The Wings of Dreams

trunk. Though clearly in pain, he was in no fear for his life. A moment later the horse behind him reared.
    “There something in the water.”
    “Leeches, it would appear.”
    Shushou glared at him. “Another one of those things you knew and said nothing about?”
    “There wouldn’t be a point.”
    “What kind of person are you?”
    “A little late to be asking questions like that. I suppose you want me to say something like: There are leeches in the marsh. They bite. If you don’t wrap your legs with leather when you’re wading through the water, it’s gonna hurt. ”
    “Yes.”
    “How very kind of you. And all the people who didn’t happen to bring along the right kind of leather straps, what about them?”
    “They, um—”
    “Or you could just laugh at them: We have kijuu, so it’s not a problem for us. Too bad for you. Would that make you feel better?”
    Shushou stared daggers at him but swallowed her anger. “Couldn’t you at least ferry across the people on foot with the haku and suugu?”
    “Don’t spout nonsense. The last thing we want is all of them turning to us every time the going gets tough. That’s one habit easier to not make than to break. Push comes to shove, I’m taking just you and running away fast.”
    “But—”
    “What’s up?” said Kinhaku, climbing the bank from the marsh.
    “The young lady thinks we should be rushing to everybody’s aid.”
    “That’s crazy.”
    Shushou let out a loud sigh. “Now that you mention it, cooperation is not a word found in your vocabulary.”
    Kinhaku held his sides and laughed.
    “What?”
    “ Cooperation is the kind of word incompetents toss around when they find themselves up the creek without a paddle. I understand the sentiment, Miss, but people who can helping out people who can’t does not, by itself, qualify as cooperation. The word you’re looking for in that case is baggage. ”
    Shushou fixed her glare on Kinhaku. “I see. How koushu think is becoming quite clear to me.”

    They made camp that evening on the rise of a hill in one of the expected clearings. The days had grown longer during the journey. Within the ever-present forest, it wasn’t that noticeable. But after dinner, it was still light enough to walk around.
    Even taking a casual stroll warmed up Shushou enough to roll up her sleeves.
    She eventually headed over to where Shitsu Kiwa was preparing dinner. There was the wagon and carriage his retinue had struggled so valiantly to haul along, with the tent pitched off the back. The fire was smaller and much less noticeable. Kiwa had eventually taken to heart the example set by the koushu.
    “Well, if it isn’t Shushou!” The man himself called out to her. Kiwa was seated next to the fire. “Finally succumbed to the temptations of tent life?”
    “Oh, no. Seems some of your attendants got hurt crossing the swamp.”
    “Yes, those strange leeches. The men on foot got bit all over.” He added with a sigh, “And the horses too.”
    “Shitsu-san, why didn’t you ask the goushi about the best way to cross the swamp?”
    Kiwa blinked in surprise at the question. “I knew the goushi wrapped their legs with leather. We observed and copied what they did, but didn’t have the same kind of leather straps on hand. We ended up with a few injuries as a result.”
    A smile rose to his round, full face. “Chodai and his group went off searching for a detour. They haven’t arrived yet. For their own safety, I hope they make it before it gets too dark.”
    “If there was somebody here who knew more about the Yellow Sea than Gankyuu, I’d be asking him about the safest way to make the journey.”
    “They’re not likely to tell you, these goushi.”
    “That’s not necessarily the case. Gankyuu goes to them for advice all the time.”
    “Gankyuu is a corpse hunter. They’re birds of a feather.”
    “That’s not it. Really. Other people do the same thing, not just Gankyuu. Instead of just copying what they do, asking them straight out seems to me the fastest way to get the whole story. That way, everybody can travel as safely as possible.”
    Kiwa raised his ring-festooned hands. “Shushou, you see, I had one my stewards go around and make subtle inquiries. But the goushi’s answers never got to the point. It might be better to simply hire one, even at this late date. But they are all committed to seeing their employers the rest of the way, and won’t collect the balance of their fees if they