The Kalavinka's Child and the Traveler (Part 3)

—I am searching for my twin brother who killed our father.
The purpose of his journey, stated fluently in the Tibetan language from Dorje's lips, was translated into Japanese through Oto's oral relay and conveyed to Yoshitsugu.
The sun that had been illuminating the three of them had long since departed for the edge of the west, and deep darkness had enveloped the plateau. The jade-colored lake, filled with pure melted snow, and the white mountain range towering in the far west were all being swallowed by the night. The brilliant stars and moon scattered across the heavens were not reflected in the slightest in the eyes of Yoshitsugu or Oto. All eyes remained fixed on the small knife that Dorje had taken from his bosom.

"Hey, that is—"

Oto's fingertips, which had been pointing at the small knife, trembled slightly. The silver scabbard, adorned with intricate designs, shone brighter as it caught the light of the campfire.

"I received it from my father along with my brother on the day we turned ten. I heard it was blessed at the Jokhang Temple. I never imagined it would become a memento so soon."

It really is, it's the same. Oto's mouth, which had moved without a sound, declared. Yoshitsugu, who had remained silent without breaking his expression, also slightly curved his lips, which had been pressed into a straight line. The suspicion that had welled up within the two of them was rapidly turning into certainty.
Dorje continued to tell the story of how things came to be as if a dam had broken, and each word was conveyed from Oto to Yoshitsugu. More than the unsettling words that did not suit the gentle Dorje, the memory of the exposed corpse carrying an identical small knife strongly disturbed their hearts.

"Arguments between my father and brother were not that rare.""Even though my brother worked diligently, he had a free-spirited nature, and he often didn't get along with my old-fashioned father.""I didn't pay any mind to that day's argument either, thinking it was just the usual.""When I returned to the workshop, I found my father, who would never speak again. Metal fittings, hammers, and various other tools were scattered around.""The blood that had spread across the workshop floor mixed with the dirt, turning a terribly dark color.""I know that praying for my father's soul is the most important thing. Still, I couldn't just sit still, and I ran out in the middle of the pillow sutra.""I heard in town that my brother was seen driving his horse north at full speed, so I headed north as well.""After all, I am still an apprentice who hasn't stood on my own two feet. Now that I have lost my only master, there is nothing I can do.""That is why I must—"

The rising flames flickered. The inside of his chest began to rage, and his tone and breathing became rough. The two peered at Dorje's shadowed face as he gasped for air, and exchanged words in low voices.

"Has his blood gone to his head? Let's let him rest for a while. Do you think he's in a state to listen?"
"Hmm, I wonder...? I'll try asking him, at least."
"We'll talk after Dorje is asleep, alright?"
"...Understood."

Oto gently touched Dorje's forehead with the pads of his fingers so that his sharp, extended claws would not hit him. His forehead was vividly hot, as if the blood boiling inside his body was about to burst through his skin and overflow.

"Ah, you're too worked up. You've eaten, the sun has set, so just go to sleep quietly. We'll take care of you for one more night. It's definitely better to wait for morning than to wander around in this pitch-black darkness with a torch. You're not back to your normal self yet, so don't push yourself. ...Okay?"

Although the choice of words was as irreverent as usual, the tone of his voice was as gentle and warm as a mother soothing a baby, and as light as a soft feather dancing in the wind.
"No." "But." "However." The many words of rebuttal that had repeatedly come to his throat lost their place and dissipated. Dorje did not feel it was unnatural at all that his emotions, which had been as stubborn as a glacier, had melted instantly due to Oto's voice.

"...Understood. I am grateful for your concern."
"You're so stiff! It's fine, it's fine, just go to sleep already."

As he was urged, Dorje entered the tent, wrapped himself in a blanket, and closed his eyes. His ragged breathing gradually became calmer. The intense heartbeat that reached Oto's ears gradually began to maintain a calm and steady rhythm. It was proof that his exhausted body and consciousness had been led by the wondrous voice of the Kalavinka and had fallen into a deep sleep.

◇

The howling of wild dogs echoing from afar announced the deepening of the night.
The plateau they were traveling through was a land ruled by beasts. The order created by humans did not apply here. The weak who lost the struggle for survival died and became the flesh and blood of the strong. The laws of nature, which every living thing must obey, would mercilessly attack travelers, whether they accepted them or not. The two had certainly seen the state of things that resulted from that.

"It's *him*, isn't it?"

Oto, who had broken the long silence, asked in a hushed voice so that Dorje would not wake up. Even if it were a conversation in Japanese that could never be understood, it was not a good idea for the secret talk itself to be known. Oto knew how to conduct himself in his own way. Yoshitsugu, having understood the intent, nodded silently.
The two were recalling the exposed corpse they had seen just the other day. The corpse, which had been picked clean by countless vultures and had its white bones exposed, was still clutching the small knife in its scabbard even in death. The scabbard with its elaborate patterns and the blade shining with a silvery white light had captivated the two and would not let them go.
Eventually, the blade was driven into the earth by Yoshitsugu and became a grave marker for the corpse. Oto responded to Yoshitsugu's way of memorializing with a sutra. There was no way they could have imagined that a new connection would follow the corpse, to which they had already said their goodbyes after finishing the memorial service. The grand sigh that Oto let out was strong enough to blow out even the campfire.

"Haa... Tilbu, huh... I didn't think I'd find out his name, his face, and even his circumstances."
"We still can't say for sure. Perhaps the knife was stolen or sold, and we saw the end of a new owner."
"No, no, is there really such a convenient coincidence?"
"Whether it's a coincidence or not, it's a matter that can be settled by having him check it directly."

Oto couldn't help but tense his body at the single word uttered by Yoshitsugu, who did not break his resolute attitude.

"You... You don't mean to go back and bring Dorje with us, do you?"

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Yoshitsugu replied in his usual calm, indifferent tone.

"We haven't traveled that far from that place. Even at a yak's pace, we can return in a day. Losing two days' worth of food is tough, but considering the approximate number of days it will take to reach Lhasa, it's not a problem."
"W-wait a second!"

Oto let out a shrill cry, then hurriedly covered his mouth with both hands. There was still no change in the heartbeats and breathing inside the tent. After taking a breath and swallowing, Oto spoke with a cautious and fearful expression.

"H-hey... why don't we just keep the skeleton we saw a secret?"
"...What did you say?"

It was an absurd proposal that Yoshitsugu found hard to accept. What possible reason could there be to keep it a secret? Setting aside his confusion for the moment, Yoshitsugu listened to Oto's argument.

"Let's not say anything to Dorje and just part ways tomorrow morning, don't you think? Look, we've finally made it to the doorstep of Lhasa, so there's no need to go out of our way to get involved in more trouble. I've had enough of sleeping outdoors, so let's just head there and take it easy for a while."

His overly long-winded way of speaking resembled a child hiding something for fear of being scolded by their parents. There was only one thing that came to mind as the cause of the discomfort Yoshitsugu felt from his deliberately distant behavior.
There was something that only Oto had sensed and was keeping hidden in his heart.
That firm suspicion was the very proof of the trust Yoshitsugu placed in Oto.

"...Tell me. What did you sense from Dorje?"