The Initiate Brother Duology (110 page)

Wakaro’s eyes widened at this and his flash of temper seemed to burn down to coals. Others of his party glanced aft and Kamu heard them curse under their breath. Hearing this the Prince turned. On the deck of the boat behind, formerly awash in the black-laced armor of Imperial Guards, stood men in armor of blue. As the Imperial Prince turned, they bowed and then returned to position as if they were his own guard.

Wakaro turned and regarded Kamu. Before he could respond to what he had seen, the old steward spoke quietly.

“As we are at war, my lord is concerned with the Prince’s safety. He has provided you with his own personal guard. I trust the hour of the dog will not be an inconvenient time for this meeting?”

“To threaten the son of the Emperor of Wa is a crime that will not be forgiven,” the Prince said, his voice not sure enough to bear the weight of the threat.

Kamu could not help himself. He shrugged. “There is no threat, Sire. Only concern that you are fully aware of the situation you inherit.” Without waiting to be dismissed, Kamu bowed low, rose in the Prince’s presence, and walked with great dignity to the stairs and then down to his waiting boat.

*   *   *

The sampan carrying Prince Wakaro crossed to the small dock where it was met by Shonto’s steward, who bowed low, greeting the Prince with proper formality. Accompanying the Emperor’s son was the senior officer of his guard and another young man of similar age to his royal highness. They ascended the bank to the enclosure between rows of bowing, blue-armored guards. Under the awning of the pavilion sat Lord Shonto and his senior military advisor, General Hojo Masakado.

All bowed accordingly as the Prince approached. A small dais had been provided for Wakaro and cushions set for his counselors. Taking his place, the son of the Emperor sat and glared at Shonto with undisguised anger.

“Do not wait for me to speak,” the Prince said quickly. “Despite this dais
and the formal homage, there is no question of who controls this situation. Enjoy it while you may,” he added, the Yamaku temper flaring briefly.

Shonto favored the Prince with a smile of great warmth. “I apologize most humbly, Sire. If we were not at war, I would never have presumed to use such measures.”

“I am not aware of any declaration of war, and I receive news from the Island Palace daily. Refusal to comply with the Imperial Edicts will be considered an act of treason,
Governor.”
He spat the word out. “It does not show great wisdom to erode your already tenuous situation.”

Shonto spoke quietly. “Refusal to learn what is known of the enemy you will face when you take control of the army could not be considered great wisdom either, Sire.” Shonto smiled again. “As the Empire is under great threat, I did not feel such a mistake could be allowed.”

The Prince eyed Shonto. “What will you have me do?”

Shonto favored the Prince with the look a tolerant parent gives an unreasonable child—amusement and affection mixed with sadness brought about by the knowledge that children will insist on learning difficult lessons for themselves, though their conclusions will hardly be startling. “The barbarian force is not far behind, not as far as we would like it to be, at least. If you can be ready at sunrise tomorrow, General Hojo will accompany you personally so that you might view this force and make your own assessment and plans.” He nodded to Kamu who reached behind him for a scroll. He laid this within reach of the Prince’s guard.

“This is an accurate assessment of the barbarian force. General Hojo will certainly be able to answer any questions you might have as he is familiar with every aspect of our efforts and has recently engaged the vanguard of the barbarian army in a significant skirmish.”

Silence followed. The Prince finally nodded, moving his head as though he suffered from great exhaustion. “As I have little choice, I will go view this great barbarian army. May I assume my guard captain will be allowed to accompany me?”

“Of course, Sire,” Shonto answered. “Take the advisors deemed necessary, by all means. I personally will be interested in the opinions of the Prince and his staff when they return.”

Shonto nodded to Kamu who gave unseen signals and wine appeared. “Excuse me for not asking, Prince,” Shonto said, lifting his cup. “The Emperor is well?”

P
RINCE WAKARO WORE the black-laced armor of an Imperial Guard officer, though under a surcoat bearing twin silver dragons and a trim of crimson. A dark bay stallion was the Prince’s favored horse, and though it was a powerful animal General Hojo suspected that it had been chosen to complement the Prince’s attire.

And the silver-trimmed black saddle and bridle…! These earned many a glance from the other riders who favored tack that showed signs of use. Such a saddle and bridle would be a prize to attract a barbarian’s attention!

Hojo turned back to the scene that stretched out before them. It had taken some time to find an appropriate place from which to view the passing barbarian army. Lord Shonto had insisted that the Prince should never be at risk—not an easy requirement to fullfil in such times— but this hill was as secure as could be found. Unfortunately, what it gained in security it lost in proximity.

Far off to the west the Grand Canal wound across the landscape, shining like a bronze ribbon in the late afternoon light. Rafts were being pulled along this ribbon of molten metal, their dark shapes distorted by their own
shadows. Along either bank moved the army of the desert, like an enormous herd of unknown animals wandering in search of new feeding grounds.

Prince Wakaro said nothing though he repeatedly glanced over at the captain of his guard as if he tried to read the officer’s response. It was a small, but telling, gesture.

“It is possible to go some short distance closer, Prince, if this would help in the estimation of the army’s size,” Hojo offered calmly. He was not seeing the barbarian army for the first time. He had fought them, in fact. To the general they were only men, not some ominous, unknown entity. They fought and made mistakes, felt fear, and even bled, just like any other men he had known.

The Prince looked over to his captain who shook his head. “We have seen all we require, General.” He looked over at the western horizon. “It will be dark soon enough. Perhaps we should return.”

