“I hesitate to go that far yet. I was considering another old acquaintance. It is well past time we paid a visit to the Widow Tamahara.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The following evening Kenji and I kneeled around a low table at the Widow Tamahara’s establishment, along with a very nervous Morofusa and Ujiyasu. If the place had a more proper and official name, no one I knew had ever used it, including the Widow Tamahara herself. Morofusa and Ujiyasu’s unease I at first attributed to the other patrons arranged around the room, everyone from unemployed
bushi
to minor palace officials at their own tables. It was not a very secure situation and there was no way to make it so, despite the quite impressive guards the Widow Tamahara employed to keep order. I knew from experience she hired such men for their intimidating appearance more than their martial skills, which from her standpoint was logical—the presence of such imposing guards tended to make others behave themselves, even after a few cups.
“Quite a varied clientele,” Morofusa observed.
“Many people come through here at one time or another,” I said, “not excluding men as high ranking as Prince Kanemore or Lord Yoshiie.”
“We once fought thirty
shikigami
in this very room,” Kenji said. “Alongside Lord Yoshiie, whose weapon was a broken bench.”
The two
bushi
looked around again, almost startled. “I had heard of that incident,” Morofusa said. “It really happened? It was here?”
“Yes,” I said, “though I doubt we will be so disturbed this evening.”
A pretty young woman approached us and bowed. “What is your pleasure, gentlemen?”
I blinked. “Kaoru-chan? Is that you?”
Her expression brightened. “Lord Yamada! I had heard you were back in the Capital, though I did not expect to see you.”
She had been little more than a girl when I left for Kamakura, an orphan under the Widow Tamahara’s protection. The old woman had taken her in because of her potential usefulness, but over time she had developed an actual fondness for the girl, and now Kaoru was probably the closest thing to a daughter the old woman would ever know or acknowledge. I fully expected Kaoru to inherit the place, assuming she could survive its inherent dangers and temptations. Still, I was cautiously optimistic on Kaoru’s behalf—I knew she was a lot tougher than she looked. I quickly made introductions around the table. If anything, both Morofusa and Ujiyasu looked more nervous than before, though Kaoru politely pretended not to notice.
“If you would, bring saké for the table, and a word to your mistress—I would like to speak with her.”
“I will tell her, but I must warn you she is not in her best temper.”
“When was she ever?” I asked.
Kaoru hid a smile and hurried off behind a fabric screen in the rear of the main hall.
Ujiyasu watched her go. “Is she . . . ?”
I frowned. “Is she what?”
“This place—”
For a moment I didn’t understand what he was talking about, but when I saw the amusement growing on Kenji’s face, I finally understood. I tended to forget that both Morofusa and Ujiyasu were provincial
bushi
and neither had spent a great deal of time in the Capital, certainly not in places such as this. In the provinces brothels were a bit more open and obvious about the services provided, and it was clear neither Morofusa nor Ujiyasu, unlike the general reputation of men of their station, regularly frequented such places.
“Ah. In regards to Kaoru-chan, the answer is no, and anyone attempting otherwise would likely find themselves battered senseless—and you had best pray it was one of the guards responsible and not Mistress Tamahara herself. But, yes, this is such a place, or that is part of its function. Do not worry—no one bites, with the exception of the Widow Tamahara.”
I was rewarded with the sight of both Morofusa and Ujiyasu turning as red as sunsets. I tried not to smile as Kaoru returned, bearing a full jar and five cups, as four were considered unlucky.
“With your permission, I will pour for you.” After she had dispensed full cups from the jar, she leaned closer to me. “Excuse yourself as if you mean to visit the flowers. My mistress will wait for you in your old rooms. I will see to your friends.”
“ ‘Visiting the flowers’ was a euphemism for seeking the company of one of the women of the establishment. I excused myself and left Karou in charge of the table. Morofusa made as if to follow me, but I bade him remain, which he reluctantly did. Outside, I looked up into a moon just past new. The
sakura
in the courtyard, I was pleased to see, was still alive, though it had dropped its leaves for autumn.
