The Lotus War - Kinslayer Part 31

The old man's chest heaved, lips pressed thin, blade slicked with gore as the oni lord swung with reckless abandon. The demon was bloodied in a dozen places; arms, legs, gut, face, and had yet to land a single blow on the old Iron Samurai. Rage turned its eyes incandescent, burning with the fury of Lady Sun as it lunged forward and received yet another wound for its troubles. The old man was fighting as if whittling wood, carving off one chunk at a time, dancing back out of striking range and allowing bloodloss and fatigue to do most of his heavy lifting. The power of Yomi versus a lifetime of steel's tutelage. The fury of all the h.e.l.ls versus a tranquility born of the love of the blade, the way of war, the heart of a tiger true.

Until the old man started coughing.

A sputter at first, widening his eyes just a fraction. A wet intake of breath, muscles clenched tight. Stepping aside from another blow, Daichi coughed again, damp and sputtering, pressing one hand to his chest as if pained. Kin yelled warning, roaring to Kaori, turning from the snarling demon facing him and dashing through the rain. Daichi staggered, mouth pressed to sleeve, and as he lifted his blade to ward off a savage blow, Kin swore he could see a dark stain on the old man's lips. A blacklung spasm, gripping him now of all times, the disease slowly reaching into the old man's chest and turning all to ruin.

Daichi fell back, coughing still, Kaori rising from the steaming ruin of a pit demon's corpse and yelling above the storm. Maro answered with a cry-"To Daichi! Daichi!", the Kage charging toward their failing captain, blades raised high. And the oni lord lifted its war club, lips split in a jagged grin, spit hissing through its teeth as it swung in a whistling arc, smashing Daichi's sword into glittering fragments. The old man staggered, crying out amidst sodden gasps, the demon lord following up with a savage kick directly into the old man's chest.

Kaori screamed, Kin along with her, Daichi sailing half a dozen feet to land crumpled and bleeding in the muck. The demon lord stepped forward, intent only on the old man's murder, raising its war club high. With a desperate cry, Kin hurled his wrench-just a tiny, gleaming sliver of greasy metal against this towering monstrosity. The throw struck true, cracking into the back of the oni lord's skull, just a fleabite onto hardened leather. But it was enough to give the demon pause, a second to snarl and flinch, and in that moment, Kaori closed in, a black shark through bloodied water, stepping up onto a broken tree stump and leaping through the air, her blade sinking into the oni lord's back. Maro struck a moment later, carving a gouge through the demon's Achilles tendon, the monster roaring in pain, falling to one knee. Others struck now, Isao, Atsushi, Takeshi, blades rising and falling like abattoir knives and beneath the flood, the rain, the flashing steel, the demon lord fell roaring and flailing, silenced at the last by a scything blow from Kaori's blade, ear to pointed ear, bathing the woman in a black, hissing spray.

"Father!" she cried, stumbling to her knees at the old man's side. Daichi lay on his back, hand clutched to chest, drawing b.l.o.o.d.y breath through bubbling lips. The other Kage gathered around him, painted in black gore, faces pale and horrified.

Kin caught several dark stares as he approached, muttered curses, glances toward the failed 'throwers. He heard the word "accursed" and "Guildsman," felt angry eyes on him in the dark, and a cool dread seeped into his belly. He tried to push through the mob to Daichi's side, found his way barred by Maro's heavy hand, the Kage captain looking at him with bitter rage.

"Stay the h.e.l.ls away from him," he hissed.

"I can help h-"

"Don't you think you've done enough, you G.o.dless little b.a.s.t.a.r.d?" Maro hissed.

"Maro, forget the Guildsman!" Kaori yelled, tears in her eyes. "Help me with my father!"

The captain turned from Kin with a snarl, knelt beside Daichi. Four Kage lifted the old man onto their shoulders and he cried out, clutching his ribs, mouth painted in a b.l.o.o.d.y O. Kaori bid them run swift, carrying their fallen leader back to Old Mari's infirmary. With a hateful glance at Kin, she selected a few warriors to remain behind and ensure every demon had breathed their last. The remainder were set to task gathering up their wounded brethren.

