World's Edge

by Ryan Kirk

  Ryuu glanced up angrily. “That’s not true!”

  Tenchi continued as if Ryuu had never spoken. “Your rescue of Takako was ill-informed. Shigeru should have stopped you. It was not wrong, wanting to save an innocent life, but every action is a pebble dropped in a pond, reverberating out far beyond the pebble itself. How many people died because of your decision to save one life, a life that was ended prematurely anyway?”

  Ryuu was silent, anger burning inside of him. He had come to peace with his decision, convinced it was the right action to take. Tenchi’s words cracked the shell of his conviction.

  “I am sorry. If I had more time, I would be more gentle, but again you have brought this pressure upon yourself. Again you go off to rescue a woman you care for, but at what cost? You will go galloping through the Three Kingdoms, heedless of all the danger around you. Your odds of rescuing her in time are slim to none, and the hunters are not to be trifled with. They are in every way as strong as we are. Their lore may be different, but their strength is no less substantial.”

  “Your journey is a threat to this island and the Three Kingdoms, especially given your general ability to find trouble. You realize Renzo can sense at a distance, too. If he senses you coming down through the Three Kingdoms, he may come to finish the job, and despite your strength, I’m not sure you can beat him. He has experience on his side. You risk all for nothing.”

  Ryuu couldn’t contain himself. “But at least I’m doing something, something more than hiding away from everything!”

  Tenchi shook his head. “You are foolish. You are making the same assumption Shika and Rei are, despite my warnings. We aren’t on this island hiding or waiting. We are preparing.”

  Ryuu’s confusion was apparent. He didn’t bother to hide his disbelief.

  “Someday I will tell you what happened when the Kingdom broke up. We aren’t the demons legend has made us out to be, but we aren’t without blame. It was our responsibility to keep the Kingdom in order, but we forgot. We let power go to our heads. For better or for worse, the Three Kingdoms have survived without major problems for a thousand cycles, but again I feel we have been the catalyst for war, especially now that I know Renzo is involved with the invasion. Perhaps they are better off without us.”

  Ryuu considered Tenchi’s words. He had never heard the old man so worked up.

  “For a thousand cycles we have prepared. We have learned, we have kept true to the old knowledge while developing it further. We have studied history and politics so the mistakes of the past won’t be repeated. Surely you’ve seen how even Shika and I, though we disagree, can work together so openly?”

  Ryuu had to admit that he had.

  “That isn’t by chance. We aren’t waiting. We are preparing for the day we are needed in the Three Kingdoms once again, if that day ever comes.”

  “Then why let me go at all?”

  “Because not letting you go would become a much greater issue. Knowing your impulses, I suspect you would try to escape, and Shika would support you in an attempt to force the issue. Sometimes it is best to know when to bend. I’m hoping that sending Rei will temper your impulses, and it will be good for her to experience the Three Kingdoms herself.”

  It seemed as though Tenchi had thought of everything. “Why the duels tonight? Shika seemed upset about that.”

  Tenchi grinned his old mischievous grin. “I thought that was pretty good myself. There’s been rumors spreading around the island since you arrived. ‘Leader’ is a bit of a misleading title, but she’s been trying to win my position for some time. We aren’t governed by strength alone, but we aren’t foolish enough to dismiss the usefulness of a strong, experienced warrior. The skills transfer well to leadership. Shika is mad because you’ll beat her. She’s very good, but I think you’re better. Then you’ll fight me and lose.”

  Ryuu raised an eyebrow. “Are you telling me to lose on purpose?”

  Tenchi laughed. “Oh, no. I hope you give me everything you’ve got. I’ll still beat you. You’ll be allowed to leave the island, but it will quell dissension for at least a few moons, giving the situation time to develop.”

  Tenchi got up and left. “I’m not going to stop you, even though I should. Just know this. You need to think about your decisions more clearly.” With that he left, leaving Ryuu confused, but more ready than ever to duel with the leader of the island.

  Ryuu was excited for the evening. He wasn’t sure if he was the best nightblade on the island, but he looked forward to finding out. A duel was something solid in front of him, something he could handle. It was black and white, life and death. It was simple. He was curious to see if Shika or Tenchi had the skill to beat him in a duel.

