Shōgun

“Good.” Kiyama haughtily turned to Ishido. “We should exclude this sect and these barbarians completely from the Empire. I will propose this at the Council’s next meeting. I must say openly that I think Lord Toranaga was ill-advised to make any foreigner, particularly this man, samurai. It’s a very dangerous precedent.”

“Surely that’s unimportant! All the mistakes of the present Lord of the Kwanto will be corrected very soon. Neh?”

“Everyone makes mistakes, Lord General,” Kiyama said pointedly. “Only God is all-seeing and perfect. The only real mistake Lord Toranaga has ever made is to put his own interests before those of the Heir.”

“Yes,” Ishido said.

“Please excuse me,” Mariko said. “But that’s not true. I’m sorry, but you’re both mistaken about my Master.”

Kiyama turned on her. Politely. “It’s perfectly correct for you to take that position, Mariko-san. But, please let’s not discuss that tonight. So, Lord General, where is Lord Toranaga now? What’s your latest news?”

“By yesterday’s carrier pigeon, I heard he was at Mishima. Now I’m getting daily reports on his progress.”

“Good. Then in two days he’ll leave his own borders?” Kiyama asked.

“Yes. Lord Ikawa Jikkyu is ready to welcome him as his position merits.”

“Good.” Kiyama smiled at Ochiba. He was very fond of her. “On that day, Lady, in honor of the occasion, perhaps you would ask the Heir if he would allow the Regents to bow before him?”

“The Heir would be honored, Sire,” she replied, to applause. “And afterwards perhaps, you and everyone here would be his guests at a poetry competition. Perhaps the Regents would be the judges?”

There was more applause.

“Thank you, but please, perhaps you and Prince Ogaki and some of the ladies would be the judges.”

“Very well, if you wish.”

“Now, Lady, what’s the theme to be? And the first line of the poem?” Kiyama asked, very pleased, for he was renowned for his poetry as well as his swordsmanship and ferocity in war.

“Please, Mariko-san, would you answer Lord Kiyama?” Ochiba said, and again many there admired her adroitness—she was an indifferent poetess where Mariko was renowned.

Mariko was glad the time had come to begin. She thought a moment. Then she said, “It should be about today, Lady Ochiba, and the first line: ‘On a leafless branch . . .’ ”

Ochiba and all of them complimented her on her choice. Kiyama was genial now, and said, “Excellent, but we’ll have to be very good to compete with you, Mariko-san.”

“I hope you will excuse me, Sire, but I won’t be competing.”

“Of course you’ll compete!” Kiyama laughed. “You’re one of the best in the realm! It wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t.”

“So sorry, Sire, please excuse me, but I will not be here.”

“I don’t understand.”

Ochiba said, “What do you mean, Mariko-chan?”

“Oh, please excuse me, Lady,” Mariko said, “but I’m leaving Osaka tomorrow—with the Lady Kiritsubo and the Lady Sazuko.”

Ishido’s smile vanished. “Leaving for where?”

“To meet our liege Lord, Sire.”

“He—Lord Toranaga will be here in a few days, neh?”

“It’s months since the Lady Sazuko has seen her husband, and my Lord Toranaga hasn’t yet had the pleasure of seeing his newest son. Naturally the Lady Kiritsubo will accompany us. It’s been equally long since he’s seen the Mistress of his Ladies, neh?”

“Lord Toranaga will be here so soon that to go to meet him isn’t necessary.”

“But I think it is necessary, Lord General.”

Ishido said crisply, “You’ve only just arrived and we’ve been looking forward to your company, Mariko-san. The Lady Ochiba particularly. I agree again with Lord Kiyama, of course you must compete.”

“So sorry, but I will not be here.”

“Obviously you’re tired, Lady. You’ve just arrived. Certainly this is hardly the time to discuss such a private matter.” Ishido turned to Ochiba. “Perhaps, Lady Ochiba, you should greet the remainder of the guests?”

“Yes—yes, of course,” Ochiba said, flustered. At once the line began to form up obediently and nervous conversation began, but the silence fell again as Mariko said, “Thank you, Lord General. I agree, but this isn’t a private matter and there’s nothing to discuss. I am leaving tomorrow to pay my respects to my liege Lord, with his ladies.”

Ishido said coldly, “You are here, Lady, at the personal invitation of the Son of Heaven, together with the welcome of the Regents. Please be patient. Your lord will be here very soon now.”

“I agree, Sire. But His Imperial Majesty’s invitation is for the twenty-second day. It does not order me—or anyone—confined to Osaka until that time. Or does it?”

“You forget your manners, Lady Toda.”

“Please excuse me, that was the last thing I intended. So sorry, I apologize.” Mariko turned to Ogaki, the courtier. “Lord, does the Exalted’s invitation require me to stay here until He arrives?”

Ogaki’s smile was set. “The invitation is for the twenty-second day of this month, Lady. It requires your presence then.”