end his life. I set my jaw. No, I won’t let that happen, I promised. I won’t lose Tatsumi to Hakaimono, and I won’t let the First Oni win. Whatever it takes, I’m going to bring him back.
Reika sighed, clearly uncertain, then glanced at the older priest in the corner. “Master Jiro? What should we do?”
The priest was silent for several heartbeats.
“This changes nothing,” he said at last. “If anything, it confirms the importance of our mission. We must reach the Steel Feather temple before Hakaimono does. We must defeat the demon, and either drive him back into Kamigoroshi or, failing that, destroy him and his host completely. And we must protect the pieces of the scroll at all costs. Under no circumstances can we allow Hakaimono to deliver them to the Master of Demons.”
“So we have to get to the Steel Feather temple,” Okame said, frowning. “The one supposedly hidden and lost to the ages for hundreds of years. Sounds easy. Um…where was it again?”
“The northern part of the Dragon Spine Mountains,” Master Jiro said, sounding like he was quoting the passage from a history scroll. “Seek the place where the mountain kami gather, and look to the crows that will point the way.” He paused, brow furrowed slightly, before shaking his head. “Not the clearest of directions, I grant you, but it is what we must go on.”
“Gonna be a long walk,” Okame sighed. “The Dragon Spine separates the Tsuchi and Mizu families, and the northern part of the range extends all the way up into Wind Clan territory. Which, conversely, is on the other side of the empire. Unless Hakaimono has a broken leg, or is on this side of Iwagoto with us, I don’t see how we’re going to beat him there.”
“The Path of Shadows,” I said, making him wince. “It’s the fastest way, and Lady Hanshou already gave us leave to use it. We should find Naganori-san, and get him to open the Path for us.”
Through all this, Daisuke had been unusually quiet. Now, as we prepared to leave the room, he set his jaw and rose gracefully from the mats.
“Forgive me,” the noble said, his voice apologetic but firm. “But I am afraid I cannot come with you this time.”
I blinked at him in shock. “Why, Daisuke-san?”
“I am a Taiyo.” He gazed around at all of us, solemn and proud. “My duty is to the emperor, my family and my clan. Anything that puts them in danger is an affront to me, as well. The Master of Demons is a serious threat to the empire. Honor demands I return and inform His Highness of what I know.”
“The Kage have messengers, Taiyo-san,” Okame said immediately. “Send a missive with one of them. Apparently they’re very adept at traveling across the country in the blink of an eye.”
But Daisuke shook his head. “I am sorry, Okame-san. But I would not trust something this important with a clan who have very recently attempted to have us killed. Any message or note I might send could be seen by the wrong eyes, and I am not willing to risk that. Besides, the Shadow Clan have garnered a reputation for being…untrustworthy, within the Sun lands. Better that I deliver this message in person. My family will listen to me.”
“You would leave us,” Reika demanded, glaring angrily at the noble. “Knowing what is at stake. Knowing we must reach Hakaimono before he gets the scroll.”
“I am sorry,” Daisuke repeated, sounding repentant but firm. “But I’ve made my decision. I must return to the Imperial city to warn the emperor. Yumeko-san.” He bowed in my direction. “It has been an honor. I wish you luck on your journey, and I truly hope you can save Tatsumi-san.” He turned away, sliding back the door to the hall. “Sayonara. Hopefully someday our paths will cross again.”
“Never took you for a coward, Taiyo-san.”
Okame’s voice was mocking, and the brittle silence that followed was a tangible thing, making the hairs rise on the back of my arm. Daisuke had gone very still, his back to us, but I saw his hand come to rest on his sword hilt. Reika exchanged a glance with me, and then slowly scooted back against the wall, drawing Master Jiro and the two dogs with her. Okame seemed oblivious to the tension, standing in the center of the room with his arms crossed, a furious look on his face.
“Okame-san.” Daisuke’s voice trembled, but whether from anger or something else, it