Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [547]
“Yes,” Ishido said again, “I’d forgotten about him. Toranaga’s middle-aged, neh?”
“Yes.” Again Ochiba felt the depth of his look and her loins melted at the thought of a real man on her, in her, surrounding her, taking her, giving her a new life within. This time an honorable birthing, not like the last one, when she had wondered in horror what the child would be like and look like.
How foolish you are, Ochiba, she told herself, as they walked the shaded, fragrant paths. Put away those silly nightmares—that’s all they ever were. You were thinking about a man.
Suddenly Ochiba wished that Toranaga was here beside her and not Ishido, that Toranaga was master of Osaka Castle and master of the Taikō’s treasure, Protector of the Heir and Chief General of the Armies of the West, and not Ishido. Then there would be no problems. Together they would possess the realm, all of it, and now, today, at this moment, she would beckon him to bed or to an inviting glade and tomorrow or the next day they would marry, and whatever happened in the future, today she would possess and be possessed and be at peace.
Her hand reached out and she pulled a branchlet toward her, breathing the sweet, rich gardenia fragrance.
Put away dreams, Ochiba, she told herself. Be a realist like the Taikō—or Toranaga.
“What are you going to do with the Anjin-san?” she asked.
Ishido laughed. “Hold him safe—let him take the Black Ship perhaps, or use him as a threat against Kiyama and Onoshi if need be. They both hate him, neh? Oh yes, he’s a sword at their throats—and at their filthy Church.”
“In the chess game of the Heir against Toranaga, how would you judge the Anjin-san’s value. Lord General? A pawn? A knight, perhaps?”
“Ah, Lady, in the Great Game barely a pawn,” Ishido said at once. “But in the game of the Heir against the Christians, a castle, easily a castle, perhaps two.”
“You don’t think the games are interlocked?”
“Yes, interlocked, but the Great Game will be settled by daimyo against daimyo, samurai against samurai, and sword against sword. Of course, in both games, you’re the queen.”
“No, Lord General, please excuse me, not a queen,” she said, glad that he realized it. Then, to be safe, she changed the subject. “Rumor has it that the Anjin-san and Mariko-san pillowed together.”
“Yes. Yes, I heard that too. You wish to know the truth about it?”
Ochiba shook her head. “It would be unthinkable that that had happened.”
Ishido was watching her narrowly. “You think there’d be a value in destroying her honor? Now? And along with her, Buntaro-san?”
“I meant nothing, Lord General, nothing like that. I was just wondering—just a woman’s foolishness. But it’s as Lord Kiyama said this morning—dark summer’s tears, sad, so sad, neh?”
“I preferred your poem, Lady. I promise you Toranaga’s side will have the tears.”
“As to Buntaro-san, perhaps neither he nor Lord Hiro-matsu will fight for Lord Toranaga at the battle.”
“That’s fact?”
“No, Lord General, not fact, but possible.”
“But there’s something you can do perhaps?”
“Nothing, except petition their support for the Heir—and all Toranaga’s generals, once the battle is committed.”
“It’s committed now, a north-south pincer movement and the final onslaught at Odawara.”
“Yes, but not actually. Not until army opposes army on the battlefield.” Then she asked, “So sorry, but are you sure it’s wise for the Heir to lead the armies?”
“I will lead the armies, but the Heir must be present. Then Toranaga cannot win. Even Toranaga will never attack the Heir’s standard.”
“Wouldn’t it be safer for the Heir to stay here—because of assassins, the Amidas…. We can’t risk his life. Toranaga has a long arm, neh?”
“Yes. But not that long and the Heir’s personal standard makes our side lawful and Toranaga’s unlawful. I know Toranaga. In the end he’ll respect the law. And that alone will put his head on a spike. He’s dead, Lady. Once he’s dead I