I was about to do the same when a whisper slithered into my cell. Haru’s voice, low and sharp. “I know you’re hiding something. We all are.”
45
After another restless night, morning came. The official start of Nokoribi. I sat on my platform, back against the stone wall, wondering what the day would bring.
The clank of the outer door rang out, followed by the heavy tread of boots. A Chopman entered, pushing a cart piled with a steaming pot and stacked bowls. One by one, he ladled out breakfast. As usual, I was last.
When he reached my cell, he didn’t prepare a bowl of okayu. His deep baritone rumbled instead: “You’re not eating today.”
From the next cell, Haru’s snicker echoed.
The Chopman unlocked my door and jerked his chin. “Out.”
“Why don’t I get any?” I asked.
“Silence.” He motioned for me to take hold of the cart. “Someone needs to do the dishes.”
Laughter broke from the cells, echoing down the row.
I pushed the cart behind him, heat prickling at the back of my neck. I couldn’t believe it. Not only was I expected to compete in both the Soemono and the Blade challenges, I also had to do the dishes.
I trailed him down a series of torchlit corridors, the wheels rattling over the stone floor. All I could think about was how easily he could crush me if he turned around. I kept my eyes on his back, memorizing the swing of his thick arms, the scar that ran across his shaved scalp, anything that might tell me what kind of man he was. Finally, he stopped at a heavy door bound in metal.
“Leave the cart,” he said. He jabbed a finger at the open doorway.
I hesitated, then stepped inside. The door slammed behind me with a thud that echoed through the chamber.
The room was cavernous, stone walls lined with empty racks. A single long wooden table stood in the center, scattered with weapons—blades, clubs, spears, and others I didn’t recognize.
My stomach twisted. I turned toward the Chopman. He was holding a massive axe now, turning it slowly in his hands. A slow smile spread across his face.
He raised the axe, and my heart hammered in my chest. “No, no, no!” I threw up my arms as I backed away.
He swung down with all his might. I covered my head, bracing for the blow, waiting for the blade to split me in two.
But instead of pain, I felt only a rush of air above me, then a deafening thump.
I cracked one eye open. I was still whole. Turning slowly, I saw the axe buried deep in a slab of wood that hung on the wall.
“You need to learn how to fight,” he said.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“My name is Masaki. Your friend Miki sent me.”
“Miki sent you?”
“She’s very convincing. Annoying, really.”
I laughed out of a mix of fright and relief. “Yeah, Miki can be that way. Where is she? Is she coming?”
“No. We don’t have much time. If you want to live, you must survive Soemono. I’ll teach you the basics.”
Masaki yanked the axe free of the wall and dropped it on the table with a clatter. “Pick one,” he ordered.
My eyes darted across the spread of weapons. Swords, knives, a hatchet, even a mallet so big I doubted I could lift it. I hesitated.
“Doesn’t matter,” he barked. “You’ll learn each one.”
