“Then you know I have to try.”
She was quiet for a long moment. Then she nodded, squeezing my hands. “You love him.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes,” I whispered, then letting my head fall to her shoulder. In a heartbeat, I became a small boy, lost and alone, sheltering in the arms of his adopted mother. “Gods help me, yes.”
She held me, her bony hand clutching the back of my head. When I finally pulled back, she stared for an eternal moment, her ancient eyes soft and tender, belying a strength of steel hidden beneath.
“Then go.” She pulled one hand free and cupped my cheek. “Bring him home, and when you do, you tell him this: No more hiding, no more pretending. Life is too short for that nonsense.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice, unsure whether her message was more for Kaneko or me.
Irie straightened and smoothed herkimono, businesslike once more. “You need supplies. And coin. How much do you have?”
“Not enough for passage to Bara. The merchants charge—”
“Sell what you can. Yourkatana, if you must. Whatever it takes.”
“Irie—”
“Don’t argue with me, boy.” She pointed a gnarled finger at my chest. “I’ve watched you throw away too many years already, following men who didn’t deserve your loyalty. Don’t throw away a chance for real happiness because you’re too proud to sell a piece of metal.”
She was right. Of course, she was right.
I bowed deeply. “Thank you, Irie, for everything.”
“Save your thanks for when you bring him back.” She turned toward the shop, pausing at the door. “And, Kazi?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful. The capital is dangerous—even for those who belong there. For someone like you—”
“I know.”
She nodded and disappeared inside.
I spent the next three days gathering everything I owned: my spare sword—the one I’d carried as Kichi’s first mate before I’d fled with Kaneko, a few pieces of jewelry I’d accumulated over the years, clothes that were too fine for a wanderer, remnants of my life as someone important. I kept only mykatanaand the clothes on my back.
The merchants in the market knew desperation when they saw it, offering less than half what my possessions were worth. I tookwhat they gave without argument. By the end of the third day, I had enough coin for passage.
Barely.
I found a merchant captain willing to take me to Bara with no questions asked, which cost extra, and booked passage on a ship leaving with the morning tide. That night, I returned to Irie’s shop one last time.
She pressed a small bundle into my hands. “Food for the journey. And this.” She pulled a thin chain from around her neck, a silver charm dangling from it. “My mother gave this to me when I was taken. She said it would bring me home, not that the darn thing did.”
“Irie, I can’t—”
“It brought me here eventually, didn’t it?” She smiled sadly. “Maybe it will bring you both back.”
I closed my fingers around the charm, feeling its weight. “I’ll return it to you. I promise.”
“I know you will.” She hugged me fiercely, her small frame trembling. “Now go before I change my mind and try to talk sense into you.”
I held her for a moment longer, memorizing the smell of herbs and dried flowers that always clung to her, then pulled away and walked into the night.
The ship left at dawn.
