Big Pulp - the magazine of fantasy | mystery | adventure | horror | science fiction | romance



 
James R. Stratton is a chameleon: by day, a mild-mannered government lawyer specializing in child abuse prosecutions, living with his wife and children in Delaware. But in recent years he’s been forging a dark alter ego of genre fiction author through publication in venues like Dragons, Knights & Angels Magazine, Ennea and Nth Degree Magazine, The Broadkill Review, Tower of Light Online Magazine, Big Pulp, and Paper Blossoms, Sharpened Steel, an anthology of Oriental fantasy.

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The Daimyo's Harigata
(continued)

Takudo Yuki, her father’s brother, had started life living on the mountain like the rest of the clan. His prowess at the way of the sword was a legend as she grew up. But he had followed a wandering monk when he was young and never returned. Still her father spoke of him with great pride. “He is third behind the Abbott. He’ll be in charge of the temple one day.”

Akemi stared at her uncle, trying to glean some hope from him. His head was shaved, and he was dressed in the patched, orange robe of a Buddhist monk. But the muscles on his bare arms were thick and corded, and he walked with cat-like grace.

Akemi described the attack on Takudo mountain, her capture and her bizarre mission. “I’m sure they’re going to murder Kiku and me, no matter what. But I can’t think of a way to avoid it. They have Kiku!”

Her uncle grunted as he pulled at his sparse beard. “I agree. This makes no sense. Lord Nakada is a clever warlord. I’ve been hearing gossip for years on how he dominates the central provinces with his schemes. He just concluded an alliance with the Eto clan by marrying off his sister. So why would he risk public embarrassment if you’re caught?” He blew a puff of air out his cheeks and shook his head.

“Insane or not, I have to steal that silly toy back,” Akemi said. “Do you still have ninja tools?”

“Yes, I still have my gear, although I’ve not touched it in decades.” He stood and stepped to the door. “Did Lord Nakada give you a letter of introduction to Lord Takatora? Good! I’ll write one as well. But after you recover his lordship’s harigata, bring it here. Nothing makes sense, and that thing is at the center of all this insanity.”

She rode out the next day. After meeting with the court major domo, Akemi was ushered into a small room in Lord Taktora’s private quarters. Lord Takatora’s wife looked her over as Akemi sat, then gestured to Akemi’s flute without speaking. She listened with eyes closed while Akemi played. The Lady smiled and nodded when Akemi finished. When Lady Miki learned that Akemi also was versed in dance and the tea ceremony, she hired Akemi.

Over following days, Akemi blended in to the household as an entertainer, playing soft wailing tunes on her flute when she wasn’t helping the other servants. The only unusual gossip she gleaned was that Lady Miki and Lord Takatora’s official consort, Shinju, were fighting. Lady Miki and Lord Takatora had married for political reasons, so no one was surprised when he had Lady Miki choose a consort for him. This was her prerogative and duty.

Three weeks passed with no sign of the toy and Akemi was getting frantic. Then one evening as she knelt in the main room of Lord Takatora’s residents arranging a chrysanthemum and two sprays of leaves in the tiny ikebana pot, she heard shouting. The screen to the next room was open, and like any good servant she pretended not to notice Lord Takatora and Lady Miki. She jerked when Lord Takatora shouted.

“Enough woman! I won’t abide this constant bickering between you and Shinju-san. It’s my right to spend whatever time with her I choose.”

“I have needs, too!” Lady Miki said, and covered her face sobbing. “I know she’s younger and prettier, but I won’t be neglected. As my husband, you owe me a duty.”

“My duty!” Lord Takatora chuckled. “Why don’t I just lend the thing to you, and you can take care of your own needs.”

“You know that’s not the same. Promise me you will come to my bed chamber tonight. You’ve been with her the last three nights.”

Akemi felt her heart beat quicken. The thing? Lord Nakada’s consorts glaring and hissing at her over the loss of the harigata flashed into her mind. Why would Lady Miki react like Lord Nakada’s consorts? What is this thing?

After Lady Miki left, Akemi set aside her flower and followed. A maid slid the screen to Lady Miki’s room open at Akemi’s tap and smiled.

“Ah, Akemi-san. Lady Miki is preparing to bathe. Can you come back later?”

Akemi returned the smile. “Thank you, Otsu-san, but I’ve an urgent question for Lady Miki. I think I can help her with Lord Takatora. I hate to see them fighting.”

“Yes, we’re all worried. Lady Miki’s so upset because Lord Takatora ignores her. If you’re sure you can help, I’ll tell her you’re here.” Akemi nodded.

