Moon and Star Episode Two: Book Two of the Moon and Star Saga (The Jakai Chronicles 1)

by Mike Bergonzi

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Get the Epic Conclusion

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  Author Bio

  MOON AND STAR

  Book Two

  Mike Bergonzi

  Moon and Star

  Book Two

  Mike Bergonzi

  Copyright © 2016 by Mike Bergonzi. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

  Click or visit:

  MikeBergonzi.net

  To the wonderful members of RoTaNoWriMo, where every month is novel writing month.

  Chapter One

  The moon glowed in the night sky beneath thin layers of fog, mere days from becoming full. Yuri wondered how Kaito was faring with Mayumi. Seemed the woman was right to take him. Things were complicated here. She didn't know who to trust.

  It wasn't raining, but she wore a hood in case someone from the palace recognized her outside the castle walls. She approached the door to the inn, looking both ways before tapping on the wooden frame. The door creaked opened and she walked inside.

  Murmured voices filled the main hall. People pointed and stared, worried expressions on all their faces. The room's lighting was dim. The lone source of light came from the moon outside and through the clunky lens of a window frame.

  Sesshu approached. "Good to see you, Yuri. Tell me, what can we do for you this evening?"

  He wore the same robes from a few nights ago, though there was more ink than cloth showing on the once white-colored fabric. His face was also covered in soot, but he ignored it as if it wasn't even there. Yuri bowed in respect.

  "Master Sesshu. I was wondering if you could tell me if anyone would want Jin dead? A group that hates the Tsenzu, perhaps."

  Sesshu scratched his chin. "Not enough to do something that drastic."

  Yuri sighed. Another dead end. The entire room focused their attention on her, even more so than before. She could feel their eyes watching her as the conversation between her and Sesshu lulled.

  The voices stopped and Yuri darted her eyes to each group of people as they stared back at her, angry expressions on every last one of their faces.

  She whispered in Sesshu's ear, "Is there a reason everyone is staring at me?"

  "You mean, you don't know?" Sesshu asked.

  Yuri shook her head.

  "Lord Kasaju issued a bounty on some of our brethren. Everyone in this room thinks you are a spy."

  "Even you?"

  "I still think you're on the right side," he said with a smile.

  "Well, if you don't know anything, I guess I'll just go …"

  Her attention faltered as several of the larger men in the inn started surrounding her. The kept their distance, leaving room for her to walk, but she couldn't stop worrying what they planned to do.

  She made her way to the door as fast as she could, without drawing attention to herself. A group of men blocked the exit. They scowled at her, arms folded across their chests. Behind her, the men from before closed in.

  "Sesshu?" she asked, her voice cracking.

  Yuri looked behind for any sign of the old man. All she saw was the ink on his robes and a door sliding closed. She swallowed, trying to think of a way out of the situation.

  "I'm not a spy," she said. "I had nothing to do with this, I swear. Please, you have to believe me."

  The men moved several steps closer. She backed away and found herself encircled by everyone in the room. The hostility in the air tugged at her conscious. Even the gossiping innkeeper's daughter showed signs of hostility.

  Several of the men unsheathed their tachis. Nitsu seiba would've really come in handy right about now. Even if she did have the sun saber on her person, its power was useless in the dead of night. Thinking of other ways to stay alive proved pointless as they jumped her and began beating her body until she felt nothing but aches and bruises.

  She didn't have a choice.

  Yuri shouted and raised her arms in the air. Every single one of the Tsenzu flew backward in all directions with her body acting as the epicenter.

  The technique she'd used was for quick getaways. It wasn't meant to take on a small army. Everyone inside her blinding solar field clawed at the air, grabbing onto anything solid—even if that something was another Tsenzu. The room erupted into chaos. Fists flew and blades danced as everyone fought each other, giving Yuri time to slip away.

  She didn't bother closing the door. The spell would only last for a few more seconds. Those who could still follow her would find it impossible to see. She ran for a nearby building, out of sight from the inn's vantage point in the center of town.

  Her heart rate slowed, signaling the end of the spell. It was the first time she needed to use such a power. Members of the Yoritomo clan were able to perform it with enough training, but the wielder of nitsu seiba could also use the power once a day. Thankfully she met both requirements.

  Yuri took a deep breath and readied herself for the long sprint to the castle. The Tsenzu wouldn't dare try attacking the castle with their numbers and lack of weaponry. All she had to do was lay low and hope this whole thing blew over.

  Lord Kasaju's face entered her mind and she froze mid-dash. Right now, she was more afraid of the Tsenzu than she was of Kasaju. Besides, the former Shogun didn't know anything. The bounties had to be coincidences. She could hide in her quarters, go about her daily business and never set foot inside the city unless necessary. It wasn't like the Kanrei needed to visit the city of Kyotomo on a regular basis.

  She slowed her breathing and walked the rest of the way to the castle wall, looking behind her every so often to see if anyone followed.

