Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [507]
“To protect thee. But also to hold thee tight. I think Ishido might also want to use thee against the Black Ship, and Nagasaki and the Lord Kiyama and Lord Onishi.”
“Ah, yes, I had thought that too.”
She saw his eyes searching her. “What is it, Anjin-san?”
“Contrary to what Yabu believes, I believe thou art not stupid, that everything tonight was said deliberately, planned deliberately—on Toranaga’s orders.”
She smoothed a crease in her brocade kimono. “He gave me orders. Yes.”
Blackthorne turned to Portuguese, “He’s betrayed you. You’re a decoy. Do you know that? You’re just bait for one of his traps.”
“Why do you say that?”
“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 both. Again, what does he gain?”
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. Neh?”
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, neh?”
“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 already thy patron? I swear I do not know how Lord Toranaga can be so clever. Before I left he told me that would happen, might happen. He knew that Yabu has no power in Kyushu. Only Ishido or Kiyama could protect thee there. We are not decoys. We are in his protection. We’re quite safe.”
“What about the nineteen days—eighteen now? Toranaga must be here, neh?”
“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