Akemi bowed as she entered Lady Miki’s room. “My lady, I couldn’t help overhearing your disagreement with Lord Takatora. I think I can help.”

Lady Miki glared. “Oh, really! Aren’t you being forward, offering advice?”

“No, I don’t believe so,” Akemi said, meeting the Lady’s glare with her own gaze. “You and Lord Takatora are the heart of this great household, and if there’s strife between you it affects everyone.” Lady Miki grumbled but nodded.

“You may not be as young as Shinju-san, but you have a wealth of experience and sophistication. Lord Takatora appreciates fine things, and he deserves the best diversions to lighten the burden of command. I think you both need some time together, and all this conflict will work itself out. Why don’t we arrange a private dinner tomorrow night. Then you and he can enjoy each other’s company without anyone intruding.”

Lady Miki’s frown melted away. “Yes, that might work! My Lord and I never have time alone. There are always servants, or her, about. That’s just what he needs, good food, intelligent conversation and the attention only an experienced woman can offer. Thank you, Akemi-san. If you’re sure, I’ll write an invitation to Lord Takatora now. I’ll leave everything in your hands.”

Akemi paced a slow circle around the teahouse playing her shinobue. Her footprints marred the carefully raked patterns in the sand of the rock garden surrounding the tea house as she played.

She paused to listen as Lord Takatora and Lady Miki talked and laughed inside, and began playing a ballad from a popular kabuki play about two young lovers. They’re drinking the second flask of sake I prepared. The drink was a blend a white sake, fruit juices and powdered essence of poppy. As she played a particularly fast-paced passage, Akemi spun to give the music tremolo, spraying sand with her feet. Should I prepare a third flask?

A crash resounded from inside the teahouse followed by gales of laughter. Akemi giggled into the flute causing the notes to tremble and decided against more sake. Within moments, the laughter within changed to moans. Akemi danced closer to the teahouse playing louder as Lord Takatora and Lady Miki’s moans swelled into shouts, then drifted away. Akemi finished her tune, tucked her shinobue into her obi, and slid the shoji screen open.

The lord and lady sprawled on the tatami mat snoring with bowls and cups scattered across the room. Their kimonos lay open with Lord Takatora’s head nestled on Lady Miki’s naked breast. And there it was! Black and glistening, the harigata perched proudly on Lord Takatora’s groin.

Barely breathing, Akemi crept closer. With that poppy dust, they’ll sleep until dawn. She wrapped the harigata in a silk napkin and pulled it free from Lord Takatora’s member. He smiled as Akemi backed out of the teahouse.

Shortly, she was galloping toward the temple with the harigata nestled against her skin. Akemi frowned into the wind. I have it. Now what do I do?

The next morning, Akemi and her uncle knelt in his room watching a foul old woman grunt over the black harigata. She was a Shinto witch, but from the greasy, gray hair on her head to the dirt crusted soles of her feet, she was the personification of filth. Even sitting across the room, Akemi’s eyes were watering from the old woman’s stench. Akemi was ready to slip outside for a breathe of air when the witch slurped her tea and gave Akemi a gapped-tooth smile.

“Well, little bird,” she said. “Is this toy yours?” Akemi felt her face glow as the old woman cackled.

“No, Akemi brought it at my request,” her uncle interjected. “Why does it affect people so strangely?”

The witch frowned and scratched herself. Akemi almost could hear the woman’s thoughts. Why would a Buddhist monk want a harigata? The old witch shrugged and held it up.

“As you guessed, this isn’t just a harigata. It’s a sophisticated system of magic. You noticed there are two small objects rattling inside?” She shook it. “Everything else is a casing for those two charms.”

“So, it’s magic,” Uncle Yuki said, “but what does it do?”

“I detect two spells. The charm at the head is a powerful leaching spell made from powdered spiders, the ashes of a murderer, and the dried blood of an infant. The spell transfers ki energy from the victim to anyone using this. I’ve seen such spells placed on swords. You see, for the magic to steal life energy, the charm must enter the victim’s body. The magic invigorates the warrior while he fights. Still, it’s not used often. The infant’s blood must be fresh.”

The old woman leaned over the harigata until her nose almost touched it. With a quick lizard-like flick, she ran her tongue down its length. Akemi gasped and covered her mouth. The witch grinned. “Surely you understand the tongue is more sensitive to magical auras than fingers?”

“Yes, but don’t you know that thing was used yesterday?”

The old woman smacked her lips and grinned again. “Yes!”

Her uncle waved his hands before himself. “Please! We don’t need to know this. You were telling us about the charms.”

The old woman grunted and picked the harigata up. “The use of the ki-stealing magic here is ingenious. The user penetrates the victim with the charm without killing her, so the victim can be used again and again.”

