Both women wore smiles, their voices polite and carefree, both conscious of the impatient samurai watching and listening to them.
"I heard the Anjin-san visited his friends - his crew. How did he find them?"
"He never told me, Gyoko-san. As I said, I only saw him for a moment. So sorry, but I must go..."
"Sad not to see one's friends. Perhaps I could tell you about them. For instance, that they live in an eta village."
"What?"
"Yes. It seems his friends asked permission to live there, preferring it to civilized areas. Curious, neh? Not like the Anjin-san, who's different. The rumor is they say it's more like home to them - the eta village. Curious, neh..."
Mariko was remembering how strange the Anjin-san had been on the stairs that day. That explains it, she thought. Eta! Madonna, poor man. How ashamed he must have been. "I'm sorry, Gyoko-san, what did you say?"
"Just that it's curious the Anjin-san's so different from the others."
"What're they like? Have you seen them? The others?"
"No, Lady. I wouldn't go there. What should I have to do with them? Or with eta? I must think of my clients and my Kiku-san. And my son."
"Ah yes, your son."
Gyoko's face saddened under her parasol but her eyes remained flinty brown like her kimono. "Please excuse me, but I suppose you've no idea why we should be out of favor with Lord Toranaga?"
"No. I'm sure you're mistaken. The contract was settled, neh? According to the agreement?"
"Oh yes, thank you. I've a letter of credit on the Mishima rice merchants, payable on demand. Less the amount we agreed. But money was furthest from my mind. What's money when you've lost the favor of your patron - whoever he or she is. Neh?"
"I'm sure you retain his favor."
"Ah, favors! I was worried about your favor, too, Lady Toda."
"You always have my goodwill. And friendship, Gyoko-san. Perhaps we could talk another time, I really must go now, so sorry...."
"Ah yes, how kind you are. I'd enjoy that." Gyoko added in her most honeyed voice as Mariko began to turn away, "But will you have time? You go tomorrow, neh? To Osaka?"
Mariko felt a sudden ice barb in her chest as the trap closed.
"Is there anything wrong, Lady?"
"No . . . no, Gyoko-san. Will . . . during the Hour of the Dog tonight . . . would that be convenient?"
"You're too kind, Lady. Oh, yes, as you're going to see our Master now, before me, would you intercede for us? We need such a little favor. Neh?" "I would be glad to." Mariko thought a moment. "Some favors can be asked but, even so, are not granted."
Gyoko stiffened slightly. "Ah! You've already asked him the . . . asked him to favor us?"
"Of course - why shouldn't I?" Mariko said carefully. "Isn't Kiku-san a favorite? And aren't you a devoted vassal? Haven't you been granted favors in the past?"
"My requests are always so little. Everything I said before still applies, Lady. Perhaps more so."
"About empty-bellied dogs?"
"About long ears and safe tongues."
"Ah yes. And secrets."
"It would be so easy to satisfy me. My Lord's favor - and my Lady's - is not much to ask, neh?"
"No. If an opportunity occurs . . . . I can promise nothing."
"Until this evening, Lady."
They bowed to each other and no samurai was any the wiser. Mariko got into the palanquin to more bows, hiding the trembles that beset her, and the cortege left. Gyoko stared after her.
"You, woman," a young samurai said roughly as he passed. "What're you waiting for? Go about your business."
"Ha!" Gyoko said disdainfully to the amusement of others. "Woman, is it, puppy? If I went about your business I might have a very hard time finding it, hey, even though you're not yet man enough to have thatch!"
The others laughed. With a toss of her head she walked on fearlessly.
"Hello," Blackthorne said.
"Good afternoon, Anjin-san. You look happy!"
"Thank you. It's the sight of such a lovely lady, neh?"
"Ah, thank you," Mariko replied. "How is your ship?"
"First class. Would you like to come aboard? I'd like to show you around. " "Is that permitted? I was ordered here to meet Lord Toranaga."
"Yes. We're all waiting for him now." Blackthorne turned and spoke to the senior samurai on the wharf. "Captain, I take Lady Toda there. Show ship. When Lord Toranaga arrive - you call, neh?"
"As you wish, Anjin-san."
Blackthorne led the way off the jetty. Samurai were manning the barriers and security was tighter than ever, ashore and on deck. First he went to the quarterdeck. "This is mine, all mine," he said with pride.
"Are any of your crew here?"
"No - none. Not today, Mariko-san." He pointed out everything as quickly as he could, then guided her below. "This is the main cabin." The aft bay windows overlooked the foreshore. He closed the door. Now they were totally alone.
"This is your cabin?" she asked.
He shook his head, watching her. She went into his arms. He held her tight. "Oh, how I have missed thee."
"And I have missed thee...."
"There's so much to tell thee. And to ask thee," he said.