Daisuke grunted and took a long gulp of his saki. “Aye. There are many in the castle that should not hold the positions they do. While others have been overlooked despite their loyalty,” he added grudgingly.
Stefan nodded sympathetically and smiled at Kouhei. This was going to be easier than he had thought. The old man felt unrewarded for his loyalty and his dependence upon the spirit made him easy prey. The ex-officer ordered another round of drinks, though his remained untouched.
Four sakis later and Daisuke talked freely about the injustices of life at the castle and how he had been overlooked for promotion several times in favour of, what he called, unworthy younger men. With great skill Stefan played the sympathetic confident, patiently waiting for the right moment to ask his questions. Kouhei began to relax, though he occasionally glanced about nervously and thought more than once that they were being watched.
“Have you seen the young woman? Lord Kurohoshi’s bride,” Stefan asked at last making Kouhei start and stare at him with the suddenness of the question. If Daisuke had been surprised by the change in conversation it did not show. By now he was well on his way to drunken oblivion and he would tell his dear friends anything.
“Only once. Very pretty, very pretty,” he chuckled to himself.
“I suppose she has her own apartments,” the ex-officer prompted.
“Hmm? Yes, yes. East tower. Not allowed there. Only women and Kurohoshi. You know what I mean?” the old servant winked knowingly. Stefan and Kouhei smiled back and nodded.
“Pays secret visits then does he? Not really honouring the pre-marital tradition,” Stefan played along and the servant laughed wheezily.
“You are not allowed in the East tower then? Not even to take food?”
“No. Only female servants go there and him. I told you.”
“I suppose then you do not even know how to get there. Are you never tempted to have a look for yourself? I would be, if there was a pretty face to see, let alone pirate gold” Stefan carried on. For a moment the old man narrowed his eyes and Kouhei thought his friend had gone too far, that the drunk was not so inebriated after all. But then Daisuke laughed again and wagged a wizened finger.
“You try to get me into trouble young man. You think I am stupid. I know nothing of pirate gold. Someone has told you a tale,” he chuckled.
“Not at all. I am sure you are very wise Daisuke my friend, but are you not intrigued? After all a stash of gold would be worth taking a risk for would it not?” Stefan smiled back.
“More than my life is worth to try. Any man found in East tower would be thrown in the dungeons and left to rot. But it’s easy to get there. You wish to try? The entrance is behind the crane tapestry in the great hall. I dare you to try and then I can visit you while you die in the cells below. Your gold would be no use to you then would it my foreign friend?” Daisuke gabbled on laughing under his breath at his macabre joke.
Kouhei sat bolt upright his eyes wide with nervous excitement. The old fool had unwittingly told them what they wanted to know. It had been so easy. He glanced at Stefan signalling facially that they could go now, but the ex-officer remained calm and showed no emotion at the revelation whatsoever. Instead he bought the old man another drink and turned the conversation to idle chitchat. To Mr Akika’s dismay this went on for another hour before the old servant finally dropped his head onto his arm in drunken slumber and Stefan rose to go.
As they walked back to their neighbourhood they spoke little until Kouhei could refrain no longer and related his frustration at the long wait before leaving.
“Why did you carry on talking so long? He told us what we wanted to know. We should have left straight away. We could have been overheard. What if we were being watched?”
“Then it would make no difference how long we were there for. Do you think we were?”
“What?”
“Watched,” Stefan remarked, stopping in the moonlight to listen to his companion.
“I do not know. There were times when I thought someone was taking much notice of us, yes,” Kouhei returned, his eyes once more darting to the shadows.
“Then that was all the more reason to make sure our friend was completely drunk. That way, if anyone asks him he will not remember anything save the mundane prattle we ended with, if that. One thing is curious though,”
“What is that?”
“He knew nothing of the gold being stashed in the castle.”
“So? Why would he? He is only a servant and I’m sure Lord Kurohoshi would not divulge the whereabouts of such to his minions,” Kouhei protested not following his friend’s train of thought.
