The men looked astonished to be addressed in such a way and the first one looked more closely at Rei and then at me. Some realization came into his eyes and he said, “Lady Umaoka? And this must be your sister. Why are you here? Did you ride to meet us? We were sent to make preparations for the arrival of Lord Saga’s sons. You must have received my message?”
“Was there some misunderstanding?” The other man’s voice was bland on the surface and threatening beneath. “Or are the Umaoka still in rebellion against the will of Lord Saga? Let’s take the horses now.”
He rode forward to seize Ka’s reins. Ka reared and struck out with his front feet. The other horse laid back its ears and tried to bite.
“Ren,” the being said in a voice as clear as a flame. “Ride on.”
I was struggling to bring Ka under control.
“Dismount before you get hurt!” The man’s tone was rude, his language too familiar, as if I were a servant or a child. It enraged me. I would rather die than obey him. Ka reared again.
The being spoke in that unknown language, and Rei echoed him in a perfect imitation. He let his gaze, his eyes glowing more brightly than ever, sweep over the men in front of us and then beyond them. Smoke began to rise from the wooden structures of the guardhouses and the barrier, at first a few wisps, blue in the autumn air, then flames, as bright as the setting sun.
Men began to shout in alarm, dropping their weapons as they ran to get buckets of water. The bridles and reins of the horses in our path smoked and glowed. The horses squealed and bucked in fear as their riders struggled to tear the burning harness from them. The men’s own clothes began to smolder. The grass at the side of the road burst into flames.
Ka gave a huge leap, almost unseating me. I clung to his mane as he raced forward and jumped over the burning barrier. I could see nothing, blinded by smoke, my eyes pouring tears. Then we were on the other side, galloping down the street as people came running out of their houses preparing to try and save the town. Ka was completely out of my control. I could do nothing but hang on.
Eventually, on the farther edge of town, he slowed to a canter and responded again to my touch on the reins. Hai came alongside and the two horses whinnied to each other as they cantered, their paces in perfect harmony.
The being held Rei with one arm. She was laughing frenetically. “Take the horses!” she cried. “What a foolish idea.” In the light of the setting sun her eyes glowed as brightly and fiercely as his, as the Fire God’s.
The Fire God, protector and destroyer, loyal and fickle, companion and betrayer, had answered my call for help, and now I knew I would succeed. I would get the revenge I craved.
But in return, I had given him my sister.
Knaves Page 25
