Death's Kiss

by Josh Reynolds

  “I do not think they intended to rob you. I think they meant to kill you. Indeed, I think they were there specifically to do so.”

  “Preposterous.”

  “Someone tried to kill me as well.”

  “That I believe,” Reiji spat.

  Shin smiled. “Yes, well, in any event it seems we have both angered the same person. I would like to try and find out who they are, before they try again. To that end, it would be best if you answered my questions.”

  Reiji hesitated. Then, “Fine. Ask.”

  “Good. Tell me about Gen.”

  Reiji glared at him. “We were friends.”

  “You owed him money.”

  “Who told you that?” Reiji demanded.

  “Is it true?”

  “Maybe.”

  “How much?”

  “More than I could ever pay back.” Reiji spoke with reluctance. “He loaned me money when I needed it. And I paid him when I could. When he asked.”

  “If you had no money, how did you pay him?”

  Reiji hesitated. “Favors,” he said, finally. “Well, just the one, really.”

  “Which was?”

  Reiji looked away. Shin leaned forward. “I cannot help you if you do not talk to me. And you badly need my help, I think. What was the favor?”

  “I convinced my father that Aimi ought to marry Gen.” Reiji slumped. He slid down the wall of the cell and sat. “It would have solved everyone’s problems.” His expression twisted. “But of course, Aimi didn’t see it that way. She barely gave him the time of day, and for a man like Gen, that was an insult. When I got those poems, I thought… I thought she’d finally come to see reason.”

  “Why?”

  Reiji looked at him as if he’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “Well, she wrote them for him. Who else would she be writing poems about?”

  “She didn’t write them,” Shin said, absently. “I’m surprised you didn’t register the difference in handwriting styles. Who told you that she had?”

  Another hesitation. Shin could see the wheels turning in the young man’s mind. He wasn’t a complete fool – just self-centered and inobservant. “Shijan. He… He, well, his man Yo, said that he’d found them, and it was a… a sign that she was thawing. That her intransigence was an act. Shijan told me to tell him, to show him the poems…” He trailed off and looked quizzically at Shin. “Why would he do that, if she hadn’t written them?”

  “Why indeed. Why did you steal papers from your cousin?”

  “I didn’t! I’m not a thief!” Reiji’s disgust at the accusation was real.

  Shin frowned. “No, you didn’t, did you?”

  Yuzu’s words came back to him, and he thought about Shijan’s debts and missing papers. And about a missing father. About accidents and sabotage. And then he thought about Shijan himself – ambitious but out of his depth. What might that sort of man do, if he felt he had no choice?

  Shin stepped back. “Batu will release you tomorrow into the custody of your family.” He closed the cell door. Reiji leapt to his feet.

  “Wait – no!”

  “Yes. You are safe here. And your safety is paramount.” Kasami slid the bar back into place. Shin turned, and she followed him out.

  Batu was waiting for them outside. “I’ve just had a messenger from Ide Sora. Shijan has demanded his cousin’s release, and she concurs.”

  “Did you explain matters to them?”

  “I have not yet sent a message in reply.” Batu turned, watching the fireflies dance among the trees. “What did he tell you?”

  “Enough to know that if that happens, he will be dead within hours, courtesy of his cousin.”

  Batu looked at him. “Shijan?” he asked, in disbelief.

  Shin nodded. “Unfortunately, I believe so. Shijan is the one who gave Ruri’s poems to Reiji, and encouraged him to give them to Gen.”

  “Why? He must have known what would happen.”

  “I think he was counting on it.”

  “We must tell someone… Ide Sora – no, I will arrest him. Tonight.” Batu made as if to go, but Shin stopped him.

  “Wait.”

  Batu shook his head. “No. We have him. You were right.”

  “If you accuse Shijan, what do you accomplish?” Shin said, quickly. “His word against yours – you are Iuchi, so you will carry the day. But if Ide Sora speaks up on his behalf?”

