If the spirit in the sword is urging Nishima-san to begin this war, surely that would allow the blades to revel in as much blood as they could possibly want, he thought. Outwardly, he betrayed no physical reaction to Nishina’s words as he replied, “Fascinating. I was under the impression that all of Senzo-san’s blades had been struck from the official court records.”
A guarded look of cunning appeared on Nishima’s face. “True, but stricken from the records does not mean the swords were destroyed. But do not fear-as I said, it is only a rumor. The written provenance of these blades states that they were forged by a minor smith, one Rokugo Kagenori.” The satisfied expression on Nishima’s face, however, told Kitsume which version of the swords’ history the young daimyo believed.
Which fits everything that has happened recently, Kitsune thought. Before he could attempt to elicit more information from his host, the main doors slid open, and Asano hobbled into the room, leaning on his carved wooden staff as he approached. As soon as the doors had moved, Nishima replaced the short sword on the rack and moved to the center of the dais, winking at Kitsune as he settled into the formal cross-legged position.
Asano bowed, straightening up with what appeared to be a visible effort. “Please excuse my tardiness, I came as quickly as I could once I had received your summons, but these old bones do not move as they once did, and I must admit that the beauty of your gardens was a distraction to my senses that delayed me even more.”
“Your words honor my gardeners, all of whom labor mightily to bring forth nature’s beauty around our castle.”
“I hope I have not caused too much impatience. My apprentice is no doubt eager to see the famed Nishina blades, one of the last remaining complete daisho crafted during the end of the Masamune era.”
Yes, there is much you need to learn about the Nishina blades, Kitsune thought as Asano took entirely too long to fold himself into the lotus position, his joints creaking and popping as he lowered himself to the ground. Kitsune tried to direct his attention to the swords, but Asano kept muttering and settling himself until both Kitsune and Nishina were hard-pressed to contain their annoyance.
“If Ashiga-san is ready at last?”
Asano paused for a bare second, and Kitsune realized that his mentor was delaying getting comfortable for a reason; apparently, he wanted to unnerve the samurai. His next words proved the boy’s suspicions correct.
“I had a most interesting conversation with Inoue-san this morning, regarding the Yamazaki province to the south.”
Nishina’s features darkened, and his right hand reached over toward the sword rack before he brought it back to his side hard enough to slap the cloth of his hakima. “Inoue-san should keep to his training and not talk of things that he does not have full knowledge of.”
Asano continued as if the younger man hadn’t spoken. “Inoue-san seemed to think that you are about to move against Yamazaki family, which has been at peace with the Nishinas for the past century, and which would be in direct violation of our honored Shogun’s edicts against aggression-”
“Enough!” Nishima’s voice was loud enough to echo even in the paper-walled room. “How dare you, who come to my home as honored guests, presume to comment on the plans of my family, of which you know nothing!” He reached for the gleaming scabbard of his katana and pulled the weapon to his chest. “I, Nishima Satomi, demand that you leave this place immediately!”
Asano lifted his head, and his black eyes seemed alight with controlled fury in the dark room. “I would be most pleased to acquiesce to that order, if in fact it was given by the heir of Nishima. But-” His penetrating gaze seemed to burn straight through the furiously quivering samurai on the dais. “-that is not the case here, is it, Nishima Takahashi?”
Kitsune, his eyes riveted on Nishima even as he was about to call for Maseda, turned to stare at Asano with an expression of surprise that mirrored the young samurai’s, who froze in the act of grabbing the hilt of his katana.
“Nishima Takahashi? Asano, the swords are-”
“-of no consequence here.” Using his walking stick, Asano rose to stand in front of the Nishima daimyo. “I have spent the better part of today meditating on a possible cause of Nishima Satomi’s sudden change of heart, and once I investigated your family’s history, the truth became apparent.”
The young lord angrily shook his head. “What ‘truth’ are you babbling about? The Yamazaki family has-”
“Been at peace with you since shortly after the time of the Sekigahara massacre. In fact, it was that very mention of the Yamazaki family that set me on the path to unraveling this mystery and Takahashi’s role in it.”
“My grandfather has been dead for more than a decade! He would not stand for your casual slandering of his name, and neither will I!” Lightning-fast, Satomi drew his katana and lunged at the unmoving Asano, sword raised to cleave him in two.
Kitsune had just opened his mouth to yell for help when a black blur leaped out of the shadows, a katana raised to parry Satomi’s attack. The two swords clashed as their wielders slammed together in a tangle of arms, legs, and steel. Satomi and the other warrior sprang apart, each facing the other with their respective weapons poised to strike.
“Maseda-san, punctual as always.” Asano inclined his head at the tall bushi, just as the main doors burst open and Inoue, armed with a yori, or long spear, and flanked by a half-dozen armed guards, rushed into the room.
“What is going on here? We heard shouting, and then the clash of swords. My lord, have these men attacked you?”
“They have insulted my family’s honor with baseless claims!” Nishima pointed at Asano, Kitsune, and Maseda. “They have come into my home under the guise of friendship only to spread lies about my ancestors! They are to be placed under guard until I decide what shall be done with them!”
The guards spread out in a loose semicircle around the three, with Inoue still in the middle of his men. Maseda glanced at Asano, who made a small motion with his hand that caused the warrior to drop his guard and sheathe his sword.
Asano bowed low to Nishima. “Honored host, if I have said anything that is not true, then I humbly submit the three of us to any punishment that you see fit to mete out. However, as the royal physician to the court of our most noble Emperor, I also request the chance to prove that I have only spoken truth here.”
Upon seeing Maseda relax, Satomi straightened as well, lowering his katana but not sheathing it. “It is only due to the knowledge of your renown throughout the kingdom that I will consent in this instance. Fail to prove the truth of your words, however, and the punishment for all of you will be swift, merciless, and final.”
Kitsune gulped, but Asano ignored his unease as he walked over to the boy. “Did you use the spirit-sight on him?”
Kitsune nodded.
“As did I, when I saw him this morning. I did not wish to alarm Inoue or anyone else until I knew exactly what was transpiring here.” As he spoke, Asano brought forth a small paper box from inside his robes. “This should enable us to bring forth the spirit that is influencing Nishina-san.” He handed Kitsune a small, heavy egg with a tiny stopper at one end. “When I tell you, throw this on the ground in front of the spirit as hard as you can.”
Kitsune nodded and stepped back, the strange missile heavy in his hand.
Asano turned to Nishina, who stood tensed in front of him. “Honored Nishina-san, if I may ask for your assistance as I reveal what has been happening here.” He held up the paper box.” I know that your training by Inoue-san is excellent, of course. If you would indulge me by slicing open this box when I toss it up in the air?”