If circumstances require.
She was appalled. It is his death poem, she realized, and he has sent it to me. Presumptuous fool! On the verge of calling for a servant to have the letter returned, Nishima realized that Jaku might indeed die the next day. He was apparently estranged from his brother—who would he leave his final words to?
It is a small thing, she told herself. In all likelihood the guardsman will survive—it will be a cuckolded husband who brings about the Black Tiger’s end—and then I will have the poem returned without comment.
She put the two poems into her sleeve and sat watching the lamp flame flicker. From beyond the thin wall of her tent the sound of a soldier’s flute rose up, as light and uncertain as the flight of a butterfly. Listening not as a musician but with her heart, Nishima found the music very beautiful, evoking an image of a fragile, solitary spirit.
A rustling of the tent fabric and a soft voice. “Lady Nishima? Please excuse my intrusion.”
It was Shuyun. She rose quickly to her feet and crossed toward the opening.
“Ah. My servants found you, Brother,” she said quietly. “Please enter.”
Shuyun slipped in through the opening. “I met no servants, Lady Nishima,” he said.
He has come of his own will, Nishima thought, and this gladdened her heart. She reached out and took his hand, drawing him into the room.
“You cannot address me as Lady Nishima here, Shuyun-sum, it is not permissible.” She smiled and received a smile in return.
“You sit alone, Nishima-sum. I am concerned.”
She shrugged, lowering herself to a cushion. “How can one sleep? Tomorrow the world I know will change utterly. Many, many will die, perhaps some that are close to me. I feel separated from my emotions in the face of this.” Nishima reached over and turned down the flame on the lamp. “When my mother died, I remember feeling much like this, as though the shock of what had occurred rendered me incapable of feeling for some time. I remember doing all the things that were required of me, appearing very controlled to everyone, but inside…Botahara save me.
“It was more than just the loss of my mother. A time was over suddenly and I felt that I had never given it the attention required to properly appreciate it. Everything had changed. It was as though I had been traveling in a safe canal and suddenly found myself at sea—a sea of uncertainty. I had never truly appreciated the canal and it was past.”
She looked up, searching for understanding and felt the monk’s warm hand squeeze her own. She smoothed a crease in her robe. “I look back at my recent journeys on the canal and think that I understand things that seemed impossible to untangle before. I realize, now, that Jaku Katta is truly the tiger, driven by instincts he can neither understand nor control, and Lord Komawara, whom I thought impossibly parochial, is thoughtful and noble and quietly very brave. Kitsura-sum and I are often spoiled and compete with each other just as we did when we were children, and my uncle is working tirelessly to preserve an Empire that the Shonto have shaped longer than any Imperial dynasty.” She caught the monk’s eye again. “And you, my friend…are out of place in this world, in the House of a great lord. Yet I sense that you are not at peace within your own Order either. Where is your place, Shuyun-sum? You…you look so troubled.”
He shook his head. “I have been in a council. Lord Shonto did not want to wake you immediately.” Shuyun took a controlled breath. “I’m sure he would rather speak to you himself, but…Lord Shonto has agreed to surrender his army to the Emperor. We will join the refugees fleeing to Yankura in a few hours.”
Nishima pressed her forehead with her hand, remaining like that for some time. Then she moved forward until she pressed her cheek against Shuyun’s neck and he held her.
“What will become of us,” Nishima whispered. “Whatever will become of us?”
Fifty-nine
ALL PREPARATIONS WERE made in the dark or the dim light of covered lamps. It was crucial that the barbarians saw nothing untoward or they might react in ways no one could predict. Nishima heard more than saw her tent come down in the dark. She was standing in the midst of total chaos, Kitsura clinging to her arm as though she feared Nishima would evaporate into the darkness at any second.
The two women were dressed in men’s hunting costumes, the better for riding, and perhaps the thought of this unsettled Lady Kitsura even more—she had less experience with horses than her cousin.
