The Wings of Dreams

understand him getting his back up because of his arguments with the goushi, but the goushi know the Yellow Sea a lot better than he does. I don’t see the point of being so contrary.”
    “For what it’s worth, neither do I.”
    “The one is just as annoyingly bullheaded as the other. Or is that the way all adults behave?”
    “Probably.”
    Rikou fastened the coil of rope to the travel packs. The travel packs were always ready to be strapped to the backs of the kijuus on a moment’s notice. Another one of those things Gankyuu never stopped harping on.
    “I think it’s wrong, Gankyuu and the others not telling people what they know. Treating information like it’s some big secret is selfish and self-serving. I am totally against it.”
    Rikou got to his feet. Not addressing that statement he said, “Where’d Gankyuu head off to?”
    “He went to talk to one of the guardians.”
    “What about?”
    “Gankyuu is a hunter. That takes him away from the paths used on the Shouzan. He probably isn’t familiar with the road ahead. So he’s asking around. They’re the ones who said we shouldn’t drink the lake water.”
    Rikou smiled. “So that’s it.”
    Shushou blinked. “What?”
    “If you ask him, he’ll tell you. Same goes for the goushi. I’ve seen men approach a goushi on behalf of a provincial general from somewhere or another. Same kind of questions. Shitsu-san doesn’t ask and neither does Ren-san.”
    “Yeah, that’s what it comes down to.”
    “I don’t think Gankyuu likes keeping secrets. It’s more that he dislikes telling people things they clearly don’t want to know.”
    “So he won’t tell you anything until you beg him to? How’s that any different from flaunting that you know it and they don’t?”
    “Not quite the same thing, I don’t think.”
    “I have to wonder.”

    Kinhaku squatted in front of Gankyuu and traced a map in the dirt. “After three more days, we’ll descend through the forest and come out at the lowest place in elevation.”
    Kinhaku was a sturdy man who rode a rokushaku and had long experience as a guardian. Due to his stalwart nature, he’d been named the nominal leader of the dozen or so other goushi.
    “And then level ground?”
    “A marsh. Because of the muddy ground, you should stay on your kijuu. Crossing the marsh will take a day. Fly as much as possible, just skimming the surface. The marshes are home to some vicious leeches.”
    “Are they poisonous?”
    “No, but they do like the taste of human blood.”
    “How’s the visibility?”
    “Poor. The place is thick with overgrown trees and rotten trunks and tall grass.”
    Gankyuu nodded. “So proceeding during the day wouldn’t present a problem?”
    “Perhaps not there. The tough going comes before. Nothing but fallen trees. No good hiding places. To make matters worse, with all the dead trees and rocks underfoot, you can easily lose your footing. If a flying youma swoops down out of the blue, you don’t stand a chance.”
    “Water?”
    “No good. After this, we can’t depend on wells and springs for potable water. We’ll have to use jug stones.”
    Jug stones were native to the Yellow Sea, having been popularized by the koushu. Placed in a jar or canteen, jug stones purified contaminated water.
    “So the hard part is getting to the marsh. Then the best time for crossing would be at night?”
    “Not necessarily. In terms of the risk, it’s six of one, a half-dozen of the other. The bigger question is how those accompanying us will react, it being drummed into their heads so long that the nighttime is bloody dangerous. If they raise a stink about it, it’ll have to be daytime.”
    “I figured as much.”
    “You three have fast kijuu. You could make it to the marsh in a flash.”
    “What about you?”
    “We’ve got three people on foot and the master on a horse.” Kinhaku’s mouth twisted into a slight grimace. “I’m hoping for them to make an appearance tonight.”
    “Yeah.”
    Gankyuu was agreeing under his breath when Shushou called out. “Gankyuu, dinner’s ready.”
    Gankyuu and Kinhaku started and glanced back over their shoulders. The girl peered down at them from a short ways off.
    “I’m coming,” Gankyuu said, getting to his feet.
    Squatted there on his haunches, Kinhaku chuckled. “That young lady of yours is holding up well.”
    “Yeah, well. ”
    “The first time I saw her, I really had to wonder. But she’s got steel in her spine. There