  Batu frowned. “A stalemate.”

  “Exactly. And in her favor, given the importance of the negotiations to both families. We must have witnesses – we must drown them in testimony. We must have confessions that repudiate Shijan’s claims of innocence.”

  “What sort of confessions? By whom?”

  “Honesty-sama, for one.”

  Batu stared at him. “Are you mad?”

  “No. But Honesty-sama is the one who sent a man to kill me – which he has no reason to do, unless someone had paid him to do so. The same for Reiji’s attackers. It would not surprise me if more such assassinations are planned.”

  Batu shook his head. “But what does he gain from this?”

  “A good question.” Shin paused. Then, “The negotiations are to be finalized tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where?”

  “I… I don’t know. Presumably the Shiko estate.”

  “And everyone will be there, yes?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “If I were of a mind to disrupt the negotiations, I might see such a gathering as a gift from the Fortunes. What might happen if someone – or several someones – were killed during this celebration?” Shin looked at Batu. “Shijan, if it is him, has already shown a willingness to employ hired killers to do his work for him. What is to stop him from doing so again?”

  “They would see the futility of it, obviously. There will be guards–”

  “Guards can be bribed, or killed. And there are other methods available to them than storming the front gate. Poison, for instance.”

  “Poison?”

  “In the food. The result is the same whether they approach boldly or subtly – confusion, chaos, and both sides looking for someone to blame.” Shin smirked. “Really, this could not have worked out better. How will it look, if, for instance, a high-ranking Ide is killed here?”

  Batu went pale. “He wouldn’t. No one could be so… so brazen.”

  “Perhaps not. Perhaps you are right. But what if you are not?” Shin turned away, hands folded before him. “I have a suggestion, if you are willing to hear it.”

  Batu rubbed his face, eyes closed. “Tell me.”

  “Suggest that they hold the final meeting here. That way you can keep an eye on Reiji tonight.”

  “They’ll never agree to that.”

  “What if you tell them that you will pass final judgment on Katai Ruri at the gathering? That way both sides will be able to hear it for themselves, and be satisfied with your decision. They will be unable to resist the drama of it, I think.” Shin smiled widely. “I know I would be hard-pressed to do so.”

  Batu gave him a suspicious look. “What are you up to?”

  “I wish only to settle this affair, Batu – and do so in such a way that your status is raised in the eyes of your family.” Shin grinned at him. “Really, this is all for your benefit. You might say thank you… though you’ll forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.”

  “And what do you intend to do, while I’m doing this?”

  Shin smiled. “I intend to visit Honesty-sama and find out why he tried to kill me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Gamble

  “He tried to kill me!”

  Yuzu was incensed. Emiko had never heard the normally unflappable merchant so aggrieved. “It is unacceptable,” he barked, slapping a partition wall with
his hand.

  They were meeting in the back room of an onsen this time. Emiko could smell the sulfur and taste the damp on the air. She heard boards creak from somewhere close by as bathers made their way to the water.

  It was not her favorite meeting place, for there were too many smells and sensations. But they could not meet in the same place twice in a row. It was too dangerous, especially now.

  The city was abuzz with word of what had occurred, and the magistrate’s deputies were on every street corner, rousting anyone even remotely suspicious looking. That included blind musicians. She knew who was ultimately responsible, and felt a flicker of annoyance at herself for not dealing with them when she’d had the opportunity. Now, everything they’d worked towards was in danger. All because one man couldn’t do what he was told.

  “The Crane was the target, not you,” Fumihiro said, chiding Yuzu. She could hear the smile in the noble merchant’s voice as he spoke. Fumihiro had been most amused by Yuzu’s brush with death. Emiko had not. She could not see, but she was not blind in the ways that mattered.

  Tashiro had brought word that Shijan was up to something. Why else would he have hired men to kill the Crane and his own cousin? These were not the actions of someone planning to lay low until things settled down. She wondered if it might not have been better to kill him at the shrine.

