This is the next part of Kumari's story, a sequel to "Hunting Night". Enjoy!
The heavy axe didn’t cut deep. The worst winter in the last ten years had hardened the wood, as well as the woodcutter’s muscles. Maybe even his heart had lost its energy. He tried again, but the blade barely scratched the tree, so he stopped. He recalled the last time he had help to tear down a tree, but it wasn’t a good memory. All those who had helped him then were dead for some time.
Having heard the sound of horses approaching, Kumari sighed and dropped the axe, remembering that his servants shouldn’t see him doing their job. He pulled his sleeves down and headed back to the castle, but stopped when he noticed someone hidden amongst the trees.
“Are you there, Soji?”
Hesitant, the boy revealed himself, his clothes dirty from work.
“I was watching, my lord. I didn’t want you to be attacked by surprise while busy.”
The noble smiled and messed up the boy’s hair as they went back to the castle. Any sign of good mood was gone by the time they reached the gates, where a patrol was dismounting. Their leader stepped forward and bowed down to his lord, awaiting permission to speak.
“Give me good news, Oda.”
“I’m sorry, my lord.”
Kumari hid the sadness under a cold mask as he listened to the report. Oda was facing difficulties to contain the assaults of the bandits that roamed through his lands. The attack of the lizard-demons in the previous summer cost the lives of many soldiers, and the fief remained even less protected since Kumari was released from the debt with Sesshomaru’s family. The thrill of that moment vanished during the winter, and now only his worries about the future remained.
“And the recruiting?” Kumari asked, interrupting the report.
“It’s not easy. Few peasants join the militia in good will, and from those that accept it, few are really capable of handling a spear. Most of them have seen too few winters.”
The noble assented, and looked discreetly to Soji, who watched from the distance.
“I don’t want children carrying weapons in my lands. The men we have shall be enough.”
“There’s one more thing, sir.” Oda showed a bloodstained letter. “We found this yesterday, in the belongings of a dead messenger. I believe the bandits killed him.
Kumari huffed in anger and opened the letter, hoping that it at least would bring good news. But he didn’t know how to react to the contents. Given the circumstances, he wasn’t sure of it would be a good idea to have guests.
