The Anointed

By Charles T. Whipple

~ Short Japanese Fantasy Adventure story – part of a continuing saga of stand-alone tales by award-winning author, Charles T. Whipple ~

Koziro, he who is to rise up as King of Kanto, learned a great deal during his stay at the secret shrine of Amaterasu. Still, his pilgrimage had to continue. Where he depended on others before, now he must move on himself, with only two companions, Moribei the wolf and Caras the raven.

In the pilgrimage to Kio, where emperors lived, he found the way twisted and treacherous. Still, in the end, he learned most precious teachings from Amaterasu Omikoto, the almighty. She led him forward. She provided him with Tomoe Benkei the Yamabushi monk and Neouli the spirit girl to accompany him on the road to Kio.

With the account of the Anointed, I will now lay aside my brush so those who read of young Koziro and his companions, stalwart subjects of Amaterasu, might search the accounts and come to believe in the might and sacred power of Amaterasu Omikoto, creator of all and ruler of Heaven and Earth. Thus I have written and thus shall it be done. Sayo nara and sayo nara.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles T. Whipple
• Release date: Jul 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463875254

Charles T. Whipple

"The only thing I do well is write." Charles T. Whipple is an international award-winning copywriter, journalist, author and novelist. His awards include Editor & Publisher Magazine DM Award, World Annual Report Competition Award, 2010 Oaxaca International Literature Award, and 2011 Global eBook Award.Whipple was born in Show Low, Arizona. He spent two and a half years in Japan as a volunteer youth missionary, and majored in Japanese History as a graduate student and grantee at the East West Center, University of Hawaii. He is fluent in spoken and written Japanese, and has long been interested in the fantastic aspect of traditional Japanese tales. Whipple lives in the city of Chiba, the capital of Chiba Prefecture, which encompasses the ancient Kanto Kingdoms of Awa, Kazusa, and Shimosa. Today, Chiba hosts the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland and is gateway to Japan via the international airport in Narita.He has one wife, four daughters, two sons, and 19 grandchildren. Whipple writes western novels under the pen name of Chuck Tyrell and fantasy based on ancient Japanese history and mythology as Charles T. Whipple. Visit Charlie at his Blog: http://chucktyrell-outlawjournal.blogspot.com/.

Book preview

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THE ANNOINTED

The Masacado Scrolls

Story 7

CHARLES T. WHIPPLE

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Smashwords Edition

THE ANNOINTED

Copyright © 2016 by Charles T. Whipple

Illustration Copyright © 2016 by Gustav Oslo

Cover Art Design Copyright © 2016 by Laura Shinn Designs

http://laurashinn.yolasite.com

[Republished/2018]

Smashwords Licensing Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with other people, please purchase an additional copy for each person. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

The Annointed is a work of fiction. Though actual locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author except for the inclusion of actual historical facts. Similarities of characters or names used within to any person – past, present, or future – are coincidental except where actual historical characters are purposely interwoven.

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The Words of Hikarinomiko

Behold, I am Hikarinomiko, daughter of Amenomiko who was the daughter of Soranomiko who was the daughter of Asanomiko who anointed the Chosen One of Amaterasu Omikoto, even Taira no Masacado, who drove the wicked Toh from the eight kingdoms of Kanto, even unto the forfeiting of his own life.

Now behold, I, Hikarinomiko, am called of Amaterasu to record the deeds of those anointed during the dark days of Toh rule. To write somewhat concerning the curse the wicked Toh placed upon the land; the loss of the sacred talismans of Amaterasu through which the Chosen One is proclaimed unto the people; the search to discover the talismans in their place of hiding; and the fearful battle against the Toh, their dark Yami bonzes, the creatures and demons the priests commanded. Yea, even every dark being of the underworld of Yami.

