Free The Seabird of Sanematsu by Kei Swanson Page B

consider the propriety of her questions, not thinking twice before speaking her mind, she was open and honest with him. Nor did she avoid his glare, as even the bravest warrior would do.

    “I have seen twenty-five new years.” He composed himself to ask the necessary questions. “Tell me, what reason have you to be near our land?”

    “I can better tell you why I was here if I knew where ‘here’ is.” The unique green eyes flashed with pleasure. Her lips formed a soft grin.

    He could see no harm in telling her. It was unlikely she would find her way back to wherever it was she sprang from.

    “You are in Nihon, on the west side of the southernmost island, Kyushu. The city nearby is Nishikata, the seat of government for the Satsuma Province.”

    “My father is…was a trader.” Now the grin faded, and her gaze dropped. The hitherto straight shoulders rounded, and the front of her robes gaped open, revealing a deep cleavage. Sanematsu’s concern was not for the bosom, but the sadness that filled the stranger.

    She blanched and struggled to remain calm and unemotional. How difficult it must be to speak of her family and the life that was lost forever.

    “We lived in Macao while he made his trips to the Philippines and Korea.”

    She paused. The pulse at the base of her throat raced and her breath became erratic. She was close to losing control, but he did not think she would. She was too strong.

    “We were traveling to a new trading house when the rocks in your ocean interfered.”

    She stiffened her back, and her gaze lifted to his face, clear and bright. The grief threatening to break through moments before was well in hand again.

    Again, the barbarian exhibited her diplomacy. She thought better of bringing up the matter of his soldiers assaulting the sinking ship. Or perhaps she believed the ship’s breaching on the rocks had led to the slaughter. What did it matter?

    “You are not of Min-koku or Chosen. Where do you call your homeland?” Sanematsu leaned forward, his elbows on the armrests on either side of him, his hands together to support his chin. Though touched by her pain, he could not voice his pity for her and her loss.

    “I have great difficulty in answering that question, especially in the manner you have asked it.” She held herself erect, sure and proud once more. “You are very right, Lord Sanematsu, when you say I am not of China or Korea.” She stopped and wrung her hands. Her emotions rose, but it was confusion that clouded her eyes now instead of grief. “This is hard. Are you aware of lands other than your own? Many of our own people are afraid of the dragons and the vast unknown of boundless water.”

    He watched her. Their eyes met and held.

    “I am aware of other countries.” He could not give away more information than he received. To give her his knowledge would allow his barbarian to keep secrets if she wished. “Continue.”

    “I was born on the trip bringing my mother and three sisters to Macao, so that is the only place I know to call home. I say, then, with all honesty, Asia is my homeland.” The confusion left her voice, replaced with confidence.

    “I will have to form some purpose for your presence here,” he mused out loud.

    “I did not ask to come here,” Aderyn blurted.

    “That will help.”

    He allowed a bit of a smile. Did she realize how close she came to death each time she spoke without thinking? Sachi would have to see to this area of her teaching. He did not wish to lose this seabird just yet.

    “How?” The question narrowed her green eyes as she continued to look at him.

    “Nihon has long been…closed to visitors. We are too concerned in our own dealings to wish to be involved with others.” He would not go further into matters of government. Such were no affair of a barbarian female. She did not need to know of her increased peril. Or that she put him in it with her.

    ** *

    Sanematsu smiled fully for the first time. It looked