Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [100]
“Yes.”
“Where are the others?”
“Out to sea,” Blackthorne said carefully, continuing his lie, presuming that Toranaga had been primed to ask certain questions by Alvito. “We were split up in a storm and scattered. Where exactly I don’t know, Sire.”
“Your ships were English?”
“No, Sire. Dutch. From Holland.”
“Why is an Englishman in charge of Dutch ships?”
“That’s not unusual, Sire. We’re allies—Portuguese pilots some times lead Spanish ships and fleets. I understand Portuguese pilots con some of your ocean-going ships by law.”
“There are no Dutch pilots?”
“Many, Sire. But for such a long voyage English are more experienced.”
“But why you? Why did they want you to lead their ships?”
“Probably because my mother was Dutch and I speak the language fluently and I’m experienced. I was glad of the opportunity.”
“Why?”
“This was my first opportunity to sail into these waters. No English ships were planning to come so far. This was a chance to circumnavigate.”
“You yourself, Pilot, you joined the fleet because of your religion and to war against your enemies Spain and Portugal?”
“I’m a pilot, Sire, first and foremost. No one English or Dutch has been in these seas before. We’re primarily a trading fleet, though we’ve letters of marque to attack the enemy in the New World. We came to Japan to trade.”
“What are letters of marque?”
“Legal licenses issued by the Crown—or government—giving authority to war on the enemy.”
“Ah, and your enemies are here. Do you plan to war on them here?”
“We did not know what to expect when we got here, Sire. We came here only to trade. Your country’s almost unknown—it’s legend. The Portuguese and Spanish are very closemouthed about this area.”
“Answer the question: Your enemies are here. Do you plan to war on them here?”
“If they war on me. Yes.”
Toranaga shifted irritably. “What you do at sea or in your own countries is your own affair. But here there is one law for all and foreigners are in our land by permission only. Any public mischief or quarrel is dealt with immediately by death. Our laws are clear and will be obeyed. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sire. But we come in peace. We came here to trade. Could we discuss trade. Sire? I need to careen my ship and make repairs—we can pay for everything. Then there’s the ques—”
“When I wish to discuss trade or anything else I will tell you. Meanwhile please confine yourself to answering the questions. So you joined the expedition to trade, for profit, not because of duty or loyalty? For money?”
“Yes. It’s our custom, Sire. To be paid and to have a share of all plun—of all trade and all enemy goods captured.”
“So you’re a mercenary?”
“I was hired as senior pilot to lead the expedition. Yes.” Blackthorne could feel Toranaga’s hostility but he did not understand why. What did I say that was wrong? Didn’t the priest say I’d assassinate myself?
“It’s a normal custom with us, Toranaga-sama,” he said again.
Toranaga started conversing with Hiro-matsu and they exchanged views in obvious agreement. Blackthorne thought he could see disgust in their faces. Why? Obviously it has something to do with “mercenary,” he thought. What’s wrong with that? Isn’t everyone paid? How else do you make enough money to live on? Even if you’ve inherited land, you still—
“You said earlier you came here to trade peacefully,” Toranaga was saying. “Why then do you carry so many guns and so much powder, muskets and shot?”
“Our Spanish and Portuguese enemies are very powerful and strong, Lord Toranaga. We have to protect ourselves and—”
“You’re saying your arms are merely defensive?”
“No. We use them not only to protect ourselves but to attack our enemies. And we produce them in abundance for trade, the best quality arms in the world. Perhaps we could trade with you in these, or in the other goods we carried.”
“What is a pirate?”
“An outlaw. A man who rapes, kills, or plunders for personal profit.”
“Isn’t that the same as mercenary? Isn’t that what you are? A pirate and the leader of pirates?”
“No. The truth is my ships have letters of marque from the