Twelve Kingdoms_translated novel

Chapter 8

The heavens were suffused with a cold, starry light. Across the surface of the earth a constellation of artificial stars traced the outlines of the city.

The panther-beast soared over the bay as if swimming through the air. The speed of their departure stole her breath away, yet strangely she did not feel the fierce and expected wind and so had little sense of their velocity. She knew how fast they must be going only from the rate at which the cityscape disappeared behind her.

No matter how much she pleaded no one answered her.

With no way to judge the rate of their progress, her fear in this regard subsided, and instead shifted to the uncertain nature of their destination.

The panther-beast turned towards the open sea. She could no longer see Keiki astride his flying creature. He had promised this was to be a long journey.

Along with her exhaustion, a profound sense of indifference overcame her. She gave up, ceased her protests. And now that she thought about it, as she shifted her limbs about, she was not uncomfortable. The woman's arms were warm around her waist.

Youko hesitated, then asked, "Are they still after us?" She twisted around to look at the woman.

She said, "They are legion." Yet her voice was gentle and somehow reassuring.

"Who are you?"

"We are servants of the Taiho. Now face yourself forward. He would not be pleased if I dropped you."

Youko reluctantly straightened. All she could see was the dark sky and the dark ocean, the faint light of the stars, the faint white light of the waves. A high, winter moon. Nothing else.

"Keep hold of the sword. Under no circumstances should you let it out of your possession."

The reminder struck within Youko a chord of fear. It could only mean that more gruesome battles faced them.

"The enemy?"

"They pursue us. But Hyouki is fast. Do not worry."

"Then . . . "

"Make sure you do not lose the scabbard either."

"The scabbard?"

"The sword and scabbard are a pair and must be kept together. The jewel attached to the scabbard is there for your protection."

Youko looked down at the sword in her arms. A blue-green sphere the size of a ping pong ball was attached to the ends of the ornamental cord wound around the scabbard.

"These?"

"Yes. Hold them and see for yourself. It should be cool enough to tell."

Youko grasped the spheres. The sensation gradually seeped into her palms. "They're warm."

"You will find them of use whenever you are wounded or sick or fatigued. The sword and scabbard are valuable treasures. Always know where they are."

Youko nodded. She was thinking of her next question when their speed suddenly slowed.

The white moon shone in a halo on the dark water. The intensity of the reflection weaving across the waves grew as they descended, almost as if the moonlight itself was exciting the whitecaps into a lively froth. Closer and she could see the surface of the ocean churning into a waterspout.

Youko realized that the panther-beast was about to dive directly into the ring of light at the center of the sparkling whirlpool.

"I can't swim!"