The Old Men of Omi (12 page)

When Tora saw that the monk next to the secret path had joined them, he slipped past the side of the building and jogged away from the crowds and into the woods. He saw no one. The path turned sharply left and then ascended toward the mountain ridge behind the temple complex. After a while, Tora slowed and steadied his breathing. No sense in alerting any other posted watchers. He proceeded more slowly and cautiously, especially when he neared the summit. But again he was quite safe. And then the path took a final turn, and Tora saw a complex of buildings before him. In contrast to the temple below, these were very plain. The wood was unpainted and had darkened from the weather. The roofs of the halls were covered with bark. Some of the buildings were more than one story tall and had wooden roofs weighted down with rocks like the row houses of the poor and the warehouses of merchants. The whole thing had a utilitarian look about it, but it was walled all around, and the walls rested on rock and had watchtowers, and the gate he saw from where he was looked heavily reinforced.

It was closed.

And it was getting dark and chilly. Soon he would not be able to see much anyway. Regretfully, he turned back. The light faded rapidly, and when the forest closed in on him again, he realized he had been foolish to take this path so late in the day. It was nearly dark under the trees. There were rock outcroppings and loose stones underfoot, and haste was of the essence. Soon he could do little more than descend the steep inclines by slipping, sliding, and catching himself by grasping tree branches. He had given up long since any effort to avoid noise or to listen for it.

That was how it happened.

He was wondering if he was still on the same path or if he had somehow left it to flounder about in the forest on a mountain side that might at any moment propel him into a gorge, when a hand seized his shoulder from behind. Before he could react someone kicked his legs out from under him. He fell heavily, and a large, heavy body fell on top of him.

On their return from the fair, the children reported gleefully to their father, showing off their kites and beads, and sticky faces and fingers. Kosehira laughed, eyed Akitada and Yukiko with some interest when they remained quiet, and then packed his family off to their home and baths. Akitada he begged to remain a little longer.

They went to Kosehira’s study, where Kosehira gestured for Akitada to sit and offered him wine. Akitada accepted, though he would have preferred water. His mouth was uncomfortably dry.

He drank, then asked,” What’s on your mind, brother?”

Kosehira fidgeted. “I’m very grateful you looked after my family.” He gave Akitada another one of his searching glances. “Hmm. I hope the children weren’t too much of a nuisance. I know I’ve spoiled them.”

“Not at all. They were delightful. I enjoyed the afternoon very much.”

That got him another sharp glance. “Yukiko helped look after them, I hope.”

“Oh, yes. I told you, they were no trouble.”

“She’s old enough to have some sense,” Kosehira said. “Mature for her age. Don’t you think so?”

“She is charming, Kosehira, and will make some deserving young man very happy.” Akitada had become embarrassed during this interrogation and asked, “But wasn’t there something else you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes, of course. It’s just that I’m very fond of her. Fond of you, too.” Kosehira now looked rather red himself and emptied his cup. “As to the other matter …” He paused.

Akitada wondered at this “other.” It sounded as if both Yukiko and the other matter had been on Kosehira’s mind when he brought Akitada back here. He waited.

“Chief Takechi came to see me a short while ago. There’s been another death, it seems. He was anxious that you should be told.”

Akitada’s thoughts flew to the unfortunate couple who had kept house for Judge Nakano. Had there been some sort of quarrel? “What happened?”

“Another old man has died. Takechi says it looks like Nakano’s death. Only this one was some poor fellow who earned a few coppers sweeping streets.”

“Strange. I’d better have word with him.” Akitada rose.

“Tomorrow is soon enough. It’s been a long day.” Kosehira stretched. “You wouldn’t believe the number of petitions I had to read today. On second thought, maybe you would.”

“I’ll be glad to take some work off your hands while I’m here, Kosehira. You only have to ask.”

Kosehira chuckled. “Thanks. It may come to that. But let’s go home for today. I want a bath, some wine, and a good meal, and then bed.”

That sounded wonderful and Akitada said so.

But it was not an altogether restful evening after all. When they reached Kosehira’s house, it became clear that Tora had not returned from the capital. After his initial irritation, Akitada worried. He worried enough to propose that he should get back on his horse and ride home to find out what had happened to Tora.

