The Fox's Mask

by Anna Frost

  “Rabbit. It’s delicious. Here.” He swapped his fish for Yuki’s meat, more than happy to shove bleeding food in his mouth.

  When asked, the guards at the front gate reported they hadn’t seen Jien and Sanae yet. Akakiba settled to wait on a large, flat rock. He would have told Yuki to go and do something else, but he wasn’t sure what he could suggest. Besides, he didn’t want a clueless human wandering alone in the clan house; it could lead to trouble.

  “Isn’t that your mother near the shrine?” Yuki asked.

  The shrine in question was tiny and nestled against the wall. It comprised a source of water for the purification of hands and mouth, a red gate marking its entrance, and a building no larger than a man’s spread arms that hosted the altar. The addition of two fox statues marked this shrine as one dedicated to Inari, the fox god.

  Even from afar, Akakiba could see that offerings had been added recently, likely by the woman who knelt nearby with her hands folded in her lap. She was aiming her gaze at the front gate. It was indeed Akahana.

  The three of them watched the road and the forest that framed it. It was not heavily traveled since it led nowhere but to their clan house.

  The sun was well into its downward curve when a figure appeared in the distance. At first, he did not pay attention. He was looking for two figures, not a single one. Then pessimism gripped him, and he looked again. One figure? Was that a simple staff it held or was it a spear?

  Soon he could tell it was a person carrying another on its back and that it was indeed a spear the figure held, leaning on it as it limped.

  He left the rock to go stand in the doorway, near where the guards were staring and murmuring. By custom, they were bound to wait until the returning youth crossed the line into the clan house.

  Finally, Jien was there, crossing the threshold. He was bent low by Sanae’s limp weight. They crowded around to offer help.

  Akahana laid a hand on her daughter. “Sanae? Where are you hurt?”

  Sanae opened her eyes and lifted her head from Jien’s shoulder, squinting at them. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Oh, we’re back. Good. I twisted my ankle.”

  “I’m dying,” Jien moaned. “She’s so heavy!”

  The sound of flesh brutally hitting flesh resounded. Akakiba stared at his mother. Had she just smacked Jien? She had.

  “You carried her all the way back because she twisted her ankle? Fool!”

  “But it hurts! Look at it!” Hobbling on one foot, Sanae showed them the other. The ankle was twice the size it should have been.

  “I think it might be broken,” Jien added, looking sulky with his red cheek. “I didn’t want her to make it worse by walking on it.”

  “Help me, Yuki,” Akakiba said, moving to support his sister on one side. Yuki took the other, and together they lifted her off the ground to bring her inside.

  “Aki,” his mother said. “She can walk!”

  “If the ankle is broken, we can’t risk it healing wrong.” It would have been needlessly cruel to add “like yours did,” so he refrained. “You know how Sanae is. She’d worsen it.”

  Sanae slapped his arm. “Hey! I’m brave and great, that’s how I am! I took not a scratch you hear? I slew it without it even touching me!”

  “She tripped on a rock afterwards, when she was dancing in triumph,” Jien explained.

  “Jien! You didn’t have to tell them that!”

  “Sanae, the great demon slayer,” Akakiba said dryly, “wounded by a rock.”

  “Oh, I remember in what state you came back, Brother. You were a complete, ugly mess. My young and innocent self was traumatized for hours! I, on the other hand, return blood-less. Take that.”

  Their bickering was interrupted by the arrival of the clan healer, a man of middle age hobbling on a fake leg that was little more than a wooden stick attached to a metal contraption that covered the stump. Wounded young, Maru had been forced to change his career quickly. He liked to say healing was better suited to his nature, but Akakiba suspected the loss of his leg had been a devastating blow. Most seemed to share his sentiment, and Maru was treated with careful respect. It was uncommon for a hunter to lose an entire limb and survive: blood loss was a terrible enemy and a lone hunter had limited resources. There was the healing sleep, but it had its dangers.

