by I. J. Parker
They took him back to the road, then followed this in a westerly direction and eventually tumed off onto a secondary road that climbed the side of the mountain. Akitada had not been here before and wondered if they planned to take him through the mountains all the way to the provincial capital. But they turned off the secondary road also and soon arrived at a sizable estate with a number of has and outbuildings. It was too dark to make out many details.
Someone must have been watching for them, because the large double gate swung wide and they rode onto a graveled courtyard. More torches lit the area.
Akitada was very much aware of the appearance he must present with his bloody face and gown, but there was nothing he could do about either. As it tumed out, he was not taken to the main house but rather to one of the outbuildings. There one of the soldiers pulled him roughly off his horse. This time Akitada managed not to fall. They marched him into the building, pushed him into a small room resembling a cell, and slammed and locked the door behind him.
Before the door closed and the light went away, Akitada caught a glimpse of the place. There was some dirty straw in a corner and bucket. The place stank.
When the door slammed, he was in the dark. And they had left his hands tied.
He wondered if the wooden bucket was filled with water. He was parched, but did not dare take a chance on the contents. Besides the only way he would be able to drink was to kneel and drink like an animal. This he refused to do and sat down instead on the straw.
It was probably a salutary experience to see how prisoners were kept in jails, though Akitada hoped matters in his own province were somewhat better. He was very uncomfortable because he could not lean back against the wall with his hands tied behind him. His face hurt, especially his nose, which seemed to be swelling and was clogged with blood, forcing him to breathe through his mouth. Gradually his sense of outrage grew. Better anger than self-pity, he thought.
Given the well-equipped soldiers, he decided he was being held by the high constable of Ise province, Sukemichi Yasunori. He knew nothing of the man except what lieutenant Mori had said. Sukernichi was provincial gentry, clearly not a member of one of the old clans, but sufficiently wealthy and influential to have received the appointment by the court. Apparently he was more interested in his own pleasures than in any real effort to subdue criminal gangs like the prowlers.
The brief view he had had of the man confirmed such a reading of his character.
These negative impressions did, however, offer some hope if Sukemichi could be made aware of who his prisoner was. He would hardly wish to offend the governor of another province. Thus, when Akitada} heard someone outside his cell door, he called out, demanding to see the high constable. This was ignored and the footsteps receded.
Nothing else happened for a long time, and Akitada contemplated crawling over to the water bucket after all. He had just managed to get to his knees and was shuffling across the floor when steps approached. The lock rattled and the door opened. Akitada managed to get to his feet.
There were two of the soldiers outside. One of them had a torch, and the other stepped in, gave him a sharp look as if he wished to remember his face, then untied his arms.
"I wish to see the high constable," Akitada demanded.
"He's not here. You can leave."
Akitada rubbed his sore wrists. Outrage returned. "What do you mean? Why was I brought here? How dare you arrest an innocent man and throw him into prison? Rest assured that I shall report the matter."
The soldier turned his back and walked out. Akitada followed. "Tell me! Who gave this order? I'll speak to the high constable about it. Where is he?"
The man did not answer this, but the second soldier said, "You were found at a notorious robber hide-out and arrested."
They were now outside and a groom stood there, holding the bridle of Akitada's horse. The soldier handed back his sword and pointed. "You can wash over there."
It was a trough for horses. Akitada went to it. The water looked clean. He saw his face reflected in the torch light and almost recoiled. His nose was swollen and blood had dried on his mouth and chin. There were also several bloody scrapes on his forehead.
He gadthered some water in his cupped hands and drank thirstily. Then he gingerly washed his face. It was sore, especially his nose. He hoped it was not broken. At least he could breathe better now. Dabbing the water from his lace, he went back and got on his horse. "Follow the road that way," the first soldier said. "It's about three miles to Uji-taclhi."
Akitada said nothing. There was no point in making further threats and complaints. He rode out of the gate into the night and turned in the direction of town.
