The Initiate Brother Duology (101 page)

Rhojo-ma had stood for five days. Five thousand against one hundred thousand. Though no one would ever truly know what had happened inside the city’s walls, poets and writers of songs would not hesitate to fill in the missing details.

Ten days had passed since Shonto’s fleet had left the northern city and in that time they had not traveled far. Creating the desert in their wake took time.

Captain Rohku Tadamori stood on top of a section of the new dike and watched the teeming workers. His report would have reached Lord Shonto by now, but his presence would still be requested. There would be questions not answered by his report.

Riders came up the rise toward him, wearing night blue and black. Lord Komawara Samyamu himself pulled his horse up before the young guard.

“Captain Rohku?”

Rohku bowed. “Captain Rohku Tadamori of Lord Shonto’s guard, Lord Komawara.”

“Lord Shonto would have you join him.” A horse was led forward and the young captain mounted.

“It is a ride of several rih, Captain. I have not eaten today, would you share a meal with us?”

“The honor, Lord Komawara, would be mine entirely.”

Motioning for Rohku to ride at his side, Komawara turned his horse and set off.

Passing the lines of workers, both men and women, coming from the stone and gravel pits, Rohku was astonished by the numbers who toiled. They passed an old man who sat on the ground in the grip of a fit of coughing. A young girl bent over him, obviously frightened. A soldier rode down the line toward this pair. Seeing the rider, the girl reluctantly tore herself away from the old man, tears appearing as she went. Rohku turned away.

“We have little time,” Komawara said softly. “The rains this spring have not been great, so it will take many days for the waters to gather.” He said nothing for a moment but then spoke again. “It has been said that we have created a desert in our wake, but now we will create a sea. I am told, Captain, that the barbarians proved to be poor sailors so perhaps seas will serve our purpose better than deserts.”

Rohku kicked his foot free of a stirrup and shortened it as they went. “The lake surrounding Rhojo-ma proved an excellent defense. If it had not been for the pirates, the siege would undoubtedly have taken days longer.”

“Pirates!” Komawara exclaimed, proving again that he was from the outer provinces. “I had not heard there were pirates.” Komawara looked at his
companion in amazement. “Brother Shuyun and I saw no pirates among the barbarians.”

Rohku found his now properly adjusted stirrup. “I am sure that is true, Sire, but there are pirates in the Khan’s army now.”

“This Khan, he has built an army out of impossibilities.” Komawara could not get over his surprise. “Pirates!”

“It would indicate that my lord was correct, Sire. The Khan has enlisted pirates so his army can follow the great canal south to the inner provinces. It seems the barbarian has considered the possibilities with some care before embarking on this endeavor.”

Komawara nodded. “I agree, though I suspect it never occurred to the Khan that the army of Seh would not stand and fight. Once the army of Seh had been defeated, the canal would take him easily and quickly to the undefended center of Wa. Lord Shonto has done the unexpected,” Komawara said with satisfaction. “The canal will prove a difficult road indeed.”

Komawara raised a hand to stop. “This seems a likely place for a meal, Captain, would you agree?”

Rohku nodded. They were on a low hill, the first of the range that lay to the west of the canal. Below them a large plain stretched north toward Seh, black soil ready for planting—though it would bear a crop of weeds this season.

They dismounted and a bamboo mat was rolled out for the lord and the man he treated as a guest.

“As you say, Lord Komawara, I am sure Lord Shonto will slow the barbarian advance to a crawl. If only the Emperor will raise the army we need.”

Komawara smiled. “Yes. It is the one instance where we may pray the Emperor’s spies are alert. Once they have seen the barbarian army, one would hope the Son of Heaven will respond accordingly. Though we may be in Itsa before that happens,” Komawara said with a show of frustration.

A small fire was lit and food was laid out for the two men. Rohku was unused to the company of lords—even minor ones from outer provinces—but Komawara was so natural and likable he soon found himself put at ease. War, the captain thought, may break down more walls than one would expect.

