The Shattering Waves (The Year of the Dragon, Book 7) by James Calbraith

the messenger,” said Koyata. “Don’t worry, the bakuto tell me only as much as I need to know.”
    Takasugi scoffed. “We put too much trust in these ... ruffians.”
    “We talked about it before, Hiro- sama. These eta, these — low-castes — are all we can count on in these dire circumstances. You know Yoshida- sama would have agreed with me.”
    “Pah.” Takasugi crumpled the piece of paper in his hand. “I never should have let you read these writings. Now you throw Shōin’s words back at me.”
    “It only works because you believe he was right.”
    “I’m not convinced yet. These ideas ...” He put the notes back in the chest. “No one but a commoner’s son could think them up. I’m a noble. It’s difficult for me to overcome my—”
    “Prejudices?” Koyata added helpfully.
    “Breeding,” Takasugi replied with a scowl. “Something you wouldn’t … I’m sorry.” He wiped his brow. “This is uncounted for. It’s this heat getting to me. This stuffy storehouse ... I miss the sea breeze.”
    “That is something I can’t help you with yet, I’m afraid.”
    “Still no news of the ships, then?”
    Koyata shook his head. “I believe it’s time to start thinking of an alternative way back.”
    “We will never pass through the Ikeda lands undetected — and there’s too few of us to fight our way through.”
    “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Koyata smiled. “When was the last time you made a count of all the allies who have joined your cause since Heian?”
    “There can’t be more than a few hundred disgruntled rōnin , and—” Takasugi started, but as his mind inadvertently summed up the numbers from the reports he’d read earlier that night, his eyes widened. He reached for the map and his notes. “Five hundred holed up in Sagano ... a hundred around Kohama ... a thousand — no, two thousand ... and then some! But that’s even more than we started with! Why have I not seen it before?”
    “You’ve let your despair blind you,” said Koyata.
    Takasugi leaned back against the mouldy wall and ran the numbers in his head again. “I don’t understand. Why is this happening? We’ve lost. We were routed, slaughtered.”
    “But you fought — you alone took a stand in support of the Mikado’s decree.” Koyata stretched and yawned. “If there’s anything I’ve learned in my brief career in Heian, it’s that the people here loathe the Taikun, and all his clansmen . They still haven’t forgiven him for moving the capital to the north. They’ve been waiting for a chance to fight back for centuries.” He pointed at Takasugi’s chest. “ And you’ve downed a dorako .”
    Takasugi pushed the papers away. “It doesn’t matter. Three hundred or three thousand ... As soon as we all gathered in one place, we’d be routed again. And when the Black Wing returns — and return it will—” He reached for the water flask and took a gulp. He winced and spat — the water was lukewarm and stank of mud. “Last thing I need is a bout of the runs,” he said. “Do me a favour and bring me some saké next time, will you? And some good news about the ships.”
    Koyata reached into his sleeve and produced a small, flat clay flask. “Here. It’s warm, but it won’t make you sick.”
    With a focused effort, Takasugi drew an ice rune on the flask. It fizzled out. “I can’t even do that. Kuso. I bring shame to the Meirinkan.” He uncorked the vessel and gulped down the warm liquid.
    “You still haven’t asked me why I came here,” said Koyata.
    “You mean this isn’t just a friendly visit?” Takasugi chuckled.
    “I passed through the Sumiyoshi Shrine on the way here.”
    Takasugi sat up. “You spoke to Itō- sama, then? How is she?”
    “Safe, and well-rested ... But I think Heian still haunts her. She told me ... she told me to tell you she knows about your plans, and awaits a signal to join you.” The doshin paused and looked Takasugi deep in the eyes. “What are your