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“You’re not wrong. We need to control the pass to protect our kingdom. But you see only the blood of the soldiers in front of you. That’s good. You should always know the cost of what you do. But try to understand the greater implications. The Azarians have held the pass for many cycles, and every cycle we have to launch a bloody campaign to keep them from establishing a sizable foothold. If we can control the pass, we can save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives which are lost every year. Defending the pass is much simpler than taking it. What could you do with thousands of extra troops every year?”
    He paused, to make sure his son understood. “So it may cost us many lives to retake this pass, but it costs far less over the cycles, and that gives us an advantage in this world. It’s hard for me to see good men die as well, but their sacrifice means safety and opportunity for us all. Even though there is a part of me that hates it, I will continue to send men to their deaths as long as I live, so long as it means the safety of those in my Kingdom. Do you understand now?”
    Akira couldn’t do anything but nod. He had never thought of it in that way, but it made sense.
    “Good. It’s only through death that we can keep this kingdom alive, son. Remember that, because some day you too will be called on to send men to their graves.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    The first time Ryuu laid his head down in the same place two nights in a row was almost a half-moon later. He had never journeyed like this. Every day they walked further than Ryuu’s little legs had ever been. Though he had been raised in the fields, his feet grew even more calloused and he stopped asking when they would rest for the night. They walked as long as the sun was up and sometimes longer. Ryuu wanted to complain but wanted Shigeru’s respect even more. Every time he formed the thought, he reminded himself that he was traveling with a nightblade! He shut his mouth and focused on putting one foot in front of the other until Shigeru would tell him to stop.
    After the first few days Ryuu adapted to the pace. He had never been a heavy child, farm work and little food guaranteed that, but he could feel himself getting lighter and stronger every day. Each day it was just a little easier to keep up with Shigeru. With his parents he had complained about bedtime, but with Shigeru falling asleep was sweet relief.
    Every morning was the same routine. Shigeru would shake Ryuu awake, unaware of how strong the shaking was. While Ryuu wiped the sleep from his eyes Shigeru went through his morning movements. The movements were beautiful in a way Ryuu found hard to describe. In some movements he held his sword. Others were empty handed. Ryuu had never seen movements like these before. He had watched the militia guards train, but Shigeru’s practice seemed something else entirely. His cuts were quick and blended together into one flawless blur of movement. Ryuu knew it was combat practice, but how it applied to real world combat was beyond him. Whenever he heard Shigeru moving in the morning he would watch through slitted eyelids.
    Shigeru never talked about his practice or what the movements meant. Ryuu was burning up with questions, but Shigeru’s demeanor restrained him. Shigeru was private and quiet. He was a man you didn’t disturb no matter how important your question was. But Ryuu’s unwillingness to ask questions fueled his imagination. Coupled with what he had already seen, he was convinced that Shigeru could destroy an army by himself. Sometimes to distract his mind from the relentless walking he would imagine an army over the next rise. His imagination painted vivid scenes of battle in which Shigeru emerged victorious.
    Somewhat to his disappointment, danger never materialized. If it did Ryuu wasn’t old enough to recognize it. All he knew was that when he was in the company of Shigeru, he felt safe, even from his imaginary