Nightblade's Vengeance (Blades of the Fallen Book 1)

by Ryan Kirk

  Koji’s information had brought Minori to a darker section of Haven, a section rarely frequented by the well-to-do. Here the streets weren’t well lit, and the buildings cast deep shadows to hide any number of illicit activities. Minori walked calmly through the middle of the road, his sense alert. He was wearing the robes of a nightblade, and it would be a very courageous—or very drunk—criminal who would dare attempt anything against his person.

  Minori remembered a time when blades had interacted with the people on a daily basis, a time when a blade could enter an inn and attract little more notice than a well-known local musician. But after the massacre, those times had ended. Awe and respect had turned to fear, and although a blade was never refused at an inn, they certainly weren’t welcome.

  Because of this, special places had been created, places where blades could congregate without disturbing the people. Unfortunately, those places were often located in neighborhoods like this. Minori was furious that the blades would allow themselves to be treated thus.

  The building he was looking for didn’t have any external markings, and a casual glance wouldn’t have revealed anything remarkable. It was a place that served blades, and the venue didn’t feel any need to advertise its presence. Minori’s sense came alive as he felt so many others like him, those with power and strength.

  Minori paused for a moment before entering. Part of him wondered if this was the most reasonable course of action. His hand came to the door, but he didn’t open it. Anyone watching would have wondered what was going through his mind. Then Minori opened the door.

  At first, no one paid any attention to him. Everyone in the room had felt his presence outside, so no one was the least bit surprised to see the door open and a blade step through. Minori’s eyes scanned the room. A small fire was in the back corner, lighting the space and the almost dozen bodies inside. Most of the patrons were nightblades, but a few dayblades were scattered among the tables. Other than its clientele, the bar could have been any bar in the Kingdom. Cups in various stages of emptiness sat around the tables, and assorted games of chance were being played.

  A nightblade near the back of the room glanced at Minori, and he saw a flicker of recognition pass across the woman’s face. Minori didn’t recognize her, though. The nightblade stood, an action that focused the attention of everyone in the room. The quiet din became silent as the two blades took each other’s measure. Minori recognized the dynamic. Whoever the nightblade was, she was a respected member, a leader of this community.

  Slowly the blade reached down, and for a moment, Minori wondered if she was going to draw her sword. But the nightblade grabbed her cup and raised it to the ceiling. One by one, the other blades in the room raised their cups. Some apparently recognized Minori, while others seemed more likely to have just been following suit.

  The nightblade spoke, her voice clear throughout the small room. “To the man who saved Koji’s life.”

  At that, everyone’s attitude seemed to change, transforming from neutral to friendly in just a moment. “To our brother.”

  Everyone drank, and the nightblade who had led the toast made her way between the tightly crowded tables to greet their champion. Minori bowed to her. Perhaps this would be easier than he thought.

  He spoke, his voice casual. “Friend, I’m afraid you have me at a loss.”

  The nightblade answered, “My name is Akane. It is a pleasure to meet you in person.”

  Minori considered his options. He had come to the bar hoping to find a friendly ear. He hadn’t expected such a warm welcome. Koji had laid the groundwork of his plan better than Minori had dared to hope. He rolled the dice.

  “Koji told me this was a good place to find a drink. A place with strong blades. But I didn’t expect such a welcome.”

  The nightblade led Minori to a table and ordered two drinks. “There are many who feel these are dark times. Your actions are a light to us.”

  “There are those who don’t feel that way.”

  Akane looked as though she were ready to spit on the ground. “Kiyoshi is a fool. He hopes to placate the lords, but they will never be satisfied. They will take and take from us until we have nothing left to give.”

  Minori nodded. “I agree. Kiyoshi is a good man, but misguided.”

  “You are far more charitable than I. He was willing to let one of us die for the whim of a lord. There is no strength, no honor, in that behavior. But you, you are a different story.”

  Minori didn’t respond, wondering what the nightblade was getting at.

  “Koji told us what you did. He told us how you snuck into the prison and helped him escape. That, friend, was an act of courage, strength, and honor. All of us were taught not to leave our brothers and sisters behind on the battlefield, and you didn’t. That’s a true leader, one we would look up to.”

  Minori bowed. “Your words flatter me and are kinder than I perhaps deserve. It is no more than I’d do for any blade.”

  Akane was far bolder than Minori expected, and Minori wondered how deep the nightblade was into her cups. “Koji also tells us that you were sent here by the council to replace Kiyoshi.”

  Minori let a frown develop on his face. “Koji is a little off. I have the backing of the council and I was sent to advise the king, but I was never supposed to replace Kiyoshi. More like balance him out.”

  This time, Akane did spit on the ground. “If you ask me, you should replace him. Someone needs to remind the lords and the king that we are here as the protectors of the Kingdom, not their enemies.”

  Minori knew he would never have a better chance. He leaned forward, and Akane mirrored his action instinctively. “Sister, I am glad you think so. I fear the time is coming when the blades will have to choose sides. When that day comes, will you be there for me?”

  Akane didn’t hesitate. “My blade is yours, yours and the council’s. As it always has been.”

  “Thank you. Will you find others, others who will stand up for the blades?”