“You have served the Shonto long?” Komawara asked, trying to carry on the polite conversation he believed Rohku would expect. Rohku was obviously too young to have served anyone long.

“Not long, Lord Komawara. My father is the captain of Lord Shonto’s personal guard,” he said, trying not to show any sign of pride.

“How is it that I have not met him?”

“He stays in the capital performing duties for our lord.”

“Ah. And you are also a captain.”

“Recently promoted.” He waved to the north. “This war has already seen many a junior officer receive ranks that would otherwise be years away.”

“You are modest, Captain. Lord Shonto would not have sent you to watch the barbarians and witness the battle of Seh if he did not hold great respect for you.”

Rohku shrugged, coloring almost imperceptibly. “You are too kind, Lord Komawara. I myself wonder if any number of lieutenants will not find themselves generals before many months have passed—such is our need.

“Lord Shonto is off in the hills somewhere?” What Shonto did and where he was at any given time was not considered a topic for general discussion, especially now that war had come, but there was no one within hearing and Komawara seemed at ease with Rohku—he might drop a hint at least.

The lord waved to the west. “We make plans for defending the hills. Perhaps Lord Shonto will explain.”

Rohku nodded. Pressing the point was out of the question. He looked off to the west. The barbarians might try to skirt the new lake, and then there might be opportunities for ambush.

“Perhaps,” Rohku said, “I will take a more active roll in the near future.”

Komawara nodded as he ate. When he spoke again, he seemed quite serious. “What you have just done, Captain Rohku—witnessing the battle of Rhojo-ma—I would have found this a most difficult duty.” He gave a nodding bow. “You are to be commended for this.”

Rohku did not look up as he spoke. “At the battle of Rhojo-ma I watched, Lord Komawara. I did not lay down my life.”

“Exactly,” Komawara said softly.

The conversation failed then and they ate in silence. Finishing the meal, they set out into the hills, the conversation stilted until Captain Rohku commented on the quality of Seh’s horses and then it flowed like a steep river.

They found a road among the hills and followed that, riding out of the direct sunlight into the trees robing themselves in new leaves. Shonto guards blocked the way until Komawara gave the password and they continued on, encountering more and more riders in blue as they went. Finally, Lord
Shonto stood before them in a clearing surrounded by guards and officers. Conspicuous among them was an ill-dressed soldier, unarmored like the senior military men, though armed. He carried a sword in Shonto’s presence.

Komawara and Rohku waited beside their horses until General Hojo waved them forward. The ragged man turned and then a smile flickered across his face. It was Rohku Saicha, the young captain’s father.

*   *   *

The two monks sat on mats that had been placed in the bow of the river boat. The fair wind of the season moved them south, if not at great speed, with a consistency that saw the rih pass in surprising numbers. A rain shower had blown over earlier, but the sun soon dried the decks and only the occasional droplet from steaming sails indicated that there had been rain at all. Plum and cherry trees flowered on the banks and where there would normally be gay parties out under the boughs to observe the blossoming, frightened refugees streamed south instead.

Brother Sotura was glad that he could speak to his former student in privacy—only the tribesman in Shonto livery stood nearby and he was not close enough to overhear. The sailors had little to do and, as they followed a boat with deeper draft, there was no lookout in the bow nor did anyone sound the bottom, but out of respect for the Botahist monks they confined their idling to midships.

“These events are unsettling, Shuyun-sum,” the senior Brother was saying. “So many people torn from their homes. Already they are hungry and, with such numbers on the roads and canal, disease is appearing. I spend time as I can now with the sick, but there are more every day.” He shook his head. “I have written to Brother Hutto in Yankura, but it will be some time before our Order can respond to a situation that grows worse as we speak.”

