"Mariko-san, consult with the Lady Kasigi at once. Since you approved the amount I imagine she"ll agree to your arrangement however hideous it seems, though I"d suppose she"ll need until dawn tomorrow to give such a ridiculous sum her full consideration. Send some menial to order the Gyoko woman here at sunset. She can bring the courtesan with her. Kiku-san can sing while we talk, neh?" neh?"
He dismissed them, delighted to have saved fifteen hundred koku. People are so extravagant, he thought benignly.
"Will that leave me enough to get a crew?" Blackthorne asked.
"Oh, yes, Anjin-san. But he hasn"t agreed to allow you to go to Nagasaki yet," Mariko said. "Five hundred koku would be more than enough to live on for a year, and the other five hundred will give you about one hundred and eighty koban in gold to buy seamen. That"s a very great deal of money."
Fujiko lifted herself painfully and spoke to Mariko.
"Your consort says that you shouldn"t worry, Anjin-san. She can give you letters of credit to certain moneylenders who will advance you all that you"ll need. She"ll arrange everything."
"Yes, but haven"t I got to pay all my retainers? How do I pay for a house, Fujiko-san, my household?"
Mariko was shocked. "Please, so sorry, but this is of course not your worry. Your consort has told you that she will take care of everything. She-"
Fujiko interrupted and the two women spoke together for a moment.
"Ah so desu, Fujiko-san!" Mariko turned back to Blackthorne. "She says you must not waste time thinking about it. She begs you please to spend your time worrying only about Lord Toranaga"s problems. She has money of her own which she can draw upon, should it be necessary."
Blackthorne blinked. "She"ll lend me her own money?"
"Oh, no, Anjin-san, of course she"ll give give it to you, if you need it, Anjin-san. Don"t forget your problem"s only this year," Mariko explained. "Next year you"re rich, Anjin-san. As to your retainers, for one year they"ll get two koku each. Don"t forget Toranaga-sama"s giving you all their arms and horses, and two koku"s enough to feed them and their horses and families. And don"t forget, too, you gave Lord Toranaga half your year"s income to ensure that they would be chosen by him personally. That"s a tremendous honor, Anjin-san." it to you, if you need it, Anjin-san. Don"t forget your problem"s only this year," Mariko explained. "Next year you"re rich, Anjin-san. As to your retainers, for one year they"ll get two koku each. Don"t forget Toranaga-sama"s giving you all their arms and horses, and two koku"s enough to feed them and their horses and families. And don"t forget, too, you gave Lord Toranaga half your year"s income to ensure that they would be chosen by him personally. That"s a tremendous honor, Anjin-san."
"You think so?"
"Oh certainly. Fujiko-san agrees wholeheartedly. You were most shrewd to think of that."
"Thank you." Blackthorne allowed a little of his pleasure to show. You"re getting your wits back again and you"re beginning to think like them, he told himself happily. Yes, that was clever to co-opt Toranaga. Now you"ll get the best men possible, and you could never have done it alone. What"s a thousand koku against the Black Ship? So yet another of the things Mariko had said was true: that one of Toranaga"s weaknesses was that he was a miser. Of course, she had not said so directly, only that Toranaga made all his incredible wealth go further than any daimyo daimyo in the kingdom. This clue, added to his own observations-that Toranaga"s clothes were as simple as his food, and his style of living little different from that of an ordinary samurai-had given him another key to unlock Toranaga. in the kingdom. This clue, added to his own observations-that Toranaga"s clothes were as simple as his food, and his style of living little different from that of an ordinary samurai-had given him another key to unlock Toranaga.
Thank G.o.d for Mariko and old Friar Domingo!
Blackthorne"s memory took him back to the jail and he thought how close he had been to death then, and how close he was to death now, even with all his honors. What Toranaga gives, he can take away. You think he"s your friend, but if he"ll a.s.sa.s.sinate a wife and murder a favorite son, how would you value his friendship or your life? I don"t, Blackthorne told himself, renewing his pledge. That"s karma karma. I can do nothing about karma karma and I"ve been living near death all my life, so nothing"s new. I yield to and I"ve been living near death all my life, so nothing"s new. I yield to karma karma in all its beauty. I accept in all its beauty. I accept karma karma in all its majesty. I trust in all its majesty. I trust karma karma to get me through the next six months. Then, by this time next year, I"ll be scudding through Magellan"s Pa.s.s, bound for London Town, out of to get me through the next six months. Then, by this time next year, I"ll be scudding through Magellan"s Pa.s.s, bound for London Town, out of his his reach.... reach....
Fujiko was talking. He watched her. The bandages were still discolored. She was lying painfully on the futons, a maid fanning her.
"She"ll arrange everything for you by dawn, Anjin-san," Mariko said. "Your consort suggests you take two horses and a baggage horse. One man servant and one maid-"
"A man servant"ll be enough."
"So sorry, the maid servant must go to serve you. And of course a cook and a cook helper."
"Won"t there be kitchens that we-I can use?"
"Oh, yes. But you still have to have your own cooks, Anjin-san. You"re a hatamoto."
