Sword of Compassion: The Kami Prophecy, #2

By A.C. Ward

He protects her.

His mother wants her dead....

 

Living in the human world is difficult for Shou. She wants nothing more than to remain in the life she is building with Marasu, heir to the Date clan.  Shou's feelings grow beyond just the need to repay him for all he's done for her.  But like the kami that she knows so well, power struggles exist among the humans.  Crossing Lady Date is a grave mistake.

 

With the secret of her lineage at risk, Shou must rid herself of her disguise to survive her vindictive family's next attempt on her life.  Doing so is harder than she ever imagined.  Now, it's up to Shou to battle the politics of the human world.  But will she prevail when the gods also throw another deadly challenge her way?  

 

The second book in The Kami Prophecy, a YA fantasy set in a world based on feudal Japan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.C. Ward
• Release date: Apr 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393076407

A.C. Ward

A.C. Ward is a little worried that her internet search history is on some sort of watch list. For her writing she has researched demonic rituals, exorcism, and lethal stab wounds. Her next work in process is only making it worse. A.C, lives with her husband, daughter, and various pets – dog, cat, gecko, fish, and tarantula. When she’s not writing she’s watching Netflix or rereading her favorite manga. She’d love to hear from her fans. You can contact her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Author Dedication

For Ruthi, for reading everything I write and telling me you love it. You are the best fan and I can’t wait until I can read yours.

The Kami Prophecy

After light is cast on the dragon marked Heirs of the Kami

Seek the island’s blessing during a single decade night

Accept the dark passage through the shades

Approach the slithering descent of the caverns

Confront the Lady among that which she tends

Discern through the dual eyes internal

Stray within the shadowy spring beneath

Earned with each successful trial passing

To rise from the ashes and into a jeweled tier hereafter.

Chapter 1

His home on the horizon did not fill Masaru with joy, but with dread. He had an inkling of what lay inside the castle gates. The quick sojourn that had turned into a week with his retainer, Katashi, and his new page, Shou, had been a needed reprieve, but one he would pay for.

He patted Shou’s hands clasped around his waist. He’d become used to having her so near. There was a warmth to her grip he was not looking forward to losing, but he steered his horse toward the castle anyway.

The soldiers guarding the gate kept their spears together, barring his path.

Lord Teremune requests your presence at once. A familiar sneer sat on the soldier’s face.

Masaru nodded and guided his horse forward, calling their bluff. They raised their spears as he’d known they would, allowing them to pass.

When they reached the courtyard, Katashi dismounted first. Lord Teremune is as upset as I suspected he would be. Are you certain about this, my lord? His eyes shifted behind Masaru, to Shou.

Certainty would be a luxury, Masaru answered. He dismounted, reaching up to help Shou down. Her male kimono allowed her to swing her leg over and hop to the ground. His arms steadied her as he studied her appearance once more. Katashi assured him that no one would suspect his new page was a girl, but all he could see was Shou with her hair in a topknot.

Shou’s gaze darted around the courtyard. On the island, she wouldn’t have seen many structures. Her eyes weren’t wide with amazement as he expected. Instead, they narrowed, and shadows shifted among the green.

Shou— Masaru started, but the doors opened and Lord Teremune himself stepped out.

Masaru and Katashi lowered into bows, and Masaru was pleased to see Shou repeat the action only a beat later. Katashi’s etiquette training had already begun on the road, and Shou seemed to be absorbing it.

So good of you to finally return.

There was a snap in his father’s voice that Masaru recognized. He raised his head in time to see the frown leveled on Shou.

What is this you’ve brought with you?

Masaru’s tongue fused to the inside of his mouth. He hadn’t expected his father’s wrath to be at the forefront of his greeting. His father had seemed proud of him when they’d last spoken, after the island.

Lord Masaru has conscripted a new page, Katashi said.

He was grateful to his retainer for speaking up for him, but carefully kept his face blank.

No. The word brooked no argument. Dismiss him at once and come with me. His father was already turning back inside.

I will not. It felt as if the response came from someone else, someone much more forceful than him. But his father whirled around to glare at him, so he was certain he had said it.

Lord Teremune’s eyes narrowed. I will add this to our discussion. Now come. He didn’t wait for an acknowledgement before stalking inside.