  Akakiba left Sanae to Maru’s care without worry. People suffering severe pain rarely found it in them to jest as easily as she was.

  “Your sister really looks like a man, dressed like that,” Yuki whispered. He was studying her, brows low. “You have good tricks…”

  “You could say that.”

  Oh, wonderful. Yuki was starting to notice things were not as they seemed. There was much about his clan that he didn’t wish to disclose or discuss, and the best way to keep the secrets secret was to leave the area altogether.

  He walked away and spoke over his shoulder, “Our clothes should be returned shortly. I mean to leave before dawn.”

  “So soon? I’ve yet to meet your father.”

  “I’ve seen enough of my parents for one visit.”

  That, at least, was pure truth.

  “Wake up, wake up, wake up.”

  Each softly spoken word was punctuated with a poke from something hard. He opened his eyes and saw it was the butt of Jien’s spear.

  Akakiba grabbed the offending weapon. “Stop that. I’m awake.”

  “Clan business. Come.”

  They left Yuki asleep: he wouldn’t be welcome if it was indeed clan business. Akakiba took the time to dress properly, tying his hair and settling his two swords in place.

  “One of ours arrived just earlier,” Jien explained quietly as they walked. “He was trying to recover a kidnapped young woman and his search led him to a camp of armed men near the coast. He thought the matter too urgent to wait until he reached the temple so he came here to report.”

  “Whose army is it?”

  “He couldn’t identify them. No flag, no clan emblem.”

  An armed force moving through their home province? So soon after an assassination attempt too. “Could the Fox clan be their target?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. That’s probably what they’re talking about right now.”

  They reached the meeting room. The door was closed, which meant the clan head wasn’t ready to address them yet. He must have been talking with the news bearer. Men, women, and foxes stood by, waiting for news. Half had the sleepy look of people hastily roused, wearing a casual yukata rather than proper kosode and hakama.

  His parents were there, naturally: his father was a close adviser of the clan head. He went to them, speaking low. “Is there news?”

  Akahana had bags under her eyes, but her clothing was immaculate as always. “No more than Jien could tell you.”

  “Father, do you think this might be related to the assassination attempt?”

  Kiba flicked his tail. “I cannot say. We know too little.”

  They remained in ignorance until the door slid open. Takashi, the clan head, surveyed those assembled. “Ah, Kiba, you’re here. Good. The rest of you—” He paused, frowning. “No, I shall not keep this secret. You may come in and spread the news in the morning.”

  They filtered in and settled down in ordered ranks. To the side knelt two sohei: the young news-bringer and Jien’s elderly companion. Akakiba hadn’t previously paid attention to Jien’s companion, but he realized now that a monk of that age must hold a high rank, if only because he’d outlived all his superiors. He’d therefore have the authority to make decisions and pledge help if it were needed.

  Takashi took his place at the head of the gathering. “This man,” he began, indicating the young monk, “was seeking an abducted young woman. His search led him to discover a village taken over by strangers near the coast. He could not identify them and decided to inform us at once. We shall take immediate actions to learn their identity and their goals. I have already sent a messenger to the emperor to inquire if he knows who they might be
. While we wait for an answer, we will dispatch a team to investigate. If they are enemies converging here, we need to act fast. I’m troubled as to why they haven’t been noticed earlier.”

  Takashi paused, his expression growing grimmer. “There is also the issue…There’s a possibility demons are involved. The monk reports he felt intense demon activity in the camp, although he deemed it unsafe to investigate any further.”

  There was a stir at those words, but none dared interrupt.

  “This might not be an army, but a demon cult the like of which we haven’t seen in a hundred years. You’re all familiar with history. Those cults were brutal and murderous. It would explain the abduction of young men and women, to serve as sacrifices. If this is one such cult, it is our responsibility to stop them. The Great Temples have pledged their help if it should be necessary.” Rising, Takashi concluded with, “Please go back to bed and rest. There will be time to discuss the situation tomorrow. Kiba, do stay. I would like to speak with you.”

  Akakiba cast a sidelong glance at Jien. “Interested?”