I saw the flare of a lantern in my old rooms, and I was careful to watch for sudden movements as I slid the door aside. While I was not expecting trouble, I had long since learned trouble often found me whether I was expecting it or not.
“It has been a long time, Yamada-sama,” the old woman said.
The room was now mostly used for storage: discarded odds and ends, a few unopened wine casks, that sort of thing, but there was a space in the center of the room. The Widow Tamahara kneeled there, looking up at me, a lantern by her side. She had not changed at all, which was to say she had appeared ancient to me when I saw her last and she was no less so now. I kneeled then and bowed.
“Greetings. It is good to see you,” I said.
She laughed, and like Kaoru, did not bother to hide it. “Oh, Lord Yamada . . . we both know this is not true. How does it feel to be back to this rat’s nest you once called home?”
In all honesty, it felt more than a little strange. A bit melancholy, a bit familiar, though there was no point in telling Mistress Tamahara this. I answered her in appropriate kind.
“Oh, I called it worse, I assure you,” I said, “though the rent was agreeable.”
She grunted. “Mostly barter and promises, as I recall. Still, you did make it good before you left. So. What can I do for you—and do not bother to pretend you do not want something from me. You would not be here otherwise.”
“That is true, though I did enjoy seeing Kaoru-chan again. She is much too good for you, of course.”
“We agree on this much,” she said. “Yet her fate is bound to mine, for good or ill. Please understand, Lord Yamada—trouble always follows you, as the peace I’ve had since your departure has proven, so forgive me but I will ask again—what do you want?”
I had been considering the best way to broach the subject, but in the end I knew nothing better than to be as direct as the old woman was. “Have you heard rumors of a marriage within the royal house?”
“Of course I have. With the people who move through my establishment, it would be odd if I had not. People started talking about it soon after her arrival in the Capital. The former high priestess of Ise is to be married, though I have yet to hear any more than this and yes, that is odd. Such royal alliances tend to be shouted though the city, if not by the court then certainly everyone else. This new emperor . . . he is, I think, a bit different from the last one.”
You have no idea how much
, I thought, though it occurred to me perhaps neither did I, yet. I also took note of the timing of the marriage rumors.
After Tagako reached the Capital, not before. Interesting
. . .
“So you do not know whom she is to marry either.”
“No, nor is it the business of one such as myself. She marries, or she does not marry. One emperor passes, another serves and then passes or is removed in his turn. Nothing changes for me or my occupation, and that is the way I prefer it. When I die, as I must, I would rather it be quietly.”
“Then I suppose you also know nothing of the schism within the Fujiwara?”
She glared at me. “Of course I do. That is a subject of interest to nearly everyone.”
“I was told it was because Michinori would not allow Yorimichi’s son to inherit the office of chancellor.”
“Only part of the story,” the Widow Tamahara said, “but an important part, I will grant you. The brothers were falling out long before then. The slight of Yorimichi’s son merely brought the pot to a boil. Honestly, I expect one to kill the other sooner or later and have done with it, but even that will not cure their problems.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? How so?”
“The squabble goes deeper. For example, neither brother has been a friend to their younger half-brother, Fujiwara no Yorinobu. They even opposed the marriage of his adopted daughter to the emperor back when he was crown prince, as I recall. Personally, I do not think they really believed that Takahito would ascend, solely because they did not wish it. Imagine their surprise when Yorinobu joined the emperor’s faction and helped ensure that very thing. Are you going to tell me you knew none of this?”
“I knew some of it, yes. I had hoped to find out more.”
“Such as?”
“Well, there is the disappearance of Prince Kanemore.”
“Has he done so? I did not notice. Such things are none of my concern.”
I knew from prior experience the Widow Tamahara, unlike most liars, was actually very good at it. Concealing and deflecting the truth was part of her stock in trade, and long practice had honed her skills. Innocent sincerity is not easy to fabricate, but I knew she could do it. So I was somewhat surprised to recognize the look of innocence without sincerity on the old woman’s face and understood she was lying. More, it was her
intent
that I recognize this. It occurred to me Mistress Tamahara had just told me something more important than the truth, though I might need a little time to sort out what it meant.
