LOGIN
Midwinter Town: A Novella
Last Updated : 2021-08-14
16
Share:
Report
At the beginning of the story Prince Yamato is on a mission to defeat the rebels that terrorize the countryside. Local warlords led by Minamoto family, their representative Minamoto Yorimoto, plan to replace the ruling house Nakatomi with one of their choosing. The plans are set. Prince Yamato waits in the Midwinter Town. In the meantime, Fujiwara Fuhito has his own problems to deal with. Like in every other place in the country, bandits roam in his hold. A mysterious figure slowly walks through a mysterious forest. That figure is Kazuma, a man that runs from his past, try to live the present and hoping for a better future.
View MoreLatest chapter
Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 26 The Final Problem
Prince Yamato waited for the rest of the group to arrive. With the current line of events, something ancient has awakened. Everyone of them knew this. but they hoped that it won’t come to this. And, like in everything, it came to that. Fate had another card to play and he was sure of that. There was no mistake, that card is the rest of the group.He need to wait. Currently, the hardest part. There was no other way. Yoritomo, Fuhito and Kazuma will soon appear.The first one to enter Fuhito, after him entered Kazuma and after a fewmoments Yoritomo.Yamato silently moved to the upper end of the table.Silence“You heard about, the thing," Yamato started. The rest of the world doesn’t know.”"That is a good thing,” Fuhito, said.“For now, "Yoritomo said, "for now.""It won't last long," Kazuma murmured."Sooner or later, the news will spread. It's only a matter of time."“Tru
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 25 The Feast
ICorporal Zhang promised to do as he was bid. He had his dinner, got things ready, and left for the temple.That night mother and son packed their bedding and clothing, their silks and silver, and placed them in containers to be carried on a shoulder−pole. They also filled two saddle−bags with fodder for the horse.At the fifth watch before dawn Wang Jin summoned Corporal Li and said: “Take these silver coins to the temple. You and Corporal Zhang buy and cook the three kinds of sacrificial meat, and wait for me. I'll join you just as soon as I've bought some sacrificial paper ingots and candles.”Corporal Li took the silver and departed for the temple. Wang Jin got the horse ready, loaded on the saddle−bags, tied them firmly in place, led the animal outside the rear gate and helped his mother mount. All the heavier household belongings they left behind. Wang Jin locked the front and rear gates, raised the carrying−pole
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 24 Service
Let us talk rather of Gao Qiu. After he went into the service of Prince Duan he lived and dined in the palace and accompanied the prince every day, never taking so much as a step from his side. Before two months had elapsed, Emperor Zhe Zong died without leaving an heir. All the high civil and military officials conferred and made Prince Duan the emperor. He was known as Emperor Hui Zong and bore the title of High Priest of Jade Purity and Taoist Sovereign of Provident Truth.Hui Zong assumed the throne and all went well. One day he said to Gao Qiu: “I'd like to raise you in rank, but you'll have to perform some meritorious deed on the border first. I'll have the Council of Military Affairs put you down as available for imperial appointment.” Less than half a year later, he was able to make Gao Qiu a marshal commanding the Imperial Guards.Gao Qiu selected an auspicious day and hour to assume office. All the officers of the Mighty Imperial Guards, both infa
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 23: The Boy
Let’s see in detail about the boy that solved the Fujiwara problem.In Bianliang the Eastern Capital, in Kaifeng Prefecture previously called Xuanwu District, there lived a young scamp named Gao. A second son, he was quite useless. He cared only for jousting with spear and staff, and was an excellent football player. People in the capital were fond of making quips. They dubbed him Gao Qiu, or “Gao the Ball.” Later, when he prospered, he changed “Qiu” to another character with the same sound but with a less inelegant meaning.In addition to his skill with weapons, Gao Qiu could play musical instruments and sing and dance. He also learned a bit about poetry and versifying. But when it came to virtue and proper behavior, he didn't know a thing. He spent his time gadding about the city and its environs. Thanks to him, the son of Master Wang, an iron−shop owner, dissipated a considerable sum of money in theaters, gambling dens and brothel
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 22 The Battle
ILet us leave for now those love birds and return to the situation at had. Prince Yamato laughed when he saw that Yoritomo raised a flag. The prince moved closer to the fence.Yoritomo, proud, moved forward. “This is going no where.”“True,” the prince replied. “What is your offer?”“The final battle.”“You know that you will loose.”“I know.”“Always the proud fool.”Yoritomo turned and left. IIMinamoto Yoritomo was at a stand still, all options looked the same. Good or bad- they all looked the same. He had a choice of evils, he had to choose and now. He won’t have support of the other lords for long. There is no other way.“Charge!” he shouts.The infantry was in the first row to charge. They were near the massive iron gat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 21 Sword Play