“Then how did this Furuki know where the gold would be kept? No Kouhei. Something does not sit right here. Old servants like yon know things, drunks or not. They may not tell another living soul, but they know alright. Daisuke was surprised by the news of gold in the East tower. He thought it was a rumour I had overheard that had no truth to it. Now that is curious do you not think?” Stefan mused.
Kouhei opened his mouth to speak and closed it again. He did not know what to think.
TWENTY-TWO
The Rose slipped silently into a wide moonlit bay edged by a long crescent of silver sand and dark forest beyond. She dropped anchor and sat bobbing gently upon the benign sea. Thom lifted his eyeglasses and scanned the shore for signs of people, but there were none. He sighed and dropped the glasses to his waist.
“I see no one Karasu. Are you sure this is the place? Tis serene enough. A good spot to hide out, but there are many coves such as this. Are you not mistaken?” he said in a hushed voice.
“No Kapitan. I not mistaken. This bay only ten distances from Kyo-To-Shi yet it quite secluded. It good place to hide out. General’s men are here. You simply cannot see them,” Karasu replied.
“But there are no signs of a camp, no horses, no shelter as far as I can see. Unless they are still in the forest, but I would not wish to stay in there at night.”
Karasu translated Thom’s words to Taku and they both laughed gently, the latter gabbling something back in his own language.
“You make fun of me again Karasu?” Thom asked with irritation.
“Not really Kapitan Devlin-san. Taku simply states that you not know ways of Samurai warrior and that you share same superstitious fear of forest as children do,” Karasu explained.
“Uh! You imply that I am afraid of the bogeyman in the woods?” Devlin snorted with disgust.
“And are you not?”
“Not the bogeyman Karasu. But there are things in there that should be feared. Wild animals, bandits? Only a fool would think otherwise,” Thom returned defensively. Karasu laughed softly.
“But Samurai does not fear these things Kapitan. It is they that fear Samurai,” he said and watched the shoreline with interest. After a moment, during which he was aware of Devlin’s annoyance and also his curiosity, he spoke again. “I feel they here. They not show themselves to us until they know who we are. I think Kapitan, that you should allow myself and Taku to go ashore. After all, these men know nothing of our plan yet.”
Thom watched the ronin thoughtfully. He had not quite made up his mind how far to trust his guests. He was not so naïve and suspected that they only wished to use him and his men to secure their leader and the girl.
“Okay. I will lower a boat, but I am going with you if that is alright,” he agreed.
Karasu nodded not taking his eyes from the silvery shore. “As you wish Kapitan,” he said quietly with a wry smile.
An hour later and a small row boat pulled up on the shore. Aboard it sat the outcast priest, his warrior companion, the Kapitan of the pirate Brig and three other sailors. The ronin had thought the others unnecessary, but quietly understood Devlin’s unease and suspicion. The group disembarked and stood together under the moonlight, their eyes scanning the beach and trying to pierce the forest beyond. Despite her light giving the world an eerie, monochromic brightness, the moon did not quite give the comfort
of sunlight and the pirates fingered their swords or the pistols stashed within their belts uneasily.
“Seems deserted to me Kap’n,” Densall muttered though his eyes darted to and fro as if he expected to be ambushed at any moment.
“Looks can be deceiving Josef,” Thom muttered back as a shiver of apprehension coursed a chill finger down his spine. “What now Karasu?” he turned his attention to the ronin.
“We wait. They know we here. They have seen ship. Taku will make call, but they may be wary of you. Please do not be alarmed or give them cause to harm you,” Karasu warned.
“Give them…. Hell! You could have said this before we came with you man,” Thom protested and scanned the scene nervously.
“I did suggest I come alone with Taku, but you insist upon joining us Kapitan. Do not worry. I am sure everything will be well,” Karasu smiled and Thom swore under his breath wishing to wipe the smirk from the lad’s face and at the same time irritated by his own anxiety.