General Hojo nodded, signaled his guard, and turned back the way they had come. That will take some of the arrogance out of the whelp, the old fighter thought—and to think this boy’s father began all of this; paid gold to this Khan to help bring down the Shonto House. Has this young Prince wondered why he was sent to Seh? Let him ponder that, Hojo told himself. If nothing else can shake his imperial confidence, that should.-

*   *   *

It was a curious aspect of the natural world and Lord Shonto had often wondered about it. The willow trees that lined the canal bank had branches that hung down close to the water, like green robes swaying in the breeze. Yet, from even a short distance, it appeared that all of these branches stopped the same distance short of the water, as though a gardener had trimmed them with great care. Surely it is only an illusion, the lord thought, but it appears to be so. Tree after tree all with their long, flowing wands grown to the same length.

The canal bank slipped past, the spring winds still hurrying the river boats south. A haze of petals floated on the waters among the reflections of passing clouds, and other petals took to the wind like a flight of butterflies. Spring in Wa was disappointing no one, at least as far as weather was concerned. Shonto sat on the upper deck of his barge, watching the scene pass.

Unlike his Spiritual Advisor the lord did not wait well, but one did not hurry an Imperial Prince nor demand that they arrive at an appointed
hour—by definition, the appointed hour was the precise time the Imperial party made its appearance.

It was surprising enough that Wakaro came to Shonto, for a Prince need never wait upon another. There was little doubt that this act was a message—the sight of the barbarian army was a convincing argument—but what the Prince would be willing to do in the coming war remained a question.

“Sire,” Kamu appeared at the stairway, “the Prince comes.”

Shonto nodded. It had been decided that the lord would meet the Prince as an equal, not kneeling at the stairhead as the Prince came aboard—and this, too, was a message. The Yamaku prepared for war against the Shonto, had tried to do away with the Shonto House altogether; there were certain truths that each House would have to live with now. One was that the Shonto would no longer recognize the Yamaku claim to the Dragon Throne. This did not mean that Shonto would treat the son of his enemy with disrespect, but he would not credit him the full regard reserved for the son of a legitimate sovereign.

An elegant white boat shot past, controlled by skilled oarsmen. It turned easily and brought up beside the platform at the bottom of the boarding stairs. They were not within Shonto’s sight, but he could hear voices and footsteps on the stairs.

Two attendants and two Imperial Guards preceded the Prince onto the upper deck and knelt to either side while their master ascended the stairs. Everyone on the deck, with the exception of Lord Shonto, bowed low.

The Prince wore a robe the color of the summer sky embroidered with a pattern of plum trees in blossom. In his sash he carried a sword in a black leather scabbard adorned with the dragon and crane. Crossing the open deck, Wakaro nodded to Shonto and took the cushion to the lord’s left. Shonto returned the nod and gestured for a cushion to be set for the Prince’s Guard Captain. Kamu and General Hojo approached and took places on their lord’s right.

“Have you traveled the canal before, Prince Wakaro?” Shonto asked, not waiting for the Prince to open the conversation.

“Not so far north, Lord Shonto,” he waved a hand toward the shore. “It passes through some of the most beautiful scenes in the Empire, I am certain.”

Shonto nodded, looking out over the landscape. “I agree. Years ago I traveled south from Seh. It has changed little.” Shonto looked down in slight
discomfort. “Though we will not say that after the barbarians have passed.” The lord looked up at the young man before him, his question unspoken:
Now that you have seen the truth of the world, young Sire, what have you to say?

Wakaro could not meet the lord’s gaze for more than a second. “I now realize, Lord Shonto, why you so…strongly advised that I increase my understanding of the military situation. Let us say no more about it.” The Prince rubbed his palms together in a slow circular motion. “I have read your report, as has my Guard Captain. Though I have not received thorough training in the arts of war, I realize that this Khan and his followers are a great threat to the Empire and to our Emperor. My Guard Captain concurs with your staff’s estimate of the army’s size. There is no doubt that the resources of the entire Empire must be utilized to combat this threat.” He looked up now, regarding Shonto with the look of one who has resolved to tell another the hard truth.

“I am not certain that the Emperor can be convinced of this threat, Lord Shonto.” He looked out over the canal, brushing back a wisp of white hair. “The Emperor believes that you proceed south with the intention of overthrowing the Yamaku House.” The Prince shrugged. “I cannot say what your intentions are, Lord Shonto, but certainly the choice you have made to retreat south with so small a force and allow the Empire time to raise an army of defense was the wise choice. Though I am certain it was a difficult decision.”

The Prince shifted on his cushion. “It is my shame to admit that my assessment of what happens here will hold little sway over the actions of the Emperor.” He paused for a second and Shonto wondered if this was pain the young man felt, but the Prince’s face showed little sign of emotion. “It is likely,” Wakaro said at last, “that any report I send will be disregarded. Many an Imperial Prince has plotted to overthrow his father. The Emperor will believe that I have joined you, Lord Shonto, unaware that I am loyal to him, despite all.” The Prince paused again, looking down at his hands. “I am unsure how to proceed….”

Shonto nodded. “It is a difficult situation, Prince Wakaro. My own staff have discussed it endlessly. Allow me to say that the Shonto interest is the safety of Wa, nothing more. As you can see I have already sacrificed everything to that end.
Rebel General
I am named, yet the subject of every Shonto council is: how can the Empire be preserved?

“The Emperor must raise an army. It is the only answer. I have gathered
as many men as we will likely see, yet the total of our forces is not a third of the barbarian army. As we speak, an army is being raised in the capital, though it is not an army for the defense of Wa. What will happen when we reach the inner provinces and the scale of the barbarian invasion is seen?” Shonto regarded his young companion. “I fear it will be too late, Prince Wakaro. We must have a plan—now—a plan and an army large enough to meet this threat from the desert.”