Free Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn Page A

conviction grew within Tama that her stepdaughter had been placed under a spell.
    “Where is Shikanoko?” she cried. When she was told he had not returned, she commanded, “Bring the old man to me.”

 
    10
    SHIKANOKO
    Shikanoko had taken the horses out in the late afternoon, as he often did, training Nyorin to know his voice and respond to his commands. He had just got back and was feeding them, planning to go next to Lady Tora to see if she had any requests for him before night fell, when he saw Sesshin, already in his night attire, being escorted to Lady Tama’s rooms. A tense atmosphere had descended over Matsutani. Grooms were preparing horses and blazing torches. He saw Kongyo ride off at a gallop with three other men. Nyorin whinnied loudly, watching their departure with raised head and nervous eyes.
    Tora stepped out of the summer pavilion onto the narrow veranda. Shikanoko saw the curve of her belly against the western light.
    “What’s happened?” he said.
    “Lady Tama’s son has disappeared. I suppose someone has taken him to persuade his father to submit to his will.”
    He glanced up at her face, disconcerted by the indifference in her voice.
    She smoothed the robe over her belly. “I will give him more sons,” she said. “You had better follow Master Sesshin and make sure he comes to no harm.”
    Shikanoko went to the residence. In the confusion no one had thought to close the shutters, and from where he stood outside he could clearly see and hear everything that was happening within.
    He heard Tama’s voice. “You are so wise, Master Sesshin, and my husband admires you so much. Why have you repaid him in this vile way?”
    “Lady,” the old man replied, “this has nothing to do with me. If I can be blamed for anything it is my failure to put adequate protection around Lord Kiyoyori’s children, which I regret deeply.”
    “That is crime enough—you admit you could have protected them and did not?”
    “Even I cannot foresee all the evil deeds of men,” Sesshin said. “Don’t be too anxious. The boy must have been taken for a purpose. Therefore he is in no immediate danger.”
    “How do you know this? You are involved! Shikanoko took them, didn’t he?”
    “I am simply making deductions. Neither Shikanoko nor I had anything to do with it.”
    Tama stared at him for a moment and then said abruptly, “Release Hina from the spell she is under.”
    “Let me look at her,” the old man said, and then, “She is concussed. It is not a spell. She will wake in the morning, fully recovered. Your women have done the right thing—vinegar compresses, nothing better. I believe you have sent for Lord Kiyoyori. There is nothing else that can be done now. We should all get some sleep. Forgive me, as I grow older my eyes grow weary.”
    Shika heard something snap in the lady’s voice as she replied. “Weary? Oh, let me cure you of that. Let me show you how it feels to lose the light of your eyes, that which is dearest to you.”
    She turned to the men who had brought Sesshin to her. “Put them out.”
    They did not understand. “Lady?” one queried.
    “Put out his eyes.” She drew out her dagger and held it to her throat. “Do as I say or I will take my own life. Explain that to Lord Kiyoyori when he returns.”
    Shika wanted to call out: Don’t obey her! Let her kill herself. You will be doing the lord a favor. But they were retainers from her household, accustomed to following her commands without question, and besides, he thought, seeing their faces, there was not one among them who shrank from the idea of blinding a man accused of sorcery.
    He heard one sharp cry of agony, then another. He could not prevent himself from running forward. The men pushed Sesshin, his face streaming blood, off the veranda and threw the useless globes after him. Lady Tama came forward to watch the old man scrabble in the dirt. When she saw Shikanoko approach him she called out, “You, take him away! Let me