  ***

  Yuri took a deep breath and picked up her teapot to pour herself a cup of hot water. The liquid drained into the cup in a stream of fog. She inhaled the fumes and sighed. She had to leave the castle tonight. Lord Kasaju was suspicious of her.

  Now she was interested in finding out the Lord's involvement in Jin's death. It was a horrible thing to say or even think, but she felt trapped between the Lord's will and the tsenzu's plea for peace.

  She needed to make a choice. If Jin were alive, what would he have done? It was hard to say, being the son of Lord Kasaju and a Tsenzu at the same time. Something about the whole situation seemed unsettling to her, as if Sesshu were lying about Jin's involvement with them. It made the most sense, given the fact Jin was Kasaju's son. She placed the cup up to her lips and took a sip. Hot water always calmed her stomach.

  "Lady Kanrei?" the Captain of the guard asked.

  "Come in, Shinobu," she said, lowering the cup.

  The man entered.

  "What can I do for you Captain Kura?"

  "It's about Lord Jin's death. I think ... I think he was murdered."

  "What makes you say that?" she asked.

  "Because of this."

  He handed her a
scroll. She opened it. The handwriting was, without a doubt, Lord Jin's. The message's contents made Yuri all the more nervous.

  Tomorrow night, I'm going to die, it read. I do not know who will do the deed, but I do know why. I've made enemies of everyone. My own family included. If I were to choose a side, it would mean the destruction of Jakai in one form or another. This is the best course of action and no doubt the safest. I only wish I could tell Kaito the truth, but he too shall be killed ... or so my heart says.

  Yuri finished the last words, realizing she had stopped breathing. She wrapped up the scroll and handed it back to Shinobu.

  "How long have you had this?"

  "I found it in my quarters," he said. "The night before Jin was killed. It was addressed to you."

  Me? "Does anyone else know about this?"

  Captain Kura shook his head. "You're the second person I've shown it too. I didn't want to mention it to Lord Kasaju, because of the letter's contents. It said his own family is trying to kill him. That he was caught in a tough spot, had to betray one or help the other. He--"

  "I read the letter. I know what it said."

  "Apologies, Lady Kanrei," he said, then paused. "What do you think we should do?"

  She thought about telling him her theories on Lord Kasaju's involvement with Jin's death but decided against it. Explaining the situation to him would take too long, and she wasn't sure if it would help. What she did know was that Lord Kasaju was now the prime suspect in his son's murder.

  Chapter Two

  She didn't have a choice.

  She needed to go back to the Tsenzu.

  Weeks had passed since her encounter with the banned religious group and right now she needed information–Whether they were willing to give it up or not. She'd need to deceive Lord Kasaju and Sesshu, playing both sides until she knew more. Once she knew enough to make a decision, she'd strike whoever was at fault. No matter who it was. Lord Jin deserved justice. And she would do anything in her power to see the people responsible brought to it.

  What worried her the most were the Tsenzu and their ferocity when backed into a corner. Yuri gripped her peace offering tighter. It wasn't much, but surely a monetary offering would help in some way.

  The inn's sign came into view as she made her way over the hill from the valley, which separated the castle with Kyotomo itself. Both establishments sat on top of hills, said to be the burial ground of the Jakain people's ancestors. Yuri knew more than most when it came to the people who once ruled the nation before the shogunate was established. Being the Kanrei made it so she had to know the political history of Jakai. Those who never learned from the past were often mad in her opinion.

  The inn's door was open when she arrived. She poked her head inside to find the place empty. Could they be having a meeting? She stepped inside and waited by the door in case things heated up like last time.

  The floorboards creaked as someone made their way up the stairs. It was Sesshu. The artist gave her a welcoming smile. The kind one gave to an old friend. Yuri felt her stomach lurch.

  "Lady Kanrei," he said. "I thought that might be you. We've missed you at our meetings. Tell me, what brings you here today?"

  Yuri hesitated, but then followed him downstairs into the secret room where the Tsenzu met. The inn keeper’s daughter bowed as they entered. In fact, they all bowed. It was odd – not the bowing, but the situation. It felt wrong.

  "What's going on?" she whispered to Sesshu. "Why are they all bowing?"

  "They've never had the experience of meeting someone who wields the power of the sun."

  Yuri felt the warmth leave her cheeks. How much did they know about nitsu seiba? Spirits, I shouldn't have used that technique.

  Sesshu guided her towards a platform where his painting materials lay scattered across the floor. A half finished painting stood between two floor-bound candles. The basement’s ambiance shifted as an unknown source of wind caused the flames to flicker and blow out. Her eyes took some time to adjust to the sudden darkness. When they did, she wondered why she thought this was a good idea. She gave Sesshu a panicked look. The old man smiled eagerly like the rest. What was she doing here? In front of all these people? They acted like she was their god.

  "I'm not sure what it is you think you saw,” she found herself saying, “but I'm not a god. I can't control the sun or heal wounds or anything like that.”