He knew there was no point in arguing. "I"ll leave everything to you."
"Oh, that"s so wise of you, Anjin-san, very wise. Now I must go and pack, please excuse me." Mariko left happily. They had not talked much, just enough in Latin for each to know that though the magic night had never come to pa.s.s and was, like the other night, never to be discussed, both would live in their imaginations forever.
"Thou."
"Thou."
"I was so proud when I heard she stood at the gate for such a long time. Thy face is immense now, Anjin-san."
"For a moment I almost forgot what thou hadst told me. Involuntarily I was within a hair"s distance of kissing her in public."
"Oh ko, Anjin-san, that would have been terrible!"
"Oh ko, thou art right! If it had not been for thee I would be faceless-a worm wriggling in the dust."
"Instead, thou art vast and famous and thy prowess undoubted. Didst thou enjoy one of those curious devices?"
"Ah, fair Lady, in my land we have an ancient custom: A man does not discuss the intimate habits of one lady with another."
"We have the same custom. But I asked if it was enjoyed, not used. Yes, we very much have the same custom. I am glad that the evening was to thy liking." Her smile was warming. "To be j.a.panese in j.a.pan is wise, neh?" neh?"
"I cannot thank thee enough for teaching me, for guiding me, for opening my eyes," he said. "For-" He was going to say, for loving me. Instead he added, "for being."
"I have done nothing. Thou art thyself."
"I thank thee, for everything-and thy gift."
"I am glad thy pleasure was great."
"I am sad thy pleasure was nil. I am so glad that thou art also ordered to the Spa. But why to Osaka?"
"Oh, I am not ordered to Osaka. Lord Toranaga allows me to go. We have property and family business matters that must be seen to. Also, my son is there now. Then too, I can carry private messages to Kiritsubo-san and the Lady Sazuko."
"Isn"t that dangerous? Remember thy words-war is coming and Ishido is the enemy. Did not Lord Toranaga say the same?"
"Yes. But there is no war yet, Anjin-san. And samurai do not war on their women, unless women war on them."
"But thou? What about the bridge at Osaka, across the moat? Did thou not go with me to dupe Ishido? He would have killed me. And remember thy sword at the fight on the ship."
"Ah, that was only to protect the life of my liege Lord, and my own life, when it was threatened. That was my duty, Anjin-san, nothing more. There is no danger for me. I have been lady-in-waiting to Lady Yodoko, the Taik"s widow, even the Lady Ochiba, mother of the Heir. I"m honored to be their friend. I"m quite safe. That"s why Toranaga-sama allows me to go. But for thee in Osaka there is no safety, because of Lord Toranaga"s escape, and of what was done to Lord Ishido. So thou must never land there. Nagasaki will be safe for thee."
"Then he has agreed that I may go?"
"No. Not yet. But when he does it will be safe. He has power in Nagasaki."
He wanted to ask, greater than the Jesuits"? Instead he said only, "I pray Lord Toranaga orders thee by ship to Osaka." He saw her tremble slightly. "What troubles thee?"
"Nothing, except ... except that the sea does not please me."
"Will he order it thus?"
"I don"t know. But ..." She changed back into the mischievous teaser, and into Portuguese. "But for your health we should bring Kiku-san along with us, neh? neh? Tonight, are you going again into her Vermilion Chamber?" Tonight, are you going again into her Vermilion Chamber?"
He laughed with her. "That"d be fine, though-" Then he stopped, as with sudden clarity he remembered Omi"s look. "You know, Mariko-san, when I was at the gate I"m sure I saw Omi-san looking at her in a very special way, as a lover would look. A jealous lover. I didn"t know they were lovers."
"I understand he"s one of her customers, a favored customer, yes. But why should that concern you?"
"Because it was a very private look. Very special."
"He has no special claim on her, Anjin-san. She"s a courtesan of the First Rank. She"s free to accept or reject whom she pleases."
"If we were in Europe, and I pillowed his girl-you understand, Mariko-san?"
"I think I understand, Anjin-san, but why should that concern you? You"re not in Europe, Anjin-san, he has no formal claim on her. If she wants to accept you and him, or even reject you or reject him, what has that to do with anything?"
"I"d say he was her lover, in our sense of the word. That"s got everything to do with it, neh?" neh?"
"But what has that to do with her profession, or pillowing?"
Eventually he had thanked her again and left it at that. But his head and his heart told him to beware. It"s not as simple as you think, Mariko-san, even here. Omi believes Kiku-san"s more than special, even if she doesn"t feel the same. Wish I"d known he was her lover. I"d rather have Omi a friend than an enemy. Could Mariko be right again? That pillowing has nothing to do with loving for them?
G.o.d help me, I"m so mixed up. Part Eastern now, mostly Western. I"ve got to act like them and think like them to stay alive. And much of what they believe is so much better than our way that it"s tempting to want to become one of them totally, and yet ... home is there, across the sea, where my ancestors were birthed, where my family lives, Felicity and Tudor and Elizabeth. Neh? Neh?
