Dragon Sword and Wind Child (12 page)

“Stop walking across the ground,” Saya said with a frown. “Thanks to you, my reputation will be even worse.”

Laughing indifferently, Torihiko perched on the railing and perfunctorily slapped the dirt from the soles of his feet. “That would be silly, when there's a good shortcut. It's only fifty-three steps from your room to here. Do you know how I got here?”

How he remembered she could not tell, but within the space of a few days, Torihiko had mastered the entire layout of the enormous palace and flitted about wherever he pleased.

“Let's go back to my room. Along the walkway,” Saya said cuttingly. “I have something to say to you.”

AFTER CHECKING
to see that no one was near, Saya lowered the reed screen over the door and said, “You know about the purification ceremony, don't you?”

“Sure. Just another five days to go.” Torihiko sat down on the floor and drew his knees up under his chin.

“Because I'm a handmaiden I'll help perform the ceremony. Purification means to cleanse away the Darkness, you know.”

“Yeah.”

“Will everything be all right? The entire palace is to be purified.”

“There's nothing for you to worry about, Saya. Just do what you would normally do. You have Prince Tsukishiro, and besides, you've never been tainted by the Darkness.”

Exasperated, Saya snapped, “It's you I'm talking about, Torihiko. Will you be all right even if you undergo purification? Won't you be found out?”

Torihiko tilted his head and rolled his eyes upward. “Well, now— hmmm. I suppose I wouldn't come out safely. I expect I would be singled out just like a bird who doesn't belong is pecked out of the flock.”

“It's no joke. How can you talk about it so lightly!”

He grinned broadly. “I knew I couldn't stay very long in the palace. I'm too conspicuous. Darkness sticks out here like a sore thumb. For the moment, people are merely offended by me, but that won't last long. That's why I have to make my move as soon as possible and finish my business here.”

“Your business?”

Torihiko lowered his voice and said, “To retrieve the Dragon Sword.”

It isn't just an act. He really is a daredevil,
Saya thought. He intended to seize the Sword from the palace all on his own.

“I have a pretty good idea of where it's kept. The palace complex is built with the high tower in the center; Teruhi's hall and Tsukishiro's hall on either side are mirror images. Even the servants' wings are in exactly the same locations. But there is one difference. There's a narrow path leading off from Teruhi's hall. It disappears into a dense grove. I couldn't see where it leads, but according to some people there's a shrine for the God of Light at the end which only the Princess and certain select handmaidens are permitted to enter. That shrine strikes me as suspicious.”

“Do you intend to sneak inside?” asked Saya, drawn despite herself into his plan. He raised a thoughtful face.

“Someone must be stilling the Sword. But I haven't yet figured out who it could be. It wouldn't be safe to just leave the Sword lying around. It needs a special priestess to still it. There can't be many who could do it. In fact, I can't believe that there could be one here at all. After all, the Dragon Sword belonged to the people of Darkness for countless generations, and the Priestess of the Sword was always the Water Maiden.”

“The Water Maiden?” Saya raised her voice in surprise.

“That's right.” Torihiko nodded. “I suppose you wouldn't know, but it's the same sword that the God of Light used to slay the last-born son of our mother, the Goddess. Fury, malice, and damnation were seared into it when it was stained with the blood of the fire god. It's the most fearsome power existing in the world today. The Dragon Sword owes allegiance to neither the Darkness nor the Light.” His eyes glowed with excitement. “In other words, it's the one weapon that could destroy even the God of Light himself.”

“But that's extraordinary,” Saya whispered. “Who could possibly slay the God of Light?”

Torihiko suddenly shook his head. “You're right. Nobody can touch the Dragon Sword except the Water Maiden. She's the only one who can still the fire god's curse. Even Princess Teruhi had to abduct Princess Sayura, the most recent Water Maiden, along with the Sword in order to take it. That's how Princess Sayura came to Mahoroba.”

“Ah, I see,” Saya sighed. “So that's how it happened.”

“Our people tried to rescue her. But it was no use. Some say that she didn't want to be rescued.”

Saya remained silent. She could imagine what the Princess must have felt, yet at the same time she did not want to.

