The Flood Dragon's Sacrifice Read online

  Ayaka’s mother nudged her. “We were so impressed by your archery today, my lord, weren’t we, Ayaka?”

  He laughed. It was a warm, pleasant sound, not the forced simpering often affected by the courtiers. “I wondered, Lady Ayaka, if you would accept the trophy as a gift?”

  “Me?” Ayaka had not been prepared for this. If she accepted, would it seal their relationship before the court?

  “You’d be delighted, wouldn’t you?” Another sharp nudge from her mother.

  “Delighted,” Ayaka echoed woodenly. If this scene were in one of the court romances she had been reading, she would be the heroine wooed by a dashing, noble warrior. But now that she was face to face with her very own champion, she realized that, good-looking as he was, he did not make her heart beat as fast as it did whenever Prince Hotaru passed by.

  Just as the conversation between them froze, a court official appeared and announced, “Lord Takeru, Princess Omiya, and Lady Ayaka are requested to attend upon his imperial majesty.”

  “Come, children; we mustn’t keep the emperor waiting.” Ayaka’s mother led the way toward the emperor’s private quarters.

  ***

  The room was elegantly yet sparsely decorated, the painted screens depicting willow trees trailing their branches in meandering streams. A single snow-white iris was displayed in a simple vase carved from black basalt. It was not at all what Ayaka had expected; she had imagined that the emperor’s quarters would be furnished with gilded treasures, rare caged singing birds, and opulent fabrics.

  “I’ve summoned you all to discuss this matter in private as it concerns the Black Cranes,” announced Emperor Suzaku. “And as you, Lady Ayaka, are soon to wed Lord Takeru, it concerns you too.”

  Ayaka, kneeling behind her mother, bowed so low that her forehead touched her hands which were pressed to the floor. The emperor has included me in this private discussion. The two highest minister of state are here…although one of them is my father…so it must be something really serious. She was overwhelmed at being treated as an adult for the first time – although she suspected that the reason why her heart was fluttering uncontrollably was because Prince Hotaru was sitting beside the emperor, his head modestly lowered. If only he’d look up a little, then I could see his face more clearly…

  “Minister of the Right Nagamoto, would you be so good as to read us the message attached to the arrow that rudely interrupted our contest this afternoon?”

  Ayaka’s father unrolled the piece of linen and began.

  “To his imperial majesty, Emperor Suzaku: The sacred Tide Jewels have disappeared from the Tide Dragon temple. I beg your majesty to investigate before some terrible tragedy befalls our country. A loyal subject of Cipangu.”

  “This is the first we have heard of such a violation.” The emperor turned his head to gaze at Lord Takeru. “Surely Abbot Genko would have sent word if anyone had dared to steal the sacred jewels.”

  “I’ve received no word from Captain Kakumyo or the abbot, so I confess that I’m baffled.” Ayaka could only see Lord Takeru’s back, but from the droop of his broad shoulders she guessed that he must be feeling deeply humiliated by the allegation. “Thieves have tried to steal the Tide Jewels before, but each time they’ve fallen victim to the traps in the temple.”

  “It must be a malicious prank, imperial majesty,” said Ayaka’s father, “designed to slander Lord Takeru’s family.”

  Lord Kiyomori, the Minister of the Left, cleared his throat. “If I might remind your imperial majesty that this ‘prank’ comes just before the annual festival, at the very time you perform the sacred ritual of summoning the Tide Dragons.”

  “We are well aware of that fact.” The emperor had begun to tap his closed fan against his palm. “What precisely are you suggesting, my lord?”.

  “According to the laws of our country, if you fail to summon the Tide Dragons,” Lord Kiyomori cleared his throat again; an irritating sound, Ayaka could not help thinking, from an irritating old man with a reedy, unattractive voice “your reign as emperor will be over, imperial majesty. Someone with a grudge might have – ”

  “We have no proof yet that anything has been stolen,” interrupted Lord Nagamoto. “I have complete trust in the Black Cranes to keep the Tide Jewels secure.”

  “Of course you have, my lord, especially as your daughter is marrying into the clan.”

  Ayaka heard Princess Omiya smother a little cry at this snide dig.

