Part 29 (2/2)

'I see. Then why - if these are your ”true colours” did you remove them?”

Clearwater hung her head. 'Out of weakness, sire.

When I saw the reduced condition of the Plainfolk that are held here I hoped to improve my lot by pretending to be a long-dog.”

'Is that why Cadillac came here dressed as a cloud warrior from the Federation.”

'Yes, sire. Besides not knowing that some of us are clear-skinned, Lord Yama-s.h.i.+ta thinks of the Plainfolk as ignorant and slow-witted.

If he were to discover all the things we know and are capable of he might not be so eager to trade with us.”

Her reply, delivered so mildly, sent a chill running up the Herald's spine. By the sacred kami! He thought of the thousands of Mutes spread throughout Ne-Issan.

Several subservient generations who had been breeding quietly in increasing numbers. Over the last few decades, the bakufu had been doing its sums and had come to the realisation that the economy was now dependent on them. The news that they might not be dull-eyed, ox-brained slaves but a silent, vengeful army waiting patiently for the signal to rise up against their masters put a different complexion on things.

If it were found to be true, the blame could be laid squarely at the door of the Yama-s.h.i.+ta family, for it was they who had introduced these outlanders into Ne-Issan, growing rich and powerful on the proceeds.

Perhaps it might form the basis of a new charge that could be levelled against them - economic sabotage.

'Have you heard of the Dark Light?”

'No, sire. The words mean nothing to me.” Round three. You're moving well, champ . . . Tos.h.i.+ro pointed to Steve. 'Who is this man?”

Clearwater saw the veiled warning in the cloud warrior's eyes and understood. 'His skin is marked like that of my clan brothers but he is not of the Plainfolk. He is a sand-burrower.”

'Sand-burrower...?”

'It is the name we give to the warriors from the dark cities beneath the deserts of the south. You call them long-dogs.”

'Do you know his name?”

'Yes.” Clearwater gazed at Steve. 'His name is Brickman. Steven Roosevelt Brickman.”

'The name your clan brother chose as part of his disguise ' 'That was an act of revenge. My people call this man the Death-Bringer.”

Tos.h.i.+ro's interest reawakened. 'He has been among you?”

Clearwater nodded. 'Last year. He and the other cloud warriors burnt our land with fire from the sky. And the iron snake devoured the flesh of our people. Many died.”

Tos.h.i.+ro turned to Steve. 'You certainly get around.”

Steve accepted this with a nod. 'That's my job, sire.

And after watching the way you operate I've got a feeling we're in the same line of business.”

Tos.h.i.+ro's fingers itched to seize the hilt of his long-sword. Once again he controlled the murderous impulse that welled up within him.

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