第109节

would accept whatever lay

in store in the same calm fashion.

The Shogun gave him a long, thoughtful look. The sigh that followed

was tinged with regret. 'I understand why you acted as you did. And

had I been in your...

situation, I would have probably done the same. But there is a greater

issue at stake. You knew what my aims were when I got rid of the

riff-raft who were working hand in glove with Ieyasu and set up a new

College with direct access to me.

'The bond that exists between the Shogun and his Heralds is one based

on absolute trust. You are my eyes and ears. The senses we possess

are not infallible. Our eyes sometimes see less clearly than they

should, but when the true nature of an object becomes apparent, the eye

instantly corrects the faulty information it has fed to the brain. For

reasons best known to yourself, you failed to do that."

Toshiro hung his head. Protest was useless.

'I'm sure you can appreciate the difficulty this places me in. If I am

unable to rely on the information my eyes and ears are sending to my

brain, then I can no longer feel secure. The world suddenly becomes a

dangerous place - full of strange sounds and lurking shadows."

'Sire, you have nothing to fear from any man in this realm. My loyalty

and devotion to your person, and your house, remains undimmed. I

cannot, therefore, do other than confess to having kept the truth from

you. Through my ignorance of the ways of the Plainfolk, I allowed

myself to be misled. By saying nothing I compounded my original

error.

In that sense I am doubly guilty. I fell victim to false pride."

Toshiro hesitated for a moment, then added: 'I did not wish to appear

foolish in your eyes."

'A fool can be forgiven, but not someone who betrays a trust."

It was at that moment Toshiro realised that everything was slipping

away from him. The Shogun was playing a cat-and-mouse game from which

there was no escape.

He assumed a kneeling position and bowed again, this time from the

waist. 'Sire, I did everything in my power to ensure your objectives

were achieved."

'Everything and more,' replied Yoritomo. 'But in doing so you kept

vital information from me. Look at it from my point of view. From now

on I can never be sure, can I?"

Toshiro straightened his back, but kept looking at the floor.

'On the other hand there is someone - whose word I'm prepared to accept

without question - who trusts you absolutely. With her life even."

Toshiro raised his eyes to meet Yoritomo's.

'My sister, the Lady Mishiko - whose tiresome husband you so obligingly

removed. In fact, I believe you were the one who suggested the

idea."

The Herald gazed steadily at the Shogun. Bowing wouldn't make any

difference now.

'It came as something of a surprise to learn that Ieyasu has had

several of his own men working on this case.

And it appears they crossed your path on more than one occasion..."

Toshiro waited for the next blow to fall.

'I don't know how true it is, but he claims that my sister was your

principal informant regarding the extramural activities of her

husband.

In particular, his relations with the female long-dog. Or Mute, as the

case may be."

When no reply was forthcoming, Yoritomo said: 'And she has informed me

of her wish to marry you." He raised his eyebrows - perhaps in the

hope of eliciting a reply.

Once again, Toshiro said nothing.

'I know just what you're thinking and I agree,' said Yoritomo. 'It

was rather impetuous of her. But then you know what women are like.

Please - don't misunderstand me. You come from a good family. I don't

need to enumerate your qualities. From the moment you joined the

College I've looked upon you as one of the family. And now my sister

wants to make it official."

'S-sire,' stammered Toshiro. 'I - I never once entertained the idea