L5r - scroll 03 - The Crane Read Online Free Page B

been for her clubfoot, Shizue would have been one of the most sought-after women in the land, as her title and her talent warranted. Still, she remained alone, assisting Kakita Yoshi with his courtly duties and passing her evenings in storytelling and song. How sad for her, Ameiko thought, not to know love.
    As her husband drew near, Ameiko lowered her face and bowed, her hands pressed to the ground. "Husband."
    "Wife." Hoturi's voice was rich and friendly, as befitted her station by his side. Ameiko waited until he had performed the half-bow expected by decorum, and then raised her eyes to his.
    For a moment, there was only silence between them. Then, training and polite manners intervened, and Ameiko gestured to the cushion at her side. "Will you do me the honor of resting with me, Hoturi-sama? I would be grateful for your time."
    "Of course, Ameiko-san," Hoturi said quietly, removing his sword from his obi so that he could kneel upon the hillside. "So," Hoturi began, his eyebrow raising in polite interest, "have you been comfortable here, among the Kakita, in my absence?"
    "Yes, Husband," Ameiko's voice was soft and pliant. "I have spent much time preparing for the festival."
    "Tell me." Hoturi smiled. Ameiko blushed, and nodded, and Hoturi continued, "Will you have a dance to perform?"
    "Hai, my husband." Ameiko was an accomplished dancer, trained by the Kakita from her sixth birthday. It had been one of the reasons she had caught Satsume's attention as a bride for his errant son. Despite her lineage as a poor daughter of the Fox Clan, Ameiko had the instincts of a Crane.
    "The Lion and the Crab have arrived together," Ameiko said. "Although the Lady Matsu sends her regrets, Hida
    Kisada has sent his brother, Tsuru, to honor our house."
    "A clever plan. Tsuru is no friend to the Crane." It was natural for Hoturi to speak of military matters with his wife, though rarely in detail. Her observations were often useful, and it was here that he felt the need for her most important function: absolute trust.
    Not all men trusted their wives. Some arranged marriages were no more than the insertion of a permanent spy into a powerful household. Yet as he spoke, Hoturi looked at the sheen of sunlight on his wife's dark hair and the adoration in her eyes. He was familiar with the tricks of the court, the motions of head and hand to feign belief and trust, but Ameiko needed no such enhancements. She had loved him all her life.
    "Will there be war, my husband?" Ameiko said quietly, unafraid.
    "Perhaps. When Toturi ruled the Lion, I had no such fear. The Doji and the Akodo had an alliance, and my brother fought at Toturi's right hand. When I became champion, I believed the alliance could still hold. I hope Matsu Tsuko will see reason. Her greed and arrogance are boundless, but she must have some common sense. Toturi promised a charter between our clans to resolve the ancient feud. Perhaps she will agree."
    "The promises of Akodo Toturi have died with his honor." Ameiko whispered. A sudden chill froze the words. Hoturi's eyes turned to ice. Sunlight crept a finger's width across the pillow between them before she spoke again. "Toturi..."
    "Do not speak of it," he snapped in bitter command, and Ameiko fell silent. Hoturi considered, plucking a leaf from a flowering branch. "Still, I will watch my words with this Ikoma. I am certain he will speak wilh the courtesy of a Scorpion, but a Lion always has the heart of an overbold fool. It should be simple to tear apart his ruse." Hoturi reached for another leaf, and then paused to brush his fingers against the wilted petal of an otherwise perfect flower.
    It hung from the branch with tenacity, refusing to drop or hang its head.
    "There is one thing more, my husband."
    "And what is that, my lady wife?" he said with a sudden gentleness that surprised her.
    His tone only made it more difficult to continue. Ameiko reached in the folds of her obi and drew forth a letter sealed with the imperial mon.