32 Grave Robbers
Tora and Saburo spent the rest of the day separately, turning the matter of Mori and Kitagawa over and over in their heads. At one point, Tora returned to the tribunal office to ask Saburo if he thought they should write a letter of their own to the authorities in the capital, defending themselves and blaming Mori for his interference in tribunal affairs.
"Don't think so, brother," Saburo said. "They wouldn't believe either of us without the master's support. I wonder why there hasn't been a letter from him."
Tora sat down beside Saburo's desk. The clerks had glanced up but returned to their labors again. His visits were too frequent to arouse curiosity.
"Maybe something's wrong. I think her ladyship's getting distraught by now. And if there's really a storm coming, it may take even longer to hear from him. I think I should go to Ise to take a look. There's nothing we can do here anyway."
"Think, Tora. If there really is going to be a storm, you'll be needed here, not in Ise."
Tora nodded unhappily. "You're right, but I have a bad feeling."
"Well, go and try to cheer up her ladyship and the children. Maybe there will be mail later today.
==
There was. Saburo received two letters from their master.
They arrived with news of the last run of the ferry, thus confirming the storm rumors. Saburo read the letter addressed to him and Tora, and then took the other letter across to the residence.
Lady Yukiko flew down the steps of her veranda when she saw Saburo waving her letter in the air. "Oh, Saburo, thank you, thank you. I've been so worried." She snatched the letter and opened it immediately. Saburo busied himself with greeting the children who had emerged behind her.
"Oh," Lady Yukiko breathed, having read, "He is the dearest man, but why must he go off by himself, causing us so much worry."
Saburo consoled her. "He has been very busy, my lady. And the post takes quite long. I understand there will not be any more ferries until after the storm. Has Tora mentioned it?"
She laughed a little. "Oh, yes. He's been climbing about on the roof. I was afraid he'd fall. And here I always thought you were the one to scramble about on roofs. What happened to your hand?"
Saburo managed a chuckle. "I managed to fall over my own feet, my lady. It's nothing. When I can use it again, I'll be happy to check the roofs if you wish it."
"No, no. I was just teasing. You've both been very kind to look after us in my husband's absence." She tucked the letter inside her sash and kept her hand on it. "I find I'm looking forward to this dreadful storm. You have no idea how boring life has been lately."
Saburo glanced up at the sky. It was clouding over rapidly and a slight wind had sprung up. A rain drop struck his face, and he said, "You'll get wet out here, my lady. If you need anything, just send for us."
"Thank you, and thank you for bringing the letter." She gave him one of her charming smiles and dashed up the stairs and inside.
Saburo walked back to look for Tora. In spite of lady Yukiko's praise, he thought glumly that the master would be very displeased with their activities. He found Tora in the guard barracks organizing storm preparations. He gave him the master's letter. It was very short, and Tora managed to decipher it.
"He'll be furious," he muttered when he finished.
"What shall we do?"
"Well, at least he's well and you've been fretting for nothing. As for the Kitagawa matter, I've had a wild notion about that funeral."
Tora frowned. "Why? I went, and it looked ordinary enough, except that they bury their dead here."
"I wonder if we can find out who died." "What difference does that make?" "What if nobody died?"
"Huh? You saw them getting ready for the funeral. And I watched them digging the grave."
"Yes, but we don't know for a fact that they buried a person."
Tora stared at him. His face broke into a wide smile. "The stolen goods. "They buried the stolen goods, the dirty bastards. Kitagawa knew we were going to check up on him and he had to hide the stuff. Brother, you're brilliant You have the wisdom of the sages, the courage of dragons, and the cunning of a snake."
"Thank you." Saburo smiled modesty. "We'll have to do some digging to make sure."
Tora's face fell. Digging up a cemetery was bound to disturb the ghosts of the departed. He did not like ghosts. But after a moment's thought, he nodded. "Very well. I'll do the digging; you do the watching. Let's go and get it over with."
