Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [519]
She took Yodoko’s hand, honoring her. “Lady?”
“O-chan?” Yodoko whispered, using her nickname.
“Yes, Lady?”
“Ah, how pretty you are, so pretty, you always were.” The hand went up and caressed the beautiful hair and Ochiba was not offended by the touch but pleased as always, liking her greatly. “So young and beautiful and sweet-smelling. How lucky the Taikō was.”
“Are you in pain, Lady? Can I get you something?”
“Nothing—nothing, I just wanted to talk.” The old eyes were sunken but had lost none of their shrewdness. “Send the others away.”
Ochiba motioned them to leave and when they were alone she said, “Yes, Lady?”
“Listen, my darling, make the Lord General let her go.”
“He can’t, Lady, or all the other hostages will leave and we’ll lose strength. The Regents all agree,” Ochiba said.
“Regents!” Yodoko said with a thread of scorn. “Do you agree?”
“Yes, Lady, and last night you said she was not to go.”
“Now you must let her go or others will follow her seppuku and you and our son will be befouled because of Ishido’s mistake.”
“The Lord General’s loyal, Lady. Toranaga isn’t, so sorry.”
“You can trust Lord Toranaga—not him.”
Ochiba shook her head. “So sorry, but I’m convinced Toranaga’s committed to become Shōgun and will destroy our son.”
“You’re wrong. He’s said it a thousand times. Other daimyos are trying to use him for their own ambitions. They always have. Toranaga was the Taikō’s favorite. Toranaga has always honored the Heir. Toranaga’s Minowara. Don’t be swayed by Ishido, or the Regents. They’ve their own karmas, their own secrets, O-chan. Why not let her go? It’s all so simple. Forbid her the sea, then she can always be delayed somewhere inside our borders. She’s still in your General’s net, and Kiri and all the others, neh? She’ll be surrounded by Grays. Think like the Taikō would or like Toranaga would. You and our son are being pulled into …” The words trailed off and her eyelids began to flutter. The old lady gathered her remaining strength and continued, “Mariko-san could never object to guards. I know she means what she says. Let her go.”
“Of course that was considered, Lady,” Ochiba said, her voice gentle and patient, “but outside the castle Toranaga has secret bands of samurai, hidden in and around Osaka, we don’t know how many, and he has allies—we’re not sure who. She might escape. Once she goes, all the others would follow her at once and we’d lose a great security. You agreed, Yodoko-chan, don’t you remember? So sorry, but I asked you last night, don’t you remember?”
“Yes, I remember, child,” Yodoko said, her mind wandering. “Oh, how I wish the Lord Taikō were here again to guide you.” The old lady’s breathing was becoming labored.
“Can I give you some cha or saké?”
“Cha, yes please, some cha.”
She helped the old one to drink. “Thank you, child.” The voice was feebler now, the strain of conversation speeding the dying. “Listen, child, you must trust Toranaga. Marry him, barter with him for the succession.”
“No—no,” Ochiba said, shocked.
“Yaemon could rule after him, then the fruit of your new marriage after our son. The sons of our son will honorably swear eternal fidelity to this new Toranaga line.”
“Toranaga’s always hated the Taikō. You know that, Lady. Toranaga is the source of all the trouble. For years, neh? Him!”
“And you? What about your pride, child?”
“He’s the enemy, our enemy.”
“You’ve two enemies, child. Your pride and the need to have a man to compare to our husband. Please be patient with me, you’re young and beautiful and fruitful and deserve a husband. Toranaga’s worthy of you, you of him. Toranaga is the only chance Yaemon has.”
“No, he’s the enemy.”
“He was our husband’s greatest friend and most loyal vassal. Without … without Toranaga … don’t you see … it was Toranaga’s help … don’t you see? You could manage … manage him….”
“So sorry, but I hate him—he disgusts me, Yodoko-chan.”
“Many women…. What was I saying? Oh yes, many women marry men who disgust them. Praise be to Buddha I never had to suffer that….” The old woman smiled