Chapter 16
1181 Words
Aryah continued putting away her harp. Kai knit his brows in puzzlement.
“I think you can still continue with your practice, Miss Aryah.”
“I suppose I can, but I’d rather not,” she replied.
“Like I said before, a broken string is a very bad omen amongst us musicians. It usually means something bad will happen to the one whose string got broken.”
“Do you believe in it then,” Kai asked, a worried look in his eyes.
“Not really. I’m not a very superstitious person.”
“But why are not going to continue your practice session?”
“Because of the broken string.”
“My apologies Miss Aryah, but I’m afraid I don’t quite follow what you mean.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Perhaps I should explain then. Other musicians sometimes subscribe to the ‘broken string’ excuse to stop practicing, which is why they came up with this silly superstition. It’s actually a way for them to skip practice sessions because they often get tedious and boring.”
“Well, I understand what you mean. In a way, Miss Aryah. I undergo constant training and practice every day. At times, you can get yourself killed if you make a false step.”
“And the other times?”
“You get bored out of your skull doing the same movements over and over again.”
She giggled. And he liked the sound of it. It made him feel like there was a tiny and warm, sparkling ball of soft light glowing inside of him.
“Well, my situation isn’t as drastic as that,” Aryah replied, after composing herself. “But I don’t like to make excuses. I love music, and I want to spend as much time possible with what I love.”
There was a twinge of pain again at her words, but he cast it aside. He doesn’t want her to know, and he made a vow to never let her know …
I too want to spend as much time as possible with the one I love …
“So I don’t want to cease my practice sessions for a silly reason. I stop, but not because of that superstition.”
“And why did you stop today?”
“Because of the broken string,” she repeated. “Because a broken string means it wasn’t strung properly. Or it must be repaired, and the instrument re-strung. That’s all.”
Secretly, he let out a sigh of relief.
One of these days, you’re going to be the death of me, beloved …
“So what will you do now, since you have no more practice sessions for the day?”
Aryah shrugged. “Set this aside and re-string it later, I guess. I will also inform Lord Matsuda as well that one of my harp strings snapped so I will need to fix it. Thank goodness he has no performance scheduled for today.”
“Will he mind it so much if you didn’t practice today?”
“Oh no, he won’t mind at all. Lord Matsuda is a very understanding man who has a true appreciation for music, including those from other lands. He knows I have just cause for not continuing a practice session.”
“That is good to know, Miss Aryah.”
“He is a kind and open-minded person, and it’s a blessing to be a part of his household. He has also generously taken me and my ah, sister under his wing when we made our way here to Yashima,” the young harpist smiled.
She turned to him. “So tell me, Kai. How have you been treated by Lord Matsuda? Does he also treat you well?”
“My clan has been doing what it has done in Yashima for a long time, and it has also served Lord Matsuda’s family for many generations. I am well aware that what we do is not fit to be discussed publicly and in polite company, but such is our mission and how we serve the people of this kingdom. And what we do is provide something that is quite unpleasant - but necessary.”
Aryah gave him a smile of understanding, causing Kai’s supposedly nonexistent heart beat a little faster. “It’s all right if you don’t wish to share any details, Kai. I won’t ask for them.”
“I thank you for your consideration, Miss Aryah. And to answer your question - Lord Matsuda is as good a master I could ever hope to serve.”
“Then I’m happy for you and your clan, Kai.”
“Thank you for your time, Miss Aryah.” In turn, Kai smiled at her and then bowed. “I will take my leave then.”
“Goodbye then. Take care and be safe.”
In an unseen gush of wind, the young shinobi vanished.
“Kai …” she whispered.
It would be nice to have another chat with him again …
Her cheeks turned a faint pink at that wayward thought.
---------------------
On that very same day, Baron Shingo was relaxing in the garden of his estate. It was a magnificent work of landscaping, grand and sweeping. The grassy areas were green and well-trimmed. Vast pine trees with unusually-shaped crooked trunks and gnarled branches grew next to tall, majestic cypresses with vivid green leaves. Here and there were giant ornamental black and gray rocks representing mountains and hills. Other flowering plants were also present, such as rare peonies, camellias, cherry blossoms, irises and chrysanthemums. Serving as a contrast to all that splendid greenery, the garden also had open-air painted pavilions, elaborately-decorated gazebos and exquisite little rooms built for appreciating aspects of the garden during the changing of the seasons.
All in all, it was quite the nobleman’s garden, as Baron Shingo’s friends and hangers-on often declared loudly. But not a few them privately thought it was a bit on the ostentatious side. But knowing how he was, they wisely kept their thoughts to themselves. Besides, the baron likes the garden just the way it is.
Today, Baron Shingo was lounging around in one of the little rooms. The windows were open to let in the early afternoon light. There was a black-and-gold lacquered tray near his elbow, placed on a low wooden table. A white porcelain bottle containing the finest-quality sake was on the tray. The baron cradled a ceramic saucer-like cup filled with that sake in his hand.
There was a malicious-looking smile on his face.
“Is everything ready?” he spoke aloud, addressing the seemingly-empty room.
“Yes,” the invisible shinobi replied.
The baron’s smile deepened, making him look even crueler.
“Go.”
- Writer
