Where the Reeds Grow Thick

Chapter Ten

Just before dusk, Hina prepared a small meal for them. The three ate in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Shige anticipated finding Eiichi, alive or dead.

After they finished eating, Hina showed them a map of the area, pointing out the different routes they could take and the best places to hide. Shige studied the map carefully, taking note of everything Hina said.

"You two can get some rest," Hina said. "You'll need your strength for tonight."

Takuma nodded. "Thank you."

Hina was quiet a moment, holding the blankets in her arms still. "I never asked..." she said. "I guess it's not my place, but, I'm curious--how are you and Shige related in all this? I doubt Shiba would let his servant take a lover of their own choice, and you aren't siblings."

Shige shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Oh, no, we hardly know each other," she insisted.

"Yes," Takuma concurred. "Shige found me wandering in the mountains, and her family gave me shelter. Now she's aiding me in my return to my master's home. She's a very resourceful woman."

Hina nodded, seemingly satisfied with their explanation. "I see," she said, tucking the blankets around them. "Well, get some rest. I'll keep watch."

Shige lay down on a pile of quilts; the fatigue from the long day settled in fast. Takuma sat cross-legged beside her, his eyes closed as he meditated; Shige watched him for a moment, admiring his focus.

As she drifted off to sleep, Shige wondered what Takuma was thinking about. Did he feel conflicted about betraying his lord? Or maybe he thought of the danger they were about to face. Did he ever think of his parents, like she thought of her mother?

Sleep wrestled her from these thoughts soon enough.

The sound of rustling woke her, and she sat up to see Takuma getting ready. "It's time," he said, his voice low.

Shige quickly got up and grabbed her bow and arrows. She couldn't afford to be caught off guard. She gripped Takuma's wrist as she followed Hina into the dark, though she felt he walked with more confidence than Shige ever could.

"Good," Hina whispered. "It's a new moon; we'll have the cover of dark."

They made their way to the bandit's camp, hugging the shadows and avoiding the crackling twigs underfoot. As they approached the edge of the camp, they heard muffled voices and the sound of clinking cups.

Takuma wrenched Shige's hand from his wrist and handed her his shortsword. "You know how to stab," he whispered. "You won't need to actually do that, but if this goes awry... You and Hina, go to the treeline; I'll make a distraction, and you two grab the first man that comes over."

He stumbled forward, his hands patting the shrubbery until he found the clearing. "Excuse me," he said in a sing-song dialect. "I hear voices. Can anyone help a blind man who's gotten lost in the woods? I've been roaming for days."

Shige was glad she gave him peasant clothes to wear; she watched with wringing hands as he walked closer to the bandits.

The bandits laughed and jeered at Takuma's plea for help. "He came here for help? He must be on a suicide mission," said one bandit.

Takuma continued to walk forward, his hands outstretched in a show of vulnerability. "I beg of you. My sister is waiting further down, I'm sure, and I don't want to worry her."

Another bandit stood up, his hand on his hilt. "Quiet down, all of you. The man has a pretty sister who needs her brother back. Move forward, shrimp."

Shige held her breath, her hand gripping the hilt of the sword tightly. Takuma held onto the bandit's arm, chattering loudly with him as they approached the trees. She backed up with Hina the further they approached, until a large patch of bushes formed a dead end.

"Now," Hina whispered.

Takuma knocked the man out with a punch to the head, and Hina moved to grab the man's feet. Swiftly, the three dragged him to the village's ox shed. Inside the shed, Shige and Hina tied the man to a post and doused him with water. The bandit groaned as he came to.

"I must have tripped," Takuma said flatly. "I apologize if I struck you."

The bandit groaned again, trying to pull his hands free from the rope that bound him to the post. He looked around, his eyes widening in fear as he saw the three people standing in front of him.

Shige pointed Takuma's sword at the bandit's skinny throat. "You... y-you tell me where my brother is right now. Eiichi, of Yamazaki village, my height, four moles on his jaw," she demanded with a shivering voice.

Shige's hand shook with anger and fear. She didn't want to kill him, but she couldn't let him get away without any information. Before she could make a decision, Hina stepped forward, taking the sword from Shige's hand.

"Let me handle this," Hina said, her voice low and calm. "I have a way with these types."

With a sigh of relief, Shige stepped back. Hina knelt down in front of the terrified bandit, her eyes meeting his. She spoke softly, but firmly. "Good evening. Remember me, Junta? You should. You looked me dead in the eyes while you stabbed my husband to death. Your friend Nasu bashed my son's head in with my teapot, just so I'd give you my rice. My son was four-years-old, but he was far braver than you."

The bandit's face paled at the sound of Hina's words. His eyes widened as he tried to comprehend what Hina was saying. He stuttered, trying to form words, but nothing came out.

"You didn't think I'd recognize you, did you?" Hina continued, her voice filled with disdain. "You and your friends have caused enough suffering. Now, tell us where Eiichi is, or we will give you a second mouth."

Hina pricked the bandit's throat with the sword tip, and he yelped. "We never took anyone from Yamazaki, I swear," he pleaded. "And--and never anyone short like you, lady. Short ones don't last long as slaves. You two're pretty cute, though."

Takuma kicked the man in the back. "No games. Do you know of him or not?"

"No, or at least nobody ever said they were from there. Let me go and I'll tell my boss we should leave."

"You expect me to believe that?" Hina scoffed. "You're a bandit and a murderer. I doubt you'll be able to keep that promise."

Shige stepped forward, shoving her hands under her armpits to hide their tremor. "If you don't know where he is, tell us where the other bandits are. Maybe one of them knows something."

The man shook his head, turning to look at Takuma. "I recognize him; he's Shiba Hidemasa's servant. Ask your lord, he'll tell you—he knows where all the bandit groups hide. I can't say anything more, or they'll kill me for sure."

With a grimace, Hina stepped beside the man and slit his throat. As he bled out, she looked him dead in the eyes. "I'll kill you for sure."

Shige squeezed her eyes shut, gritting her teeth. "What if he really knew something?"

"He would never betray his comrades," said Takuma. "We would need to capture the bandit leader, and that's nigh impossible without my lord Shiba's help."

They made their way back to Hina's home, only stopping briefly to bury the bandit's body beneath a fallen log. Shige felt sick at the sight of his throat gaping open, and she tried to ignore the blood seeping into the soil.

She prayed for the man's soul, asking the Four Heavenly Kings to grant Hina leniency for taking a life.

As they approached her front door, Hina placed a strong palm against Shige's cheek. "You two should leave soon, before the bandits realize where you came from. If your brother turns up, I'll try to send for you."

Shige bowed. "May the Triple Jewel bless you."

"Well, I won't refuse a blessing," Hina said with a smile. "You've helped me more than you know. I'll be in debt to you until my dying day."