Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [418]
“Any more?” he asked, the stiletto loose in his hand.
Rodrigues stared back at him stonily.
“I’ll tell ’em where to look—and how to look, Rodrigues. How a Spaniard would—some of them. Eh?”
“Me cago en la leche, che cabron!”
“Que va, leche! Hurry up!” Still no answer. Blackthorne went forward with the knife. “Dozo, Yoshinaka-san. Watash—”
Rodrigues said hoarsely, “In my hat band,” and Blackthorne stopped.
“Good,” he said and reached for the wide-brimmed hat.
“You would, wouldn’t you—teach them?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Be careful of the feather, Ingeles, I cherish that.”
The band was wide and stiff, the feather jaunty like the hat. Inside the band was a thin stiletto, smaller, specially designed, the fine steel easily molding the curve. Yoshinaka barked out another vicious reprimand to the samurai.
“Before God, that’s all, Rodrigues?”
“Madonna—I told you.”
“Swear it.”
Rodrigues complied.
“Yoshinaka-san, ima ichi-ban. Domo,” Blackthorne said. He’s all right now. Thank you.
Yoshinaka gave the order. His men released the Portuguese. Rodrigues rubbed his limbs to ease the pain. “Is it all right to sit down, Ingeles?”
“Yes.”
Rodrigues wiped off the sweat with a red kerchief, then picked up the pewter flask and sat cross-legged on one of the cushions. Yoshinaka remained nearby on the veranda. All but four samurai went back to their posts. “Why are they so touchy? Why are you so touchy, Ingeles? I’ve never had to give up my weapons before. Am I an assassin?”
“I asked you if that was all your weapons and you lied.”
“I wasn’t listening. Madonna! Would you—held like a common criminal?” Rodrigues added sourly, “Eh, what’s it matter, Ingeles, what’s anything matter? The night’s spoiled…. Hey, but wait, Ingeles! Why should anything be allowed to spoil a great evening? I forgive them. And I forgive you, Ingeles. You were right and I was wrong. I apologize. It’s good to see you.” He unscrewed the stopper and offered the flask. “Here—here’s some fine brandy.”
“You first.”
Rodrigues’ face became ashen. “Madonna—do you think I bring poison?”
“No. You drink first.”
Rodrigues drank.
“Again!”
The Portuguese obeyed, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Blackthorne accepted the flask. “Salud!” He tipped it back and pretended to swallow, secretly keeping his tongue over the opening to prevent the liquor from going into his mouth, much as he wanted the drink. “Ah!” he said. “That was good. Here!”
“Keep it, Ingeles. It’s a present.”
“From the good Father? Or from you?”
“From me.”
“Before God?”
“God and the Virgin, thou and thy ‘before God’!” Rodrigues said. “It was a gift from me and the Father! He owns all the liquor aboard the Santa Filipa but the Eminence said I could share it and the flask’s one of a dozen aboard. It’s a gift. Where are your manners?”
Blackthorne pretended to drink again and offered it back. “Here, have another.”
Rodrigues felt the liquor all the way to his toes and was glad that, after accepting the full flask from Alvito, he had privately emptied it and washed it out carefully and refilled it with brandy from his own bottle. Madonna, forgive me, he prayed, forgive me for doubting the Holy Father. Oh, Madonna, God, and Lord Jesus, for the love of God, come to earth again and change this world where sometimes we dare not even trust priests.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, Ingeles. I was just thinking that this world’s a foul piss-cutter when you can’t trust anyone nowadays. I came in friendship and now there’s a hole in the world.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Armed like that?”
“I’m always armed like that. That’s why I’m alive. Salud!” The big man raised the flask gloomily and sipped again. “Piss on the world, piss on everything.”
“Are you saying, piss on me?”
“Ingeles, this is me, Vasco Rodrigues, Pilot of the Portuguese Navy, not a flyblown samurai. I’ve exchanged many insults with you, all in friendship. Tonight I came to see my friend and now I have no friend. So sad.”
“Yes.”
“I shouldn’t be sad but I am. Being friends with thee complicated my life extraordinarily.” Rodrigues got up and