It did not take Kondo long to reach the door of the Severn Sparrows Okiya in the heart of the Old Capital. For one, the ninja had left Mori’s horse and cart undisturbed. Kondo had freed the beast from the cart and took off like a gale throughout the city. Though this was most irregular, passersby did not attempt to hinder him but merely stared or shouted empty threats. Once he reached a place where many people were gathered, he frantically asked around for the Seven Sparrow Okiya and was given an answer within minutes. From there, he headed towards the place that was given and eventually found himself racing down a narrow corridor with multi-level wooden buildings.

  Once he found the entrance to the okiya, he jumped down from the horse and hurriedly rapped on the door. Several moments passed before he knocked again, this time with more force.

  “Please,” he begged. “I need you to open. This is a matter of life and death.”

  Soon, he could hear footsteps approaching the door. The quiet click of a locking mechanism was followed by the sound of a sliding door scraping along its wooden path.

  The door opened slightly, just enough for him to see two eyes glaring back at him. He was breathing heavily and must have seemed like a madman, partially covered with bandages and having a gaunt, skeletal appearance.

  “Go away!” the person within the door hissed. “If you want to see a girl, you must either pay ahead of time or visit an establishment. That is the way of things, and it has always been such. You have no right to come here in the middle of the night and…”

  Kondo shook his head wildly. “No! You misunderstand me! I do not need to see any girl. I need to see the owner of his house. I need information, and every second matters.”

  The dark eyes gazed back at Kondo, as if attempting to read his motives. “What information do you seek?”

  “I need to speak to the owner!” Kondo repeated, banging his fist on the outer wall,

  “I am she,” the voice from within returned, unaffected by his show of rage. “My name is Kaya, Oka-san of the Seven Sparrows Okiya. But you seem deranged. Why should I help you?”

  Kondo, satisfied, stood back and attempted to make himself more presentable. “I am sorry,” he murmured. “I am looking for a friend. He was taken by the Shin-Shadowhand. I am told you know much about this city. Could you tell me where they are hidden?”

  “I do not know of a Shin-Shadowhand,” Kaya replied serenely. “So, I am afraid you will have to…”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I can tell you about Gintaro!” Kondo cried, stepping forward. His eyes were soft, as if begging her to reconsider.

  The door slid further open. Kondo could then perceive the silhouette of a woman. She was tall, and she wore a fine nightgown, and her hair was still held up with a fair kanzashi. “Now, I am afraid you hit a soft spot of mine,” she said gently. “Come inside.”

  She opened the door to its full extent and retreated inside.

  Kondo rubbed his face and glanced around. It appeared that there was no one watching. He entered noiselessly and carefully closed the door behind him.

  The house was dark, but for one used to darkness, he could sense that this was a quaint but honorable house. It was not lavish or gaudy, but had an air of attention to detail, something he appreciated in all things.

  The woman had gone to light a candle and then set it upon a small table in the center of the room. She then knelt and faced him. “Now, what have you to say concerning Gin-san?”

  Feeling unworthy to sit down in such a fine house, he remained standing. “I can tell you that he went north.”

  “So?” retorted the woman. “Everyone knows that.”

  “He sought for his daughter and was given audience before the Shōgun.”

  At this, the woman bent forward, and the faint glow of the candle illuminated her soft features, especially her eyes. “And?” she asked.

  “The Shōgun indeed held his daughter as prisoner,” he continued. “And the Shōgun, knowing that Gintaro would do anything for her, gave him a mission. He sent him further north to the Mountain of Oboroshi. That dreadful mountain is said to be the resting place of the Sword of the Emperor. Gintaro was commanded to reclaim the sword and bring it to the Shōgun in exchange for his daughter.”

  “And the fool agreed…” Kaya whispered, as if to herself.

  Kondo nodded. “And on the way to do so, he was approached by a ninja, and they did battle upon the West Bailey. Gintaro was wounded, but he prevailed.”

  Kaya eyed the man across from her suspiciously as he explained this last part and then nodded. “And then sometime after the Shōgun passed away, it is said. Poisoned by his former doctor.”

  “Not so!” Kondo returned with more force than he intended. “The doctor is guiltless. It was the High Consort that did him in.”

  “Can you prove this?”

  Kondo shook his head somberly. “I cannot. But yet I know it to be true.”

  “Why?”

  “For the man I seek is the one Doctor Mori, and he was taken by the Shin-Shadowhand scarcely an hour ago.”

  Kaya’s eyes seemed to flash at this news. “Convenient…” she said after a long pause. “If the Shin-Shadowhand has him, then they can say whatever they want. She is indeed a clever one.”

  Kondo’s pulse began to quicken. “So, you will help me?”

  Kaya bowed solemnly. “I can tell you what I know, but it will not help you rescue him. The place is well guarded, and there are never fewer than a dozen ninja there at a time.”

  “It matters little,” Kondo declared and seemed to rise even taller in that moment. “I made a promise to the old man that I would bring him to his people, and I shall not easily break it. He saved my life as I lay dying outside the Hawk’s Perch.”

  Kaya gazed at him with wonder and then with reverence. “Then you are a better friend than I. I shall tell you of the place, but by the All-Kami, do not ever reveal it is I who informed you, lest you fail.”

  “I will not tell them,” Kondo promised darkly, “And I will not fail.”