Therefore, I have searched among the scrolls left me by she who preceded me, even the sacred Washinomiko, who has gone before and must surely rest in the bright fields of Amaterasu. Yea, I have searched, and Amaterasu has guided my hand. Yea, even as mine hand and mine mind were guided to record the beginning, even the birth and the anointing of he who will stand as King under Amaterasu, even he who will do battle with the vicious Toh and shall prevail over them.

As with the account of the Seeker and the Shielder, I will now lay aside my brush so those who read of the trials on the Road to Kio, might search the accounts and come to believe in the might and sacred power of Amaterasu Omikoto, creator of all and ruler of Heaven and Earth.

Now behold, in separate scrolls, I have inscribed and will inscribe accounts of the labors and sufferings of the anointed of Amaterasu as they search for the sacred talismans. Until such time, I lay aside my brush again and bid each and all sayo nara, for the moment, sayo nara.

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Chapter One

In the hidden Shrine of Amaterasu, Koziro learned much more about the reasons for his trip along the road to Kio. The woman in white, who prophesied that Koziro must continue on his way to Kio alone, was in fact the prophetess Hikarihimenomiko.

Koziro, Son of Kings, she said, you must make your way to Kio alone, yet not alone.

Not alone? Koziro dreaded going on the road to Kio alone. The little people, the Ganmene, who lived on Enoh Jhima, were gone, though their Rock Master and his journeymen still worked day and night to free Ryo the Seeker and her Shielder Kaku, and all their entourage, who were trapped in the bowels of the island. They could not accompany Koziro either.

Not alone, the prophetess said. "You shall be accompanied by Moribei the wolf, and Caras the white raven, and other companions will gather as you make your way to Kio, the Imperial city.

Nanashi always cooked for me and the others while we traveled, Koziro said. I had to leave my bow in the cavern at Enoh Jhima, so I cannot hunt for food.

The prophetess smiled. My dear Koziro, are you not familiar with the tenets of Gi?

Koziro nodded.

Then you know that Amaterasu created the flesh of beasts and of fowls of the air and of fishes in the sea and ordained them for the use of mankind with thanksgiving. Now here is the important point, young Koziro, they are to be used sparingly, and it is pleasing unto Amaterasu if such flesh should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. So you see, it would be most pleasing to the Almighty if we were to abstain from eating any flesh, whatever the season or the weather.

Yes, Koziro said, subdued. Out in the forest or walking the road to Kio, somehow he naturally thought hunting would be an important source of food. Sorry. He took a breath. I do not know which plants or trees or flowers or fruits are good to eat. Oh, I know of persimmons and grapes and chestnuts and acorns, but I don't think I can find that kind of thing every day.

Koziro's shoulders sagged and the corners of his eyes got hot as tears formed and threatened to spill over his lower eyelids.

Have no fear, Koziro, Son of Kings. Amaterasu the Almighty watches over you. She will not allow that you should be tested beyond your capacity to meet the challenge. Be ye ever aware. The Almighty has chosen you. And know ye that the greatest among us should be servant of all.

Koziro's head came up. His eyes searched the Miko's face. Gonnosuke used those same words on the day Koziro chose Yuminoko, his laminated bamboo bow. He wondered if the bow was safe with Kaku.

Koziro?

Koziro's eyes once more focused on the prophetess. "Hai. Excellency," he said.

Hikarihimenomiko gave Koziro a brilliant smile. She didn't have black teeth like Toh women. Come. I will take you to a place where you can rest. A traveler should begin his journey with the rising sun after a good night's rest.

Koziro merely nodded. It seemed he nodded a lot when Hikarihimenomiko spoke. He wondered how anyone could become so wise. He followed the prophetess into the separate dwelling where shrine virgins lived. The yamabushi priests and other males inhabited a separate house. Shouldn't I be with them? Koziro asked, pointing across the compound toward the line of men entering their abode.

Not necessary, Koziro, Son of Kings. As yet, you pose no problem or danger to the chosen women of Amaterasu. The day will come, however, when you will be required to abide with those of your gender.

He stopped at the entrance.