Born of Aether: An Elemental Origins Novel (Elemental Origins Series Book 4) by A.L. Knorr

Author:A.L. Knorr [Knorr, A.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Intellectually Promiscuous Press
Published: 2017-06-02T05:00:00+00:00

16

"You are lucky, too," Raiden said as we turned down another hallway. The air grew cool and we passed through an arch into another small courtyard.

"Why is that?"

"We will be having a ritual tonight," he said as we took a set of stone stairs up an open tower staircase. "You will be able to experience what only very few guests get to see."

A bad feeling took seed deep in my belly. My mind clambered for a reason to dismiss myself without insulting him.

At the top of the stairs, we walked along a balcony with a wooden railing. Dim lights were visible through the thick paper walls to one side of us. Between every support beam, sturdy paper had been nailed in place to form walls. The pagoda roof’s wide overhang protected the paper from the elements. I hadn't seen paper walls since my childhood. A stab of longing for my family pierced my heart. What would they think if they saw me now?

“I love these old Imperial Army fortresses,” said Raiden, as we walked. “This one was built after the han system was abolished in 1871. It was an interesting year for Japan. The privilege once given only to the samurai was then open to every male between seventeen and forty in order to bolster the army defenses.”

“What privilege was that?” I asked, focusing more on keeping my breathing steady than the conversation with Raiden.

A door slid open as though someone standing at it knew Raiden was coming, and as we stepped into the paper dojo, I couldn't help but gasp.

“The right to bear arms,” Raiden said.

Fastened to nearly every beam were racks holding weapons of all kinds. The long katanas the samurai were famous for, wakizashi, and the shaku—daggers and knives. Spiked metal knuckles, throwing stars, long blades with even longer handles called su yari, and iron claws I had heard Toshi refer to as tekko-kagi. These were not unlike weapons that Kito had manufactured with his ovens and molds. If my wakizashi was anywhere in this fortress, it was here.

"I'm bringing an unexpected guest," Raiden said lightheartedly to the more than dozen men who turned to face him. All talk was silenced. "I know you won't mind," he said, addressing an older looking man.

"As you say, Oyabun," answered the man with a drop of his chin.

Raiden strode into the circle of men and they parted as he passed through them. I stood at the door, still in shock, my eyes scanning the vast array of weaponry around me.

"Come," Raiden said.

Only when I became aware that every eye was on me did a realize he'd been speaking to me.

Raiden was already seated in an elaborately carved wooden chair that had been set up on a low platform, on a stage of sorts. There were no other seats in the room.

I crossed the room, sweat dripping down the back of my neck, in spite of the cool evening. Take small steps. Glide. Do nothing quickly.

"Sit here, beside me." Raiden gestured to a thin, dirty pillow on the floor.

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