The Seabird of Sanematsu (25 page)

Distracted by the increased sounds of movement in the courtyard, she went to the shoji. Below, men scrambled about preparing the horses. Odd--they tended to be fast asleep at this hour. Sanematsu’s huge bay stallion was there, saddled and fitted for war. She strained to see the horse’s master.

“Tori.”

She jumped, startled by his voice coming from behind her.

“My lord.” She fell to her knees and bowed. He crossed the room, closed the garden shoji then turned and offered her his hand. Aderyn took it and stood.

“That is no longer necessary, Tori.” An odd softness touched his face and centered in his eyes. “But you should not be so inattentive. I have warned you before.”

“You also said Hamasaki-sama and his group would not allow any but you so near me without warning.”

She stood inches away from him. When her eyes confronted his broad chest, bare and very close, a wave of anticipation washed through her.

Sanematsu’s hitatare crossed at a point a few centimeters below his navel. The garment, longer than the casual hitatare, exposed his nude legs from mid-thigh to feet. He had the firm, hard physique of an athlete. His nearness, the sweet male aroma of his brown skin, set her trembling. An erotic fog clouded her senses despite a mind-clearing toss of her hair.

**
*

Sanematsu pushed a long strand over her shoulder, a touch he had craved since the day he had seen her on the ship, her long hair loose and tangled.

“I shall not always be here to protect you.”

“But Hamasaki-sama will.”

“He is the fortunate one,” he admitted. Her expression said she enjoyed his fingers in her hair, while her eyes lingered on his. Her head tilted as if to plead with him to cup her cheek. “I have had distressing news from the Northwest Province. Lord Matsumoto cannot settle things. I am leaving to attend to matters myself.”

He withdrew his hand without taking advantage of the opportunity to stroke her face. Would he be satisfied with such a chaste touch?

“When?” she said, the sigh as though she had been holding her breath. He followed her stare to see his long, narrow feet in the house sandals.

“Tonight.” He noticed the item in her hand. “What is this?”

“Oh.” She inhaled, sniffled and studied the piece of inch-square needlework forgotten in her fingers. “It is a small present for you, my lord. I have just finished it.”

Sanematsu took the cloth. A white seabird against an ocean of blue, stitched in the tiniest of petit point.

“If you will allow me.” She took back the amulet and worked the leather through. She tied the ends then looked uneasily from it to him. He inclined toward her so she could put it over his head.

**
*

When she touched his skin as she adjusted the small square to lie flat on his bare chest, fiery heat ran from her fingers up her arms. The flame continued to her own chest, burning into her heart and making her lungs labor before it came to rest in her lower abdomen. Aderyn yanked her fingers away, but the fire continued to grow in her most private areas. She focused on the tatami.

“With this, I shall remember you.” Sanematsu took her hand in his. “It will keep us close.”

He tilted her chin to lift her face up. A tear, held until then in her eye, rolled down her cheek. He caught it on his finger and brought the tear-wet fingertip to his tongue.

“How will I survive in your absence, Yoshihide-sama?” she choked.

“You will. You are as the seabird for which your mother named you, and which you have chosen to sew for me. Helpless as the gull when it sweeps to the water, you are also strong, able to reclaim the air currents. Within you is a strength, Ko-tori, which you will find when you need it.” Holding her hand in his, he placed the other along her cheek. “You have no need of my power to protect you, for you have your own. It will never fail.”

His face was so close to hers she could feel his breath on her cheek. The scent of his wintergreen hair oil hung in the air. Aderyn studied his eyes. They were deep and somber, yet tenderness sparkled there. Without thought, she did what came naturally.

She kissed him.

Sanematsu startled ever so slightly then softened to share her kiss and became swept up in passion. He took her in his arms without disturbing their contact. With the tip of his tongue he traced the thin line of her mouth and parted her lips for an instant. He withdrew his mouth, continuing to hold her in a tight embrace.

Safe and warm, Aderyn laid her head on his chest. His passion was evident, the urgency of his body next to hers obvious. The firm ridge of flesh between his legs pressed against her. Her own body struggled to return that desire.