Masaru turned to Katashi. Stay with Shou. Help him to settle.

His retainer bit his lip against what he wanted to say. As you wish, he said instead, his eyes conveying his support.

Masaru nodded and followed his father’s footsteps through the hallways. Their direction was as he suspected. Maids and retainers whispered as he passed, and Masaru realized he hadn’t covered the birth mark on his cheek. He’d become accustomed to it with Shou, a habit he shouldn’t have allowed. He pulled his hair forward, covering the symbol on his cheek as they approached his mother’s receiving room.

The guards standing outside the doors slid them open, their eyes barely slipping over Masaru. It would be difficult for them to acknowledge his existence, as the same guards had served Lady Yoshime for years and heard all that occurred within. Masaru took a trembling breath before he followed his father inside, and the door slid shut behind them.

Yoshime stood at the far wall. Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders as she glanced at them, eyes hardening for a moment before returning to their maternal light for the child at her feet. His mother had always been indulgent with her other son, which made the boy spoiled even at such a young age.

Masaru’s heart softened looking at his brother. He was never allowed to interact with Kojirou, but the horse toy he held was one Katashi had helped Masaru slip to him. It was good that he liked it.

Go on, Kojirou. I will come to you later. Yoshime’s voice was lovely, holding a melody in the words as she kissed the boy on top of his head. He ran toward the wet nurse in the corner, who bowed her head in acknowledgment and led him out the rear tatami doors into the garden beyond.

His mother turned and all semblance of a smile fell. I see your son has returned. Always his father’s son. Never hers.

I am back, Mother. Masaru watched her lips tighten. He knew she hated when he used the term, but a part of him couldn’t help it. That was what she was, whether either of them liked it.

Lord Teremune crossed to her, bending to settle a kiss on her cheek. Her smile was genuine as she looked to her husband. It was only Masaru that she hated.

I have brought him here as we discussed. Though he has—

I’m certain you have a more important matter to address with me, Masaru interrupted. It successfully blocked his father from mentioning his new page, but was not the best etiquette.

You will not interrupt your lord, Yoshime snapped at him.

Masaru lowered his head. Yes, my lady.

Lord Teremune’s eyes were heavy on him. He is right, Yoshime. We should focus on the issue at hand. He stepped forward, crossing his arms. How could you have started a war with the Hojo clan?

Masaru’s head snapped up. I did no such thing.

The Hojo daimyo wants your head!

Masaru considered. Mine? Or the one responsible for his son’s death?

He believes it to be one and the same. His father studied him. Are you saying you did not take his heir’s life?

I was not responsible.

Lies! his mother shouted.

Please, Yoshime. His father placed a gentle hand on her arm. Do not get worked up so. Let me handle this.

She took a breath, her eyes softening as she gazed on his father. Of course, my lord.

Lord Teremune turned back to him. His eyes searched for the truth. Masaru didn’t flinch from his father’s gaze. The quiet in the room was broken only by the cooing of Lady Yoshime’s birds in the corner. Finally, his father sighed. I believe you, but you made a grave mistake in how you informed the Hojo daimyo about his son.

He deserved to know, Masaru said.

But the way you said it! Lady Yoshime snapped. As a fool would.

Masaru’s hands clenched at his sides. You weren’t there.

Do not take that tone with Lady Date. His father’s reprimand came swiftly, and Masaru bit his lip. She is right. You were a fool. The Hojo now believe the Date responsible for their heir’s death.

I did not kill Hojo Shinji. Masaru didn’t think they needed to know that he would have. The man had been intent on killing Shou, likely on the Hojo daimyo’s orders. It amazed him that Shou shared blood with the vicious men.

Perhaps you know who did, his father said.

Masaru schooled his expression, hoping his momentary surprise had not been visible.

Lord Teremune was skilled at picking up nuance. His retainer, Katashi, had learned it from the best. Tell us who killed the Hojo heir. If we provide that information, perhaps we can turn the tide of the pending war.

Masaru remained silent. He was horrible at deception. Denying he knew would be an easily seen through lie, but there was no way he would reveal Shou for an act she’d been forced to commit.

