Gloria Oliver (37 page)

Toshi glanced over his shoulder, as a new man turned into the corridor. This one wore Tsuyu’s symbol at his shoulder.

“Who is this boy?” the new guard demanded.

The other gave him an irritated look. “I’ve taken care of this. It’s none of your concern.”

“Anything that affects Asano-sama affects Tsuyu-sama, so this is my concern.”

The two men glared at each other with mutual dislike. It was becoming ever more obvious to Toshi that Tsuyu had a lot less control than he made it seem. Though he was good at manipulating what power he had obtained, all obviously did not go easy for him.

“I’m sorry, sirs. Again, this was all my fault. I did not realize I was not where I meant to be.”

“What is your name?” Tsuyu’s guard demanded.

The question made him pause. He considered lying but then discarded the idea. How many wounded people were there about the castle? If he lied, it would be found out; and the deceit might give Tsuyu an excuse to hold him for deeper questioning and put him somewhere where he could be dispatched quietly before anyone was the wiser.

“My name is Kazete Toshiro. I am a guest of Asano-sama’s.”

He saw Tsuyu’s guard’s eyes narrow, as if the man were irked he hadn’t bothered to lie. It seemed Tsuyu had briefed his men about him.

“Do you see now? I’d taken care of this like I said.” Asano’s man said.

“He still looks suspicious to me.” Tsuyu’s man eyed Toshi, as if looking for anything he could use to back up his claim. “Perhaps we should detain him.”

Toshi felt a bead of perspiration roll down his neck. He forced himself to keep his mouth shut.

“A boy with a wound? What about that do you find threatening, Ishi? The others will laugh you right out of here if you try it.” The guard’s barking laugh echoed down the hallway.

Tsuyu’s man’s face reddened, and he sent a look of death in Toshi’s direction.

“I will gladly cooperate in anything you wish me to do.” He bowed as he spoke, though falling into Tsuyu’s hands was the last thing he wanted.

“That won’t be necessary,” Asano’s man said. “Please, be on your way—and be more careful next time.”

“I will. Thank you very much.” He bowed to them again. Without looking back, he went the way he’d come.

“Kazete-sama!”

He was a little surprised to find Yuko at the head of the stairs once he’d made his way back. It looked like she’d been waiting for him. “You didn’t have to wait for me, Yuko-san.”

The young woman actually blushed. “I—I was concerned. I’m glad to see you are all right.” Her eyes met his for a moment. “May I guide you back to your room?”

He nodded, knowing there was nothing more he could accomplish here. “Yes, please.”

Once back in his room, he sat outside, considering his options. All his plans had come to nothing.

Himiko was right—there seemed no way to get to her father. Before, he’d been stumped by the layers of bureaucracy Tsuyu had helped establish between Asano and everyone else in order to have control as to who did or did not have access to the lord. This had been compounded by Toshi’s need to keep his business a secret. Now that Tsuyu knew who he was, the official ways would be blocked for him permanently. What few alternatives he’d come up with on his own had now proved to be blocked as well. His only hope was that Himiko had somehow seen a possibility he hadn’t; otherwise, he’d have no chance to ever complete his mission.

He rubbed his shoulder as he tried not to get depressed. Yet, when Himiko arrived a while later the unreadable expression on her face told him she’d not had much success on his behalf either.

“Toshiro-san, were you able to rest?” she asked him lightly.

He bowed and then go up. “Yes, I am feeling much better.”

“Shall we go, then?” She waited for him to join her.

They walked a short way without either of them saying anything. Though he knew the answer already, he decided he had to ask.

“Himiko-sama, were you able to come up with anything?”

She didn’t look at him as she answered. “I’m afraid not. I’ve done nothing but ponder on this since you left and…”

Despair colored her words. He decided he wanted to make it go away. “Is there anything that motivates your father anymore? Does he at any time vary from his routine?”

Himiko slowly shook her head. “The only thing, the only weakness, I’ve ever seen in him is his love of a good mystery. How that could help you, I just—” She stopped walking and turned to look at him. A touch of excitement filled her voice. “There might be a way. I don’t know if it will work, and it will make you very vulnerable; but it might have a chance.”

