Chapter 19: The Temple

Respite from the winter storm...

The day passed slowly in the temple, the brave samurai watching the roads nervously viewing every passing merchant with suspicion.  The gray skies were full of trepidation and all were awaiting another attack that could finish them. Despite Hiroyama's protests Arakai was sent with a handful of servants to bring in fresh food and bandages from a nearby village and the wounded were tended to carefully.

Fuyukaze lay upon a straw mat in one corner of the temple with (three? a handful?) of wounded samurai being attended to by a young attendant of Lady Miyuki.  The attendant had darker complexion than her masters, a rich copper compared to the pale skin of the Wajin.  Her name was Miko, and she was an Aya from the <Hamamite valley> tribe that once ruled over the north.  She carefully pressed a pestle into a stone mortar grounding the herbs within into a paste before she peeled away the bloody bandage upon Fuyukaze’s side.

The youth winced slightly as he felt the scab pulled away with the bandage, then he felt the squish of the poultice pressed into place.  It stung slightly before the irritation gave way to peaceful cold.  He looked up at the Aya and smiled softly.

Miko in turn smiled down at the boy before looking back to the Miyuki as she peered down from over her shoulder.  “He will live, the wound was not deep.  He is lucky, wounds there often grow foul.”

Miyuki smiled a bit “Good, how long until he can move again safely?”

Miko smiled gently “He could move now Miyuki-sama, but in three days his wounds will knit enough to reduce the risk.”

“You know I am awake, you don’t have to speak of me like that.”  Fuukaze said with a slight smile upon his lips.

Miko bowed low to the floor “Forgive me Fuyukaze-sama.”  Her hair brushing along the rough wooden floorboards. 

“There is nothing to forgive Miko-san, my brother should appreciate the good care your giving him.  But please attend to the other soldiers, they will need your talents.”  Miyuki’s tone was firm as she looked upon her brother, kneeling down beside him her lips pursing.

Miko just kept her head to the floor “Of course Lady Miyuki.”  He words and tone practiced but the amused smile that followed revealed her amusement.  She picked up the bandages, mortal and pestle and moved to check one of the other soldiers wounds.

Fuyukaze glanced to the attendant and nodded his head “Thank you Miko-san, I am in your debt.”  He looked then to his sister, his expression softening as he met her hard eyes.

Miyuki was resting her hands upon her thighs fingers curling into the folds of the silk drawing them tight as she bunched her fists.  “Why weren’t you wearing your armor?” Her rebuke a bit louder than intended and a few attendants turned to glance at their lady for a moment before turning their attention back to their duties.

“I...I was sister...” Fuyukaze’s words stammered out as he felt his heart jump into his throat, squeezing there as he felt his mouth go dry.

“Then why were you injured?” Miyuki’s voice was softer this time but no less scathing.  “You must have been wearing it wrong!”

Fuyukaze felt the need to bow his head but from his position upon the floor that was impossible.  Instead he just closed his eyes “My apologies Miyuki-sama,” his words stumbling “I thought it worked, the blow that struck me would have killed me if I was not wearing the chain you gave me.”

Miyuki just shook slightly “You are an idiot Fuyukaze, you should not have been hurt.  When you’re well ask Hiroyama how to wear your armor correctly.”  She rose up her hands still bunched into fists and strode towards the doorway of the temple a handful of soldiers quickly scrambling to their feet and following.

Fuyukaze blinked his eyes open again to see his sister leaving the temple and just leaning back against the pillow stunned by what had transpired.  He looked up at the rafters and just sighed softly, he rarely understood his sister and this time was no different.  He rubbed a hand against his eyes pinching at his nose firmly.