  “I’m in.”

  While everybody else was walking out, they stepped up to the small group composed of Takashi, Kiba, and the elderly sohei.

  “If I may,” Jien said with utmost politeness, “I would like to volunteer for the reconnaissance mission.”

  “Earlier you asked me to look into the disappearance of young men and women,” Akakiba added. “I was troubled by my encounter with a possessed man at the White Lady’s spring. I suspect we have now found where he came from. I volunteer also. We can leave at once.”

  “I thank you for your offer,” Takashi said. “Kiba, your opinion?”

  “I believe them suited to the task. They have worked together before.”

  The clan head turned to the elderly sohei, who spoke slowly and carefully, “Jien is a little high-spirited, but he is skilled. I do not object if he wishes to go.”

  “Then it is agreed,” Takashi said briskly. “If the two of you are willing to go and scout, I accept. Since speed is of the essence, you will take horses. The news-bringer will go along to guide you. He will hold back and wait for news. If you do not come back, he will return and report so.”

  “Understood,” Jien said.

  “Understood,” Akakiba echoed. “But I wish to bring my apprentice as well.” Leaving Yuki here alone was bound to lead to disaster one way or another. He absolutely did not want his mother to get her hands on him.

  “The human boy? Are you sure of him?”

  “As a priest’s son, he may be of some help if demons are involved.”

  “Then do as you wish. Now, do get some rest. We will have everything prepared so you may leave early.”

  His instinct to partner with Jien was correct even if he dreaded the thought of spending entire days near him. Samurai weren’t trained in spiritual matters and couldn’t save a victim of possession. Monks like Jien, however, were trained in such arts. Yuki, as a priest’s son, might know helpful chants. Even if he didn’t, it would be good to have an extra sword at their back.

  He always trusted his instincts. Now, they told him to prepare for excitement.

  Chapter Ten

  Akakiba

  THE SUN STILL HID beneath the horizon when they were roused and told to go to the stables. Akakiba tried to explain the situation plainly enough for Yuki’s sleepy mind to comprehend.

  “A demon cult,” Yuki repeated, yawning as he stumbled alongside him in the dark hallway. “It sounds so…unbelievable. Father said cults were a thing of times past, a barbaric thing that wouldn’t be seen again.”

  “Your father was overly optimistic. There are always people looking for power over others, people willing to court powerful demons to obtain it. The sole reason these cults stopped blossoming is that we have a merciless way of handling them.”

  A lamp was lit near the stables, a courtesy for the humans in the party. Jien and the other monk were already mounted on horses loaded with modest supply packs.

  “Hurry,” Jien called, waving. “There’s no time to waste. I’d wager the emperor will send spies of his own, and I’d like to get there first!”

  Akahana was there, the tiredness in her expression indicating she hadn’t gone to bed yet. She had likely prepared the supplies herself. She’d even thought to bring a plain sword to replace his own, which was marked with the Fox clan’s emblem.

  He eyed the horse presented to him, a large stallion with a black coat and thick mane. “That’s Kaze, isn’t it? Has he become any gentler?” He recalled an ill-tempered beast with a tendency to bite the unwary.

  “Not at all,” Akahana said. “But he can bear two people easily. I assume Yuki is unfamiliar with horses and would prefer to ride with you.”

  He eyed his mother the same way he’d eyed the horse, doubtfully. Was that an honest answer or did she think riding double was somehow romantic? Well, it wasn’t a bad idea. Yuki would be safer with him.

  Grabbing the saddle with one hand and the reins with the other, he vaulted astride. “Here, Yuki,” he said, extending a hand down. When Yuki clasped it, he hauled him up. He kept an eye on Kaze, expecting an attempt to kick or bite, but the horse limited his misbehaving to pawing the ground.

  “Let that one go at his own pace,” Akahana advised. “He’ll be easier to control once he has tired himself out. The others will follow his lead.”

  “Understood.”

  “Return safely.” She stepped back from the impatient, dancing beast.

