Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [457]
She accepted it, read it, and checked the official chops. Everything was perfect. But it gave her no happiness. Both believed it was an empty paper now. If her son’s life was spared he would become ronin. “Thank you. Please thank Lord Toranaga for the honor he does us. May I be allowed to see him before I go?”
“Oh, yes. When you leave here now you’re asked to go to the barbarian ship. You’re requested to wait for him there.”
“I’m—I’m to interpret?”
“He didn’t say. I would presume so, Lady Toda.” The secretary squinted at a list in his hand. “Captain Yoshinaka’s been ordered to lead your escort to Osaka, if it pleases you.”
“I would be honored to be in his charge again. Thank you. May I ask how Lord Toranaga is?”
“He seems well enough, but for an active man like him to coop himself up for days on end…. What can I say?” He spread his hands helplessly. “So sorry. At least today he saw Lord Hiro-matsu and agreed to a delay. He’s also agreed to deal with a few other things … rice prices must be stabilized now in case of a bad harvest…. But there’s so much to do and … it’s just not like him, Lady Toda. These are terrible times, neh? And terrible omens: The soothsayers say the harvest will be ruined this year.”
“I will not believe them—until harvest time.”
“Wise, very wise. But not many of us will see harvest time. I’m to go with him to Osaka.” Kawanabi shivered and leaned forward nervously. “I heard a rumor that the plague’s begun again between Kyoto and Osaka—smallpox. Is that another heavenly sign that the gods are turning their faces from us?”
“It’s not like you to believe rumors or heavenly signs, Kawanabisan, or to pass on rumors. You know what Lord Toranaga thinks of that.”
“I know. So sorry. But, well … no one seems to be normal these days, neh?”
“Perhaps the rumor’s not true—I pray it’s not true.” She shook off her foreboding. “Has the new date for the departure been set?”
“I understood Lord Hiro-matsu to say that it was postponed for seven days. I’m so glad our commander-in-chief returned and so glad he persuaded…. I wish the whole departure was put off forever. Better fight here than be dishonored there, neh?”
“Yes,” she agreed, knowing there was no point any longer in pretending that this was not foremost in everyone’s mind. “Now that Lord Hiro-matsu’s back, perhaps our Lord will see that surrender’s not the best course.”
“Lady, for your ears alone. Lord Hiro-matsu—” He stopped, looked up, and put a smile on his face. Yabu strode into the room, swords jingling. “Ah, Lord Kasigi Yabu, how nice to see you.” He bowed and Mariko bowed and there were pleasantries and then he said, “Lord Toranaga’s expecting you, Sire. Please go up at once.”
“Good. What does he want to see me about?”
“So sorry, Sire, he didn’t tell me—only that he wished to see you.”
“How is he?”
Kawanabi hesitated. “No change, Sire.”
“His departure—has a new date been fixed?”
“I understand it’ll be in seven days.”
“Perhaps Lord Hiro-matsu’ll put it off even more, neh?”
“That would be up to our Lord, Sire.”
“Of course.” Yabu walked out.
“You were saying about Lord Hiro-matsu?”
“Only for your ears, Lady—as Buntaro-san’s not here,” the secretary whispered. “When old Iron Fist came from seeing Lord Toranaga, he had to rest for the best part of an hour. He was in very great pain, Lady.”
“Oh! It would be terrible if something happened to him now!”
“Yes. Without him there’d be a revolt, neh? This delay solves nothing, does it? It’s only a truce. The real problem—I’m—I’m afraid since Lord Sudara acted as formal second to General Kiyoshio, every time Lord Sudara’s name has been mentioned our Lord gets very angry…. It’s only Lord Hiro-matsu who’s persuaded him to delay and that’s the only thing that …” Tears started running down the secretary’s cheeks.