Read Online Brilliance of the Moon by Lian Hearn - Free Book Online

dropped the reins on his horse’s neck and took off his
helmet, showing his shaven head. He rubbed his scalp and hung the helmet on the
saddlebow. “I’m relying on Lord Otori to avoid any more combat today!”
    After nearly an hour we came to the town. The houses around it
seemed to be inhabited and the fields looked better cared for, the dikes
repaired and the rice seedlings planted out. In one or two of the larger
houses, lamps were lit, casting their orange glow against torn screens. Others
had fires burning in the earthen-floored kitchens; the smell of food wafting
from them made our stomachs growl.
    The town had once been fortified, but recent fighting had left
the walls broken in many places, the gates and watchtowers destroyed by fire.
The fine mist softened the harsh outlines of destruction. The river that we had
crossed flowed along one side of the town; there was no sign of a bridge, but
there had obviously once been a thriving boat trade, though now more boats
seemed damaged than whole. The bridge where Jin-emon had set up his toll
barrier had been this town’s lifeline and he’d all but strangled it.
    Kahei was waiting for us at the ruins of the main gateway. I told
him to stay with the men while I went on into the town with Makoto and Jiro and
a small guard.
    He looked concerned. “Better that I go, in case there is some
trap,” he suggested, but I did not think this half-ruined place offered any
danger, and I felt it wiser to ride up to Aral’s constable as if I expected his
friendship and cooperation. He would not refuse to help me to my face, whereas
he might
if
he thought I had any fear of
him. As Kahei had said, there was no castle, but in the center of the town on a
slight hill was a large wooden residence whose walls and gates had recently
been repaired. The house itself looked run-down but relatively undamaged. As we
approached, the gates were opened and a middle-aged man stepped out, followed
by a small group of armed men.
    I recognized him at once. He had been at Arai’s side when the
western army rode into Inuyama, and had accompanied Arai to Terayama. Indeed,
he had been in the room when I had last seen Arai. Niwa, his name was, I
recalled. Was it his sons who had been killed by Jin-emon? His face had aged
and held fresh lines of grief.
    I reined in the chestnut horse and spoke in a loud voice. “I am
Otori Takeo, son of Shigeru, grandson of Shigemori. I intend no harm to you or
your people. My wife Shirakawa Kaede and I are moving our army to her domain at
Maruyama, and I ask for your help in providing food and lodging overnight.”
    “I remember you well,” he said. “It’s been a while since we last
met. I am Niwa Junkei. I hold this land by order of Lord Arai. Are you now
seeking an alliance with him?”
    “That would give me the greatest pleasure,” I said. “As soon as I
have secured my wife’s domain, I will go to Inuyama to wait on his lordship.”
    “Well, a lot seems to have changed in your life,” he replied. “I
believe I am in your debt; news on the wind is that you killed Jin-emon and his
bandits.”
    “It is true that Jin-emon and all his men are dead,” I said. “We
have brought back the warriors’ heads for proper burial. I wish I had come
earlier to spare you your grief.”
    He nodded, his lips compressed into a line so thm that it looked
black, but he did not speak of his sons. “You must be my guests,” he said,
trying to infuse some energy into his tired voice. “You are very welcome. The
clan hall is open to your men: It’s been damaged, but the roof still stands.
The rest may camp outside the town. We will provide such food as we can. Please
bring your wife to my house; my women will look after her. You and your guard
will of course also stay with me.” He paused and then said bitterly, abandoning
the formal words of courtesy, “I am aware that I am only offering you what you
would otherwise take. Lord Arai’s orders have always been to detain