Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,104

he continued, as I shivered in the cool night air, “if we ignore Lady Hanshou’s wishes and follow the River of Gold east…”

“We hit the Dragon Spine Mountains,” Okame finished, and Daisuke nodded.

“Then that is our destination,” Master Jiro wheezed. He tottered down the road, leaning heavily on his staff, Chu and Ko staying close at his heels. “We must find the eastern gate, if such a thing exists.” He coughed, bringing one fist to his mouth, his thin shoulders trembling, until the fit passed. At his feet, Ko gave a concerned whine.

“Forgive me, Master Jiro,” Daisuke said, his brows furrowed. “With all due respect, are you feeling well? Enough for a long trek up the harshest of mountain terrains?”

“I am well.” The old priest waved off Daisuke’s concern. “My lungs are not used to these rapidly changing temperatures, but I will adapt.”

“Are you sure?” Okame asked, looking dubious over his crossed arms. “You’re old, and I don’t want to have to carry you all the way up the mountain.”

“I will be fine, ronin.” Master Jiro’s voice was a bit sharper now. “If I can walk the Pious Pilgrimage from Shimizu in Water Clan territory all the way to Heichimon’s Shrine in Hino lands, I can endure a hike up the Dragon Spine.” He sniffed. “Besides, how were the lot of you planning to bind Hakaimono on your own, even enough to slow him down? You are going to need a priest of my…ahem…experience, if we are going to trap an oni lord.”

“That’s assuming we can find the Steel Feather temple,” Reika muttered. “And that whoever lives there, be it monks or priests or hungry ghosts, will believe us when we say we’re not their enemies and that we’ve come to stop the First Oni from barging in and stealing their piece of the Dragon scroll. By not exterminating him.” She sighed, shaking her head. “I hope whoever lives there is the understanding type and doesn’t decide to kill us all.”

We left the Shadow Clan district of the docks, moving away from the river and warehouses and entering what was apparently the center of town, judging from the converging crossroads and the signpost in the middle proclaiming it such. Despite the early hours, Jujiro bustled with activity. All manner of shops lined the roads, their doors already open, vendors busy setting up booths and wooden stalls. A young woman in a beautifully colored kimono strolled past, a parasol balanced on one shoulder. Her face was painted white, her lips and eyes touched with crimson, but unlike the makeup of the majutsushi, it made her look elegant and doll-like instead of stark. Her hair, pinned with flowers and ivory combs, was styled so that not a strand was out of place. She smiled at us as she passed, her gaze lingering on Daisuke, before continuing on.

As we made our way toward the eastern side of the city, the first rays of dawn finally peeked over the horizon, touching the very tops of the rooftops with soft orange light. I took a deep breath, relieved to be out of the oppressive darkness of Shadow Clan territory. Away from the Kage and their prying eyes and ears, where I didn’t have to worry that my every move, my every word, was being watched, recorded and judged. Where my secrets weren’t in constant danger of being discovered and stripped away, and my friends weren’t being threatened or in danger of being killed should any one of those secrets come to light.

No wonder you were always so paranoid, Tatsumi. I closed my eyes, smiling faintly, as the sunlight touched my face. I knew we hadn’t been with the Shadow Clan long, and the instance we’d ventured outside the castle had been at night. But within the walls of Hakumei-jo, it had felt as if the sun didn’t exist and the entire land was cloaked in eternal darkness and shadow. If I had to live with the Kage for even a month or two, I might go crazy.

My stomach fluttered as the demonslayer invaded my thoughts again. Tatsumi…I hope you’re all right. We’re coming, for you and Hakaimono both. Wait for me just a little longer.

Master Jiro began coughing again, a harsh sound that caused all of us to stop in the middle of the road and gaze at him in concern.

Reika frowned. “Master Jiro…”

“I…am fine,” the old priest insisted, holding up a hand. “Do not worry about me. Look.” He gestured down the road between