The Way Of The Traitor Part 26

oNo, but I wish I had, because then you'd be dead now!

oDid you kill Jan Spaen or Peony?

oNo!

Sano knew he couldn't restrain Nirin indefinitely. As they moved up the street past cl.u.s.ters of departing townspeople, he cast about for a way to shed his hostage without a fight to the death. Then he quickened his pace, forcing Nirin to walk faster.

oWhere are you taking me? Nirin demanded.

Sano marched the commander to the well at which he'd gotten the water buckets. oOut of the way, he ordered the bearers gathered around it. Then, to Nirin: oJump in.

Struggling in Sano's grip, Nirin gave an incredulous laugh. oI will not. You're mad!

Another jab with the sword, and he climbed onto the well's stone rim, cursing. A hard push from Sano sent him over the edge. He disappeared down the shaft, a long scream trailing after him. There was a splash as he hit the water. His terrified cries echoed from the depths of the well. oHelp! Help!

Citizens flocked to see who'd fallen into the well. Police came and shouted for rope, for strong men to help rescue the victim.

In the confusion, Sano slipped away before anyone could stop him, and headed for the Daikoku Shrine.

Chapter 31.

THE DAIKOKU SHRINE was located on a wooded slope near the edge of town, off the main highway leading beyond the hills. Between the double crossbeams of the torii gate, an engraved stone tablet bore the name of Daikoku, G.o.d of fortune.

Sano entered the gate along with a stream of peasant, merchant, and samurai families who had come to seek the G.o.d's blessing during the antic.i.p.ated war. He climbed a flight of stone steps to the shrine precinct, a clearing sheltered by cypress trees. A flagstone path led to the main shrine building. Wors.h.i.+ppers cl.u.s.tered around refreshment and souvenir stands. A stone statue of Daikoku, plump and smiling, carried a sack of treasure and the magic mallet with which he granted wishes. He sat upon two rice bales gnawed by carved rats "his earthly messengers "amid flowers and other offerings. Priests dressed in white robes and oblong black caps mingled with the crowd. The fresh mountain air carried the sweet, musky perfume of incense. Over the children's laughter, the clack of wooden soles, and chanted prayers, a bell rang, deep and clear. Above the city, the sun's rays pierced the clouds like spokes of a gleaming silver fan. As Sano washed his hands in the stone ritual basin, the tranquil atmosphere of the shrine lifted his spirits. His problems seemed remote; he could almost forget that he must cause immense suffering to the man he'd come to find.

Scanning the precinct, he saw Chief Ohira standing at a stall that sold lucky figures and candy, colorful strings of origami flying cranes, which signified longevity, and wooden prayer stakes. Alone, in his somber clothing, the chief looked out of place among the brightly dressed families. As Sano approached, Ohira bought a stake. He inked one of the brushes set out for the customers' use and wrote a prayer on the stake. Engrossed in the task, he didn't notice Sano come up beside him.

oPlease protect us from evil, and replace our troubles with blessings, Sano read over the chief's shoulder. The names of Ohira's large family followed. It was a commonplace prayer, but poignant under the circ.u.mstances. Sano hated what he must do, but Chief Ohira had earned his own destiny.

Now Ohira looked up and saw Sano. oYou again, he said wearily. oHow dare you disturb me in a sacred place? He seemed more gaunt than ever, as if his flesh had withered around a core of pain, all that was left of him. oWhat do you want? How did you find me? Turning away, he walked to the statue of Daikoku.

Sano followed. oYour commander told me where you were.

Ohira's steps faltered. oYou've been to Des.h.i.+ma? But how?... Your pa.s.s was revoked. He stared, then shook his head when Sano's appearance offered no clue.

Before coming to the shrine, Sano had discarded the stolen armor. His clothes had dried in the afternoon heat, and with his lone short sword at his waist, he looked like any ordinary low-rank samurai. Now he didn't waste time explaining his escapade to Ohira, who would find out soon enough anyway. The Des.h.i.+ma guards would report what he'd done. Troops would be searching for him. He must act fast.

oHow I got to Des.h.i.+ma isn't important, Sano said. oIt's what I found there that matters. He pulled the scroll and the unfinished copy out of his kimono. oThe tribunal will be interested in these, don't you think?

Recognition flared in Ohira's eyes. A shudder ran through him. Then he squatted and pushed his prayer stake into the ground amid others at the stone G.o.d's feet. His hands trembled.

oSo I am in your power now, he said, despair reflected in the slump of his shoulders, the melancholy timbre of his voice. He touched the stake. oI've sent my prayers too late for them to do any good.

