Mariko had wanted to ask her niece, why the sudden change? Why are you now prepared to serve the Anjin-san and obey Lord Toranaga so absolutely, when only this morning you refused to obey, you swore to kill yourself without permission or to kill the barbarian the moment he slept? What did Lord Toranaga say to change you, Fujiko?
But Mariko had known better than to ask. Toranaga had not taken her into this confidence. Fujiko would not tell her. The girl had been too well trained by her mother, Buntaro's sister, who had been trained by her father, Hiro-matsu.
I wonder if Lord Hiro-matsu will escape from Osaka Castle, she asked herself, very fond of the old general, her fatherin-law. And what about Kiri-san and the Lady Sazuko? Where is Buntaro, my husband? Where was he captured? Or did he have time to die?
Mariko watched Fujiko pour the last of the sake. This cup too was consumed like the others, without expression.
"Dozo. Sake," Blackthorne said.
More sake was brought. And finished. "Dozo, sake."
"Mariko-san," Fujiko said, "the Master shouldn't have any more, neh? He'll get drunk. Please ask him if he'd like his bath now. I will send for Suwo."
Mariko asked him. "Sorry, he says he'll bathe later."
Patiently Fujiko ordered more sake and Mariko added quietly to the maid, "Bring some charcoaled fish."
The new flask was emptied with the same silent determination. The food did not tempt him but he took a piece at Mariko's gracious persuasion. He did not eat it.
More wine was brought, and two more flasks were consumed.
"Please give the Anjin-san my apologies," Fujiko said. "So sorry, but there isn't any more sake in his house. Tell him I apologize for this lack. I've sent the maid to fetch some more from the village."
"Good. He's had more than enough, though it doesn't seem to have touched him at all. Why not leave us now, Fujiko? Now would be a good time to make the formal offer on your behalf."
Fujiko bowed to Blackthorne and went away, glad that custom decreed that important matters were always to be handled by a third party in private. Thus dignity could always be maintained on both sides.
Mariko explained to Blackthorne about the wine.
"How long will it take to get more?"
"Not long. Perhaps you'd like to bathe now. I'll see that sakd's sent the instant it arrives. "
"Did Toranaga say anything about my plan before he left? About the navy?"
"No. I'm sorry, he said nothing about that." Mariko had been watching for the telltale signs of drunkenness. But to her surprise none had appeared, not even a slight flush, or a slurring of words. With this amount of wine consumed so fast, any Japanese would be drunk. "The wine is not to your taste, Anjin-san?"
"Not really. It's too weak. It gives me nothing."
"You seek oblivion?"
"No - a solution."
"Anything that can be done to help, will be done."
"I must have books and paper and pens."
"Tomorrow I will begin to collect them for you."
"No, tonight, Mariko-san. I must start now."
"Lord Toranaga said he will send you a book - what did you call it? - the grammar books and word books of the Holy Fathers."
"How long will that take?"
"I don't know. But I'm here for three days. Perhaps this may be a help to you. And Fujiko-san is here to help also." She smiled, happy for him. "I'm honored to tell you she is given to you as consort and she-"
"What?"
"Lord Toranaga asked her if she would be your consort and she said she would be honored and agreed. She will-"
"But I haven't agreed."
"Please? I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"I don't want her. Either as consort or around me. I find her ugly." Mariko gaped at him. "But what's that got to do with consort?"
"Tell her to leave."
"But Anjin-san, you can't refuse! That would be a terrible insult to Lord Toranaga, to her, to everyone! What harm has she done you? None at all! Usagi Fujiko's consen-"
"You listen to me!" Blackthorne's words ricocheted around the veranda and the house. "Tell her to leave!"
Mariko said at once, "So sorry, Anjin-san, yes you're right to be angry. But-"
"I'm not angry," Blackthorne said icily. "Can't you . . . can't you people get it through your heads I'm tired of being a puppet? I don't want that woman around, I want my ship back and my crew back and that's the end of it! I'm not staying here six months and I detest your customs. It's God-cursed terrible that one man can threaten to bury a whole village just to teach me Japanese, and as to consorts - that's worse than slavery - and it's a goddamned insult to arrange that without asking me in advance!"
