Cloud of Sparrows (27 page)

“Yes.” He reached under the Bibles and took out the gun she’d seen him hide. He looked her in the eye and didn’t look away. She met his gaze with a steady one of her own. “But I’m unlikely to walk the earth much longer. Before too long, you really will be alone, in this foreign and dangerous place. Are you prepared for that?”

“I am.”

She watched him wrap the gun in a sweater, along with a box of what she thought was probably ammunition.

“I’ll do the agreeing. You’ll have to do the explaining.” He moved a fallen section of wall aside and found his giant knife.

“I’ll tell them ours is to be a marriage of faith, as Zephaniah’s and mine was to be. Not one of earthly love. The Japanese have religion, as we do, though our beliefs are different. They will understand.”

“We’re partners, then,” Matthew said.

“Thank you, Matthew.”

He didn’t ask why. She didn’t say anything about the gun. Yes, they were partners indeed.

Genji, Shigeru, Saiki, Sohaku, Kudo, and Hidé sat in a square in the main room of the maids’ quarters. It was the only part of the palace to completely escape damage. Heiko and Hanako served tea. Everyone waited for Saiki to speak. He was lord chamberlain. As a matter of protocol, it was his duty to establish the context out of which a decision would arise.

With such sensitive matters to discuss, Saiki would have preferred that no women be present. Genji had overruled his objection, pointing out that if Hidé’s bride and his own lover could not be trusted, then they were already doomed. Saiki restrained himself and did not point out that there was still time to put an unreliable party to the sword. Genji was clearly beyond reason where Heiko was concerned. If it became necessary, he would have to take action without the young lord’s permission. This he was prepared to do, on the journey from Edo, if appropriate conditions arose.

Saiki said, “Lord Senryu’s palace escaped damage. He has agreed to accommodate our seriously injured until they can be properly evacuated. The necessary cremations have been arranged. The ambulatory wounded will go with the main group.”

“This will provoke a response from the Shogun,” Kudo said. “Even in his weakened state—indeed especially because of it—he cannot allow such a flagrant dismissal of his authority.”

“Agreed,” Saiki said. “But we have no choice. What will the outsiders do next? We don’t know. Perhaps they will return for another bombardment. Perhaps they will land troops the next time. This could be the eve of an invasion. Beyond these uncertain perils, there is the certain one. With the walls of our palace breached, we are highly vulnerable to domestic enemies. Two assassination attempts have already taken place. One against our lord before the bombardment, and one against Lady Heiko, or perhaps the missionary woman, immediately after it. The assailant was killed. His identity, and therefore his master, remains a mystery. In these confusing times, the motivations and aims of others are not always easy to fathom. Which only serves to exacerbate the danger.”

“I agree we must evacuate,” Sohaku said. “I also agree that the Shogun will respond. We must be prepared. Our cached firearms and ammunition should be dispensed immediately. All possible routes out of Edo and through the interior in the direction of Akaoka must be examined. Particular attention must be paid to where it is most likely the intercepting forces will attack. Because we refused entry to Kawakami, we are undoubtedly under watch, which means we may not even get out of Edo before we face hostile forces in number.”

Kudo said, “A diversion would be useful. If a dozen volunteers were to attack Edo Castle, they might sufficiently draw attention away from here.”

“A dozen men against the Shogun’s fortress?” Saiki said. “They would all be dead within a few seconds.”

“Not if they attacked individually and randomly,” Kudo said, “at different times and from different directions. The garrison would have to remain on alert for an extended period. Our men could wear banners protesting the Shogun’s inaction in the face of the outsiders’ bombardment. That will add to the confusion.”

Genji turned to Shigeru. “What do you think?”

Shigeru hadn’t been listening. He’d been thinking about the ancient swords now in his possession. More specifically, he had been thinking about his most recent vision, the one that caused him to know he would be the last Okumichi to wield them in battle. The precognition made complete sense, and was unaccompanied by confusing visual and auditory pyrotechnics. This had never happened to him before. Did it signal a shift in him, or was this another side effect of his nephew’s proximity? Or was it yet another form of
makkyo
—a delusion sent by demons? Unless he knew for sure, there was no point in saying anything to Genji.

