The Jade Lioness

by Christina Courtenay

  ‘Indeed, I can see exactly why you would think her a kami. I think it’s a miracle you’ve managed to pass her off as Japanese for so long.’

  ‘Well, we had a little assistance. There was a lady in Edo who hid us while we were there and also Ryo and his men, who were extremely helpful.’

  ‘You really went to Edo? You didn’t come straight here?’ Lord Kumashiro looked mildly horrified. ‘By all the gods, that was risky, wasn’t it?’

  Kazuo’s expression turned grim. ‘Yes, entirely too much so and I take full responsibility for that stupidity. Really, I should have taken Temi home before continuing with my … er, before carrying out a certain task. I should never have put her in such danger.’

  ‘Tanaka found us, or Kazuo at any rate,’ Temperance put in quietly. ‘Completely by mistake too, which was such bad luck, but we managed to escape again even though Kazuo was badly hurt. A kind monk helped me to heal him and so here we are.’

  Lord Kumashiro was silent for a while, then he looked Kazuo in the eyes and said, ‘I cannot force you to trust me, young man, but if I tell you that I have guessed your true identity and I am still willing to let you leave this place any time you wish, would that help, Kanno-san?’

  Kazuo stared back. ‘How did you guess?’

  ‘You look a lot like your father did as a young man. I met him many times, as you probably know. We were friends.’

  Kazuo sighed, then after a moment he nodded, as if he had come to a decision. ‘Very well, I will tell you why I’m here, but only if you swear that no harm will come to Temi whatever happens.’

  ‘Of course, that goes without saying. My sister is probably even now on her way, if I know her. She would flay me alive were I to harm a hair on Temi’s head.’

  Kazuo nodded again, then haltingly at first, and later with more force, he told his story. Lord Kumashiro didn’t interrupt a single time and when Kazuo had finished he waited a moment before commenting, ‘It is as I thought.’

  ‘You knew why I had come?’

  ‘No, but I guessed why you were on the mainland when you’re not supposed to be. Any son worthy of the name would do the same and I can’t blame you for that.’ It was his turn to sigh. ‘You say my name was on the document that condemned your father?’ Kazuo nodded. ‘Yet I wasn’t present when he was sent away.’

  ‘That’s what my father told me, yes.’

  ‘And do you know why I wasn’t there in person to see him on his way?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Because I was here, up in the north. I didn’t go to Edo until several months after your father was exiled and I remember making enquiries into what had happened because I thought it strange. I was never told that I had signed that document though.’

  ‘Told? You mean you didn’t sign it personally?’

  ‘Of course not. How could I, if I wasn’t there? Someone must have faked my signature, not too difficult a feat, and with me so far away they probably thought I would never come to hear of it. In fact, it never occurred to me to ask who had ordered the investigation. I was only told what had been found and the evidence seemed irrefutable.’

  ‘Ah, yes, the Shogun’s precious object,’ Kazuo said. ‘I believe it disappeared again before the authorities had a chance to return it to the Shogun. Someone must still have it, and although I can now guess who, I could never prove it.’

  ‘What exactly was it that was stolen?’ Temperance asked, overcome by curiosity.

  ‘A jade ornament in the shape of a lioness and her cub, with a large pearl in between them. Both were mounted on a golden plinth,’ Lord Kumashiro said. ‘I saw the item myself on many occasions. It was one of the Shogun’s favourite things and it was old and very valuable.’

  Temperance gasped. ‘Did you say lioness? I don’t believe it …’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Two pairs of eyes regarded her, one with curiosity, the other with concern.

  ‘I think I’ve seen it,’ Temperance whispered. ‘It was in Tanaka’s bedroom when he … There were some shelves built into a recess and he had many beautiful things displayed upon it, but the little lioness caught my eye because I thought … Well, it sounds silly now, but I felt as if she was laughing at me, mocking me in my predicament.’

  ‘You are sure?’ Lord Kumashiro frowned at her, his gaze penetrating.

  ‘Absolutely. It’s the kind of object that you can’t help admiring and so it stays in your mind, although I suppose it’s possible that he merely has a similar one.’

