In the Service of Samurai by Gloria Oliver

Author:Gloria Oliver [Oliver, Gloria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, C429, Extratorrents, Kat
ISBN: 9781894869676
Publisher: Zumaya Thresholds
Published: 2002-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

It was some time later when Toshi got dressed. Night was falling on the world above. Feeling more calm, but still undecided, he ate a little before heading up.

The next few days crawled by. He spent his time practicing under Mitsuo’s guidance or amusing himself with Miko’s games and stories. He never again brought up the topic of his upcoming choice. Miko did the same. Most of the time, he tried to pretend his problem didn’t even exist—though, in the end, he was only too aware it wouldn’t make any difference.

When he couldn’t set those thoughts aside, however, he could feel a strange tension building inside him as time ran out. No one pressed him. Everyone treated him as they always had before. Even Asaka ignored him as usual. The lack of pressure grated on his nerves. It looked like he’d be making the decision on his own whether he liked it or not.

*

“It is time to go below, Toshiro-san,” Mitsuo said.

He opened his eyes and stared at the old samurai in incomprehension. Had something gone wrong? He’d only been awakened twice so far. “Go below?”

“Yes. It’s almost dawn.”

He sat up and began gathering his things, even as his mind fought to understand what the discrepancy meant.

He looked out over the dark sea, but couldn’t see far. However, he realized he didn’t need to see to know there was land out there and that it was very close. He could smell it in the air—the faint scent of fish and grass that hadn’t been there before. He hadn’t been awakened for a reading because the ship had come to waters the crew were familiar with.

His stomach knotted. Their sea journey was almost at an end. His time of decision would soon be upon him. With a nervous glance, he looked at their lord as he descended to the lower deck. Asaka sat, as unapproachable as ever, in no way acknowledging he knew Toshi was leaving the deck. He hurried to his room.

“Good morning, Toshi-kun.”

“Good morning, Miko-san.” His voice was muffled as he draped his blankets around him. Settling down, it occurred to him to wonder if she had any idea they were close to the coast. He pulled the map out of his basket and tried to gauge how much farther they had to go.

“Where are we?” she asked.

He hesitated for a moment before pointing to a spot on the map. “I think we’re somewhere around here.”

“It won’t be much longer, will it?” Her tone was neutral.

He had to swallow hard before he could answer. “No.”

Time had almost run out on him. With a small shiver, he rolled up the map and put it back. His eyes strayed to the cause of all his woes.

The black kettle sat just as he’d left it, its bright-emblazoned sun sparkling in the ship’s eerie light. He tore his gaze away from it, hating it for putting him in this situation. Though he no longer had an appetite, he made himself eat, lest he give Miko the impression something was wrong.

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