“There was no other place for me to go. That’s all,” Chihaya replied in a subdued voice. “But my fate is not to be killed by my brother.”
“The time of our divine father’s coming will soon be upon us. If your fate is to die, wouldn’t you rather it was by my hand than his? In comparison with our father, even Teruhi is more merciful.”
A nearby soldier suddenly grabbed Saya’s arm and yanked her toward him. Before she could utter a sound, blue light flashed like lightning from the Sword. The soldier released her with a scream and fell with a thud, not cut by the blade but with his hair and body engulfed in flame. Although the soldiers were thrown into confusion, the death of their comrade fanned their fear and rage, and in the next instant they set upon the two of them with a guttural cry. Saya, who had closed her eyes before the sea of blades and spears that rushed toward her, felt someone catch her deftly as she reeled.
“Put down your sword. Do you hear me? Or you’ll never see Saya again.”
The voice came from right beside her ear. Opening startled eyes, she found herself in Prince Tsukishiro’s arms. Moreover, she was seated upon the saddle of his dapple-gray stallion. What could have happened in that one short instant? She was at least fifty paces from where she had been standing. Struggling frantically, she screamed, “Chihaya!”
She saw him turn and glare fiercely at the Prince across a forest of spears. “If you harm Saya, I will kill everyone. You, my father, everyone.”
“That sounds like something the Dragon would say,” Prince Tsukishiro said with contempt. “But think of the consequences before you speak. You can’t have developed such power yet. If we take the time, we can certainly tear you limb from limb. Unfortunately, I have no desire to engage in further combat here and now. I came here only to get Saya. Let’s strike a bargain. If you let me take her, I’ll let you go. I vow that I won’t harm her as long as you retreat from this spot.”
“No,” Chihaya responded immediately.
“Then you had better bear this in mind: promises made by the Children of Light are eternal, whereas the lives of the people of Toyoashihara are fleeting.”
He casually moved one hand to Saya’s chin. She tried to twist away, but her arms were pinned and she could not move.
“If I strengthen my hold but a fraction you will lose her. She’ll return to her own land, where you can’t follow.”
“What are you going to do to her?” Chihaya asked in a low voice.
“Nothing in particular. This girl was originally one of my handmaidens. I thought to make her my bride.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’ll never become your bride,” Saya snapped angrily. “How can you say that when you don’t even want to—”
Prince Tsukishiro cut her off with a sudden laugh.
Saya wanted to warn Chihaya to be careful, not to trust him. But she could barely speak. She looked at him in earnest appeal, but he did not notice and stood hesitating. Finally he said, “If you promise . . .”
“Very good. I promise.” And as soon as the words had left Prince Tsukishiro’s lips, he cast aside his shroud. Before the white cloth had floated to the ground, he had grasped his bow and fitted an arrow to the string. The bowstring twanged and the arrow sank deep into Chihaya’s heart.
“You monster!” Saya shrieked. Without a backward glance, Prince Tsukishiro wheeled his horse lightly around and galloped away with her.
“Liar! How can you call yourself a Prince of Light!” Saya screamed at him as she struggled wildly, trying to look back.
“I didn’t lie. I merely prevented him from pursuing us,” the Prince replied calmly.
“But your soldiers—”
“Alas, they’ll have no time to cut him to pieces. For I saw your allies approaching.”
CHIHAYA opened his eyes. There was a metallic taste in his mouth.
“He’s come to.”
Lord Shinado approached at the sound of Torihiko’s voice. The soldiers of Light had vanished and Chihaya was now surrounded by soldiers wearing familiar black vests. He himself lay on the yellowed grass at the foot of a pine tree. He sat up quickly but was suddenly overcome by unbearable pain. Looking down, he saw that the wound in his chest still gushed blood, staining his clothes bright red. The other injuries he could bear, but this deep wound was a telling blow. He would have to sleep a long time, but before he allowed himself to sink into the oblivion of renewal there was something he must do.