“But the woman must notice the change,” her uncle said. “Why would she permit it?”

The old woman tapped the round testes of the harigata with a dirty fingernail. “That’s why there’s a second charm. It’s made from the testicles of a bullock and other aphrodisiacs. It greatly enhances the sexual pleasure of the victim. But the magic is addictive. For the victim, an opium smoker’s cravings would be mild by comparison.”

Akemi recalled how the three consorts glared and hissed. Poor things! They can’t refuse!

“But why would someone use such evil magic?” Akemi asked.

The old woman screwed her face up into a mass of wrinkles and blew a puff of air out her cheeks. “If you’re willing to accept the effects the spell has on the woman, you’ll become frighteningly powerful, especially if there’s more than one. You gain the strength of many. Your mental abilities would be like a god’s.”

The old woman sat back. “That’s all I can glean, unless I can see it used.” She smiled at Akemi.

“Thank you, that’s not possible,” Uncle Yuki said and handed her a purse of clinking coins. “I’ll have someone show you out.”

“At least we understand what’s driving Lord Nakada,” her Uncle said. “He’s used magic to gain an advantage over the other warlords and now he’s caught in his own web. He can’t stop because he needs the magic for the schemes he’s already spun. But someone discovered his secret. Why else would Lord Takatora steal it?”

“I don’t care about their power struggles,” Akemi said. “He has Kiku and the new moon’s just days away.”

“Yes, I know,” her uncle said and sighed. “You must return at once. But how will you get away alive? This isn’t news he’ll want spread.”

When she arrived back at Rukoru Castle, the samurai Akiri took possession of the harigata and settled Akemi in a beautiful room near Lord Nakada’s. Kiku was brought immediately. They hugged and cried and talked the day away. Kiku was full of news; about her new clothes, the servant teaching her to read and write, and funny things Uncle Nakada (as she called him) said. But when Kiku took her outside two samurai followed. They didn’t hinder Akemi, but she was never out of their sight. When she returned to her room, they settled outside. So I’m a prisoner. Akemi hugged Kiku close.

Akiri came to her room the next day. “Lord Nakada apologizes for not seeing you right away. He sends this.” He placed a fat purse before her. “He’s spending some private time with his ladies but wanted to invite you to dinner with him tomorrow. He’s eager to hear the details of your mission.”

Akemi bowed. “Please tell Lord Nakada that any special attention isn’t necessary. I’m sure this reward is enough. When can Kiku and I leave?”

Akiri frowned. “I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. You must remain here under his lordship’s protection. The Eto clan has doubled its bounty for you. But Lord Nakada will explain all this himself.” Akiri waved off her protests and left. She rolled the purse in her palm. Will I ever spend it?

The next day, maids scrubbed, perfumed and powdered Akemi, then dressed her in layers of silk kimonos. As evening darkened this sky, they escorted Akemi to a garden behind Lord Nakada’s residence.

The sight of the teahouse struck her like a blow. This is where we’ll dine? He must have heard! Is Lord Nakada having a joke? She fought rising panic. Still, it all seemed innocent as she and the Daimyo chatted. Then she took a sip of sake. The rice wine was redolent with an odd musky flavor. Her heart thumped.

You son of an old, diseased whore! Akemi set her cup down. Why drug me? I’m your prisoner!

“Come along, Akemi-san. Drink up! I have a fresh flask coming with our meal.” She forced a smile and gulped down the sake.

By the time food arrived, the room was shifting around before her eyes. He’s the lord of the province, he can have any woman he wants! Why me?

She continued to smile as he watched her closely. So be it! You want to play a devious game? I’ll show you devious!

Slurring her words, she leaned against him. “Relax, Lord. You must be tired after a long day. I should be serving you, not the other way around.” She stroked his chest. “Let me feed you.”

He grinned with all his teeth and pulled her close. With practiced ease, she poured poppy extract from a pouch in her sleeve into the spicy fish stew as she held his gaze with hers. With the sharp flavor of the dish, she knew he couldn’t taste the drug. Soon he was swaying with her. Soon he was pawing her as he pulled opened his kimono. She wasn’t surprised to see he was naked underneath. Naked, that is, except for the black harigata thrusting up from his groin.

Akemi hissed as she stared at it. Bastard! It isn’t enough that you force me to risk my life. No, you’re going to use that nasty thing on me! Why?

She sat back as the Daimyo mumbled and grabbed. She slapped his hands away and he fell over backwards. Why not? Once I’m bound to him by magic, he’ll use me for more missions. Monster! He never planned to free me. She slid closer to him.

What do I do now? I can’t escape, he has Kiku.