  “With so little time left, what should we do?” The emperor snapped his fan open. “This is all so very vexing.”

  “Would you like me to go to the temple to investigate, brother?” Prince Hotaru spoke for the first time; Ayaka felt a shiver of pleasure at hearing his voice which, although soft, was mellow and cultured.

  “Thank you, Hotaru.” The emperor nodded gratefully at his brother. “That’s an excellent idea.”

  As they filed out from the emperor’s rooms, Ayaka saw the Minister of the Left sidle up to Lord Takeru. “You realize, don’t you, Lord Takeru, that your clan will be held responsible if the Tide Jewels have been stolen?” he said pointedly and then hurried away before waiting for a reply.

  “What will you do, my lord?” the princess asked the young man.

  “I must ride to the Tide Dragons temple straight away,” said Lord Takeru, “and find out the truth for myself. Will you excuse me?”

  Ayaka said nothing; she was remembering Prince Hotaru’s touching expression of support to his older brother Suzaku.

  Princess Omiya glared at her daughter. “Isn’t there anything you would like to say to your fiancé, Ayaka, before he sets out?”

  Ayaka, startled out of her reverie, glanced up and saw that Lord Takeru was gazing expectantly at her.

  Flustered, she raised her sleeve to cover her face. “I wish you a safe journey,” she said dutifully. When she dared to look up again, he was striding away toward the main courtyard, his squire hurrying to catch up with him.

  “What a pity that Lord Takeru won’t hear you read your poem,” said her mother, with a little sigh.

  “The poetry recital!” The audience with the emperor had made Ayaka forget about reciting her work in front of Prince Hotaru; suddenly she felt overwhelmed by nerves and began to search in her wide sleeve for the folded sheet of bamboo paper on which she had written her lines.

  ***

  “So what did you think of Lord Takeru, Reika?” Ayaka affected her most casual tone as her maid began to remove the ornaments from her hair in preparation for her evening bath.

  Reika paused. “He’s a good shot.”

  “Evidently, as he beat the captain of the imperial archers.” Ayaka could not hide the vexation in her voice. “But what did you think of his looks? His manner?”

  “It’s not my place to judge.”

  “Reika, you’re no fun! Why can’t you indulge me in a little gossip, just for once?”

  Reika deftly tied Ayaka’s hair back into a loose knot to prevent it from trailing in the bath water. “The Kite Shadow,” she said.

  “What?”

  “It’s just a theory. I think the shinobi who interrupted the contest was using the Kite Shadow jutsu. I’ve never seen it in action…but I can’t work out how else he could have vanished so efficiently after shooting the arrow.”

  “Kite Shadow? But isn’t that the forbidden jutsu used by the clan of the Red Kites? And they’re still in exile. Aren’t they?” Ayaka had only been nine years old when the last clan war came to an end, but she remembered the grim faces of the adults around her as they spoke in whispers of burning castles, grisly decapitations, and threats of bloody revenge. She shuddered. “I hope you’re wrong, Reika.”

  ***

  Ayaka, her skin flushed from the hot tub, was putting on her linen night robe when her mother came in. One glance at her purposeful expression told Ayaka that this was no casual visit to wish her goodnight. To her annoyance, Reika instantly withdrew, leaving mother and daughter alone together.r />
  “Isn’t Lord Takeru a handsome young man? You’re the envy of all the other women at court.”

  “Now wait a minute, Mother, are you saying that you knew Lord Takeru would be there today? That you and Father were planning to marry us off after the Iris Festival? And you didn’t even warn me?”

  Ayaka’s mother smiled indulgently at her. “Well, my dear, it’s what usually happens after your sixteenth birthday. You can’t go on playing at being a little girl forever. After all, I was married to your father a month after I turned sixteen. It’s just somewhat vexing that today’s unfortunate incident may have tarnished such an excellent match.”

  “Tarnished?” Ayaka narrowed her eyes. In her heart a little spark of hope began to glow again. “You mean Father might break off the engagement?”

  Her mother let out a sigh. “That would doubtless be expensive, not to mention tediously complicated. Princess Asagao would not take such a slight to her eldest son lightly. She dotes on him.”

  Ayaka grimaced. Mother’s boy.