  “I do not think hired killers make such distinctions. I was a witness. He would have happily butchered me, had the Crane not intervened.” Yuzu paused to catch his breath. “This has gone on long enough. Action must be taken.”

  “What do you propose?” Eiji growled. “You’re the one who counselled us to do nothing. To let him play out his string. You cannot moan about it now.”

  “And yet here I am – moaning. As for what I propose, it’s simple… We kill him. Now. Make him vanish, the way we have made others vanish.”

  In the silence that followed, Emiko knew that she had become the center of attention. She smiled thinly and shook her head. “There are too many eyes on him now, with the negotiations largely settled. For him to vanish would only be to invite more attention. Something we still wish to avoid, yes?”

  “She is right,” Fumihiro said.

  “And so is Yuzu,” another voice interjected. Ichika. The geisha spoke softly, her voice lilting and gentle. “Our friend is no longer our friend. He is a stone, threatening to drag us under. We must cut him loose.”

  “As I said – kill him,” Yuzu said.

  “It would be easy enough. We have someone in the household who can accomplish the deed. We could ensure that evidence of his debts and other unsavory practices made it into the hands of the magistrate, making it appear as if it were a retaliatory killing.” Emiko sighed and shook her head in mock sadness. “Everyone knows that the criminals of Northern Owari will kill anyone, regardless of status.”

  “A good idea,” Yuzu said, approvingly.

  “And what if he escapes?” Eiji grumbled. “What then, eh? Will we hunt him down – or let him go?”

  Another long pause followed this question. Emiko listened to the murmurs and whispers of her fellow travelers. If it were left to them, they would argue the matter unto death. She considered saying nothing else. As far as she was concerned, she had done enough. Still – the great work was unending, and all must contribute.

  She tapped the floor with her cane. The noise echoed through the room. Silence fell. She lifted her head. “There is danger here, but also opportunity.”

  “Say on,” Ichika said. She sounded amused. Emiko wondered if she had seen it herself. The others clearly hadn’t.

  “If he is no longer our friend, he will be desperate to hide his complicity,” Emiko said. “In attempting to do so, he may well further our ends despite himself. So let him scheme and twist himself into knots. Whatever he does, we will profit by it. Then, when he has made his move – we strike. We cut the cord and let the weight of their justice fall upon him, and him alone.”

  Someone cleared their throat – Tashiro. He had been the last to arrive. “There is another complication. The Crane… he has made it known in the last few hours that he wishes to speak to Honesty-sama.”

  “And?” Yuzu asked.

  “Honesty-sama is not inclined to listen; in fact, I rather think he intends to kill the Crane – as a warning to others, if nothing else.”

  “That would be unfortunate,” Yuzu said, quickly. “The Crane’s death would prompt further investigation, not least from his clan.”

  “Blame would surely fall on the Unicorn,” Eiji said. He sounded pleased. “His death would be to their detriment.”

  “Or to ours,” Yuzu said. “Especially if it is somehow tied to our tame – or should I say formerly tame – bushi.”

  Fumihiro snorted. “And how would that happen? Planning to tell them yourself?”

  “I am simply saying that the Crane’s death would open us up to further danger.” Yuzu grunted. “And, too, it seems a waste.”

  “What do you mean?” Ichika asked.

  “He means that the Crane might be a candidate for recruitment,” Emiko said.

  Silence fell. Recruitment was a serious concern – it was necessary, but dangerous. The sect could not thrive without it, but every new recruit had the potential to endanger all that they had worked for. They had to be observed closely; vetted and tested; and finally, the other members had to unanimously agree to allow them to join. If at any point they failed, they would be disposed of.

  “Why not just buy him, the way we bought the Zeshi?” Fumihiro asked. “Simpler by far, and more efficient.”

  “Except look where that’s gotten us,” Yuzu said, acidly. “No, the Crane has potential – but only if he survives whatever Shi – our friend – has planned.”