Taku made a strange bird like call and everyone fell silent, listening intently for an answer, but none came. The only sound, that of the waves gently lapping onto the shore and the murmuring of a light wind through the trees. One of the accompanying pirates let out a long sigh betraying his fear and Thom gripped the handle of his pistol firmly, determined to use it if needed. Taku repeated the call. Movement over to the left of his vision made Thom swing around and half draw his weapon, but a cool hand staid his and the gun remained hidden from view.
“That would not be wise Thom,” Karasu whispered using Devlin’s given name for the first time. The effect of his words was immediate. They were both a warning, but the use of the familiar also an acknowledgement of comradeship. The ronin was openly concerned for his companions’ welfare and though this engendered a trust between the two men that had hitherto being wanting it did little to appease the Kapitan’s fears. Still he made no further attempt to draw his pistol and watched wide-eyed while more than hundred men melted soundlessly from the forest and formed a menacing circle around the little band.
“Bleedin’ ‘ell!” one of the pirates muttered under his breath only to be shushed into silence by Densall. The sailors moved closer to one another and gazed at the warriors around them, for there was no doubt that these men from the forest were otherwise. They wore no uniform or armour, only the wide hakama trousers and haori coats, but each carried two, long curved swords within their sash-like belts. None spoke. The Samurai merely surrounded the group from the Brig, their unsmiling faces emotionless masks. Then Taku spoke loudly in his native tongue and laughed out loud. The man nearest to him broke into a wide grin and stepped forward to embrace his compatriot with brotherly affection. The greeting over and the same man bowed low to Karasu speaking reverently to him. The ronin returned the gesture and spoke rapidly for some minutes indicating every now and then to Thom and his men. With each expression the band of Samurai studied the foreigners in their midst and every so often the leader would return conversation.
“What they sayin’ Kap’n?” one of the pirates whispered.
“How the hell do I know?” Thom replied equally lowly though his annoyance was evident. He forced a nonchalant smile as Karasu turned to face him ushering forward the hard faced warrior at the same time.
“Kapitan Thom Devlin may I introduce Hiraiwa Daiki. He General Furuki’s second in command and very loyal servant of my father. His title is Second Samurai in literal translation. I have explained you are going to help rescue my brother and restore our family honour. He very honoured to meet you,” Karasu explained stressing his words carefully. The implication was not lost upon Devlin who warily returned Warrior Hiraiwa’s bow. He held out his hand and waited as at first the Samurai stared at the outstretched palm while Karasu explained the custom. Then Hiraiwa took Thom’s hand in his and smiled showing two missing bottom teeth and talking rapidly in Ashiman. Thom grinned back and nodded feigning understanding as he glanced sideways at Karasu.
“What now?” he asked in undertone.
“Now we explain plan. From here it short ride to Kyo-To-Shi, but it dangerous venture and we must plan carefully. We not wish to arouse suspicion.”
“Ride? We are not sailing there. I would feel safer aboard the Rose,” Thom protested.
“But Rose would arouse too much interest Kapitan. We must enter city unnoticed by those guarding walls. We must appear nothing more than travellers and farmers. Only this way can we get onto steam ship for you to ensure she up to what we ask,” Karasu explained.
“But my men will not pass as native people and this lot look too much like fighting men to fool anyone,” Thom objected.
“Under cover of darkness men can be fooled Kapitan,” Karasu replied patiently as if talking to a child. Once more his tone irked Devlin.
“Aye and how easy do you think it’s going to be to walk fifty men into an occupied city, half of whom will not understand a word of your language and get them onto a ship moored in the deep water channel of a harbour?” he retorted acidly. Karasu studied him for a moment before replying.
“How you know the ship not moored along harbour wall?” he countered with a question.
“Because all the bays around here are shallow and a class two frigate has too deep a draft to lie along side. She would ground every low tide. Just an educated guess,” Thom shrugged smugly feeling he had finally got one over on this assured young man.
