The Wrath of Silver Wolf (4 page)

Moonshadow sighed. Brother Eagle, the wise
and diplomatic, had ties to certain Iga ninja
masters and was highly respected among most
of the Clan Koga families. But if those shadow
houses were now sending Eagle hirelings that
he didn't personally know, could all of them be
trusted?

That was the hazard with freelancers; the
more of them you had to use, the greater the risk
that one would turn out to be an infiltrator . . . a
double agent, in this case, perhaps actually serving
the conspirators – or worse, the Order's ancient
enemy, the House of Fuma.

The agent seemed to read Moonshadow's
thoughts. 'These are doubly uncertain times.' He
shrugged. 'But every warrior class has its mercenaries,
neh? I can be relied upon. I bought
my independence from my clan because I wished
to marry a non-shinobi. But I honour the furube
sutra daily, and live by stringent oaths of service
to whomever hires me. Master Eagle can vouch
for my character.' His black eyes flicked over the
pair. 'And I know who you are. Master Eagle sent
me in all haste. I bring word.'

'
Master
Eagle?' Moon grinned. He hadn't called
Eagle that for a long time.

'His formal title, bestowed by the Iga as a mark
of respect.' The agent laughed softly. 'But of course,
I see you well know how humble he is. He prefers
Brother
.'

'Clan Iga trained you?' Snowhawk eyed him.
That's where you met Eagle?'

'Indeed,' the man said. 'Many years ago.' He
stared at Moonshadow. 'I too am schooled in the
Eye of the Beast, though I sense I'm far less gifted
than you.' He glanced over one shoulder. 'As I
hunted for Lord Akechi's roof – not easy for a man
from out of town, mind you – I saw a strange cat
watching my approach. Its markings suggested a
kimono cat, yet it had a long tail! I tried to link
with it, but it proved impervious to all attempts.
Were you already controlling it? At the third
level?' Moonshadow nodded and the spy shook
his head. 'Impressive. You are so young.'

'Thank you, sir. Now that we're done trying to
kill you –' Moon cast a cynical glance at Snowhawk
– 'what
is
your message from Brother Eagle?'

'Have you already achieved your primary
objective?' the agent asked. He watched the duo
nod. 'Good. There has been a change of plan
regarding the rest.'

Snowhawk gave Moon a suspicious look. 'Now
what?'

'Master Eagle bids you abandon your visit to
Yokohama. I will take over that assignment. He
further instructs as follows: since agent Snowhawk
has shown herself a particularly skilled and fast
rider, you must steal a horse and return to the
monastery at once.'

'Why?' they blurted in unison.

'Master Eagle needs you debriefed, briefed and
on the road north before dawn.'

'This is unheard of,' Moon frowned. 'What's
going on?'

'On the road to where?' Snowhawk asked.
'What
is
this urgent new mission?'

'Please,' the messenger wearily raised a hand.
'I brought an urgent dispatch to Edo that came
through a chain of country agents, by what path
exactly, I know not, though I knew the man
who handed it to me. Master Eagle took it from
my hand, read it, then ordered me to forget my
night's sleep and find you quickly.' His eyes flicked
earnestly between the young spies. 'I know nothing
beyond that already said. I swear it before Lord
Hachiman!' Moonshadow gave the freelancer an
appreciative nod, but as they made ready to leave,
he found himself studying the big stranger warily.

A disturbing question nagged at Moon.

Is this man really known to Eagle, or should I
have let Snowhawk kill him?

THREE
Summoned by
a sage

It was just before dawn, that time of the human
body's lowest ebb when assassins preferred to
strike. Reactions were slower, minds more easily
confused at this hour.

Snowhawk sat in the monastery's shadowy
briefing chamber, part of a circle of agents. A map
lay between them, surrounded by candles that cast
long shadows up the paper-screen walls. The silent
group stared down at the map.

The hand-brushed document had been
unrolled on the tatami matting and pinned at the
corners and centre with square brass weights. Each
weight was stamped with a different character:
water, earth, wind, fire, heaven. The map centred
on a road meandering north from Edo. It snaked
over farmlands, through hills and two remote
towns, the second on a river, before climbing into
the mountains.

Despite her sleepless night, Snowhawk's mind
was as clear as a high country stream, though not
solely due to her exceptional fitness and lifelong
training. Fear that Moonshadow would report
her shameful rage and bad discipline had filled her
with dread. But throughout their debriefing, he
hadn't said a word about it.

She glanced to where he too sat staring. What
did he think of her now?

Hopefully he'd be as forgiving as the rest of the
Grey Light Order seemed to be. At each stage of
her induction, Snowhawk had compared her new
trainers with the brutal instructors back at Clan
Fuma. The contrast was like night and day.

