Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series)

Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn Page B

Book: Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn Read Free Book Online
Authors: Lian Hearn
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righted the saddle and lifted Sesshin onto the mare’s back. He knotted the stallion’s reins as best he could and swung himself up. There was no other way to go but downstream toward his old home, and in truth an irresistible longing had come over him to set eyes on it once more, before fleeing farther into the mountains.
    The valley widened and slowly signs of human life began to appear. Irrigation ditches ran into small fields that lay fallow under vegetable waste and manure. In every corner stood trees, leafless now, but he knew each one, peach, loquat, mulberry. Smoke hung in the still air and its woody scent brought tears to his eyes. Not until this moment had he realized how much he had missed it all. His heart was thick with emotion and it made him careless.
    “Look out!” Sesshin cried, at the same time as Shika heard the arrow whistling toward him and the shriek of the werehawks as they dived at his head. He pulled Risu close, dropped the lead rein, and sent her forward with a slap on her rump, then plucked an arrow from the quiver, brought Nyorin to a halt, and spun around. One of the werehawks raked his cheek with its beak, drawing blood.
    A man was riding toward him, bow drawn, shouting in a voice so loud it echoed around the valley.
    “I am the warrior monk Gessho, from Ryusonji! In the name of the Prince Abbot, surrender yourselves to me. I am commanded to bring you to him.”
    Shika tried to shoot toward him, but the werehawks flapped around his head, obscuring his sight; one seized the arrow in its claws and flew away with it. Nyorin, alarmed by the birds, gave a huge buck and bolted after Risu.
    Another arrow whistled past Shika’s head. They came to a fork in the track; the horses turned to the left and galloped into a group of armed men, led by Shika’s uncle, Sademasa.
    *   *   *
    Sademasa recognized him at once, Shika was sure. His uncle’s face, beneath the elaborate horned helmet, paled as if he had seen a ghost. He thought the men also knew who he was, but they surrounded him with drawn swords, and he was afraid they would kill him and Sesshin without asking any questions.
    “Uncle,” he called out, as he calmed Nyorin. “It is I, Kazumaru.” He reached out for Risu’s rein and spoke softly to her. Both horses were breathing heavily. Sesshin turned his bandaged eyes toward the voices, listening carefully.
    “My nephew is dead,” Sademasa replied. “Who are you, imposter, and how dare you ride up to me with such an outrageous claim?”
    “You know who I am. You were there when I fell off the mountain a year ago. Lord Kiyoyori took me into his service.”
    “If you serve the Kuromori lord what are you doing here with this sightless beggar?”
    Above their heads the werehawks were shrieking in triumph. The monk, who had named himself as Gessho, rode up, shouting. “Lower your swords. Do not harm these men. My lord, I am under orders from the Prince Abbot of Ryusonji to bring them directly to him, alive.”
    One of Sademasa’s men said, “He does look like Kazumaru. What if it is him?” Shika knew him; his name was Naganori.
    “Maybe he is a shape-shifter,” Gessho declared, “who can take on the likeness of anyone, even the dead.”
    “I don’t need to be a shape-shifter,” Shika said. “I am Kazumaru. Naganori, I remember you. Your son, Nagatomo, was my friend.”
    The man’s face lit up. “Lord Kazumaru…” he began, but Sademasa rode his horse forward, barging between Shika and Naganori, and addressed Gessho. “You can take them away. I’ll send men with you to make sure they don’t escape. As long as you remind your master of this service I am rendering him.”
    “You will indeed be rewarded,” Gessho replied. “And even more if you provide us with shelter. It is too late to ride on today. Let us rest at your house and we will leave in the morning.”
    Shika glanced at Sesshin. If he had given one sign, made one gesture, Shika would have fought, no matter

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