Ranger's Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja Read Online Free PDF

Shukin, as the escort leader trotted past. Out of deference to Horace, and to avoid the need for translation, he spoke the common language, not Nihon-Jan.
    ‘I don’t know, cousin,’ Shukin replied. ‘Kaeko-san has seen something. I’ll report once I’ve spoken to him. Please wait here.’
    He glanced over his shoulder, reassuring himself that the four men remaining in the rearguard had moved up to form a closer screen, then rode on.
    Without conscious thought, Horace’s left hand dropped to his scabbard, angling it slightly forward so that, if the need arose for him to draw his sword, he could do so quickly. His trademark round shield was still slung on his back. No need to change that at the moment. He could shrug it round into position in a second or two if required.
    Shigeru’s horse shifted its feet nervously as the guards rode past. The Emperor patted its neck and spoke soothingly to it and the horse settled. Then the Emperor slumped more comfortably in the saddle, looked at Horace and shrugged.
    ‘I imagine we’ll hear what’s going on in a moment or two,’ he said. His manner indicated that he was sure this was a false alarm, that his guards were being over-cautious. He gazed after Shukin as his cousin reined in beside the Senshi warrior who had been riding point. There was a brief discussion, then both Shigeru and Horace saw Kaeko pointing to something further down the valley, where the trail zigzagged back to accommodate the steep slope of the hillside.
    Shukin trotted back to report.
    ‘There’s a rider coming. It’s one of your household staff, cousin. And he seems in a hurry.’
    Shigeru frowned. It would take a lot of bring one of his official staff out in this sort of weather.
    George edged his horse up to Horace now. George was a trained scribe and attorney and he had made a comprehensive study of the ways of the Nihon-Jan. This was not his first trip to the country. Because of his knowledge of local matters, he had been sent on this trip with Horace to observe and advise the young warrior on matters of protocol, and to update a dictionary of the Nihon-Jan language that he had written two years ago.
    George could be a little stuffy and full of himself at times but he was essentially good-hearted and he had provided excellent advice to Horace on the journey. Horace had been glad to have him along.
    ‘Why are we stopping?’ he asked.
    Horace jerked a thumb further along the trail. ‘There’s a rider. A messenger, probably. Best if we wait for him to come to us.’
    ‘A messenger? Who is it? Is Lord Shigeru expecting a message? Do we know what it’s about?’ George’s questions came tumbling out before Horace had a chance to begin answering.
    Horace shook his head and smiled at his old childhood companion. ‘I don’t know. I don’t know. And…I don’t know,’ he said. He saw George’s shoulders relax as he realised his questions had been unreasonable. ‘I imagine we’ll find out when he comes up to us.’
    ‘Of course. Silly of me,’ George said. He sounded genuinely aggrieved that he had let his mask of professional calm slip the way it had.
    ‘Don’t let it bother you,’ Horace said, then he couldn’t help parroting one of George’s oft-repeated catch cries. ‘After all, if you don’t ask, you’ll never learn.’
    George had the grace to allow a thin smile. He never liked being the object of jokes. He felt it undermined his dignity.
    ‘Yes, yes. Quite so, Sir Horace.’ His slight emphasis on Horace’s title was evidence that he felt Horace’s sally had been unnecessary.
    Horace shrugged to himself. Live with it, George, he thought.
    The rattle of galloping hooves was closer now. The rider had reached the sharp elbow turn in the trail and was heading up the last hundred metres or so towards them. A call from Shukin saw the four warriors ahead of the party make room on the trail to let the new arrival through.
    He drew level with the Emperor and Shukin and did his best