with his parents when he fled Dokuzen, what seemed like a lifetime ago. He had promised he would do anything to get them back. Now he was about to be faced with just that choice. He would do anything for his children, always had since his wife, Kayiko, died giving birth to Cheijun, but, deep inside, knew there was a line he could not cross. He would not sacrifice everything and everyone.
He found his steps were dragging. He had been inside Asami and Gaibun’s reception room more times than he could count and, besides, it was in the same position as his own, the two villas being almost identical in their floor plan. But the knowledge his father was waiting there added lead to his wooden sandals. What would he say? How would he act? While in Vales, Sendatsu had dreamed of confronting his father. There he had been full of bold words and strong ideas. But now he had the chance — and his tongue was tied in knots.
He waited for a moment outside the reception room. I have faced Forlish swordsmen, torture and losing my children. I can face anything. For them, I will face anything, he told himself, then opened the door.
His father had his back to the door, holding up a vase to the light, but instantly spun, placing the vase down without a second look.
For a long moment father and son stared at each other.
‘I see you bathed and remembered to dress correctly. I’m pleased to see you did not turn into a gaijin when you were out in the human world, although you seem to have forgotten your manners,’ Jaken said harshly.
Sendatsu’s first instinct was to bow deeply, to grovel and apologise, to offer Jaken the respect he was owed as father and clan leader. But he remembered all he had done, all the Velsh people depending on him — as well as the two children waiting for his return — and instead he stood straighter.
‘I forgot nothing. Including how you ordered my death. So why should I offer you respect?’ Sendatsu felt his hammering heart calm down as soon as he spoke.
Jaken’s eyes flashed and Sendatsu felt himself automatically move into a defensive position. He had faced his father, with and without swords, often enough to know the warning signs.
Then Jaken smiled and strode across the room, opening his arms.
‘It seems you learned something among the gaijin! At last, you are growing into my son! Come, let me embrace you.’
Every instinct told Sendatsu to back away, every memory screamed the same thing — but he refused to show fear before his father. So he stepped forwards, holding out his own arms, his back tensed for an attack.
But his father embraced him, patted him on the back and gestured towards a couch.
‘Sit down, we have much to discuss,’ he said with a smile. ‘I am sure you are anxious to hear about Mai and Cheijun.’
Sendatsu took a seat cautiously, sent completely off balance by his father’s actions. Everything he does is for a purpose, he told himself.
‘Your children are fine, although obviously missing you. Your mother has taken care of them and, truth be told, has enjoyed spoiling them. We brought most of their toys and books over from your home when we cleared up the mess you left, so there is something familiar around them. You will be able to see them soon, I am sure. I know it must have been hard for you — but it has also been good for you.’
‘What do you mean?’ Sendatsu asked warily.
‘Look at you — fitter than ever and returned with enough backbone to stand up to me. Finally! If I had known what it would take, I would have sent you out there years ago.’
‘Was that why you sent Hanto out there to kill me?’ Sendatsu growled.
‘Did Hanto try to kill you?’
‘He did,’ Sendatsu said immediately, although, as he thought about it, he realised Hanto had helped him once and initially tried to harm only Huw and Rhiannon.
‘He was ordered to bring you back. Alive. He knew his death would follow yours — although his would be incredibly painful. As for your last night in Dokuzen, Hanto exceeded his orders. He seemed almost possessed, as if someone had magically changed him. There were no orders for your death.’
‘Really? That was not what I heard!’
‘From Gaibun?’ Jaken said quickly. ‘I question where his loyalties lie. Is he helping you, is he helping me or is he playing his own game? You need to ask him about that night.’
‘Are you saying he would break the habit of a lifetime, throw away his father’s teachings and act dishonourably?’
Jaken shrugged. ‘That is for him to answer. But ask yourself this: if he is so honourable, why does he keep lovers all over Dokuzen?’
Sendatsu ground his
teeth. His father was doing it again, twisting everything around, making it sound like he was the only one with all the answers.
‘But let us put that aside. I tell you now that I never sought your death — it was the last thing I wanted. We need to talk about more pressing matters, such as how you came back at the perfect time, even if you bring gaijin —’
‘I did not know what was going on here. I came back to help my friends,’ Sendatsu said.
‘Friends? An interesting way to describe them,’ Jaken mused. ‘They are lesser beings, without magic or intelligence. It is our destiny to rule them — I have discovered that truth. Now you have returned, you can give me your knowledge of their world to help make it happen.’
‘I came here to help the Velsh, not make them into slaves —’
‘Who cares about one tribe of humans? But if they mean so much to you, I shall destroy their enemies and raise them above all others. They can be our trusted allies, answerable only to me,’ Jaken offered.
‘They do not want that. They want to be free.’
‘And what do you want?’
‘Father?’
‘That is the real question. I think you can help me and advance the cause of clan Tadayoshi. We already know that you want your children back, and they are in my power. So let us put aside the past and talk about the future.’
‘Go on,’ Sendatsu said warily.
‘This is what I want from you. You and your humans will persuade Daichi that the gaijin attacking our barrier are the nightmare all of Dokuzen has been trembling about for the last three centuries — even though you and I both know that to be a lie. I want Daichi to give me the clans, so I can lead them out through the barrier and conquer the human world. Again your humans will help me, identifying ways of beating any human opposition. Once they bow down before us, and riches the esemono can only dream of begin flowing back to Dokuzen, there will be no debate about who is to be Elder Elf. And, if there is, the army I have created will be the final answer.’
Sendatsu licked dry lips, his mind racing. ‘Assuming that we do that, what do we get in return?’
Jaken smiled. ‘What you want. Your children returned to you, in your home again. Your crimes, which saw you flee Dokuzen — all forgotten. Rather than being a hunted fugitive, wanted for slaying Council Guards, that night never happened. You can pick up your old life, exactly as it was before. And your humans can live in peace and freedom, enjoying all the benefits of being the only humans we trust — as long as they swear loyalty to me.’