Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [425]
“I was born the year the first Christians arrived and they’ve bedeviled the land ever since,” Toranaga said. “For fifty-eight years nothing but trouble. Neh?”
“I’m sorry they offend you, Sire. Was there anything else? With your permi—”
“Sit down. I haven’t finished yet.” Toranaga rang the bell again. The door opened. “Send Buntaro-san in.”
Buntaro walked in. Grim-faced, he knelt and bowed. She bowed to him, numb, but he did not acknowledge her.
A while ago Buntaro had met their cortege at the castle gate. After a brief greeting, he had told her she was to go at once to Lord Toranaga. The Anjin-san would be sent for later.
“Buntaro-san, you asked to see me in your wife’s presence as soon as possible?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“What is it you want?”
“I humbly beg permission to take the Anjin-san’s head,” Buntaro said.
“Why?”
“Please excuse me but I … I don’t like the way he looks at my wife. I wanted … I wanted to say it in front of her, the first time, before you. Also, he insulted me at Anjiro and I can no longer live with this shame.”
Toranaga glanced at Mariko, who seemed to be frozen in time. “You accuse her of encouraging him?”
“I … I ask permission to take his head.”
“You accuse her of encouraging him? Answer the question!”
“Please excuse me, Sire, but if I thought that I’d be duty bound to take her head the same instant,” Buntaro replied stonily, his eyes on the tatamis. “The barbarian’s a constant irritation to my harmony. I believe he’s a harassment to you. Let me remove his head, I beg you.” He looked up, his heavy jowls unshaven, eyes deeply shadowed. “Or let me take my wife now and tonight we’ll go before you—to prepare the way.”
“What do you say to that, Mariko-san?”
“He is my husband. Whatever he decides, that will I do—unless you overrule him, Sire. This is my duty.”
Toranaga looked from man to woman. Then his voice hardened, and for a moment he was like the Toranaga of old. “Mariko-san, you will leave in three days for Osaka. You will prepare that way for me, and wait for me there. Buntaro-san, you will accompany me as commander of my escort when I leave. After you have acted as my second, you or one of your men may do the same with the Anjin-san—with or without his approval.”
Buntaro cleared his throat. “Sire, please order Crim—”
“Hold your tongue! You forget yourself! I’ve told you no three times! The next time you have the impertinence to offer unwanted advice you will slit your belly in a Yedo cesspool!”
Buntaro’s head was on the tatamis. “I apologize, Sire. I apologize for my impertinence.”
Mariko was equally appalled by Toranaga’s ill-mannered, shameful outburst, and she bowed low also, to hide her own embarrassment. In a moment Toranaga said, “Please excuse my temper. Your plea is granted, Buntaro-san, but only after you’ve acted as my second.”
“Thank you, Sire. Please excuse me for offending you.”
“I ordered you both to make peace with one another. Have you done so?”
Buntaro nodded shortly. Mariko too.
“Good. Mariko-san, you will come back with the Anjin-san tonight, in the Hour of the Dog. You may go now.”
She bowed and left them.
Toranaga stared at Buntaro. “Well? Do you accuse her?”
“It… it is unthinkable she’d betray me, Sire,” Buntaro answered sullenly.
“I agree.” Toranaga waved a fly away with his fan, seeming very tired. “Well, you may have the Anjin-san’s head soon. I need it on his shoulders a little longer.”
“Thank you, Sire. Again please excuse me for irritating you.”
“These are irritating times. Foul times.” Toranaga leaned forward. “Listen, I want you to