Silk and Service

Not all assassins wear black

Some come wearing silk

A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems. And teaches him what a warrior truly can be.

(Historical adventure short story. Teen assassin, love in a time of war, medieval Japan)

This is the second of the Kunoichi Companion Tales, prequel stories to David Kudler’s historical novel Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale:

1. White Robes — Mired in her own grief, Lady Mochizuki Chiyome encounters two young women who give her a whole new, much more interesting opportunity (now available!)

2. Silk & Service — A young Takeda warrior meets a servant who is much more than she seems (now available!)

3. Waiting for Kuniko — Mieko is waiting at a rendezvous behind enemy lines. In the rain. Without a hat. The person who comes up the road is the last person she expected to encounter.

4. Wild Mushrooms — A Hōjō commander is delighted when two pretty young shrine maidens enter his camp on the evening before a battle. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been.

5. Ghost — At a banquet to celebrate a new alliance, Chiyome contemplates murder, and discovers a new servant (now available!)

6. Schools for Talented Youngsters: Monthly Headmistresses’ Dinner — Three unique ladies get together once a month to share the joys and challenges involved teaching young ladies with very particular… talents. (Historical fantasy/crossover — now available!)

Coming soon: Shining Boy — Plucked off of the streets of the capital, an orphan girl tries to figure out what story she’s wandered into

Coming soon: Blade — Toumi doesn’t want anyone messing with her business

Coming soon: Little Brother — Returning to the monastery turns out to be as hard as leaving it was

Preview:

“Get my purse, boy!” growled Captain Oniyama, “And more sake!”

Masugu watches the girl appear as if from out of the floor to pour the rice wine into the captain's cup: smooth gait, smooth hair, smooth—

“Boy! My purse!”

Masugu shakes himself, blushing, and leaps to his feet. “Yes, Oniyama-sama!”

The captain is usually patient and polite, but at these regular mahjong games with the other Imagawa commanders, he drinks. And Masugu doesn't like being around him when he's drunk. Doesn't like watching him lose at games.

Also, the girl...