Free The Seabird of Sanematsu by Kei Swanson Page A

your name.” His forceful and commanding voice struck her.

    “I am Aderyn Aquilla.” Her voice echoed in the room. “Aderyn is my given name.” She could no longer contain her curiosity, lifting her gaze to snatch a timid peek across the short distance between them.

    He sat tailor-fashion on a dais raised about a foot off the floor. Over his heavy dark-blue silk osode, he wore what Sachi had explained was a suikan . The short, wide-sleeved black jacket with a broad yoke at the back made his already impressive shoulders appear wider. Sachi had also told her the long, skirt-like pants Sanematsu wore casually were called hakama .

    Aderyn found herself captivated by his face. In contrast to the plain, flat countenance common to the other men, his features were strong and angular. Taut brown skin stretched over high cheekbones and a square jaw. His large eyes were almond-shaped, with a slight tilt at the corners. When he spoke, perfect white teeth shone between well-defined, supple lips. His height and long, straight legs, plus his fairer skin, made him look more like the Manchurians or Koreans she had seen in Macao.

    “I am Sanematsu Yoshihide of the clan Minamoto, Lord of Satsuma Province of Kyushu.” His name sounded like “Yo-she-he-da” to Aderyn’s ears. “You may address me as Sanematsu-sama,” he said with formality, but his tone had become less authoritative, his attitude relaxed and unceremonious. “How old are you, Aderyn?”

    “Fifteen last month, sire.” Aderyn tried not to laugh as her name came out almost unrecognizable. She lost her battle and giggled.

    “Why do you laugh like a silly maid?” Sanematsu demanded.

    “I am sorry, Sanematsu-sama.” Aderyn composed herself. “I know your language does not have a place for certain sounds. My nurse Hana-sama could not pronounce my name, either. The lack of proper pronunciation makes it sound…funny.”

    She watched as his hand came to rest on his sword. The guard moved to stand at her back. Was Sanematsu insulted? Had she misspoken or done something wrong? Her heart raced, and she struggled to take a deep breath. Was her life to be forfeit for a slip of her tongue?

CHAPTER SEVEN

    This was when and how she would die. His right hand lay on the scabbard, the left poised to move to the hilt, the other man behind her. Her error could cost her life! His black eyes glared at her from the warlord’s hard face.

    “I mean no disrespect, sire.” Aderyn thought fast. “Surely, much of my speech is as funny to you, as unpracticed as I am with your language.”

    She waited several long moments as Sanematsu mulled over her comments. She hoped she had placated him by returning his pride.

    “Yes.”

    He pulled his hand away from the sword and waved the guard back to his place. He fingered the hem of his sleeve, taking great pains to study the stitching. Aderyn suspected he was forming his next inquiry and that it would involve language.

    “Does your name have a meaning?”

    “It is Welsh for bird.” Aderyn felt a rush of relief at having escaped death a second time.

    “Hmmm.” Sanematsu eased back, his right arm on the armrest. “Maybe I should call you ‘Ko-tori’ or ‘Tori.’ They are our words for bird, and since our women are given names of two syllables, Tori will fit you.”

    “As you wish, Sanematsu-sama.” Her level of comfort increased. It shouldn’t be so, as he was daimyo, a respected feudal lord, and she his prisoner.

    “Yes, Tori is much better, formally. Personally, I will call you Ko-tori--little bird.”

    ** *

    Sanematsu relaxed. Not only was this girl intelligent, she was diplomatic. Sachi had taught her well about the relationship between master and servant. The barbarian realized he could not afford to be an object of ridicule.

    “Lord Sanematsu? Since you have asked mine, may I ask your age?”

    With a freedom he seldom allowed, he roared with laughter. She was not to be a disappointment! Failing to