Across the Nightingale Floor

infobox Book |
name = Across the Nightingale Floor
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Lian Hearn
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = Australia
language = English
series = Tales of the Otori
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = Hodder Headline (Aus) and Pan Macmillan (UK)
release_date = 2002
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 343pp
isbn = ISBN 0 7336 1562 7
preceded_by = Heaven's Net is Wide
followed_by = Grass for His Pillow

"Across the Nightingale Floor" is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission to the Tribe's claim on him.

Plot summary

Tomasu, a 16 year old boy lives amongst the Hidden, a persecuted religious sect. The villagers are slaughtered by warlord Iida Sadamu and his troops, but Tomasu is rescued by Otori Shigeru, renamed Takeo, and brought to Hagi, the Otori stronghold. There they discover Takeo's father was a member of the secretive Kikuta Tribe, and he has many special abilities such as exceptional hearing, invisibility, and the ability to split a second, phantom self from his own.

It is 10 years since the battle of Yaegahara, in which the Otori were defeated by Iida Sadamu. Takeo is instructed by Ichiro, and Muto Kenji, a member of the tribe and an old friend of Shigeru's. Kenji arrives after Takeo foils an assassination attempt on Shigeru by the Tribe. The unexpected failure of the attempt raises suspicions within the Tribe of Takeo's abilities.

Shigeru hears that Iida sleeps in a room with a nightingale floor, the floorboards which 'sing' whenever someone tries to sneak across it. Shigeru has one built of his own, and Takeo practices with his exceptional skills until he can move silently across it. The unspoken plan is for him to assassinate Iida.

Shigeru, who is grieving the recent death of his mother and murder of his brother, plans to adopt Takeo. He seeks permission from Shigeru's uncles, who head the Otori clan. It was they who had ordered the assassination attempt, and to rid themselves of him, make it a condition that he goes to Iida's castle in Inuyama, to marry Shirakawa Kaede.

They know it is a trap; nevertheless, they make the journey with Kenji. At Tsuwano they meet Kaede, under the protection of her kinswoman Lady Maruyama (with whom Shigeru has had a secret relationship for almost 10 years), and accompanied by Kenji's niece, Shizuka. But it is Takeo and Kaede who immediately find a connection between them. They stop off at the shrine at Terayama, at the time of the Festival of the Dead, to visit Shigeru's brother's grave, and for Shigeru to discuss war plans with the Abbott.

As an army headed by Lord Arai musters from the west, they arrive at Inuyama in the 9th month. Shigeru plans for Takeo to assassinate Iida that night. But the Tribe, not wanting to risk Takeo (and appreciating the stability that Iida brings), abducts him so that his training can be finished.

Thus the treachery plays itself out: Shigeru is crucified on the castle wall, and Lady Maruyama and her daughter drown whilst attempting to escape. Takeo makes a deal with the The Tribe that allows him to bring Shigeru's body down in return for joining them. Takeo, together with Kenji and Yuki sneak into the castle at night and bring Shigeru down from the wall. Shigeru, dying from his wounds, asks Takeo to bury him at Terayama. During the invasion of the castle at Inuyama, Takeo discovers Kaede with the corpse of Iida Sadamu, whom she killed when he attempted to rape her.

After carrying out Shigeru's wishes, Takeo honors his promise to the Tribe and departs with them, leaving Kaede unconscious and in the care of Muto Shizuka.

ee also

*Tales of the Otori

External links

* [http://www.lianhearn.com/ Lian Hearn.com] Lian Hearn's official site