  Kazuo shook his head. ‘There was only one ever made. It is centuries old and no one would dare copy it.’

  ‘Kanno-san is right,’ Lord Kumashiro said. ‘I can’t believe Tanaka would display a stolen object openly though, that seems like sheer lunacy.’

  ‘He wasn’t displaying it really. The cupboard was only half open, as if someone had forgotten to close it. Besides, I don’t suppose anyone goes into his bedroom unless they have permission.’ Temperance shuddered at the memory of what had so nearly happened there. ‘It was like the inner sanctum of a temple where only the chief priest is allowed.’

  ‘You could be right.’ Lord Kumashiro looked thoughtful. ‘The question is, what do we do about it and how can we prove that Tanaka engineered your father’s downfall, Kanno-san?’

  ‘There is only one way,’ Kazuo said. ‘To send a strong force of men to Tanaka’s house and search it, with or without his leave. There would have to be officials present, of course, to see that all is done lawfully, but Tanaka mustn’t be given a chance to escape or to hide anything. It has to be a complete surprise.’

  ‘I have enough men and, I believe, enough power in official circles to order such a search. It might be wise to send some of my ninja ahead though, to make sure the item is still in place and to keep guard. Otherwise we will look like complete fools if nothing is found. Tanaka is a wily old fox. He may have moved it by now.’

  ‘Good idea. So you will help me then?’ Kazuo asked, looking more hopeful than Temperance had seen him do for weeks.

  Lord Kumashiro smiled. ‘Try and stop me. Tanaka has been a thorn in my side for years. Indeed, I believe it was his interference that caused me to almost lose my sister. I have long suspected that he conveniently reminded the authorities of her existence and the fact that she was half gai-jin, although I could never prove it. She nearly died before I managed to smuggle her off to England. The man needs to be stopped.’

  ‘There were others in Edo who muttered the same, but no one dared do anything openly,’ Kazuo said.

  ‘I know, I’ve heard rumours too. Well, now we have a way of proving his guilt. Let us make plans.’

  Temperance listened to the two men plotting their enemy’s downfall as if they had been the best of friends for years, and she smiled. The moment she’d realised who Lord Kumashiro was she had known they would get along famously, but it had taken them a while to acknowledge it, at least on Kazuo’s part. It made her very happy though, as she now felt she had an ally in Lord Kumashiro, should Midori prove difficult when it came to the question of Temperance’s marriage. Come what may, she was determined to go through with it – if Kazuo still wanted her of course – and nothing would stop her. Still, it was always good to have someone on your side and Lord Kumashiro could, she felt, be a formidable force when he wanted to be.

  All in all, it had been a very pleasant morning.

  Kazuo couldn’t believe his luck. It seemed the gods were smiling upon him once again and they’d sent him the best possible co-conspirator. Although he’d been doubtful at first, he could see why Temi trusted Lord Kumashiro so completely – he seemed to be a man of honour and integrity in every way.

  Their plotting finished for now, Kazuo and Temi rose to return to their own quarters for a rest, but before they could leave there was a knock on the door.

  ‘Enter.’

  One of Lord Kumashiro’s servants came in and bowed in the customary fashion. ‘I’m sorry, my lord. I bring news of the foreigner.’


  Kumashiro stood up. ‘What of him? Is he making more trouble? I would have hoped his temper had cooled somewhat by now.’

  The servant raised his head, his expression serious. ‘I’m afraid he won’t be making any more trouble at all. He’s dead, my lord.’

  ‘What? How?’ Kumashiro frowned. ‘I thought I ordered him not to be harmed.’

  The servant cringed visibly and seemed to be swallowing hard. ‘I … that is, no, he wasn’t. It would appear he had sustained an injury and as far as we can see he simply bled to death.’

  ‘Why did no one tend his wounds?’ An angry Kumashiro was not someone Kazuo would want to deal with and he felt for the hapless servant as his lordship scowled at the man, although he was sure Kumashiro would never take out his fury unjustly, the way Tanaka had done.