“Saya—” He broke off and turned his head away, vomiting blood. The cleft between the brows on Lord Shinado’s tanned forehead was deeply etched and as hard as stone. “Saya was taken. She exposed herself to the enemy in order to find you and, just as I feared, she has been captured. We should never have let her undertake such a foolish task.”
Chihaya wiped his mouth and stared back at him. “I promise to bring her back.”
“You?”
“Yes, me.”
Lord Shinado paused and then said in a low voice, “I don’t suppose you’d like to hear what I think of you.”
“I already know,” Chihaya replied as he struggled desperately to rise. “You’d like to carve me into pieces, as the soldiers of Light would have done. But wait. Before my brother took Saya he said that our divine father’s advent is near. If that’s true . . . and though my brother and sister may deceive, they don’t tell outright lies . . . it will mean disaster.”
“What?” Doubting his ears, Lord Shinado stooped forward to catch Chihaya’s faint voice. “Do you mean the God of Light?”
Chihaya’s eyes were starting from his face; his skin bore a ghastly pallor and beads of sweat stood out on his brow. The hand he pressed against his wound was already dyed red with blood.
“We knew that our father would someday descend from heaven. But for a long time even my sister, who reads the omens, did not know when. If our father sets foot upon the earth, the battle is over. The forces of Darkness won’t stand a chance. Toyoashihara will belong to him. That’s why you’ve seen no noticeable movement from the army of Light.”
Lord Shinado paled and said in a low voice, “If that’s true, it’s the worst possible news. Are you saying we’re finished?”
“There’s still time. We’ve got to penetrate the palace and prevent the ceremony from taking place. I must tell Lord Akitsu. We should forget everything else and attack at once . . .” Chihaya’s voice faded and ended in a gasp but, gathering his strength, he continued, “Take me to the camp. It doesn’t matter how. I know that you don’t trust me, but I can show him a way into the palace.”
“You’ve no need to ask. I’ll take you,” Lord Shinado told him sullenly. “Because if I don’t, Saya’s efforts will have been in vain. For her sake, I’d storm the palace right now. Just do something about that wound, would you? You may be immortal, but that’s unsightly.”
Chihaya, however, gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I have to talk with Lord Akitsu first. Once the healing begins, I won’t be able to wake for some time.”
Seeing Lord Shinado walking toward him where he perched in the treetops, Torihiko said, “I know. I know. You want me to fly to Lord Akitsu.”
Lord Shinado stroked his chin irritably. “Damnation!”
“My sentiments exactly. We were right there with our men, but Saya was whisked away and instead we rescued your hated rival. My wings feel heavy just at the thought of reporting it. But perhaps, having seen what happened to Chihaya, you feel somewhat revenged?”
“That’s exactly why I feel so foul.” Lord Shinado paced about, his irritation increasing.
“Could it be—you don’t mean that you actually feel sorry for him?” The crow looked down at him, his eyes bright with curiosity.
Lord Shinado glared back and then, averting his face abruptly, said, “Is that what they mean by immortality? To bear the agony of death countless times more than mortal men, despite the fact that the pain is no less?”
“It seems so,” Torihiko replied, unusually sober. “It makes it look as
if it would be much nicer to die.”
LORD SHINADO rose when he saw Lord Akitsu push aside the curtain and step outside the tent. “How’s Chihaya?”
“I had them take him away. He had exhausted his last ounce of strength. I’ve told them to let no one touch him.” Lord Akitsu looked at him, the severe expression on his face slightly softening. “You’ve rendered us a great service. It was some feat to bring Chihaya back.”
Lord Shinado shook his head and ran his hand over his face as if to dispel an unpleasant memory. “It was like watching over his deathbed the entire journey.”
Lord Akitsu smiled faintly. “I know what you mean. I thought I was listening to his dying words. Even though I know he won’t die, it’s hard to believe.”
Lord Shinado’s expression remained grim. “In any case, no mortal man could withstand that degree of agony; they could never have the strength or determination. That much I know.”