"Anjin-san?"
"Yes, Fujiko-san?"
"Please don"t worry about money. I can"t bear to see you worried. I"m so sorry that I cannot go to Yedo with you."
"Soon see in Yedo, neh?" neh?"
"Yes. The doctor says I"m healing well and Omi"s mother agrees."
"When doctor here?"
"Sunset. So sorry I cannot go with you tomorrow. Please excuse me."
He wondered again about his duty to his consort. Then he put that thought back into its compartment as a new one rushed forward. He examined this idea and found it fine. And urgent. "I go now, come back soon. You rest-understand?"
"Yes. Please excuse me for not getting up, and for ... so sorry."
He left her and went to his own room. He took a pistol out of its hiding place, checked the priming, and stuck it under his kimono. Then he walked alone to Omi"s house. Omi was not there. Midori welcomed him and offered cha, which he politely refused. Her two-year-old infant was in her arms. She said, so sorry, but Omi would return soon. Would the Anjin-san like to wait? She seemed ill at ease, though polite and attentive. Again he refused and thanked her, saying he would come back later, then he went below to his own house.
Villagers had already cleared the ground, preparing to rebuild everything. Nothing had been salvaged from the fire except cooking utensils. Fujiko would not tell him the cost of rebuilding. It was very cheap, she had said. Please don"t concern yourself.
"Karma, Anjin-sama," one of the villagers said.
"Yes."
"What could one do? Don"t worry, your house will soon be ready-better than before."
Blackthorne saw Omi walking up the hill, taut and stern. He went to meet him. When Omi saw him, he seemed to lose some of his fury. "Ah, Anjin-san," he said cordially. "I hear you"re also leaving with Toranga-sama at dawn. Very good, we can ride together."
Despite Omi"s apparent friendliness, Blackthorne was very much on guard.
"Listen, Omi-san, now I go there." He pointed toward the plateau. "Please you go with me, yes?"
"There"s no training today."
"Understand. Please you go with me, yes?"
Omi saw that Blackthorne"s hand was on the hilt of his killing sword in the characteristic way, steadying it. Then his sharp eyes noticed the bulge under the sash and he realized at once from its partially outlined shape that it was a concealed pistol. "A man who"s allowed the two swords should be able to use them, not just wear them, neh?" neh?" he asked thinly. he asked thinly.
"Please? I don"t understand."
Omi said it again, more simply.
"Ah, understand. Yes. It better."
"Yes. Lord Yabu said-now that you"re completely samurai-that you should begin to learn much that we take for granted. How to act as a second at a seppuku, for example-even to prepare for your own seppuku as we"re all obliged to do. Yes, Anjin-san, you should learn to use the swords. Very necessary for a samurai to know how to use and honor his sword, neh?" neh?"
Blackthorne did not understand half the words. But he knew what Omi was saying. At least, he corrected himself uneasily, I know what he"s saying on the surface.
"Yes. True. Important," he told him. "Please, one day you teaches-sorry, you teach perhaps? Please? I honored."
"Yes-I"d like to teach you, Anjin-san."
Blackthorne"s hackles rose at the implied threat in Omi"s voice. Watch it, he admonished himself. Don"t start imagining things. "Thank you. Now walk there, please? Little time. You go with? Yes?"
"Very well, Anjin-san. But we"ll ride. I"ll join you shortly." Omi walked off up the hill, into his own courtyard.
Blackthorne ordered a servant to saddle his horse and mounted awkwardly from the right side, as was custom in j.a.pan and China. Don"t think there"d be much future in letting him teach me swordsmanship, he told himself, his right hand nudging the concealed pistol safer, its pleasing warmth rea.s.suring. This confidence vanished when Omi reappeared. With him were four mounted samurai.
Together they all cantered up the broken road toward the plateau. They pa.s.sed many samurai companies in full marching gear, armed, under their officers, spear pennants fluttering. When they crested the rise, they saw that the entire Musket Regiment was drawn up outside the camp in route order, each man standing beside his armed horse, a baggage train in the rear, Yabu, Naga, and their officers in the van. The rain began to fall heavily.
"All troops go?" Blackthorne asked, perturbed, and reined in his horse.
"Yes."
"Go Spa with Toranaga-sama, Omi-san?"
"I don"t know."
Blackthorne"s sense of survival warned him to ask no more questions. But one needed to be answered. "And Buntaro-sama?" he asked indifferently. "He with us tomorrow, Omi-san?"
"No. He"s already gone. This morning he was in the square when you left the Tea House. Didn"t you see him, near the Tea House?"
Blackthorne could read nothing untoward in Omi"s face. "No. Not see, so sorry. He go Spa too?"
"I suppose so. I"m not sure." The rain dripped off Omi"s conical hat, which was tied under his chin. His eyes were almost hidden. "Now, why did you want me to come here with you?"
"Show place, like I say." Before Omi could say anything more, Blackthorne spurred his horse forward. With his most careful sea sense he took accurate bearings from memory and went quickly to the exact point over the creva.s.se. He dismounted and beckoned Omi. "Please."