“You’re the bait. So am I. It’s obvious, isn’t it? Yabu’s bait. Toranaga sent us all here as a sacrifice.”
“No, you’re wrong, Anjin-san. So sorry, but you’re wrong.”
In Latin he said, “I tell thee that thou art beautiful and I love thee, but thou art a liar.”
“No one has ever said that to me before.”
“Thou hast also said no one ever said ‘I love thee’ before.”
She looked down at her fan. “Let us talk of other things.”
“What does Toranaga gain by sacrificing us?”
She did not answer.
“Mariko-san, I have the right to ask thee. I’m not afraid. I just want to know what he gains.”
“I don’t know.”
“Thou! Swear by thy love and thy God.”
“Even thee?” she replied bitterly in Latin. “Thou also with thy ‘Swear before God’ and questions and questions and questions?”
“It is thy life and my life and I cherish
Her voice became louder. “Listen thou, yes, I chose the time and yes, I am not a stupid woman and—”
“Be cautious, Mariko-chan, please keep thy voice down or that would be very stupid.”
“So sorry. Yes, it was done deliberately and in public as Toranaga wished.”
“Why?”
“Because Ishido’s a peasant and he must let us go. The challenge had to be before his peers. The Lady Ochiba approves our going to meet Lord Toranaga. I talked to her and she is not opposed. There’s nothing to trouble thyself about.”
“I do not like to see fire in thee. Or venom. Or crossness. Where is thy tranquillity? And where are thy manners? Perhaps thou should learn to watch the rocks growing.
Mariko’s anger vanished and she laughed. “Ah, thee! Thou art right. Please forgive me.” She felt refreshed, herself again. “Oh, how I love thee, and honor thee, and I was so proud of thee tonight I almost kissed thee, there in front of them as is thy custom.”
“Madonna, that would have set fire in their tinderboxes,
“If I were alone with thee I would kiss thee until thy cries for mercy filled the universe.”
“I thank thee, Lady, but thou art there and I am here and the world’s between us.”
“Ah, but there’s no world between us. My life is full because of thee.”
In a moment he said, “And Yabu’s orders to you—to apologize and stay?”
“They may not be obeyed, so sorry.”
“Because of Toranaga’s orders?”
“Yes. But not his orders truly—it is also my wish. All this was my suggestion to him. It is I who begged to be allowed to come here, my darling. Before God that is the truth.”
“What will happen tomorrow?”
She told him what she had told Kiri, adding, “Everything is going to be better than planned. Isn’t Ishido
“What about the nineteen days—eighteen now? Toranaga
“Yes.”
“Then isn’t this as Ishido says, a waste of time?”
“Truly I don’t know. I only know that nineteen, eighteen, or even three days can be an eternity.”
“Or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow also. Or the next day.”
“And if Ishido will not let thee go tomorrow?”
“This is the only chance we have. All of us. Ishido must be humbled.”
“Thou art certain?”
“Yes, before God, Anjin-san.”
Blackthorne clawed out of a nightmare again but the moment he was truly awake the dream vanished. Grays were staring at him through the mosquito net in the light of early dawn.
“Good morning,” he said to them, hating to have been watched while he slept.
He came from under the net and went out into the corridor, down staircases, until he came to the garden toilet. Guards, both Browns and Grays, accompanied him. He hardly noticed them.
The dawn was smoky. The sky to the east was already burnt clean of the haze. The air smelled salt and wet from the sea. Flies already swarmed. It’ll be hot today, he thought.
Footsteps approached. Through the door opening he saw Chimmoko. She waited patiently, chatting with the guards, and when he came out she bowed and greeted him.
“Where Mariko-san?” he asked.
“With Kiritsubo-san, Anjin-san.”
“Thank you. When leave?”
“Soon, Sire.”
“Say to Mariko-san like say good morning before leave.” He said it again although Mariko had already promised to find him before she went back to her home to collect her belongings.
“Yes, Anjin-san.”
He nodded as a samurai should and left her and went to wash and bathe. It was not custom to have a hot bath in the morning. But every morning he would always go there and pour cold water all over himself. “Eeeee, Anjin-san,” his guards or watchers would always say, “that surely is most very good for your health.”
He dressed and went to the battlements that overlooked the forecourt of this castle wing. He wore a Brown kimono and swords, his pistol concealed under his sash. Browns on sentry duty welcomed him as one of them, though very disquieted by his Grays. Other Grays teemed on the battlements opposite, overlooking them, and outside their gate.
“Many Grays, many more than usual. Understand, Anjin-san?” Yoshinaka said, coming out onto the balcony.
“Yes.”
The captain of the Grays moved up to them. “Please don’t go too near the edge, Anjin-san. So sorry.”
The sun was on the horizon. Its warmth felt good on Blackthorne’s skin. There were no clouds in the sky and the breeze was dying.
The captain of the Grays pointed at Blackthorne’s sword. “Is that Oil Seller, Anjin-san?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“May I be allowed to see the blade?”
Blackthorne drew the sword part way from its scabbard. Custom decreed a sword should not be totally drawn unless it was to be used.
“Eeee, beautiful,
Blackthorne shoved the sword back, not displeased. “Honor to wear Oil Seller.”
“Can you use a sword, Anjin-san?” the captain asked.
“No, Captain. Not as samurai. But I learn.”
“Ah, yes. That’s very good.”
In the forecourt two stories below, Browns were exercising, still in shadow. Blackthorne watched them. “How many samurai here, Yoshinaka-san?”
“Four hundred and three, Anjin-san, including two hundred that came with me.”
“And out there?”
“Grays?” Yoshinaka laughed. “Lots—very many.”
The Grays’ captain showed his teeth with his grin. “Almost one hundred thousand. You understand, Anjin-