Torihiko scratched his head. “I heard all this from Lady Iwa. She's the only one who remembers everything. For you and me, it all took place in a former life.”

“And I . . .” Saya spoke hesitantly. “Do I also have the power to still this terrible Sword?”

“Probably.” Torihiko threw her a quick glance. “Are you willing to help me get it back now?”

“Not in the least,” Saya retorted. “I would gladly give it away.”

“I see. Too bad,” he said without a trace of regret. “If that's the case, I'll just have to do what Princess Teruhi did and steal the priestess along with the Sword.”

“That's outrageous!” Shivers ran up Saya's spine. He reminded her of the boys in the village who liked to show off by going exploring in the mountains, boasting that they could do the impossible. But in this case, Torihiko's life was at stake.

“Don't underestimate the Palace of Light,” she warned him. “For one thing, Princess Teruhi is way out of your league. Give up this foolish idea and get out of here as quickly as you can. If you leave now, you'll make it in time.”

“Are you kidding?” Torihiko said teasingly. “I'm doing what I want. Just like you, remember? You're the one who said ‘just leave me alone.' ”

“But you'll be killed!” Saya found herself shouting.

What he was thinking she could not tell, but his eyes were full of compassion. “Why would someone who belongs to the people of Darkness fear death? Don't worry. I don't intend to throw my life away needlessly.”

DON'T WORRY
, he said. How could I not worry?
Saya changed the position of her pillow. No matter how she tried, she could not sleep. The night wore on and a cool breeze blew through the half-open latticed shutters. Shell wind chimes hanging from the eaves made a dry sound as they swayed, faintly disturbing the still darkness. She lay awake anxiously, her eyes wide open, staring up at the darkness where it nestled against the ceiling. She thought she could see the faintly colored, shapeless forms of the dreams of those sleeping in the palace flitting across it. While she followed their aimless paths, she had a sudden shock of realization, as if she had stumbled across a large gaping hole.
Torihiko was lying when he said he wasn't afraid of dying. Not even the people of Darkness could really wish for death.

The more she thought about it, the stronger her conviction grew.
He came here knowing that the purification ceremony would soon take place. For me, to help me. It was Torihiko who saved me from the shrine maiden's blade. Twice he has pulled me back from death. How foolish of me to forget.

She chewed her fingernails, stung by remorse.

No matter what he says, I'll make him leave. If I don't, it'll be like standing by and letting him be killed. He may be cheeky, but he's still younger than I. He can't be so eager to die. He can't be indifferent to death.

“
LOOK AT THAT
. What are they?”

“I don't like it. What could they be up to?”

Once again, Saya heard shocked voices outside her door. Thinking from their disgusted tone that it must have something to do with Torihiko, she rose and went outside. But the boy was nowhere in sight. Instead, two handmaidens were looking up at a tree in the garden.

“Is something wrong?” Saya asked.

One of them pointed to a red pine. “They've been sitting there like that for over an hour. They were there the last time we passed by, too. They give me the creeps.”

“Perhaps it's an omen.”

Saya looked up and saw two large crows, black eyes gleaming, perched saucily upon a branch high in the gnarled pine tree. Then, as if they could understand what the frowning handmaidens were saying, they suddenly began to screech. Their voices were hoarse and menacing and the two girls jumped in fright and fled. Saya remained staring at the crows. Although she could not have told one crow from another, they just might be . . .

“Sa-ya,” they croaked.

Looking about quickly in consternation, she ordered them to hush. “You're Little Black and Big Black, aren't you? You can't stay here.”

But the two crows ignored her and flew happily to the boxwood tree in front of the eaves. Saya stepped back. Up close, they looked huge and their sharp beaks were frightening.

“Food,” they cried somewhat plaintively.

“Get some from Torihiko. Go on now,” Saya said severely.

But they bobbed their heads up and down as if trying desperately to shake out the words. Finally, one of them croaked, “No food.”

“He won't give you any? Did you do something bad?”

“No food.”

“None.”

They shook their wings, disgruntled. Saya tried to think of something handy to feed them, but just then, she heard voices behind her. It sounded like the two handmaidens had brought a guard.

“Over there. Shoot them. Quickly.”