Kosehira objected. “He’s just decided to spend another day and night with that pretty wife of his. You don’t need him, so what does it matter?”

“I don’t know. He promised to be back this morning.” Akitada remembered that Tora had been angry with him when he left, and what he had been angry about. “I don’t like this at all. I think he had some wild idea of rescuing a man from the
sohei
on Mount Hiei.”

This required explanations which effectively spoiled Kosehira’s good mood. “You’re sure that he meant to be back in Otsu this morning?”

Akitada nodded. “By midday at the latest. I think he returned, found me gone to the fair, and decided to pay a visit to Enryaku-ji.”

Kosehira was instantly relieved. “Oh, that makes sense. He’ll be back shortly then. Let’s go have that bath.”

Akitada was by no means reassured, but he decided not to panic just yet. They had a relaxing bath and excellent hot supper on trays in Kosehira’s room with some of Kosehira’s good wine.

They talked about the
sohei
, whom Kosehira deplored as much as Akitada. When Akitada shared Tora’s story, Kosehira made up his mind to send a message to the abbot, demanding explanations and proof that Kinzaburo was indeed one of the temple’s peasants.

He said glumly, “Nothing will come of it, of course. They’ll have the proof. But at least they will be warned that I’m keeping an eye on their hired thugs.”

“I think I’ll send a protest of my own. They did, after all, attack Tora. I’ll demand they turn the attacker over to the local police for public brawling.”

They smiled at each other, satisfied for the moment.

Refilling their cups, Kosehira returned to a more delicate subject.

“Speaking of your household, brother,” Kosehira said, a little diffidently, “how are you managing it? I mean, it must be very difficult with the lovely Tamako gone. I recall, you always insisted that one wife was all you ever wanted. As you saw, I have three kind and cheerful ladies. They take all cares for my children and the household affairs off my shoulders.”

Akitada grimaced. “I know. I’ve been envious of your happy family. I miss Tamako every day. I’m sure the children do, too, though they seem content enough. But the wives of two of my retainers are good women. Especially Hanae, Tora’s wife.”

“You’ll forgive my saying so, brother, but that’s hardly the same as a wife. There are other needs.” He gave a soft chuckle and raised his cup. “Here’s to lovemaking, Akitada. The sages have taught us that a man needs it regularly to keep his body strong and healthy.”

Akitada laughed. “I do my best,” he said. “Such things are easy enough to arrange. Why do you ask? Do you have someone in mind?”

Kosehira gulped. “Well,” he said after a moment, “I could make enquiries if you wish. I haven’t had much occasion … I’m a family man, brother. Three desirable ladies are enough for me.”

Akitada apologized, and they changed the subject.

Tora had not returned by the next morning either, and Kosehira offered to send a servant to Akitada’s house. Akitada, by now seriously worried as well as angry with Tora, decided to go himself.

He arrived at home before the midday rice, much to the surprise of Genba who greeted him.

“Is Tora here?” Akitada snapped before Genba could do more than bow and offer a welcome.

“No, sir. Isn’t he with you? He left early yesterday.”

Before Akitada could say anything else, a strange woman interrupted them. She came from the direction of the kitchen. “Genba,” she called out. “I need you to run to the market. That fool of a cook forgot to buy shrimp. You know how much his lordship’s children like them. If you ask me, they’ve been given too many sweets. All they want is moon cakes and sweet dumplings.”

“Who’s that?” Akitada asked.

“Tora was to explain sir. She’s Saburo’s mother. Mrs. Kuruda.”

“Saburo has a mother?” Foolish question, but somehow the issue of Saburo’s family had never come up. Akitada had always assumed that someone as grotesquely scarred as the man he had met in Naniwa must be alone in the world. This oversight angered him further.

The short, round woman, no beauty herself, reached them as he swung himself out of the saddle. She took in his clothes and hat and made him a small bow. “If it’s business for his lordship,” she informed him, “he’s not home. He’s a guest of his Excellency, the governor of Omi. “I’m sure I can be of service if you wish to leave a message. Allow me to show you inside.”

Normally this would have been amusing. Genba was grinning, but Akitada had no time to be entertained. “I’m Sugawara and this is my home,” he snapped. “I’m told you’re Saburo’s mother. Where is he?”

