Valley of Shields

by Duncan Lay

  Sendatsu undid the ferocious hug Cheijun was placing around his neck. ‘So? That’s the sort of thing you write when you only have a few turns of the hourglass left and want to pretend you are not dying in vain.’

  ‘But the bit about the Magic-weavers came true! He says they killed his wife, who was herself a Magic-weaver. And then his best friend betrayed him …’

  ‘Please don’t talk about Gaibun. He is not a traitor — he helped us last night, many times. He saved my life.’ Sendatsu held up his hand — only to have Cheijun grab it and wrestle it down. ‘Look, we won! We are going to get everything we wanted. Nobody said Gaibun was working with Sumiko, and she was the one sending warriors after us. And he admitted to Asami he was trying to fool my father. Yes, the Magic-weavers turned on us but we beat them. As for my wife, she never had magic and is long dead —’

  ‘Well, I am talking about Asami here. You cannot deny your feelings for Asami. You have told me of them, many times.’

  Sendatsu shook his head. ‘It is not the same,’ he insisted.

  ‘Well, at least watch Gaibun. Who knows what he is doing or who he is seeing out there?’

  ‘There is nobody left for him to see. We have won,’ Sendatsu repeated.

  ‘He married the woman you love and it is obvious to all that you and Asami want to be together. Where does that leave him? He can’t compete with you but, if you were dead, who would Asami turn to for comfort?’

  ‘You don’t know him.’

  ‘Fine!’ Huw threw up his hands. ‘You never seem to listen to me anyway. Well, don’t blame me if he sees you dead in order to finally get Asami for himself.’

  ‘They are married!’

  ‘In name only. The two of you have eyes only for each other.’

  ‘Like you are with Rhiannon, you mean. Has she forgiven you yet?’

  ‘Nice attempt to change the subject but I can’t see that happening soon. If ever.’

  ‘Perhaps Asami can help her.’

  ‘Maybe. If she’s not mourning your death at the hands of Gaibun.’

  ‘Enough!’ Sendatsu cried. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I have to take care of this bear cub!’

  ‘I am not a bear!’ Cheijun told him, growling, and grabbing his hand fiercely.

  Huw let them wrestle while he turned back to the other Sendatsu’s writing. He needed to know what happened next.

  16

  Then they decided to keep all the magic to themselves. Humans with magic were killed, or tricked, and the Elfarans lied and betrayed, did whatever they could to stop us having that power.

  Huw’s song

  Asami took Rhiannon out into the garden. ‘Do you really want to dance for the Council? They are used to seeing only the best, most graceful performers. The slightest slip will be evidence, in their eyes, that humans are gaijin. I thought this was just a story, to allow you to stay here and learn about your magic with me.’

  ‘I want to dance as well,’ Rhiannon said.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘You don’t need to know why. You just have to help me. I saved your life, remember? You owe me.’

  ‘I know. That’s why I am trying to help you now. We fought together, we saved each other last night. Please, tell me what is wrong.’

  Rhiannon was about to dismiss her, walk inside and force her misery down deep, when she was struck by Asami’s eyes.

  They were almond-shaped and dark, so unlike her own, yet the concern in them was real, and Asami’s words hit home. She had never had a female friend before. Huw had been her first friend and she desperately missed being able to talk, since he had betrayed and lied to her. The pain inside welled up and she felt the tears begin to leak out.

  ‘Talk to me.’

  Rhiannon burst into tears and Asami wrapped her arms around her.

  ‘I am here for you,’ she said.

  Rhiannon allowed herself to relax for the first time since she had killed her father with magic. She began to talk, more and more, everything spilling out. She spoke about her early days with her father and the dreams he had put in her head — the ambition to dance for the elves — and about meeting Huw. She spoke about the final, fatal meeting with her father, where he had revealed the full extent of his lies and she had killed him.

  The only thing she kept hidden was her foolish infatuation and affair with Sendatsu. That could come later but, for now, it would just complicate things.

  Asami listened with sympathy, soothing Rhiannon and easing her fears about opening up.

  ‘I killed my own father with magic. I wanted him dead and it happened!’