The moment seemed as fragile as a priceless porcelain tea bowl Sano had once used at an Edo Castle tea ceremony: thin, translucent, its surface crazed by the heat of the kiln. He took a deep breath, seeking the wisdom to handle the moment without damage. oOr maybe your prayers have already been answered, he said.

oWhat do you mean? Ohira rose, avoiding Sano's gaze.

oYou left these doc.u.ments out in the open, as if you hoped someone would find them and punish you, although there was little chance of that on Des.h.i.+ma. You're not really sorry I found them. Sano tucked the scroll and copy back in his kimono. oThe G.o.ds are wise. Sometimes they know and grant our deepest, most secret wishes.

Ohira emitted a humorless laugh. oThrough you, the agent of my fate? Do you think I wish public disgrace and dishonorable death? I can a.s.sure you that's not the case.

He stalked down the path to the main shrine building, a wooden hut with a thatched roof and railed veranda, elevated on wooden posts and surrounded by a picket fence. Sano followed Ohira up the stone steps. oWhen your boyhood friends died, you swore to uphold the law and prevent others from committing crimes, he said, referring to the story Ohira had told him yesterday. oBy breaking your vow, you destroyed your own honor. You couldn't openly confess and endanger your family, but you crave punishment. He paused as Ohira pulled the rope that hung from the eaves, ringing the bell to summon the G.o.d. Leaving their shoes outside the door, they entered the shrine. oAnd you can't bear to live while your son dies.

In the anteroom, daylight filtered through the door and window gratings, casting soft diamond patterns on the polished cypress floor. Sacred white paper plaits hung from the pillars. The walls were covered with gifts to the shrine: model s.h.i.+ps, swords, houses. White curtains shrouded the doorway to the inner sanctuary, receptacle for the G.o.d. A calm hush pervaded the air, which smelled of incense, candles, and pine resin. Chief Ohira dropped to his knees before the curtains, head bowed in tacit acknowledgment of Sano's words. Sano knelt beside him. After a long moment, Chief Ohira spoke in a voice quiet with sad resignation.

oI compromised Des.h.i.+ma security and falsified the warehouse inventory on Governor Nagai's orders. I didn't want to, but what choice had I? A samurai must obey his superior.

In Bus.h.i.+do, obedience was the supreme virtue, which often conflicted with individual morality and the law. Sano, who understood the conflict all too well, realized that guilt and self-hatred had caused Ohira's physical infirmity, eroding body and spirit.

oNagai said that if I refused, Ohira continued, ohe would replace me with someone who would allow the smuggling. He threatened to withdraw his patronage of Kiyos.h.i.+. The chiefs voice cracked in anguish he turned to Sano, hand extended in a plea for understanding. oWhat was I to do? Then the rush of emotion subsided. Ohira bent his head over his folded hands. oNow all is lost.

oIt doesn't have to be, Sano said.

oWhat do you mean? Ohira's voice held a glimmer of hope.

Sano had evidence; he had Ohira's confession, which the chief, in his eagerness for punishment, would repeat to the tribunal. But he wanted more.

oKiyos.h.i.+ can be saved. Sano hesitated, feeling a sudden unwelcome sense of identification with Jan Spaen. In view of what he meant to do, was he not also an exploiter of men? oYour son is not a smuggler or a murderer "his one crime was accusing me to protect you. If we can persuade him to tell the truth, he won't have to die.

Chief Ohira exhaled in a moan. oYou don't know the whole story. And I can a.s.sure you that when you do, you won't be so willing to help Kiyos.h.i.+.

oI visited him in jail this morning. He was like a madman, but he regained his senses long enough to tell me everything. Two months ago, he chased the mysterious lights because a fortune-teller told him they were ghosts who could give him enough money so he could marry the girl he loves. Kiyos.h.i.+ saw the lights go to Des.h.i.+ma and followed them to the cove, where he saw the smugglers. Later he overheard me telling the guards to relax Des.h.i.+ma security on nights when the smuggling occurred. He didn't know that Governor Nagai and other officials were involved. He a.s.sumed I commanded the ring myself. On the night of his arrest, he went to the cove to persuade me to give it up. o So it was his father whom Kiyos.h.i.+ had gone to ostop and owarn. Sano's guess was confirmed.

