Swordsmen of Gor

“Please enter,” called Lord Nishida.

I was thrust stumbling past the first tent wall. Within, between the two walls, there were several more Ashigaru, far more than were outside.

I was then pushed through the inner entrance, and found myself within the large, inner tent.

The inner room of the double tent was lit by tharlarion-oil lamps, and I found Lord Nishida sitting cross- legged, at his ease, behind a small table, with a small cup in hand. On each side of the table, somewhat behind the table, were two contract women, demurely and tastefully kneeling, in their kimonos, Hana and Sumomo. More to my surprise were five fellows, not of the Pani, who, cross-legged, sat about, in attendance. These were the same fellows whom I had suspected at the feast, whom I had hoped to precede to the tent of the daimyo.

“May I present,” said Lord Nishida, “five retainers, who, though barbarians, like yourself, are loyal retainers, trusted servitors. Quintus, Telarion, Fabius, Lykourgos, and Tyrtaios.”

I nodded.

“You are known, of course, to them,” said Lord Nishida.

“I came to warn you,” I said. “I took them to have dark intents. I watched them at the feast. I feared an attempt on your life.”

“It was intended you should suspect them,” said Lord Nishida.

“I see,” I said.

“You have passed our small test admirably.”

“How is that?” I inquired.

“You have the wariness, the alertness, of the warrior,” said Lord Nishida, “as I had thought you would. Moreover, for whatever reason, for honor, for gain, or adventure, or to see things out, or whatever, you have proved, or seem to have proved, your willingness, and your intent, to protect my life. I find that gratifying.”

“Seemed to have proved?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “For you arrived rather late. Quintus and his fellows arrived well before you. Perhaps you intended to arrive a bit late, after the deed had been done.”

I shrugged in the ropes. “I thought they realized my suspicions,” I said, “and would wait to silence me, caught in the pursuit, and then return to their objective. I circled about, to arrive here first, supposing them to be waiting for me.”

“Also,” said Lord Nishida, “it would be a bit foolhardy to overtake them in a direct route to the tent, would it not?”

“I suppose so,” I said.

“Your Pertinax would probably have sped here directly, and died,” said Lord Nishida.

“I do not know,” I said. “Perhaps.”

“Quintus?” asked Lord Nishida.

“I made certain,” said Quintus, “almost face to face, across the tables, that Cabot knew his suspicions detected.”

“Good,” said Lord Nishida. “That alone would guarantee he would not rush directly toward the tent, for he might be met by five blades in the darkness, and be surely thus delayed, if not killed.”

“It might also,” said Quintus, “have saved one or two of us.”

“True,” said Lord Nishida. “Tarl Cabot, tarnsman,” said he, “was it not clumsy of you to allow your suspicions to be detected.”

“Doubtless,” I said.

The exchange of glances had been almost inadvertent. I now realized it had been manipulated by the fellow called Quintus. Still, it is surely difficult to be looking at someone and not, if the person looks back, be seen as looking. Perhaps a subtler individual might have managed something. I could still feel the paga. I also felt like a fool.

“I think,” said Lord Nishida, “all things considered, we have tested your alertness, your cleverness, and your benevolent dispositions concerning my person, whatever might have been their motivations. I accept your loyalty, at least as of this moment.”

“I think your captain of the guard,” I said, squirming a bit in the ropes, “thought I intended an attempt on your life, perhaps under the ruse of entering your presence to warn you of danger.”

“He is to be commended for his caution,” smiled Lord Nishida.

“Doubtless,” I said.

“You could have struck at me many times, if you had wished,” said Lord Nishida. “To be sure, you would doubtless then have been promptly slain, assuming you were that fortunate. And surely it would seem an oddity for a fellow to rush loudly and openly on a well-guarded tent in the middle of the night on an assassin’s errand.”

“I would think so,” I said.

“Noble friends,” said Lord Nishida to the five fellows with us in the tent, “you have done well. I am pleased. You may retire. Sleep well.”

At this point Quintus, Telarion, Fabius, Lykourgos, and Tyrtaios rose to their feet, made their farewells, and left the tent.

“Ito!” called Lord Nishida.

The captain of the guard then entered, followed by two Ashigaru. One carried my scabbard, the blade housed lightly within.

I think the captain of the guard was still suspicious of me. In moments, however, I was freed of the confining loops with which I had been securely pinioned, and had again, on my shoulder, the weapon. Sometimes one feels uneasy without it. The captain of the guard was then, with his accompanying fellows, dismissed. Too, with a gesture, Lord Nishida released the two contract women and they, rising to their feet, with small steps, took their exit from the tent.

“Stay a bit, Tarl Cabot, tarnsman,” said Lord Nishida, and I sat down, cross-legged, across from him, across the small table, and watched him pour himself, and then me, a tiny cup of sake.

“Do you like it?” asked Lord Nishida.

“Yes,” I said.

“What do you think of me?” asked Lord Nishida.

“I think you are a remarkable man,” I said, “a gifted leader, highly intelligent, subtle, wise, and cunning.”

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“No,” I said.

“Good,” he said.

He lifted the small cup to his lips, and regarded me over the white, porcelain brim.

“Do you know why I brought you to the tent this evening?” he asked.

“I was not brought,” I said. “I thought you in danger. I hurried hither, hoping to warn you, perhaps to save your life.”

“No,” he said. “You were brought.”

“Lord Nishida is subtle,” I said.

He sipped the sake, and then placed the cup on the lacquered table between us.

“It was not a test of awareness, or loyalty, or such,” he said. “Concerning such matters I do not hold you in doubt, or no more than any other.”

“I am flattered,” I said.

“The five servitors, whom you met,” he said, “were given to understand that it was such a test.”

“They were used,” I said.

“Thusly were they assured of my trust, that such a task was accorded to them.”

“Now,” I said, “they are off their guard.”

“It is my hope that that is so,” smiled Lord Nishida.

“That is why I was brought here,” I asked, “that they might feel themselves secure in your confidence?”

He smiled.

“Why is this important?” I asked.