Grass for His Pillow Read Online Free PDF

sword in a desperate sideways slice at Shizuka, then Long Arm was on him, coming up under the blow with almost supernatural speed, his sword’s tip seeming to find its own way into the man’s throat.
    The men in front turned and ran back, those behind came milling forward. Shizuka had caught the horse by the bridle and was calming it.
    Long Arm helped Kaede to her feet. “Don’t be alarmed, LadyOtori,” he said in his rough accent, the smell of pepper oil strong on his breath. “They were just brigands.”
    Just brigands? Kaede thought. They had died so suddenly and with so much blood. Brigands, maybe, but in whose pay?
    The men took their weapons and drew lots for them, then threw the bodies into the undergrowth. It was impossible to tell if any one of them had anticipated the attack or was disappointed in its failure. They seemed to show more deference to Long Arm, and she realized they were impressed by the swiftness of his reaction and his fighting skills, but otherwise they acted as if it was a normal occurrence, one of the hazards of travel. One or two of them joked with Shizuka that the bandits wanted her as a wife, and she answered in the same vein, adding that the forest was full of such desperate men, but even a bandit had more chance with her than any of the escort.
    â€œI would never have picked your defender,” Kaede said later. “In fact, quite the opposite. He was the one I suspected would kill you with those big hands of his.”
    Shizuka laughed. “He’s quite a clever fellow, and a ruthless fighter. It’s easy to misjudge or underestimate him. You were not the only person surprised by him. Were you afraid at that moment?”
    Kaede tried to remember. “No, mainly because there was no time. I wished I had a sword.”
    Shizuka said, “You have the gift of courage.”
    â€œIt’s not true. I am often afraid.”
    â€œNo one would ever guess,” Shizuka murmured. They had come to an inn in a small town on the border of the Shirakawa domain. Kaede had been able to bathe in the hot spring, and shewas now in her night attire, waiting for the evening meal to be brought. Her welcome at the inn had been perfunctory, and the town itself made her uneasy. There seemed to be little food, and the people were sullen and dispirited.
    She was bruised down one side from the fall, and she feared for the child. She was also nervous about meeting her father. Would he believe she had married Lord Otori? She could not imagine his fury if he discovered the truth.
    â€œI don’t feel very brave at the moment,” she confessed.
    Shizuka said, “I’ll massage your head. You look exhausted.”
    But even as she leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of the girl’s fingers against her scalp Kaede’s misgivings increased. She remembered what they had been talking about at the moment of the attack.
    â€œYou will be home tomorrow,” Shizuka said, feeling her tension. “The journey is nearly over.”
    â€œShizuka, answer me truthfully: What’s the real reason you stay with me? Is it to spy on me? Who employs the Muto now?”
    â€œNo one employs us at the moment. Iida’s downfall has thrown the whole of the Three Countries into confusion. Arai is saying he will wipe out the Tribe. We don’t know yet if he is serious or if he will come to his senses and work with us. In the meantime my uncle, Kenji, who admires Lady Shirakawa greatly, wants to be kept informed of her welfare and her intentions.”
    And of my child, Kaede thought, but did not speak it. Instead she asked, “My intentions?”
    â€œYou are heir to one of the richest and most powerful domains in the West, Maruyama, as well as to your own estate ofShirakawa. Whoever you marry will become a key player in the future of the Three Countries. At the moment everyone assumes you will maintain the alliance with Arai, strengthening his position in