A mournful laugh caught in Ohira's throat. oMy poor, devoted, naA_ve son. Yes, he protected me, but not just by lying. He began prowling the waterfront at night because he was afraid the police would catch me "how was he to know they were accomplices? Ohira paused, as if gathering courage. oKiyos.h.i.+ fired arrows at anyone who went near the harbor.

oHe shot me? Sano said, amazed. Not Nirin or the Des.h.i.+ma guards, then; not an a.s.sa.s.sin sent by Chamberlain Yanagisawa. He'd guessed Kiyos.h.i.+'s motive, but not how far the boy had gone to s.h.i.+eld his father. Now his incoherent rambling made sense. He'd oplaced personal interests above those of the shogun and nation not by smuggling, but by protecting his family instead of reporting the crime. The oblood on his hands was neither Jan Spaen's nor Peony's, but Sano's.

oI apologize for my son, Ohira said. oHe intended no harm; he only meant to frighten you. When you wouldn't leave the harbor, he panicked. His shot went wild and hit you. The chief shook his head sadly. oBut that's no excuse. He attacked a representative of the shogun, which is treason. Therefore he must be punished. As must I, and the rest of our family.

Sano felt no animosity toward the boy who'd almost killed him. He would have done the same to protect his own father. oWhen the judges learn of your crimes, they'll have no choice but to impose the death penalty, Sano said. oI can't save you "and you don't want that anyway, do you? Ohira's silence was his affirmative. oBut when I regain power, I'll persuade the bakufu to exempt your wife and younger children from punishment. He had done so for the families of other criminals, under special circ.u.mstances. oAnd Kiyos.h.i.+ needn't die if I don't report what you've told me. Which I won't "if you'll help me.

Ohira stared, as though not daring to believe what he'd heard. oOf course. I'll do anything. Anything!

oTell me who killed Jan Spaen, Sano said, oand the names of all the smugglers.

oI don't know. Fresh despair deepened the lines in Ohira's face. oI wasn't there when Spaen died. I've never even been to that cove. My second watch commander piloted the boat. So it was Nirin whom Sano had followed across the harbor on the night of his arrest. oMy job was to falsify the inventory, relax surveillance on Des.h.i.+ma, and supply manpower.

And to take the blame if anything went wrong, Sano thought as his hope of exposing the criminals faded. How efficient of Nagai to set up a scapegoat in advance!

oI don't know who the smugglers are, or who leads them, Ohira finished.

oBut you must have communicated with them, Sano said, grasping for any possible clue.

oAnonymous messages arrived at my office in town. I never tried to trace them "I didn't want to know any more than necessary. And I destroyed every one.

Thus there was no written evidence against Governor Nagai, Interpreter Iis.h.i.+no, Urabe, or anyone except Ohira. But Sano refused to give up. oWhat exactly did these messages say?

oThe day and time of the smuggling. The place where my men should take the goods... A grimace of revulsion twisted Ohira's lips, as if provoked by an unpleasant memory.

oWhat is it? Sano asked.

oAnother message came yesterday. My men are to transfer the rest of the illegal goods off the island tomorrow.

oWhere? Sano demanded. oWhen?

If he could deliver the information to the tribunal judges, perhaps they would free him and pursue the real criminals. For the first time Sano felt success within his grasp. And maybe, when the smugglers were caught, he would learn who had killed Spaen and Peony and burned his house. oThe message said that a new rendezvous location must be arranged, Ohira said, obecause the cove is sealed. I'm to await further instructions, which will arrive soon.

Soon enough to save himself, Sano wondered, and Hirata? Soon enough to deliver Spaen's killer to the Dutch captain and prevent a war?

Outside, wooden soles clattered up the shrine's steps, heralding the approach of wors.h.i.+ppers. In the distance, the urgent pulse of the war drums continued. Sano rose to leave.

oTell me the moment you hear, he said.

oYes, of course. How shall I reach you?

With his house ruined, the police surely looking for him, and nowhere to go, Sano said, oCan you suggest a quiet, discreet inn?

oThe Double Happiness. Ohira gave directions. oI'll send word to you there.

Before departing, Sano bowed to the inner sanctuary and placed a coin in the offertory box for good luck. Ohira remained kneeling, eyes closed in silent prayer. An unnatural serenity had fallen over him, lending a strange beauty to his ravaged face.

oWill you be all right? Sano asked, concerned for the man whose destruction would clear a path toward the truth, and his own salvation.

The chiefs voice sounded remote, preoccupied. oI shall just stay here awhile longer.