  ‘We didn’t know he had any, I swear! He never said. When we checked on him during the night, we just thought he was sleeping …’

  ‘I see.’ Kumashiro sighed. ‘Well, then, I can’t blame anyone for his death. He brought it upon himself.’

  Kazuo glanced at Temi, who had paled at the news. ‘Are you all right?’ he whispered to her. Perhaps she’d been more attached to the gai-jin than she’d let on? The thought made jealousy surge through him, but she took his hand and squeezed it which reassured him.

  ‘I’m fine. It is sad that he should die like that when perhaps it wasn’t necessary, but it was his own fault. He shouldn’t have come here at all chasing after me like that. What a waste.’

  Kazuo could only agree, but looking at his lovely wife he could understand the other man’s obsession – she was a prize worth following to the ends of the earth.

  A week went by and then all was ready and the time had come for farewells. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind staying here?’ Kazuo asked Temperance, looking worried but excited at the same time.

  ‘No, of course not. I’ve had more than my fair share of adventures recently. This is one I’m happy to leave to you and Lord Kumashiro, but please be careful and come back in one piece! I wish you the best of luck.’

  He pulled her close and gave her one last kiss, urgent and full of desire despite a whole week filled with love-making. Lord Kumashiro had taken them at their word and given them a suite of rooms as if they really were married.

  ‘I will come back for you, believe me,’ Kazuo whispered.

  ‘I believe you. Just watch out for Tanaka, he’ll be dangerous when cornered.’

  ‘I know. Don’t worry, I won’t let him hurt me again.’

  Temperance watched the huge retinue ride off up the hill and into the forest and sighed deeply. She had tried to show Kazuo a brave face, but inside the worry was already gnawing at her. She knew she had to suppress it, however, or go mad. With determination she turned her steps back to the women’s quarters. She’d made friends with Lord Kumashiro’s wife and daughters and knew they would keep her occupied as best they could.

  Anything to take her mind off what was happening to the men.

  Chapter Thirty

  Kazuo had hoped never to set foot on Tanaka’s estate again, but as he crept stealthily through the gardens from the lake side an unexpected surge of exhilaration fired his blood at the thought of what lay ahead. This was what his mission had been all about – the moment of retribution and justice he’d been wishing for throughout the years of exile. He wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

  Kumashiro’s ninja had somehow managed to verify that the little ornament was still in Tanaka’s possession. They’d also confirmed that he was at this moment sound asleep in his bed, having returned a few days previously. He had, by all accounts, been in a foul mood since he came back and his servants went in fear of their lives since he had already administered several beatings and ordered no fewer than three executions. Kazuo clenched his fists – he was going to enjoy giving the traitorous cur a dose of his own medicine.

  He looked to his left where Kumashiro moved silently through the early morning gloom, his black-clad body barely visible. Kazuo was very glad that he had listened to Temi and confided in her kinsman. Kumashiro had been as good as his word and moved swiftly to dispatch both his ninja and a secret messenger to the Shogun. The ruler had sent back his permission for the dawn raid.

  ‘I will be waiting anxiously for news of the outcome,’ the ruler had personally added at the end of the missive. Kazuo sincerely hoped the Shogun wouldn’t be disappointed.

  Another messenger had also been despatched to inform Kazuo’s father of their plans, but as yet there had been no reply. Kazuo worried that the old man might have succumbed to his illness already. It would be the worst of luck if he didn’t live to see his honour restored, now that this seemed a distinct possibility. The Oki islands were further away, however, so he tried not to worry unduly. No doubt Kanno senior would make his way to the mainland as soon as possible if he could. The Shogun had promised that he would be given free passage throughout the country.

  Approaching the main residence from behind, Kumashiro’s men fanned out to cover all exits, while their master and Kazuo made their way to a back door. The guard waiting there had already been bribed to turn a blind eye and was only too happy to help, overjoyed at the prospect of being rid of Tanaka. He slid open the door with the slightest of swishing sounds and motioned for them to follow him inside.

  The three of them tiptoed along a corridor and Kazuo held his breath, waiting to hear the telltale squeaking of a nightingale floor, built specifically to warn the lord of the house of anyone’s arrival. Most influential men would have such flooring installed as there were always those who sought their downfall. To his surprise, the floor made not a sound though and he looked at the guard with raised eyebrows and pointed downwards.

