"First tell me what you did, what you saw, and what you witnessed, Kiri-chan. " Night had fallen before he was satisfied, even though she was perfectly prepared.
"Eeeeeee," he said. "That was a near thing, Kiri-chan. Too near."
"Yes," Kiri replied, her hands folded in her ample lap. Then she added with great tenderness, "All gods, great and small, were guarding you, Sire, and us. Please excuse me that I doubted the outcome, doubted you. The gods were watching over us."
"It seems that way, yes, very much." Toranaga watched the night. The flames of the flares were being wafted by the slight sea breeze that also blew away the night insects and made the evening more comfortable. A fine moon rode the sky and he could see the dark marks on its face and he wondered absently if the dark was land and the rest ice and snow, and why the moon was there, and who lived there. Oh, there are so many things I'd like to know, he thought.
"Can I ask a question, Tora-chan?"
"What question, Lady?"
"Why did Ishido let us go? Really? He needn't have, neh? If I'd been him I wouldn't have done it never. Why?"
"First tell me the Lady Ochiba's message."
"The Lady Ochiba said, 'Please tell Lord Toranaga that I respectfully wish there was some way that his differences with the Heir could be resolved. As a token of the Heir's affection, I'd like to tell Toranaga-sama the Heir has said many times he does not want to lead any armies against his uncle, the Lord of the Kwan-'"
"She said that!"
"Yes. Oh yes."
"Surely she must know - and Ishido - that if Yaemon holds the standard against me I must lose!"
"That's what she said, Sire."
"Eeeeeee!" Toranaga bunched his great calloused fist and banged it on the tatamis. "If that's a real offer and not a trick I'm halfway to Kyoto, and one pace beyond."
"Yes," Kiri said.
"What's the price?"
"I don't know. She said nothing more, Sire. That was all the message - apart from good wishes to her sister."
"What can I give Ochiba that she doesn't have already? Osaka's hers, the treasure's hers, Yaemon's always been Heir of the realm for me. This war's unnecessary. Whatever happens, in eight years Yaemon becomes Kwampaku and inherits the earth, this earth. There's nothing left to give her."
"Perhaps she wants marriage?"
Toranaga shook his head emphatically. "No, not her. That woman would never marry me."
"It's the perfect solution, Sire, for her."
"She'd never consider it. Ochiba my wife? Four times she begged the Taiko to invite me Onward."
"Yes. But that was when he was alive."
"I will do anything that would cement the realm, keep the peace, and make Yaemon Kwampaku. Is that what she wants?"
"It would confirm the succession. That's her lodestone."
Again Toranaga stared at the moon, but now his mind was concentrating on the puzzle, reminded again of what Lady Yodoko had said at Osaka. When no immediate answer was forthcoming he put it aside to continue with the more important present. "I think she's up to her tricks again. Did Kiyama tell you that the barbarian ship had been sabotaged?"
"No, Sire."
Toranaga frowned. "That's surprising, because he must have known about it then. I told Tsukku-san as soon as I heard - he went through the motions of sending a carrier bird at once, though it would only have confirmed what they already must have known."
"Their treachery should be punished, neh? On the instigators as well as the fools who allowed it."
"With patience they'll get their reward, Kiri-san. I hear the Christian priests claim it was an 'Act of God.'" "Such hypocrisy! Stupid, neh?"
"Yes." Very stupid in one way, Toranaga thought, not in another. "Well, thank you, Kiri-san. Again I'm delighted you're safe. We'll stay here tonight. Now, please excuse me. Send for Yabu-san and when he arrives, bring cha and sake and then leave us alone."
"Yes, Sire. May I ask my question now?"
"The same question?"
"Yes, Sire. Why did Ishido let us go?"
"The answer is, Kiri-chan, I don't know. He made a mistake."
She bowed and went away contentedly.
It was almost the middle of the night before Yabu left. Toranaga bowed him away as an equal and thanked him again for everything.
He had invited him to the secret Council of War tomorrow, had confirmed him as General of the Musket Regiment, and confirmed his Overlordship of Totomi and Suruga in writing - once they were conquered and secured.
"Now the regiment's absolutely vital, Yabu-san. You're to be solely responsible for its strategy and training. Omi-san can be liaison between us. Use the Anjin-san's knowledge - anything. Neh?"
"Yes, that will be perfect, Sire. May I humbly thank you."
"You did me a great service bringing my ladies, my son, and the Anjin-san back safely. Terrible about the ship - karma. Perhaps another one will arrive soon. Good night, my friend."
Toranaga sipped his cha. He was feeling very tired now.
"Naga-san?"
"Sire?"
"Where's the Anjin-san?"
"By the wreck with some of his vassals."
"What's he doing there?"
"Just staring at it. " Naga became uneasy under his father's piercing gaze. "So sorry, shouldn't he be there, Sire?"
"What? Oh no, it doesn't matter. Where's Tsukku-san?"
"In one of the guest houses, Sire."
"Have you told him you want to become Christian next year?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Good. Fetch him."
In moments Toranaga saw the tall, lean priest approach under the flares - his taut face deeply lined, his black tonsured hair without a fleck of gray - and he was reminded suddenly of Yokose. "Patience is very important, Tsukku-san. Neh?"
"Yes, always. But why did you say that, Sire?"
"Oh, I was thinking about Yokose. How everything was very different then, such a little time ago."
"Ah, yes. God moves in curious ways, yes, Sire. I'm so very pleased you're still within your own borders."
"You wanted to see me?" Toranaga asked, fanning himself, secretly envying the priest his flat stomach and his gift of tongues.
"Only to apologize for what happened."
"What did the Anjin-san say?"
"Many angry words - and accusations that I'd burned his ship."
"Did you?"
"No, Sire."
"Who did?"
"It was an Act of God. The storm came and the ship was burned."
"It wasn't an Act of God. You say you didn't help it, you or any priest, or any Christian?"
"Oh, I helped, Sire. I prayed. We all did. Before God, I believe that ship was an instrument of the Devil - I've said so to you many times. I know it wasn't your opinion and again I ask your forgiveness for opposing you on this. But perhaps this Act of God helped and did not hinder."
"Oh? How?"
"The Father-Visitor's no longer distracted, Sire. Now he can concentrate on Lords Kiyama and Onoshi."
Toranaga said bluntly, "I've heard all this before, Tsukku-san. What practical help can the chief Christian priest give me?"
"Sire, put your trust in-" Alvito caught himself, then said sincerely, "Please excuse me, Sire, but I feel with all my heart that if you put your trust in God, He will help you."
"I do, but more in Toranaga. Meanwhile I hear Ishido, Kiyama, Onoshi, and Zataki have gathered their legions. Ishido will have three or four hundred thousand men in the field against me."
"The Father-Visitor's implementing his agreement with you, Sire. At Yokose I reported failure, now I think there's hope."
"I can't use hope against swords."
"Yes, but God can win against any odds."
"Yes. If God exists he can win against any odds." Then Toranaga's voice edged even more. "What hope are you referring to?"