If she gave into the passion, would Sanematsu think her a clumsy child compared with the women in his life? Would she lose him after he had taken her body? Was there any way she, a barbarian, could hold the affection the Lord of Satsuma Province, a man of great wealth and power? A man who could have any woman he fancied?

She wept, turning her face into him, moistening the cloth of his hitatare. After a time, she raised her face. His eyes twinkled at her. No matter how short it might last, she would do anything to insure she could hold him like this. Should she die this instant, she would go happily, the taste of his lips lingering.

Aderyn withdrew from his embrace. The walls held many spies. If one watched them now--and she was sure one did--great damage could result. Sanematsu did not need to be the target of an evil rumor of indiscretion.

“You will take great care, Yoshihide-sama?”

“I will take every precaution.” He smiled at her concern. “You know I am well trained with the sword.”

“You are a mighty swordsman.” Although she laughed, it sounded feigned even to her. “Do not unsheathe it, and you will have no need to worry,” she philosophized.

She faced away from him and hugged herself.

“Let us not talk of fighting.” His hand on her shoulder turned her. “I must leave and want my last words to be of…”

**
*

He could not finish the sentence. He had not known the meaning of love until moments ago when he had seen her standing before the open shoji, vulnerable, innocent and strong. Yes, he loved her, and still he could not voice it.

“Do not say it, sire.” Tori put a finger to his lips. “Let us continue, until your return, as friends.”

“That is best. Do not despair. I will return to you soon.” He kissed her again, enjoying the new affectionate gesture. “Goodbye, my friend.”

“Your gods go with you, Yoshihide-sama, and mine. Goodbye, my master…”

Sanematsu left without another word or gesture. If he did not go now, he never would.

“…and my love,” he heard her whisper just before he disappeared.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Sanematsu lay on his futon, staring without seeing at the center of the tent roof over him. He had been at the war camp three days and had accomplished nothing.

The journey to Kamaga, Lord Amemiya’s province northwest of Satsuma Province, however, had been enlightening. He recalled the ride and conversation…

**
*

“Uesugi-uji,” he called to the young samurai to his right.

“Yes, sire.” The boy-warrior moved his horse closer to Sanematsu’s. On the daimyo’s order, Uesugi had taken the position near him in the procession.

“I wish for you to become my aide. You will concern yourself with my needs, on or off the battlefield.”

“Thank you, sire.” Uesugi gave his master the required nod of his head, but Sanematsu saw the anxiety in his eyes at the new promotion.

“Do not be alarmed. I do not involve myself with men for my personal pleasure.”

He could see the boy was relieved he would not have to enter his master’s futon as part of his duties.

“My lord, many of the novice samurai would be honored to have such a position. My fellows and I hold you in high esteem. I hope I am able to perform with honor.”

“I am not so certain I am worthy of such praise.”

“If I may be so bold, we are fortunate to be among your forces. It is well know that your army is the best armored and provisioned in the country.”

“You are a very talkative warrior.”

“I am sorry if I have offended you, my lord. I do tend to talk too much when I am…nervous.”

“Do not be nervous. I am not offended. What else is said of my army?”

“Well, we have discussed the mounts your horse master provides. We have heard they are from the mountains of northern Nihon, and we know their training is excellent. Camp conditions are always the best and the food of the highest quality and plentiful. Our fathers could not do better than joining our swords with yours.”

“To a young man, I am sure the availability of enough food to fill the ever-empty belly is appreciated.” Sanematsu recalled his appetite in his own youth, when no amount of rice would fill the void. “A warrior who is sated will remain loyal to whoever fills his rice bowl.”

This was especially true in a country were famine raged at intervals.

“Yes, sire.” A red flush rose up the young man’s throat to his face, giving credence the Sanematsu’s statement. “We have been fortunate to learn under the tutelage of your brilliant generals. Your battle plans are designed to leave the fewest of our comrades dead. The Sanematsu army is a formidable military machine,” Uesugi concluded.

“I hope I am able to keep my forces intact.” He suppressed a chuckle at the boy’s encyclopedic analysis.

“Why has Lord Amemiya come against you as he has? Especially with the shogun’s decree against civil war.”