Karasu smiled. Not because of the Kapitan’s intuition regarding the steamer, but because he recognised the querulous tone and thought it showed an absurd childish insecurity that sat at odds with Devlin’s worldly appearance.
“What you suggest then Kapitan?” he asked tactfully.
“How far is the city from here by sea?” Thom requested immediately relishing the role of tactician.
“Approximately six distances, maybe seven.”
“Distances! Gods, what the hell is that in a proper measurement? How many nautics man? Or grosmetriles if you prefer?”
“I know nothing of these units of measurement Kapitan. But if it would help you to calculate, this bay approximately half distance wide,” Karasu replied barely suppressing a laugh at Devlin’s irascibility.
Thom scanned the length of the bay and quickly calculated the distance in his head. He grinned broadly and announced loudly, “We row there then; under cover of darkness as you said, but in two long boats from the Rose. Half your men and half mine. We can be alongside your steamer in two hours if we run with the tide and no one would be any the wiser.”
“You think we could travel distance in such short time?”
“Absolutely. When do you wish to go?”
“First we explain our plan to Samurai, Kapitan,” Karasu laughed and promptly sat cross legged onto the sand. The two hundred Samurai followed suit leaving Thom and his three men feeling suddenly awkward and with no option but to join them. Once again Thom felt his advantage had slipped from his grasp and though the logical part of his brain told him there was no power struggle here, only a young man’s desire to secure the safety of his family, his ego said otherwise.
TWENTY-THREE
The old crone cackled and whooped with glee as Kurohoshi led Mizuki toward the waiting priest. The girl was dressed in the vibrant red wedding kimono, her hair dressed with white flowers for purity and her face painted doll-like white with delicate rosebud red lips. The witch watched from her sultry tower through the glass she consulted the Kami with and she rubbed her long fingered hands with satisfaction.
As if from another world Mizuki saw her fate unfolding. She trembled under the knowledge of what would become not only her destiny, but also that of all the people of Ashima. She saw the old woman through a swirling fog of fear not quite able to discern whether the hag was real or a figment of the nightmare that held her captive.
Frantically Mizuki tried to escape from Kurohoshi’s vice like grip on her wrist. She pleaded with the faceless priest whose features gradually transformed before her eyes into th
ose of her twin brother Karasu. The relief she experienced dissipated when Karasu smiled displaying yellow, rotting teeth and a reeking fetid breath as he began to laugh. It was not his laughter she heard, but the harsh cackle of the witch. Mizuki opened her mouth to scream but no sound came. Karasu turned into Fujiko, her head lolling backwards to display the gaping wound across her neck from which her life blood began to pour. Again the bride tried to scream and again she could force no noise from her lungs. Panic set in and the hag’s snickering grew in volume and became a cacophony of terrifying gibbering and babbling. Kurohoshi pulled her nearer; in his hand he held a blood stained knife. He placed it to her swollen belly and with a sickly smile plunged it within and wrenched the life from within.
Mizuki woke up covered in sweat and breathing hard and fast. She glanced around in fear still not sure whether the dream was real or not before the muffled sounds of the world replaced the horror of the nightmare. She sat up abruptly and pulled her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees and rocked herself to a fro in a vain attempt to reassure herself.
“It was just a dream, just a bad dream,” she muttered to herself over again shivering violently despite the warmth of the night. And it would have been easy to convince herself that this was true if it had not been for the lingering stench of putrid breath and a faint scurrying of footsteps disappearing from behind the locked door of her chamber.
And then the earth began to shake.
TWENTY-FOUR
Hayato woke suddenly to violent shaking and a thunderous rumble from all around him. His heart leapt into his mouth with the half wakened realisation that the earth was quaking again and this time with more ferocity than before. Crumbling stone work began to fall from the vaulted ceiling and walls, filling the dungeon not only with dangerous missiles, but also a choking smog of dust.
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