  Apparently he wasn’t the only one. When the sun fell a great dinner was held, and all were invited to the amphitheater, a natural bowl with a flat bottom near the northwest corner of the island. Ryuu had never been there before, and as he was escorted to the front, he was amazed to see so many people in one place. He knew that over three thousand blades lived on the island, but it was another thing altogether to see three thousand dark-robed individuals gathered in one place. Ryuu thought of the power in the space and was in awe that the island had remained a secret for as long as it had.

  Some entertainment had been arranged, individuals who specialized in exotic weaponry, some dayblades who had learned a fluid style of dance. Ryuu watched with rapt attention. None of the weapons styles would be useful in a fight, but the beauty of them was undeniable. He was also fascinated by the dancers, most of whom were female. Rei leaned over and explained there were some dayblades who believed that by moving their bodies in the same patterns that lead to healing, miraculous results could be achieved. Ryuu had seen dancers at Madame’s in New Haven, but those were dancers who danced to entice customers. This was altogether different, a power and sensuality combined into a feeling more powerful than either alone.

  Ryuu didn’t see any miracles, but he was impressed by the style. It was fluid and graceful. At first glance the movements seemed random, but the more Ryuu watched, the more he felt like there was a deeper pattern, a deeper meaning than what was present at first glance. He gently opened up his sense and was almost blinded by the beauty.

  There was a deep energy radiating from the dancers, a power that seemed to flow around them, shaped by them. He didn’t have the words to describe what he was seeing. In the end, he didn’t try. Instead, he sat and watched, taking it all in without trying to understand it. When it ended, he felt as though a void had opened up in him. Glancing around, he found he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Rei said it was rare to see such a performance from the dayblades.

  Then he was up, introduced to the entire crowd. Ryuu was sure that by now, everyone knew who he was, but tradition still dictated life on the island. Tenchi gave a brief account, leaving out Ryuu’s involvement in the affairs of the Three Kingdoms. Tenchi concluded by saying Ryuu should be considered an adopted member of the island, and in unison three thousand heads made a short bow in his direction. Ryuu was overwhelmed, but didn’t have time to process what had happened. It was time for his duel.

  Any nervousness Ryuu held dissipated like the morning mist as he stood against Shika. Politics, consequences, these weren’t concepts that came to him easily. Combat was something he understood, something he excelled at.

  As soon as the duel began, Shika struck like a cobra, her quick thrusts coming at Ryuu with blinding speed. He had been prepared, but not for the duel to start with such ferocity. He managed to block her first few attacks but was sent backwards faster than he could recover. Every time he thought he’d have a moment to gather his wits, she was on him again.

  Ryuu cursed himself. He had gotten used to a certain type of duel, a duel where the opponents tested each other first, trying to gauge the other’s abilities. He had been foolish. Shika knew his abilities. She had watched him fight others over and over, though he had never seen her draw a blade even in practice. She was
going for the quick win, trying to catch him off guard before he could bring his full strength to bear.

  Without thought, Ryuu fell into a state of relaxation, dropping the stress of combat like a heavy burden he would no longer carry. His mind emptied and his body fell into the natural rhythms of the world. He felt the flow of energy strengthen his limbs and sharpen his mind and Shika wasn’t moving as fast as she once had.

  Shika was quick, but Ryuu had matched her for speed. He could sense, more than he could observe, the interest of all the spectators who were watching. It was a treat to see two warriors of such ability fighting each other. Ryuu had guessed Shika was capable, but he hadn’t any idea just how capable until this evening.

  With speed being equal, the contest came down to a matter of skill and technique. Ryuu had thought he’d be her superior in skill, but wasn’t so sure any more.

  It came down to a single cut, one move that left Shika slightly off balance. Ryuu quickly moved inside her guard, the first opening she had given him. Shika tried to back away but Ryuu pursued her with relentless determination, pushing her backwards. The momentum of the fight had turned in his favor. She blocked his cuts, but was falling further behind. They both knew it was only a matter of time.