  Akane agreed, and Minori was done at the bar. However, because he wanted to maintain good form, he stayed for a while longer, drinking and allowing himself to be introduced to other blades. He memorized everything, knowing the warriors and healers in the bar were some of the first he’d be able to rely on.

  Conflict was coming, and he wanted to have the strongest allies at his side.

  Minori wasn’t sure what to make of his first impression of Asa. Hajimi had sent the young nightblade to him hoping he would lend her a hand on her personal quest. Hajimi, foolish as he was, apparently somehow thought that tracking down Osamu was worth someone’s time. Minori hadn’t heard that name in cycles and would have been perfectly content to never hear it again. The mere mention of Osamu brought a wave of bile to his throat. But Asa had made her way to Haven, and now she was another problem he had to deal with.

  He studied her again, wondering what he had missed. On the surface, she seemed almost entirely unremarkable. She was short, but not substantially below the average height of women in the Kingdom. Although her robes draped over her body, Minori could tell she was strong. Even in his old age, though, he suspected he would be able to overpower her. Battles with a sword rarely came down to strength, but if they did, she would be at a disadvantage.

  If she had anything to recommend her, it was her appearance. Asa was one of the most attractive nightblades Minori could remember meeting. There was a stereotype, and Minori accepted it, that most nightblade women tended to pay little attention to their looks. As a nightblade, one’s identity was formed around swordsmanship. Most women—and men—focused on that to the exclusion of everything else. Asa was different. Although she didn’t strike Minori as vain, she clearly spent some energy every day combing her hair. A clue, but of what, Minori couldn’t guess. Perhaps it was just an indicator of her past. Minori knew she had joined the blades far later than most. Maybe she had developed habits living among civilians that had carried over to her life as a blade.

  R
egardless, Minori was sure he was missing something. If someone was tracking Osamu over twenty cycles after he had disappeared from the face of the earth, that implied a certain dedication, a focus that he didn’t yet see in the young lady who stood before him. Her eyes darted about frequently, but not because she was checking her surroundings. She seemed impatient and uncaring.

  Koji had let her into Minori’s study, and still he stood behind her, his stance relaxed and ready. Minori took a deep breath. Koji was one of the greatest assets he could have asked for, but the boy had literally pledged his life to Minori. Unless he was explicitly dismissed, he stayed for every audience, guarding his savior.

  Minori shook his head. He had to stop his mind from wandering. The silence had settled over the room for long enough and didn’t seem to be having any effect on Asa.

  “Asa, it is a pleasure to meet you. Hajimi told me I could expect you.”

  Asa’s gaze fixed on him, and for a single moment, Minori thought he saw a spark in her eyes. There was a fire there, but well hidden.

  Who was this woman?

  “Did you know Osamu?” she asked.

  The question caught Minori off guard, with both its bluntness and its directness. In polite company, the question would have been considered unforgivably rude. Surprised, Minori listened to himself answer honestly.

  “I did. Well, at least as well as anyone knew Osamu.”

  Asa’s entire expression seemed to change, and Minori saw for the first time the focus that drove this woman. She formed a query with her gaze, piercing Minori and making him uncomfortable. He wondered at the change in her, but he had already started down this path and would have to continue. Minori’s mind wandered back through his long, long history as a nightblade, and he debated what he should tell her. The fact was, Minori didn’t want her to find Osamu. But he needed to give her enough information to leave him alone. Far more important matters were at stake.

  “You’ve probably already figured much of this out, but Osamu was the legend of our time. It is only because of Two Falls that his name will be struck from the record of history. If not for that decision, every young nightblade would want to be him, and even civilians would dream of his exploits.”

  Minori’s answer didn’t seem to satisfy Asa at all, but he hadn’t thought it would. “What was he like?” she asked.

  Minori wondered about the easiest way to answer that question. Osamu had been a lot of things. “If there was one quality that made him stand out, it was his focus. Osamu was a patriot, the type you never see anymore. He was fiercely loyal, both to the king and to the Kingdom. He and the prince were close friends, and had Yoshi lived, Osamu undoubtedly would have been his top adviser.

  “But Osamu was single-minded. There are all sorts of theories for why he always hid his face, you know. Some people said he was disfigured. Others claimed he was so attractive no one took him seriously. But those are silly. The reason he hid his face was because it wasn’t about him. He didn’t want the attention he received, even before Two Falls. For him, his life was all about the Kingdom. He would have done anything for the Kingdom. And he did.”

  Minori was lost in thought, memories coming and going through his mind. The girl was sending him on a trip he’d rather not take.

  “I take it Hajimi allowed you into the archives? You know everything Osamu did?”

  Asa nodded.

  “If there was ever a man who would do everything that was necessary, it was Osamu. Not only was he strong, but he believed. That, more than anything, was why he was chosen to lead the Two Falls expedition.”

  Another silence fell over the room. Minori hadn’t meant to say so much about Osamu, but even the mention of the name evoked strong feelings. It had been a long time, but apparently not long enough.

  Asa broke the silence. “What do you think happened to him?”