Guilt and pity gnawed at Sano; he felt no triumph over accomplis.h.i.+ng this mission. Fervently he wished he was the sort of man who could have declined the investigation, or at least ended it before destroying Peony, Old Carp, and Ohira or endangering Hirata and the nation. His truth-seeking nature seemed a curse, the serving of his personal code of justice a cruel self-indulgence. Yet what could he do now but see the investigation through to the finish? And he still felt in his deepest soul that this was right. He must serve honor and accept his fate "just as Ohira had.

oI'm sorry, he said softly, but the chief gave no sign that he'd heard.

Sano left the shrine, intending to take shelter at the inn while waiting for Ohira's message. But when he stepped outside the torii gate, a premonition of danger stabbed him a moment before he spied its cause.

Down the highway past him marched a huge procession, led by footsoldiers carrying banners emblazoned with the Tokugawa crest. Mounted troops escorted three palanquins whose open windows framed solemn, elderly officials dressed in black ceremonial caps and robes. An army of servants and porters followed, carrying chests and bundles. Sano's throat constricted; dread sickened him.

The treason tribunal had arrived a day earlier than expected. Time had run out. And Sano had no chance to adjust his plans. From the direction of the city stampeded an angry horde of samurai: Yoriki Ota, in full battle uniform, riding a gaudily caparisoned steed; dos.h.i.+n brandis.h.i.+ng jitte; police a.s.sistants carrying sticks, ropes, and ladders; mounted troops and footsoldiers; a drenched and furious Nirin.

oThere he is! shouted Nirin, who must have led the pack to the shrine. oGet him!

The horde swept down upon Sano. The police stripped off his sword, bound his hands, and interlocked the ladders around him to form a cage.

oYour trial begins tomorrow morning, Yoriki Ota informed Sano with a triumphant leer. oUntil then, you will enjoy the generous hospitality of Nagasaki Jail. He slapped the reins and motioned for his subordinates to follow. oLet's go!

Caged like an animal, prodded by sticks, hounded by jeers, and ready to die of shame and despair, Sano began the long walk to Nagasaki Jail.

Chapter 32.

THE TREASON TRIBUNAL convened in the reception hall of the mansion where the three magistrates were staying. Bleak, early morning light barely penetrated the barred windows. Lanterns cast a sinister yellow glow over the magistrates, who wore black ceremonial robes and surcoats bearing the Tokugawa crest, black caps, and black-hilted swords, seated upon the dais. Court officials and secretaries knelt behind desks. Soldiers guarded the doors. Across a wall mural painted in murky colors, mounted archers hunted a tiger through a forest.

Sano, the accused, wearing a dirty muslin kimono, knelt on a straw mat before the dais on the s.h.i.+rasu: an area of floor covered with white sand, symbol of truth.

oThe trial of Ssakan Sano Ichir is now in session, intoned the magistrate who occupied the center position on the dais, behind a low table piled with scrolls. About sixty years of age, he had a long, rectangular face with jutting chin and razor-edged cheekbones. His body was fit and strong, his posture erect. oHearing this case are Magistrates Segawa Fumio of Hakata and Dazai Moriya of Kurume. He bowed to the men on either side of him; the secretaries recorded his words. From the hills above the city came the pounding of the war drums, like a monsters heartbeat. oAnd myself, in the capacity of supreme judge: Takeda Kenzan of k.u.mamoto.

Sano's throat clenched as he recognized the name. Takeda was famous for a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent, and for the harshness of his sentences. Of the other judges, Sano knew nothing. They represented his chief hope of acquittal, yet their impa.s.sive faces betrayed no mercy.

oThe defendant is charged with six counts of treason, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oOperating a smuggling ring; persecuting j.a.panese citizens; procuring weapons from the Dutch; conspiring with them to overthrow the government; enlisting Chinese military support; and practicing Christianity.

As Sano prepared to refute the accusations and persuade the judges to let him catch the real criminals, his thoughts were clouded by pain, fatigue, and worry. He'd spent a h.e.l.lish night in a filthy prison cell. The jailers had denied him food and water, while what seemed like every samurai in town had come to taunt the highest-ranking inmate Nagasaki Jail had ever housed. The trip to the courtroom had further taxed Sano's strength and wounded his pride. Guards had forced him to walk in the ladder cage past jeering crowds who hurled stones and garbage. His injured shoulder ached; his bruises throbbed; he stank, and knew his appearance would prejudice the judges as much as the lies told about him. Worst of all, the jailers had confiscated the stolen records from Des.h.i.+ma, leaving Sano no evidence for his defense.

oAdditional charges against the defendant were brought by the Honorable Governor Nagai yesterday, Supreme Judge Takeda said. oTrespa.s.sing on Des.h.i.+ma and attacking the staff. Bribing the Dutch s.h.i.+p's crew. Takeda indicated the scrolls on the table. oWe the judges have reviewed the witnesses' statements and deem them satisfactory. We hereby find the accused guilty of all the aforementioned crimes.

