The Open Road Page 4

  All through the courtyard, armoured guards rose to their feet, cheerfully trying to get the view of the new arrivals. Several of the men toasted Sura, calling out greetings to the newcomers. Somewhat confused by the joyous welcome, the Spirit Hunters moved past the guards and on into the mansion buildings beyond.

  The mansion was blessed with a great, wide hall decorated in a comfortably ancient style. With screens drawn wide open, the hall looked out across the walls and off towards Mirror Lake. Sunset unrolled banners of scarlet, lavender and beige across the darkening skies, while red light rippled on the lake. The little village twinkled with lamps as holiday makers strolled shores or wandered between the sakē booths. Out on the lake shore, a distant shrine bell boomed. The sound was pleasingly soothing in the warm night airs.

  The hall was occupied by Lord Ishigi in all his splendour. The man was a rogue through and through – moustachioed like a hero out of legend. He sat in state upon a low dais of tatami mats, attended by pages, maids, bodyguards and retainers. He had a full sakē cup in hand and a twinkle in his eye. Drink was flowing readily, and the upper retainers all matched their lord draft for draft.

  Sano Moko and her two companions were kneeling at the centre of the hall, facing Lord Ishigi. Moko glared daggers as Sura, Tonbo, Chiri and Kuno were all ushered in to make their formal bow. The Spirit Hunters knelt at the entry to the room, but Lord Ishigi seemed utterly delighted to see them. He hastily finished a heroic swallow of sakē, eagerly beckoning his visitors forward.

  “Spirit Hunters! A pleasure to see you once again! Kitsune Sura – up here and join us. Welcome – please, welcome!” The clan lord indicated that a space was to be made beside Sano Moko and her companions. Ishigi tapped a page with his fan. “Tables and sake for our guests. Everyone – please be welcome! Sit closer!” Lord Ishigi waved his fan at Sano Moko. “And you all know Sano Moko from the sword tournament. Excellent! How pleasant to see all of you here.”

  The senior Ishigi retainers all beamed. Small elbow tables were brought in by the maids, and an Ishigi commander cheerfully passed a full sake bottle to Sura. Once certain that everyone was served, Lord Ishigi sat back happily on his mats. He clapped his fan into his hand in delight.

  “Aaaah. Let me see, Priestess Sura. You have come here about our famous ghosts?”

  Sura bowed, looking wonderfully competent in her tall cap and formal robes.

  “Yes, Ishigi Sama. We thought perhaps to offer our assistance.”

  “What a coincidence! That is precisely what has brought Sano Moko and her companions to our little resort!”

  Sano Moko shot a sidewise glare at Sura.

  “With the deepest respect, Lord Ishigi, I feel that a delicate hand is required here. The affairs of so great a lord should be handled with calm and discretion.”

  Sura inclined her head – genial and utterly unworried.

  “Surely they should be handled by those with the ability to deliver actual results? Anything less would be a deep insult to his Lordship.”

  Moko banged an armoured hand against her breastplate. “The affairs of great lords should be left in the hands of those to whom honour is second nature.”

  “To some extent,” Sura agreed. “The Lord might, however, prefer his affairs to be handled by persons of actual intelligence…”

  Sano Moko swivelled in her place and gave a clipped bow towards Lord Ishigi.

  “Lord Ishigi! I would be remiss if I did not caution you against trusting ill-scented vagabonds.”

  Sura placed a hand against her heart, looking most distraught. “Moko san! You are too harsh upon yourself. Your scent has scarcely bothered me all evening!”

  Lord Ishigi watched the exchange with great amusement. He shushed Moko with a good humoured wave of his hands, bidding everyone to keep their sense of humour.

  “Shhh! Peace! Peace! These are all energetic arguments. The best we have heard all season!” The old rogue shook his head. “Come – let me first describe our troubles to you, and then you can judge whether you are fit to intervene.” Maids brought in bottles of wine and little platters of refreshments. Ishigi personally made sure that Sura was served. “Drink! Drink! This is cherry wine, the local specialty.” The lord was thoroughly enjoying himself.

