The Initiate Brother Duology (45 page)

“Brother Hutto, this is the reason we must find the scrolls. Nothing is more important, nothing.”

The two men fell silent, sipping their cha. A breeze slipped in through a half open shoji and with it the scent of fallen leaves. Brother Sotura turned his attention to the screens painted the length of the two-span hall. They showed the Perfect Master giving the Sermon of Silence in which he told his disciples that he would speak to them of their desires and then he said nothing, rising finally at nightfall to go to his prayers. Yes, Sotura thought, we wear our desire on our faces even as His disciples did.

“Brother Hutto, I cannot stay long and there are things I must ask you. What of the Emperor and Shonto?”

“Yes. I neglect my duty.” He paused to refill their cha bowls. “It is no secret, the Emperor’s fear of the Shonto. Yet suddenly the Emperor treats Shonto as an old friend and charges him with the safety of the Empire. It is very strange. Some see it as a sign that the Emperor is maturing and losing his fear of the strong. Others are deeply suspicious. I would put Shonto himself in this latter group. The Emperor has gone to much trouble to separate the family—Shonto’s son to their fief, Lady Nishima in the capital and Shonto himself in the north fighting a war, and who knows what can happen in a war? Even a general can fall to a stray arrow. How much gold is needed to hire a skilled bowman?

“If the Emperor plots against Shonto, then I suspect that Jaku Katta has contrived something more subtle—he is a consummate swordsman and would never finish a man clumsily. Shonto, of course, realizes the possibilities of his situation; so we watch as though it is a game of gii. The great families wonder who will be next if indeed the Emperor plots Shonto’s fall—many would then question the wisdom of allowing the Yamaku to stay on the throne. But with Shonto gone, who would be strong enough to create an alliance that could defeat the Yamaku? It is a problem.”

“No doubt the Emperor has his Imperial Guards close around him—a questionable tactic. There are rumors—and this I have not told the Supreme Master—that Katta may be in disfavor. They are only rumors, but if they are true…by Botahara! Jaku will not fall without a struggle. He will remain a fighter to his last breath.” The Primate sipped his cha, excitement apparent in his voice.

“I have also discovered that the Lady Nishima has been an object of Jaku’s attention.”

Sotura snorted. “His appetite is too large!”

“Unquestionably, though his charm is legendary. But is it not strange?—the Commander of the Imperial Guard and Shonto’s daughter? The Lady Nishima is a threat to the Yamaku, and you may be certain the Son of Heaven’s sleep is troubled by this knowledge.”

“Why does he not marry a son to Shonto’s daughter and avoid this stupid feud?”

“They are weak young men, Sotura-sum. They did not have the benefit of a Brother Satake to teach them. The daughter Fanisan would overwhelm any of Akantsu’s sons, that is certain.”

“So Jaku Katta pursues the Lady Nishima. But she is no fool. Perhaps she turns the Emperor against his own creation?”

The Primate’s face became suddenly youthful. “Ah, Brother Sotura,” he said without a trace of a smile, “what a delightfully suspicious nature you have.”

The chi quan master laughed. “I, too, have had excellent teachers. Have you received word from my young protégé?”

“Initiate Brother Shuyun is probably in Seh with his liege-lord, or at least well on his way. There is a good chance that the Butto-Hajiwara feud is a trap for Shonto, but, if so, those who have laid the trap will get the measure of their opponent. Shonto is too much the gii master to step into such a situation with his eyes closed.

“The young Brother is all that you have said, Sotura-sum, I met him.” The monk nodded to the chi quan master, a bow of acknowledgment. “Even the Sisters seem impressed, for they follow him to Seh, though I confess I am not sure why.” The Primate examined the face of his guest now, looking for an answer.

They had entered into a game of trading, a game they both knew well, and information was the coinage.

“Karma manifests itself strangely, Brother Hutto. A Sister, one Morima, was present in our Monastery several years ago. Through lack of knowledge, Shuyun was indiscreet and this Sister learned something of his true abilities. The Sisterhood has taken an interest in him ever since.”