Lady Basira insisted that Hegwin should give her instruction in “fencing;” he did not refuse, though he delayed for some days. He preferred Corinna; still, he liked Basira greatly, so difficult was it, in fact, not to like her.A certain morning the first lesson began, mainly because of Basira's boasting and her assurances that she knew that art by no means badly, and that no common person could stand before her. “An old soldier taught me,” said she; “there is no lack of these among us; it is known too that there are no swordsmen superior to ours. It is a question if even you, gentlemen, would not find your equals.”“Of what are you talking?” asked Zastar.“We have no equals in the whole world.”“I should wish it to come out that even I am your equal. I do not expect it, but I should like it.”“If it were firing from pistols, I too would make a trial,” said Lady Mak
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 20 The Little Knight
The sedate matron became greatly confused, and pushed back somewhat from the jovial knight; the younger women dropped their eyes, divining easily that the pranks of which Sir Zastar was talking must be something opposed to their native modesty, especially since the soldiers burst into loud laughter.“It will be needful to send to Sir Rushet at once,” said Basira, “so that Sir Pyotrovich may find the letters ready in Rashroff.”“Hasten with the whole affair,” added Sir Bogush, “while it is winter: for, first, no wergils come out, and roads are safe; secondly, in the spring God knows what may happen.”“Has the hetman news from Tsargrad?” inquired Hegwin.“He has; and of this we must talk apart. It is necessary to finish quickly with those captains. When will Mellehov come back? For much depends on him.”“He has only to destroy the rest of the ravagers, and afterward bury th
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 19 The Group
For now let’s leave Kazuma to his sleepingand see what the people, that he meet in Chigrin, are doing, not far from him, Lady Anna wept without ceasing during the reading of the letter; and Zosia accompanied her, raising her blue eyes to heaven. Meanwhile, and before Sir Geswer had finished, Basira ran in, dressed in woman's garments; and seeing tears in the eyes of the ladies, began to inquire with sympathy what the matter was. Therefore Sir Geswer read the hetman's letter for her; and when she had listened to it carefully, she supported at once and with eagerness the prayers of the hetman and Lady Anna.“The hetman has a golden heart,” cried Basira, embracing her husband; “but we shall not show a worse one, Geswer. Lady Anna will stay with us till her husband's return, and you will bring him in three months from the Teswer. In three or in two, is it not true?”“Or tomorrow, or in an hour!” said Sir Geswer, bantering.
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Midwinter Town: A Novella Chapter 18 Parting Ways
Meanwhile the old man said to Zalmar: “I hear that you court the Balir colonels, and drink with them.”“For the public good, most worthy standard-bearer.”“You have a nimble mind, but inclining rather to disgrace. You wish to bring the Balirs to your side in their cups, so they may befriend you in case they win.”“Even if that were true, having been a martyr to the Talmir, I do not wish to become one to the Balirs; and there is nothing wonderful in that, for two mushrooms would spoil the best soup. And as to disgrace, I ask no one to drink it with me,--I drink it alone; and God grant that it taste no worse than this mead. Merit, like oil, must come to the top.”At that moment Kazumareturned. “The men have started already,” said he.Zastvil poured out a measure. “Here is to a pleasant journey!”“And a return in health!” added Zalmar.“You wi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Free Preview
Chapter 1 Prince Yamato
The insignia of the great Merhen Empire is composed of three treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with jealous care from time immemorial. These are the i or the Mirror of Yata, the Jewel of Yasakami, and the Sword of Murakumo.Of these three treasures of the Empire, the sword of Murakumo, afterwards known as Kusanagi, or the grass-cleaving sword, is considered the most precious and most highly to be honored, for it is the symbol of strength to this nation of warriors and the talisman of invincibility for the Emperor, while he holds it sacred in the shrine of his ancestors.Nearly two thousand years ago this sword was kept at the shrines of Ite, the temples dedicated to the worship of Anur, the great and beautiful Sun God from whom the Merhen Emperors are said to be descended.There is a story of knightly adventure and daring which explains why the name of the sword was changed from that of Murakumo to Kasanagi, which means grass clearin
You may also like
Interesting books of the same period
To Readers
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments