L5r - scroll 04 - The Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page B

Below it lay I lantei's bed, a thick futon and quilt, surrounded by smoldering incense burners.
    The young emperor lay on the bed, his face turned to the ceil-iug. His beautiful silk covers lay scattered on the dark wooden lloor. He wore a dark kimono, cut short for sleeping. Not yet past his twentieth birthday, Hantei looked aged beyond his years. His face was wan, his cheeks sunken. Dark rings surrounded his eyes. Sweat drenched his pale body.
    Ishikawa and Kaede bowed low when they entered the room. "Majesty," Ishikawa said. The two of them paused, embarrassed by the intimacy of the situation.
    The young emperor didn't reply. Another coughing fit wracked his thin frame.
    Sympathy welled up within Kaede's breast as she gazed at him. She stepped toward the gossamer curtains surrounding the body and drew them back. "I've come to help," she said quietly. She moved to the emperor's side and laid her right palm on his forehead.
    A spark flew from the emperor's head to her hand as she louched him. Kaede almost drew back, but steeled herself and placed her palm on his sweaty brow. She cleared her mind and concentrated. The healing magic of the Void flowed from her body to his.
    Hantei's neck twisted, and his eyes slitted open.
    "Kachiko?" the boy emperor asked sleepily. "Is that you?"
    "No," Kaede replied gently. "It's Isawa Kaede."
    "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice hoarse and weak.
    "Ishikawa and I heard your coughing," she said. "We came to help you." She felt something within him resisting her restorative magic.
    "I need no help," the emperor said, almost angrily. "Where is my wife?"
    "We do not know, your Majesty," Kaede said. Something in the boy's eyes made her shudder. She withdrew her hand from his head.
    "Go, then," the boy whispered. "Do not return unless I summon you."
    Ishikawa and Kaede bowed low. They turned and left quickly, pausing only long enough to reassure the guards and reclaim Ishikawa's sword.
    Kaede shook her head. "This sickness upon him is beyond my healing," she said. "Perhaps, with more study, I could try again. Knowledge cures all evil."
    "Perhaps," Ishikawa said. "I could use some fresh air. How about you?"
    Kaede nodded her agreement.
    They turned toward the gardens. Neither of them spoke as they trudged silently through the dark corridors.
    As they passed a side hallway, Kaede suddenly stopped.
    "What is it?" Ishikawa asked.
    "For a moment, I thought I saw my father," she said.
    "Where?"
    "At the end of that hall."
    Ishikawa peered into the gloom. "Well, if Ujina was in the corridor," he said, "he's not there now. Probably it was just a shadow, and the memory of your dream."
    "He's not Ujina any longer," Kaede said.
    "I know," Ishikawa replied. "My tongue is clumsy. I'm sorry."
    She nodded.
    They resumed walking. Soon the two of them stood on one of the castle's many sheltered verandas, looking out over the night-dark greenery. A summer breeze rustled through the garden, making the trees shake and the flowers dance. A few white rose petals wafted by, like kites on a blustery day.
    The wind was chilly for the season, and Kaede wrapped her kimono tighter around her body. For a time, neither she nor Ishikawa spoke. They just stood close together, inhaling the night breeze.
    Finally, Kaede said, "Did you see his eyes?"
    Ishikawa shook his head. "The emperor's? No. Why? What did you see?"
    "For a moment," she said, "when he looked at us, I would swear I saw fire inside his eyes."
    "A trick of the light," Ishikawa replied. "It's those damn red lanterns that Kachiko favors. They make everything look eerie."
    Kaede nodded. "Perhaps."
    Ishikawa looked at her longingly. He opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it again. His face grew stern.
    She wondered what he had been about to say. She knew what she hoped he would say—but such words had never passed between them. Perhaps they never would.
    A sudden flapping sound disturbed the breeze. Ishikawa drew his katana to defend the Void Mistress.
    "What