  Asami embraced her. ‘You didn’t kill him. He did it to himself. It was not your fault.’

  ‘So why do I feel so guilty?’

  Asami looked into her eyes. ‘You will always regret that act, but that is a good thing.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Because every time you are tempted to let your magic loose, that will be a chain on your power. You have so much strength within you, it is frightening. But together we shall work on your control and you will see yourself for what you really are — a force for good in this world.’

  Rhiannon sniffed back her last tears. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

  ‘No, it is my pleasure. And we shall even work on your dancing, if you truly want to dance for the Council.’

  ‘I do,’ Rhiannon admitted. ‘It was a dream of mine for so many years, it was the one thing my father and I agreed upon. It’s foolish, I know, but I feel if I can make that happen, then my childhood was not all a lie. He spoke about dancing with the elves so often, by making that dream come true then I can remember something about him without pain — do you understand?’

  ‘Of course. Now, shall we see if Gaibun is back with some food?’

  ‘I would like that even more!’ Rhiannon laughed, feeling as though a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

  They found Sendatsu still rolling on the floor with his children and Huw reading the ancient book.

  ‘Should we work on magic?’ Rhiannon asked Asami.

  Asami nodded but they had barely begun when Gaibun returned with bread, cheese and fruit.

  ‘What is the news out there?’ Sendatsu asked, handing food to Mai and Cheijun.

  ‘The marketplace is abuzz,’ Gaibun said. ‘There are Council Guards everywhere and they are quick to anger. More than I have ever seen. I would say most of them are Daichi’s clan, pressed into duty. All know that the Council has cracked down on the clans supporting Tadayoshi, as well as the Magic-weavers. Anyone with connections to Jaken is keeping their head down, while the others are agog with the news.’

  ‘It will probably calm down in a few days,’ Sendatsu said.

  ‘Should we still go and see Daichi? He will have many, many people wanting to speak to him …’ Asami said.

  ‘We need to. We should make sure he sticks to his agreement, while the memory of what we did is still fresh,’ Sendatsu decided. ‘Huw, Rhiannon, you need to stay here.’

  ‘Why?’ Huw asked.

  ‘Sendatsu’s right. With the atmosphere outside, it is even less safe for humans to be walking the streets of Dokuzen than usual. Yesterday we could have used Jaken’s or Daichi’s name to talk you out of trouble. But the way people are acting today, you could be dead before we can say anything,’ Gaibun warned.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Huw asked.

  ‘Trust me — it’s madness out there. It’s not safe to take Mai and Cheijun either.’

  Sendatsu looked at the two of them sitting on a chair together, Mai helping to feed her younger brother.

  ‘I don’t want to leave them. They won’t like it.’

  ‘They’ll like it even less if something happens out there,’ Gaibun warned. ‘Remember — all think you are a traitor and a killer, as well as the son of Jaken, the clan leader just arrested.’

  Sendatsu turned to Huw and Rhiannon.

  ‘I’ll need you to look after my children while we are gone. We shall be as quic
k as we can.’

  ‘Well, I’ll try my best but I’ve never done anything like that,’ Huw said.

  Sendatsu smiled. ‘Good man! We’ll be back in a turn or two of the hourglass, carrying the start of an alliance between men and elves.’

  ‘Elfarans!’

  Sendatsu grinned. ‘We might even get used to saying that.’

  Hanto waited in the cold, shivering and hungry. He was in the right place, he was sure of it. But, again, no gateway had been opened for him. He feared something had gone very wrong in Dokuzen. Had the Magic-weavers been killed? Had his lord been killed? Fears filled his head and it took all his discipline to stay calm.

  He would wait here. Lord Jaken would not forget him. A gateway would be opened and he would be able to return home and give them the vital news. Every elf had to know that the humans had magic. And, once they did, they would join Jaken in wiping the scourge of humanity from these lands.

  Hanto used the days to catch food and build a crude shelter — and the nights to wait for a gateway to open. A little voice in the back of his head was saying he should find another way home but he was not ready to listen to it. Not yet. His news was too important to risk and he was sure Lord Jaken would save him. He did not know the meaning of defeat.