She stared at his sheathed short sword, considering murder, then shook her head. Why not? She jerked the harigata off him. Magic is magic. Why would the sex of the victim matter?

“How would you like to be used this way,” she whispered and tapped him on the chin with the harigata.

She yanked the belt from his kimono and tied the harigata jutting from her loins. As she climbed atop him, she hissed, “Monster! Look at what you’re making me do.”

Akemi bolted upright in her futon as the afternoon sun flooded her room. The memory of Lord Nakada grunting as she ground against him was vivid in her mind. She had worked him with the harigata until first light.

The die is cast now. Either the magic will work or he’ll take my head. He can’t misunderstand what I tried to do.

Despite her fear, the memory of the harigata glowed in her mind. As she’d used it, pleasure flowed through her. It wasn’t sexual, but it was as intense as an orgasm. And now her thoughts were strange. She realized she was no longer concerned about Lord Nakada, as if that was a past concern. I’m safe, but how do I know that? As she sat staring into the air, her mind was racing, noting bits of information, weighing each against the other, and assembling the various pieces into Answers.

She focused on the certainty that the magic had worked and that she was safe. Like a Chinese puzzle, it expanded into intricately fitted pieces so she could see that the Answer was true. The day was almost gone, and she’d been left unmolested. Lord Nakada would have seized her if he was free from the magic. Outside the room, she’d noted the voices of the maids who dressed her yesterday. That meant there were no guards. The guards would be talking to the maids if they were there, or the maids wouldn’t be gossiping with guards standing over them. There were other bits of information, things her mind had noted even while she slept, that she only vaguely understood as relevant. But each piece fitted into a seamless Answer. The magic had worked and she was safe.

Akemi sighed and her gaze settled on the Takudo Family scroll sitting on a small altar across the room. So where should I go from here? But Akemi knew at once she wouldn’t be leaving.

Akemi paced a slow circle around the teahouse playing a mournful tune as she scuffed the patterns in the sand. In the teahouse, Lord Nakada and his generals were planning war against the Eto Clan.

They had made a pact after that night, she and Lord Nakada. He would look to her safety and Kiku’s, and she would look to his dreams of power. Conquest of the Eto Clan was the perfect start. Akemi shivered as she considered the price, causing her piercing notes to shudder and break. But at least those bastards will pay! They won’t threaten Kiku or me ever again.

Lord Nakada avoided her for three days after their night together. On the fourth, he slid into her room wearing a thin yukata robe and sandals. He knelt silent with his face red and eyes pleading, and set the black harigata on the mat between them. Akemi could feel her face glow as her heart pounded. But she knew the path she trod for herself and Kiku was narrow and unbending. In a flash of inspiration, Akemi realized Lord Nakada’s Answers likewise deprived him of choices. A fine pair we are, bound together by invisible chains. She shivered as she led Lord Nakada by the hand to her futon with the harigata tucked in her obi.

Afterwards, she and Lord Nakada whispered together, searching for common ground. The campaign against the Eto Clan evolved out of their quiet negotiations. Eto Hiroshi would be formally accused of the murder of his nephew before the Emperor. One of his samurai had been bribed and gave Lord Nakada’s agent a sworn statement. Right now, Lord Nakada was ordering his generals to seek alliances with other warlords for the coming war. Many would flock to the cause, Eto Province was rich in land and resources. Any warlord who joined would share in the spoils.

Akemi shifted to a livelier tune and began to spin, spraying sand across the garden. Near the edge of the courtyard, she caught sight of the old gardener scowling. Akemi laughed into the flute, causing her music to growl. Officially, she was just another household maid, but nobody misunderstood. Her presence outside the teahouse, nearer to Lord Nakada than his own guards, was as clear a statement as Lord Nakada could make about her. The gardener, gray-haired and bent with age, shook his head and shuffled away.

As she danced, Akemi thought again of escaping, and her music grew low and dark. For her Answers surrounded her; front, back and sides. She’d be captured, tortured and beheaded by Lord Nakada himself if she ran. Lord Nakada will never let me go. Kiku would survive, but would be sold to one of the houses of entertainment in the castle village as a prostitute. His revenge on me for trying to escape. Akemi shivered and shook her head. That’s no choice! She shifted to a slower tune and circled closer to the teahouse.

From within the teahouse, Akemi heard Lord Nakada and the generals shout, “Hai! Hai! Hai!” A drum cheer, meant to seal their agreement and express their joint enthusiasm for a plan. So it’s done. She turned away from the teahouse, tucked the shinobue into her obi and stepped to the edge of the courtyard. Lord Nakada will be out shortly and will want me. We have much to plan.

 

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