Read Online Beneath an Opal Moon by Eric Van Lustbader - Free Book Online

It was in violent motion yet silent and smooth, running lightly then leaping across the narrow chasms between buildings as if it were but a wisp of smoke. A cool breeze off the water rustled the spiky leaves of the trees and Moichi shivered slightly, feeling his muscles tense. Still he watched the shadow approach, the fluidity of motion mesmerizing, for there seemed to be no disturbance to the continuous flow of energy: run, leap, run, leap.
    Now the shadow was spurting across the adjacent building’s rooftop, the image abruptly blossoming. But so swiftly did it move, that Moichi only recognized it for what it was as it landed on their own rooftop.
    It was a man dressed all in matte black clothing: wide trousers, sash, open-necked shirt. His face, too, was black, hidden by a mask which left only a narrow band of flesh—just enough to give him unhindered vision—exposed. He came toward them, over the polished wood, dancing, his feet seeming to glide through the darkening air. In one hand he carried what looked like an oval box, also matte black, flat on top and bottom. It dangled by a black rawhide cord. His other hand was empty.
    â€œJhindo.” Kossori’s breath in a hiss, close beside Moichi.
    Moichi had heard of these legendary creatures. They were hired as assassins and spies and, it was said, they knew so many methods to kill and maim, to disguise themselves and to escape any trap set for them that they never failed in their clandestine missions. This was the first time, however, Moichi had seen one in the flesh and it recalled to him the tale the Dai-San had told him of the Jhindo who infiltrated the citadel of Kamado to kill Moeru but who, instead, was slain by his intended victim. So Jhindo were not invincible after all. But, he told himself soberly, Moeru had been a Bujun and there were no greater warriors in all the world.
    Now here was a Jhindo seemingly come against them.
    Kossori stood very still, eyeing the figure who now approached them slowly. He raised his hands, palms outward, calm and seemingly unperturbed. “Please continue your journey. We wish you no ill.”
    The Jhindo said nothing but slowly lowered the oval box until its bottom sat on the roof’s flooring. He let go the cord. He was a tall man and now, as he spoke for the first time, he seemed to somehow gain in height. “It is your ill fortune that you happen to be here at this particular time. I cannot proceed further until all evidence of my departure has vanished.”
    Kossori did not turn his head away from the Jhindo but his low words were directed at Moichi: “Do not interfere, my friend. And, above all, do not turn your back on this one. Jhindo possess many small metal weapons which are quite lethal when hurled with precision. Face them and you have a chance.”
    â€œI urge you to be on your way,” Kossori said to the figure facing them.
    â€œYes,” said the Jhindo, “I will be on my way. Just as soon as you both are staring sightlessly up at the stars.”
    He came at Kossori then, flinging out his left arm and Kossori ducked away. The movement now was almost too rapid for Moichi to see clearly but the Jhindo had feinted and from somewhere had brought out a thin twined cord, knotted in the center. This he whipped about Kossori’s neck and, stepping behind him, jerked back on the ends so that the knot jammed against the other’s windpipe.
    Kossori rose into the air with the force of the motion.
    â€œUgh!” Moichi heard Kossori’s brief cry and moved to help. But as he circled the two he saw that there was nothing he could do; they were so tightly locked that any sudden movement might bring Kossori under the attack of his blow. He waited, restlessly prowling.
    It was an awkward position for Kossori and he was kicking himself for letting the Jhindo get the edge on him. His breath was already laboring and the muscles in his neck were going numb from the rapid loss of