Shōgun полностью

She relished her newfound knowledge, toying with it, examining it, finding her logic flawless. But what to do between now and then? she asked herself. Nothing more than you’ve already done—and decided to do. Neh?

“Mistress?”

“Yes, Chimmoko?”

“Gyoko-san is here. She has an appointment, she says.”

“Ah yes. I forget to tell you. First heat saké, then bring it, and her, here.”

Mariko reflected on the afternoon. She remembered his arms around her, so safe and warm and strong. ‘Can I see you tonight?’ he had asked very cautiously, after Yabu and Tsukku-san had left.

‘Yes,’ she had said impulsively. ‘Yes, my darling. Oh, how happy I am for thee. Tell Fujiko-san . . . ask her to send for me after the Hour of the Boar.’

In the quiet of her house her throat tightened. So much foolishness and danger.

She checked her makeup and coiffure in her mirror and tried to compose herself. Footsteps approached. The shoji slid open. “Ah, Lady,” Gyoko said, bowing deeply. “How kind of you to see me.”

“You’re welcome, Gyoko-san.”

They drank saké, Chimmoko pouring for them.

“Such lovely pottery, Lady. So beautiful.”

They made polite conversation, then Chimmoko was sent away.

“So sorry, Gyoko-san, but our Master did not arrive this afternoon. I haven’t seen him, though I hope to before I leave.”

“Yes, I heard Yabu-san went to the jetty in his place.”

“When I see Toranaga-sama I will ask him once more. But I expect his answer will be the same.” Mariko poured saké for both of them.

“So sorry, he will not grant my request.”

“Yes, I believe you. Not unless there is great pressure.”

“There’s no pressure that I can use. So sorry.”

“So sorry too, Lady.”

Mariko put down her cup. “Then you’ve decided that some tongues are not safe.”

Gyoko said harshly, “If I were going to whisper secrets about you, would I tell you to your face? Do you think I’d be so naïve?”

“Perhaps you’d better go, so sorry, but I have so much to do.”

“Yes, Lady, and so have I!” Gyoko replied, her voice rough. “Lord Toranaga asked me, to my face, what I knew about you and the Anjin-san. This afternoon. I told him there was nothing between you. I said, ‘Oh yes, Sire, I’ve heard the foul rumors too, but there’s no truth in them. I swear it on the head of my son, Sire, and his sons. If anyone would know, surely it would be me. You may believe it’s all a malicious lie—gossip, jealous gossip, Sire. . . .’ Oh yes, Lady, you may believe I was suitably shocked, my acting perfect, and he was convinced.” Gyoko quaffed the saké, and added bitterly, “Now we are all ruined if he gets proof—which wouldn’t be difficult to get. Neh?”

“How?”

“Put the Anjin-san to the test—Chinese methods. Chimmoko—Chinese methods. Me—Kiku-san—Yoshinaka . . . so sorry, even you, Lady—Chinese methods.”

Mariko took a deep breath. “May—may I ask you—why you took such a risk?”

“Because in certain situations women must protect each other against men. Because I actually saw nothing. Because you’ve done me no harm. Because I like you and the Anjin-san and believe you both have your own karmas. And because I’d rather have you alive and a friend than dead, and it’s exciting to watch you three moths circling the flame of life.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Gyoko laughed softly. “Thank you, Lady.” Controlled now, she said with complete sincerity, “Very well, I’ll tell you the real reason. I need your help. Yes, Toranaga-sama won’t grant my request but perhaps you can think of a way. You’re the only chance I’ve ever had, that I’ll ever have in this lifetime, and I can’t release it lightly. There, now you know. Please, I humbly beg you to help me with my request.” She put both hands on the futons and bowed low. “Please excuse my impertinence, Lady Toda, but all that I have will be put at your side if you will help me.” Then she settled back on her heels, adjusted the folds of her kimono, and finished the saké.

Mariko tried to think straight. Her intuition told her to trust the woman but her mind was still partially befogged with her newfound insight into Toranaga and her relief that Gyoko had not denounced her as she had expected, so she decided to put that decision aside for later consideration. “Yes, I will try. You must give me time, please.”

“I can give you better than that. Here’s a fact: You know Amida Tong? The assassins?”

“What about them?”

“Remember the one in Osaka Castle, Lady? He went against the Anjin-san—not Toranaga-sama. Lord Kiyama’s chief steward gave two thousand koku for that attempt.”

“Kiyama? But why?”

“He’s Christian, neh? The Anjin-san was the enemy even then, neh? If then, what about now? Now that the Anjin-san’s samurai, and free, with his ship.”

“Another Amida? Here?”

Gyoko shrugged. “Who knows? But I wouldn’t give an eta’s loincloth for the Anjin-san’s life if he’s careless outside the castle.”

“Where is he now?”

“In his quarters, Lady. You’re going to visit him soon, neh? Perhaps it’d be as well to warn him.”

“You seem to know everything that’s going on, Gyoko-san!”

“I keep my ears open, Lady, and my eyes.”