“Huh. Most unusual, Brother, the boy is gifted, yes, but that does not warrant this degree of interest.”

“I agree, Hutto-sum. The Supreme Master also concurs. It is his contention that the Sisters think Shuyun was not a Brother in his past life.”

“Ah. So this is their secret desire! We do well to learn this, Sotura-sum. But still it is a mystery what the Sisters hope to gain by following your student.”

“You are keeping Shuyun and the Sisters under observation?”

“As I can, from the other end of the Empire.”

Brother Sotura pulled at his whiskers. “Perhaps we need to do more.”

“Excuse me, Brother, I don’t understand.”

Sotura cleared his throat. “The Supreme Master wishes us to redouble our efforts to find the scrolls.”

“This would be more easily done if I knew what efforts to double, Brother,” the Primate said dryly.

“The Way is difficult, Brother.”

“So I have read.”

“I am to go north to Seh, Hutto-sum. It is clear from our meditations that many things seem to center around Lord Shonto and our young Brother. There is a focus on these two, as though suddenly all meridians connected in this one place. The Brotherhood cannot ignore this.”

Brother Hutto sipped cha that had gone cold in its bowl. He considered a long time before speaking again. “It would be better if Shonto lived and the Emperor fell, would it not, Brother?”

“Hutto-sum, these are dangerous words.”

“With the Yamaku on the Dragon Throne, we will always be in danger.”

Sotura changed the subject. “What of the barbarians, does your intelligence extend to them also?”

“Among the barbarians I have no one, but the Brothers in Seh cross into the wastes as they can and they are concerned, as no doubt we would be if we lived under threat of constant attack. There are rumors again that the Golden Khan has come—at least the fifth time in my short life this has been said. Seh, sadly, is far away. I will be interested in your assessment of the situation.”

“And the Emperor, what of him?”

“It seems likely that he will ask Lord Omawara for the hand of Lady Kitsura.” Brother Hutto enjoyed the look of shock on his companion’s face.

“Truly?”

Brother Hutto nodded once.

“So, the Empress feels a need to retire to a life of spiritual contemplation. I did not imagine this, not at all. More Imperial progeny. Now we shall see a House divided!” Brother Sotura fell silent, contemplating this new information.

“The Supreme Master will be most interested in this. The Lady Kitsura Omawara!” Brother Sotura shook his head. “What of the Sisters? Does their internal struggle continue?”

“It does, Brother, but we must not be deceived. It is not the Prioress, Sister Saeja, who is occupied with this problem—it is the faction that opposes her. The old nun keeps an eye turned outward. Events in the Empire do not escape her, even a talented young Brother is worthy of her attention.”

“So there is no indication of who will win the struggle when she is gone?”

Brother Hutto shrugged. “Perhaps you should consult a fortune teller. I would not even begin to guess.”

“Then no one can know, Brother.”

“Shall I order more cha, Sotura-sum?”

“I am honored that you ask, but it grows late. I must return to my brethren. If you could include your thoughts about these matters in your next report to the Supreme Master, I’m sure his harmony would be enhanced.”

“I would deem it an honor if I could assist our Brother in this way,” the Primate said, bowing to his guest. “There is something else, Brother,” Hutto said as the chi quan instructor stood.

Sotura stopped, almost crouching. “Yes.”

“Another Brother, senior Master Den-Go, has disappeared.”

Brother Sotura straightened. “I have forgotten, Brother; how many is this?”

“Twenty-two.”

Sotura expelled a long controlled breath, and put his hand to his brow as though there were sudden pain. “In all our history I know of nothing as strange as these disappearances.”

“There is one other thing, Brother.” The Primate paused, watching Sotura’s face. “I have not yet confirmed this, but I have received a reliable report from Monarta…it is said the Udumbara has blossomed on the slopes above the Perfect Master’s shrine.”