Staring in shock and disbelief, Sano demanded, oThat's it? He'd known his chances of fair treatment were slim; yet he hadn't expected such a perfunctory condemnation. oDon't the witnesses have to testify? Am I not even allowed to present my own defense? o Even the lowliest peasant usually had his say before the verdict was rendered, and the chance to face his accusers in court. You can't be serious.

oNo one gave you permission to speak, whined Judge Segawa, a wizened little man with a prissy mouth. He turned to Supreme Judge Takeda. oLet us p.r.o.nounce the sentence and conclude this distasteful business as expediently as the Honorable Chamberlain Yanagisawa would wish.

Plump, bland Judge Dazai nodded. Sano lost all hope of finding allies in these men, who were obviously Yanagisawa's flunkies and sought to win the chamberlain's approbation by destroying him. But he wouldn't surrender without a fight.

oThe charges are false, Sano said hotly. oThe so-called witnesses have framed me to protect themselves. The judges frowned in wordless disapproval. Officials, secretaries, and guards watched with disdain. oI demand a chance to prove my innocence!

After the echo of his voice faded, the ensuing silence lasted an eternity. Then Judge Segawa said, oThis emotional outburst is extremely offensive. Takeda-san, I beg you to end these proceedings now.

But Supreme Judge Takeda's attention was focused on Sano; interest narrowed his eyes. oDue to the severity of the charges, I'll allow the accused to speak on his own behalf. To Sano, he said, oGo ahead.

Maybe Takeda was merely curious to hear what he would say. But Sano glimpsed in the supreme judge the type of official who wished to believe that everything the government did was right, so he could claim by virtue of a.s.sociation to a share of the honor. Thus he turned a blind eye to malfeasance in his colleagues. When enforcing laws, he erred on the side of harshness because he perceived any offense as a personal insult and preferred that the innocent occasionally be punished rather than the guilty ever go free. Hence, Supreme Judge Takeda had accepted the witnesses' testimony and a.s.sumed Sano's guilt. However, if Sano read Takeda right, the judge wouldn't be satisfied with punis.h.i.+ng one man if there was a chance that other criminals might be caught. And by agreeing to listen, Takeda had demonstrated more independent spirit than his fellow judges.

Now Sano launched into the most eloquent, desperate speech of his life. He justified his misinterpreted actions. He mentioned his service record as proof of his loyalty and good character. He related a.s.sistant Director deGraeff's, Dr. Huygens's, Abbot Liu Yun's, and Urabe's motives for killing Jan Spaen. He explained how he'd discovered the smuggling, and his case against the Des.h.i.+ma staff, and that Peony had surely died because of what she knew. Sano cited the burning of his house as evidence of a conspiracy against him "one that certainly included Nagasaki's all-knowing, all-powerful governor. Last, Sano told of the falsified records, Chief Ohira's confession, and his plan for capturing the real smugglers and exposing whoever had murdered Jan Spaen and Peony.

oHonorable Judges, I swear upon my honor that I have spoken the truth, Sano finished, hoa.r.s.e and shaky from intense physical and mental exertion. oI beg you to believe me, and to dispense justice to the actual perpetrators of these heinous crimes!

Officials and secretaries laid down their brushes; the guards stood like motionless shadows. Sano could tell by the judges' reflective expressions that they saw the logic in his statement and knew they couldn't s.h.i.+rk their professional responsibility by dismissing it outright. He felt a surge of premature elation.

Then Supreme Judge Takeda said, oDo you have the doc.u.ments you mentioned?

oNo, Honorable Judge, Sano was forced to admit. oThey were confiscated after my arrest.

Judge Segawa laughed, a shrill, nasty cackle. oMore likely they never existed. He and Judge Dazai exchanged nods, their complacency restored, their goal of pleasing Chamberlain Yanagisawa within easy reach.

oBut Ohira's confession will hold, Sano added hastily. oHe wants to enforce the law. The disappearance of the records won't matter to him. Sano decided to worry about whether this was true if and when Supreme Judge Takeda agreed to cooperate. oBring Ohira in. He should know by now when and where the smugglers plan to meet. Give me a chance, and I'll deliver them all to you.