Akisane looked to his father for help, but the Duke only sat there scowling at the match between Ujisue and Masahide.
His mother wiped her nose. Her eyes were red. “William was such a good person. I remember his violin practice filling the halls. He was so talented at everything he did.”
Akisane sat on his hands. They shook whenever he was around other people. After the incident, it’d gotten worse. The affliction was hard to hide.
“He was better than this family deserved. He was a gentle soul, but he’d never jump. We have to find out who did it. Someone pushed him from the gatehouse.”
Finally, Duke Akitomo removed him from the situation. “Walk with me.”
There was a flash of light, and Masahide regained his ground in the fight. The combatants clashed again. The crowd reacted with each near hit.
“Damn that wailing woman. William this. William that. Your brother was weakness made flesh. I was ashamed to be his father.”
If only William had been born to another family. There just wasn’t room for someone with a voracious curiosity. Akisane needed to stop thinking about it, so he probed his father’s intentions. “Why are you so interested in this match?”
They took a short ramp to a raised platform. It brought them well over the crowd.
The Duke turned from the match. “Because if Ujisue wins, which he should, I can control him. His nephew is here at the castle.” He pointed at a boy in the first twenty rows behind them. “If Masahide wins, it tells me Whitebeard has picked powerful allies and is an existential threat.”
“It’s like fencing to you, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is. Everyone you deal with is trying to beat you in some way. When you act, you force your enemy to react, and if you’re smart and careful, you’ll know their options. Prescience is rare, but expect it always because when you don’t, it will finish you. Counter it with this strategy, always knowing your enemy's choices, always preparing for each of them.”
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Akisane turned in surprise to see Ujisue without a shield. Now, that was unexpected. He’d thought his father’s cautiousness bordered on the weakness he despised. However, the two combatants entered the third round.
He looked at Whitebeard as if for the first time.
The man didn’t have the face of an old man, only the long white hair and beard of one. His only other defining feature was that he was a head taller than almost anyone else. But, there was a calmness there. How could he have missed it? It was an unnatural relaxation in contrast to the tension of those around him like a man on a pleasure swim in surging rapids.
Akisane hands began to tremble again, and he held them behind his back so his father wouldn’t see.
Duke Akitomo laughed. “See, what did I tell you? This Masahide isn’t as he seems. If he wins, I want you to kidnap the other girl. What’s her name, Kichi? It will force Masahide and Whitebeard to make a move. They will have to make a public accusation or confront me privately. I will be ready for either.”
“What if the girl isn’t as she seems either?”
“I was gifted the Eyes. I can see the rings around people. She only has six rings. Even if her magic is unique, there’s only so much one can do with such a low power level. Above twenty, I’d be worried.”
“What about Whitebeard?”
“I can’t see his rings. He must have a way of hiding them or a natural counter.”
Ujisue regained a measure of dominance. His swordwork beat Masahide back. Then he stuck with shards of ice.
Masahide deflected the magic with the pure sword and retreated two steps. Knights in the first rows threw up shields, and the ice shattered. He dove to the side, ice streaking passed him.
Akisane didn’t think Masahide would last long. He’d likely end the match when a length of ice impaled him. “What do I do if Ujisue wins?”
“I told you, kidnap the boy. Do it as soon as you get a chance.”
Henry (Akisane)
Level: 7
Focus: Telekinesis
Secondary focus: Shadow walker
Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt