Beyond the Palace
by Davina Lee
*
Author's Note
In the previous chapter we got a glimpse of Matoaka the warrior. Even if her skills are lacking, we could see the determination and drive in her actions. Matoaka is done with forgetting. She's turned the page on that chapter of her life. She wants to train. She wants to fight. She wants to learn the language of her shrine maiden who's always at her side.
But by grasping for so many things at once, is it possible Matoaka could overextend her reach and lose her footing just as she did in her training?
Let's find out.
* * *
Chapter 7: The Heart of the Wolf
In the far distance, a single wolf mother cried out, her howl loud and long, carrying across the crisp night air. Matoaka pushed the blankets aside and sat up. A crescent of moon still hung high in the sky, casting a dim light on the ground outside and illuminating the window of the room where she and Chihiro slept.
Soon, another wolf mother picked up the call, her howl long and clear in the night, louder this time, as she was not so far from where Matoaka sat still rubbing her eyes.
Next to Matoaka, Chihiro was already on her feet, pulling on her
hakama
and
kosode
.
A third wolf mother took up the call. It was the old mother keeping watch just outside where Matoaka, Chihiro and the others had been sleeping moments before.
"Let me go with you," said Matoaka, getting to her feet and reaching for her clothes.
"You should stay here," said Chihiro. "You're not ready."
"I'm learning how to fight," said Matoaka. "And I already know how to ride."
Chihiro shook her head. "And if anything were to happen to you--"
"I'll have you by my side."
"No."
"I'll stay back," said Matoaka. "Toward the rear of the group. If anything happens, I can turn around and ride to get help."
Chihiro sighed as she tied her obi.
"Please," said Matoaka.
Just then, someone stuck their head through the doorway. It was the woman clad in black, the woman who had been training Matoaka and the others over the past several days. "Chihiro-san," she said, curtly.
"Coming," said Chihiro, glancing to Matoaka. "I'm just--"
"Bring her with you," said the woman, shifting her gaze to Matoaka and back to Chihiro. "But be quick about it."
Matoaka's face began to brighten and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
Chihiro opened her mouth as if to speak and then closed it again silently.
"Don't fret, Chihiro," said the black-clad woman. "I'll keep an eye on her. Matoaka-san will be my responsibility. Now, let's go."
Chihiro bowed curtly.
Matoaka grinned from ear to ear.
* * *
The rider in front chose her way carefully, following the path along the crest of the hill lit only by the moon above. Matoaka and the others trailing behind her kept their eyes focused on the tallgrass and cluster of shrubs down below.
"There," said Chihiro, pointing.
She slowed her horse to a stop.
"Just the wind," said the woman in black, coming up alongside.
Matoaka stared into the distance. Soon she nodded her agreement.
Chihiro nodded as well and the group began moving again.
"Over there," said Matoaka. "That copse of trees."
Chihiro sighed.
"You don't see it?" asked Matoaka. "Those branches. They were broken recently."
"I see it," said Chihiro. "But I don't like it."
"It's pretty obvious," said Matoaka, "Something, or someone, has been through there."
The woman in black nodded. "Chihiro-san is not disagreeing with you. It's the trail she's displeased with. Too thick with underbrush to be passable on horseback."
"Well, whoever we're looking for," said Matoaka. "She went that way. Somebody did. I'm sure of it."
The group of riders now clustered around Chihiro and Matoaka all nodded their agreement.
"Everyone, find a partner," said the woman in black. "Chihiro, you're with Rei. Matoaka-san, you're with me. The rest of you, look after the horses and keep watch."
"Yes, Sensei."
Matoaka, Chihiro, Rei, and the woman in black all dismounted their horses, handing the reins to one of the other shrine maidens standing by. They paired up and set off toward the trees.
"Matoaka-san, you seem to have good tracking skills."
"Yes, Sensei. Thank you."
"You're in the lead then," said the woman in black. "I'll be right behind you. We're looking for a girl about your age. She's probably scared. But there might be others looking for her too, so keep your staff at the ready."
"Others?" said Matoaka.
"From The Palace. The place she ran away from. They'll want her back."
"I understand, Sensei."
"I'll be right behind you."
Matoaka chose her path carefully, using the dim light of the moon overhead to guide her. In places where the canopy of leaves thickened to cut the light to almost nothing, she slowed, feeling her way among the low branches.
A sudden crashing of leaves caused Matoaka and everyone else in the group to freeze. "Just a rabbit," whispered Matoaka. "I saw it earlier as we passed."
"
