Free Sisters of the Sword by Maya Snow

will answer to him for everything. He will feed you, clothe you, and give you your orders.”
    â€œYes, Master,” Hana and I said together.
    We passed a moss garden, then a round pool where a waterfall splashed down from a high rock face. Then, we saw an area of grass where a neat circle of students sat kneeling in seiza . They were all staring at a lotus blossom floating in a bowl of water at the center of their circle. A young master in a crisp black jacket and hakama trousers walked among them, his face serene.
    â€œContemplation,” Master Goku said, catching my inquiring glance, “can bring serenity and inner tranquillity. Very useful when a warrior is preparing himself for the heat and strife of battle.”
    I bowed respectfully, grateful that he was teaching us even as we were moving through the school. A sideways glance showed me that Hana was drinking in the sights and sounds, too. I knew that, like me, she would be committing everything to memory. One day, I felt sure we would be grateful for Master Goku’s advice.
    Eventually we came to a long, low building with a roof that curved upward at each corner. A stocky man in a blue jacket and long breeches appeared in the doorway as we approached. He was thickset, witha neck like a bull, and his hair was shaved on the front part of his head but pulled into the traditional samurai’s oiled tail at the back. He carried a bamboo basket full of folded linen, but when he saw Master Goku approaching he put it down and bowed low.
    â€œAh, Mr. Choji,” Master Goku said cheerfully.
    â€œGood afternoon, Sensei,” the head servant said, using the traditional term of teacher for the Master. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œI bring you a pair of kitchen boys. This is Otonashi and Kagenashi. I’m sure you’ll keep them from idleness.”
    Choji gave Hana and me a narrow-eyed glance. “They’re too skinny,” he grumbled. “But I suppose they’ll have to do. We’re three servants short and I’ve got to take what I can get!” He picked up his basket of linen. “Now then, skinny boys, I had better show you where you’ll sleep. And you’ll need clean clothes, too. You’re filthy. What have you been doing—drowning yourselves in streams and fighting a path through the forest?”
    I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from grinning. Choji had no idea how close to the truth he was!
    Master Goku smiled and bowed in our direction. “Today is the first day of Usui , or rainwaterperiod, which is a special event for us here at the dojo,” he said. “This evening we have a ceremony to mark this official start of a new period of intensive kenshu training. There will be plenty of work to do, helping Choji to prepare for the ceremony.”
    My heart ached as I remembered that this ceremony would have been attended by my father. I had begged to be allowed to accompany him and my brothers—and now karma had brought me here in their place.
    Choji was nodding. “Plenty of work to keep you skinny boys busy,” he commented brusquely. I began to worry that we might not find the same kindness in Choji that Master Goku had shown us.
    â€œI’ll expect to see you both at the ceremony later,” Master Goku went on. “You may find it useful to watch the demonstrations of combat. And now, I have my meditation class to attend to. I will leave you in the capable hands of Choji.”
    With a final bow, Master Goku withdrew, leaving us alone with Choji.
    â€œCome along then, skinny boys,” the head servant said, tucking the basket of linen under one of his brawny arms. “I’ll show you to your quarters.”
    We followed him along a hallway, through a sliding door, and into a tiny room with a plain wooden floor. There were rolls of bedding on the shelves andfresh clothes folded in piles.
    â€œTake an extra blanket each from the store cupboard