Emperor of the Eight Islands: Book 1 in the Tale of Shikanoko (The Tale of Shikanoko series) by Lian Hearn
Authors: Lian Hearn
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tears for them, and felt he should make some effort to honor their deaths and placate their restless spirits. He could hear chanting in the distance. Following the sound, he made his way to the small shrine at the end of the lake, and knelt there beneath the cedars.
7
KIYOYORI
The last of the bodies were stacked in a pile, covered with brushwood, and set on fire. It had been a long time since the smell of burning flesh floated over the peaceful dwellings and fields of Matsutani. Kiyoyori was impatient, racked by desire, but he would not let this distract him from what had to be done. He dispatched groups of retainers with the heads to display them on sharpened posts at the Shimaura barrier and at crossroads and bridges along the North Mountain Road. Then he turned his attention to the problems that the deaths of Akuzenji and his band presented. The most urgent matter was to launch an attack on their mountain fortress and secure for himself their means of controlling the road and the merchants who traveled along it. This seemed like a straightforward exercise that could be carried out by his retainers. Then arrangements had to be made to purify the riding ground from the pollution of death and to make offerings to placate the spirits of the departed. When he had issued his instructions and spoken to the priests, he sent for his wife. By then it was approaching dusk.
“Your eyes are red,” he addressed her. “Were you weeping because I was not killed?”
“Forgive me, lord. I was overcome by shock and grief that such an attempt should be made on my husband’s life.”
“And you are no doubt affected by the death of one of your waiting-women?”
“If she was in any way part of the intrigue I rejoice at her death. My tears are for no one but you.”
“I would like to believe that.”
“It is true.” An expression of fear flickered into her eyes as though she had suddenly realized the danger of her position.
“You did not for a moment allow yourself to hope that you might be returned to your first husband?”
“How can you say such a thing? He is as dead to me. Have I not been a faithful wife to you? Everything that was mine is now yours. I have given you a son; I have been a mother to your daughter, as far as she would let me. I would have gladly given you more children, but you seem to have grown cold toward me.”
He made no reply, studying her carefully. She met his gaze with frank eyes.
“My lord must be tired and hungry. Let me prepare a bath and some food. What is your pleasure?”
“Did you know that my brother had been sending letters to Enryo?”
“I swear I did not. I would have told you at once. Please, take a bath and relax. Shall I bring the children to see you?”
The cedar-scented smoke from the bathhouse masked the smell from the pyre, and in the hot water Kiyoyori felt himself cleansed in body and spirit. He ate with his children, who were thrilled and grateful to be included in the special feast his wife prepared: rice with chestnuts and quail, hen’s eggs simmered in broth, freshwater fish grilled with taro. They were well behaved and confident. Both seemed intelligent, especially Hina, who he could see was growing more like her mother every day. She showed a great interest in the events of the day and questioned him closely about what they all meant, what would happen to the boy who shot the bird, and what her father would do with all the extra horses.
He could find no fault in their upbringing. But how would he feel if their mother was betraying him? He recalled Sesshin’s words. Your brother will be back in Matsutani and your children will be dead .
This had become the usual behavior of warlords and warriors. Was it not how he had dealt with Akuzenji? Even now his men were clearing out the mountain fortress as though ridding it of vermin. If Akuzenji had children there none would remain alive. He felt a moment of futile regret, which he tried to put from him. He could
7
KIYOYORI
The last of the bodies were stacked in a pile, covered with brushwood, and set on fire. It had been a long time since the smell of burning flesh floated over the peaceful dwellings and fields of Matsutani. Kiyoyori was impatient, racked by desire, but he would not let this distract him from what had to be done. He dispatched groups of retainers with the heads to display them on sharpened posts at the Shimaura barrier and at crossroads and bridges along the North Mountain Road. Then he turned his attention to the problems that the deaths of Akuzenji and his band presented. The most urgent matter was to launch an attack on their mountain fortress and secure for himself their means of controlling the road and the merchants who traveled along it. This seemed like a straightforward exercise that could be carried out by his retainers. Then arrangements had to be made to purify the riding ground from the pollution of death and to make offerings to placate the spirits of the departed. When he had issued his instructions and spoken to the priests, he sent for his wife. By then it was approaching dusk.
“Your eyes are red,” he addressed her. “Were you weeping because I was not killed?”
“Forgive me, lord. I was overcome by shock and grief that such an attempt should be made on my husband’s life.”
“And you are no doubt affected by the death of one of your waiting-women?”
“If she was in any way part of the intrigue I rejoice at her death. My tears are for no one but you.”
“I would like to believe that.”
“It is true.” An expression of fear flickered into her eyes as though she had suddenly realized the danger of her position.
“You did not for a moment allow yourself to hope that you might be returned to your first husband?”
“How can you say such a thing? He is as dead to me. Have I not been a faithful wife to you? Everything that was mine is now yours. I have given you a son; I have been a mother to your daughter, as far as she would let me. I would have gladly given you more children, but you seem to have grown cold toward me.”
He made no reply, studying her carefully. She met his gaze with frank eyes.
“My lord must be tired and hungry. Let me prepare a bath and some food. What is your pleasure?”
“Did you know that my brother had been sending letters to Enryo?”
“I swear I did not. I would have told you at once. Please, take a bath and relax. Shall I bring the children to see you?”
The cedar-scented smoke from the bathhouse masked the smell from the pyre, and in the hot water Kiyoyori felt himself cleansed in body and spirit. He ate with his children, who were thrilled and grateful to be included in the special feast his wife prepared: rice with chestnuts and quail, hen’s eggs simmered in broth, freshwater fish grilled with taro. They were well behaved and confident. Both seemed intelligent, especially Hina, who he could see was growing more like her mother every day. She showed a great interest in the events of the day and questioned him closely about what they all meant, what would happen to the boy who shot the bird, and what her father would do with all the extra horses.
He could find no fault in their upbringing. But how would he feel if their mother was betraying him? He recalled Sesshin’s words. Your brother will be back in Matsutani and your children will be dead .
This had become the usual behavior of warlords and warriors. Was it not how he had dealt with Akuzenji? Even now his men were clearing out the mountain fortress as though ridding it of vermin. If Akuzenji had children there none would remain alive. He felt a moment of futile regret, which he tried to put from him. He could
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