The Disfavored Hero Read Free Page A

her mood instantly bettered. She peered suggestively from behind her opened fan, a shoulder turned to Tomoe, and added: “I will tell you why I urge you to greater success. You are samurai, and I am kin to the Mikado himself, through my mother’s blood. Our classes may not mingle openly … unless … unless Tomoe Gozen achieves high office. Then her station would be equal to mine, and if she deigned, could see me often.”
    â€œLady, please.” Tomoe was disconcerted. “I am in love with war.” She considered the excuse already prepared with Raski, but something kept her near Toshima.
    Toshima looked down, the epitome of elegant ladyhood, at once modest and supreme. Her expression revealed nothing of displeasure at mild rebuff, but her cool words held a little of sorrow: “You have two souls, samurai. It makes you unique. Surely one of your souls has room to care for me.”
    â€œBoth of them serve you always, Lady!” said Tomoe, anxious to soothe wounded pride. “Whoever else I serve in my life—your father or another—remember that Tomoe Gozen has promised to serve you also.”
    Toshima bowed graciously, as if Gozen were the greater lady; and it occurred to Tomoe that this very oath might be the only thing Lady Toshima had truly sought! If so, Tomoe did not regret the trap.
    A bell rang from inside the mansion. Toshima said, “You must not be late to my father’s court; but we have time to make an offering to the kami of this valley.”
    Toshima took a flat object from between the folds of her obi. It was a small raft made from dry, yellow reeds. “Come with me to the stream, samurai.”
    Tomoe followed Toshima to the bank of the winding brook. They knelt together before the water. Toshima set the raft near the brook’s edge, then took flat pieces of colored paper from her sleeve’s pocket.
    â€œWhat will you make the kami?” Toshima asked, handing the samurai a square sheet of paper.
    â€œWhat will you?” asked Tomoe, accepting the sheet and beginning immediately to fold it.
    Toshima did not reply. Her quick fingers folded a red paper into an origami fox. When it was complete, she said, “I will give this valley my cleverness.” She stood the fox on the raft. Tomoe had folded a blue crane and stuck its one leg in between the reeds of the little raft so that the bird would stand. She said,
    â€œI will give the kami my courage.”
    â€œYou are generous,” the Lady stated, bowing to Tomoe. Then she placed a square, multi-colored sail on the miniscule raft. A breeze carried it down the stream. The two women bowed to the water as their offerings went away. The fox and crane stood face to face, and vanished where the water turned.
    The sun was unexpectedly blocked on the horizon. Tomoe lifted her head to view the sudden clouds. The breeze became a gale.
    A black raindrop fell on Toshima’s pale hand. A similar foul drop struck Tomoe’s armor.
    â€œWhat happens?” asked Toshima, trying not to betray fear. There ought to have been another hour of light, but blackening storm clouds were coming off the hillsides with unnatural speed. Tomoe heard Raski’s whinnying outside the gardens. He sounded anxious as he always was before a battle.
    â€œTomoe!” cried a man’s voice. She and Toshima stood from the stream’s bank. “Tomoe!” It was Ushii Yakushiji. He ran to the top of the arched bridge and cried out, “Listen, Tomoe! Listen!”
    Until directed, she had not noticed the vague sound of the distant waterfall growing louder. Now that she listened carefully, she realized it was not falling water she heard, but raised voices.
    â€œAn uprising, Tomoe! Peasants riot on the north lands!”
    This seemed impossible. Lord Shigeno was not like many overlords. He defended the heimin and did not take so much of their crops that they went hungry. But she could not doubt