Toranaga walked tiredly to the dais and sat on the simple cushion. Silently the guards arranged themselves in a protective screen.
"You arrived here in the third year of Tensh, didn"t you?"
"No, Sire, it was the fourth. The Year of the Rat," he replied, using their counting, which had taken him months to understand. All the years were measured from a particular year that was chosen by the ruling Emperor. A catastrophe or a G.o.dsend might end an era or begin one, at his whim. Scholars were ordered to select a name of particularly good omen from the ancient books of China for the new era which might last a year or fifty years. Tensh meant "Heaven Righteousness." The previous year had been the time of the great tidal wave when two hundred thousand had died. And each year was given a number as well as a name-one of the same succession as the hours of the day: Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, c.o.c.k, Dog, Boar, Rat, Ox and Tiger. The first year of Tensh had fallen in the Year of the c.o.c.k, so it followed that 1576 was the Year of the Rat in the Fourth Year of Tensh.
"Much has happened in those twenty-four years, neh neh, old friend?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Yes. The rise of Goroda and his death. The rise of the Taik and his death. And now?" The words ricocheted off the walls.
"That is in the hands of the Infinite." Alvito used a word that could mean G.o.d, and also could mean Buddha.
"Neither the Lord Goroda nor the Lord Taik believed in any G.o.ds, or any Infinite."
"Didn"t the Lord Buddha say there are many paths to nirvana, Sire?"
"Ah, Tsukku-san, you"re a wise man. How is someone so young so wise?"
"I wish sincerely I was, Sire. Then I could be of more help."
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes. I thought it important enough to come uninvited."
Alvito took out Blackthorne"s rutters and placed them on the floor in front of him, giving the explanations dell"Aqua had suggested. He saw Toranaga"s face harden and he was glad of it.
"Proof of his piracy?" piracy?"
"Yes, Sire. The rutters even contain the exact words of their orders, which include: "if necessary to land in force and claim any territory reached or discovered." If you wish I can make an exact translation of all the pertinent pa.s.sages."
"Make a translation of everything. Quickly," Toranaga said.
"There"s something else the Father-Visitor thought you should know." Alvito told Toranaga everything about the maps and reports and the Black Ship as had been arranged, and he was delighted to see the pleased reaction.
"Excellent," Toranaga said. "Are you sure the Black Ship will be early? Absolutely sure?"
"Yes," Alvito answered firmly. Oh, G.o.d, let it happen as we hope!
"Good. Tell your liege lord that I look forward to reading his reports. Yes. I imagine it will take some months for him to obtain the correct facts?"
"He said he would prepare the reports as soon as possible. We will be sending you the maps as you wanted. Would it be possible for the Captain-General to have his clearances soon? That would help enormously if the Black Ship is to come early, Lord Toranaga."
"You guarantee the ship will arrive early?"
"No man can guarantee the wind and storm and sea. But the ship will leave Macao early."
"You will have them before sunset. Is there anything else? I won"t be available for three days, until after the conclusion of the meeting of the Regents."
"No, Sire. Thank you. I pray that the Infinite will keep you safe, as always." Alvito bowed and waited for his dismissal, but instead, Toranaga dismissed his guards.
This was the first time Alvito had ever seen a daimyo daimyo unattended. unattended.
"Come and sit here, Tsukku-san." Toranaga pointed beside him, on the dais.
Alvito had never been invited onto the dais before. Is this a vote of confidence-or a sentence?
"War is coming," Toranaga said.
"Yes," he replied, and he thought, this war will never end.
"The Christian Lords Onoshi and Kiyama are strangely opposed to my wishes."
"I cannot answer for any daimyo daimyo, Sire."
"There are bad rumors, neh? neh? About them, and about the other Christian About them, and about the other Christian daimyos." daimyos."
"Wise men will always have the interests of the Empire at heart."
"Yes. But in the meantime, against my will, the Empire is being split into two camps. Mine and Ishido"s. So all interests in the Empire lie on one side or another. There is no middle course. Where do the interests of the Christians lie?"
"On the side of peace. Christianity is a religion, Sire, not a political ideology."
"Your Father-Giant is head of your Church here. I hear you speak-you can speak in this Pope"s name."
"We are forbidden to involve ourselves in your politics, Sire."
"You think Ishido will favor you?" Toranaga"s voice hardened. "He"s totally opposed to your religion. I"ve always shown you favor. Ishido wants to implement the Taik"s Expulsion Edicts at once and close the land totally to all barbarians. I want an expanding trade."
"We do not control any of the Christian daimyos." daimyos."
"How do I influence them, then?"
"I don"t know enough to attempt to counsel you."
"You know enough, old friend, to understand that if Kiyama and Onoshi stand against me alongside Ishido and the rest of his rabble, all other Christian daimyos daimyos will soon follow them-then twenty men stand against me for every one of mine." will soon follow them-then twenty men stand against me for every one of mine."
"If war comes, I will pray you win."