  It wasn't all a lie. She didn't have nitsu seiba at the time. She'd used a spell which derived its power from the same source as the sun saber, but one was a brief burst of energy. The other, a solidified black flame surrounding steel.

  The Tsenzu looked at her, half of them appearing confused or distraught. The other’s looked on in contempt. She needed to think of something, quick.

  "If you don't mind I'd like to leave."

  She glanced over at Sesshu, who frowned. His eyes showing a bit of disappointment. Yuri winced as she left the stage. The other Tsenzu eyed her as she made her way to the stairs. A few of them even blocked her path until Sesshu came over and whispered something in their ears.

  "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding," Yuri said, bowing.

  Nobody returned her gesture of honor. Her instincts told her to run. Run as fast as possible. They had the same eyes as the night they attacked her. Something told her they would do it again if she stayed any longer.

  Sesshu made his way to the podium, taking center stage. "I'm sure Yuri will come around in time. Until then we must remain calm and let her make up her mind, and we will respect it. No matter the decision.”

  He turned towards Yuri and gave her permission to leave. Unsure if it was a trick, Yuri remained motionless. The other Tsenzu stared at her. Sesshu's face showed great anger.

  "Back to your studies!"

  His voice was different, more hostile. No longer the peaceful tone of an old man. All the raspiness she'd come to expect had vanished—and instead of an old man, she heard a voice which did not belong.

  Yuri felt her skin grow cold. Jin's painting instructor had a certain aura about him. Everyone in the room seemed to respect him out of fear. There's more to him than he's letting on, she thought.

  And then she remembered the reason she came down here.

  "Sesshu, do you know anything more about Jin’s death?”

  “What makes you so sure I know anything other than what I’ve told you?”

  "This note. It was found on Takato Hatake's body. I was wondering if you could tell me whether or not the handwriting is Jin's."

  She handed him the note Captain Kura gave her. Sesshu took it and scanned the note with his eyes. He frowned with a confused look about his face.

  "This is most certainly Jin's handwriting," he said. "I had no idea things were that bad. Makes me wish he'd come to me for help. Maybe then his death could've been avoided."

  "So you know about Jin and his father?" Yuri asked.

  Sesshu chortled. "Of course, didn’t you?"

  Yuri shook her head. "I know that Lord Kasaju hates your people, but I don't understand why. If I did, maybe I could get to the bottom of this."

  "That," Sesshu said, "is a long story, stemming back generations. I suppose, you could say, it started when Jakai was declared independent from Chaiku. When the ancestors of the two clans first butted heads."

  Yuri's breath left her for a moment. Her mind tried to process what she had heard. Chaiku was a nation north of the uppermost island, beyond the sea which divided the four great islands of Jakai. Long before Yuri's time, Jakai was owned by the Kachaku—the people of Chaiku. How did Sesshu know about it? How old is this man? Yuri wondered.

  "You look pale. Can I get you something to drink?"

  "No, I'm fine. I just ... need some air. It's a lot to take in, is all."

  Sesshu nodded and sat down. Yuri joined him on the floor. She eyed the rest of the men and women inside the inn's basement. They went about their business, ignoring them and focusing on their studies.

  Wonder what they're stu
dying. It doesn't look like painting. Where are all the brushes and ink stones?

  It was an odd sight. Sesshu was a master painter, not a scholar, yet dozens of people sat reading books. The strangest part was despite the vast collection of books inside the castle where she lived, she didn't recognize a single title. Most she couldn't even read. At first glance, she attributed it to sitting far away from the books themselves—but then she realized they were written in a different language. She couldn't read the text, but she hated herself for not noticing earlier. Jakai never bound anything together in such a manner. These were actual books, tomes from ... No, it can't be.

  Sesshu appeared to have taken notice of Yuri's behavior, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. It startled her, causing her heart to beat faster and faster. Her need to run far away took hold of her, and she found herself standing up. She bowed in respect.

  "Is it all right if I come back another time?"

  The elder man looked taken aback as if he had offended her in some way.

  Yuri shook her head. "It's nothing to do with you. I just need time to let this all ... sink in."

  "Of course," Sesshu said, bowing. "Take as much time as you need, Lady Kanrei."

  "Thank you," Yuri said and left the inn, wondering what she'd gotten herself into and how long she could survive this life of deceit.

  A guardsman approached her the moment she left the inn. Shock in his eyes and horror on his face. “Lady Kanrei, Lord Senjuya is dead.”

  Chapter Three

  The cold night air blew against Yuri's skin, causing her to walk to the castle faster. It wasn't so cold where she couldn't stand to be outside, but being out in the open was the last thing she wanted. Not when important members of the Bakufu were being killed off.

  First Takato, now Tsunok? What is going on?

  This went beyond the scope of the Yoritomo. They were never good in the art of assassination and stealth. Their skills were amplified on the battlefield, not off it. A third party must be at work, but who?