Part 20 (1/2)
At that moment something fell noisily to the ground in the garden. It was just a few unripe plums. There was a lull in the rain, but drops of water carried by gusts of wind hit the eaves. Doglike, a human figure crawled out from the s.p.a.ce under the floor. The plums had not fallen by themselves a few moments before; the black-garbed man, who had stuck his head out from under the house, had thrown them. When all eyes in turned, the man took advantage of the distraction and disappeared into the wind and darkness.
Ninja were the eyes and ears of the lord of the castle. Anyone who ruled a castle, living within its walls and constantly surrounded by retainers, had to depend on spies. n.o.bunaga employed a master ninja. But even his closest retainers did not know the man's ident.i.ty.
n.o.bunaga had three sandal bearers: Matasuke, Ganmaku, and Tokichiro. Though they were servants, they had their own separate quarters and took turns on duty near the garden.
”Ganmaku, what's the matter?”
Tokichiro and Ganmaku were close friends. Ganmaku was lying under the futon, asleep. He loved nothing better than to sleep and did so at every opportunity.
”My stomach hurts,” Ganmaku said from under the futon.
Tokichiro tugged at the edge of the bedding. ”You're lying. Get up. I just got back from town, and I bought something tasty on the way.”
”What?” Ganmaku stuck his head out, but, realizing that he had been tricked, went back under the bedding again.
”Fool! Don't tease a sick man. Get out of here. You're bothering me.”
”Please get up. Matasuke's not here, and there's something I have to ask you.”
Ganmaku got out from under the covers reluctantly. ”Just when a person's sleeping...”
Cursing, he got up and went to rinse his mouth with water that flowed from a spring in the garden. Tokichiro followed him out.
The cottage was gloomy, but it was hidden in the innermost part of the castle grounds, giving it a commanding view of the castle town, which made the heart feel expansive.
”What is it? What do you want to ask me?”
”It's about last night.”
”Last night?”
”You can pretend not to understand, but I know. I think you went to Nagoya.”
”Oh, yeah?”
”I think you went to spy in the castle, and listened in on a secret conversation between the governor and s.h.i.+bata Katsuie.”
”Shush, Monkey! Watch what you say!”
”Well, then, tell me the truth. Don't hold back from a friend. I've known it for a long time, but said nothing and watched you. You're Lord n.o.bunaga's ninja, aren't you?”
”Tokichiro, I'm no match for your eyes. How did you find out?”
”Well, we share the same quarters, don't we? Lord n.o.bunaga is a very important master to me, too. People like me worry about Lord n.o.bunaga, though we keep it to ourselves.”
”Is that what you wanted to ask me about?”
”Ganmaku, I swear by the G.o.ds that I won't tell anyone else.”
Ganmaku stared at Tokichiro. ”Okay, I'll tell you. But it's daytime and we'll be seen. Wait for the right time.”
Later, Ganmaku told him what was going on in the clan. And, having both understanding and sympathy for his master's predicament, Tokichiro could serve him all the better. But he did not have the slightest misgiving for the future of his young, isolated lord, who was surrounded by such scheming retainers. n.o.buhide's retainers were about to desert n.o.bunaga, and only Tokichiro, who had been with him for a short time, had any confidence in him.
I wonder how my master is going to get out of this one, Tokichiro thought. Still only a servant, he could only look from afar with devotion.
It was toward the end of the month. n.o.bunaga, who usually went out with only a few retainers, unexpectedly called for a horse and rode out of the castle. It was about three leagues from Kiyosu to Moriyama, and he would always gallop there and return before breakfast. But that day, n.o.bunaga turned his horse east at the crossroads and headed away from Moriyama.
”My lord!”
”Where is he going now?” Surprised and confused, his five or six mounted attendants chased after him. The foot soldiers and sandal bearers were naturally left behind, straggling along the road. Only two of his servants, Ganmaku and Tokichiro, while falling behind, ran on desperately, determined not to lose sight of their master's horse.
”By the G.o.ds! We're in for trouble!” Tokichiro said. They looked at one another, knowing that they had to keep their wits about them. This was because n.o.bunaga was riding straight for Nagoya Castle-which Ganmaku had told Tokichiro was the center of the plot to replace n.o.bunaga with his younger brother!
n.o.bunaga, unpredictable as ever, spurred his horse toward a place fraught with danger, where no one knew what might happen. There was no more dangerous course of action, and Ganmaku and Tokichiro were frightened that something might happen to their master.
But it was Hayas.h.i.+ Sado, governor of Nagoya Castle, and his younger brother who were the most surprised by the unexpected visit. A panicked retainer ran into the roorr the keep. ”My lord! My lord! Come quickly! Lord n.o.bunaga is here!”
”What? What are you talking about?” Doubting his own ears, he did not make a move to get up. It just was not possible.
”He came here with no more than four or five attendants. They suddenly rode through the main gate. He was laughing out loud about something with his attendanants.”
”Is this true?”
”I swear it! Yes!”
”Lord n.o.bunaga, here? What does it mean?” Sado was losing his head unnecessarily. The color had drained from his face. ”Mimasaka, what do you think he wants?”
”Whatever it is, we'd better go and greet him.”
”Yes. Let's hurry!”
As they ran down the main corridor, they could already hear the sound of n.o.bunaga's vigorous footsteps coming from the entrance. The brothers stepped to the side and threw themselves to the floor.
”Ah! Sado and Mimasaka. Are you both well? I was thinking of riding as far Moriyama, but decided to come to Nagoya for some tea first. All this bowing and sc.r.a.ping is far too serious. Let's forget formality. Quickly, bring me some tea.” Saying this as he walked past them, he sat down on the platform in the main room of the castle that knew so well. Then he turned to the retainers who were chasing after him, trying to catch their breath. ”It's hot, eh? Really hot,” he said, fanning himself through his open collar.
The tea was brought in, then the cakes, and then the cus.h.i.+ons-all out of order because everyone was thrown into such confusion by the unexpected visit. The brothers hastily presented themselves and made their obeisance, unable to ignore the confusion of the maids and retainers, and left their master's presence.
”It's noon. He must be hungry from his ride. He'll probably order lunch soon. Go to the kitchens and have them prepare a meal.” While Sado gave orders, Mimasaka tugged at his sleeve and whispered, ”Katsuie wants to see you.”
Hayas.h.i.+ nodded and replied softly, ”I'll come soon. Go on ahead.”
s.h.i.+bata Katsuie had come to Nagoya Castle earlier that day. He was about to leave after a secret meeting, but the confusion caused by n.o.bunaga's sudden arrival made it awkward for him to leave. Trapped, he had crawled, shaking, into a secret room. Both men joined him there and breathed a sigh of relief.
”That was unexpected! What a surprise!” said Sado.
”It's typical of him,” Mimasaka replied. ”You'd go crazy trying to figure out the rules, You never know what he's going to do next! There's nothing worse than the whims of a fool!”
Glancing toward the room in which n.o.bunaga was sitting, s.h.i.+bata Katsuie s ”That's probably why he got the better of that old fox Saito Dosan.”
”Maybe so,” said Sado.