"I"ll need more than prayers if twenty men oppose one of mine."
"Is there no way to avoid war? It will never end once it starts."
"I believe that too. Then everyone loses-we and the barbarian and the Christian Church. But if all Christian daimyos daimyos sided with me now-openly-there would be no war. Ishido"s ambitions would be permanently curbed. Even if he raised his standard and revolted, the Regents could stamp him out like a rice maggot." sided with me now-openly-there would be no war. Ishido"s ambitions would be permanently curbed. Even if he raised his standard and revolted, the Regents could stamp him out like a rice maggot."
Alvito felt the noose tightening around his throat. "We are here only to spread the Word of G.o.d. Not to interfere in your politics, Sire."
"Your previous leader offered the services of the Christian daimyos daimyos of Kyushu to the Taik before we had subdued that part of the Empire." of Kyushu to the Taik before we had subdued that part of the Empire."
"He was mistaken to do so. He had no authority from the Church or from the daimyos daimyos themselves." themselves."
"He offered to give the Taik ships, Portuguese ships, to transport our troops to Kyushu, offered Portuguese soldiers with guns to help us. Even against Korea and against China."
"Again, Sire, he did it mistakenly, without authority from anyone."
"Soon everyone will have to choose sides, Tsukku-san. Yes. Very soon."
Alvito felt the threat physically. "I am always ready to serve you."
"If I lose, will you die with me? Will you commit jenshi jenshi-will you follow me, or come with me into death, like a loyal retainer?"
"My life is in the hands of G.o.d. So is my death."
"Ah, yes. Your Christian G.o.d!" Toranaga moved his swords slightly. Then he leaned forward. "Onoshi and Kiyama committed to me, within forty days, and the Council of Regents will repeal the Taik"s Edicts."
How far dare I go? Alvito asked himself helplessly. How far? "We cannot influence them as you believe."
"Perhaps your leader should order them. Order them! Order them! Ishido will betray you and them. I know him for what he is. So will the Lady Ochiba. Isn"t she already influencing the Heir against you?" Ishido will betray you and them. I know him for what he is. So will the Lady Ochiba. Isn"t she already influencing the Heir against you?"
Yes, Alvito wanted to shout. But Onoshi and Kiyama have secretly obtained Ishido"s sworn commitment in writing to let them appoint all of the Heir"s tutors, one of whom will be a Christian. And Onoshi and Kiyama have sworn a Holy Oath that they"re convinced you will betray the Church, once you have eliminated Ishido. "The Father-Visitor cannot order them, Lord. It would be an unforgivable interference with your politics."
"Onoshi and Kiyama in forty days, the Taik"s Edicts repealed-and no more of the foul priests. The Regents will forbid them to come to j.a.pan."
"What?"
"You and your priests only. None of the others-the stenching, begging Black Clothes-the barefoot hairies! The ones who shout stupid threats and create nothing but open trouble. Them. You can have all their heads if you want them-the ones who are here."
Alvito"s whole being cried caution. Never had Toranaga been so open. One slip now and you"ll offend him and make him the Church"s enemy forever.
Think what Toranaga"s offering! Exclusivity throughout the Empire! The one thing that would guarantee the purity of the Church and her safety while she is growing strong. The one thing beyond price. The one thing no one can provide-not even the Pope! No one-except Toranaga. With Kiyama and Onoshi supporting him openly, Toranaga could smash Ishido and dominate the Council.
Father Alvito would never have believed that Toranaga would be so blunt. Or offer so much. Could Onoshi and Kiyama be made to reverse themselves? Those two hate each other. For reasons only they know they have joined to oppose Toranaga. Why? What would make them betray Ishido?
"I"m not qualified to answer you, Sire, or to speak on such a matter, neh? neh? I only tell you our purpose is to save souls," he said. I only tell you our purpose is to save souls," he said.
"I hear my son Naga"s interested in your Christian Faith."
Is Toranaga threatening or is he offering? Alvito asked himself. Is he offering to allow Naga to accept the Faith-what a gigantic coup that would be-or is he saying, "Unless you cooperate I will order him to cease"? "The Lord, your son, is one of many n.o.bles who have open minds about religion, Sire."
Alvito suddenly realized the enormity of the dilemma that Toranaga faced. He"s trapped-he has to make an arrangement with us, he thought exultantly. He has to try! Whatever we want, he has to give us-if we we want to make an arrangement with want to make an arrangement with him him. At long last he openly admits the Christian daimyos daimyos hold the balance of power! Whatever we want! What else could we have? Nothing at all. Except ... hold the balance of power! Whatever we want! What else could we have? Nothing at all. Except ...
Deliberately he dropped his eyes to the rutters that he had laid before Toranaga. He watched his hand reach out and put the rutters safely in the sleeve of his kimono.
"Ah, yes, Tsukku-san," Toranaga said, his voice eerie and exhausted. "Then there"s the new barbarian-the pirate. The enemy of your country. They will be coming here soon, in numbers, won"t they? They can be discouraged-or encouraged. Like this one pirate. Neh?" Neh?"