Although she had spoken a few words with her uncle, the meeting had not been private and Nishima still did not know the reason for Shonto’s sudden decision to surrender his army to the Emperor. Some part of her wanted to believe it was a ruse of the gii master, an apparent sacrifice that opened the gate of an elaborate trap.
Yankura was the destination everyone mentioned or the Islands of Konojii, but Shonto had said neither to her, so she was uncertain of their direction.
The great lord met with his advisors now, planning the move of the army to the Emperor’s position. The Emperor was expecting the surrender of the Shonto along with the army but this was not to be so. All of those the Emperor named in his scroll would flee with the Shonto; Jaku Katta, Lord Komawara, and all of the Shonto family retainers and senior advisors. The oaths of the Shonto House Guard would never allow them to join the Yamaku. It would not be a small party able to move quickly, and this concerned Nishima.
“There is a hint of gray in the east, cousin,” Kitsura said, her voice curiously high-pitched. “Should we not be on our way?”
Turning to the east, Nishima could see no signs of light. “We have time yet, Kitsu-sum. Be patient.”
Servants bustled about, sorting clothing and other goods, packing trunks and bags. Much would be left behind, Nishima realized, but this did not seem important. She was concerned for her staff, and this thought brought an image of Shimeko to her mind. Where had she disappeared to, Nishima wondered? Such a troubled soul but someone Nishima had developed an affection for. I should never have allowed her aboard that infernal ship, Nishima thought.
Her last memory of the plague ship was of it passing along a side canal toward a Botanist monastery. The land there was so flat it seemed to be setting out across the fields, sails full and drawing, the terrifying green banner waving against the blue sky.
“May Botahara protect her,” Nishima whispered.
“Cousin?”
“I am reduced to mumbling. Please excuse me.”
She felt Kitsura’s grip tighten on her arm for a moment in reassurance.
* * *
Lord Taiki rode toward the two torches, their copper light reflecting dully off black lacquered armor in the darkness and fog. Clearing his throat so that his presence would be known, Taiki whispered to a guard. “Give the signal.”
A lamp opened quickly, three times, and a torch dipped once in reply, leaving an arc of flame hanging in the air for the briefest instant.
They continued forward. Shapes took form in the fog-riders in black.
“Colonel Jaku? I am the emissary of Lord Shonto Motoru.” Taiki spoke quietly.
“Come forward, Lord Taiki.”
A pace apart Taiki stopped and looked at the young man illuminated in the torch light. He wore an unadorned helmet and his face-mask hung open revealing a fine-boned silhouette. The green eyes could not be seen and Taiki was surprised that he would think of this.
“I have orders to conduct Lord Shonto through the lines into the presence of the Emperor, Lord Taiki.”
Taiki took a long breath. “Lord Shonto slipped away with his family and senior advisors, Colonel Jaku.”
Silence.
Taiki saw Tadamoto reach out and take a plait of his horse’s mane into his gloved hand. “And my brother, Katta?”
“He has disappeared also along with Lord Komawara.”
“I see. My Emperor’s instructions were very clear: if I sense treachery, I am to cut you down and retreat.”
Taiki controlled his urge to rest a hand on his sword hilt. “There is no t
reachery, Colonel. Lord Shonto warned the Emperor of this invasion months ago. He has done everything within his power to prepare the Empire for this war. Lord Shonto was ignored. He has now given up his army for the defense of the Empire. Do you expect him to forfeit his life as well?” Taiki realized he had raised his voice and forced his next words in the most reasonable tones. “There is no treachery, Colonel Jaku. Only a desire to save Wa. I am prepared to move our force, retreat or attack or prepare for battle as we are. I will surrender command to whomever you appoint. Do not fear, Colonel Jaku, we will not risk a war between our own army and the forces of the Emperor with a barbarian army standing ready. I await your instructions.”
The sounds of clattering armor and horses stamping and calling out to each other carried across the empty field. The barbarians were stirring.
“Bring your men in an organized file down the southwest slope of your hill and form them into ranks behind the position of the Imperial Army. This must be done quickly, Lord Taiki, it is our intention to retreat under cover of morning fog. We must move south. This position is not favorable.”