“I’m willing to take the risk. What’s your idea?” He felt his own excitement rising. Could there still be some hope?

She nodded and resumed walking. It was several minutes before she answered him.

“In the early morning and late evening, my father takes the same route from his rooms to his audience chamber and back again,” she said. “Part of the route goes through a hallway that has five or six small windows on the second floor, which look out upon a raised stage we use for special ceremonies.

“If my father saw you sitting there for a few days, it might just intrigue him enough to start asking questions. If he does, I can make sure he’s informed you’ve been waiting to meet with him. He might just start wondering what could be so important you’d go to such lengths just to get him to notice you. And, if you’re so desperate, why it is that an audience was never granted you in the first place.”

“You think it could work?” It seemed like such a slim hope.

Her walnut-brown eyes wouldn’t meet his. “I truly don’t know. I haven’t recognized the man who sits as my father for a long time. I’m not really sure how he’ll react. I don’t know if Tsuyu’s hold is so strong he’ll ignore everything,” she admitted. “I just don’t know.”

He didn’t press her further but walked on in silence. He jostled his mind for any other alternatives, in case inspiration struck him, and found none. Though her plan might prove ineffective, it was the only option he had.

“Himiko-sama, would you show me the courtyard?”

“You’re going to do it, then?” Her face was serious. “Are you sure you realize the danger of this course?

You’ll be highly vulnerable in the courtyard if you stay there both day and night, as you must. If my father asks, he will be told of your constant vigil and only if you’ve never left will he be intrigued by your commitment, and wonder at it as well. We will have witnesses who’ll be able testify to the fact. For, only something truly unusual will catch his eye.

“Tsuyu will try to get rid of you once he realizes what you’re doing. Yet the game he has been playing is dangerous, and he has much to lose if he is ever exposed. He has power only at my father’s sufferance, so if anything tipped my father’s favor against him…

“But Tsuyu is also very impetuous and will surely try something by indirect means, where no blame will stick on him.”

Toshi shook his head, not ready to be discouraged. He was amazed, however, at the politics going on all around. Peasants weren’t made for such games.

“I have nothing to lose by trying, Himiko-sama. My life is forfeit whether I do this or not. I’d rather have some hope than none.” He felt his throat dry up, knowing only too well what he was committing himself to. Though death was never longed for, he oddly discovered he had no regrets. Asaka had allowed him to choose his road, and he would remain on it until the end.

Glancing at Himiko, he realized she, too, had made a choice and wouldn’t shy away from it. It brought him a slight sense of satisfaction that if things went wrong at least he wouldn’t be around to hear of her death on her wedding day.

In the course of their wanderings, Himiko led Toshi to the courtyard she’d talked about that afternoon.

Feeling tired but resolved, he studied the area where he would play his hand.

The castle walls rose grandly about fifty yards from him. Six long, narrow windows were cut into the wall directly facing the small stage. The back of the courtyard was surrounded by a curtain of trees cutting it from view of the castle’s main thoroughfares. The area was quiet and serene.

“Those windows are part of the hallway my father will be walking through. If he looks out, he can’t help but see you. Unfortunately, if my father notices you, so will Tsuyu,” Himiko pointed out. “Out of what he thinly disguises as respect, Tsuyu escorts my father back and forth each day. That he’ll do something once he sees you is without question.”

She grabbed his arm. Her hands were cold. “I’ll try to do what I can to protect you,” she said, with some emotion. “I will speak to Kirin-san, and he will get a message to our guards. They will make sure Tsuyu doesn’t have his men block the windows. I’ll also have him post guards here so they can protect you and act as your witnesses. I will do my utmost to give you as much of a chance to gain my father’s attention as I can.” She glanced away. “I want you to live a long and happy life for the both of us.”

He found her face unreadable, but her eyes were sparkling. He looked away, feeling strange inside.

“Come, Toshiro-san, it is yet too early for you to begin your vigil. We don’t want the dogs to pick up your scent before we’ve even begun.”

Though he was tired and his shoulder was becoming more insistent in its aches, he went along with her as she showed him a number of other courtyards. Himiko’s retinue followed, never far behind.