  The moment called for some sort of filial acknowledgement, perhaps a “Don’t worry, Mother,” but when he opened his mouth, it was to curse Kaze—the horse had yanked the reins out of his hand and taken off for the half-open gate. Clan horses were always given poetic names, but this one seemed eager to live up to his, which meant “wind.” With only pre-dawn light to see by, the beast thundered down the mountain road. The others followed at the same breakneck pace.

  Yuki clung to him and muttered impolite words. “Aren’t we going too fast? What if he breaks a leg?” He didn’t sound sleepy anymore.

  Akakiba couldn’t resist teasing, feeling invigorated by the speed and the air whipping his face. “Are you scared?”

  “I have specific ideas about what’s a decent, safe travel speed!”

  The pounding of hoofs served as a warning to the few city residents who were up and about this early. Many stepped to the side without even looking at them. By the time they left the city behind, Kaze had slowed down to a walking speed better suited to travel.

  Despite the change in pace, Yuki didn’t seem inclined to loosen his hold. He was a warm, comfortable presence pressed close against Akakiba’s back. Maybe he was worried the big stallion might rear without warning and throw him off.

  They sustained a steady pace most of the day, passing many travelers on foot. They met a party of riding samurai going the other way, the two in the lead dressed in rich, embroidered fabrics. These two pretended not to see them, and Akakiba nudged Kaze off the road to avoid a collision. In normal circumstances he wouldn’t have moved aside, but they were in a hurry and there was no time to play with idiots.

  “I hope they get eaten by a demon,” Jien said, looking back at the rude riders over his shoulder. “They saw our spears and decided they didn’t want to be polite to sohei! If we had time, we could teach them a lesson.”

  “Nobles are always jealous,” Aito said. “They want the fame and respect without the hard work. It’s a waste of time to try to teach them better.”

  “I’d enjoy trying.”

  Akakiba grinned, reminded that there were things he did like about Jien.

  When the horses began to show interest in the greenery growing on either side of the dirt road, it was time to stop to stretch and enjoy a meal of pre-made rice balls, dried fruit, and sake.

  They clustered close to talk even though there was no one to overhear.

  Aito described the location. “The forest comes reasonably close to the v
illage and will provide adequate cover to observe their movements. The fox—” He looked at Akakiba. “—might be able to sneak in at night to learn more.”

  “That’ll be risky if it’s a cult,” he said unhappily. “Demons are sometimes sensitive enough to auras to identify us.”

  “I could try to infiltrate the group to find out who or what they are,” Yuki offered. “I’m unremarkable, and I don’t look threatening.”

  “Too dangerous,” he said quickly. “You’d be more likely to end up dead than to find out anything interesting. If anyone tries that, it should be Jien. He has longer legs.”

  Jien grinned. “He means I can run away faster.”

  Tipping his head back, Yuki glanced at the sun. “We should get moving, shouldn’t we? It’s no use making plans before we get there.”

  They slept at an inn, likely the last one they’d see on this trip. They ate plentifully. If they had to face days without eating, best face them with fat to spare. Afterwards they soaked in the bath for a long time, recovering from hard riding.

  Yuki, collapsed on the edge of the bath, didn’t seem inclined to move anytime soon. Similarly, Aito seemed content to meditate in the water. Jien and Akakiba left them there, returning to their rooms.

  They’d rented two six-mat rooms and opened the sliding door between them so that they might remain in sight of each other. There was no reason to fear an attack, but being overly cautious was better than the opposite.

  The futon were already waiting, and their clothes, left behind at their arrival in favor of the inn’s yukata, had been cleaned and laid out for morning. Each room had a table with a steaming teapot on it.

  “We’re making good time,” Jien said. He came to sit with Akakiba, pouring himself a cup of the aromatic tea. “I do wish Aito weren’t so quiet and distant. I’ve never met him before, and it’s difficult to tell whether we can rely on him if something happens.”

  “He does look preoccupied. You should speak with him. There might be more than he told us.”