Fuji continued to belch smoke and ash, sending new tremors with increasing frequency and strength. Servants begged the daimyo to flee the estate before Fuji destroyed it.
Takarada would not budge and refused to believe the distant mountain could affect his manor.
“Fuji will not harm us,” he said on more than one occasion.
Hirata, sworn loyalty to his master, immersed himself in his new work. As the hurt of Matsuda’s rejection eased, Hirata glanced around the yard and buildings to see if he could spot the archer among the other denizens. Matsuda was nowhere to be seen.
Where is he? Has he been dismissed from our lord’s employee? Why am I worried about him? He is not worried about me.
The notion that Matsuda no longer cared bothered Hirata more than he wanted to admit to himself. He car