Lord Akitsu nodded and his voice was tinged with awe. “Perhaps that’s why he has been endowed with the power to destroy even the God of Light. We appear to have been gravely mistaken. Chihaya is our last hope for saving this land from subjection by the forces of Light.”
“Will you raise the army?”
“Yes. It’s time for a council of war.” Lord Shinado followed him as he began to stride away. “If Chihaya spoke the truth, time is our only ally. And I, for one, plan to believe him. We’ll split into four or maybe five troops. We must choose some men to infiltrate the Palace of Light and open the gates from inside, too.”
“I’ll go,” Lord Shinado said, as though it were already decided.
TORIHIKO flew in to report. It was afternoon, the day after Chihaya had returned to the camp of the army of Darkness.
“The forces of Light that were camped upstream have all been recalled to the palace. The palace guard has been tightened and young women are being summoned to the palace from all over the capital. According to the ground thrushes they’re being recruited as handmaidens, but have you ever seen them go to such lengths before?”
“I’m guessing that the fire inflicted a heavier blow than we thought,” Lord Akitsu murmured. “I wonder . . . The idea that a purification ceremony is scheduled for the end of this month makes me uneasy.”
“Do you think the advent of the God of Light may take place at that time?” one of the generals asked with dread.
“It’s possible.”
“Then there are only ten days left.”
This caused a stir within the tent. Lord Shinado stood up impatiently and said, “Speed has always been our forte. We must move immediately. Any further delay will be fatal.”
Lord Akitsu cast a sharp glance in his direction. “Very well then, you may proceed. When do you leave?”
“Now.”
“With how many men?”
“There are five of us.”
“Is that enough?”
“The more we take, the harder it will be to move.”
“All right then . . .”
At that moment a voice came from outside the entrance to the tent. “Won’t you take one more?”
Chihaya appeared. He was dressed in a new robe and looked calm and collected, as if nothing had happened.
Lord Shinado frowned. “This job isn’t for you. You’ll be detected as soon as you set foot in the palace.”
“There are plenty of ways to disguise myself.”
Lord Akitsu asked, “Are you well enough?”
Chihaya nodded. “Let me go.”
After some thought, the one-eyed lord responded, “Our fate depends upon whether or not we can open that gate. Those who infiltrate the palace hold the key to victory. They may need you. Go and help Lord Shinado.”
The two left the tent together. Once outside, Lord Shinado turned to face Chihaya angrily. “Show me your wound.”
“It’s better.”
“Then show me.”
He reached out to grab the front of Chihaya’s robe, but Chihaya evaded his grasp.
“Just as I thought!” Lord Shinado exclaimed severely. “What a boldfaced lie! Who do you think you’re fooling when your face is still so pale?”
“It’s nothing. Just a scratch. It ought to have disappeared by now,” Chihaya said defensively.
“It seems that even an immortal Prince of Light has his limits. But this time we can’t afford any mistakes.”
“I know.”
“We can’t allow anyone to hinder us,” Lord Shinado snapped unsympathetically. “If you’re going to get in the way, you can stay here and sleep.”
“Never.”
Three soldiers of indeterminate age and no distinguishing features approached them. They were members of the infiltration team, and Lord Shinado introduced them to Chihaya.
“This is Yahiro, Tsutsuo, and Shiomitsu. They’ve distinguished themselves as spies in our service and are highly skilled. They can become trees or rocks.”
Chihaya stared at them with eager curiosity. “I have become furred creatures, birds, and fish, but never a tree or a rock.”
Lord Shinado was momentarily robbed of speech. “I was speaking metaphorically,” he explained. “I meant that they can remain undetected.” They were staring at each other in some confusion when Torihiko flew up. Lord Shinado turned and said, “And, the last member of our party is, of course, Torihiko. These are the members who will penetrate the Palace of Light. Torihiko is fine as he is, but the rest of you must disguise yourselves and find your own way into the palace. We’ll have more chance of success if we split up.”
“Excuse me,” the most senior of the three interjected hesitantly. It was hard to tell whether it was Yahiro, Tsutsuo, or Shiomitsu. “It seems to me that this fellow here will attract attention no matter how he disguises himself.”