  “Drink, and I shall tell you about the Lodge of Doves…”

  Retainers, maids and guards all settled closer, clearly enthusiasts of the tale. Lord Ishigi – a master showman – flicked out his wide sleeves. He stroked his beard, made slyly certain that his audience was listening, then gestured towards the lake.

  “Now… This area has always been a holiday retreat for those who want peace and quiet – and time away from the prying eyes of their companions. The lakeside is wonderfully romantic.”

  Ishigi leaned forward.

  “Once, long ago, there were two couples who would come here for their secret trysts. They would take a house up in the Eastern pass – the Lodge of Doves. And so it was, for many years, the lovers all met in perfect happiness.

  “Alas, one day, there was an avalanche. The lovers were all slain. A tragedy! A great tragedy! The Lodge of Doves has remained forever empty – a desolate shrine to vanished love.”

  Lord Ishigi spread out his fan, holding it as if to cast a shadow over his listeners.

  “Ever since that time, the eastern pass has been haunted. Now – the rise of the first spring moon summons a terror to haunt the very shores of Mirror Lake. In the summers, when the tourist season is at its height, the ghosts of those lovers rise again. They will never relinquish the Lodge of Doves, and their cold, dead grip holds the eastern pass in a grip of terror…”

  Ishigi sat back, well satisfied.

  Kuno furrowed his brow, and stroked thoughtfully at his moustache.

  “Excuse me Lord – has the presence of ghosts greatly damaged the village’s prosperity?”

  Lord Ishigi quite happily took a drink. “No no, Kuno san! I believe they have as many visitors as ever.” The man wagged a finger. “However, we are keen to encourage any newcomers who wish to try their hand at facing the ghosts.”

  Sura finished the last few drops of cherry wine in her cup, relishing the taste. She handed her cup to a maid for refilling. “Seems simple enough. A straightforward containment and banishment should do the trick.”

  Sano Moko eagerly leaned forward.

  “My Lord! We have gathered holy relics from three ancient shrines! I am confident that my own team can send these apparitions fleeing to the afterlife.”

  Sura shot the woman a derisive glance.

  “Do you have the slightest clue how exorcism actually works?”

  Moko sat with her back erect and her shoulders squared.

  “It is simple enough. One need only have faith in Tathāgata Buddha, and an indomitable warrior spirit!”

  The fox rolled her eyes.

  Lord Ishigi sat back and tapped his fan into his hand. He looked happily from Sura to Moko, seeming rather pleased with his evening.

  “Two birds bicker. Each cannot have the one worm! I believe that only one group should investigate the mystery at any given time, otherwise you will both be at cross purposes.” Ishigi held his cup at a formal angle.

  “We cannot have you both tripping over one another. Please determine amongst yourselves which group will first undertake to solve the problem. If that group will report here at first light tomorrow, I will personally show them on their way. And if the mystery should be solved… perhaps a purse of ten gold koku to the winner?” Ishigi saw that his retainers all approved. “Excellent! We shall see our first brave adventurers in the morning. Until then, I invite both parties to stay at the Lakeside Inn as our guests. At least, for your first night…”

  Lord Ishigi hid a smirk behind his wine cup.

  “Rest well. I’m sure you shall need all of your strength tomorrow…”

  Lord Ishigi indicated that the interview was over. The Spirit Hunters bowed. Sano Moko and her two comrades bowed. Kitsune Sura and Sano M
oko considered each other, then quietly withdrew.

  The Sano samurai all marched swiftly out to mount their horses and ride to the village inn. Sura and her companions moved more slowly, walking out into the mansion courtyard. They watched Sano Moko and her friends ride away. The Spirit Hunters paused to tie on their sandals, and looked about at the guards and servants all around them.

  The Ishigi samurai and foot soldiers were all smiling and waving. The guard commander himself came to bow them through the gates and out into the road. Sura sucked on a fang as she stood in the gateway, then looked back at the main hall in puzzlement.

  “Was he acting a little weird?”

  Chiri could only shake her head. She felt quite mystified.

  “Kuno san… Why are they all laughing?

  The samurai gave a frown, smoothing down his moustache. “Perhaps it is the holiday mood? What are your thoughts, Tonbo san?”

