“Then it is not a well-designed pattern, I fear.”
“What is your interest in this, Crane? What right have you to interfere with an internal clan matter?”
“I was asked.”
“Yet I would expect a Crane to know better than to fly into a roaring fire.”
“Hardly roaring. Gently smoldering, I would say.” Shin snapped open his fan. “I was asked, and I agreed, and that is all there is to it, my lady.”
“Your presence here is an insult,” she said, mildly. “A calculated one, I expect.”
“If you wish to see it as such, I cannot stop you.”
“Nor would you try. If I were to protest, the Iuchi would have no choice but to withdraw you and send a more appropriate representative. If they did not simply wash their hands of the affair.”
“That is true. But I do not think you will do so.”
“No?”
“No. You can see as well as I that this solution is both inelegant and inefficient.”
She smiled mirthlessly. “Trust a Crane to be concerned about elegance.”
“But you see my point – this will only solve the problem in the short term. Long term, the underlying hostilities will continue to fester. Soon they will flare up again, and again and again, until someone puts an actual effort towards solving the problem.”
“Are you volunteering?”
Shin shook his head. “Perish the thought, my lady. As you said, it is an internal matter. I merely wish to help lance the boil, so to speak. Purge some of the bad feeling.”
“By exacerbating the situation,” she said, sharply.
“By getting to the bottom of things.”
She relaxed slightly “Ah. Your theory that there is a third party involved.”
“Yes.” He was somewhat surprised that she knew of it, but was careful to let nothing show on his face. From their expressions, Koji and the others had not been informed of this development.
“What do you mean, a third party?” Koji asked.
“It does not matter,” Sora said, not looking at him. “A waste of time.”
Shin nodded. “Possibly. But are you in such a hurry as to willfully condemn an innocent woman simply for the sake of convenience?”
“For the sake of convenience – no. For the sake of peace? Yes. You would do the same, I think, were you in my place.”
Shin let his smile slip. “No. I would not.”
“Then you are a fool,” she said, simply. She turned to Batu. “As are you, Iuchi Batu. I will make a formal complaint as to your behavior in this matter, when it is concluded. Letting yourself be talked into such needless complications – and by one who is not even of our clan, no less – is shameful, and unworthy of an Iuchi magistrate.” She looked down her nose at him. “I was told you were a disappointment to your family, and now I see it to be true. It is sad to me that you have gone to such lengths to cover yourself in false glory.”
Batu flushed at her words. He seemed to sink into himself, and he swallowed thickly. Shin saw a vein in his temple swell, and knew that if Batu replied, it would only be to his detriment. Shin cleared his throat.
“I see only one disappointment here.”
Sora’s gaze flicked to him. “Meaning?”
“You are so eager to be done with this business that you miss the obvious.”
“Pray enlighten me.”
“What happens when it all comes undone again?”
Sora said nothing. Shin took it as an invitation and pressed on. “If I am correct, this incident was but one of many…” He raised his fan, forestalling an outburst by Koji. “And it will not be the last. Someone is attempting to sabotage relations between the families. That they will continue these efforts is a given.”
Sora digested this. “You think you can root them out.”
“I do not think – I know.”
“Ha! Arrogance.”
“Experience,” Shin corrected. “I know much of these matters, and, as you pointed out, I am a Crane, and thus predisposed to seeing plots and schemes. I would hazard a guess that I was chosen for the task for that very reason. It would not surprise me to learn that the Iuchi have suspected the same for some time. Is that not right, Lord Batu?”
Batu blinked – but nodded. He cleared his throat. “There has been… some talk on the matter, yes.”
Sora looked at them both. “The Ide was not made aware of this.”
“The Iuchi thought it best to be certain before such outwardly outlandish theories were put forth. It would not do to claim sabotage when it was only simple human error at work, now would it?”
“But you are certain now.”
Shin nodded. “Oh yes, quite certain.”
“This is preposterous,” Koji said. “You cannot honestly believe that… that there is some conspiracy here? My brother died because he was a fool, and that ronin was quicker on the draw! No other reason.”
Shin looked at him. “But who put your brother in that position in the first place, hmm? Who sent him – and why?”
Koji sat back, looking uncomfortable. Shin smiled courteously. “As I have said before, I understand that my investigation is inconvenient. But would it not be worse to allow the true architect of this crime to go unpunished – or worse, emboldened to strike again?”
“What are your intentions, Crane?” Sora asked.
“To find the truth of the matter.”
“Truth is what the majority accepts.”
“I agree.”
Sora smiled thinly. “Very well.” She looked at Batu. “I will be overseeing the negotiations from this point. It is my intention to bring the conflict in Hisatu-Kesu between the families to an end. You have until I do so to show me a truth I will accept. If you do not, the ronin will die and we will speak no more of it.”
Shin smiled graciously. “It shall be done.”
She fixed him with a stern eye. “And you are not to speak to any member of either family without my permission. Is that understood?”
Shin’s smile faltered, but only for an instant. “Of course. I would not dream of it.”