  Shika committed to a last effort, a strong overhead cut that would have broken Ryuu’s head or shoulder, but she was too slow. Ryuu sensed the strike coming and moved in, striking her across the chest with his own wooden blade before she could defend herself. If he’d had a real blade in hand, she would have been opened up.

  As it was, the blow knocked her off her feet and rolling across the grass. The world returned to normal and Ryuu came over to Shika’s aid. She was slowly getting back to her feet, winded, but no permanent damage. Tenchi signaled for a dayblade, but Shika waved them away.

  “I’m fine. Only my pride is hurt.” Even as she said it, she gratefully accepted Ryuu’s hand.

  As she stood, a round of applause rippled through the amphitheater, a sound Ryuu had never heard before. He had listened to the tromp of hooves and the guttural cheers of men in battle, but never this polite clapping on such a scale. He wondered what the assembled nightblades thought of the demonstration they had just witnessed.

  He didn’t have too much time to think about it. Just as the applause ended, an eager silence descended over the crowd. Ryuu studied Tenchi. Tenchi had expected he would beat Shika, but still seemed confident he’d have no problem defeating Ryuu. He wondered what tricks the old man had up his sleeve. He didn’t seem the type to boast needlessly.

  The entire island felt as though it was holding its breath. Ryuu didn’t make the same mistake again. He emptied his mind and slipped entirely into the flow of the world as the duel was announced.

  Tenchi didn’t seem to be interested in attacking. They each stepped closer until only two paces separated them, but neither moved, each on their guard. Tenchi was as immovable as a stone. In combat, Ryuu might have waited, but this was a duel with wooden swords. He grew impatient and attacked.

  He came in with a low cut, moving up and across Tenchi’s body. It was easily deflected, but then the battle began in earnest. Ryuu wasn’t surprised that Tenchi was incredibly fast. The old man matched Ryuu in speed. Ryuu tried different techniques, always staying just a hair ahead of Tenchi’s counter-strikes.

  They passed and passed, but Ryuu kept waiting for Tenchi’s tricks. He kept his guard close, not allowing Tenchi a moment to attack. Despite his best efforts, Tenchi turned the tide and Ryuu had to disengage or get beaten. They kept their distance, both looking for any opening.

  What happened next, Ryuu couldn’t explain. Tenchi attacked, but it was as if he was attacking everywhere at once. Ryuu’s sense screamed at him, and he sensed all the cuts coming at him, but another part of his mind was shouting just as loudly that such an attack wasn’t physically possible. No one could make eight cuts at one time. It was impossible.

  Ryuu didn’t know where to block. He couldn’t block eight simultaneous cuts. Ryuu did what came first to him, he jumped into the air as far as he could. He leapt above the attack, coming down with an attack of his own. Tenchi easily dodged it and the battle resumed.

  Ryuu could feel the excitement radiating off the assembled nightblades. They had seen and sensed everything that had just happened. Ryuu’s mind was racing to catch up with an attack that wasn’t humanly possible. It didn’t seem like he was the only one. He could hear the low murmur going up through the assembly.

  They split apart and came together again, Tenchi repeating the same attack. Ryuu tried to focus, find the truth of what was happening, but he couldn’t. In desperation, he dove to his right, rolling out of the way, barely dodging the attack.

  How? How could one man strike in eight places at once? There was always an explanation, Ryuu just had to find it. It had to be a trick of some sort, a deception of the sense. But Ryuu couldn’t let his sense drop. He’d be hit in an instant. He reached out, quieting his mind, focusing on Tenchi’s movements.

  Tenchi struck again, the same impossible attack reaching out to pummel Ryuu. He didn’t dodge but kept himself centered, focusing, searching for any information he could use to defeat the attack. A person could only strike in one place at a time. There could only be one real attack, he just had to find it.

  At the last moment, Ryuu felt something. One strike, slightly different than the others. More substantial. Ryuu took the chance and blocked just that cut. His block was slow, but he connected with Tenchi’s wooden sword.

  There was a gasp from the crowd as they realized what had happened. Ryuu felt a surge of pride. He could beat Tenchi and his tricks.

