The Shattering Waves (The Year of the Dragon, Book 7) by James Calbraith Page A

we’ve been created. And as for all the killing and suffering …” He somehow managed to fit sadness into his shrug. “Soldiers kill other soldiers. Assassins slay their targets. Executioners cut down their victims. If they wish to serve their country, they must take lives. This will not change when a Shimazu or a Mori takes the throne. Our duty is no different. It is all just a means to a greater end.”
    Before she was able to figure out an answer, somebody rapped on the door opposite to the one she’d come through. Yui put down the cup.
    “What is it, Lieutenant?”
    “We are ready for the inspection,General , ” said a voice from outside.
    “I’ll be right over,” said Yui. He stood up and gestured at Satō. “Come, this may be of interest to you.”
    He led her down another hallway, this time one with narrow windows. They walked in a hurry, and Yui would not let her stop to look out, but from the glimpses below she saw a great city of dense, winding streets, white walls and blue tiled roofs spreading beyond the castle’s many ramparts and moats.
    “Does he know who you are?” she asked, pointing at the large “ Ai ” crest on the Lieutenant’s back.
    “Whatever do you mean?” Yui replied, loud enough for the man before them to hear. “I’m a strategic advisor to His Excellency’s western army.”
    They reached the castle armoury — a large hall, the walls of which were lined with spears, halberds, and bows. Two dozen men waited inside, wearing full armour with Aizu markings and conical helmets of black tin.
    “What’s going on?” she asked.
    Yui nodded at the Lieutenant.
    “We have discovered another nest of the rebels in Sakai,” the soldier explained. “We’re sending a troop of riflemen to flush them out.”
    Sakai … so that city below must be Naniwa.
    Yui paced past the soldiers. Satō followed close behind him. She gasped at the sight of the weapons the men were holding.
    “ Eeeeh ! Those are … thunder guns! All the latest designs!”
    “What did I tell you, wizardess- sama ?” Yui said. “Our alliance with the Gorllewin is already paying dividends. The Aizu gunsmiths have reverse-engineered their weapons. We have crate loads of guns in this castle, and more are coming.”
    “And you,” she turned to the Lieutenant. There was a glow to him that she’d recognize anywhere. “You’re a Rangaku. ”
    “I’m just a wizard’s apprentice,” the soldier bowed.
    “What’s your attunement?”
    “Earth. Not much use in battle, so I prefer to carry this,” he said and patted a massive, double-barrelled gunpowder shotgun slung over his shoulder.
    We never had a chance, she realized. The kiheitai have nothing that would match these weapons.
    “All seems to be in order,” said Yui, having finished his inspection. “You know what to do?”
    “Yes, General.” The Lieutenant bowed. “Should we try to get some prisoners this time?”
    “Why not,” replied Yui. “But not at the cost of your men.”
    “Of course, General . ”
    The rebels … does he mean the Kiheitai ? Is Takasugi in the city?
    “Wait, please!” she cried out. The Lieutenant looked at her, then at Yui. The Fanged shook his head and bade him on his way.
    “We are at war, wizardess,” he said. “You must understand our position. Your comrades at arms are the enemy of the rightful ruler of this country.”
    “But if what you say is true about the Serpent’s motivations — then they want the same as you. Why can’t you negotiate? Why can’t you tell them what you told me?”
    “Ah—” The Fanged crossed his fingers in a despairing gesture. “If only it were so simple! I’m afraid that chance passed when their rebellious daimyo sided with the Mikado. Maybe if they denounced their vassals … But it’s too late. Their actions in Heian sealed their fate. I know you understand.”
    “ You sent the Black Wings to attack a peaceful delegation inside the Mikado’s palace! We were only delivering a