“You will surrender the capital, then?”
Tadamoto did not answer. “It is the Emperor’s will that you retain command of Shonto’s army for now,” he said. “By the hour of the hare we will have begun moving south. Further orders will be sent to you.”
Jaku Tadamoto turned his horse and moved back into the darkness, the torches borne by his guard were quickly consumed by the fog.
* * *
Shonto knelt on cushions set out on a flat section of stone projecting from the side of the hill. Lamps had been hung in the trees nearby, but the apparent tranquillity of the scene was belied by the sounds of an army moving in the darkness around them.
“No news could be more welcome, Lord Taiki,” Shonto said, his voice calm. “It was my fear that the Emperor would make a stand upon this field, and I would have committed my troops to a slaughter. General Hojo will assist you in moving the army, Lord Taiki, and then will join my party. You have much to do, may Botahara be with you.” Shonto bowed low.
“Sire. I take on this duty out of loyalty to the Empire and because you wish it,” Lord Taiki said, carefully keeping emotion out of his voice. “The Emperor does not command the smallest part of my loyalty. When the Khan is defeated…”
Shonto held up his hand. “When the Khan is defeated, there will be much to do to restore the Empire. The commander of an Imperial Army cannot speak of civil war. Choose your words with care, Lord Taiki, even in this company. The Emperor trusts few men.”
Taiki hesitated and then bowed, touching his forehead to the cool earth. He retreated three paces and rose to his feet, the company bowing to him as he turned and walked beyond the circle of light.
Shonto nodded to General Hojo who hurried after Taiki lest the lord become lost to him in the darkness.
“Kamu-sum, is our party ready to travel?”
Kamu bowed quickly. “They will be, Lord Shonto, before the hour of the hare, if need be.”
Shonto gave a tight smile. “Please see to our preparations.”
Kamu bowed, slipping off into the night as quietly as a Botanist monk.
Lord Komawara bowed then. Like the others present he wore full armor, his helmet tucked under his arm. “May I see to my troops, Sire? I can offer some small assistance to Lord Taiki before we depart.”
Shonto nodded. “We must be gone soon after sunrise, Lord Komawara. Do what you can, but we cannot wait.”
As had Lord Taiki, Komawara touched his head to the ground before retreating and hurrying off.
“General Jaku, no doubt you wish to do the same.”
Jaku nodded.
Shonto gave the guardsman a half bow. “An hour after the sunrise.”
Jaku, too, bowed low and disappeared into the darkness.
Shonto was left facing Lord Butto who, like Lord Taiki, was not seen as part of Shonto’s rebellion and would join the Imperial Army.
Butto Joda bowed low and returned to a kneeling position, a boy in armor laced in purple.
He is no boy, Shonto reminded himself, he is a formidable strategist and ruthless when necessary.
Shonto nodded, acknowledging the young lord.
“Sire, if I may presume…. No one would expect you to go north. If you traveled the edge of the foothills you would come to my fief. It would be an easy thing to hide there. The Butto hunting lodge is secluded and not uncomfortable. I would send word ahead of you. And, Lord Shonto, the mountains could be a last resort. Even if Akantsu can defeat this Khan, he will look for you to go south or to cross the Inner Sea to the islands. You have assisted the Butto in the past, Lord Shonto, and now sacrifice much for the sake of our Empire. I would risk the displeasure of the Son of Heaven without hesitation if I could assist you in any way.”
Shonto was silent a moment. “This is a generous offer, Lord Butto. The future is so unclear, I would hesitate to earn anyone the Yamaku’s enmity. The Emperor may retain his throne yet. Do not endanger your House as I have mine. The Yamaku will not be a dynasty like the Mori—their ascendancy will not last. Do not be concerned, Lord Butto, the Shonto have survived far worse than this. We are practiced in the art of waiting.” He gave the young lord a brief smile. “Lord Taiki will need your assistance, may Botahara walk beside you.”