  “Or maybe you’re feeling sentimental because he saved your fat neck,” Fumihiro shot back. “You’re the one who told us how dangerous the Crane is. He’s the real threat here, not that fool, Shijan.” A muffled murmur followed this, and Fumihiro snorted. “Oh please. We’ve as good as washed our hands of the Zeshi. We may as well say his name.”

  “The Crane is a threat,” Ichika said. Emiko heard Yuzu make a sound of protest, hastily stifled. She went on. “But as Emiko said, in danger is opportunity. And great danger makes for great opportunity.”

  Emiko smiled.

  •••

  Shijan stared out the window at the lights down below. The city. His city, soon. If his gamble paid off. He was due a win, he thought. Hopefully the Fortunes agreed. It was a shame his opening gambit had failed, of course. But one could not expect everything to go one’s way in games of deceit and death.

  He heard Yo enter the room behind him, and sighed softly. “Any word?”

  “No, my lord. Your cousin remains in custody.”

  “Fine. It is just as well. He would only get in the way.” Shijan turned. “Aimi?”

  “Lady Aimi is in her room.”

  “Good. She will accompany us tomorrow.” Batu’s request for the negotiations to be concluded at his home had proven momentarily concerning. A change of venue meant a change of plan, but one had to know how to adapt.

  “Are you certain that is wise, my lord?”

  “It is necessary,” Shijan said, not without some regret. But victory could not be achieved without cost – and great victories often had great costs. “Are the men ready?”

  “As ready as such men ever can be.”

  “They know what is to be done?”

  “If they do not, we will know of it soon enough.” A rare flash of humor from the normally humorless Yo. Shijan frowned.

  “That is not good enough. Things must go perfectly, else we risk everything coming undone. That will not do.”

  “No. It will not.” Yo paused. “Tell me, my lord – what is the point of this?”

  Shijan laughed. “You, of all
people, ask me that?”

  Yo paused. A brief look of puzzlement crossed his face. Shijan smirked. “Come, come. Do not play the fool. I know whom you serve. I know that you are here not for my benefit, but that of your unseen masters.”

  Yo bowed his head. “Then perhaps you will see fit to answer my question.”

  Shijan snorted. “What do you think the point is, fool? To serve your ends and mine.”

  “Your ends, perhaps,” Yo said, softly. “Not ours, I think. We asked you to be quiet. To wait. This is not waiting and it most certainly will not be quiet.”

  Shijan did not meet his servant’s bland gaze. “No. It will not be. But it will serve your purpose nonetheless. When it is done, I will be more useful to your compatriots than ever, and you will thank me for it.”

  “I do not think we will,” Yo said. Even now, he spoke respectfully. He tilted his head, his open, honest eyes fixed on Shijan. “We have done so much for you, Zeshi Shijan, and ask for so little in return. And you cannot even give us that.”

  The anger came back – in truth, it had never really gone away. He recalled his humiliation as he realized that Yuzu had beaten him in a game of dice. The heimin merchant had forced him into servitude, as if he were no better than a peasant.

  Then had come the worst of it – the threat to reveal his humiliation unless he sold information to Honesty-sama; and not just information relating to Zeshi deliveries, but that of the Shiko as well. He did not know how Yuzu had gotten it, and he did not ask.

  He had been caught between two tigers, forced to feed both lest he be devoured himself. Forced to sabotage his own family, as well as the Shiko, all to save himself – not his life, but from the shame of it all. Or so he told himself.

  Then had come the command to disrupt the engagement, to further exacerbate the hostility between the families. Only now, it seemed, his mysterious enslavers were worried by what he’d done. More, they were afraid. And finally, he had an opportunity to turn his servitude to his advantage.

  “What have you ever done for me?” Shijan demanded, letting the anger he felt creep into his voice. “You rig a game of chance, put me in debt to a criminal, make me your puppet… these are not the gifts you imagine.”