Read Online White Serpent Castle by Lensey Namioka - Free Book Online Page B

in the Chinese manner and a flower arrangement. Both, like Lady Kaede’s kimono, were striking in their simplicity.
    Zenta advanced until there was a distance of three tatami mats between him and the dais. Placing his long sword behind him, he made a profound bow. When he raised his head, he found Lady Kaede’s eyes resting thoughtfully on him. They were luminous with unshed tears.
    In the dining hall which had been brightly lit by tall candles, Lady Kaede’s beauty had possessed an inhuman brilliance. Seen closer up, her beauty was just as perfect, but it was softened by the mellow light from a flame burning in a dish of oil.
    â€œI am truly grateful to you for bringing home this disobedient boy,” she said in her soft Western accent. “Ever since his absence was discovered, our household has been distracted by anxiety. Thank you for relieving our minds, and for bringing him back to us safe and sound.” Her voice faltered a little at the end.
    Then she recovered herself and turned to her son, looking at once indulgent and exasperated. “Why haven’t you been put to bed?”
    â€œYou haven’t served any refreshments to our guest yet,” Yoshiteru pointed out. “I think he looks hungry.”
    He turned and asked Zenta, “You would like some tea and confection, wouldn’t you? If you go to bed with an empty stomach, you won’t be able to sleep well.”
    Zenta kept a straight face. “Some refreshments would be delightful, but I don’t want to put this household to any trouble.”
    Lady Kaede bit her lips to suppress a smile. She beckoned to an attendant and whispered some instructions.
    â€œBe sure to bring the yellow citron-flavored yokan , because I don’t like the dark kind,” said Yoshiteru. Then he added, “That is, I’m sure our guest prefers the citron-flavored one, too.” After the attendant left, Lady Kaede’s smile faded. She turned a careworn face to Zenta and asked, “Was Yoshiteru alone when you found him? How did he get out of the gate?”
    â€œThere was a woman with him, but she slipped away after I came,” Zenta replied. “I’m afraid I didn’t get a good look at her face. Perhaps your son knows who she is.” As he spoke, Zenta scanned the female attendants in the room.
    Yoshiteru looked sulky. “We’ve had so many new attendants lately that I can’t tell them apart. All I know is that she isn’t anyone we’ve had for very long.”
    The attendant came back with a lacquered tray and Lady Kaede herself prepared the tea. As Zenta watched her pour hot water into a small bowl and whip the powdered tea, it seemed to him that her tiny hands with their tapering fingers were like the lacy leaves of a miniature maple tree. That was the meaning of her name, after all.
    After the attendant had passed the sweet confection to the guest, Lady Kaede permitted her son to take a piece also. Then she summoned a woman to take the boy to bed.
    â€œLet me wait until our guest has finished eating,” begged Yoshiteru.
    â€œGo to bed immediately,” commanded his mother in an unexpectedly firm voice. “You’ve caused us enough worry tonight, and I won’t have any peace until I know that you are safely in bed.”
    As he was being dragged out, the boy cast a look at Zenta which seemed to say, “We men have to humor these jittery women, don’t we?” When the door closed behind the boy, Lady Kaede turned to her guest and smiled. “His bedtime has been quite irregular lately, but fortunately he is so healthy that he doesn’t seem to miss his rest.”
    Then her face became grave and she shivered slightly. “I think you have guessed a fact that I’ve tried to hide from Yoshiteru: Since my husband’s death, my son’s life has been in constant danger. This woman who took him out tonight must have been sent to murder