The boy chewed his lip, saying nothing. He passed his cup to the Blackbird for a refill.
“So,” Kaori said. “What do we know of hellgates?”
“Legends,” Blackbird said. “Children’s tales.”
“Tora Takehiko,” Yukiko nodded. “One of my father’s favorites.”
Piotr finally stirred from amidst his cloud of honeyweed. “He stormdancer?”
Yukiko nodded. “He ended the last hellwar. Lady Izanami tricked a young boy into moving the boulder sealing Yomi shut, unleashing her hordes upon the world. Tora Takehiko flew inside the hellgate and closed it again.”
“He died in the process,” Kaori said.
“But saved the Seven Isles by doing so.”
“Sacrifice,” Hana nodded.
“My father once told me, ‘One day you will see that we must sometimes sacrifice for the sake of something greater,’” Yukiko said. “I can’t think of much greater than the lives of every man, woman and child in Shima.”
“You mean to do this?” Kaori frowned. “Fly into the hellgate?”
“I don’t see a better option, do you?”
Misaki shook her head. “But once inside, how will you close it?”
“I don’t know,” Yukiko sighed. “The legends don’t ever say how he did it.”
“Yukiko, you are pregnant. And you are not the only stormdancer at this table.”
All eyes turned to Hana. The girl met their stares, one after the other, then turned to Yukiko. She nodded, jaw set, lips thin. Unafraid.
“Kaiah and I can do it.”
“No,” Yukiko said.
“Yukiko—”
“No, Hana. I dragged you into this. And you and I are not going to sit here arguing about who gets to kill themselves.”
“Who says I plan on dying? Just because Tora Takehiko fell, doesn’t mean one of us—”
“We place the rickshaw before the runner,” General Ginjiro said. “The point is moot unless we have an army with which to fight the Yomi hordes. Sealing the gate alone will be pointless. From what you say, the legion already spat through the hellgate would be enough to wreak untold havoc. They must be dealt with also.”
“Two days,” Yukiko nodded. “As I said, we repair the fleet, march south with everything we have. Buruu and I deal with the gate once we get there. Agreed?”
Uncomfortable silence fell, dissent bubbling just underneath. It was obvious none at the table were keen on the idea of Yukiko or Hana sacrificing themselves in some suicidal charge, but no other option presented itself.
Blackbird finally knocked back his saké and sighed.
“A long day. I think we’ll all see clearer on the morrow.”
The council-goers left in silence, each burdened with dark thoughts. Yoshi remained at the table, staring into his empty cup. Hana hovered by the door, pale and fragile.
“Are you coming, brother?”
“… Hai.”
Running his palm over the stubble on his scalp, he heaved a sigh, scooped up the saké bottle and went in search of sleep he knew would never come.
*
Lightning from his father’s hand, etching blue-white poetry across the clouds above. The warmth of his bucks at his side, gathered like crows for a feast on the eaves of the Daimyo’s palace, black and white, eyes gleaming with every arc thrown across the heavens. Watching the females descending slowly, coming in to land on the roof opposite the Kitsune garden. Angry growls. Rumbling discontent. Awful sorrow in the eyes of those who had lost mates or kin.
Mocking amusement in Sukaa’s glare.
Buruu stared at Shai, watching as she settled on the rooftop, preening with a beak like a saber. Tail switching, breathing slow, as if this were any other day.
He roared that he had commanded them to stay in Everstorm. That it was not a female’s place to fight. That they endangered their race’s future by coming here.
Shai glanced at Kaiah, and made no reply.
That is different, Buruu roared. Kaiah is different.
Niah and Aael awoken. Black and white share one Khan. Endsinger rises. All is different.
Buruu glanced at the assembled pack, growling softly.
Fly with me.
Shai’s eyes glittered.
As Khan commands …
The pair took to the sky, circling into the storm, static electricity building and bursting along their quills. Shai flew close enough that the outstretched tips of their feathers touched.
You disobeyed me, Buruu growled.
I am Shakhan of Everstorm. My place to challenge, when no other will.
I will not see you fall here.
Nor I you. Pack needs you. Rhaii needs you.
The future of our race lies with mothers, not fathers.
No future if Dark Mother ends world. Without us, the silver-tongue monkey-child would have died. He spoke in my mind. May have a way to save this place.
What way?
Did not speak it. But certain in his heart.
… Where is our son?
The Elders watch. Watch them all.
That is wise.
I know.
Thunder rocked the skies, thrumming in his bones.
… I am glad you are here, my heart.
She dipped her wing, glided closer.
Know this also.
Is there anything you do not?
Shai looked to the south, to the cold and rising dark.
How this will end …
48
BEFORE THE DAWN