Shuyun touched his hands together, rocking back and forth slightly as though nodding agreement. “I have asked Lord Shonto if I could assist you, Brother, but he will not spare me, though often I have little to do. Every precaution is taken to isolate the sick from the army and Lord Shonto’s staff. Even our meeting was difficult to arrange. I regret this.”

“It cannot be helped, Shuyun-sum. Your part is to advise Lord Shonto so that the interests of our Order are represented among the powerful of Wa. Now that the situation gathers momentum by the hour, your role is even more crucial.”

At this Shuyun stopped rocking.

“We do our best to prepare for this calamity, Shuyun-sum, but it is difficult. The future is uncertain.” Sotura caught the eye of his student. “If we knew more of Lord Shonto’s intent, we could act to assist him and to preserve our Order so that Botahara’s word would not be lost.”

Shuyun examined his palm, rubbing it slowly. “My lord hopes to slow the barbarian advance so that an army may be raised to defend the Empire.”

Sotura paused for a second as though he had suffered a small insult and was unsure how to respond. When he spoke, he had lowered his voice. “No doubt, Brother Shuyun, this is true but the Yamaku still sit upon the Dragon Throne and we could do much if we knew what Lord Shonto…thought about this situation.”

Shuyun shrugged. “In truth, Brother Sotura, I do not know.”

“Perhaps it would be useful to find out.”

“My lord gives me the information he feels I need in my capacity, Brother. I do not presume to ask for more.”

“As his loyal Advisor it might be to your lord’s benefit if you spent time informing yourself of the situation in the Empire and of your lord’s intent.”

Shuyun blinked.

“Jaku Katta is another question, Shuyun-sum. Does he truly have Lord Shonto’s confidence?”

Shuyun watched a sampan drift past, carrying men in Shonto blue. “Did not Botahara say, ‘Do not trust truth to a liar.’”

Sotura nodded. “The guardsman is an opportunist of the worst sort. Trusting him would be an error indeed. Does he still seek the company of Lady Nishima?”

“Perhaps. I do not know,” Shuyun said slowly.

“Maybe she has seen him for what he is and has another interest?”

Shuyun shrugged. “The personal lives of my lord’s family…” Shuyun threw up his hands.

Sotura nodded.

“It is a crucial time, Brother Shuyun. Much could be lost in the coming struggle. We must be vigilant. The True Path must be protected and we are its chosen protectors.”

Shuyun stared at the chi quan instructor until the master became uncomfortable.

“Brother Shuyun?”

Motioning to the Kalam suddenly, Shuyun leaned toward the tribesman and spoke in the man’s tongue. The Kalam gave a proper bow and hurried off.

“There is something you should know, Brother,” Shuyun said quietly. “It will make many things clear to you. We must wait for my servant.”

The Kalam appeared a moment later, bearing a brocade bag containing something small and angular. Giving it to Shuyun, he retreated to his former station by the rail and stood silently.

With great care Shuyun slid a plain lacquered box out of the bag. He set the box carefully on his knees and unlatched it. “There is a matter we have discussed before, Brother Sotura. Let me show you what I have found.” Saying this he opened the box gently.

On the lining of green silk lay the blossom of the Udumbara. The breeze touched it and the petals moved as though still fresh from the branch.

It was not possible to tell from Sotura’s face if the older monk was overcome with joy or deep sadness. He did not move for some time and then, almost tenderly, he reached out, but as he did so Shuyun withdrew the box, closing it sharply. The young Brother’s face was very cold.

“I will not trust it to you, Brother,” Shuyun said firmly.

Sotura stopped writing suddenly. He wondered what the Supreme Master and Brother Hutto would decide about Shuyun.
We have been caught in a lie by one who believed what he was taught about lies. The deeper reasons for our decision cannot be seen by a young Initiate, no matter how talented—all he will see is our hypocrisy. The Teacher has come and we deny it. How can Shuyun but think we act from motives that are less than pure ? He has not stepped off the True Path—we have pushed him. May Botahara forgive us.