第44节

"true colours" did you remove

them?"

Clearwater hung her head. 'Out of weakness, sire.

When I saw the reduced condition of the Plainfolk that are held here I

hoped to improve my lot by pretending to be a long-dog."

'Is that why Cadillac came here dressed as a cloud warrior from the

Federation."

'Yes, sire. Besides not knowing that some of us are clear-skinned,

Lord Yama-Shita thinks of the Plainfolk as ignorant and slow-witted.

If he were to discover all the things we know and are capable of he

might not be so eager to trade with us."

Her reply, delivered so mildly, sent a chill running up the Herald's

spine. By the sacred kami! He thought of the thousands of Mutes

spread throughout Ne-Issan.

Several subservient generations who had been breeding quietly in

increasing numbers. Over the last few decades, the bakufu had been

doing its sums and had come to the realisation that the economy was now

dependent on them. The news that they might not be dull-eyed,

ox-brained slaves but a silent, vengeful army waiting patiently for the

signal to rise up against their masters put a different complexion on

things.

If it were found to be true, the blame could be laid squarely at the

door of the Yama-Shita family, for it was they who had introduced these

outlanders into Ne-Issan, growing rich and powerful on the proceeds.

Perhaps it might form the basis of a new charge that could be levelled

against them - economic sabotage.

'Have you heard of the Dark Light?"

'No, sire. The words mean nothing to me." Round three. You're moving

well, champ . . . Toshiro pointed to Steve. 'Who is this man?"

Clearwater saw the veiled warning in the cloud warrior's eyes and

understood. 'His skin is marked like that of my clan brothers but he

is not of the Plainfolk. He is a sand-burrower."

'Sand-burrower...?"

'It is the name we give to the warriors from the dark cities beneath

the deserts of the south. You call them long-dogs."

'Do you know his name?"

'Yes." Clearwater gazed at Steve. 'His name is Brickman. Steven

Roosevelt Brickman."

'The name your clan brother chose as part of his disguise ' 'That was

an act of revenge. My people call this man the Death-Bringer."

Toshiro's interest reawakened. 'He has been among you?"

Clearwater nodded. 'Last year. He and the other cloud warriors burnt

our land with fire from the sky. And the iron snake devoured the flesh

of our people. Many died."

Toshiro turned to Steve. 'You certainly get around."

Steve accepted this with a nod. 'That's my job, sire.

And after watching the way you operate I've got a feeling we're in the

same line of business."

Toshiro's fingers itched to seize the hilt of his long-sword. Once

again he controlled the murderous impulse that welled up within him.

He had to find ways to build a new case against Yama-Shita and his

co-conspirators. But to achieve this he might have to make use of the

outlander. It was not a prospect he relished, especially since it

appeared that the only way to keep the ill-mannered dog in his place

would be to nail his knees to the floor.

'Did anyone ever tell you you've got a big mouth?"

'Frequently,' said Steve.

Noburo rose to meet the Herald as he brought out the clear-skinned

woman. Glancing through the doorway, he saw that the cloud warrior had

been left kneeling on the mat.

Toshiro addressed him in Japanese. 'I am deeply indebted to you for

bringing these outlanders before me.

It has been most instructive. Please make sure she is returned safely

and without incident."