The Ring of Water - Chris Bradford [23]
‘Perhaps we should turn you over to the dōshin instead?’ suggested Ronin.
Hana scowled at him. ‘The merchant won’t just give me the pearl. Besides, he must suspect I stole his hairpins.’
‘Convince him otherwise,’ said Ronin, passing her the money she’d obtained in exchange for the pearl.
‘Good luck!’ Jack whispered, realizing they were all taking a risk by returning to Kizu. A dōshin patrol could appear at any moment.
‘I’ll need more than luck,’ replied Hana coolly.
As she turned to go, Ronin seized her by the arm. ‘Don’t even think of running. We’ll be watching you. And if you don’t come back with the pearl …’ Ronin drew a grim line across his neck with his forefinger.
‘What an encouraging thought!’ replied Hana, shooting him a sarcastic smile as she stepped out into the street.
Ronin waited by the entrance to the alley, ready to cut off any escape attempt, while Jack peeked through a tiny gap in the wooden wall of the shop to follow Hana’s progress.
The merchant was clearly proud of his store. The floor was spotless, the wooden surfaces polished to a bright gleam. Arranged in neat piles were swathes of cloth and exquisite kimono, offering an irresistible rainbow of colour to any browsing shopper. The merchant sat upon the raised floor, inspecting his stock of glittering hair ornaments – brass pins and silver clasps, painted combs of tortoiseshell and lacquered wood, silk flowers and shimmering ornate chains, all displayed upon a large black square of cloth.
Jack saw Hana enter, slip off her sandals and approach the merchant. He was a balding man with narrow eyes, thin lips and a sharp ridge of a nose. Everything about him suggested he was a shrewd merchant and a hard bargainer. Suddenly aware of his new customer, the merchant’s face softened and he offered his most welcoming smile. But it instantly vanished upon seeing Hana.
‘You!’
‘Pleased to meet you again,’ she replied, bowing and smiling sweetly.
‘Where are my hairpins?’ he demanded, pointing angrily to empty spaces in his display.
‘I’m sorry. I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. Perhaps you lost them?’
The merchant snorted with contempt. ‘You stole them. I’m missing three and a comb since yesterday.’
‘Why on earth would I steal hairpins? I don’t have the hair for it,’ remarked Hana, tugging at her black matted bob. ‘Besides, if I was a thief, would I really return to your store?’
The merchant glared at Hana. She continued to smile innocently back, as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. He didn’t appear wholly convinced by her act, but a seed of doubt had been sown. ‘So what do you want?’
Hana cleared her throat. ‘The black pearl I sold you belongs to –’ she glanced uncomfortably to where she knew Jack was watching – ‘my master. It was given to him as a love-token and he would like it back, please.’ She held out the coins to the merchant and waited expectantly.
Not even glancing at the money, the merchant stared blankly at her. ‘What pearl?’
‘The one I sold you yesterday.’
‘I don’t recall any such transaction.’
Dismissing her with a wave of his hand, he busied himself with rearranging his stock of hair ornaments.
Jack turned to Ronin. ‘Perhaps Hana’s lied to us?’
But Ronin was no longer paying attention. His eyes were drawn to a young lady gliding down the main thoroughfare. Even Jack’s concentration was broken by the vision. The beautiful woman was dressed in a striking red silk kimono, embroidered with white chrysanthemum blossom. Her long black hair was tied up and adorned with a glimmering golden butterfly. This was embellished with silk flowers that cascaded down either side of her angelic face. As she walked, a soft tinkling could be heard accompanying her every step – the tiny silver chains dangling in her hair chiming her approach.
The attractive lady entered the shop, spotted Hana and wrinkled her nose in disgust at the girl’s dishevelled appearance. Immediately the merchant was by the woman’s side, bowing and scraping as he led her to a seat.
‘Who’s she?’ questioned the lady.
‘A nobody,’ replied the merchant,