  Mai and Cheijun did not take the news well, and cried as Sendatsu, Asami and Gaibun left, wrapped up in cloaks to try to hide their faces. The lack of sleep, an overdose of tears and Gaibun’s veiled threats left Sendatsu in a foul mood, so they walked in silence through seething streets. The trio kept to side streets where possible, or lost themselves in crowds, always dodging around the little knots of Daichi’s warriors, who stood on each corner.

  ‘Anyone would think going outside was now a crime,’ Asami muttered.

  Gaibun shrugged. ‘Well, after what Daichi saw last night, it is not surprising.’

  ‘They are looking for you,’ Sendatsu told her.

  ‘Me? Why?’ Asami gasped.

  ‘They heard your first act as head of the Magic-weavers would be to make everyone cook like you,’ Sendatsu said, trying to look serious but by the end unable to keep the smile from his face.

  Asami punched him on the arm. ‘I can’t believe I fell for that — or that you would make that joke at a time like this!’

  ‘If you two have quite finished, we have an important task,’ Gaibun said icily.

  Sendatsu and Asami smiled sheepishly at each other before following Gaibun down another quiet street. They avoided as many people as possible until they were close to Daichi’s villa — where they stopped in shock and horror.

  Last night the villa had been surrounded by extensive grounds, spacious and beautiful. Now it was a mass of elves, from greybeards down to infants smaller than Cheijun. All were under guard — a mass of Border Patrol, Council Guard and Daichi’s hand-picked clan warriors.

  ‘I thought he said he was finding the other leading suspects. This looks like he has the families of every noble in five clans!’ Gaibun gasped.

  ‘Come, we need to find out what is going on.’ Sendatsu led the way to the front gate, where a thick line of warriors stood.

  ‘Who are you? Move on now!’ the leader challenged.

  ‘We are here at the command of the Elder Elf, told to see him this morning.’

  ‘Go away and come back later!’

  Sendatsu moved closer and lowered his voice.

  ‘We are the ones who saved him last night,’ he hissed.

  The officer looked them up and down, then understanding dawned.

  ‘Ah, it’s you three! Well, the Lord Daichi will see you. Show them in.’

  They were taken to the same office they had been in last night — although this time it was empty.

  ‘I shall tell the Lord Daichi you are here. But he might be some time,’ the officer warned.

  Food and drink was brought to them but time dragged slowly and Sendatsu found himself dozing off when Daichi walked in, flanked by a pair of clan leaders.

  ‘Welcome, my friends — my apologies for keeping you waiting. I’m sure you know Lords Moshin and Konetsu.’

  Sendatsu jumped to his feet, to join Asami and Gaibun in exchanging bows with everyone.

  ‘No need for apologies, Lord Daichi — we know how busy you must be.’

  ‘Please, walk with me.’ Daichi gestured and they followed him out and into the garden, where a squad of guards fell into place behind them.

  ‘My apologies for this but they feel it is necessary after the events of last night. Rest assured it is not a judgement on you.’

  While the courtyard area was deserted, they did not go there, instead heading out onto the main path of the garden.

  Sendatsu, Gaibun and Asami exchanged worried glances.

  ‘My apologies, Lord Daichi, but what are we doing?’ Sendatsu asked.

  ‘There are a few things you need to see,’ was all Daichi would say, as they walked around a carefully manicured series of bushes. ‘Do not ask questions until we get back to my office.’

  Sendatsu now exchanged mystified looks with Asami and Gaibun — then it all became clear.

  ‘Father!’ Gaibun blurted. ‘What are you doing here?’

  Sendatsu and Asami bowed to Gaibun’s father, Retsu, who sat awkwardly on a stone bench, surrounded by the rest of Gaibun’s family — and a pair of guards.

  ‘I was hoping you would tell me what I am doing here, and the reason for this disgraceful treatment,’ his father replied stiffly.

  ‘You are a Tadayoshi. That is reason enough, Retsu,’ Konetsu spat.

  Daichi waved them on. ‘Come, we must keep moving. There is more to see.’

