第36节

Cadillac swept his eyes over his Iron

Master audience. 'My lords, I think we may have found our assassin the

Lady Mishiko."

The domain-lords and the other high-ranking nobles reacted with gasps

of surprise. Sakimoto laughed. The idea seemed so preposterous. 'She

obviously has access, but even if some way was found to smuggle a

weapon in, what makes you think she would want to kill her brother?"

Cadillac responded with a bow. 'Sire, we are going to make her want

to. When we have finished our preparations she will be unable to think

of anything else. The desire for revenge will overwhelm all other

thoughts."

He pointed to the electronic bug and the radio he had placed on the

small low table in front of him. 'We will show her these devices, and

persuade her to listen to the voices of Ieyasu's agents that I managed

to draw from the air and trap inside this box.

'We will reveal Ieyasu's treachery, and we will tell her that her

lover, the Herald Toshiro, discovered Ieyasu's secret pact with the

long-dogs under which they supplied him with devices filled with the

Dark Light for use by his network of spies. Devices which were also

used to discredit the College of Heralds.

'We will tell her that Toshiro intended to reveal all this to the

Shogun and that, in order to stop him, Ieyasu had the fatal letter

forged and mailed in Toshiro's name in order to protect his own

position.

'And we will tell her that her brother, the Shogun, ignored the

Herald's protestations of innocence - even though he suspected he was

telling the truth - because he was insanely jealous of the intimate

relationship she had - all too hastily - revealed. And she will

believe this because that part, at least, is true.

'She and the Herald both wanted her husband Nakane out of the way, but

it was the Shogun who ordered Toshiro to arrange his death." Cadillac

paused and surveyed his audience, sensing their rapt attention.

'When these facts are laid before her she will want to kill Ieyasu and

her brother because it all fits in neatly with what she already knows

and because it is what she wants to hear.

'We must make sure nothing stops her. We have to arrange for the

evidence she needs to be put in place, plus the means to commit

murder." He gestured towards Roz.

'Rain-Dancer and I can provide much of this, but first we need more

details about the organisation of the Inner Court and the personalities

who surround the Shogun.

Plus a body of stout-hearted horsemen willing to ride with us into the

Toh-Yota heartland and aid our escape when the deed is done."

Lord Min-Orota could hardly believe his ears. 'You intend to enter the

Shogun's palace?"

'If necessary, yes."

There was a long silence, then Sakimoto said: 'I hate to admit this,

but you may have actually produced a plan that could work. It has some

exquisite touches.

You deserve to be made an honorary Iron Master."

Cadillac bowed low. 'You are most gracious, sire. But it would be too

great an honour for such an unworthy outlander. We are happy to be

accepted into your presence and your confidence as we are, and to offer

you, on behalf of the Plainfolk, whatever assistance we can."

'There's something I'd like to know,' said Lord Na-Shona.

He was one of the few who had refrained from dishing up the dirt. 'If

the Lady Mishiko takes the bait, how will she kill Lord Ieyasu and

Prince Yoritomo?"

'That, sire, must remain a secret - for reasons I am sure you

understand."

Aishi Sakimoto could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of

toppling the Toh-Yota family. 'If you succeed, you will both be richly

rewarded."