From the night Kagetora returned drenched in blood, the fire burning deep in Hikaru's chest had never gone out. Every morning Tae would carry in the tray. Hikaru would tie her obi. In the hallway, she would let the presence of the castle women pass by. By the time such daily routines had seeped into her body——a month had passed since the transfer. "Would you like to venture outside the castle today?" Tae had spoken in a small voice the morning after they'd been discussing medicinal herbs. North of the castle town Tategawa, medicinal plants grew wild at the forest's edge beyond the castle walls. Tae remembered when Hikaru had once mentioned grasses that could be used to treat wounds. Tae came with her as far as the forest entrance, saying she would wait there. Hikaru climbed the slope alone. Dusk was drawing near. The western sky was beginning to stain orange, and the light filtering through the trees had turned diagonal. Dried leaves lay thick beneath her feet, and each step made