Sora snorted and bowed her head. “Lord Batu – Lord Shin. It has been a pleasure.” She rose without waiting to be dismissed. Koji and Himari followed, leaving only Umeko, who stayed seated, waiting for her betters to leave the room first.
Shin looked at her. “They have kept you on, then.”
“In case it is decided another marriage is needed,” she said. She glanced at him. “If you’re wondering, she’s unwed. Her parents are hoping to see her safely married in the next year or two.”
“I was not wondering about that at all.”
“No?”
“Not a bit.”
“Are you sure?” Umeko asked, smiling slightly. “I thought I detected a certain… something there, between you. A spark of interest, perhaps?”
Shin fixed her with a hard stare. “No.”
Umeko’s smile didn’t falter. “I’ll ask her, if you like.”
“No. Thank you, but no.”
Umeko sniffed. “Men. You never know what’s good for you.” She bowed to Batu, and followed Sora and the others out. Batu looked at Shin.
Shin held up a warning finger. “Not a word.”
Chapter Twenty
Cousins
Zeshi Shijan arrived late in the afternoon, but not discourteously so. Shin was taking his exercise in the clearing behind Batu’s home, among the outbuildings. Ordinarily, Shin avoided prolonged bouts of exertion when possible. But a faint stiffness in his muscles that morning had warned him that he’d been indolent too long. He also wished to work off some of the frustration he felt after his confrontation with Sora.
So, when Kitano led Shijan and his servant into the clearing, Shin was sparring with Kasami. Wooden swords clacked loudly a
s they came together and broke apart with fluid speed. Shin was puffing slightly from his efforts to keep up with Kasami. She, on the other hand, seemed almost bored. “You are too slow,” she said, swatting his sword aside and laying the edge of hers against his throat.
“I am distracted,” he protested. “My mind is on more important matters.”
“And that is why you would be dead, if this blade were steel and not wood. Concentrate, or do not waste my time.” Kasami drew back and turned. “He’s here.”
Shin followed her gaze and gave a welcoming smile to Shijan. It was not returned. “Good afternoon, my lord. A fine day, I think.”
“I wish to speak to you,” Shijan said, brusquely.
“And I you.” Shin extended his practice sword to Kitano. “Kitano, prepare me a bath, if you would. Kasami…”
“I will continue my exercises,” Kasami said. Shin nodded.
“By all means.” He gestured to the trees. “Shijan, walk with me.” Shijan hesitated. Then, he signaled for his servant to wait for him. The man bowed low, and seemed to fold into himself as he took up a position near one of the outbuildings.
“She speaks to you with disrespect,” Shijan murmured, when they were out of earshot. “If she were my bodyguard, she would know better.”
“Then we must be grateful that she is not.” Shin smiled. “Your man speaks little. I do not know that I could bear such silence. I find it eases my mind to know what my subordinates are thinking. I encourage them to do so – within limits, of course.”
“Of course. Forgive me. I spoke without thinking.” Shijan ducked his head, and Shin waved a hand in polite dismissal.
“Nothing to forgive, my friend. In fact it is I who wish to apologize to you.” Shin turned to him. “I should not have spoken to Lady Aimi without your permission.”
“No, you should not have.” Shijan hesitated. “You played host to Ide Sora today, I think. What did you make of her?”
“A forceful presence.”
“That is one way of putting it. She is here to help with the negotiations as much as anything else. It is her specialty, apparently.”
“So I have heard. When do the negotiations begin?”
“Tomorrow. Early.” Shijan shook his head. “I am not supposed to be here.”
“Yet here you are.”
“Yes.” Shijan looked at the trees.
“With the marriage undone, what will you do now?” Shin asked, carefully.
“I am considering several options. Most of them lack the solidity of a marriage, however.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Still, we will begin anew.”
“As easily as that?”
“I did not say it was easy. But it must be done, for the good of both families. With Ide Sora here, perhaps things will move more smoothly.”
“You have no objection to letting the Ide guide the negotiations for a new engagement?” As he’d suspected, given Umeko’s continued presence, the two families had decided the best way forward was to arrange a new marriage – hopefully between more suitable candidates.
“Not at all. It shows they are taking matters seriously.” Shijan paused. “The Unicorn have often fostered rivalries between their forge families in order to elicit better results – I am sure the Crane behave similarly.”
“At times.”
“That they have decided to put an end to it – at least here – shows that they have realized what is at stake. That violence here will lead to violence elsewhere, and worse, a disruption in the production of armor and leather goods. Without us – without the Shiko – the Unicorn’s ability to wage war is significantly reduced.”
“Of course, the Unicorn are not currently at war.”
Shijan shook his head. “And when has that state of affairs ever lasted? There are always rumblings – always rumors. War is a constant.” He paused, staring into the trees. “The only ones who ever seem to profit from it are the merchants. Sometimes I wish…” He composed himself. “Never mind.”
“No, say on,” Shin said, invitingly.
Shijan glared at him – an open glare. He had dispensed with his polite mask. “Why? So you can mock me?”
“No. Not today. I merely wish to understand.”