“It really was good to see you again,” I said.
“Off with you, my lord. I have a business to see to.”
I took my leave and paused to collect Kenji and the two
bushi
in the main hall. All three looked disappointed to bid farewell to Kaoru, who just gave them a practiced smile.
One day, perhaps, she will be as good a liar as her mistress.
“What did you learn?” Kenji asked as we walked. “Anything?”
“I learned someone anticipated my visit to the Widow Tamahara.”
He scowled. “The same person, perhaps, who visited Master Chang Yu before we did?”
I spared a glance at the moon. “I wondered if you had made that connection. I suspect so, though of course I don’t know. I think it’s more important to understand the visit was made, and the Widow Tamahara’s reaction to it. Like Master Chang Yu, she knows more than she’s told me. One difference is that he was terrified and she was not. Another, and perhaps equally important difference, is she made certain I was aware she knew something more than she told.”
“Interesting,” Kenji said. “Any thoughts as to why?”
“Perhaps it was a favor to an old friend. Or perhaps I am being led in a direction someone else wants me to go. I am curious to discover which.”
By this time both Morofusa and Ujiyasu were staring at the pair of us as if we’d suddenly sprouted horns.
“I don’t understand,” Morofusa said. “If she wished to help you, why did she not simply tell you what she knew?”
“Because I believe she was not at liberty to do so. I do not blame her for this—she has no obligation to risk her life or livelihood on my account. She told me what she could, and it is up to me to understand what this means.”
“My lord, with all respect, do you understand?” Morofusa asked. “I certainly do not.”
“I think perhaps I might. We need to return to Prince Kanemore’s compound now.”
Now Kenji was staring at me too. “Why tonight? Toshihide is not expecting us.”
“I expect another attempt on Princess Tagako’s life.”
“So does Toshihide, every minute of every day. We’ve seen the depth and detail of his preparations. What more can we do?”
“He is correct to be wary. What concerns me at the moment is how soon it occurs, so we are not going there to save Princess Tagako, whom I fervently pray will not need saving. We are going so I may confirm my suspicions.”
Kenji sighed. “Merciful Buddha.”
“One can hope. Now let us pick up the pace, shall we, gentlemen? The night will not wait for us.”
We arrived at Prince Kanemore’s compound to be greeted by an uproar. There was only one guard on the gate, and when we were admitted into the compound, we understood why—the rest of them were searching the grounds frantically but very systematically, divided into two man teams and reporting at intervals to Toshihide, who was directing the search from the central garden.
“What has happened?” I asked.
“Lord Yamada! Fortunate timing. Another
shikigami
has been spotted on the grounds, but it has eluded us.”
“The princess?”
“Safe, for the moment. She is surrounded by my men, but this has left us short-handed for the search. Can you check the outbuildings on the north end?”
“Done. Kenji, Ujiyasu—please cover the northeast section. Morofusa, with me to the northwest. We’ll meet in the center.”
Morofusa and I sprinted to the northwest corner while Kenji and Ujimasa did the same in their assigned direction. We reached the corner where the northern and western walls met, and began working our way east.
“Nothing here,” Morofusa finally said. We had very carefully worked our way through the first building. It was especially difficult because a
shikigami
required very little space when it was in its spell-paper form, as it would be if it had gone into hiding. Since the building was used for storing fabric and clothing, the creature had a multitude of places to conceal itself. While it could not accomplish its mission in that form and so I did not expect the creature to hide for long unless necessary, I knew it could do so. Thus we had to be extremely thorough.
To the east I saw a lantern’s yellow glow as Kenji and Ujiyasu worked their side toward us. We moved on to the next building in our path. I think Morofusa and I saw the creature at the same time, a figure crouched beside an ancient
sugi
growing beside another storage building. Whoever it was, they had a clear view of the sleeping quarters in the rear of the main hall. Morofusa tapped my shoulder just as I was turning to warn him. He began to draw his
kodachi
, but I stopped him, shook my head, and motioned for him to follow me. He fell in line with me, and together we crept toward the intruder.