The Wings of Dreams

her head to the side. “When did you turn stupid?”
    “Come again?”
    “Who say anything about that? We’re not going on some sightseeing trip. This is the Yellow Sea, you know.”
    Gankyuu’s eyes flashed. Rikou chortled with laughter.
    “I don’t weigh very much. Even so, a kijuu would feel the weight. I know that. But in a pinch, the question is which kijuu would feel it the least. That’s what I was referring to.”
    “Oh. Sorry.”
    “Since my weight won’t have any effect on Seisai, I’ll ride him. Anyway, what is the name of your Haku?”
    “It doesn’t have a name,” Gankyuu said gruffly.
    “You should give it one.”
    “If you think it should have name, go ahead and give it one. But listen to what I have to say and don’t interrupt this time. You must not leave the side of the kijuu, but don’t ride them.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because we will be accompanied by people on foot. The group will proceed no faster than a walking pace. There are tasks that can only be done while on foot. There is no taking it easy once you’ve entered the Yellow Sea.”
    “But—” Shushou started to say.
    Gankyuu cut her off. “Be quiet and do as you’re told.”
    Shushou glared at Gankyuu, a determined expression on her face. “Have you forgotten who hired you?”
    “I haven’t forgotten. My job is to deliver you safely to Mt. Hou and return you to civilization.”
    “This probably won’t be a round trip.”
    “If you say so. I was hired as your bodyguard, but I don’t recall including my life in the bargain, not for such a paltry sum.” As Shushou silently sulked, Gankyuu turned his attention to Rikou. “Have you ever been to the Yellow Sea before?”
    “Not once, alas.”
    “Have you ever tangled with youma before?”
    “That I’ve done on several occasions.”
    Gankyuu let out a small sigh. In other words, he had two amateurs on his hands. Perhaps overhearing that sigh, Rikou added apologetically, “I’ll do as you ask. I intend to learn all I can about the Yellow Sea.”
    “Count on my asking,” Gankyuu snapped back, albeit without much heart.
    Starting with those closest to the descending slope, the crowds of people in the plaza began to break up. They at last began to move.
    “Shushou, stay between the suugu and the haku. Let’s go.”

Chapter 13
    [2-5]  T he soldiers lining the plaza bid them a silent goodbye as they descended the rocky slope. The path threaded through the forest before them, wide enough for a single horse-drawn wagon. Following the valley stream down from the Kongou Mountains, the path had been cleared and trampled down by all those journeying on the Shouzan over these past many years.
    Even though they were all headed to the Five Mountains, this wasn’t a particularly well-organized or coordinated pilgrimage. But going off alone was dangerous, so everybody stuck close to everybody else. Everybody sticking close to everybody else welded them into a single group, albeit for no other reason than simple common sense.
    They left the rocky area behind and entered the forest. It was just past noon when they entered a meadow that served as a rest stop. Leaving the fort in the morning would bring them to similar places at the same approximate times.
    The young trees and saplings had been hewn down, the process repeated over the centuries to form and preserve clearings like this. No sooner had they arrived but far to their rear came the sound of the bell and drums.
    They all started and looked back. Although obstructed by the sea of trees, behind them was the Reiken Gate. And now it was closing, and closing off any thought of retreat.
    At that point, this person or that might have stopped in his tracks, as if overwhelmed by a sense of despondency, taken a breather, shaken it off, and gamely pressed on. They continued to descend though the rolling forested foothills.
    During this time, the girl of barely twelve going on the Shouzan had already become a known item. No one held back from praising her pluck and courage in traveling all the way to the Yellow Sea.
    “Kyou can’t be all bad if there are still subjects like Shushou left in it.”
    “Adults could learn a thing or two from bravery like that. If every child and adult was like Shushou, there’s no way the kingdom would go to ruin.”
    Some of the compliments were directed at Gankyuu and Rikou as well.
    “Just the two of you guarding her all the way to Mt. Hou! Such chivalry is a rare thing to see these