Shijan looked away. After a moment, he said, “Do you know what they call me, behind my back? Popinjay. They think me less because I yearn for more.” He plucked at his kimono. “Do you know what we are taught here? How to ride, how to fight – and how to make money.” His expression turned sour. “The first two, fine. But the last? What sort of thing is that for a bushi to know?”
“I find it comes in handy, myself.”
“But it is not the sum total of your knowledge, is it? You learned the courtier’s arts – how to talk, how to dance, how to write. Things largely denied me. It was more important that I learn how to hunt down brigands or calculate cargo costs than to converse with my betters.” Shijan shook his head. “And because I taught myself those things, they think me a fool. Even that dull-witted lump of a magistrate thinks I have ideas above my station.” He gestured vaguely towards Batu’s house.
“By itself, ambition is no sin,” Shin said. “I have largely avoided it myself, but it is seen as a virtue by some. I am told that a samurai must strive for betterment in all things.”
Shijan looked at him. “Maybe you do understand.” He sighed. “I did not want to be in this position, my lord. To be head of the family – of this branch of the family. I do not think my shoulders are strong enough to bear the weight.”
“Why did you not want Aimi to speak to me?”
The question jolted Shijan, as Shin had hoped it might. Shijan frowned. “She often says too much, or not enough. I did not wish to involve her in this unfortunate business any more than she already is. It is my duty to look out for her welfare now, with her father’s… absence.”
“Her welfare, and the welfare of the Zeshi.”
Shijan nodded. “They are one and the same.” He sighed. “If only Gen hadn’t died.” He looked up, staring past the branches and the leaves to the sky overhead. After a moment, he said, “I was a fool. I knew Aimi did not wish to marry Gen, but I assumed she would do as was needed. But I did not think she would do this.”
Shin paused. “What did she do?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Shijan looked at him. “She provoked Gen somehow and set that rogue lion of hers on him. If I’d known that’s what she was planning, I’d never have let her go out that day.”
“That is not the way she tells it.”
“Of course not,” Shijan snorted. “She’s still a child in many ways. I doubt she truly understands what she’s done.”
“And what about her brother, Reiji?” Shin asked.
The look on Shijan’s face spoke volumes. He paused and said, “What about him?”
Shin nodded. “He is somewhat troublesome, is he not?”
“Hisatu-Kesu holds many temptations for the weak of spirit.”
“What did Reiji think of the marriage?”
“He was all for it. Gen and he were… friends, I suppose.”
“You suppose?”
“Friendly rivals, let us say. Reiji has ever chosen unsuitable company. Gen and his cousins fit the bill. Reiji strove to emulate them, Gen especially – and to outdo them.”
“And what did Gen think of this?”
Shijan shrugged. “You would have to ask him. I rarely considered Gen’s thoughts on anything. Or Reiji’s, for that matter.”
“I would like to speak to him, if I might.”
“So would I,” Shijan said. “He embarrassed me today. He was not at home when Lady Sora paid her visit.” Another hesitation. “I do not know where he is. Likely out making a spectacle of himself in the red lantern district.”
“Does he do so often?”
“More than I care
to admit.” Shijan paused again. “He has debts.”
“Many bushi do.”
“Foolish bushi. His debts are greater than he can manage on the stipend I allow him. I often fear… Well. It is of no matter.”
Shin smiled. “If you thought to mention it, it obviously is. Speak freely.” Shijan was clever, but not so clever as he imagined. He was trying to bait Shin into asking questions that he’d no doubt prepared answers for.
Shijan licked his lips. “I believe Reiji might have… taken some of my papers. Records, mostly.” The forge families kept meticulous records of every item they crafted, whom it had been sold to and when. Such information could be dangerous in the wrong hands. “And delivery manifests as well. Nor is it the first time.”
Shin paused. That was even worse, if it was true. Delivery manifests might allow cunning thieves to intercept deliveries. The stolen armor could be resold later, or even put to use by the thieves themselves, depending on their intentions. “Why do you believe it was him?”
Shijan shook his head. “You called him troublesome. He is a good deal worse than that. As I said, he owes money to certain parties. I fear he may have taken those papers to pay off his debts.” He sighed. “I tell you this only because I wished to warn you that he might not take kindly to being questioned. If you find him.”
“Rest assured, we will take care,” Shin began. “I… What is that racket?” He turned towards the gate, where a muffled confrontation seemed to be taking place. He could see nothing from where he stood, but it sounded unpleasant. “Kasami,” he called out. “See to it, please.” He looked back at Shijan. “Forgive me, my lord. It seems we have uninvited guests.”
“I have often chastised Lord Batu for choosing to make his home here, where there is little privacy.” Shijan shook his head as if disappointed by Batu’s intransigence. He looked at Shin. “I have answered your questions. Answer one of mine, if you would.”
“Of course.”
“Do you… Do you think there is something afoot? Truly, I mean.”
Shin considered how best to answer without giving anything away. Something told him Shijan was doing some investigating of his own. Finally, he said, “If I did not, I would not still be here. Now – it might be best if you were to leave by the service entrance, if you wish to avoid whatever is going on at the gate.”
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