The Demon and the Nightingale

Chapter 12

            Meanwhile, intense and heated discussions continued within the Yamanoha clan hideout. Once the clan elders, Masters Gorō and Jūzō, had made their points emphatically clear, it seemed to wake up the audience. Questions that some were once afraid to ask were now given a voice. Many spoke up and debated on what to do. The talks continued well into the night …

            “Someone from Lord Matsuda’s household was kidnapped, as you already know. But thanks to Kai, she was quickly and quietly rescued, and brought back safely to his manor,” Master Gorō went on.

            “Lord Matsuda himself gave the orders, didn’t he?” one of the shinobi spoke.

            “Of course, Junto. And of course, it is already quite obvious who ordered that kidnapping. The thing is, Lord Matsuda himself knows who did it. And the one who rescued Miss Aryah.”

            Master Jūzō made a snorting sound of contempt from his place. “And of course, that elder son of his can’t keep a tight rein on his baser instincts. He doesn’t know when to stop, and this little kidnapping fiasco of his is simply the latest in a long line of idiotic shenanigans of that blustering fool.”

            “That will definitely jeopardize his chances of being named Lord Matsuda’s heir,” put in Master Gorō. “Both father and son have been clashing against each other for more than a decade over that sensitive issue.”

            Another young shinobi, Kenta, spoke up. “Why does Lord Matsuda not name his younger son heir instead?”

            “Aye! Better him than that noisy bozo of a baron!” said Shinta, the shinobi sitting next to him.

            “Because unfortunately, Baron Hiroki does not want it.” The reply was given by another female shinobi, Eri, who also works as one of the junior maids in Baron Hiroki’s household. Most of the servants in the younger son’s manor are unaware of it, of course.

            “That is true,” Master Gorō assented. “The younger son has many fine qualities that Lord Matsuda himself favors. But he does not have a lot of experience in managing clan affairs. He also needs to work on his leadership abilities. And not only that. As Eri already said, Baron Hiroki does not want it.”

            “He’s a weakling then?” This came from another member of the audience, a small shop owner who sends supplies of fabric to the Yamanoha clan.

            “No, Seigo,” answered Master Jūzō. “Baron Hiroki is simply a man who takes his time. He’s a man of thought, not a man of action.”

            “Well, I don’t know about you Master Jūzō, but lying around dawdling and waiting for the right time doesn’t always work. Sometimes, it is best to strike when the iron is hot, so to speak. You can’t form anything anymore once that iron has cooled,” Seigo replied.

            Still chewing on his grass stalk, Tatsuya smirked at Seigo’s words. Being a smith as well as a shinobi, he has every right to do so.

            “And what would the rest of us do then, Seigo? Let the elder son, Baron Bozo ride roughshpd over the rest of us and boss us around?” Shinta retorted.

            “Sorry but I will have to agree with Shinta,” Eri said. “True, he’s not the martial type of man. And I personally think he could use a stronger backbone. He also spends too much time cooped up in his library with all his books and scrolls. But at least he treats his household well. None of us servants have anything bad to say about him.”

            “But Master Gorō, do you think Lord Matsuda will make a public announcement and officially declare Baron Shingo his heir? Or will he go against the usual protocols and pass on the title to Baron Hiroki?” The question was asked by a female elder, Mistress Sumiko.

            “Either way, whatever decision Lord Matsuda makes, we have to remain vigilant and watch every step each and every member of the Yamanoha clan makes. If Hiroki is named the heir, Baron Shingo will most likely try to get back at him,” Master Jūzō spoke.

            “Aye, that he will do, and he doesn’t care if it will be his own flesh and blood. He also knows that Hiroki will not put up much a resistance, given that he is a man of thought and not a man of action,” said Master Gorō.

            “But if, by a stint of misfortune, Lord Matsuda names the elder son as his heir, it will not be in our favor also. In fact, it may even turn out to be an even worse situation for our clan. We will become his toys, his pawns to do whatever he pleases. And we know how many of us will be very unwilling to do that,” spoke Master Jūzō.

            Mistress Sumiko shook her head in anxiety. “And this will bring about long-lasting negative consequences to our clan. We not only serve the Matsuda family. We also serve the people of Yashima.” The wizened old woman lay back on her high-backed wooden chair. Like Baron Hiroki, this will be a long night for the Yamanoha clan.

            Master Gorō was in deep thought, and they were very disturbing to say the least.

            Have I read the signs wrong? Did I misinterpret things? What will become of our clan … ?

                                                                            ---------------------

            At the same time, the aged aristocrat Lord Takeo Matsuda has finally made up his mind. Within himself, in his heart of hearts, he knew it was the right decision. No, it was the only decision that made sense, both legally and morally. He could only hope and pray that his sons, both of them, will be able to see the wisdom of his decision. That he can persuade the irascible, arrogant Shingo, that by thinking of others, of the greater good, it can make him a better man, not a son who continues to bring him shame.

            And that Hiroki not only finds purpose and meaning as he hones his mind and wits in worthy intellectual goals. But in being able to find a different sort of strength and direction in quick decisive will and action.