Fuma developed their child agents using fear
and threats, instilling a cold, arrogant sense of
elite pride. The Grey Light Order, despite their
varied shinobi backgrounds, behaved somewhat
like a family. They encouraged, rewarded and tried
to cultivate an earnest pride and the joy of noble
service, in their young spies.

What had surprised her most was how often
they joked and laughed. Such behaviour earned
beatings among the Fuma. The GLO not only
acknowledged flaws in a most unthreatened way,
but good-naturedly teased each other about them.
She had never seen that kind of banter among
those of the shadows. So it
was
possible to be both
shinobi
and
a person. Snowhawk bitterly recalled
a saying one of her Fuma coaches had made child
agents recite.
A punch for cheek, a kick for laziness
.
She closed her eyes. The oldest of the great shadow
clans were nothing more than a pack of bullies.

She sensed Moonshadow turn to watch her.
Sooner or later, they would have to discuss these
nasty, brooding feelings of hers. It was unavoidable,
now that they had started to escape her control.
Snowhawk prayed the others would never learn
of her fury. These people were strong
and
kind but
she didn't want to test the limits of that kindness.

It was no surprise that Moon had protected her
yet again. Young or not, he was as noble-hearted
as he was handsome. It hurt to think that she had
just failed him with her rooftop outburst.

Feeling his persistent gaze, Snowhawk blushed.
Before that discomfort could turn to squirming,
she opened her eyes and doggedly stared again at
the large map on the floor. An instinct made her
look up sharply.

Eagle, Mantis and Groundspider sat mutely
on their heels around the map, legs folded in the
traditional seiza position. The three stared at her.

Were they just waiting? She hoped none of
them could read minds.

Behind the trio, though uninvited, the temple
cat lounged and groomed herself.

'Has everyone now memorised this map?'
Brother Eagle flicked his long single plait of hair
over one shoulder. The circle nodded. 'Good.'
Moon, Snow, thank you for so quickly reporting
what you heard at Lord Akechi's palace and for
answering all my questions. You have served the
Shogun well. I am proud.'

Along with Moonshadow, Snowhawk replied
with a deep, seated bow.

'I am pleased, Snowhawk, that you feel you've
also taken this map in properly. I know our way
called passive recall is still somewhat new to you,
but I am confident of you mastering it quickly.'
He looked around the room, drawing nods from
the other teachers. 'We have trusted this Old
Country technique many times and found it most
reliable. To stare at a diagram or scene until the
information sinks deep into the mind, making
that knowledge the
fly
, your will the
spider
, and
your deepest memory the
web
. I'm sure you'll find
this way of ours ensures the strongest recall later.'

Snowhawk nodded humbly. Just after their
return journey on horseback, she and Moonshadow
had spoken of a web of a different kind, the
one the conspirators were weaving, perhaps right
across the empire. But who were they about to be
sent to eavesdrop on now? There were no castles,
garrisons or lords' seasonal palaces on that map!

Eagle sighed, running one hand over his shiny
bald head. 'Now let us speak of the reason you
cannot yet rest. A message has been received,
in verified code, from the White Nun. She has
foreseen an imminent attack on her mountain
shrine home.'

'Then we must get there in force, now.'
Groundspider shook his fist. 'As many –'

'No. Her message says that wise spirits whisper
on the wind that the GLO's two
youngest
agents
must be sent to lead her to safety. Only them. It is
destined, she says.'

Mantis turned his solemn eyes to Snowhawk.
'Arriving undetected is every bit as important as
arriving fast, for she believes this attack will not be
instant. Nonetheless, her instructions are that you
start out at once. On foot. No horses or litters.'

'It's never straightforward with the White
Nun, is it?' Groundspider's face creased. Eagle and
Mantis each turned to the young agent.

'Do I sense a complaint coming?' Mantis half-smiled
at Groundspider.

The powerfully built spy held up a hand. 'I
mean no disrespect. It's just the wording of her
order.' He gave Snowhawk a glib ghost of a bow.
'Now don't take offence, Snowy, but you're still on
probation, learning our ways with Moon there.'

'None taken.' She smiled coolly. 'But if you ever
call me Snowy again, I'll shove Saru-San through
the door next time you're in the bathhouse.'

Mantis quickly dropped his chin and covered
the bottom half of his face with one hand. His
eyes flicked up at Snowhawk. They were warm; he
liked her feisty spirit.

Groundspider waved his other hand. It was
bandaged. 'You keep that insane monkey away
from me.' He turned to Eagle. 'What I mean is,
technically, since Snowhawk is still in training,
Moon and I
are actually the GLO's youngest
agents.'

'He has a point.' Mantis folded his arms quickly,
robes swishing. 'The White Nun was instrumental
in our decision to train Moonshadow, but she
has yet to meet Snowhawk and officially approve
her.' Mantis raised his eyebrows at Brother Eagle.
'Having said that, I do think that she and Moon
are the ones to send.'