Father Alvito knew that now they had everything. Should I ask for Blackthorne"s head on a silver platter like the head of St. John the Baptist to seal this bargain? Should I ask for permission to build a cathedral at Yedo, or one within the walls of Osaka Castle? For the first time in his life he felt himself floundering, rudderless in the reach for power.
We want no more than is offered! I wish I could settle the bargain now! If it were up to me alone, I would gamble. I know Toranaga and I would gamble on him. I would agree to try and I"d swear a Holy Oath. Yes, I would excommunicate Onoshi or Kiyama if they would not agree, to gain those concessions for Mother Church. Two souls for tens of thousands, for hundreds of thousands, for millions. That"s fair! I would say, Yes, yes, yes, for the Glory of G.o.d. But I can settle nothing, as you well know. I"m only a messenger, and part of my message ...
"I need help, Tsukku-san. I need it now."
"All that I can do, I will do, Toranaga-sama. You have my promise."
Then Toranaga said with finality, "I will wait forty days. Yes. Forty days."
Alvito bowed. He noticed that Toranaga returned the bow lower and more formally than he had ever done before, almost as though he were bowing to the Taik himself. The priest got up shakily. Then he was outside the room, walking up the corridor. His step quickened. He began to hurry.
Toranaga watched the Jesuit from the embrasure as he crossed the garden, far below. The shoji edged open again but he cursed his guards away and ordered them, on pain of death, to leave him alone. His eyes followed Alvito intently, through the fortified gate, out into the forecourt, until the priest was lost in the maze of innerworks.
And then, in the lonely silence, Toranaga began to smile. And he tucked up his kimono and began to dance. It was a hornpipe.
CHAPTER 21.
Just after dusk Kiri waddled nervously down the steps, two maids in attendance. She headed for her curtained litter that stood beside the garden hut. A voluminous cloak covered her traveling kimono and made her appear even more bulky, and a vast, wide-brimmed hat was tied under her jowls.
The Lady Sazuko was waiting patiently for her on the veranda, heavily pregnant, Mariko nearby. Blackthorne was leaning against the wall near the fortified gate. He wore a belted kimono of the Browns and tabi socks and military thongs. In the forecourt, outside the gate, the escort of sixty heavily armed samurai was drawn up in neat lines, every third man carrying a flare. At the head of these soldiers Yabu talked with Buntaro-Mariko"s husband-a short, thickset, almost neckless man. Both were attired in chain mail with bows and quivers over their shoulders, and Buntaro wore a homed steel war helmet. Porters and kaga-men squatted patiently in well-disciplined silence near the mult.i.tudinous baggage.
The promise of summer floated on the slight breeze, but no one noticed it except Blackthorne, and even he was conscious of the tension that surrounded them all. And too, he was intensely aware that he alone was unarmed.
Kiri plodded over to the veranda. "You shouldn"t be waiting in the cold, Sazuko-san. You"ll catch a chill! You must remember the child now. These spring nights are still filled with damp."
"I"m not cold, Kiri-san. It"s a lovely night and it"s my pleasure."
"Is everything all right?"
"Oh, yes. Everything"s perfect."
"I wish I weren"t going. Yes. I hate going."
"There"s no need to worry," Mariko said rea.s.suringly, joining them. She wore a similar wide-brimmed hat, but hers was bright where Kiri"s was somber. "You"ll enjoy getting back to Yedo. Our Master will be following in a few days."
"Who knows what tomorrow will bring, Mariko-san?"
"Tomorrow is in the hands of G.o.d."
"Tomorrow will be a lovely day, and if it isn"t, it isn"t!" Sazuko said. "Who cares about tomorrow? Now Now is good. You"re beautiful and we"ll all miss you, Kiri-san, and you, Mariko-san!" She glanced at the gateway, distracted, as Buntaro shouted angrily at one of the samurai, who had dropped a flare. is good. You"re beautiful and we"ll all miss you, Kiri-san, and you, Mariko-san!" She glanced at the gateway, distracted, as Buntaro shouted angrily at one of the samurai, who had dropped a flare.
Yabu, senior to Buntaro, was nominally in charge of the party. He had seen Kiri arrive and strutted back through the gate. Buntaro followed.
"Oh, Lord Yabu-Lord Buntaro," Kiri said with a fl.u.s.tered bow. "I"m so sorry to have kept you waiting. Lord Toranaga was going to come down, but in the end, decided not to. You are to leave now, he said. Please accept my apologies."
"None are necessary." Yabu wanted to be quit of the castle as soon as possible, and quit of Osaka, and back in Izu. He still could hardly believe that he was leaving with his head, with the barbarian, with the guns, with everything. He had sent urgent messages by carrier pigeon to his wife in Yedo to make sure that all was prepared at Mishima, his capital, and to Omi at the village of Anjiro. "Are you ready?"