Read Online Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lian Hearn
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her father and the Prince were preparing for war.
The Emperor, Momozono’s father, was ailing. He had designated his oldest son as his heir, but the Prince Abbot, the powerful priest at the temple of Ryusonji, favored the second son, Daigen, whose mother was the Prince Abbot’s sister. He had formed an implacable dislike to the Crown Prince, taking every opportunity to undermine him, trying to persuade the Emperor to disinherit him. Aki knew that Prince Momozono was preparing to fight for the throne if necessary, but that no one must reveal this, for if it came to the Prince Abbot’s ears it would be called rebellion.
“Look!” Yoshi called, pointing into the garden. “Look at that strange bird.”
Aki stared out and saw a large black bird that had landed clumsily in one of the maple trees, scattering leaves and twigs. It gave a curious call, both compelling and repulsive, and swung its head toward Yoshimori as if studying his features with its hard golden eyes. It seemed to recognize him, for it bowed its head three times in a way that was both respectful and mocking.
Aki’s mother and her attendants were seized by horror, for it seemed a terrible omen, but Kai, unafraid, cried, “Let’s give it something to eat.”
“Yes, bring food!” Yoshimori commanded.
One of the ladies-in-waiting went inside, pale-faced and trembling, and came back with a bowl of rice cakes. Kai took one and went slowly into the garden. Yoshimori tried to follow her, but at least three pairs of hands restrained him.
Kai held the rice cake on her open palm. The bird peered down. When it did not descend she placed the cake on the ground and took a few steps back. The bird hopped from the tree, picked up the rice cake in its claws, inspected it carefully, then swallowed it in a gulp. It fluttered to the pond and drank. Then it flew back to the maple, preened its breast feathers, and continued to watch balefully, occasionally uttering a loud shriek.
“I don’t like it,” Yoshi said. “Make it go away.”
The women clapped their hands and raised their voices, but the bird would not be dislodged.
“Go call your father,” Aki’s mother said. “It’s giving me a headache. And what terrible disasters does it portend?”
Aki found her father and told him the news, then asked, “Should I bring my bow?” It was the ceremonial catalpa bow she had been given at the temple, along with a ritual box that held a doll, a weasel’s skull, and her prayer beads.
“Yes, and I’ll bring mine,” her father replied, but when he saw the bird he laid the bow aside quickly, even furtively. He stepped out into the garden and said angrily, “How dare you come here? Go tell your master to cease trying to spy on me!”
Aki raised her bow and twanged the string as she had been taught, to alert the spirits. The bird swung its head toward her, gave a scornful cry, and flew away to the north.
“What was it, Father?” Aki said, going to stand at his side, following his gaze as the bird disappeared.
“A werehawk, a sort of magic hawk. The Prince Abbot has several at his command. They have speech of a sort that only he can understand. Vile birds! I hate them!”
“You should have shot it, Father.”
“I did not want to show I am armed and prepared to use my bow. They are almost impossible to kill anyway.” He said in a quieter voice, “He is suspicious of me. What will he do next? I am glad you will soon be at Rinrakuji. You will be out of his reach, and what you learn there may help us in our struggle against him.”
Aki shivered as if she sensed a dark shadow stretching out over the city from Ryusonji.
9
TAMA
Like most girls of that time who lived in the provinces, Tama had been taught to ride and fight with a lance. When she came of age, her mother had presented her with a dagger so she could defend herself or take her own life if necessary. The only time she had been tempted to use it was when she and the estate she had inherited
The Emperor, Momozono’s father, was ailing. He had designated his oldest son as his heir, but the Prince Abbot, the powerful priest at the temple of Ryusonji, favored the second son, Daigen, whose mother was the Prince Abbot’s sister. He had formed an implacable dislike to the Crown Prince, taking every opportunity to undermine him, trying to persuade the Emperor to disinherit him. Aki knew that Prince Momozono was preparing to fight for the throne if necessary, but that no one must reveal this, for if it came to the Prince Abbot’s ears it would be called rebellion.
“Look!” Yoshi called, pointing into the garden. “Look at that strange bird.”
Aki stared out and saw a large black bird that had landed clumsily in one of the maple trees, scattering leaves and twigs. It gave a curious call, both compelling and repulsive, and swung its head toward Yoshimori as if studying his features with its hard golden eyes. It seemed to recognize him, for it bowed its head three times in a way that was both respectful and mocking.
Aki’s mother and her attendants were seized by horror, for it seemed a terrible omen, but Kai, unafraid, cried, “Let’s give it something to eat.”
“Yes, bring food!” Yoshimori commanded.
One of the ladies-in-waiting went inside, pale-faced and trembling, and came back with a bowl of rice cakes. Kai took one and went slowly into the garden. Yoshimori tried to follow her, but at least three pairs of hands restrained him.
Kai held the rice cake on her open palm. The bird peered down. When it did not descend she placed the cake on the ground and took a few steps back. The bird hopped from the tree, picked up the rice cake in its claws, inspected it carefully, then swallowed it in a gulp. It fluttered to the pond and drank. Then it flew back to the maple, preened its breast feathers, and continued to watch balefully, occasionally uttering a loud shriek.
“I don’t like it,” Yoshi said. “Make it go away.”
The women clapped their hands and raised their voices, but the bird would not be dislodged.
“Go call your father,” Aki’s mother said. “It’s giving me a headache. And what terrible disasters does it portend?”
Aki found her father and told him the news, then asked, “Should I bring my bow?” It was the ceremonial catalpa bow she had been given at the temple, along with a ritual box that held a doll, a weasel’s skull, and her prayer beads.
“Yes, and I’ll bring mine,” her father replied, but when he saw the bird he laid the bow aside quickly, even furtively. He stepped out into the garden and said angrily, “How dare you come here? Go tell your master to cease trying to spy on me!”
Aki raised her bow and twanged the string as she had been taught, to alert the spirits. The bird swung its head toward her, gave a scornful cry, and flew away to the north.
“What was it, Father?” Aki said, going to stand at his side, following his gaze as the bird disappeared.
“A werehawk, a sort of magic hawk. The Prince Abbot has several at his command. They have speech of a sort that only he can understand. Vile birds! I hate them!”
“You should have shot it, Father.”
“I did not want to show I am armed and prepared to use my bow. They are almost impossible to kill anyway.” He said in a quieter voice, “He is suspicious of me. What will he do next? I am glad you will soon be at Rinrakuji. You will be out of his reach, and what you learn there may help us in our struggle against him.”
Aki shivered as if she sensed a dark shadow stretching out over the city from Ryusonji.
9
TAMA
Like most girls of that time who lived in the provinces, Tama had been taught to ride and fight with a lance. When she came of age, her mother had presented her with a dagger so she could defend herself or take her own life if necessary. The only time she had been tempted to use it was when she and the estate she had inherited
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