Thunder roaring overhead. Wind clawing through the trees. Rain hissing like a serpent's nest. Limping and bleeding and dazed, the Kage headed back to the shelter of the village. Kin stood amidst it all, lost and adrift, knocked aside by one warrior, yet another spitting at his feet. His agonized gaze was fixed on the silent 'throwers, the ruptured seals, wondering again how it was possible. For one to fail, perhaps. Two an outside chance. But for all to malfunction at once? How could it be?

He staggered through the rain toward his emplacement, sickness roiling in his belly.

"Guildsman."

Isao's voice brought him up short. Grabbed him by the throat and bid him turn to stare.

Three of them stood there in the rain. Isao. Atsushi. Takeshi. Arms folded, fists clenched, anger and contempt unveiled on their faces. Takeshi took a step toward him, but Isao put out a restraining hand, muttered something too low for Kin to hear. With a snarl, the big boy turned to the fallen oni, Atsushi by his side. Walking from body to body, they chopped at the pit demon's throats, sluices of black blood arcing in the rain, ensuring every one of them was dead.

Isao remained. Eyes narrowed. Sword sheathed at his back. And lifting one slow hand, he pointed at Kin, then made a sawing motion at his throat.

Dread lined Kin's guts with a sickly chill. The other Kage had already moved off, his knowledge that he was alone out here burning with sudden clarity in his mind. And so he slunk into the scrub, into the shadows, finally bolting for the Kage prison. It was the only place he could think to go. He knew now the boys would stop at nothing. If they were willing to do this, they were willing to do anything.

He recalled Isao's appeal for Daichi not to fight at the 'thrower line. The boy had been pleading. Almost desperate. And now, Kin finally understood why. The image lingering in his mind's eye as he ran-Isao sawing away at his throat, the telltale black stain in the flickering storm light.

Grease stains on his hands.

24.

MERCIES.

Ichizo watched the Daimyo of the Tora Clan raise his sword, blood-red sunlight gleaming on the blade, level with his opponent's throat. Hiro's foe drew breath through clenched teeth, weapon hanging from his grip as if it were an armful of bricks. Hiro glared at the samurai facing him across polished boards, amidst the lifeless stares of hollow men, muscles gleaming, iron arm spitting a thin plume of exhaust into the stifling air.

Then he lunged.

Ichizo could barely track his cousin's movement, Hiro's prosthetic a blur, his blade smashing aside his foe's guard, the Daimyo spinning on the spot and bringing his katana in a sweeping arc across the man's ribs. The wooden blade cracked against the samurai's breastplate, denting the metal, a spattered, damp exhalation leaving his lips as the man fell to his knees, clutching his side, face twisted in pain. Hiro stood above him, sword raised above his head for the would-be deathblow.

The samurai raised his hand in surrender.

"Yield, great Lord," he rasped. "I yield."

Ichizo's applause mingled with that of the servants, Hiro's four other sparring partners, bent and bruised and hovering at the training dojo's edge. Their Daimyo had been beating on the men for the best part of an hour, Ichizo hovering outside, listening to the sharp cries, the grunts of pain, until he had finally lost patience, entering to seek words with his clanlord.

Hiro helped his opponent to his feet, and noticing Ichizo amidst the retinue, raised an eyebrow in question. The Daimyo was fighting unarmored, all muscle and sweat, flesh gleaming in the fading light. Long black hair was drawn back in a tail, a sodden river trailing down his chest, clinging to his skin. A short puncture scar marred the taut pectoral muscle above his heart, just a few inches shy of a killing blow. The flesh at his right shoulder was inked with a mangled tiger tattoo, an iron collar affixed around his bicep, hiding the union between his flesh and the prosthetic the Guild had gifted him. Ichizo was unnerved by the sight-the union of meat and machine far too akin to a Lotusman for his tastes.

Shgun Yoritomo had always kept his distance from the chi-mongers-always kept the delineation between throne and Guild clear. But it seemed Hiro had thrown in with them without so much as a backward glance. He knew the power the Lotusmen offered his cousin, knew how much rode upon this union between Hiro and Lady Aisha, what would become of the nation if the clans fell to civil war. And yet, unease at this overt alliance with the Guild grew in him daily-more than the threat of Kage insurgents hiding in the shadows, the Stormdancer fermenting discontent from the north. And he wondered what price the Daimyo would truly pay for his throne.