"No, Tora. After dark. What if I'm wrongs Can you imagine what would happen if we're found desecrating a cemetery?"
Tory saw the wisdom of this, though the thought of the coming night made him shudder.
They set out well after dark. In fact, according to the watchman outside the tribunal, it was already past the hour of the rat when they departed on horseback, both wearing ordinary dark clothes. Tora's horse was additionally burdened with a spade wrapped in a straw mat. They had no way to bring any treasure back with diem but intended merely to confirm their suspicion.
To Saburo's satisfaction, the sky was covered with thick clouds. Not a star could be seen, and a light rain fell from time to time.
Tora led the way into the woods and to the cemetery. Because: they were in a clearing, they could make out the individual stone markers. Tora took a deep breath. "I don't like this. Let's hurry it up and get out of here." The tombstones gathnered around thern like a crowd of frozen ghosts determined to protect the dead below.
Saburo said nothing. He waited for Tora to dismount and look about hirn.
"It's over here." Tora strode past several tomb stones and stopped before a mound of newly disturbed earth. A large stone marker had been placed on it. "Give me a hand," he called out to Saburo. "Not really a hand," Tora amended wide a nervous laugh. "Just a shove to get this thing moved a little."
They both pushed and the marker toppled. Tora muttered a curse. "We'll have to set it back up when we're done. The damned thing is heavy. Did you bring the lantern?"
Saburo held it up. "Best not light it until the last moment, and then only long enough to see. I don't trust this. The woods around us seem to breathe down our necks."
"You feel it, too? I.et me tell you later about the time the master and I went into a tomb that had been
cut into a mountain in Echigo. When I heard a noise, I bolted, and the master got caught by soldiers. Suddenly the whole cemetery was full of them."
"Shut up, Tora. Start digging!"
Tora unwrapped the shovel and set to work. Saburo trailed off, peering into shadows and listening. After a while, Tora became resentful that Saburo had left him alone and glanced nervously at the grave markers. Like the ones in Echigo, they seemed to be moving whenever he took away his eyes. Only his hope to defend his actions to the master kept him there.
Suddenly Saburo was back beside him. Tora nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Someone's coming," Saburo hissed. "We've got to run."
Tora dropped the shovel and looked about wildly. He saw nothing.
Saburo pulled his arm. "The horses, quick! And then ride as if all the devils of hell are chasing you." Tora still saw nothing, but he did as he was told. They ran, untied their horses, threw themselves into the saddles, and took off through the trees, branches whipping at them as they passed.
At some point they came out of the forest and into fields. The ground was muddy and the horses faltered to a walk. Tora looked back at the black mass of forest but saw no one.
"Who was coming?" he asked.
"Kitagawa, I think. With armed men. They had torches and were coming from the manor. Let's get to solid ground and head home. I don't feel safe here."
Tory was becoming suspicious. "How could you see them through the trees?"
"I walked back to watch the road." "Oh."
They maneuvered their mounts out of the mud and continued along a dam between rice paddies. When they reached a farm, they followed the farm track to a road.
"Where are we?" Tora asked. In the darkness it was impossible to recognize landmarks.
"I have no idea. I thought you came here yesterday." "Well, let's just stay on this road. It will lead somewhere."
It did. It led right back to the woods they had come from. Saburo recognized it first and then saw the glimmer of torches through the trees. "Back!" he called out.
Tora halted and saw their danger. But already horsemen were separating from the darkness of the woods and galloping their way. They tried to make a run for it, but since they did not know the area, they were eventually caught. Bluffing their way out of it failed miserably, and Kitagawa's retainers escorted them back to the manor where Kitagawa himself awaited them in the courtyard.
He stared at them, then growled, "So. Now you disturb the rest of my ancestors and that of dead Fujiwara retainers. A very serious offense. Your service to the new governor will not protect you this time."
