Finally ready to return to his home base, Jason stops off at a friend’s for a much needed break along the way. Then comes the most dreaded part of his day: confronting Veina and explaining his disappearance to the distraught Demon. Will Jason be greeted with a hug or a another black eye?
Debts of a Danuki
A lone danuki silently watches the camera feed from her monitors as she awaits for her guest to arrive. She had only just received word that they would be arriving, simply not enough time to prepare. Not enough to escape. By now, eyes would be set on her and her location, ensuring that if anything were to occur that they would be informed of it. It was too late… there was only one thing that could be done.
She waited.
And waited.
And waited… until finally they cars began to appear… it was time.
The Shirohebi and The Hunter: Chapter 8- The Path of the Wise Serpent
“It’s known as the Path of the Wise Serpent.” Yuki corrects me as she parts the sheer ‘curtain’ on her uchikatsugi. “Although I can see why you’d assume it was ‘White Serpent’…”
“Really?”
Yuki nodded.
“So what’s the story behind that?”
“Many years ago, the Daimyo commissioned the construction of a post road between the capital and major cities throughout the islands.” the lamia explains.
“How come?”
“Well, it was said that the Daimyo at the time ordered them built so that decrees from the imperial court could be delivered to his regional governors without delay and artisans, magistrates, nobles and craftsmen could quickly make their way to the capital when summoned.”
“So a road like this one?”
“Not quite- the first of these roads went along the coast-“
“The ones Kori and Fuyu are supposed to be taking?”
She nodded.
“That was the original alignment. However, washouts and landslides were a common problem during the rainy season or whenever a major storm moved through the area.”
“Then this would be an alternate route?”
“Yes- although the winters in the mountains are harsher. It was said that the Daimyo had a seer who he trusted more than anyone else- a Shirohebi who was also rumored to be his concubine. She reasoned that a path through the mountains would be far more passable during the temperate months and even during milder winters- and thus would ultimately be worth the investment in time and resources to construct it.”
“Makes sense. So the Daimyo names it in honor of the seer who convicned him to build it.”
“Well- that’s one version.”
“What’s the other version?”
“Oh my….the more popular version is a bit….how should I say?…..immodest.”
“Yuki- come on. How can a story about building a road through the mountains be- as you put it- ‘immodest‘?” I ask with finger quotes to emphasize the last word.
“I…I’ve said too much.” the nervous shirohebi stammered.
“Yuki….tell me…”