Read Online The Fires of the Gods by I. J. Parker - Free Book Online

there. If you’re such a famous thief, surely you know others like you.’
    Jirokichi glanced over his shoulder towards the shifty-eyed guest, then leaned closer. ‘I know nothing about any fires.’ He glanced at passers-by. ‘See that boy?’ he said, pointing.
    Tora looked. A youngster dressed in blue and white figured silk walked past with the grace of a dancer. ‘He’s nothing like that devil’s spawn you were with or the gang that jumped me. He’s some rich kid or an actor,’ Tora said dismissively. ‘Or someone’s toy boy.’
    Jirokichi shook his head. ‘Wrong. He’s also one of the lost boys. The city’s full of them. They have to live.’
    ‘You think he’s a thief?’ Tora narrowed his eyes as he looked after the youngster. ‘I don’t believe it. The guys I want were street fighters, not pampered boys.’
    Jirokichi’s eyes widened. ‘You saw the boys near the fire?’
    ‘Not well,’ Tora admitted. ‘But they were together, and they may have a female working with them. She knocked me down and got most of my money.’
    Jirokichi raised his brows. ‘A female knocked you down?’
    Tora flushed. ‘I thought it was a woman. I was drunk and didn’t see her coming.’
    ‘Ah.’ Jirokichi grinned and nodded. ‘Careless. How much did they get?’
    Tora told him in an aggrieved tone. ‘It was to pay off a little piece of land for my wife and son. I’ll never have that sort of luck again.’
    Inside the wine shop, the monk was gathering his staff and leaving. The old men clicked their
go
pieces as before. ‘Plenty of gold around,’ Jirokichi muttered, frowning.
    Tora grasped the small man’s wrist. ‘Come on, Jirokichi, you owe me.’
    Jirokichi jerked his arm away. He looked both frightened and angry. ‘Leave it alone,’ he snapped. ‘You’ll get your gold back.’ He got up and hobbled away.
    Tora left some coins on the bench and hurried after Jirokichi, but the little man had disappeared.

AKITADA PLAYS WITH FIRE
     
    A kitada woke up to a furious anger.
    For years he had struggled against hostilities from members in the administration. Though his family name linked him to the spectacular rise and unjust fall of his ancestor Michizane and he still bore the resentment and fear that that name aroused, he had never become disloyal to the emperor or to the ruling Fujiwara family. At no time had he refused to make sacrifices in his service – risking his life and limb and the lives of his family and people. And, invariably, his loyalty had been rewarded by new demands or punishments. And now someone was trying to pin a murder on him.
    Enough was enough.
    Notwithstanding Kobe’s gentle hint to stay away from the Kiyowara case, he could not wait for others to clear his name.
    What Kobe had implied – without saying it in so many words – was that any effort Akitada made to clear himself of the suspicion would make things worse. If the chancellor himself was behind the demotion, Akitada might clear his name, but he would lose everything by interfering.
    Perhaps he would have to take his family and seek modest employment in a provincial administration. His friend Kosehira would surely let him serve as his secretary or as a district prefect in his province.
    He knew that no official had ever managed to return from such disciplinary dismissal to a career in the capital. He wastaking an enormous risk, but if he did nothing, he would also be lost. Kobe would try to help him, but Akitada did not think he would succeed.
    He got up and dressed – soberly, to fit his mood. Then he went to tell Tamako of his decision and its likely outcome.
    It was early, but he found her awake. She looked drawn and tired – and still much too flushed. He almost changed his mind, but she had as much to lose as he, and they were both concerned for the unborn child’s future.
    ‘Forgive me for troubling you,’ he said humbly. ‘I’m afraid I’ve made up my mind to take a step that may affect us all. As I seem to