Where the Reeds Grow Thick

Chapter Three

Two days passed, beginning the wait for Eiichi's return. Shige spent most of the time sewing, sowing, chopping, roasting, and everything in between. The following night would be the cookout, and all the women in the village cooked large pots of food.

For once, the governor allowed for the roasting of fish. Shige sat with her mother and sister in the kitchen this evening, shucking beans.

"Are we still gathering by the river, or are the fishermen bringing the fish up to the villages?" asked Shige. "I doubt soldiers would hurt us, but... I worry."

Mother tapped her fingers on the floor. "We cook by the river; there'll be enough people there that threat is minimal."

"What does minimal mean?" said Sachi.

"'Very little,'" Mother answered. "We don't need to worry."

The three sat silently with their work, listening to laborers singing. The rice paddies and soybean fields were the busiest workplaces in the springtime, each morning filled with song, and by autumn, it would be time for sesame and linen. Work was never over; it was all the town of Yamazaki knew.

"I think that's enough beans," Mother said. "We'll grind them before dinner. Put them back in the water, girls."

The pot practically overflowed with red beans; the rest were thrown to the birds outside. Shige watched the mountains as she shifted into her zori. The sun was just setting, but they still had plenty of time to work. 1470 would be a year of great harvest, she was sure.

The fat, stubby head of Mt. Tennō stood 270 meters above the town, a cooling shade to the midday heat. Pressing her palms together, she closed her eyes and prayed.

"O-Gozu Tennō-kami, though you are a protector of the ill, please protect our crops from blight this year. May your shrine within this mountain be an everlasting salve."

Shige opened her eyes with a start at the sound of running feet. Itsui ran at full tilt toward the home, her stout body bouncing with her urgent steps. "Open your gate, Shige! Hurry up, we need to evacuate!"

The words froze Shige's blood; all manner of ideas ran through her head, the worst involving Eiichi. Running into the house with Itsui, she pushed past the curtains to the kitchen. "Mother, Itsui says there's an emergency," she said as calmly as she could.

"There's a group of samurai at Shōtarō-shuchō's house," Itsui practically screamed. "We all need to meet there!"

Mother didn't hesitate. As she approached, she untied the straps that held up her sleeves. "Go, I'll bring Sachi."

Whatever was happening, something about it felt connected to the mountain; there were no more than two samurai posted to Ōyamazaki at a time.

Itsui and Shige reached the door to Shōtarō's large abode as fast as they could. Everyone stood before his doorstep, talking amongst themselves; six samurai horses were tied to his horse posts, their tassels and fine leather reins flapping in the breeze.

Shige took Itsui's hand in hers. "What's happening? Where are the samurai?" she asked.

"They're in the house," a man beside her answered. "Three samurai and two of their servants. We don't know anything else."

After a time, Sachi arrived with their mother, and Shōtarō finally exited his home. Shige's heart beat so hard that it hurt, watching the three samurai behind him.

Shōtarō looked quite small next to the armor-clad men; his eyes were wide as a spooked deer as he spoke. "Good evening, everyone!" he called out. "I've been informed that a battle is approaching from the north. These gentlemen were sent by the Daimyo to explain further. Gentlemen, please."