Nightblade by Ryan Kirk Page B

to make sure you are healthy and in the condition you were promised. If not your father will not leave this building.”
    Takako misunderstood. A glimmer of hope flickered in her heart. Perhaps she wouldn’t be right, and her father would come and get her back. She had to bring honor to her house though, so her hopes remained silent. “My father says that I never get sick. He is proud of that. He says it is unusual for a girl to never get sick.”
    “I’m sure that your father is a very smart man, but I need to see for myself so I can take the best care of you.”
    Takako took a couple of breaths to think about it. For some reason the men at the door occurred to her. She had a vision, just a fleeting thought, that this wasn’t so much a house as it was a prison. Whatever this woman said was law here. She started undressing. Madame watched her with eyes that never seemed to blink, making Takako uncomfortable.
    When she was done Madame moved with a practiced ease. She looked her up and down, spending a lot of time peering between Takako’s legs. Takako felt like she was being judged, even though Madame gave no expression, no hint of what was passing through her mind.
    Madame drew back slowly. “How old are you?”
    “I’ve seen ten cycles, but soon I’ll turn eleven.”
    “Did you know your father said you were older than that?”
    “No. He knows I’m ten. I’m often told I look older than I am though because I am so tall.”
    “Do you have any idea why you’re here?”
    Takako hung her head. “No.”
    The woman stepped away from Takako and started pacing through the room. She kept glancing at Takako. Even Takako knew that the woman was trying to figure out what to do with her. Her father had lied, and this woman’s plans had not gone as she had expected.
    “Not what I expected, but this could work out well. You are too perfect to be used up at ten. Ten is too young. Not that there aren’t men who would pay very handsomely for your work, but it would wear you out too quickly. You need to be older if I’m going to get the most out of you.”
    When Madame said “work” Takako had the impression that she was referring to something else. Madame came to a decision.
    “I think you will become very valuable to me. You will start out as a house assistant. You will cook, clean, and assist the other women with their needs. When you turn fifteen I will sell your maidenhead. With your exposure in the house, I should be able to fetch a pretty sum. What do you think of that?”
    “I am here to work for you. I need to bring honor back to our house.”
    Madame laughed. “Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen here, but I will take care of you. Each of my women is important to me because you will work for me for a very long time.”
    The woman stood up and motioned for Takako to follow her. She led Takako up to the third floor to another room which had a comfortable bed, dresser, and mirror. “Go to sleep Takako. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    Moriko’s family had always lived on the boundary between forest and farmland. Although Moriko was only seven she already knew the story. Her great-great-grandfather had selected this land after a long process. Her ancestor had been a soldier in the militia but was looking for an out of the way place to settle down in peace and raise a family. He had chosen well. Throughout the generations the family had alternated between two incomes. They brought in money both from farming and from the lumber they cut. When times were good, Moriko’s family did quite well. When times were bad they they still thrived.
    For Moriko and her family it was timber which made the most profit. Moriko’s father still planted the land, but most of it was saved for the family to decrease their expenses during the cold months. It was a large family with six children, four boys and two girls. Moriko was the fourth oldest after