The Flower Path: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel (The Daidoji Shin Mysteries Book 3) by Josh Reynolds

Author:Josh Reynolds [Reynolds, Josh]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: historical fantasy, legend of the five rings, detective & mystery
Publisher: Aconyte
Published: 2022-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Rin and Uni

Inside the costume room, it was controlled chaos. A frenzy of productivity greeted their eyes, and Shin barely knew where to look, much less what it was for. He found his eye drawn to several costumes in the midst of alteration, their seams plucked, and myriad folds exposed. He thumbed the material of one, admiring it. He paused as his fingers found a hidden seam – a pocket. “How curious,” Konomi said at his elbow.

Shin nodded. “It’s for the blood – the silk, I mean. They store it in these pockets until it’s needed.” He smiled. “Some actors I know even store their lines in here. A quick slip and peek can help in a tight spot.” He set the costume aside and turned as he heard Rin call out.

“My lord, it is a pleasure to see you again. And so soon after your last visit.” Rin bustled toward Shin and Konomi. Costumers scattered before him, often helped along with a quick swat of his stick. He bowed as much as he was able and smiled at Konomi. “And is this the Lady Konomi about whom I have heard so much?”

“All good things I hope, Master Rin,” Konomi replied, smiling. Rin bobbed his head.

“So many that one cannot help but wonder at the truth of them.” He glanced at Shin. “Might I ask the reason for this unanticipated visit?”

“I am in need of guidance, Master Rin.”

Rin spread his arms as if in wonder. “Nonsense, my lord. Your sartorial elegance is obvious to even the most jaded costumer!”

Shin laughed at the obvious flattery. “Not about clothing, I’m afraid. On another, less pleasant matter.” He paused. “I wish to speak to you about Lady Etsuko?”

Rin’s smile faltered just for a moment. “And how is she?”

“Resting,” Shin said. “Do you know her well?”

“She and I are barely acquaintances.”

“Unfortunate, but still,” Shin said. “I understand she has had some difficulty making friends among the troupe.”

Rin laughed. “Difficulty is one way of putting it, my lord.”

“And how would you put it, Master Rin?”

“Aversion, my lord. Lady Etsuko has a distaste for those she considers her social inferiors. A funny thing coming from – well, no more need be said about that.” He glanced at Konomi as he said it.

“No need to soften it on my account, Master Rin,” she murmured.

Rin ducked his head and simpered, “I have it on good authority that her father was a common fisherman. And her mother, well, a drudge. A simple drudge. Hardly blessed soil that, if I might be so bold.”

“And yet it produced a flower of incalculable beauty,” Shin said, wondering what Konomi made of Rin’s good authority. To her credit, her expression showed nothing.

“Rough soil often does that, I find,” Rin agreed, turning his opinion on the moment. He paused. “She does not like to be reminded of those humble beginnings, my lord. That is what I think. Some actors wish to pretend they are of a kind with the characters they portray.”

“And Etsuko is one of them?”

“Lady Etsuko is a complicated woman, my lord.

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