Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,19
in a luxurious kago over land.”
“Then the stories are true,” Daisuke said. “Of Kage shinobi passing through solid walls and getting into spaces that should be impossible to breach, because they can melt into the shadows and emerge on the other side.”
The majutsushi sniffed. “Those are rumors, Taiyo-san, but like many rumors, they hold a kernel of truth. The reality of shadow walking is much grimmer. You see, in certain areas and on certain days, the curtain between the mortal realm and the realm of the dead is very thin. Graveyards, obviously—” he gestured at our surroundings “—temples and battlefields are places where the dead and the living sometimes mingle. The Yurei Matsuri, held every year on the longest night, is a time when our ancestors can cross the veil and step into the mortal realm to visit their living relatives, until the sun rises and they fade back into the world of the dead.
“The Path of Shadows,” Naganori went on as I shivered, “bridges the space between Ningen-kai, the realm of the living, and Meido, the realm of the dead. On certain nights, the curtain parts, but we of the Kage have learned to open it at will, just wide enough to slip between. Using this technique, we can travel hundreds of miles in a few hours, though there must be a Shadow mage present to open the curtain once again. The ritual itself is exhausting, and it will take us a few jumps to get to Kage lands, but we will arrive at Hakumei castle in days, rather than weeks.”
“Amazing,” Daisuke mused, but he sounded concerned as he said it. “I was not aware that the Kage could move so quickly and fluidly across clan borders. It is truly astonishing, if they can move an entire army from one territory to another without being seen.”
The majutsushi gave a raspy chuckle. “I know what you are thinking, Taiyo-san. But you needn’t worry. The Kage do not use this technique often, and never in large numbers. Attempting to walk the Path with the five of you will be a risk in itself.”
“Why?” I wondered.
Naganori gave me a disdainful look. “Because, girl,” he began, “walking the Path of Shadows is dangerous, as you will see in but a moment. Meido will be but a breath away, and the spirits of the dead are very jealous of the living. You might hear a familiar voice, calling out to you. You might see a beloved relative, waving to you in the distance. But beware, the call of the dead will lead you to your doom. If you take a wrong step, if you stray from the path, you will stumble into their world. And once you are in the realm of the dead, it will not let you go.”
The ice in my stomach spread to my whole body, as Naganori fixed us with a piercing glare. “So heed this warning,” he said in a firm voice, “and ignore the pleas of the dead, no matter who you see, no matter what they tell you. It will be hard. Every few years, we lose a majutsushi or a shinobi to the Path. They know the dangers, they are aware of Meido’s call, and yet, they step into the shadows and never come out again.” His black eyes narrowed, and he pointed a twig-thin finger in our direction. “It will happen to you, if you are not vigilant and don’t do exactly as I say. And even then…” He sniffed again and shook his head in resignation, as if the assessment had already been made. “The call of Meido is strong, stronger for the weak willed and undisciplined.” His gaze flickered to Okame and me before shifting away. “I expect to lose at least one of you before we reach the Kage lands.”
He turned away, and Okame made a rude face to his back before bending close to us. “I don’t like this person,” he murmured, earning a snort of approval from Chu. “Did you see the way he looked at us, Yumeko-chan? I think we should all arrive at the Kage lands safe and sound, just to spite him.”
Master Jiro, nearly forgotten behind us, stepped forward looking grim. “If we are truly going to walk alongside the realm of the dead, we must be careful,” he told us. “The majutsushi spoke true—the spirits of the dead are very jealous of the living. Watch out for each other. Do not let each other step off