He went again to the small monastery and asked to see the abbot. After begging shelter for the night, he inquired about the mistress of the River Mansion.
The abbot’s face lengthened. He shook his head. “Ah, that. I know nothing.” His tone and expression were disapproving. “They don’t attend our services. I sent a monk with an invitation when the lady first arrived, but he was turned away rudely. Thinking that some mistake had been made, I went myself.” He fell silent, shaking his head again.
Akitada waited, but the abbot clearly did not want to talk about the experience. He finally said, “I’ve been invited to an entertainment there tonight and had to accept. It would help me if I knew more about my hostess. I was told she once served as a shrine virgin at Hakozaki-no-miya.”
The abbot regarded him silently a moment longer, then asked, “Is this in any way connected with the poor young woman who drowned? The one both you and your young clerk asked me about?”
Akitada was surprised, though he should not have been. Sadenari was not easily deterred from an interest. He said, “I didn’t know Sadenari had spoken to you. In fact, he disappeared not long after we stayed here, but I don’t think that had anything to do with the dead child. When did you speak with him?”
The abbot thought. “About a week ago, I think. A few days after you both stayed here. He did not stay. Frankly, I thought he planned to spend the night in town.”
Akitada should have been glad to have some word of the tiresome youth, but he was not reassured. He was angry. “You may be right,” he said, then asked, “He seemed quite well?”
“Oh, yes.”
A brief silence fell, then Akitada suppressed his anger and returned to his main concern. “Perhaps I can learn something about the poor young girl’s fate at the River Mansion tonight.”
The abbot expressed disapproval. “It is best to let such things go.”
Akitada looked at the old man. His shaven skull gleamed slightly in the flickering candle light that also threw deep shadows across his face. Many religious men practiced detachment from human desires and fears all their lives. Another death would mean little to them, perhaps all the less for having been the death of a girl who was a courtesan. He, on the other hand, was deeply shaken by death. Yori’s death had nearly destroyed him. And now he had also suffered the loss of Seimei. Little wonder that he was so deeply moved by the death of the beautiful child. And there was danger. “If she was murdered, the murderer may kill again,” he pointed out.
The abbot sighed. “The noble lady is related to the former chancellor Fujiwara Michinaga. She came here about three years ago. I have a chronicle somewhere.” He got up and rummaged among his books. Selecting one, he brought it back to the light, unrolled it, and ran a finger along the entries. “Shrine virgins. Hmm. Yes. Fujiwara Kazuko, daughter of Fujiwara Tametaka.”
Akitada searched his memory. Tametaka was Michinaga’s brother’s son and was definitely of a rank that made it unwise, if not disastrous, to insult or threaten the mistress of the River Mansion. “Thank you,” he said. “It’s always good to know what one is up against.”
The abbot smiled a little sadly. “You need not go,” he said.
*
Akitada visited the local bathhouse and had himself shaved and his hair arranged. More he could not do because he had brought no clothes. Getting back on his rented horse, he returned to the River Mansion.
It was dusk by then. The air was still and quite warm and humid, but clouds had moved in. Fireflies gleamed now and then among the foliage. At the place where the trees thinned to reveal the broad river, he stopped. A large pleasure boat was anchored in the cove. Lanterns gleamed on board, and the boatmen and servants sat around at their leisure. They had delivered Lady Kazuko’s guests.
And now Akitada could hear faint music in the distance. The atmosphere was romantic but seemed also vaguely disturbing. Had someone killed the girl during just such a night of revels?
He assumed the boat had come from the capital, bringing high-ranking nobles for a night of pleasure at the home of a close friend and relative. This made Akitada even more uncomfortable. There would be every opportunity for him to offend men who were not likely to overlook it and had the power to punish him.
The gates, lit by many torches, stood hospitably open, but servants were there to receive or reject arrivals. As before, he rode into the courtyard and gave his name. As before, a servant took away his horse. On this occasion, however, the betto himself received him. He wore a splendid robe of green brocade over full trousers of pale blue silk and made Akitada feel utterly shabby in his hunting robe.
Kakuan was courteous, bowed very deeply, and led him past the main building to a roofed gallery from which he could see into the gardens.
They had changed magically. Everywhere, lights were suspended from tree branches. More lights cast colored hues from paper lanterns that hung along the galleries. Torches surrounded a wooden stage draped with colored cloth. An elaborately costumed figure in a large gilded mask gyrated there to the accompaniment of six seated musicians. They played a zither, two lutes, a small drum, and two flutes. Around the stage, guests in fine robes, some twenty of them, both men and women, stood watching. Nearby, cushions were laid out in front of trays, and servants waited to serve food as soon as the entertainment was over.
What struck Akitada most was a sense of unreality. He remembered what the boat’s master had said about a scene from paradise. It must have seemed that way to an ordinary working man, but he knew that this also resembled parties he had attended at court or at the homes of wealthy noblemen. Still, there was a subtle difference here. He saw not only the beautiful buildings and the large, well-lit garden, but there was a larger, more mysterious world of forests and river beyond. A sense of being far from the bustle of the ordinary world made this gathering appear celestial rather than human.
Kakuan’s voice woke him from his reverie. “Allow me to introduce you to this lady, sir.”
Akitada turned, and there stood a lovely woman. She was small and finely made, her costume exquisite, and her bow very graceful. Sparkling eyes peered at him over a painted fan.
Kakuan smiled at his surprise. “Please enjoy yourself tonight, my Lord. I’m sure this lady will see to your every comfort and pleasure.”
Kakuan left, perhaps to welcome other guests. Akitada’s attention was on this exquisite creature in her rosy silks and flower-embroidered jacket. Was she a lady of rank or a high-class courtesan? Indeed, she could be either with her long, glossy hair, and her bright eyes smiling at him over the pretty fan. Perhaps she was aware of his confusion and enjoyed it.
He sketched a bow. “You’re very kind. I’m a stranger here. And you?” He hoped her answer would tell him if she was from the town and brought here to entertain the noble guests, or if she had arrived on the boat and was some nobleman’s relative.
It was, of course, very improper for a noblewoman to be here among strange men. No, surely she was a courtesan, and they had done him proud. She was young and very beautiful.
She smiled behind her fan. “I’ve come here before. The lady of the River Mansion gives the most charming entertainments. Are you fond of music, my Lord?”
He glanced at the stage, where two dancers now twirled and jumped. Some battle between ancient gods, perhaps? Yes, he thought one of them was the god of the sea. The music had taken on a more dramatic and martial sound. “I am very fond of it,” he said. “And the dancers are excellent.”
“Come.” She touched his arm with her fan and allowed him a glimpse of a softly rounded face and full lips, “I know a place where you can see better.”