Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Inumittsu
*episode 7*

A short time later the high priest, unaccompanied by his litter bearers, his courtiers, his acolytes, or any of the extraneous persons he had brought along, pulls aside the curtain and enters Konpon’s hut. He stands just within and looks from the boy to the woman and back. In a dignified voice he says, “So, this is the demon who has caused such a commotion.” Allowing himself a small smile, he says, “I was expecting someone taller.” Konpon says, “Yes, it does seem strange that such a fuss is being made over such a little one. Now sit, and drink tea; or else be about your business elsewhere.” The man sits and accepts a worn porcelain cup. After several swallows, he says, “You should hear the stories that are told in my temple. Those related by the priests who have been here are strange enough; but the rumors have grown beyond their tales. Before I left this morning, I heard that a demon had taken you as his lover, and promised you eternal youth. Another version says that you yourself have been possessed; by an evil too great to be named. I have little doubt that, as time goes by, the rumors will grow. But I am not here to deal with rumors. Three of my priests, who have seen it with their own eyes, tell me what I now find to be true. You, a priestess with a flawless past, have taken into your care the scion of an unholy union. To their credit, each of them assumes that the child is working some dark magic on your mind which you are too weakened by age to repel.” Speaking up, Konpon asks, “And tell me, do I seem like one under a spell? Does he seem like one able to cast such a spell to begin with? I grant that you are a powerful and experienced priest, what are your views on this?” After a pensive moment, Chuuko says, “Don’t be absurd. You are acting of your own will; so I am left to ask why.” Konpon says, “This child was delivered into my care by fate. He is my last task; of this I am certain. I will protect him, and teach him all that he must know, in the time I have left.” After a long pause the priest says, “Your compassion is admirable; it may even be directed properly. However, it is not seemly for a priestess to be giving care to one such as him. No matter how innocent he may be, there is no way for people to think of him as such. If he were to remain in your care, it would cause great unrest among the populous who must continue to look to us as the ones who shall protect them from demons.” Konpon says, “No one need know. I live in the middle of nowhere; no one comes here but your priests who I have told to discontinue the practice.” The old man sighs, “But the priests now know. In their zealousness, they will not rest until they have purged this abomination they perceive. You have put me in an awkward position, old woman.” She replies, “You and your underlings are sticking your noses into other people’s personal business, old man.” He nods, “Perhaps, but you will have a difficult time convincing my underlings of that.” There is a long, tense silence. Finally, the priest says, “You spoke of the time you have left; how long will that be? I do not expect you to know to the hour; but if you can tell me if it is days or weeks…” Sighing, the priestess says, “The latter, but very few of them. Perhaps it is because I know how little I have to lose that I am willing to risk helping this boy.” The priest sighs as well. Getting to his feet, he says, “Ten days. That is how long I can give you. If I restrain my priests any longer, they will turn on me. Ten days from now, on the day after the full of the moon, my priests will come to exorcize the boy. Die in that time; or send him away.” With that said, he turns and leaves.
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