Lord Butto bowed again. “May the Perfect Master watch over your House, Lord Shonto.” Bowing low again, the tiny figure backed away and hurried off.
Shonto sat alone but for his guard who kept their distance, kneeling in perfect silence.
A whisper came from beyond the lamp light. “Uncle?”
Shonto smiled. “Lady Nishima. Please, do not be shy.”
As she stepped into the light, Shonto was confronted with the sight of his daughter dressed in the clothes of a boy.
“Like Princess Shatsima, I am ready to flee to the wilds if that is your wish, Sire.”
Shonto smiled, despite the gravity of the situation. “I am certain that Shatsima never looked so lovely nor faced her exile with such courage. You do honor to your House, Lady Nishima.”
She came and perched on the edge of the stone. “I am certain Princess Shatsima not only exhibited but also felt more courage, Uncle.” She waved a hand in the direction the Shonto army moved. “It shames me to feel such trepidation when I am not among those who will join the battle.”
Shonto shook his head. “After Rohku Tadamori witnessed the fall of Rhojo-ma, he told his father that he would rather die in a thousand battles than stand by and watch others give their lives. It is a common thing to feel. There is little comfort in this knowledge, but I am certain that you would enter the battle as willingly as any man of arms, were that your part to play. Those who do not wield a sword will yet be called upon, Nishi-sum. An act of bravery may be asked of each of us before this war is over.”
Nishima nodded her head, sadly it seemed. “I pray I am equal to it, Sire.”
“We all have the same prayer, Nishi-sum, even the bravest.”
Nishima waved toward the eastern horizon. “It grows light. Sunrise is not distant now. Is it time?”
“I wait only for the few to return who assist Lord Taiki: Jaku Katta, Hojo, and Lord Komawara. They will not be long.”
The blaring of horns and the clashing of metal shook the air suddenly and Nishima and Shonto turned to look out toward the field.
“Botahara save us,” Nishima whispered. “What is that?”
“An army preparing for battle. The Khan grows impatient to sit upon his throne.”
“Will he attack today, then?”
“The army he seeks will be gone when the fog clears. Then this barbarian chieftain will be tested. Will he pursue the Emperor’s army or will he choose to ascend the throne and declare himself Emperor of Wa? It is the question our Emperor would give half his wealth to have answered.”
“No one can know, Uncle, this Khan is a great mystery. Who is he? From where did he come?”
“Uncle, this is not possible! How can you tease at a time such as this?”
“It is the truth, Nishi-sum. His mother was of the House of Tokiko, married to a lord of Seh. Barbarian raiders abducted her and she bore a son in the desert.” Shonto waved toward the north. “And now he comes to claim his birthright.”
Nishima looked out into the still, dark night, where the fires of the barbarian camp glowed in the mist. “So it is he who has lived in the wilds, like Shatsima, waiting to reclaim his throne.” Nishima pressed her fingers to her chin. “It is as Hakata said. During times of upheaval, when history is created daily, miracles become commonplace.”
The horns echoed off the hills again and a stillness answered as the moving army paused to listen. There was no answer from the opposing camp who prepared their retreat.
Shonto reached out and took his daughter’s hand. “Join Kamu-sum and Brother Shuyun, now. I will wait a while to see that all has gone well. Stay close to Brother Shuyun, Nishima-sum, he is charged with your safety.”
Nishima sat for a second and then spoke in a small voice. “May I not wait with you?”
Shaking his head, Shonto squeezed her hand. “The less experienced riders should not come last. Watch over your cousin, she will find this an ordeal, I fear.”
Nishima sat saying nothing, then put her arms around Shonto. Neither spoke for a moment, then Nishima released him, touching his cheek as she turned to go.
* * *
The body armor was slipped over the Emperor’s head by attendants and the lacings tightened.
“Enter, Colonel,” the Son of Heaven said to Tadamoto who hovered outside the entrance to the tent.
Tadamoto knelt and bowed his head to the ground, moving forward awkwardly in his armor.
The Initiate Brother Duology Page 92