The Disfavored Hero Read Free

stood in harsh contrast to the genteel grounds. Each segment of her armor was made from strips of bamboo laced together with twine and hardened with many layers of dark brown lacquer. The segments were joined with red cord and held closed around her torso by a cloth belt. A metal kabuto or war helmet fanned down behind her head and bore a sickle moon on the top. Her hair was straight and cut at shoulder length. Her curved butterfly-longswords swung back from each hip.
    As she looked over the valley, it took a moment for Tomoe to realize what was disturbing about the otherwise familiar and appealing landscape: no one tilled or planted in the fields. The absence of heimin was disconcerting; but Tomoe was of another class, ignorant of their ways. Perhaps there was a peasant holiday of which she was unaware.
    The warlord’s mansion stretched like a lazy animal among the gardens—not a tall structure, but spread out, with many terraces and windows and carved frames. The columns bracing the porches were made of lengths of thick bamboo tortured into unusual shapes.
    Against a rice-paper window Tomoe saw the regal silhouette of Toshima, daughter of Lord Shojiro Shigeno, moving about her rooms with ethereal grace. An unobtrusive handmaiden slid a door open, and there stood splendid Toshima, gazing into the early evening’s sun. Her layers of flowing kimonos were colorful, rich, and tasteful, made of silk brocade. Her hands were perfectly tiny. The beauty’s languid eyes scanned the cool, moist gardens as she took each short step along a mossy path. Her gaze came to rest on Tomoe standing on the bridge, and Lady Toshima smiled narrowly, reminding Tomoe of peach blossoms about to open in sunlight. She beckoned Tomoe with her fan, and watched with sideways glance as the warrior approached.
    â€œYou are dressed for war, samurai?”
    â€œNo, Lady. Today my comrades and I renew oaths of loyalty to your father. Otherwise, our services would expire on tonight’s moon. I am clad for the ritual.”
    â€œThen it is true you are staying?”
    â€œHow could I not, Lady Toshima? A Lord exiled from his own nation has been treatied to reside on Naiponese land, and bears strange magic from the Celestial Kingdoms. The Mikado is all-wise, I know, but this treaty does threaten native prosperity, and your father needs vigilant hands.”
    â€œRicher warlords than Shigeno have as great a need.”
    â€œYour father is the most worthy master,” said Tomoe, a little puzzled.
    â€œBut you are a famous samurai. Many look for you to seek greater conquests. You have esteemed yourself in past exploits and even the Mikado knows of your name. By right, you should be a warlord yourself.”
    â€œA samurai’s destiny is to serve,” said Tomoe.
    â€œYou could serve all of Naipon if you achieved high position within the shogunate.”
    â€œIt has never happened, Lady, that a woman was made Lord.”
    â€œYou are wrong, Tomoe Gozen. Women have served under the shogunate and in the powerful office of shikken . Not so long ago the widow Masa Hojo made herself virtual Shogun. Six times in our history, even the Mikado was a woman.”
    â€œAh, you are clever,” said Tomoe. Toshima’s eyes slanted demurely, seeming innocent. Courtly women were the best educated and most literate personages of the land. Toshima herself was a novelist of much renown. Sometimes, also, she indulged in intrigue. Tomoe asked, “Do you try to convince me not to serve your father? Or is my loyalty so in question that you are brought forth to test me?”
    â€œTomoe Gozen! You injure me with accusation!” She gave a wounded look. “And I had thought to include you in one of my fictions.”
    â€œI humbly petition Lady Toshima’s forgiveness.” Tomoe bowed subserviently, wondering if the dexterous Lady were not already testing some scene.
    â€œGiven,” she said, without hesitation, and