Kuroba Asashin's Arc

Chapter 38 of 44

Bobby was still working the post when the rider came up the stone path. She rode alone. Kuroba felt her chi before he saw her — steady, trained, young. He stepped off the porch and set the staff across his back. Ona followed to his shoulder. Bobby moved to the rail. The rider slid down and tied her horse to the fence. A floral kimono hung open over a black tank top and black hakama. A curved blade sat at her hip on a short chain. She walked to the steps and stopped where a guest should stop. Her hands stayed at her sides. "Kuroba Asashin," she said. "I am Kadi Meleba. My father is Hon Meleba, king of the Lotus Horizon. I came to ask for your sword." Ona's fingers brushed her knife and settled. Kuroba studied the girl's stance. Weight even. Shoulders down. No shame in her. "Come up," Kuroba said. She came up and knelt on the mat where Bobby and Ona had knelt the day before. She did not bow long. She spoke straight. "My father has seen them from the tower. War-Bred brutes. Two days out, maybe less. Kazrik leads them. They mean to take our fields and our vaults." Bobby sighed. "Kazrik." "He lived," Kadi said. "He walks with a limp. He has bought men who do not walk with one." "How many," Kuroba said. "Six hundred. Maybe more by the time they arrive." "Your soldiers?" Ona asked. Kadi responded "Good. Not enough. My father was the strongest man alive. He is old now. His hands shake on the spear." She looked at Kuroba's mask and did not look away. "I am not begging. I am asking. We can pay." "I do not need pay," Kuroba said. She nodded once. Kuroba turned his head. Ona had already read the yard, the road, the horse. She met his eye and gave him the small nod that meant the dojo would hold without him. "Bobby, stay with Ona," Kuroba said. "I go with Kadi at first light." "Tonight," Kadi said. "Please. Two days is thin." Kuroba looked at the sky. He looked at the girl's tired horse. "Then let’s go now." he said. Kadi bowed her head to the mat, then rose. Ona was already moving to the shed. Kuroba took the staff from his back and set it inside the door. He took the odachi from the rack instead. Kazrik had walked away twice.