Tora growled, "What proof do you have for such a charge?"
"I have witnesses. I posted watchmen after your visits here. I knew you'd be back after dark."
Tora and Saburo received this in silence.
Kitagawa told his men. "Take them away and lock them up until the police get here."
33 The Debt
"How are we going to get out of this?" Tora asked. They sat side by side in a small, windowless room with a heavy door. The door was securely locked.
Saburo grunted. "We're not. You know I checked the door, walls, and ceiling, looking for a way out. There isn't one."
"I mean how are we going to explain this to the master?"
Saburo sighed. He guessed they had been in their cell for about an hour. It was still night, and silence had fallen. Kitagawa and his men had gone to catch a few hours sleep after their disturbed night. He and Tora should probably do the same. He was about to say so when he heard a scrabbling noise outside the door. Rats? No. He crept closer and listened. Someone was breathing on the other side.
"Who is it?" he asked softly. A whisper: "It's me."
This was not helpful, but Saburo dispensed with the name and asked, "What do you want?"
"I want to pay a debt." A pause, then, "Are you the one who was here the other night? The one with the beard who came through the roof?"
Saburo smiled. "How is your daughter?
"She'll forget, I hope." There was a brief silence, then she whispered, "They didn't send for the police." "Maybe they're waiting 'till morning."
"No. They'll kill you. Nobody will know what happened to you."
"Then why did they lock us up?"
"They're waiting for a boat in the morning to take you out to sea."
Saburo swallowed. Such a plan was so fiendishly simple and effective that he knew she was telling the truth. Even if locked up by the offensive Mori, they would present a danger to Kitagawa. But if they simply disappeared, no one would be the wiser.
Tora had become aware of the whispering and asked. "Who are you talking to?"
"Ssh! A woman in the corridor. She says they plan to take us out to sea and drown us."
"Amida!" Tora came to join him. "She could be right."
"Yes."
The woman whispered again. "I don't have a key. Yoshi took it."
"Can you get it''
"I don't know." Then more softly, "I'll be bac
k." "Who was she?" Tora asked. "Maybe it's a trick." "No trick. Our only hope. I think. She's the mother of the little girl."
"Oh." Tora thought about it. "But even if she gets us out of here, we're still inside Kitagawa's compound. He's bound to have men at the gate."
"Don't complain. If we get out of this room, we have a chance. Now we have none."
"I wish I had my sword."
Saburo said nothing. They waited.
Finally, when they had decided that their helper was not going to return, they heard her soft steps. Then metal clinked against metal, a lock snapped, and the thick door creaked open a little.
"Ssh!" the woman in the corridor said. "Come. Be very quiet."
It was dark in the corridor, but Saburo closed the door again and relocked it, giving her the key. Then they followed her to another room. 'This room had a window, and she pointed to it.
Tora quickly went to look out, but Saburo paused. In the dim light coming from outside, he saw bedding spread on the floor and on it the little girl. She was sitting up and looked at him with wide, frightened eyes. Saburo put a finger to his lips and made her a bow. Then he turned to her mother. "Thank you," he said. "Will you and your daughter be safe?"
She glanced at the door. "I don't know. You must leave. Now. Before it's too late. It will be light soon." "I'm Saburo. Kuruda Saburo. Ask for me at the tribunal if you need help."
She nodded. "Go now!"
Tora was already outside the window, looking impatient. "Ask her if there are any weapons handy," he whispered.
"No. Let's go. We are a danger to her and the child."
Saburo climbed out into an alleyway between two buildings. It was raining, but already the night had turned the bluish gray of pre-dawn. Saburo walked ahead, past several buildings to the section of wall he had climbed before. Tora helped him over it, then followed. Once outside, they ran for the road and kept running.
"Out of breath, Saburo gasped, "Our horses. We'll have to walk. Again!"
Tora snorted. "We got away, and you have my company this time." But he remembered Saburo's condition after his last escape and slowed down.