To Break the Demon Gate by Richard Parks

Author:Richard Parks [Parks, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781607014416
Publisher: Prime Books
Published: 2014-11-13T05:00:00+00:00

Part Five

In prayer, you clap

to get the god’s attention.

Gods are too flighty.

As is my heart’s true desire.

How shall I gain your notice?

The effect was instantaneous; I sensed no transition. If the room seemed a little colder, it was only because of the man before me now. Lord Sentaro, no question, no doubt. The tonsure and the robes meant absolutely nothing.

“I’ve been expecting you for some time,” he said. “Frankly I’m disappointed it took you so long to seek me out.”

“It is you now, isn’t it? How are you doing that?” I asked.

He smiled. “Do? My dear Lord Yamada, I have done nothing. Yet. Wheels are turning, just like the Wheel of Life and Death and Rebirth that I must harp about when I am Master Dai-wu. But action? That is to come. Yet I am pleased you remember me. The one whose noble purposes you previously thwarted? Yes, I think you should remember.”

“Noble?”

He sighed. “One such as yourself would never understand what planning and preparation is required, the time spent nurturing one’s vision so that matters will turn out as they should. I cheerfully concede that Princess Teiko bested me once, but she is no longer a consideration. And, while I also concede that I underestimated you once, it is a mistake I will not be repeating. If you believe nothing else I tell you now, please believe that.”

I felt the presence of the dagger in my sleeve, hard and reassuring. “What are you going to tell me?”

“Why, I am going to tell you what I am going to do, Lord Yamada. That’s what you want to know, is it not? You see, I had some time to think about this while I was at Suma. I have given the matter very careful consideration indeed.”

“So this really was about avoiding your banishment, and revenge on me. Nothing more.”

Lord Sentaro made a face. “Lord Yamada, this may be a shock to you, but neither my world nor anyone else’s is centered on such a wretched creature as you. Oh, I’m going to have my revenge, make no mistake. It’s a pettiness on my part, certainly, yet that revenge is merely repayment for what I suffered and a side matter at best. My true purpose has not wavered. Shall I tell you what that is?”

“No need. You want to see Prince Norihira on the throne.”

“Want? No, Lord Yamada. I will see Prince Norihira on the throne. How? I should think that is obvious: I’m going to kill Prince Takahito.”

I almost forgot to breathe again. “You won’t.”

He smiled then, a smile that was a horrible parody of the serene, benevolent smile of Master Dai-wu. “I will. And there is nothing, I repeat, nothing you can do to stop me.”

“Prince Kanemore will stop you. I will stop you.”

He laughed at me, then sighed. “Fools. Kanemore only sees Master Dai-wu, and that is the way I want it. But you are fortunate, Lord Yamada. You have seen the truth. Shall I tell you why? Have you guessed? No? Then I will tell you.

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