Saya waved her hands frantically at the crows. “Shoo! Go on now! Hurry!”

Beating their wings, Big Black and Little Black took to the air.

By the time the guard with his bow and arrow turned the corner, the two birds had flown over the roof.

That's strange,
thought Saya.
Come to think of it, I haven't seen Torihiko since yesterday
. . .

For the rest of the day, she waited for him to come, but it was no use. When the sun began to set, she made up her mind to go to the senior handmaiden.

“My servant hasn't appeared since last night. Has something happened to him?”

The senior handmaiden was untying a scroll by the light of a lamp and she did not bother to look at Saya. “What are you babbling about?”

“I can't find my servant,” Saya persisted.

The older woman rested the scroll on her knees and looked over her shoulder coldly. “Is that so?” she said in an expressionless tone. “Then let us summon another as soon as possible.”

“Has something happened to Torihiko?” Without realizing it, her tone of voice had become harsh.

The senior handmaiden fixed Saya with a haughty stare and replied, “Such shameful behavior. What are we to do if someone who claims to be a handmaiden makes such a fuss about a servant or two? It seems that you didn't listen carefully enough to my instructions. I thought I told you exactly how the sacrifice must be made for the purification ceremony.”

“I did listen carefully,” Saya replied. “The purification rite transfers all defilement to the sacrificial offering, which is then placed within a metal cage, and after cleansing by fire, it is washed away in the river. I know the procedure. But what I want to know is—”

“Exactly. That is the answer to your question,” the senior handmaiden interjected. “He has been chosen as the sacrificial offering by Her Highness, Princess Teruhi.”

Saya stood with her mouth agape, unable to utter a word. As the meaning gradually penetrated her mind, the blood drained from her face. “But that–that's—”

“It is not permissible to speak of it,” the senior handmaiden admonished her sternly. “You have no right whatsoever to complain. All servants of the palace dedicate themselves body and soul to Their Royal Highnesses. You must realize that those who are chosen, despite their lowly birth, are gloriously honored.” She picked up the scroll once more. “You may leave. And do not trouble me any further.”

ALTHOUGH THE WOMAN
had turned away, Saya could not leave. Struggling to calm her turmoil, she asked, “Where is he? The one chosen for the sacrifice?”

The senior handmaiden turned her head to reveal a look of undisguised contempt. The deep cleft between her brows marred her face with the startling ugliness of age. “Are you deaf ?”

Saya could do nothing but retreat under that threatening glare. With her head reeling, she staggered out into the outer passageway. She grasped the railing and fought down her horror.

What a terrible place I have come to. The palace is a dreadful place— a dreadful place.

While listening to the procedures for the sacrifice, she had thought that the purification ritual was perfectly normal. Even the references to a human sacrifice had not concerned her much until Torihiko had been selected as the victim. But now she understood: the true role of the handmaiden was to transfer defilement to another human being, to burn that person alive, and to wash their remains into the river! This was how the purity of the palace had been maintained twice a year for countless generations.

I'll be killing Torihiko with my own hands.

At this thought she groaned in despair. Prince Tsukishiro's hall, shielded by a fence, towered in front of her, its ornamental crossbeams soaring against the red evening sky. The senior handmaiden's room was the closest of the attendants' quarters to the Prince's hall. Staring across at it, Saya felt that the tall, black fence that rose between her and the Prince had never been so high.

“I have to find out where Torihiko is. I just have to.”

It was time for the evening meal. She decided to make her way to the kitchens around the back. The servants gathered in the courtyard to the north of this building to take their supper. Thick clouds of steam and heat billowed from the earthen-floored kitchens where the sweat-drenched cooks labored beneath soot-blackened beams. Saya was astonished at the size of the ovens and pots used to feed the palace. Many servants were gathered around an enormous pot ladling out rice stewed with vegetables and various other things into large bowls. The child servants were eating the same fare, and they cradled their bowls carefully as they escaped into the cool back garden. Table manners were unknown and no one scolded them. Filled with the friendly clamor of people enjoying their meal, the place was in a lively uproar. To Saya, the food looked much more appetizing than what the handmaidens ate. It was like what she had eaten at home in Hashiba.