  “I’m certain it’s all a misunderstanding. Prince Hotaru will sort it out, the Tide Festival will go ahead as usual, and then you and Lord Takeru will take your marriage vows at the temple. So, to avoid any unpleasantness with the Kurozuro clan, we’ll be proceeding with the wedding.”

  “P - proceeding?” Ayaka spluttered, horrified.

  “Lord Takeru brought us such a kind and gracious letter from Princess Asagao saying how much she’s looking forward to welcoming you into the family. Dear Asagao; we were such friends when we were growing up at court…”

  “Mother!” Ayaka burst out, desperate to stop her mother from embarking on a long reminiscence about her childhood. “Don’t I have any say in this matter at all?”

  Princess Omiya stared back at her, blinking as if she had not heard aright. Then she placed her hands on Ayaka’s shoulders. “My dearest child, this is a very important moment in your life. One day you will take Princess Asagao’s place as the female head of the Kurozuro clan. You need to start learning all she has to teach you about the family history and customs.” She drew Ayaka close and pressed her lips to her forehead; Ayaka was enveloped in a cloud of the princess’s favorite peony perfume before her mother let her go and withdrew. At the sliding door she turned and said, “Sleep well, my dear.”

  The screen slid shut behind her, leaving a last waft of peony fragrance.

  Ayaka let out a smothered little scream of frustration.

  How can I possibly be expected to sleep at all after what you’ve just told me, Mother?

  She lay awake in the darkness, listening to the creaks of the wooden screens and walls as the house settled in the cooler night air. Soon the enervating heat of full summer would invade, the cicadas would be loud in the garden, and the slightest hint of an evening breeze would be welcome.

  In a few weeks, this room in which I’ve grown up will be just a memory: the lacquered screens depicting the Chrysanthemum Festival, the scent of the white wisteria outside my window every spring, the splendid view of the imperial palace…

  She shivered, although she was not cold beneath the embroidered covers.

  Why must I marry a stranger? Why must I leave court and go to live so far away? Why couldn’t Father have betrothed me to Prince Hotaru? It’s so unfair!

  Chapter 7

  “So you were the one who winged me. Not a bad shot for a lame archer.”

  Lame. Kai did not know what to reply so he said nothing, and just continued to rewind the clean bandage around Lord Naoki’s ankle. The swelling had mostly gone down, although the skin was still mottled a dark purplish grey.

  Outside the infirmary, Kakumyo was assembling a squad of warrior monks to escort the prisoner to Tenryu Bay where the exchange was to take place.

  “I was using the Kite Shadow jutsu. I should have been invisible. How could you see me?” The Kite’s dark eyes, no longer glazed with fever, stared haughtily at him. “Was it because of this cursed Sacrifice seal?”

  “Cursed?” Kai was outraged that Naoki should speak so disrespectfully of the special role conferred on him by the imperial house. But before he could reply, Naoki continued, “I’m sorry; did I offend you, Lord Kaito?”

  Kai glanced up, stung by the sarcastic way the Kite had addressed him. So Naoki had guessed his true identity. “How did you – ?”

  “It’s been over ten years, but I haven’t forgotten the little kid who bawled like a baby at the Sacrifice ceremony.”

  “Why did you steal the jewels?” Kai was determined not to let Naoki provoke him. “Has your clan allied itself to Khoryeo?”

  “And if we had, do you think I’d tell you? The first you’d know would be when the Khoryeon war fleet sailed into the bay.”

  “But you’re Ebb’s Sacrifice. Don’t you feel any loyalty to the temple?”

  “Loyalty?” echoed Naoki incredulously. “I’m an exile. I’ve grown up on a bleak, fog-bound island. What possible loyalty could I feel to this place – or its outdated rituals?”

  Kai tugged hard on the bandage to tighten it, trying to focus his attention on the task Master Seishi had set him.

  “So is this a part of your temple duties? Even on Akatobi Island we have servants and retainers to care for the injured; a lord’s son should never have to dirty his hands with such menial tasks.”

  “You have no idea how great an honor you’ve been given,” Kai said, his voice low, trying to quell the rising surge of anger. Naoki’s arrogance disgusted him. “You don’t deserve to be Ebb’s Sacrifice.”