The chi quan master sank back to his knees. “This cannot be true. It isn’t possible.”

Neither man spoke for several long minutes.

“Who could it be?” Sotura whispered finally. “Even among our most Enlightened Brothers there is no one who has progressed so far. No…it is not possible.”

Hutto nodded. “Perhaps you are right.” But the old monk looked like a man whose soul was overcome by doubt.

Brother Sotura felt his heart racing while some calm part of his mind noted that this had not happened since he had been trained in the ways of the Brotherhood.

“An Enlightened Master,” Sotura heard himself whisper. It could not be.

A
S DAYLIGHT APPROACHED, Lady Nishima was barely able to hide her impatience. In the privacy of her rooms, she paced up and down the matted floor, regretting that Kitsura had gone. Not that she would necessarily have shared the information she had received from Tanaka, but still, it would have been comforting to have company.

Beginning a simple series of exercises taught to her by Brother Satake, Nishima attempted to subvert the thoughts that distracted her and pulled at her consciousness. With a great effort of will, she fell into the almost trancelike state the exercise required and began to feel the strange sensation of time slowing. It was only for an instant, a feeling so fleeting that it might have been imagined. But Nishima knew it was not. She opened her eyes and let out a long sigh. If only Brother Satake had been able to teach her more.

A light tap on the shoji reminded her of the things she had pushed from
her mind, and it all came rushing back—the Emperor, Katta-sum, the message from Tanaka. The screen slid aside at a word from Nishima and a maidservant entered carrying a folded letter on a small silver tray. Lady Nishima controlled an urge to leap to her feet and snatch the letter. Instead, she sat staring at an arrangement of flowers set into an alcove in the wall.

“Please excuse me, my lady. I did not mean to interrupt your meditations.”

“You have acted correctly, Hara.”

The maid knelt and set the tray carefully on the writing table. “Would you care for your morning meal, Lady Nishima?”

“Not now, Hara, I will call.”

Nishima reached forward for the letter but stopped when she realized that her maid had not moved to leave.

“Hara?”

The maid nodded and drew in a sharp breath. “Excuse my boldness, Lady Nishima…” she began, and then stammered to a halt.

“What is it, Hara?” Nishima asked, keeping impatience from her voice.

“I fear I have conducted myself in a manner unworthy of your trust, my lady,” the young woman said in a near whisper.

Now what is this? Nishima wondered. An indiscretion, no doubt. That handsome assistant to Kamu I would wager, but why tell me? “The Shonto value the truth, Hara. Please go on.”

“During my retreat to the priory at Kano I met a senior Sister, a highly respected member of the Order, Lady Nishima.” The young woman glanced up at the eyes that studied her and then back to the floor. A blush of crimson spread across her cheek. “I spoke with her several times. I…I was flattered by her attention…. She seemed very impressed that I served the Shonto House and, my lady, she praised you very highly. I did not mark it at the time, but she was very curious about the Shonto and as she was a Sister of such high standing…” her voice became suddenly thick, “I was perhaps less discreet than I would otherwise have been.” The woman took a deep breath and it escaped from her in a half sob. She did not raise her eyes.

“I see.” Lady Nishima folded her hands in her lap. “I must know how indiscreet, Hara. It is important that you leave out nothing.”

The maid nodded quickly, obviously frightened, which in turn made Nishima fear the worst.

“She asked about our lord, about his character and his habits. She wanted to know if he was a good master or if he beat his servants.”

“And what did you tell her?”

“My lady, I have nothing but praise for Lord Shonto.”

“I see. Go on.”

“The honored Sister asked about our lord’s friends, though of course this is no secret and certainly many people know who frequents the Shonto house.” She paused as if to gather her thoughts. “She asked me if I knew when Lord Shonto had left for Seh, which again was no secret. She asked who among Lord Shonto’s staff were loyal followers of the true path. Also, she asked many questions about our new Spiritual Advisor, but of course he was here such a short time I could tell her little.”