Shōgun

"Yes, yes, if you wish." Toranaga smiled and watched her go for a moment, liking her greatly. Again he looked at Kiri. "Is everything all right with you?" he asked for her ears alone.

"Yes, Lord. Oh, yes-and seeing you so strong fills me with gladness."

"You've lost weight, Kiri-chan, and you're younger than ever."

"Ah, so sorry, Sire, it's not true. But thank you, thank you."

He grinned at her. "Whatever it is then, it suits you. Tragedy-loneliness-being forsaken… I'm pleased to see you, Kiri-chan."

"Thank you, Sire. I'm so happy that her obedience and sacrifice unlocked Osaka. It would please her greatly, Sire, to know she was successful."

"First I have to deal with this rabble, then later we'll talk. There's lots to talk about, neh?"

"Yes, oh yes!" Her eyes sparkled. "The Son of Heaven will be delayed, neh?"

"That would be wise. Neh?"

"I have a private message from Lady Ochiba."

"Ah? Good! But it will have to wait." He paused. "The Lady Mariko, she died honorably? By choice and not by accident or mistake?"

"Mariko-sama chose death. It was seppuku. If she hadn't done what she did, they would have captured her. Oh, Sire, she was so marvelous all those evil days. So brave. And the Anjin-san. If it hadn't been for him, she would have been captured and shamed. We would all have been captured and shamed."

"Ah yes, the ninja." Toranaga exhaled, his eyes became jet and she shivered in spite of herself. "Ishido's got much to answer for, Kiri-chan. Please excuse me." He stalked over to the reviewing stand and sat, stern and menacing again. His guards surrounded him.

"Omi-san!"

"Yes, Sire?" Omi came forward and bowed, seeming older than before, leaner now.

"Escort the Lady Kiritsubo to her quarters, and make sure mine are adequate. I'll stay here tonight."

Omi saluted and walked off and Toranaga was glad to see that the sudden change of plan produced not even a flicker in Omi's eyes. Good, he thought, Omi's learning, or his spies have told him I've secretly ordered Sudara and Hiro-Matsu here so I could not possibly leave until tomorrow.

Now he turned his full attention on the regiment. At his signal Yabu came forward and saluted. He returned the salutation politely. "So, Yabu-san! Welcome back."

"Thank you, Sire. May I say how happy I am you avoided Ishido's treachery."

"Thank you. And you too. Things did not go well at Osaka. Neh?"

"No. My harmony is destroyed, Sire. I had hoped to lead the retreat from Osaka bringing you both your ladies safely, and your son, and also the Lady Toda, the Anjin-san, and seamen for his ship. Unfortunately, so sorry, we were both betrayed-there and here."

"Yes." Toranaga looked at the wreck below that was washed by the sea. Anger flickered across his face and everyone readied for the outburst. But none came. "Karma," he said. "Yes, karma, Yabu-san. What can one do against the elements? Nothing. Negligence is another thing. Now, about Osaka, I want to hear everything that happened, in detail-as soon as the regiment's dismissed and I've bathed."

"I have a report for you in writing, Sire."

"Good. Thank you, but first I'd prefer you to tell it to me."

"Is it true the Exalted won't go to Osaka?"

"What the Exalted decides is up to the Exalted."

"Do you wish to review the regiment before I dismiss them?" Yabu asked formally.

"Why should I give them that honor? Don't you know they're in disgrace, the elements notwithstanding?" he added thinly.

"Yes, Sire. So sorry. Terrible." Yabu was trying unsuccessfully to read Toranaga's mind. "I was appalled when I heard what had happened. It seems almost impossible."

"I agree." Toranaga's face darkened and he looked at Naga and beyond him to the massed ranks. "I still fail to understand how there could be such incompetence. I needed that ship!"

Naga was agitated. "Please excuse me, Sire, but do you wish me to make another inquiry?"

"What can you do now that you haven't already done?"

"I don't know, Sire, nothing Sire, please excuse me."

"Your investigation was thorough, neh?"

"Yes, Sire. Please forgive my stupidity."

"It wasn't your fault. You weren't here. Or in command." Impatiently Toranaga turned back to Yabu. "It's curious, even sinister, that the shore patrol, the camp patrol, the deck patrol, and the commander were all Izu men on that night-except for the Anjin-san's few ronin."

"Yes, Sire. Curious, but not sinister, so sorry. You were perfectly correct to hold the officers responsible, as Naga-san was to punish the others. So sorry, I made my own investigations as soon as I arrived but I've no more information, nothing to add. I agree it's karma-karma helped somehow by manure-eating Christians. Even so, I apologize."

"Ah, you say it was sabotage?"

"There's no evidence, Sire, but a tidal wave and simple fire seem too easy an explanation. Certainly any fire should have been doused. Again I apologize."

"I accept your apologies but, meanwhile, please tell me how I replace that ship. I need that ship!"