  ‘Tanaka thought himself sufficiently powerful not to need a singing floor,’ the man mouthed and grinned at them. ‘More fool him.’

  Kazuo shook his head. This seemed foolish indeed, but it didn’t accord with what he knew of the man. Tanaka may believe that he was powerful enough for such extra precautions not to be necessary, but he was nothing if not wily and Kazuo couldn’t help but wonder if there was some other reason why Tanaka felt safe in his lair. This worried him and he decided to be extra vigilant.

  At the end of the corridor they came to an extravagant door, liberally covered in gold leaf and over-ostentatious decorations, and the guard stopped and put a finger to his mouth. He pointed inside and held up four fingers to indicate that there were four other guards immediately inside. Kazuo and Kumashiro both drew their swords as quietly as possible in readiness for action.

  The guard counted silently to three, then slid open the door with one swift movement as they all launched themselves into the room simultaneously, taking the men inside by surprise. The resultant melee was short-lived and the guards despatched into the hereafter without too much effort. As expected, however, they had all made a lot of noise in order to raise the alarm, and other men came running from adjacent rooms and in from a small private courtyard garden. They filled the room with a seemingly endless stream of warriors prepared to die for their lord. Kazuo, Kumashiro and the first guard fought them doggedly and succeeded in killing most of them without too much damage to themselves by standing back to back in a loose triangle and helping each other whenever possible.

  Kazuo was worried that it was all taking too long as Tanaka would have to be deaf not to hear the commotion. There was no doubt he would try and escape and therefore Kazuo had to find him as soon as possible and prevent this. He had agreed beforehand with Kumashiro that he would be the one to face the traitor. ‘Where is Tanaka’s bedroom?’ Kazuo hissed at their assistant.

  ‘Over there.’ The man nodded towards the far corner.

  Kazuo glanced at Kumashiro to see whether he had matters in hand and received a nod in confirmation. ‘Go,’ he urged Kazuo. ‘There’s not a moment to lose.’

  Kazuo hurried over towards the far corner, but had to battle his way past another two men before he reached h
is goal. At last he was free to slide open the door and he drew a silent sigh of relief when he came face to face with Tanaka. The man was standing by an open cupboard on the other side of the room shoving something into his capacious sleeve. The bird hadn’t yet fled the coop.

  ‘Stop right there,’ Kazuo ordered. ‘I arrest you in the name of the Shogun.’

  Tanaka laughed. ‘You’ll have to catch me first,’ he hissed and drew his sword.

  Kazuo leapt across the room, his own sword raised, but just as he was about to strike the first blow, Tanaka moved to one side and opened a hidden door in what had seemed to be nothing but a part of the wall. He stepped inside a cupboard and slid the door shut before Kazuo had time to reach him. There was a loud click to indicate that the door had been locked from the other side. Kazuo growled with frustration and threw himself at the wall, shoulder first.

  ‘I knew it!’ he cried. It had been just as he feared. Tanaka had another exit strategy which explained why he hadn’t needed the nightingale floor. ‘Damnation!’

  The wall hardly budged, but Kazuo wasn’t about to give up so easily. He began to kick at the place where he assumed the lock of the door to be on the other side, and shouted for Kumashiro to come and help. Together, they rained down a frenzy of savage blows on the hapless door and it wasn’t long before the wood splintered and Kazuo was able to make his way through. To his dismay the hidden door led not to another room, as he’d thought, but to a trapdoor in the floor and from there through a tunnel that presumably led outside.

  ‘Damn it all!’ he swore. ‘This tunnel could end anywhere. How do we know where to go from here?’

  ‘Which direction is it pointing?’ Kumashiro asked, peering down into the hole.

  ‘West, but no doubt it changes course several times. He wouldn’t have been fool enough to build a tunnel in a straight line.’

  ‘Well, my men are waiting outside and should catch him wherever he comes out, but just in case, I’ll follow him through this tunnel while you go outside and see if you can find him. Hurry, before it’s too late. We can’t let him escape.’