Free World's Edge by Ryan Kirk

in sections. It felt chaotic at first, but in time Ryuu was able to sense the patterns in the movement. They were beautiful in their own way.
    “Do you think they’re retreating? Were they beaten in the Three Sisters?” Moriko’s voice held a hint of disbelief. Everyone knew the Southern Kingdom held the entire pass. To be retreating this far north, to have lost the entire pass in just a moon or two, was almost unthinkable. It had taken Akira’s father almost ten blood-soaked cycles to take the pass from the Azarians.
    Ryuu shook his head. “No, a retreat would never be this orderly, especially if they were routed so badly they lost the pass so early in the season.” He paused, thinking. “No, they are marching to war. Why they are heading north is beyond me.”
    He thought for a few moments more, but he couldn’t think of any believable reasons why Akira would move so many troops. There were many possibilities, but each seemed less likely than the last.
    He looked over and saw Moriko looking seriously at the dust cloud gathering on the horizon. “I suppose we’ll just have to ask him.”
     
    It was a childish joy, but Ryuu couldn’t help but laugh at Akira’s face when he and Moriko walked into the Lord’s tent. Akira had been studying a set of maps in utter concentration. Ryuu and Moriko had made a silent entrance, barely disturbing the tent flap. They had been there a few moments before he noticed them watching him. Akira startled, his hand coming to his sword, a shout on his lips. Then Ryuu saw the recognition on his face, and he let go of his sword.
    “I had increased security against this. Are they all right?”
    Ryuu laughed. He saw Moriko’s glare, but he enjoyed the feeling of keeping Akira on his toes. It was one of the few exercises in power he allowed himself. Moriko thought it was foolish.
    “No, they are fine, doing their usual rounds.”
    “Then how did you get in?” Akira looked dubiously at them. Both of them were dressed as soldiers. “You didn’t hurt anyone else, did you?”
    “No, their path is just a bit too wide. The uniforms allowed us to get all the way to your perimeter, but there was a slight gap in their coverage. I don’t think anyone but a nightblade would see it.”
    Akira nodded. “Why are you here?”
    Ryuu’s mood turned serious. “We were attacked, a little over a half moon ago. There were two of them, stronger than anyone I’ve ever faced before. They almost succeeded.”
    Akira understood the unspoken accusation. There was a hint of fear in his eyes as he took a slight step back, his hand returning to his sword. Ryuu narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
    “I didn’t send anyone after you. It’s been over two cycles and I’ve kept my word. I haven’t even tried to find you with messengers or couriers. I don’t even know if you’re still living in the Southern Kingdom.”
    Ryuu and Moriko exchanged glances. Ryuu was waiting for her opinion. He trusted Akira and hadn’t believed it was him in the first place. But Moriko would have her own thoughts. She stared intently at Akira, allowing the weight of the silence to grow in the tent. Ryuu knew she would be probing him with the sense, trying to detect some hint of deception. Akira held his voice. Ryuu respected him for that. The Lord said his piece and was done. Few people could muster that type of courage in front of a nightblade, much less two.
    Moriko looked at Ryuu and slightly nodded her head. She thought he was telling the truth. Good.
    “I believe you.” Ryuu watched as Akira relaxed. “We were hoping you could help us find out who sent them.”
    Akira looked at them helplessly. “I’d be delighted to help if I could, but I don’t know if there is anything I could do. If I can’t find you, I don’t know how anyone else could. Rumors of your existence spread after you killed Orochi, but because you’ve stayed hidden they’ve stayed rumors.”
    Ryuu reached under his soldier’s uniform to pull out