Free The Tengu's Game of Go by Lian Hearn Page B

pile of glowing embers and a hare was roasting on it. Ban turned its head toward them in a strange questioning way.
    â€œI know,” Tadashii replied. “Takeyoshi and I have some work to do and then I am going to show you one or two things, too.”
    Ima raised one eyebrow but only said to Take, “You must be hungry.”
    Take realized he was, and very thirsty, too. He went to the stream and drank deeply, then splashed water on his face. He had placed the bow by the fire, and when he returned Ima had picked it up and was studying it.
    â€œIs it Shikanoko’s bow, Kodama?”
    â€œIt was his father’s,” replied the tengu. “Ameyumi is its name. What is Kodama?”
    â€œShisoku made it for Shikanoko. We were only children, but I remember it. And he reforged a broken sword, Jato.”
    â€œI don’t know about Jato,” Tadashii said, frowning. “Ameyumi was my concern. It was gained unfairly. Shikanoko’s father staked his weapons, his own life, his son’s, even the Emperor’s. His opponent cheated and he lost everything. But in this new game, I’m going to win. Getting Ameyumi back was a major move.”
    â€œSo it was my grandfather who played the game of Go and lost?” Take said, his voice breaking with excitement.
    â€œThat’s correct,” Tadashii said. “I thought it quite elegant to have you regain it.”
    â€œAre we going to give it to my father?” Take asked.
    â€œMaybe. First I’ll show you how to use it. It’s good that you are already so strong. Then Ima and I will make you a sword.”
    Take opened his mouth, but before he could ask even one of the questions teeming in his mind, Tadashii said, “It’s best if you just do as you’re told for the time being.”
    â€œCan I ask a question?” Ima said, smiling at Take’s expression.
    â€œYou most certainly may.” Tadashii clapped Ima on the back.
    â€œWhat do you plan to show me?”
    â€œSomeone has to take control here. You can’t let this place just wind down and dwindle away. Everything Shisoku collected is still here. You have to learn how to use it and become the protector of the forest he was.”
    â€œMu could do that,” Ima replied. “Or Kiku or even Kuro. I think you’ll find I have no aptitude. I can hunt; I can cook; I can forge. That’s enough for me.”
    â€œI’m not giving you a choice,” Tadashii said, irritated. “I’m telling you how it’s going to be. I expect the human to be argumentative, but you should know better!”

 
    7
    TAMA
    â€œYou were received by the Emperor?” Lady Tama’s eyes were narrowed and the tone of her voice was skeptical. She was trying to hide her annoyance with her husband. Masachika had returned to Matsutani, after weeks away, and had immediately thrown the household into a frenzy of activity with arrangements for the great hunt. Lord Aritomo himself was to attend. Tama did not mind this so much; she was used to entertaining lords and warriors of the highest rank, and the twin estates were prosperous and well managed, their fields overflowing with fresh produce, their storerooms packed with soy bean paste, rice, barley, and casks of wine. There were deep cellars where ice was preserved throughout the hot summers, and, even in the years of drought, the streams that flowed from the Darkwood never dried up. Farther into the mountains, at Kuromori, there were many natural hot springs, renowned for their healing properties.
    Tama loved her land and was proud of the way she had improved it. She was excited at the prospect of displaying its riches to Lord Aritomo. But she was less thrilled by the young woman Masachika had brought with him and installed in one of the pavilions on the lake, which Tama had had rebuilt, never dreaming who would occupy it.
    She was aware he must have had girls before. They were separated for long