“Toshiro-san, I will speak with Kirin-san about the guards as soon as we part today. I’ll have him send them over as soon as I can. After I leave you, explain to Yuko what you’re going to do. Then, make your way to the courtyard. You must be there before my father’s had a chance to return to his rooms.”

“Thank you, Himiko-sama.”

Their eyes met for a moment; and, to his amazement, she blushed before looking away. “You look tired again. I’ve been inconsiderate of your injury. We could sit here together and rest for a while. I could even have some of the maids get us some tea.”

He nodded eagerly at the idea. He knew the time for her to leave would be coming upon them soon.

Any delay seemed worthwhile.

Himiko’s retinue gathered around as they settled under a tree close to a running brook. No longer free to discuss their troubles, the two of them passed the time discussing trivialities, acting for the moment as if their lives were free of complications.

Time passed much too swiftly; and, before he knew it, Toshi had emptily promised to join Himiko later for dinner as she dropped him off at his room. As soon as she and her retinue were gone, he found Yuko and quickly explained what he was about to do. After he was through, he went back out into the garden and made his way to the courtyard that could very well determine his ultimate fate.

*

He found the courtyard empty. A bolt of nervousness cut through him as he realized this was the point of no return. Trying not to let his worry overpower him, he crossed the courtyard and climbed onto the stage. He sat down, making sure he faced the six small windows on which so much depended. With a nervous hand, he set the kettle before him and unwrapped it. He turned it until its sun-emblazoned side was toward the windows as well.

He tried to look at what lay beyond the high windows but could see nothing. He realized with a sense of irony he would never be aware if anyone saw him or not.

As the sun descended gradually to the horizon, two men, both bearing Asano’s crest, appeared. Without a sound, they lit ten lanterns and hung them around the open space. When they were finished, they went to stand guard at the only path leading into the courtyard.

Sadly, Toshi watched what little he could see of the sunset before it was cut off by the castle’s tall outer walls. He realized in chagrin he had missed dinner. He hoped Yuko would pity him in the morning and bring him something to eat.

The sound of far-off crickets eventually filled the night. His shoulder itched, but he tried to ignore it.

Though he attempted to sleep sitting up, the best he could manage was to doze for a few moments a time or two. Time seemed to crawl. When morning arrived, he felt even more tired than he had the day before.

As he waited for dawn, he heard the tinkle of bells. Glancing rapidly about him, he saw the two guards were still in place. He then scanned the lines of trees behind him. The sun rose, and he spotted something shiny hanging from a branch. The more he stared at it, the surer he became it had to be a small silver bell.

Miko had been there! She had seen him! How had she entered the castle grounds? He wished desperately the lights had somehow burned out during the night. He needed to talk to her, to hear her welcome voice. He wanted to tell her and Asaka all that had happened so far. He wanted their advice on what he should do next.

Toshi rubbed his shoulder, excited the others had somehow made it there. He got to his feet and stretched his tired muscles. Taking great care, he worked through a few of his exercises, trying not to push his shoulder too hard but wanting to get his blood pumping. His shoulder complained about what he was doing; but, despite that, he felt better. After he was through, he took one long look around him and then sat to stare again at the windows holding all of his hopes.

He was startled by harsh whispers coming from the entrance into the courtyard. He glanced in that direction and noticed the guards who had been with him last night had been replaced by two others.

There were also two more, but these wore the triangle crest belonging to Tsuyu. He frowned as he noticed the four arguing with Yuko, who was standing in the middle. The remains of what may have been breakfast lay where it had fallen on the cobbled path.

As soon as Yuko saw him staring in their direction, she started toward him. One of Tsuyu’s men grabbed her roughly by the arm. Asano’s men tensed and reached for their swords. Tsuyu’s men followed suit.

“
Stop
!”

All five of them turned to stare in his direction.

“Yuko-san, it’s all right,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”

The young woman ceased trying to pull away from the guard. Toshi smiled, trying to reassure her, then forced his gaze back to the windows. At least Tsuyu hadn’t gained an excuse for direct interference—not yet. He told himself this over and over as his stomach grumbled about the missed meal.