  ‘Why is my father here? All know he has hated Jaken for years. He is the elf who should take over the leadership of clan Tadayoshi,’ Gaibun protested. ‘And my mother, my sisters … they have done nothing!’

  ‘Keep silent unless you want to join them! The Elder Elf told you to keep your questions until we are finished here!’ Moshin barked.

  The path curved around, hiding Gaibun’s family — and revealed Asami’s parents, as well as her younger sister and elderly grandparents, this time sitting uncomfortably on the ground.

  ‘What are they doing here?’ Asami instinctively went to rush to their side, only for Sendatsu to hold her arm.

  ‘This is what he wants. He will use this against us later. Give nothing away,’ he murmured.

  ‘But that is my family! Why are they under guard?’

  ‘Time is pressing, we must move on,’ Daichi said remorselessly.

  Sendatsu steeled himself as they walked further, to a small rise with views across the garden. The full extent of the night’s work was exposed, showing hundreds, if not thousands of elves, of all ages, clustered together and watched balefully by armed warriors.

  ‘Magnificent sight, is it not?’ Daichi asked.

  None replied.

  The path back to the house had one final twist — one that Sendatsu was now expecting and, sure enough, nestled behind carefully trimmed trees was his mother, as well as his aunt and her three young children, his cousins.

  They stared at him pleadingly as he walked past but he said nothing. His father had shown him over the years that there was always a reason for everything. Daichi had a plan and he had to be ready for it.

  Behind him, Asami and Gaibun were whispering, wanting him to join them in a protest, but he waved them down until they were almost back in Daichi’s villa.

  ‘Thank you for the tour, Lord Daichi,’ he said. ‘It was most instructive. But we are hardly worthy of a private stroll around your gardens. After all, we are just ordinary elves of Dokuzen.’

  Daichi stared at him as they returned to the office and were shown to their seats. Sendatsu was careful to keep his face impassive and, finally, Daichi broke the silence.

  ‘As you can see, the plotting against me went further than even you imagined. And the ones you saw in my gardens are the small fry. The big fish are being safely held in my cellars, awai
ting my judgement, as well as the decision of the Council.’

  ‘Forgive me, Lord Daichi — but was it necessary to bring in so many? Surely the elderly and the children were not going to do anything? In fact, most of the ordinary people would do nothing without the orders of their clan leaders,’ Asami said hesitantly, glancing at Sendatsu, who nodded fractionally.

  ‘That is where you are wrong,’ Lord Moshin rumbled. ‘All are guilty of treason.’

  ‘My father’s plans should never be underestimated but, surely, the Council will be merciful to them?’ Sendatsu suggested.

  Konetsu laughed, while Moshin shook his head, and Daichi sat there unmoving.

  ‘This is not a time for weakness,’ Konetsu said. ‘This can never happen again. The people must be taught a lesson they will never forget.’

  ‘But surely —’ Gaibun stopped then began again. ‘Do you mean to execute them?’

  Daichi frowned. ‘The full Council will make that decision.’

  ‘The full Council will do whatever you want of them!’ Asami said.

  ‘I shall be recommending to the Council that the leaders of the Magic-weavers and all rebellious clans be executed. Their families shall likewise die, down to the last child. All members of rebellious clans shall have their rank removed, so they are no better than the esemono, and all their wealth shall be redistributed among the loyal clans,’ Moshin said. ‘Clan Tadayoshi will no longer exist, and all mention of it shall be removed from our histories. All survivors will become part of Lord Daichi’s clan, Kaneoki, and must swear allegiance to him personally.’

  ‘You cannot be serious!’ Gaibun gasped.

  ‘An example must be made. We cannot have rebellion inside Dokuzen. We have enemies enough outside and, unless you forget, our barrier is fading. We only have one Magic-weaver we can trust and need to find more, quickly. Those who fought against us, except the most junior students, will likewise need to be executed,’ Konetsu said.

  ‘Lord Daichi, I beg you not to do this. Most of these people had no knowledge of what Jaken or Sumiko planned!’ Asami pleaded.

  ‘Do you truly mean all the leaders of the clans? Surely our parents deserve mercy after what we did to protect you?’ Gaibun asked.