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

never see either of you again!”
    “My books, my books! I will never read again!” Sesshin’s chest was heaving as he moaned.
    Shika knelt beside him, his heart expanding and contracting with such force he felt it would burst from his chest. He was engulfed by pity and horror. “I will get some for you. I will read to you. Tell me what I should bring.” His reassurances sounded futile and hollow in his own ears. He said dully, “It is I, Shikanoko.”
    “You will take nothing,” Tama commanded. “I will burn it all. Now go before I add you to the fire!”
    Sesshin reached out, feeling for him, and grabbed his arm. “Shikanoko,” he whispered. “Pick up my eyes and bring them. And fetch a blanket or a jacket, the night will be cold.”
    Shika gathered up the eyes, his heart twisting in pity. No one came near him or offered any help. Indeed, they stood back and turned their faces away. Only a servant girl, who had often attended to the old man, brought a bowl of warm water and some clean cloths. Shika bathed Sesshin’s face and tore a strip to make a bandage. He could feel him trembling from shock and pain. Then he washed the eyes, while tears streamed from his own and the girl wept.
    “Fasten them to the west gate,” Sesshin said, “so they may continue to watch over this place when we are gone.”
    Shika had been ordered to take Sesshin away, but now he was worried about Lady Tora. Lord Kiyoyori had commanded him to look after her. Leaving Sesshin for a few minutes with the girl, despite her protests, he ran to the summer pavilion.
    He was able to release the horses but could not get any closer; it was surrounded by guards and some were already putting torches to the pile of firewood.
    “Where is Lady Tora?” he said to one of them.
    “Inside, we hope.”
    “Lord Kiyoyori will have your heads for this,” he said in fury.
    “And I’ll have yours, you bandit scum, if you don’t get out of here.”
    Windows and doors were all firmly fastened. There was no sign of movement within.
    She will have escaped , he thought. She would not let them trap her, especially not if she bears the lord’s child. But where is she?
    He could stay and fight for her—if she was there—or he could escape with Sesshin. He made the decision, instantly regretting it, but not wavering. He hastened to collect his few possessions, sword and bow, the bag containing the mask, and saddled the horses. The servant girl met him halfway back.
    “Hurry,” she said. “They are talking of killing you.”
    He lifted Sesshin onto Risu’s back, tied him so he would not fall, and led both horses to the west gate. Risu was fretful; she did not want to go out in the dark, but the big stallion remained calm, and where he went she followed.
    There were many people milling around, carrying armfuls of books, boxes and flasks, maps and charts that he recognized from Sesshin’s rooms. They were taking them to the summer pavilion and adding them to the firewood, already ablaze. No one looked at them as they passed under the gate.
    Its transept was carved below the roof with curling dragons and flowers. Shika stood on Nyorin’s back and found a niche into which he could slip the two eyes.
    Sesshin had not uttered a word, but now he said, “Make sure you behave yourselves. I am leaving my eyes to watch you, so don’t think you can get away with anything.”
    “Who are you talking to?”
    “I put some guardian spirits in the gates when I came to Matsutani. Migi and Hidari are their names. They’re quite effective, but they need a lot of supervision.”
    Shika was shivering when he sat down again and took up the lead rope. It was almost completely dark.
    “Where shall we go?” he wondered aloud. As soon as it was light he could find food, but they would need water. It was too dark to ride all night—it was the time of the new moon. He thought of the woodland pools he knew where deer and other animals would come to drink at dawn, and decided he