Before Lord Shinado could reply, Chihaya said, “Then I’ll disguise myself as someone who attracts attention.”
“What are you up to?”
Chihaya smiled impudently at their dubious looks. “I’ll infiltrate the palace as a handmaiden. I’m sure I can manage that.”
2
“DON’T BE SO ANGRY.” Prince Tsukishiro had come to see how Saya was doing, only to find her sitting on the floor, her face to the wall and her food untouched.
“Do you expect me to smile?” she retorted sharply. “When I’ve been taken captive by my enemies and brought here against my will?”
“Am I your enemy?”
“You seem to have lost your senses,” Saya answered hotly and turned to face him. “I can never be your bride. For I love all that lives in Toyoashihara more than I love the Light. You’re my enemy against whom I must fight. You may despise me if you like. For if I had had a bow and arrow, I would have shot you when you shot Chihaya.”
Prince Tsukishiro had removed his armor and was dressed in a soft shade of blue. Slim and graceful, he in no way resembled a warrior. She could scarcely believe it was the same man who had but a short while ago shot Chihaya. “Let me go,” she demanded once again. “Either that or kill me. For I have no desire to live as a captive. Let me go back to Chihaya.”
Smiling wryly, the Prince shook his head. “They say that young girls’ hearts are fickle, but to think that yours could change so much in such a brief time.”
“Have you forgotten? I left the palace of my own accord.”
“But you also left with the words that you still loved me.”
Saya faltered and fell silent. It was true; moreover, whether she liked it or not, he still struck a chord in her heart as he stood there before her. He had not changed at all since they had first met on the night of the Kagai. No matter how bloodstained his hands, his presence still inspired awe. Yet such immutable purity was beyond her grasp. She murmured, “Sometimes one realizes the truth only later.”
“That’s absurd.” Prince Tsukishiro laughed. “You seem to be taken with Chihaya, but he, too, is a Prince of Light. You claim to fight against the Light, yet you’re still drawn to it. That’s your
nature.”
Saya reddened. “Chihaya isn’t like you or Princess Teruhi. He learns; he overcomes; he changes. And he intends to protect this land from your hands.”
“He always was a useless fool. Whatever Chihaya may do, it’s futile. He can’t save Toyoashihara.”
“Can you be so sure?”
“Yes. For it is Chihaya himself who summons our celestial father.” The Prince’s voice echoed coldly. “At the time of his birth, the God of Light placed a seal inside him. If it is broken, our father will descend from the heavens. There’s nothing Chihaya can do.”
“It can’t be!” Saya gasped, appalled.
Prince Tsukishiro looked at her sadly. “And you, Saya, you also summon our father. All of this was revealed in Teruhi’s reading of the omens. She has been locked up in the shrine for the past few days, reading the future.”
Still not fully comprehending, Saya gazed at him, both hands held to her mouth, unable to move. She felt caught, bound by an invisible thread, and seemed to glimpse in her mind a huge spinning wheel, spinning, spinning, oblivious to the desires of men.
Prince Tsukishiro spoke softly. “Teruhi intends to use you as the sacrifice in the purification ceremony. But I brought you here before she could find you. Come back to me. If you’ll give me your heart, I will give you the power of renewal, and so save you from being sacrificed. If it is your nature to change your affections, then surely you can do so once again.”
Saya stepped back slightly. With her eyes riveted to his face, she slowly shook her head.
“Even though by doing so you could prevent the advent of the God of Light?”
“Yes,” Saya replied in a scarcely audible voice. “My heart moves of its own accord. I can’t control it with my mind.”
Another voice unexpectedly endorsed her statement. “She’s right. It’s impossible.”
Saya and Prince Tsukishiro caught their breath and turned. Leaning one arm against the doorway stood Princess Teruhi. She wore a snow-white robe over white trousers, and her long hair hung loose in disarray as though blown by a fierce wind. Her eyes glowed eerily, making her appear demented.
Dragon Sword and Wind Child Page 27