  Minori laughed. “Oh, if only you knew how many times I’ve been asked that question. The truth is, I really don’t know. Osamu was a singular man, and many enemies rejoined the Great Cycle because they thought they could predict him.”

  “Do you think he killed himself?”

  Minori wasn’t thinking, lost in memories and emotions. “I know he didn’t.”

  Asa’s attention was piqued, and the elder blade immediately realized his mistake.

  “How do you know?”

  Minori studied the young girl. She had already gotten far more out of him than he should have said. Her eyes were focused on him, and he knew that if he lied or misled her, she would keep hounding him until she was satisfied. Minori cursed himself. He had dug himself into a hole. The only way to be left alone was to tell her enough of the truth to get her to leave.

  “Because he believed he was right in what he did at Two Falls. I can guarantee that if you find him, he’ll tell you as much. He may regret having to do what he did, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’d do it again. He would never take his own life because he doesn’t believe his honor was tarnished by his actions. The only way he would have killed himself was if the king asked him to, but the king never did. Thus, he didn’t.”

  Asa’s next question was also unspoken, but her gaze said more than enough: How could Minori know this?

  He sighed. He hated giving out more information, but there was only one way forward.

  “I was there, at Two Falls. Osamu was unrepentant about the massacre.”

  Asa’s eyes narrowed, and Minori would have given anything to know what was going through her mind at that moment. Something he had said was wrong, and he wondered what she knew that he didn’t.

  Minori felt a sudden and strong urge to end this audience. From the beginning, it hadn’t gone as he wanted.

  Fortunately, Asa seemed to have come to the same conclusion. She had learned something, and Minori suspected her discovery was because he had said too much. The new information was enough for her to continue on, so perhaps that was a small benefit.

  They exchanged the necessary pleasantries, and Koji escorted Asa out. Minori noticed how his young aide couldn’t take his eyes off her. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. If he was right about Asa, she wasn’t the sort of woman who accepted many, if any, advances.

  After she left, the room was empty, and Minori ran his hands through his beard, wondering what had just transpired. Was Asa a threat? If she was stirring up the past, she might raise a hornet’s nest. Minori exhaled, undecided as to what to do next.

  As Minori turned the corner on the way to Shin’s castle, he couldn’t help but think about how different Lord Shin’s estate was from the bars where he had been meeting with nightblades. The taverns were dark, unmarked, small. Even if the blades weren’t criminals, it felt that way walking into one of their establishments. Shin’s palace in Haven, on the other hand, was as ostentatious as a building could be.

  Minori was admitted to the grounds without problem. There was plenty to dislike about Shin, but he ran a well-organized household and lands. Minori believed you could tell how people would handle great responsibility by how they handled small ones. Based on what he observed around the household, Minori had little doubt Shin would be a strong leader. Since their unofficial alliance two moons ago, Minori had come to genuinely believe Shin was the best choice to be the next king.

  One of the household guards informed Minori that Shin was taking his daily walk through his gardens. The guard gave Minori directions, which he followed, finding the lord without difficulty. On the way, he passed what had to be dozens of guards. Minori noted it. He suspected Shin had more troops in Haven than he was claiming, but this was the first direct evidence he had gathered.

  Minori bowed deeply to the lord, who returned the bow. He gestured for Minori to join him.

  He remembered when Hajimi had first sent him to Haven, apologizing for sending Minori away from his gardens. Minori hadn’t minded that much, but there had been a grain of truth in Hajimi’s statement. Minori did love gardens. He loved the peace a well-maintained garden radiated,
which let his troubled heart beat easily. He well understood why Shin would take a daily walk.

  For a few moments, Minori allowed himself to forget the concerns of the day. Shin wouldn’t discuss matters of importance on his walk, and Minori was comfortable in the silence. They strolled the gardens, taking time to pause at various points. Minori looked down and saw the path they walked was well worn.

  The garden was exquisite. One section was a small bamboo grove, which swallowed the sun and sound. The two men stood silently, and Minori studied the placement of the bamboo. At times, he imagined there was a larger pattern, but recognizing the pattern remained elusively out of his grasp. As they continued, they came upon a small rock garden, formed around three larger stones. The sight captured Minori’s attention. The three stones could only represent the three lords or the three great houses. He looked for a message, some symbolism that would help him understand Shin better, but again understanding eluded him. Regardless, when they finished their walk, Minori felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt since leaving Starfall. He thanked Shin.

  The two men sat down in a teahouse adjoining the garden. Shin poured the tea and made an observation.

  “Minori, although we haven’t known each other long, I don’t think I have ever seen such pleasure on your face.”

  Minori acknowledged the statement. “One of the most significant sacrifices I made in coming to Haven was abandoning my garden in Starfall. It pales in comparison to what you’ve shown me today, but still, it provided a measure of peace.”

  “You are welcome to come and walk my gardens at any time. If another can gain the same peace from the gardens as I do, I happily offer them to you.”

  It was a kind offer, which Minori accepted. He sipped at his tea, recognizing it would be rude to discuss business so soon.

  After enough pleasantries were exchanged, Minori updated Shin on his progress. Minori’s nights had been as full as his days, and he had started to gain a more complete picture of where the blades stood on the events of the day.