The Shattering Waves (The Year of the Dragon, Book 7) Read Online Free Page B

sighed, wearily. If his father were still alive, he would have ordered Nariakira flayed for the insolence of bringing all those barbarians to Mutsuhito’s quarters …
    “And is this one dumb as well?”
    “He speaks classical Qin, heika .”
    Mutsuhito perked up. This was mildly interesting. His own knowledge of the language was limited to what he needed to learn to read some poetry and philosophical commentaries, but it was better than depending on Nariakira’s translation … He closed his eyes and let the singing Qin words roll off his tongue.
    “Do you — do you know who I am, Barbarian?”
    “I’m beginning to guess … Your Majesty? ”
    The young Mikado’s heart raced. He was touched by a profound understanding of history happening right here and now. For the first time since the Age of Dragons, a Mikado was conversing with a foreigner. It wasn’t exactly the Qin Emperor’s royal envoy, or a court minister from Chosun, nonetheless, he recognized the moment was a pivotal one.
    “Nariakira.”
    “Yes, heika? ”
    “Leave us.”
    “I’m not sure that would be wise—”
    “I may be your prisoner, Nariakira, but I’m still your Mikado !” Mutsuhito rose from his pillows. “Does my word count for nothing ?”
    “We’ve been through this, heika. You’re not a prisoner, you’re a guest. I am only concerned for your safety.”
    “If you brought an assassin into my chambers, it will be on your head. Do you not vouch for the barbarian?”
    “Of course, heika. I will leave you two to it.”
    “I’d rather you didn’t eavesdrop this time.”
    Nariakira bowed. “ Heika. ”
    He heard the sleazy smirk in the daimyo’s voice.
    He waited until the movement of the curtains told him the door closed shut. The foreigner stood silent, waiting. Outside, water lapped softly against the sides of the ship.
    “Why are you here, Barbarian?” Mutsuhito asked.
    “Here in the room, or here in Yamato?”
    “Both.”
    “I’m in this room, I believe, because Shimazu- dono has something to prove to me.”
    “Has he succeeded?”
    “I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet.”
    “I am more than what he thinks I am.”
    “You mean, more than just a hand holding an Imperial Seal?”
    Mutsuhito chuckled bleakly. “Well said. What about Yamato?”
    “I came looking for my son. He was castaway here.”
    He liked the man’s voice, he decided. There was a sincerity in it lacking in the voices of his courtiers — and certainly absent in Nariakira’s. Only his late father sounded this honest.
    “A son … Is he the one who brought me here?”
    “No. Although he, too, is a long … a dorako rider.”
    Just how many dragon riders are there flying around my country? The Taikun ’s government has lost any semblance of control over the situation …
    “Have you found him?”
    “Yes, Your Majesty.”
    “Then you haven’t answered my question, have you, barbarian?”
    There was a hint of smile in the foreigner’s pause. “I decided to stay on as the Dracalish representative in this time of turmoil.”
    “And it is in this capacity that you stand before me?”
    “If it pleases Your Majesty.”
    “Come closer. Let me see your face.”
    The man hesitated. Even he must have sensed this was highly unorthodox, especially if he was aware of the customs of Qin. But then, decency and propriety seemed things of the distant past. Mutsuhito was a prisoner on a daimyo’s ship; his father a victim of an assassin; his palace burned to ash … He touched the green jewel on his neck.
    That thing, too.
    The foreigner stepped forward through the veils. His eyes were a curious shade of emerald green, cunning and bright. His son, Mutsuhito realized, was that other dragon rider, with the red-haired priestess …
    “What happened to your face?” he asked.
    “An angry dragon,” the barbarian replied, smiling.
    Mutsuhito reached out to touch the scar. A sudden jolt jumped where his fingers touched it. Power surged through him, and