Shichi awoke to the sound of songbirds. He waited before opening his eyes, trying to think through the terrible pounding in his head. The smell of poppy sap still lingered in his nostrils, reminding him of what had happened the…

“Mother, Father . . . I want to study.” Shichi’s parents looked up from their meals simultaneously, staring at the young tengu with apprehension. It was his clutch sister, however, who spoke up first. “Why?” she asked, though her attention…