"I agree. I was considering-" Alvito stopped interpreting and his face lit up and he let Toranaga's Japanese get away from him for a moment. "I'm sorry, Eminence, but Lord Toranaga said, 'I was considering asking you to build a temple, a large temple in Yedo, as a measure of my confidence in your interests.'" For years, ever since Toranaga had become Lord of the Eight Provinces, dell'Aqua had been maneuvering for that concession. And to get it from him now, in the third greatest city in the Empire, was a priceless concession. The Visitor knew the time had come to resolve the problem of the cannon. "Thank him, Martin Tsukku-san," he said, using the code phrase that he had previously agreed upon with Alvito, committing their course of action, with Alvito the standardbearer, "and say we will try always to be at his service. Oh yes, and ask him what he had in mind about the cathedral," he added for the Captain-General's benefit.
"Perhaps I may speak directly, Sire, for a moment," Alvito began to Toranaga. "My Master thanks you and says what you previously asked is perhaps possible. He will endeavor always to assist you."
"Endeavor is an abstract word, and unsatisfactory."
"Yes, Sire." Alvito glanced at the guards, who, of course, listened without appearing to. "But I remember you saying earlier that it is sometimes wise to be abstract."
Toranaga understood at once. He waved his hand in dismissal to his men. "Wait outside, all of you."
Uneasily they obeyed. Alvito turned to Ferriera. "We don't need your guards now, Captain-General."
When the samurai had gone Ferriera dismissed his men and glanced at Mariko. He wore pistols in his belt and had another in his boot.
Alvito said to Toranaga, "Perhaps, Sire, you would like the Lady Mariko to sit?"
Again Toranaga understood. He thought for a moment, then half nodded and said, without turning around, "Marikosan, take one of my guards and find the Anjin-san. Stay with him until I send for you."
"Yes, Lord."
The door closed behind her.
Now they were alone. The four of them.
Ferriera said, "What's the offer? What's he offering?"
"Be patient, Captain-General," dell'Aqua replied, his fingers drumming on his cross, praying for success.
"Sire," Alvito began to Toranaga, "the Lord my Master says that everything you asked he will try to do. Within the forty days. He will send you word privately about progress. I will be the courier, with your permission."
"And if he's not successful?"
"It will not be through want of trying, or persuasion, or through want of thought. He gives you his word."
"Before the Christian God?"
"Yes. Before God."
"Good. I will have it in writing. Under his seal."
"Sometimes full agreements, delicate agreements, should not be reduced to writing, Sire."
"You're saying unless I put my agreement in writing, you won't?"
"I merely remembered one of your own sayings that a samurai's honor is certainly more important than a piece of paper. The Visitor gives you his word before God, his word of honor, as a samurai would. Your honor is totally sufficient for the Visitor. I just thought he would be saddened to be so untrusted. Do you wish me to ask for a signature?"
At length Toranaga said, "Very well. His word before the God Jesus, neh? His word before his God?"
"I give it on his behalf. He has sworn by the Blessed Cross to try."
"You as well, Tsukku-san?"
"You have equally my word, before my God, by the Blessed Cross, that I will do everything I can to help him persuade the Lords Onoshi and Kiyama to be your allies."
"In return I will do what I previously promised. On the forty-first day you may lay the foundation stone for the biggest Christian temple in the Empire."
"Could that land, Sire, be put aside at once?"
"As soon as I arrive at Yedo. Now. What about the pirates? The pirates in the fishing boats? You will remove them at once?"
"If you had cannon, would you have done that yourself, Sire?"
"Of course, Tsukku-san."
"I apologize for being so devious, Sire, but we have had to formulate a plan. The cannon do not belong to us. Please give me one moment." Alvito turned to dell'Aqua. "Everything is arranged about the cathedral, Eminence." Then to Ferriera he added, beginning their agreed plan: "You will be glad you did not sink him, Captain-General. Lord Toranaga asks if you would carry ten thousand ducats of gold for him when you leave with the Black Ship for Goa, to invest in the gold market in India. We would be delighted to help in the transaction through our usual sources there, placing the gold for you. Lord Toranaga says half the profit is yours." Both Alvito and dell'Aqua had decided that by the time the Black Ship had turned about, in six months, Toranaga either would be reinstated as President of the Regents and therefore more than pleased to permit this most profitable transaction, or he would be dead. "You should easily clear four thousand ducats profit. At no risk."