And yet Hiro was his cousin. His blood. His Lord. To think such things- "You wish to speak with me, Ichizo-san?"

Hiro dropped his bokken to the floor, the wooden sword striking the boards with a sharp clatter. A servant scuttled from the periphery with a cup of almost clear water, hovering by his Lord's side.

"It is no matter, great Lord." Ichizo bowed. "I should not have interrupted your training. It can wait."

"Well, you have interrupted now. We might as well kill two birds with one stone."

The Daimyo motioned to the row of wooden katana, the training dummies clad in practice armor. A small smile on his lips.

"I fear I would prove little contest for you, great Lord," Ichizo said.

Hiro grinned. "Since when did that stop you in the past?"

"Oh ho." Ichizo grinned in return. "I recall besting you once or twice, at least."

"Make it three times, then. Or are those magistrate's robes I put you in sending you soft?"

Ichizo bowed with a wry smile, walking to one of the wooden figures and slipping on the training armor, a servant buckling it in place. Hiro sipped his water as Ichizo suited up-heavy gauntlets, breastplate, a cowled helm-watching his cousin test a half-dozen practice blades before he found one with balance to his liking. The Lord Magistrate finally stepped into the sparring circle, raised his sword in salute. The Daimyo tossed his cup to another servant, swept his ponytail back over his shoulder and flourished a new bokken with his iron sword arm.

"Defend yourself," Hiro hissed.

The Daimyo charged across the room, footsteps echoing floor to high ceiling, bringing his sword down toward his Lord Magistrate's head. Ichizo parried, impact jarring his wrists, knocked aside amidst the hiss and whirr of Hiro's prosthetic. A foot to his chest sent him stumbling back, hissing and coughing, opening his eyes just in time to fend off another flurry of blows from Hiro's blade-face, chest, gut.

He backed away, astonished at the ferocity of the attack. Hiro smiled, watching him over the edge of his blade, waiting for his counter.

"So," he said. "Speak."

Ichizo lunged, once, twice, Hiro fending off both strikes with practiced ease, the sharp notes of wood cracking against wood ringing in his ears.

"It is of little import, great Lord."

Strike. Parry. Lunge.

"Come now," Hiro said, dancing away. "It seems I speak of nothing these days save wedding plans." Strike. "Of ministers who cannot be allowed to sit with magistrates at the reception because of slights three decades old." Feint. "Of whether to offer insult to the attending Guildsmen by serving food and drink they consider impure, or insult by serving nothing at all."

"My sympathies, cousin." Ichizo ducked a scything blow aimed at his head, fell back for breathing room. "I suppose dominion over an entire nation comes with its drawbacks. But the wedding at least will be over soon."

Feint. Dodge. Lunge.

"Hai," Hiro nodded. "All the oni in the h.e.l.ls could not stop it now."

"... Would you wish them to?"

Hiro struck, clipped Ichizo's shoulder, kicked him again in the chest. The Lord Magistrate staggered away, blade at half-guard, but the Daimyo did not press.

"Come," Hiro said, breathing easy, flexing his iron arm. "Speak your piece. Your intrigues offer welcome diversion if nothing else."

Ichizo waved the request away with one hand, sweat burning his eyes.

"I fear it is a trifling thing, great Lord."

"Trifling. This would be about your prisoner, then..."

Ichizo felt his stomach turn. He risked a glance at the servants. The other samurai. A humorless smile creased Hiro's lips, and he dismissed the retinue with a wave of his blade. The group shuffled from the room with low bows, the sparring partners looking particularly grateful. Silence descended on the dojo, broken only by the sparrows choking in the gardens outside, the creak of the boards beneath their feet, Ichizo's sodden gasps dragged into burning lungs.

The Lord Magistrate cleared his throat. Swallowed hard.

"You have heard."

"You would be surprised what the Guild knows about the happenings in this palace."