At this, she made him a better bow. “A great pleasure, my lord. My son has told me much about you. It’s been an honor to meet your charming children and look after them. But children need their parents. Alas, poor mites, they’ve lost their mother. If you don’t mind my saying so, you really should spend more time with them, my lord. But business presses. I understand that well enough. My late husband was an official himself. His duties were more important than anything to him. I learned soon enough that as his wife I must be both mother and father to my children. If I do say so myself, I’m very good at it by now. I’ve enjoyed looking after Lady Yasuko and Master Yoshi. But I’m rattling on. You must be hungry. I’ll run and see about some food and wine. Genba, you’d better hurry and get those shrimp.”

Akitada was momentarily speechless. Then he said, “Stay, Genba.” To Saburo’s mother, he added, “You are welcome here as Saburo’s mother, but I assure you there is no need for you to manage my household or my children.”

She waved that aside with a smile that revealed crooked front teeth. “It’s no trouble. I’m used to working hard and I’ll go on working if it helps my boy. A mother’s care is never done, don’t you agree? No, don’t answer. I know you’re a sensible gentleman. A Chinese sage said you must honor your parents. He knew what he was talking about. His mother slaved and suffered for him. I imagine yours worked and worried for you. Yes, I can see I’m right. Now that I’m here, my Saburo will have his mother’s support as long as she draws a breath.” She looked over Akitada’s shoulder. “ Ah, here he comes now. What a clever gentleman you are to have asked Saburo to work for you. The boy is simply brilliant. He has a great future ahead of him. Saburo, here’s your master come home when we least expected it. I must see about his dinner.” For a moment she looked distracted. “Shrimp would have been nice, but never mind. I’ll think of something.” With another bob, she was off.

Saburo knelt and touched his forehead to the gravel of the courtyard. “I’m very sorry about this, sir. She suddenly showed up. Please forgive her. She’s a very silly woman.”

“Get up, Saburo,” Akitada said wearily. “She is your mother?”

Saburo stood, head hanging low. “Yes, sir. She has no place to go.”

“Then she is welcome here. Where is Tora?”

Saburo looked up, startled. “He didn’t get back to you?”

“No.”

“I think …” Saburo faltered. “I may be wrong. It isn’t like Tora not to report back to you, but perhaps he’s gone to Enryaku-ji.”

“Ah! I half suspected it. But he hasn’t come back from there either.”

“Yes. It’s extremely troubling.” Saburo twisted his hands together and glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen. “I should go look for him, but my mother …”

Akitada frowned. “I’m sure your mother is quite safe here. Do you know much about the monks at Enryaku-ji?”

“Yes, sir. I was sent there once.”

“I didn’t’ know. Neither, for that matter, did you mention your mother. Is there anything else I should know?”

Saburo flinched. “Probably. I’m very sorry. I was afraid you would dismiss me again. I can see now that keeping silent made things worse. My mother and I will be gone as soon as Tora is found. I don’t like to impose on you and the others. She’s a difficult woman. But I think I’d better go look for Tora right away.”

“You can make a home for her here,” Akitada said rashly. “After we’ve all had something to eat, I want everyone to come to my study. We’ll discuss it then.”

Saburo looked uneasy, but he nodded.

Mrs. Kuruda was the first to arrive. After making him a bow, she glanced around. “If you don’t mind, my lord, I could do wonders with this room. After a good cleaning, I’ll have your things rearranged in a more pleasing manner. It could do with a bit of straightening, too.”

His study was neither dirty nor disordered, and he definitely did not want this woman to touch it. He snapped, “Do not touch a thing in this room!”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the others arrived, and the room, though sizable, was hardly large enough to hold them all. The children had come as well and were wide-eyed with curiosity.

Akitada smiled at them and said, “I came looking for Tora and instead find Saburo’s mother. Thank you all for making her welcome, both for Saburo’s sake and because it’s the proper and kind thing to do. Mrs. Kuruda, you are welcome here. I hope you’ll become a part of my household.” Seeing Saburo’s mother open her mouth to respond, he raised a hand. “No, there’s no time now. The others will help you settle in. They have my trust, and I hope you will, too. In my absence, Hanae is in charge of household matters. Genba looks after the house and grounds, and the horses.” He saw a look of dismay on her face, but it was just as well to establish her position early. She had sounded as if she planned to give the orders in the future.