Lord Teremune strode forward, grabbing Masaru’s chin in his hand and forcing it up. You are the Date heir, he said, his eyes hardening as he stared his son down. You will tell me, as the fate of the Date lies in the answer.

Masaru’s spine stiffened, and he stood tall. I cannot.

There will be punishment inflicted for disobeying your lord, Lady Yoshime said. She couldn’t quite contain the flash of excitement in her eyes.

Lord Teremune removed his hand with a jerk, and Masaru stumbled back a step. I am not pleased. You have brought strife onto the clan when we have been enjoying peace.

Better an enemy before us than at our back, Masaru said.

His father stilled. Do not use my own teachings against me. How can you be so certain that the Hojo would have been our enemy if not for your actions?

As soon as the Hojo daimyo realized they’d given asylum to his daughter, he would have turned on them, but Masaru refused to tell his father that. Shou was safely hidden, with barely anyone knowing of her existence. The Hojo did not know she’d left the island. He knew his father. Lord Teremune would return Shou to her father to maintain peace. That was the opposite of what Masaru wanted.

He took a breath, forcing the words. The Hojo are not to be trusted. Shinji’s actions on the island were proof enough.

The island, his father murmured. You didn’t answer clearly before. Was your mission successful?

Masaru closed his eyes, but knew he couldn’t maintain his silence to this question. A kami will now fight for us.

His father’s eyes lit from within. Praise the kami! His faith in the otherworld had always bothered Masaru before. Now that he’d seen the beings for himself, he could understand the sentiment—if you didn’t realize the godlike creatures were malicious in their intent, that is.

A single kami. Yoshime threw back her head in a laugh. It figures that you would fail even in that for which you were made.

Lord Teremune frowned. You mentioned the prophecy is not what we had expected. Is that what you meant?

Partly. Masaru wasn’t sure how to explain that he had angered the king and queen of the kami. They had wanted to make a slave of Shou, but he interceded along with her tengu friend, Makoto.

His mother narrowed her eyes on him. How are we supposed to trust that you succeeded? Summon this kami you speak of. Show us you do not speak lies.

Masaru pushed his anger down. He doubted he would ever be through with proving himself to her. His heartbeat pounded as he pulled a breath into his lungs. He hadn’t tried to call the kami before. Makoto.

To his relief, the air swirled next to him. The tengu flicked his black wings to his back, his beak appearing sharper than Masaru remembered. You called, Marked One?

Lord Teremune looked upon the tengu with awe. It is truly a kami.

Yoshime’s hand flew to her chest as her breath caught. Masaru saw his mother react in a way unfamiliar to her. She bowed her head. Your presence honors us.

Makoto shifted his black eyes to Masaru. Do not summon me to put me on display again, human. The tengu shimmered and disappeared.

Yoshime waited a beat as her gaze seemed to seek one more glimpse of the kami. Then she glared at him. Your control over such a godlike creature is lacking, as expected.

His father’s hand tightened into a fist. Do you not have providence over the kami?

He will fight for us, but he does not bow to pettiness. Masaru turned his back on his parents. Believe me or not.

We have not given you permission to leave. Lady Yoshime’s words halted his feet.

There is much you have done since returning from the island that raises concerns, Lord Teremune agreed. His steps were steady as they crossed to the far wall. Masaru’s shoulders tensed at the scrape of the weapon as it was removed. Words do not seem to make the impact we desire. Turn and lower your kimono.

Masaru’s body obeyed, used to following the orders. Air whirled over the prior marks along his back as he faced his mother. Her smile was a familiar one.

This will remind you of your obedience to your lord and lady. Teremune grunted as he swung the weapon.

Masaru hissed through his teeth as the multipronged whip dug into his flesh. His mother’s smile before him widened.

His father leaned forward. It will also build your strength. Strength you will need to one day rule this clan. He stepped away and repeated the lash again. And again.

By the time his father was done, Masaru had staggered to his knees. Yoshime’s smile had faded, but her eyes were shining.

His father replaced the weapon on the wall, still dripping with his son’s blood. You are dismissed.