'Nnng.' Eagle gave a thoughtful frown. 'The
sage's insight is powerful and accurate, but often
hard to fathom. The challenge is always in the
details
.' He caught Snowhawk's eye. 'Whenever
her wishes appear cryptic, I adopt the same
stand: go with the most obvious meaning. If there
are no hints by which to judge, then take her
literally.'

'Fine then.' Groundspider pouted, gesturing at
his bandage. 'Leave me here to get ripped apart.'
He stared at Moonshadow. 'I don't hear you
supporting me. That monkey wants my head, only
the gods know why, but Badger protects it.'

Snowhawk stole a look at Moon. His eyes held
a glint of . . .
slyness
? Had he been using his powers
to set the monkey on Groundspider? She forced
herself not to smile.

Groundspider rounded on Eagle and gave it
a final try. 'Maybe she meant the two youngest
agents
must
go, but others
could
go with them?
Like me, for instance?'

'Dear Brother Groundspider,' Eagle said gently.
'Shut up.' Groundspider hung his big head.
'Moonshadow and Snowhawk will go. That is my
decision.'

Snowhawk grinned. Despite the way Groundspider
often baited her, she liked him. He bragged,
told ridiculous lies about his missions, and ate
as much as any sumo wrestler. His balance was
also imperfect, but his sword cuts so powerful she
believed he could cleave a horse in two. His twisted
sense of humour was irresistible. She recalled a fine
burst of it, only a few days back, out in one of the
monastery gardens.

'Oi, you two,' Groundspider had accosted
her and Moon excitedly. 'I've been working on
my own Old Country mind powers. I can read
thoughts now.'

'Liar,' Moon had said instantly.

'Yeah? Watch this! Think of something. I'll tell
you what it is.'

'Go ahead.' Moonshadow had rolled his eyes
sceptically. 'What am I thinking?'

'Stop. Anything but
that
,' Groundspider had
wagged a finger with mock gravity. 'That's the one
thought I can't read.' So it had gone on. And on.
'Nor that one,' he had said at the next try, then,
'or
that one
.'

His large face had stayed so serious. Eventually,
she had collapsed into laughter.

Moonshadow's voice broke her reverie.

'Brother Eagle, could you please lock the cat in
the maps room until we have left? It keeps following
me on missions, and I fear it will inevitably
come to harm.' He glanced fondly at the animal.
'After all, cats are everywhere,' Moon said, a little
wistfully, 'should I
need
to sight-join with one.'

'So many animals here now,' Groundspider
mumbled, 'let's import a panda next.'

A wicked glow lit Moonshadow's face.

'Per haps while I'm gone,
Brother Badger
could
look after . . .'

Groundspider suppressed a chuckle.

'Not Badger,' Brother Eagle said firmly. 'Your
cat's already at war with Badger's flea-ridden Saru.
If they had to share a room –' a tiny shudder
registered in Eagle's shoulders. He looked over at
the cat. 'No, that conjures up a vision of unspeakable
horror.' Eagle turned back to Moonshadow.
'And say, when are you going to
name
this creature?
I'm weary of saying
the cat
.'

Moon bowed humbly. 'I'll . . . come up with
something suitable.'

'What about a shinobi-sounding name for her?'
Groundspider enthused. 'How about
Stink Bomb
?'
Eagle silenced him with a sidelong glance. He
hung his head again.

Abruptly every face turned to the closed sliding
door. Snowhawk also heard it; two sets of feet,
approaching down the corridor. One very soft, the
other loud.

The paper screen door glided open. Heron
and Badger entered, bowing to the circle. Eagle
and Mantis nodded back. The three younger
agents bowed low.

Brother Badger rubbed one eye, cocking his
bald, randomly scratched head to one side. Snowhawk
saw a neatly folded piece of paper in his
hand.

Badger held it up and shook it hard. 'I hope
this
one
gets filed in its proper place when everyone's
finished arguing over it,' he grumbled.

Snowhawk avoided his gaze. Being woken early
didn't agree with Badger.

Heron flashed one of her patient, coaxing looks
and patted the archivist's shoulder. 'I'll see to that,
I've already promised. But you speak up now, tell
the others what you just told me. What niggled at
you, made you get up?' She gestured invitingly.

Everyone watched Badger, the circle of faces
now curious. Becoming the centre of attention
while half-asleep seemed to provoke him even more.
'Ah!' he snapped. 'I can't be certain so what's the
point? I'm going back to bed. You tell them, Heron!'

'My opinion,' Heron said softly, lowering her
eyes, 'carries less authority than yours. Please,
in this matter, we need your wisdom above all
else . . .' She bowed meekly.