“Necessity is what causes most wars. Before I was born, my father settled a truce with Amemiya-sama. He must now expand his ryo-chi, as his three sons are of age and hunger for lands of their own. He is willing to risk alienation to satisfy them.”

“Two of those sons lay dead before I left, sire.”

“That is unfortunate. I will pledge a truce to counsel with Lord Amemiya in hopes of putting a stop this carnage.”

“What if he will not be satisfied with anything less than your head on a pike before the war will halt?”

“I will endeavor not to allow that.” Sanematsu spurred Dai-tan on, eager to arrive at the battle camp.

Without knowing it, young Uesugi placed a burden on his daimyo’s shoulders that increased when he reached the camp and received the reports from his commanders. The last casualty total listed a third of his forces fallen. He had hoped that once he was at the battleground his mental fog would disappear and he would be able to concentrate. It had not been so. He had to pull himself together--if not for his position, for his men.

He came up with the solution to his dilemma.

“Uesugi-uji!” He flung away the covering and bounded to his feet. Not bothering about his state of undress, he went to the tent flap clad in fundoshi. “Uesugi-uji!”

“Yes, sire?” The sleepy young man presented himself, rubbing his eyes and straightening the clothes he slept in. Straw from the warrior’s bedding clung to his hair.

“I have a message to send to Nishikata.” Sanematsu searched for his writing materials. He pulled one drawer out of the traveling case and threw the contents into a heap on the ground before moving to the next. Uesugi crossed to a low table in the corner opposite his master’s bedding. On top of it lay scrolls and the pouch with Sanematsu’s seal. He handed the brush and inkstone to his master.

“Go.” Sanematsu grabbed the writing tools. “Have your horse readied. I will be finished by then.” He waved him away.

As promised, the scroll was rolled and sealed when Uesugi returned. Sanematsu walked the samurai out to his horse in the quiet camp. Clouds hid the moon’s face. Tent panels snapped in the wind and great gusts wrapped the Sanematsu banners around their poles. Guards scrutinized the darkness for intruders.

“Deliver this to Hamasaki Heishiro. At once, Uesugi-uji, at once!” he shouted as the boy mounted and disappeared into the night.

Sanematsu returned to his futon, elated and anxious. He forced himself to be calm. It would be days before he received an answer, and he had a battle before him and his army.

At dawn, he called his generals together and gave rapid instructions. He specified every detail and broached no debate--he would rely on his own plans instead of those of his advisors. The battle to come was a rite of passage in which he would succeed or fail on his own. He refused to think of the thousands of men he doomed if he failed. After all, it was their giri, the duty of obligation to their liege lord, and karma, his and theirs.

**
*

Late in the afternoon a day later, Uesugi arrived at Nishikata-jyo. Hamasaki was not at the castle so he was forced to go into the city, and found the man guarding Tori and Sachi as they browsed the market. He gave Hamasaki the scroll then stood back and watched.

He could not help staring at the woman called “Sanematsu’s yabanjin” when she came close to Hamasaki and spoke.

“Is it from Sanematsu-sama?” she asked.

“Yes,” Hamasaki told her after he re-rolled the scroll and slipped it into the wide sleeve of his hitatare. “You are to join him at Kamaga as soon as possible.”

Uesugi listened to the conversation, concentrating on each word. The older samurai’s tone indicated his disapproval of the order. Who was he to disobey? A retainer did not question his daimyo’s judgment.

“Why?” Now the barbarian had the audacity to question a warrior. This woman was very different from the ones he was familiar with.

“It is not our place to question our master, Tori.” Sachi finished her business with the vendor in quick order. She gathered their small purchases into a basket to carry home. “We best hurry back to the yashiki and prepare our things.”

Good. The wife of Hikita would correct her behavior. Perhaps she would even discipline the barbarian.

“Only Tori and I will be returning, Sachi-sama. Lord Sanematsu feels you should remain to tend to your household.” Hamasaki’s voice was strong and commanding. Uesugi wondered how he could be so domineering, and when he himself would have the confidence to carry himself so.

“Very well, Hamasaki-sama,” Sachi responded.

“We will depart in the morning at sun-up,” he announced.

