Free The Fox's Quest by Anna Frost

the location of known energy sinks. It was a detailed map that showed the truth of their long and narrow country; it was not a single land but a collection of islands close together in the sea.
    The Great Temples were loosely situated in the center of the country, on the bigger islands. Besides the energy sink they had already visited, there were three others marked on the map—one to the southwest, one to the northeast beyond mount Fuji and one so far north it was close to the Great Northern Temple.
    “There must be others,” Toshishiro said, “but I never had the opportunity to investigate beyond this area. We could consult with the other temples but I don’t think it wise to betray our interest in these places.”
    Sanae peered at the map laid on the tatami floor. You boys should split up and visit the two closest ones. I can scout ahead, but I can’t do anything if I find a sword or enemies using one.
    The thought of those weapons in the hands of her clan’s enemies made her shudder. Even a normal un-glyphed sword could wound a fox mortally, but these super powered ones wouldn’t allow even a chance of survival—nor the opportunity to abandon flesh as she had done. She’d have to trust that if it came down to battle, Yuki would keep her idiotic brother alive.
    “We should assume the enemy is based somewhere in the vicinity,” Aito said, indicating the area covered by the map. “They would have tried to keep all the swords close by to avoid unnecessary travel.”
    “We’d best hurry,” Jien said, “If they notice one of the swords is gone, they’ll try to remove the others from their positions.”
    “I will request appropriate supplies,” Aito said. “Be ready to leave after breakfast.” Then, eying his older colleague, “Master Toshishiro shall stay here and keep watch over Saji. If the demon returns, we must know of it.”
    “Oh, I see how it is,” Toshishiro grumbled. “You don’t think an old man can keep up with you young ones, eh? Very well, you disrespectful boy! I will stay.”
    Sanae studied Aito, familiarizing herself with his aura so she might later home in on him as needed. It wouldn’t be difficult: Aito and his familiars together shone exceptionally bright on the other side. Old Toshishiro shone a little, too; she hadn’t failed to notice the spirit twirling invisibly about his head. She had the strange impression the spirit was exuding hostility at her as if it were jealous of its human’s attention. Maybe that one didn’t like sharing.
    Sanae stewed in envy as the five men left for the refectory, but she didn’t torture herself by going along to watch them eat food she couldn’t smell or taste. Instead, she drifted outside and watched a pack of trainees make war on fallen leaves with straw brooms. They worked with such diligence she suspected they’d been told they must finish their task before going to dinner.
    Once, autumn had been full of pleasures for her, among them the abundance of fresh nuts for use in desserts, the pleasant temperature, and the lovely sight of colorful leaves. The last pleasure remained, but only in a limited way. Spirit “eyes” simply weren’t as sensitive to colors as human eyes. Over time, she might even lose the ability to distinguish colors. Depressing thought, that.
    She ghosted through random halls, looking for distractions. A dragon noticed her, turning its scaled head to follow her progress, but it didn’t alert its bonded human. The place felt empty. Besides guards on duty and a handful of monks bedridden by age, everybody appeared to have congregated in the refectory.
    Here and there on the walls were glyphs that glowed softly when she passed them by. She studied them, wondering what they were supposed to do. She faded into the spiritual realm to see if the glyphs resonated there, but they had no presence at all in that world. As she crossed back over, the glyphs flared.
    Ah ha! She tested further, making herself more real, more