第64节

circumstances.

If he has conducted himself correctly, his actions speak for

themselves.

Whatever the verdict, be it harsh or merciful, a servant must always

accept the judgement of his sovereign lord gratefully and without

question, for he is the sole arbiter of justice and his authority must

always be upheld."

'Well said. I wish everyone felt the same way."

Toshiro accepted this comment with another deep bow from the waist. So

far so good, but he wasn't out of the woods yet. 'Sire, if I had found

myself obliged to return empty-handed, I would have chosen to kill

myself rather than lose face by confessing this grievous error of

judgement. But I stayed my hand because the news I now bring is more

important than anything we have hitherto spoken of."

'Go on..."

The Herald hesitated, his mouth suddenly dry. He ran his tongue around

his teeth to moisten it, then said, 'The threat of a possible alliance

between the Yama-Shita and the Federation has been replaced by a direct

threat from the Federation itself."

The Shogun's lips and eyes narrowed into three thin lines.

'The ruler of the Federation knows of the arrangement between the

grass-monkeys and Lord Yama-Shita - right down to the terms of the

trade-off. A shipment of repeating rifles in exchange for one

flying-horse complete with rider. The "mexican" also knew when and

where the weapons were delivered. He claims his masters possess secret

devices which allow them to spy on us from afar.

The phrase he used was - "They have eyes and ears all over the sky"."

'Did he explain what he meant by that?"

'No, sire. I assumed he was referring to devices fashioned by those

versed in the secrets of the High Craft. So even if he had explained I

doubt if I would have understood."

'Do you believe him'?."

Toshiro reached inside his robe and pulled out Steve's radio-knife now

wrapped in a strip of black silk. 'The mexican offered this as proof

of his identity. It was taken from him by samurai-captain

Naka-Jima."

Holding the ends of the slim package between his fingertips, he reached

forward and laid it gently on the mat near the foot of the dais.

The five guards seated cross-legged in a semicircle behind the Shogun

lifted their butts off the floor and craned their necks to take a

peek.

Yoritomo gave it the once-over. 'What is it?"

'Something which I fear to touch or even speak of, but which duty

requires me to lay before you."

'Are we talking about a device powered by the Dark Light?"

Toshiro bowed his head.

'Very well. You are hereby pardoned unconditionally for taking

possession of such an object and bringing it into my presence,' said

Yoritomo. 'And you are also absolved from any future charge of high

treason arising from its subsequent retention or disposal as ordered by

me. Does that make you feel happier?"

'A little less uneasy, perhaps." Toshiro would have preferred to have

been offered this crucial dispensation in writing.

'You worry too much. Open it up."

Toshiro unwrapped the package, taking care not to touch the contents.

The Shogun gazed down at the combat knife. 'I hope, for your sake,

there's more to this than meets the eye."

The Herald operated the pressure-catches that released the wooden

sections of the handle, revealing the microelectronics mounted on the

metal frame beneath.

Yoritomo, who had never seen any kind of electrical device, eyed the

tiny radio transmitter with the caution of someone who half expected it

suddenly to come to life and fill the room with death-dealing rays.

'What is it supposed to do?"

Toshiro repeated Noburo's explanation, adding that he had not

questioned Steve further on the matter, preferring to keep him off

balance by displaying a total lack of interest in what the disguised

long-dog clearly thought was an attention-grabbing item.

'So, if I understand you correctly, by means of this device, the

masters of this "mexican" can reach him anywhere at any time, day or

night - and know exactly where he is?"