“Is there not a battle going on there?” the foreign woman asked as they climbed the main road to the fortress. Uesugi walked behind them, leading his horse by the reins.

“Perhaps he anticipates the battle will be concluded by the time you arrive,” Hamasaki offered. “You have been his companion so often he may miss your conversations.”

Uesugi was astounded at the casualness of their talk. Hamasaki carried himself less as a battle-ready warrior and more as an acquaintance of his prisoner.

“The country is very pretty there. He might wish to show you more of his lands,” Sachi interjected as they reached the yashiki.

“If you two will proceed with packing, I will attend to the horses and provisions for the journey.” Hamasaki started toward the stables. “You,” he addressed Uesugi, “come with me.”

The older warrior’s long, rapid stride caused Uesugi to trot to catch up. Once they were inside the stables, the scent and warmth of the horses embraced them. Hamasaki went to the tack room and began to assemble saddles and bridles.

Uesugi broke the silence. “Excuse me, honorable samurai. May I be allowed to ask about the barbarian?”

“Her name is Tori.” Hamasaki thrust a saddle into his empty arms. “You will address her so.”

“I am sorry.” Contrite, he dipped his head.

“What is it you wish to know?”

“Why is Lord Sanematsu having her come to the place of battle? How can she be important to the outcome?”

“It is important because he wishes for her to be there.” Hamasaki turned to the feed bins. “Take that to the stall second from the door.”

Uesugi place the saddle where Hamasaki indicated and returned.

“Are you not…offended to be nursemaiding her? You are not truly guarding her, are you?”

“I am doing what is required of me by my master! As for guarding her, there are many ways to protect a person.”

“Protect? You are not preventing her escape?”

“You are naive, young warrior,” Hamasaki scoffed, an almost-chuckle escaping his lips. “I fulfill my obligation to Lord Sanematsu, no matter what shape it may take. Now, boy-soldier, go to the kitchen and eat. I am sure that is one thing no one will have to tell you how to do.”

“Very well.” Uesugi began to depart.

“Nursemaiding,” he heard Hamasaki grumbled. “The only nursemaiding I am doing is to a warrior with a dry katana!”

Uesugi bent his head, ashamed of being an untried samurai yet afraid of his coming first taste of battle.

**
*

As the first rays of the sun pierced the clouds of the new day, the group gathered in the courtyard and mounted their horses. Aderyn adjusted the saddle and her hitatare and hakama.

“Are you sure you would not rather ride in the kaga?” Sachi asked. “It would be no trouble to summon one.”

“No, Sachi-sama, this is the fastest way and you know I get sick in that thing!” Aderyn looked down on the small woman who stood at the horse’s side.

“You must remember you are a lady of Lord Sanematsu’s court. You are so…” Sachi could not find the proper word.

“Barbaric?” Aderyn filled in.

“No. I do not know what it is, but it is as if you do not know that you are a woman.”

“Believe me, Sachi-sama, I know. But I know what you are trying to say. I will comport myself properly when I get there.”

“Very well. Uesugi-sama, you must assist Hamasaki-sama in caring for Tori.”

“Yes, my lady.” Uesugi brought his horse up beside Aderyn’s.

“She is very important to Lord Sanematsu.” Sachi could not seem to stop talking.

“I will give Hikita-sama your regards,” Aderyn told her.

This would be the first time she would be alone with only Hamasaki to accompany her. Soon, he would order them on their way, and neither woman was ready to let her friend leave her sight.

“Thank you.”

“We must be off, Sachi-sama,” Hamasaki broke in.

“Very well.” Sachi moved back and watched as the two men, a servant with a packhorse and the girl disappeared through the wooden gate.

**
*

“Uesugi-sama?” Aderyn said when they were a distance away from the yashiki. “Do you know why I am going to the camp?”

Uesugi blanched. Like many of Sanematsu’s subjects, he feared her.

“Only that Sanematsu-sama wishes you there, my lady.”

“I am no lady, Uesugi-sama. Call me Tori. I do not merit ‘sama.’”

“It is widely speculated you will soon be Lady Sanematsu.” Uesugi’s expression told her he regretted the words the minute they were out of his mouth.