The pain of the wounds flared as he shrugged his kimono on and rose to his feet, tying it tight. It wouldn’t do for others to see. His legs wanted to shake, but he forced them to be firm as he hurried from the room. He had taken the beating he’d expected, but Masaru had won. His father hadn’t remembered the new page. Masaru withdrew from Lady Yoshime’s rooms, eager to return to his own.

Chapter 2

The heavy gates were foreign from anything on the island, but also hauntingly familiar. Any doubts Shou had at having been born a daimyo’s daughter fled at the familiarity of the structure. She couldn’t remember exactly, but there was a dim dream rising inside of her. Or a nightmare, as she could sense the dark edges.

Katashi handed her pack to her, and her arms grasped it automatically. She let her gaze focus on him, glad for the distraction. His eyes followed Masaru as he left with the older man, Lord Teremune. Katashi quivered with his desire to follow, but his jaw tightened. Let’s go, he ordered.

Shou followed him through the main doors, feeling as if a lock clicked in place behind her. The hallways were wide, but not so wide that the figures they passed did not have to move to the side. Eyes turned to follow her, and whispers drifted after them. Shou’s first instinct was to snap and snarl, baring her teeth. She remembered well the lesson that first impression had garnered her on the island. The kami did not disregard someone who showed power that she did not have. Being put in her place by the gods would be worse than what the humans could do to her, but her lack of power remained the same. She bowed her head as she followed Katashi.

No, lift your face, he said.

When her eyes darted up, she could only see his broad back. She’d already noticed how the man saw far beyond his gaze, but she still wondered at his ability. It was harder to block out the whispers and the stares with her head up.

It is important you learn how to navigate the castle, as Lord Masaru’s new page, Katashi said. His voice was not soft but spread to the others they passed. New whispers started, and she could hear the term page reverberate through the hallway. Katashi looked behind him, a firm set to his lips hinting at his satisfaction. This way. He motioned her around the next corner.

Their progress through the castle became a more obvious tour. The kitchens, the armory, the war council room, and other places she struggled to remember. A whole island had been easier to navigate. The final corridor he led her through ended at double doors flanked by two guards. They stood taller as they saw the man with her and inclined their heads as they allowed them entrance to the rooms beyond.

It was not the small chamber she was expecting for herself. Instead, drapery adorned the walls, statues were spread among the room, and tatami mats decorated the floors. Gold was spackled throughout the articles that surrounded them, and jewels blinked at them as the eyes in many of the statues. Toward the left of the room, a desk was situated with books stacked neatly on top and gathered on the shelves behind. On the right, a sliding door led to another room, and in the far back, a porch opened to a garden.

Shou looked to Katashi, who walked over to light the desk lantern. These are not my rooms.

That’s good of you to realize. Katashi blew out the flame, setting the spoke aside for future use. He crossed his arms, studying her. It is important that you learn the whereabouts of Lord Masaru’s quarters. You will run errands for him as his page. Do you remember how to return here?

She nodded and turned to take in the room again. Nothing within gave off the impression of the man she had come to know. These are Masa’s quarters?

Katashi grimaced. We have spoken about your term for him.

Shou raised her chin. Masa said it was fine, as long as we are not in public.

I do not have the same trust that you will remember the difference. Katashi strode toward her, his eyes narrowing. It is important for you to get as much etiquette correct as you are capable of.

Why? She forced her feet to remain fixed. Showing fear in front of the kami was never a good idea. The lesson had served her well there, and she expected it would do the same in her new surroundings.

Katashi ran a hand through his hair, an act for frustration that had become a habit around her. We’ve discussed this. Lord Masaru is not simply the person you met on the island, the heir to the kami. He’s also the Date heir. His position requires respect and honor. He shook his head, but his eyes were not on her. Why have you returned with him here?

Masa invited me. Shou still wasn’t sure how she felt about it. In the moment, leaving his side had not been a choice she considered. She studied the banner on the wall, the gold stitching along the edge glinting in the flickering light.

I was not asking for Lord Masaru’s reasons. He and I have discussed it. At length.

Shou knew they had. Sleeping never came easily to her, and stealth was a skill she’d needed to survive. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but was not sorry she had. It became apparent that Katashi did not like her, even though he smiled during the day.

His hand tipped her chin up, and he searched her eyes. "Why did you decide to come here? Why become Lord