"They were equally to blame. It began over a flask of liquor." Mariko told him what had passed with Rodrigues, then continued, "The Tsukku-san had brought a second flask as a gift, wanting, so he said, to intercede for Rodrigues-san, but the Anjin-san said, shockingly bluntly, that he didn't want any 'Papist liquor,' preferred sake, and he didn't trust priests. The - the Holy Father flared up, was equally shockingly blunt, saying he had never dealt in poison, never would, and could never condone such a thing."
"Ah, poison? Do they use poison as a weapon?"
"The Anjin-san told me some of them do, Sire. This led to more violent words and then they were hacking at each other over religion, my soul, about Catholics and Protestants . . . I left to fetch Yoshinaka-san as soon as I could and he stopped the quarrel."
"Barbarians cause nothing but trouble. Christians cause nothing but trouble. Neh?"
She did not answer him. His petulance unsettled her. It was so unlike him and there seemed to be no reason for such a breakdown in his legendary self-control. Perhaps the shock of being beaten is too much for him, she thought. Without him we're all finished, my son's finished, and the Kwanto will soon be in other hands. His gloom was infecting her. She had noticed in the streets and in the castle the pall that seemed to hang over the whole city - a city that was famous for its gaiety, brash good humor, and delight with life.
"I was born the year the first Christians arrived and they've bedeviled the land ever since," Toranaga said. "For fiftyeight years nothing but trouble. Neh?"
"I'm sorry they offend you, Sire. Was there anything else? With your permi-"
"Sit down. I haven't finished yet." Toranaga rang the bell again. The door opened. "Send Buntaro-san in."
Buntaro walked in. Grim-faced, he knelt and bowed. She bowed to him, numb, but he did not acknowledge her.
A while ago Buntaro had met their cortege at the castle gate. After a brief greeting, he had told her she was to go at once to Lord Toranaga. The Anjin-san would be sent for later.
"Buntaro-san, you asked to see me in your wife's presence as soon as possible?"
"Yes, Sire."
"What is it you want?"
"I humbly beg permission to take the Anjin-san's head," Buntaro said.
"Why?"
"Please excuse me but I . . . I don't like the way he looks at my wife. I wanted . . . I wanted to say it in front of her, the first time, before you. Also, he insulted me at Anjiro and I can no longer live with this shame."
Toranaga glanced at Mariko, who seemed to be frozen in time. "You accuse her of encouraging him?"
"I . . . I ask permission to take his head."
"You accuse her of encouraging him? Answer the question!"
"Please excuse me, Sire, but if I thought that I'd be duty bound to take her head the same instant," Buntaro replied stonily, his eyes on the tatamis. "The barbarian's a constant irritation to my harmony. I believe he's a harassment to you. Let me remove his head, I beg you." He looked up, his heavy jowls unshaven, eyes deeply shadowed. "Or let me take my wife now and tonight we'll go before you - to prepare the way."
"What do you say to that, Mariko-san?"
"He is my husband. Whatever he decides, that will I do - unless you overrule him, Sire. This is my duty."
Toranaga looked from man to woman. Then his voice hardened, and for a moment he was like the Toranaga of old. "Mariko-san, you will leave in three days for Osaka. You will prepare that way for me, and wait for me there. Buntaro-san, you will accompany me as commander of my escort when I leave. After you have acted as my second, you or one of your men may do the same with the Anjin-san - with or without his approval."
Buntaro cleared his throat. "Sire, please order Crim-"
"Hold your tongue! You forget yourself! I've told you no three times! The next time you have the impertinence to offer unwanted advice you will slit your belly in a Yedo cesspool!"
Buntaro's head was on the tatamis. "I apologize, Sire. I apologize for my impertinence."
Mariko was equally appalled by Toranaga's ill-mannered, shameful outburst, and she bowed low also, to hide her own embarrassment. In a moment Toranaga said, "Please excuse my temper. Your plea is granted, Buntaro-san, but only after you've acted as my second."
"Thank you, Sire. Please excuse me for offending you."
"I ordered you both to make peace with one another. Have you done so?"
Buntaro nodded shortly. Mariko too.
"Good. Mariko-san, you. will come back with the Anjin-san tonight, in the Hour of the Dog. You may go now."
She bowed and left them.
Toranaga stared at Buntaro. "Well? Do you accuse her?"
"It . . . it is unthinkable she'd betray me, Sire," Buntaro answered sullenly.
"I agree." Toranaga waved a fly away with his fan, seeming very tired. "Well, you may have the Anjin-san's head soon. I need it on his shoulders a little longer."
"Thank you, Sire. Again please excuse me for irritating you."
"These are irritating times. Foul times." Toranaga leaned forward. "Listen, I want you to go to Mishima at once to relieve your father for a few days. He asks permission to come here to consult with me. I don't know what .... Anyway, I must have someone in Mishima I can trust. Would you please leave at dawn - but by way of Takato."
"Sire?" Buntaro saw that Toranaga was keeping calm only with an enormous effort, and in spite of his will, his voice was trembling.
"I've a private message for my mother in Takato. You're to tell no one you're going there. But once you're clear of the city, cut north."
"I understand."
"Lord Zataki may prevent you from delivering it - may try to. You are to give it only into her hands. You understand? To her alone. Take twenty men and gallop there. I'll send a carrier pigeon to ask safe conduct from him. "
"Your message will be verbal or in writing, Lord?"
"In writing."
"And if I can't deliver it?"
"You must deliver it, of course you must. That's why I picked you! But . . . if you're betrayed like I've . . . if you're betrayed, destroy it before you commit suicide. The moment I hear such evil news, the Anjin-san's head is off his shoulders. And if . . . what about Mariko-san? What about your wife, if something goes wrong?"
"Please dispatch her, Sire, before you die. I would be honored if . . . . She merits a worthy second."
"She won't die dishonorably, you have my promise. I'll see to it. Personally. Now please come back at dawn for the dispatch. Don't fail me. Only into my mother's hands."
Buntaro thanked him again and left, ashamed of Toranaga's outward show of fear.
Now alone, Toranaga took out a kerchief and wiped the sweat off his face. His fingers were trembling. He tried to control them but couldn't. It had taken all his strength to continue acting the stupid dullard, to hide his unbounding excitement over the secrets, which, fantastically, promised the long-hoped-for reprieve.