Spirit of the Dragon by Erynn Lehtonen

Author:Erynn Lehtonen [Erynn Lehtonen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Erynn Lehtonen
Published: 2022-04-25T00:00:00+00:00

Masanori found Aihi and Hidekazu on the veranda of the guard barracks, observing two swordswomen dance around the Shirashi statue in the courtyard. The stone had lost luminance since their last visit, now appearing grey and brittle. The state of the sculpture reflected the nature of Akihiro’s behaviour: unacceptable. Perhaps the Goddess herself frowned on his decisions.

“You will allow Meki Barame to lead the search?” Masanori said, keen to understand Aihi’s reasoning, especially when his experience with the man began to line up with her original warnings.

“Despite my troubles with the man, he has, unfortunately, proven the most reliable thus far,” Aihi said. “Benri Yui was, at times, as keen as Captain Todoroki to hide facts until presented no other option.”

“How is Meki any better? He withheld facts from the Benri clan, just like she and Captain Todoroki did.”

“The difference is that Benri Yui sought such information for her own benefit, not to continue the investigation. She withdrew under Captain Todoroki’s request and had no intentions of interfering further, except involving Meki Barame.”

Masanori supposed he understood. He and Hidekazu attempted to negotiate with Yui, only to find her unresponsive to their meeting requests. She refused even on Aihi’s behalf after Torra was taken. Where was her sense of responsibility?

Aihi leaned on Hidekazu for support, and Masanori found himself rubbing his foot back and forth against the wooden floor. If he hadn’t known that Hidekazu had no interest in her the way he did, Masanori might have been jealous.

“I will secure Benri Yui’s support next. I trust you have opened communications with her since Lacotl’s last attack?” she said.

“We attempted to speak with her, but she refused to see us,” Hidekazu said.

“Of course she refused; she is in mourning. As our customs dictate, Benri Yui has every right to go the next month undisturbed. However, she is the most powerful woman in the city. She should have taken charge of Tsukiko’s defence in Captain Todoroki’s absence, not at mine and Torra’s prompting. Mourning is not a suitable excuse when action could have saved Torra by now.”

Aihi left unsaid how she believed it was too late to find Torra, but Masanori tried not to see that meaning hidden in her explanation. He wanted to believe Torra was alive.

When Masanori and Hidekazu remained silent, she added, “If you have not met with Clan Leader Benri, what have you been doing over the last four days?”

Although Aihi gave Barame the lead over the investigation, that didn’t change her perception of the man. In this moment, she only found use in him. Now they had to break the news.

“Because of her unresponsiveness,” Hidekazu said carefully, “we sought out Meki Barame instead. We didn’t know where else to turn. On our own, we could do nothing about Lacotl; the Tsukiko Guard wouldn’t recognize your authority so long as you were unconscious, and—”

“You met with him alone?” An uncharacteristic, sharp, high-pitched sound accompanied her voice. “Tell me you did not. What did he make you agree to?”

Masanori was surprised she knew Barame asked them for anything, but he let Hidekazu keep talking.

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