Ichizo glanced at the spider-drone perched on the railing of the mezzanine above. That cursed blood-red eye, seeing and telling all. "It displeases you?"

Hiro's eyes were as hard as the prosthetic at his side. Just as cold. Just as lifeless. Ichizo searched his cousin's face for some remnant of the boy he had played soldiers with around his father's estates; toy bokken in their hands, swiping the wooden swords at imaginary legions of Shima's enemies. Always smiling, always laughing.

Centuries ago.

"It displeases me," Hiro said.

"She is beautiful, cousin. Like the first flower after winter's end."

"She is dangerous. I asked you to question these girls, Ichizo, not bed them. You have lost your clarity. Her mistress is purest poison. Who is to say how far her taint spread?"

"Yoritomo's a.s.sa.s.sin tried to murder this girl. Cut her to pieces and nearly caved her head in. That hardly seems in keeping if they were allies. I am not a fool, Hiro."

"No? And what does your beauty say when she lies in your arms at night? That she loves you?" Hiro flourished his blade in his iron hand, hissing fingers drumming across the hilt. "A woman's betrayal cuts bone-deep, cousin."

"Not all of them are liars, Hiro. Not all of them are false."

"What would you have of me?"

"To set Michi-chan free. Under my recognizance. She wishes to see her mistr-"

"We have spoken of this before."

His breath returned, Ichizo struck without warning, the blow narrowly missing Hiro's face. The Daimyo struck back, ferocious, no smile on his lips, pressing hard with blow after blow until Ichizo again backed away.

"Tenacity is one of my strengths, great Lord," he grinned, gasping.

"You ask the impossible, Lord Magistrate."

"I would consider it a personal favor, Daimyo." Ichizo looked at his cousin, eyes pleading. "To a kinsman who ran with you when the deadlands in Blackstone province were still lotus fields, and who always let you beat him with the bokken."

"Let me beat you?"

Hiro laughed despite himself, his smile bright. For a brief moment, the facade of the Daimyo, the Iron Samurai, fell away, and all that remained was the boy Ichizo had always known. The boy he'd grown up with. The boy he trusted.

"Lord Izanagi strike you down for a b.a.s.t.a.r.d and a liar, cousin," Hiro grinned.

"Please, cousin." Ichizo stepped closer, smile slowly fading. "There is much to be said for a merciful rule."

Hiro stroked his goatee, breathed deep. He stood for a silent minute, motionless as the training dummies surrounding them. Blue-black smoke hung about his brow, turned his eyes the deep green of lotus leaves. When he finally spoke, his voice rang across the dojo, cold and hard as a knife sinking into Ichizo's back.

"Those boys you spoke of are men now, Ichizo-san. Those days you spoke of are gone. Best to forget they ever were, and remember what you are."

"I am a man in love, cousin."

Ichizo looked at Hiro with pleading eyes.

"Surely, you remember what that was like?"

Without a sound, Hiro raised his blade and struck, faster than Ichizo would have believed possible. The blade cracked across his shoulder, another strike smashing his sword from nerveless fingers. Hiro circled behind, struck him across his back so hard the blade simply shattered, a hail of splinters filling the air along with a damp spray of spittle, a strangled cry as Ichizo stumbled forward, collapsed to his knees.

The Lord Magistrate rolled onto his back, wincing, gasping, empty palm upheld in surrender. His Daimyo stood above him, shattered blade clutched in his iron hand. His voice was cold as tombs.

"I remember what it was to be a man in love, cousin."

Hiro cast the broken sword onto the floor with a clatter, held up iron fingers, curling them into a solid, hissing fist.

"Every single night."

"I wonder what you would say, if I asked you to marry me."

They lay entwined amidst the bed's ruins, sweat drying on their skin. Michi's hair adrift across her cheeks, her head upon his chest, lulled almost to sleeping by the song of his heart. But his words dragged her back into full waking, incredulity creeping into her voice as she raised herself up on one elbow and stared at the viper in her arms.

"... What?"

Ichizo was watching the ceiling, one arm behind his head, the other wrapped around her shoulder. Her body was pressed tight against him, the swell of her hips and b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the leg thrown over his thigh, like puzzle pieces made to interlock perfectly with his own.