The welcome that they received once behind the gates was a warm one. It was with more than a little bewilderment that they were to take note of how each and every single one of the guards that stood about the gates, or to either side of them bowed his head towards them. This respectful treatment immediately worked to allay the concerns of the new arrivals, with Harukor and Akito both grinning widely at one another and Akemi. She for her own part was to flush bright red, as she was hardly accustomed to such good treatment and only wished that her hair was cleaner, and that she was wearing a cleaner, and more impressive dress than that which she presently wore. No less pleased than they, in spite of his wounds Shinkei was to smile a pained grin that garnered more than a little concern from some of the men.

  Murmurs soon overtook the whole of the courtyard with every single man present all around them staring in visible surprise and amazement. None of them had foreseen the possibility that a survivor might arrive from the battle that had seen the end of Yoshinobu. It was but a few seconds before they were to call to send for the lord, at which time a boy was despatched to do just that.

  It was with more than a little disconcertment that the lord of the castle received the news whilst in the midst of waiting for his breakfast to be served. No less amazed at the revelation that there was a survivor of the recent massacre, of which he still awaited more news about. What surprised him all the more was the knowledge that for a man to have flown from battle was punishable with death therefore to his mind it was madness to hurry forth from the north to the south.

  If indeed Satomine had suffered defeat, he was disgraced. Certainly exceptions had been made in the past, and yet they were considered truly exceptional and remarkable. It was with his confidence utterly shaken he prayed to Hachiman that there might be one made once more. Ashigaru were permitted to retreat, just as lower captains and lower ranking bushi and yet for one who had served as herald of a great lord it was very likely to result in his death.

  This knowledge darkened Satomine’s mood, so that when he saw Yōsashima arrive as fast as his feet could carry him he did not greet him with the same bright gaze he had the last time he had seen him. To the contrary, his gaze was darkened with melancholy, so that where the prior time Yōsashima was hardly pleased now it was he who was amused and relieved.

  The man received him with a hearty cheer, saying to him, “You! I know you, the herald of my good friend Yoshinobu-dono!”

  “Yes, tonō,” Satomine confirmed only to add when the man stared, “It is Satomine, I acted as herald for Takimoto-dono.”

  The last time he had met the old baron, he had comported himself cheerfully so that he had charmed him. Satomine could vividly recall how warmly the old man had chortled and how cheerfully he had comported himself with regards to the bushi and those others who were attached to the head of the Takimoto clan.

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  At present though there was none of that same warmth, only a hint of uncertainty and amazement, which soon metamorphosed into displeasure. This made the former herald of the Takimoto wonder as to why should the man in command of the fortress at the crossroads might show such irritation towards him.

  As swift as these emotions flashed across his flat face, they disappeared no less quickly to be replaced by an impassive mask. “For what reason have you come hither, and without thy lord? And who are these peasants and that monk who lies dying thereupon the steed behind thee?”

  At his questions the bushi felt embarrassed. He knew that to return south risked death, yet still he had an obligation to speak up even as he froze with momentary fear. Swallowing this unwelcome emotion he bowed his head still lower saying as he did so, “It happens tonō that Takiomoto-dono has fallen.”

  There was a great gasp that spread throughout the courtyard. Every lady looked as though she might swoon, even as the children shrunk back and to a man the men-folk stared in rapt horror at the new-arrival.

  Yōsashima for his part pursed his lips and replied almost at once, “Why should I not have ye all slain for desertion and cowardice?”

  Stunned at his words, those behind Satomine paled. Akemi’s breath coming out in short gasps even as Akito swallowed audibly. The bushi for his part emboldened by the memory of his prior visit and of the charge he carried in the form of Yoshinobu’s head and corpse, and Kazokiri retorted evenly. “Because it would be the height of folly not to help care for our companion, and to help speed me on my way that I might fly to Mononobe and warn the Takimoto of what has come to pass in the north.”

  It was but a brief moment during which Yōsashima was visibly discomfited by the words of the younger bushi, and looked as though he might well throw him outside the gates. It was a notion that did not seem to occur to him alone, with the likes of Satomine and Harukor and Akito along with Akemi all exchanging worried glances.

  It happened that it was the young woman who throwing herself forward, to cling to the knees of the great baron begged him, “Please Yōsashima-dono! My uncle, he is wounded and could well die! Help him!”

  This caused the baron to soften if slightly as he regarded the young woman with unease and pity, evidently moved by her plight. Turning his gaze to several of his men he was to command them, “Take her uncle and have him seen to, send for Iori-dono, and tell him the old man’s health is of the utmost importance.”

  “Oh thank you, so very much tonō we are truly indebted to you!” Akemi cried full of joy and gratitude to him for this act of kindness.

  The man studied her for a moment as she threw herself to the ground, bowing and weeping before him and something in him softened then. His countenance gave way to an inner gentility ever so slightly so that Satomine felt his concerns about the possibilities of the old man having betrayed Yoshinobu diminish ever so slightly.

  “Come now Satomine-kun, I would hear more of what has happened in the north, especially of the death of my beloved liege, Yoshinobu-dono!” Yōsashima growled as he shook himself from his momentary softness so that he transformed himself once more into the great northern bear he had appeared to be previously.

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