  But then he saw Tenchi’s smile and realized he was deluding himself. Tenchi launched himself into a series of cuts, each showing multiple possibilities. Ryuu’s mind reeled, unable to focus. Some attacks would have two possibilities, some four. Ryuu dodged and blocked, but he blocked empty air as often as he blocked Tenchi’s strikes. The hits came with increasing rapidity, and Ryuu knew he had lost. Unbalanced, Tenchi delivered a series of blows which knocked Ryuu off his feet and eating grass. He tried to move, but Tenchi’s wooden blade was resting at the back of his neck. A killing stroke for sure.

  Ryuu swore and then laughed. His body felt stronger than it ever had before, but there was still more to learn. When Tenchi heard him laugh he relaxed his own posture. Ryuu flipped over onto his back and gladly accepted Tenchi’s outstretched hand. He brushed himself off and shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

  Tenchi was about to reply, but was drowned out by the cheering that erupted from the audience. Ryuu looked up, surprised. In the heat of the combat he had forgotten there were thousands of people watching. It was almost enough to make him blush.

  Ryuu had never seen Tenchi’s grin wider. He waited for the cheering to subside a little and then leaned over to Ryuu. “I had forgotten how much fun a real challenge can be. You are stronger than I expected. It was well fought.”

  “You’ll have to show me that technique some time. I imagine it isn’t much good against those that can’t sense.”

  “It isn’t. But if you’re fighting someone without the sense you’ll never need it. I’ll teach you when you return.”

  Ryuu caught and held Tenchi’s eyes. He was an impressive man. Of that there wasn’t any doubt. He was as strong as steel but also knew enough to bend when the pressure was too great. He possessed an integrity Ryuu admired. Ryuu wasn’t sure where his life would take him, but he knew he wanted to come back to the island. This was where he belonged.

  Chapter 25

  Renzo was on horseback, galloping across the Southern Kingdom. He had gotten used to riding horses, something he had never been able to do growing up on the island. It was one of the small pleasures of the Three Kingdoms he delighted in. Even though he had spent almost every morning and afternoon of the past two moons in the saddle, it still never got old. He loved the feel of the wind in his hair, the sensation of
speed as they flew through the grass.

  He had made a mistake. In retrospect, he should not have allowed the hunters to go to the island. He had underestimated Ryuu's abilities once again. The young man was gifted, strong. But all the attack had accomplished was to give away Renzo's plans. He was sure of it. They couldn’t come to any other conclusion. When he had approached Shika, he hadn't been surprised when she turned him down, although he had hoped they could work together. They both felt the pressing need to bring the nightblades back to the Three Kingdoms, but Renzo didn't think she had the courage to go as far as was necessary. Change wouldn't happen unless the blades were pushed. Renzo wished that it could be different, but it wasn't.

  The hunters on the island would have forced her hand. Shika would have told Tenchi about his approach. Renzo had trusted her enough at the time. Their methods may have been different, but they had the same goals, and she had told him she wouldn’t speak to Tenchi about it. But he suspected he had gone too far. She wouldn't protect him after this. Renzo wondered what the old man would do, if he would send assassins.

  Every evening Renzo extended his sense, sacrificing sleep to learn all he could about what was happening on the island. He had sensed the battle between Ryuu and the hunters. He had known it had failed the moment it was over. Every night he returned, wondering what would happen. For a while, he had thought perhaps everything would continue as usual. Days passed and nothing seemed different. But then he sensed Ryuu leaving the island. He tracked the young nightblade for two days, wondering if the boy was coming for him.

  Two days of tracking, and Renzo was increasingly certain Ryuu hadn’t been sent to assassinate him. The boy was making a beeline through the Northern Kingdom, racing to where the Southern Kingdom troops were. Renzo made up his mind. He begged leave of Tanak for a few days. There was only one place Ryuu would go, and it would be straight to Akira. Renzo didn't know what Tenchi or Ryuu hoped to accomplish, but he couldn't let their plans come to fruition. Even though he had failed, Akira had shown himself as a dangerous and cunning opponent at the Conclave. Public opinion supported Akira and the words he had said. The people wished for peace. Tenchi was no fool either. Renzo couldn’t let them cooperate, not when his plans were so close to fruition. The Three Kingdoms were on the brink of complete chaos. It would only take another small push and it would all be over.