“The plans put forth all have specific merits,” Shigeru said. He knew without listening that the obvious options had been laid out. An overt and undisguised movement of the household in one body. A diversion, followed by the escape of the young lord with a core of the best cavalrymen. The dispensing of firearms. “The safe evacuation of our lord will best be accomplished by a combined approach. This will confer the most benefits while reducing the risks. Where is the cremation of our dead taking place?”

“Nakaumi Temple,” Saiki said.

“Continue to transport bodies there.”

Saiki shifted impatiently. “The task continues without further direction, Lord Shigeru, and is nearly complete.”

“Continue to transport bodies there,” Shigeru said again. “The living have been carrying the dead. Now let the living carry the living. Continue until half our men are at the crematorium. In the meantime, Lord Genji and a small party will proceed to the eastern marshes to observe the cranes in their winter plumage. This will come as welcome relief from the tensions engendered by the recent attack. Once there, he will proceed into the mountains and travel by back trails to Akaoka Domain. Those remaining here at the palace will wait until nightfall. Then our stealthiest men will eliminate the Shogun’s spies and the evacuation of the palace will be completed in secrecy.”

Saiki’s frown, already apparent when Shigeru began, now deepened appreciably. “It’s true our lord has a reputation for refined artistic sensibilities. But viewing cranes? After his palace has been blown to smithereens? When dozens of his retainers lie dead and wounded? Intolerable!”

“I will not really be viewing cranes,” Genji said mildly.

“No, my lord, you will not,” Saiki said. “But to have others believe it, even briefly, is beneath your dignity. You are the Twenty-sixth Great Lord of Akaoka. Your ancestors have brought down Shoguns and raised them up, and you and your descendants will do so as well. You would never even consider viewing cranes at such a time.”

“Yet, inexplicably, I find myself with an irresistible desire to do that very thing.” Genji smiled at Heiko. “Certain cranes, they say, even mate in winter.”

Saiki closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, things had not changed. “My lord, please reconsider. The risks for such a course of action are incalculably high.”

“With the other scenarios, how likely is violent confrontation?”

“Very likely.”

“If our crane viewing is successful, no violence will impede my departure. Is that not so?”

“Only if it is successful, my lord.”

Genji said, “My family has always been fortunate where birds are concerned.”

Sohaku said, “There are other reasons to question this strategy. You intend us to separate into three groups?”

“That is correct,” Shigeru said.

“We are few as it is. In reduced numbers, we will be much more vulnerable to attack. And you propose to send the fewest men, armed most lightly, with our lord, to travel the most difficult and most lengthy way home.”

“Yes,” Shigeru said, “and for good measure, I think the missionaries should go with him.”

“What?” Saiki, Kudo, and Sohaku cried out nearly in unison.

“If our lord wishes to show his new guests the beauty of the countryside, it is understandable. Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain why the outsiders are abroad at such a time.”

“Why must we burden ourselves with them?” Kudo said. “Let them take shelter with Harris, the American consul.”

“You are aware of the prophecy,” Shigeru said. “An outsider will save Lord Genji’s life. We don’t know which one. So for our lord’s sake, we must protect them as if their lives are his.”

Kudo said, “That one has already served his function by taking a bullet and dying. These two are useless to us.”

Saiki sighed. “That is not certain.” Much as he hated to admit it, he now tended toward Shigeru’s view, that the bullet had hit the person for whom it was intended—the leader of the missionaries. “I agree with Lord Shigeru. They must be safeguarded.”

Kudo looked at Sohaku, who pretended not to notice. Silently, Sohaku cursed his accomplice for his superstitious nature. They would succeed in killing Genji, or fail, depending on their own fates, not on some ridiculous prophecy about outsiders.

Sohaku said, “Who will lead the three units?” Shigeru’s answer would tell him whether he was suspected or not.

“You are commander of cavalry,” Shigeru said. “Obviously, you will take charge of the main force. Skirmish if necessary, but avoid pitched battles. Before you depart, we will confer, and see where along the way we might be able to join you.”

