The Four Wheel Saga Book 1: THE LEGACY TRIALS

Chapter 5: Crows Come to Roost 3

A bunch of Kento's cousins stepped out of the crowd. They were twelve in number. Akako and Shigeo had also joined the bunch. Apparently, being called a 'little lady' had irked Akako. Kento did not leave his seat, turning a cold shoulder to the elbow nudges of the kids.

Yuuki relocated a hundred feet away from the pavilion and marked a black burnt circle on the ground, with flaming kitsu. It was about seven feet in diameter.

Yuuki(loudly): "The objective is to either make me step out of this circle, or land a direct hit on me- physically or with kitsu. You can attack me together, or one at a time. All weapons are permitted. You can charge when I give the signal. Ah, I almost forgot, the winner will receive five whale tokens to the Shibai Matsuri."

Yuuki held five small blue strips of wood to the crowd- the reward- five whale tokens. The Shibai Matsuri commemorated the annual consecration of the Shibai Sharin- mother goddess of the continent of Kinenhi; she was feared and worshipped by all. The festival was set off on the following day of the consecration and included a grand carnival- with parades of kitsu floats, dancers in elaborate costumes and masks. There were theatrical plays, beast fights, and betting games; vendors from far-off lands with exotic foods and rare trinkets for sale. It went on for three days and three nights. A whale token could purchase an entire day of delicious food and other attractions. The lure was encouraging enough for the young Mikashita volunteers, who looked forward to the festival every year.

The aspirants included a twenty-year-old bladesmith apprentice, Daigo, and a nineteen-year-old Sharin priest, Kafu. They were picked as leaders, as they were the most experienced in combat. Daigo had an exhaustible supply of petty knives at all times; small blades with petite handles and acutely sharp edges. A skilled fighter could throw them, several at a time, like darts, and riddle the enemy. Often, these were laced with venom. Kafu was proficient in bestial kitsu, and fire was his favoured element. The aspirants split into two groups of six, led by Daigo and Kafu, respectively.

Yuuki stood towards the east, on the open side of the training grounds, with his back to the sun. He looked gallant, his robe beating a staccato against the wind. The excited whisperings of the ladies among the kin-members and the household staff started growing.

gave

Off the

group sprinted towards the north, in

full of petty knives- four on each. He whipped his arms and flicked his wrists, one after another, and the knives flew towards Yuuki- in

tear into him, Yuuki somersaulted a foot forward- into the barrage and landed softly. The pavilion crowd gasped; that move was suicidal; he must be riddled

of Daigo. The preceptor had plucked them from the air in one sweeping caper. The youngsters in the crowd

taken a parabolic path and were just thirty feet away when the priest unleashed

Doi-kitsu! Fire

little fire-shrews flared onto the ground and scampered towards Yuuki. The crowd cheered, kindled by the sudden change in momentum of the battle. The fire-shrews skittered

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255