The Tengu's Game of Go by Lian Hearn Read Free Book Online Page B

sorry for him . He was pierced by an emotion that was not pity, though pity was included in it. I love him , he realized. Is this what brothers feel for each other?
    â€œWe’ll have to wait for Kinpoge to return,” he said.
    â€œShe’ll come back soon,” Ima said, smiling. “She took off without eating; she’ll be hungry.”
    As Ima predicted, Kinpoge appeared not long after. Chika produced presents for her: a robe of cream silk embroidered with celandines and aconites; sweet bean paste; a small bronze mirror into which she gazed in wonder; an exquisite carving of a horse, one foot raised, with a long mane and tail. Mu was astonished at the luxury and wealth that the gifts indicated and also at how well chosen they were, how apt for Kinpoge. He asked who had been responsible.
    Chika addressed Kinpoge. “My sister, Kaze, chose them for you. Do you remember her? She knew you when you were a little girl. She always kept a fondness for you. She has many children herself—your cousins. You will meet them in Kitakami.”
    â€œCan they do the things Father and I can do?” Kinpoge asked.
    Chika looked at Mu, eyebrows raised.
    â€œShe means invisibility, the second self, that sort of thing,” Mu explained.
    â€œOh, they are all experts in that!” Chika laughed. “You never know who is who or where any of them are.”
    Kinpoge whispered to her father, “I do want to meet them, but what about Take? He’ll come back, and we won’t be here.”
    â€œIma will tell him where we’ve gone. Anyway, we don’t know how long he will be away with the tengu. We’re not going forever, just for a visit. It will make time go faster until you see Take.” He knew he was not being completely truthful with her. The reality was that he hoped she would never meet Take again.
    â€œCan I take Ban?” she asked.
    â€œBan is going to stay with me,” Ima said. “You are going to ride a real horse, that pretty gray.”
    Kinpoge looked at the horse, with shining eyes. It seemed to notice her gaze, raised its head, and whickered to her. She went to it and patted its neck.
    â€œLet’s get going,” Chika said. “It’s not yet noon. We’ve several hours of daylight left.”
    Kinpoge ran to Ban and gave the skull horse a pat. It quivered all over and its eye sockets seemed to widen. Then she hugged her uncle. Mu embraced Ima, too.
    â€œTake care of yourself,” he said.
    As they rode away, he saw an old vixen on the edge of the forest. He did not know if she was Kinpoge’s mother, Shida. Was it possible that she was still alive? All that day he was aware that she followed them, but the next morning she was gone.
    *   *   *
    A week later they were in Kitakami. Autumn came early to the northern city and already red leaves were falling and a cold wind blew off the gray sea. Kiku’s residence resembled a fortress in its size and defenses, and was high on a slope on the northeast side of the city, with watchtowers that looked out to the north and the south, along the course of the river that linked Lake Kasumi to the sea. Beyond that, far in the distance, lay the capital, Chika said, adding he had never been there. Mu had flown above it, had seen its lord in his sickness, but he did not mention this.
    The river cut a narrow valley through mountains that rose sheer from the shoreline, their peaks already white with snow. Its estuary formed the port, the only secure harbor on the Northern Sea. Whoever controlled Kitakami controlled trade with Shin and Silla, and the lands of the barbarians in the north. And, from the first impression of Kiku’s home, it was clear to Mu who that was.
    The imposing gates on the west side stood open, but he could see how they would close at a moment’s notice, making the place impregnable. Guards stood in front of them, acknowledging Chika as they rode in. They all had