  Tonbo looked back at the main hall, then gave a growl.

  “I think we should forget this one.”

  Sura’s fur instantly stood on end. “What? Lose ten gold koku? Ten whole gold koku? And to that snooty Sano Moko? Never!” Sura took Chiri eagerly beneath her arm. “Chiri! What would you do with your share of the money?”

  The rat blushed delicately beneath her fur.

  “Gold pieces? Real gold pieces? It has been a long, long time since I have seen even one.” The girl blinked, unable to really think. “Well, I… perhaps I would buy paper and inks so that I could finish the story I am writing.”

  Sura enthusiastically waved her hand.

  “See? This poor girl’s literary career is on the line here! It is our artistic duty to get that money.”

  Kuno looked knowingly at the fox. “And incidentally to annoy Sano Moko.”

  “With luck, we can get right up her nose!” Sura pointed her spear on towards the inn. “Let’s go!”

  Sura, Tonbo and Kuno walked off along the road. Chiri hung back. She turned and walked politely over to two of the Ishigi guards, and gave a bow.

  “Excuse me please, Samurai san. But why are you all so full of mirth?”

  The first samurai cleared his throat, trying to keep a straight face.

  “Forgive us, Nezumi san. We merely suspect that your group may be about to... ah….”

  The second man chimed in. “Bite off more than they can chew?”

  Both samurai collapsed with laughter. Chiri backed nervously away. She hurried after her friends, catching up and hearing Sura doing her sums. The fox ticked amounts off on her long black fingers.

  “A meal of one bowl of rice and a pot of tea – one copper piece! A month of three meals a day – one silver piece. A year – one gold piece! So for four of us, ten koku is two and a half years of crappy living. Or one and a quarter years of sort of OK living. Or six months of sakē, fried chicken and rice cakes! Do you see what I’m saying?”

  Kuno sighed, hoping the enthusiastic tirade would end.

  “Ten thousand, nine hundred and fifty bowls of rice. The mathematics is well within our capabilities.”

  The fox pranced in enthusiasm.

  “So you can see how important this is! It’s operating expenses. We need operating expenses!” She had a new thought. “We could get Chiri a really slinky robe! Oooh – we could get me a really slinky robe…!”

  Tonbo kept on plodding towards the inn.

  “Keep walking. Change form. Don’t make the peasants nervous.”

  Sura planted a hand against her breastplate. “Nervous? Of me? Foxes are lovable!”

  Tonbo could only growl. Sura sighed and reverted back to her human form, then linked arms with Chiri. She chattered merrily, her head seething with schemes as she took her friends on into the beautiful little village.

  Chapter 3

  The main inn at the village of Mirror Lake was delightfully luxurious. Balcony rooms overlooked the lake itself, with a clear stream running bright and clear through the garden. The common room was wide and high, with balconies overlooking a broad area used for eating, drinking and playing games. There was a well-stocked bar and a very busy kitchen – and a cook that knew how to make Sura’s beloved noodles with crispy chicken.

  With Lord Ishigi footing the bill, Sura had ordered a veritable feast, with plum wine, sizzling fish and Tonbo’s favourite dumplings. The four Spirit Hunters took their meal at one side of the common room, while Sano Moko and her friends ate an austere, business-like meal at the other. Sura eagerly snapped up her food, but kept a considering eye upon Sano Moko – who watched the fox sidewise in return.

  The crane spirit entered the room. She hastened over to Sano Moko’s table, and hunkered down in conference with the three Sano samurai. Sura hissed, and immediately whispered into Kuno’s ear.

  “That damned bird! See? It’s a conspiracy!”

  Kuno was wonderfully calm about it all. “The crane seems to be well travelled and experienced. They have probably all joined together out of mutual admiration and respect.”

  Sura gave a curse.

  “Three samurai and a snooty bird.” She sat back and wrinkled her nose in thought. “So come on! Think! How are we going to get this case?”

  Sura, Kuno and Chiri all looked over towards Moko and her friends. The crane spirit and Sano samurai were watching them, glare for glare. Kuno nodded and firmly set his tea cup aside.

  “We have to resolve this through some form of contest. Perhaps a trial of skill with practice weapons?”