“Very good, lord.” Sohaku bowed. So he was still trusted; otherwise he would not be given the principal command.

“Kudo, the best assassins we have are among your household vassals.” Shigeru paused. His expression did not change. A close observer, however, would have noticed the narrowing of his pupils as he looked at Kudo. “Therefore, you will organize the men left here. First, dispose of the spies watching us. Then join with Sohaku as quickly as you can.”

“Yes, lord.” Kudo, too, was relieved to receive an important assignment. The reference to assassins did unsettle him, but there seemed nothing sinister in Shigeru’s words. If there was the least suspicion, neither he nor Sohaku would be given the responsibilities they had been given, and they would certainly not be ordered to join forces.

Saiki listened, horrified. Shigeru was turning over all of their available power to the two men he knew to be plotting against their lord. He was surely as mad as ever, though he seemed rational enough on the surface. Within a few days, somewhere in the high forests in the mountains along the spine of Japan, Sohaku and Kudo would find Genji and put him to death. His mind raced, struggling unsuccessfully to find a solution.

Shigeru said, “Lord Chamberlain, you will depart this night for our domain at top speed. Taro and Shimoda will accompany you. Once home, prepare our army for war. Be ready to move in any direction in three weeks’ time.”

“Yes, lord.” Saiki bowed. In a flash, Shigeru’s plan became clear. While Sohaku and Kudo were held in place by their commands, Saiki would be free to dash for Akaoka and ensure the loyalty of the main army by ruthlessly purging all questionable elements. In the meantime, Shigeru would guide Genji through the least likely pathways of the hinterlands in an attempt to evade the pursuit that would surely come from both the Shogun and these two traitors. Shigeru’s task would be certain suicide for anyone but Shigeru. With him, Lord Genji had a good chance of survival.

Sohaku asked, “How many men will Lord Genji take with him?”

“Myself,” Shigeru said, “and Hidé. Naturally, Lord Genji would never think to view winter cranes without Lady Heiko. And the two missionaries. No others are required.”

“My lord.” This was most excellent news. But Kudo felt it necessary to protest as a demonstration of his loyal concern. “Your prowess is beyond question, and Hidé has recently demonstrated his own high level of competence. But two men? To protect our lord on a journey mainly across domains pledged to his ancestral enemies? At least a troop should go with you. If there is an attack, those men can gain time for our lord by laying down their lives.”

“Our only hope for survival is avoidance,” Shigeru said. “If we engage in any battle, with or without a troop or two or even ten at our backs, we will fail.”

“I also believe the risk is too high,” Sohaku said. “Might it not be most prudent if the lord traveled with either Kudo or myself? We will have the manpower to protect him against all but a main force, and a main force cannot move fast enough to catch cavalrymen.” As he spoke, a new idea came to him, one that would greatly simplify their plans. “He would travel in disguise. In the meantime, you would proceed as you have outlined, but with a false Lord Genji to draw attention. Our lord’s safety will thereby be doubly ensured.” With Genji in their hands and Shigeru out of the way, the victory was as good as won.

“A promising suggestion,” Shigeru said, “and one with notable merits. What do you think, my lord?” He asked the question of Genji, not to get an answer, but to give himself time to regain control of his raging emotions. He was on the verge of beheading both Sohaku and Kudo on the spot. Arrogant, treacherous fools! But if he killed them now, his reputation for madness would be his nephew’s undoing. Their clan would disintegrate. Calm. He needed to find that calm place within. If it still existed.

“Truly brilliant, Reverend Abbot,” Genji said. “The dual deceptions you suggest are so clever.” He and Shigeru had already decided on their course of action before the meeting. By pretending to consider Sohaku’s proposal, Shigeru was showing his respect. If his uncle was able to take politesse into account, then perhaps his madness was truly behind him. This was cause for genuine optimism. Genji favored Heiko with another smile. “The more I think about it, the more it seems to be the most amusing way to leave Edo after all. Don’t you agree, Heiko?”