  “Honor?” Naoki echoed mockingly. “So you’ve dutifully believed all the lies they’ve told you, never once questioned why you were chosen? You’ve just been the emperor’s obedient little dupe?”

  “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” Kai finished the binding and pushed himself to his feet. He wanted to get some distance between himself and Naoki as the urge to punch him was growing stronger with every stinging comment the Kite made.

  “Obviously! But I’ve discovered what being chosen to be a Tide Dragon’s Sacrifice really means. Don’t you want to learn the truth – before it’s too late?”

  “Too late for what?” Kai had been doing his best to ignore Naoki’s goading but the words slipped out before he could prevent them.

  Naoki shrugged. “If the kingdom of Khoryeo attacks and emperor uses the Tide Jewels, you’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Have you finished treating the prisoner, Kaishin?” Kakumyo, with two warrior monks in attendance, appeared before Kai could ask any more questions. “Is he ready for the journey? Then bring Lord Naoki to the courtyard.”

  As they grabbed Naoki by the arms, Kai heard his indrawn hiss of breath; for all his bravado, he was obviously still in considerable pain from his injuries.

  “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Naoki called back as the monks led him away.

  As he went to tidy up in the pharmacy, Kai could not stop turning Naoki’s words over and over in his mind. Lord Naoki is an exile, an outcast; surely there’s no way he can have learned more about the role of a Sacrifice than I have.

  The Kite must just have been taking some warped pleasure in taunting him, winding him up, then watching him squirm.

  ***

  Masao had never been a good sailor. And a fresh wind was blowing from the west, making the sea choppy. Every time his stomach lurched, forcing him to make a hasty dash for the side of the ship, he could hear his uncle’s pageboys sniggering. If he hadn’t been so queasy, he would have crossed the pitching deck and cuffed them soundly. Yet even worse torment was the suspicion that the older warriors might attribute his nausea to fear of the encounter to come.

  Fear? He would have laughed out loud at the irony of it if he could. Seasickness makes it impossible to feel anything but nausea.

  “Are you all right, my lord?”

  Masao recognized the voice of Saburo, Master Kinkiyo’s assistant.

  “Never better.” He flapped a h
and in Saburo’s direction, wishing he could be left alone.

  “I thought you might like to know that land is in sight.”

  Masao straightened up, wiping his slimed mouth with the back of his hand, and saw with relief that Saburo was right; the mainland lay straight ahead.

  “I’ve set up the iron dragon, my lord. I’ve packed it with fire drug and lead pellets.” Saburo pointed to the bow of the ship where Masao saw the ‘secret’ weapon fixed firmly in place.

  “Good.” Masao regarded the iron tube with distrust.

  “We just need to ensure we keep the powder dry. Otherwise…”

  Masao tried to concentrate on what Saburo was saying, hoping to ignore the churning in his stomach. If only Lord Toshiro hadn’t placed such a burden of responsibility on him. After the meeting with Kinkiyo, he had begged his uncle to intercede with Lord Toshiro, but Okitane had said bluntly, “You’re still not fully recovered from your injuries, so you’re no use to us as a shinobi on this mission. Try to make up for your mistakes at the monastery by taking charge of the new weapon.”

  But this new weapon could so easily backfire and blow us all out of the water…

  ***

  Kai heard a low murmur of voices as he approached the abbot’s rooms.

  “Visitors?” he asked the monk who had been sent to fetch him from the temple. The monk said nothing but silently ushered him inside. A tall young lord was seated drinking tea with the abbot, with his squire kneeling at a respectful distance behind.

  As the lord set down his tea bowl and looked up at Kai, a look of astonishment passed across his face. Kai stared back, seeing in the clear, frank gaze, arching brows, and broad brow so strong a resemblance so strong to his father, that for a moment he wondered if he was seeing a ghost.

  “Kaito!” The lord leapt to his feet and came toward him, arms outstretched.

  “Brother?” Kai had not seen Takeru since the Tide Festival a year ago. Protocol demanded that he should kneel to the leader of his clan, but Takeru flung muscular arms around him and hugged him, all but squeezing the breath from his body. Then he held him at arm’s length, staring keenly into his face.