Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn Read Free Book Online Page A

with his head and Shika put the mask away, giving the bag to the woman to hold. The bird had fallen silent, peering down at them. Now it launched itself into flight, but it was too late. The arrow sped true from the bow, humming as it went. Its sound merged into the bird’s cry of despair as it pierced the heart. Blood burst from the wound, falling in sizzling drops. Then the creature plunged headfirst to the ground.
    “Bring it to Master Sesshin,” Kiyoyori said. “He will know what it is.”
    *   *   *
    Even the most hardened warriors were reluctant to touch it, so Shikanoko, after drawing out the arrow and returning it to his quiver, wrapped it in the woman’s shawl and carried it in both hands into the residence. Kiyoyori led the way to Sesshin’s room. It was the first time he had been in it since the move to Matsutani, and the differing scents of old books, ink, lamp oil, and some sort of incense made his senses reel even more.
    “It is a werehawk,” Sesshin said, after inspecting it carefully. “How strange that it should come here now.”
    “What does it mean?” Kiyoyori demanded.
    “I shall have to practice some divination to find out.” The old scholar looked slightly perturbed. “What a mysterious coincidence of events. I knew something was awry, but I thought it affected only you. Now I fear there are wider forces converging, with far-reaching consequences.”
    He fell silent, gazing on the dead bird.
    Kiyoyori felt suddenly weary. It seemed like days ago that he had returned for his whip. He wanted above all to lie down with this woman and wipe out the reproaches of the dead.
    From outside came the sound of heads falling one by one as the bandits were executed. Most of them were resigned to their fate, not unexpected given their calling, and died quietly, some speaking the name of the Enlightened One, but a few struggled and cursed, wept and pleaded. It was a pitiful sound.
    Shikanoko quivered at each sword blow, tears in his eyes. The woman remained calm, watching Sesshin carefully.
    A great yell of defiance that could only be Akuzenji echoed like a thunderbolt. Shikanoko gasped as if he were about to sob.
    “Lord Kiyoyori may leave now,” the old man said. “And the woman had better take this boy away before he faints.” His tone was dismissive and he hardly looked at Shika, continuing to stare at the dead werehawk, a frown creasing his brow.
    “We will stay with you,” said the woman.
    Kiyoyori and Sesshin spoke together. “That will not be necessary.”
    “I think you will find it is,” she replied. “Please leave, lord.” She looked from one to the other, though only Kiyoyori returned her gaze. She said no more, just waited calmly for him to obey her.
    He said, “But you will come to me later? We will be together?”
    “I promise we will,” she said.

 
    6
    SHIKANOKO
    After the lord left, Sesshin looked from the dead bird to Lady Tora and then to Shikanoko.
    “I don’t understand why you are here. I usually conduct my divinations in private. They involve secrets that only the initiated are permitted to see.”
    “We have something that will save you some time,” Lady Tora said. “Shikanoko is an initiate. And I have taken part in rituals far more esoteric and dangerous than anything you can imagine, even though you are a great scholar and magician. Shikanoko, give the master the mask.”
    He handed it over, suddenly reluctant to expose Shisoku’s creation to the scrutiny of another sorcerer, but Sesshin took it from the bag with reverent hands and studied it intently. “What a wonderful thing! Who made it?”
    Lady Tora said, “The mountain sorcerer Shisoku. It was made for Shikanoko because he is the son of the stag.”
    Sesshin looked swiftly at Shikanoko as if seeing him for the first time. There was a flash of something—surprise, recognition. The old man shook his head.
    “Well, well,” he said quietly. “Let him put it on.”
    Shika recalled Shisoku’s