  Tonbo shook his head, serving himself more dumplings.

  “You beat her once. She’ll be too wary to try that again.”

  Chiri leaned forward. “Perhaps some other samurai skill?”

  “Eck!” Sura flicked a telling glance at Kuno. “For the god’s sake, don’t say poetry.”

  Kuno sniffed and pretended not to understand the remark. He poured himself more tea.

  Sura huffed thoughtfully, set her cup aside, then bawled clean out across the room.

  “Oi! You there! Sano san! What should we do?”

  Sano Moko rose from her seat. She looked craftily over her opponents, before walking out into the centre of the floor.

  “Perhaps a test of skill?” Moko cheerfully waved a hand towards the garden. “An archery contest would have suitable dignity. We can fire from the balcony at a mark in the garden.”

  One of the Sano Samurai was clearly a skilled archer. He had a reel of spare bowstrings on his belt, and kept his shooting glove with him at all times. Sura arose and genially waved the idea away.

  “No no no! We could never inconvenience the other guests by disturbing the courtyard.”

  “It would be no bother.”

  Sura placed a hand against her breast. “I will not hear of it! Disturb these poor people?” She shook her head, then seemed to have a felicitous thought. “But yes! Perhaps a wrestling match between your champion and ours?”

  The crane spirit and the three Sano samurai looked over at Tonbo, who was clearly vast enough to punt them all about a wresting ring like a football. Sano Moko coughed, then rapidly made excuses.

  “You are clearly all tired after your long march. It would be unfair on you, since my own men have ridden on horseback…” Suddenly the woman took on a calculating look.

  “Chance brought us together. Perhaps a game of chance should decide the issue?”

  Sura instantly tied back her sleeves.

  “An excellent choice! I just may happen to have some excellent dice at hand!”

  Moko held up a finger.

  “Not so fast! Let me pick one person from your group. You pick one from ours. Those are the two who will play against each other.”

  Sura grumbled, wrinkling her nose.

  “Well – if you insist. Very well.”

  Sura gathered her companions. They held a swift conference, with Sura poking her head up once or twice to keep an eye upon Sano Moko. Bifuuko and Daitanishi poked up out of the group, peeking at the opposition before disappearing from view.


  The Sano samurai were buried in a huddle, while the crane spirit sat elegantly drinking tea beside them. Sura stepped forward, stroked her nose, and then pointed to Sano Moko.

  “Very well. We choose you.”

  Moko thoughtfully rubbed her hands together. “And I believe we shall choose…. Tonbo san.”

  Sura made an easy acquiescence. Sensing fun, the innkeeper cleared the central space in the room. Villagers and visitors all excitedly formed a ring. Drinks were brought, and bets were called. Off-duty Ishigi samurai crowded around in droves. Sura sidled around the chaos, and sat herself on the corner the crane spirit’s dinner table.

  “Hey, bird brain!”

  The crane – elegance incarnate – continued eating for a few moments before speaking. “It was my suggestion that Sano san should choose a champion from amongst you. This way there will be no foxy tricks.”

  Sura put an arm about the crane spirit and protested her own innocence.

  “Hey – I stand right here – I do not touch the dice! In fact, I am so shocked at your implications, I will now allow you to buy me a drink to soothe my indignation.”

  She took charge of a full bottle of plum wine. The crane spirit wrinkled her nose.

  “Hmph. Very well. You may drink it to kill the pain of seeing Sano san seize the victory.” The crane flicked Sura away with a wave of her hand. “Now psssst! Over there! I shall finish eating in peace!”

  Sura ambled away, apparently quite happy with the shape of events. Sano Moko and her companions slid into their seats beside the crane. They put their heads together in a whispered conference.

  Sano Moko gave an urgent hiss.

  “They are sure to cheat! We must change the odds and cheat them first!”

  The slender archer scowled. “Isn’t that dishonourable?”

  “Only if you are caught! A good samurai must always use their wits to assure victory!”

  The crane spirit leaned deeper into the huddle.

  “We will outwit them.”

  The bird used her sleeve to hide something from unwanted eyes. She revealed a little wicker cup that had been hidden in her robes.