The Emperor in Shadow

by Richard Parks

  “Again . . . why?”

  He smiled. It reminded me of the kind of smile I had often seen on Princess Teiko’s face, the kind that had never failed to worry me. “Again, the answer is simple—while my family may have usurped a great deal of the emperor’s power, it is also in our interest to maintain the emperor’s prestige, as he is the source of both our power and prestige. This way they honor Emperor Go-Suzaku’s decree to the letter while circumventing its intent. Sadahito is still young, and his councilors will see to it that any of his offspring will be of the proper lineage. If removing his father immediately proves impractical, they will likely wait until a proper Fujiwara prince is born to Go-Sanjo, and then act. I don’t claim to know all details, Lord Yamada. The thing to keep in mind is that those at the highest levels of my family—meaning Yorimichi and Norimichi, yes—are more than somewhat worried about Prince Takahito. He has an independence of spirit which, ironically, I think is entirely due to their own poor treatment of him. They fear what he might try to do as emperor.”

  I rather thought Prince Kanemore had something to do with that as well, but Yorinobu probably had a point. If Yorinobu was telling the truth—which was still not clear to me—then perhaps Lady Kuzunoha and Prince Kanemore were mistaken about their plans for Prince Norihira. But I think I understood something about the Fujiwara Kanemore did not: the Fujiwara played the game of court politics with a very long view.

  “Now, then,” Yorinobu continued, “as for your first question—why am I telling you all this? One reason is because this is nothing you either didn’t already know or, I have no doubt, would soon piece together . . . with the possible exception of my family’s plans after the succession. Once Takahito ascends, he will be under the shadow of the Fujiwara until the initial threat from my brothers is mitigated. I took it upon myself to make that plain because it is important to me, Lord Yamada, that you understand the situation in its entirety or as much of it as I know. I am no more privy to all of my brothers’ secrets than you are. Yet for what I have told you already, I would be considered a traitor.”

  “I don’t think you consider yourself such,” I said.

  He looked very somber. “Not at all. It should be no surprise to you that my family, like any other, is prone to squabbles and differences of opinion. Unlike my brothers, I understand the world is changing, Lord Yamada.”

  “Would that have anything to do with the Fujiwara bushi I see today?”

  He smiled. “Yes, I thought you might understand their significance. To state the obvious, my family is both wealthy and politically powerful. Yet we are used to wielding that power only by proxy, as indeed the emperor himself does, witness the recent events in Mutsu province which I believe you know intimately. What happens when the proxies, like the Montoku or Seiwa Genji or the Hojo clan, realize they are the true owners of the power they wield on our behalf?”

  I knew only a little of the Montoku Genji, other than that they were a branch of the Minamoto clan descended from the ancient Emperor Montoku, and now very closely allied with the Fujiwara. Yet even that kind of loyalty had its limits, as Yorinobu and I both understood.

  “I have had this same conversation with Prince Kanemore,” I said, trying not to smile.

  “Actually, so have I. The bushi you see are entirely my own doing, and I have plans for more. There are cadet branches and excess sons in our family who are more open to the idea now than was once the case. As you might guess, I am somewhat at odds with my two older half-brothers in this as well as other things, but that is not important at the moment. I came to you today to speak of Takahito-tenno’s ascension, and in this I do have an interest of my own—Princess Shigeko, the crown prince’s second consort, was my adopted daughter.”

  “I was aware of this, and I am sorry for your loss,” I said.

  He frowned. “You really would mourn a Fujiwara?”

  “It may surprise you that this has happened before, Yorinobu-sama, but I understand your skepticism. I never knew her, yet Princess Shigeko is a special case. You know Prince Kanemore is my friend, and he does keep me somewhat apprised of events. I understood Takahito was genuinely fond of your daughter and grieved her loss deeply. Kanemore did the same, therefore. I sincerely grieve for your loss out of respect for them both.”

  Yorinobu bowed very slightly. “I will accept that, and thank you. Yet I have more cause for grief than you may know, which brings me back to the business at hand. My brothers Yorimichi and Norimichi currently hold the positions of chancellor and chief minister. My eldest brother, Yorimichi, is regent in all but name. He plans to resign as chancellor to make way for our middle brother, but do not be fooled. He will retain much power and influence. Together, they speak for the Fujiwara. Yet even they together cannot force an abdication without the support of the greater ministers of the Daijou-kan. There is . . . an internal family situation, shall we say, which places me in a position to see that they do not have it.”

  It was my turn to be surprised. “You would do this for Prince Takahito?”

  He shook his head. “No, Lord Yamada. I would do it for Princess Shigeko. She may have been a Fujiwara, but not all Fujiwara are the same. She was my adopted daughter, but she was born to a minor branch of the family far outside the sekkan-ke. I trust you understand the term?”

  “The inner circle of Fujiwara from which members are groomed to become ministers and other exalted persons of the realm. Is that correct?”

  “It is. In light of this and as an insult to me, my brothers initially opposed the union. It was only Takahito’s persistence and Kanemore’s support that allowed it to go forward. I have never forgotten. Even so, there is something I need before I can help them, which is why you are here.”

  “I am listening,” I said.

  “My daughter’s primary residence was a mansion on the fourth avenue in the Capital, and thus she was sometimes referred to as Princess Shijo. I trust you are familiar with that area?”

  I was. Shijo Bridge had been one of my favorite moon-viewing sites in the entire city. “Intimately,” I said.

  “That mansion is now haunted by her angry spirit. Anyone attempting to enter the building is attacked . . . well, almost anyone.”

  “Meaning you attempted this yourself.”

  “Yes, and I was not attacked. Not like the others, I mean. When I try to enter, I am pushed back by unseen hands, even though I see her plainly before me. I don’t know why she won’t speak to me, but others who have attempted the same for my sake have not been as fortunate. One has died, and another’s injuries were severe. I cannot allow any more attempts.”

  “I am sorry to hear this, but is this not a matter for the priests?”

  His face was unreadable. “You well know I could have had the entire mansion surrounded by priests chanting the rite of exorcism long before now, Lord Yamada. Do not insult either of us by pretending not to understand me.”

  I nodded. “You tried to speak with her. I gather you want to know why her spirit remains, why it is so angered,” I said.

  There was a great weariness about the man now, as if it had always been there, only now he was letting me see it. “She did not look angry. My servants likely have a different opinion. Perhaps she thinks herself a failure, dying as she did without producing an heir. Perhaps . . . well, I have suspicions of my own, but that is all they are. I simply do not know, and I cannot rest until her spirit is also at rest. If I believed an exorcism was the best way to help her, I would arrange it in a heartbeat. I do not.”

  A loved one not at rest. I was beginning to think I had more in common with the man than I would have suspected.

  I considered what he said. “You want me to discover the reason your daughter haunts her former home and, if possible, put her troubled spirit to rest. In exchange, you will side with the new emperor against your brothers. I think you understand what you are risking, Lord Yorinobu.”

  His smile was faint. “I do know the potential consequences. Whatever my inclinations t
oward the future or any gratitude I feel toward the crown prince, I am no hero. It is for my daughter’s sake alone that I am willing to take this risk, just so that we understand one another. Will you help me or not?”

  His honesty demanded an equally honest response. “In that same spirit, you know I am no friend to the Fujiwara and likely never will be, so I am not inclined to help you. However, if it is within my power, I will help your daughter, for Takahito-tenno’s sake,” I said. “If that amounts to the same thing, so be it.”

  Yorinobu laughed, so loudly and heartily that I was startled, and I realized all the bushi waiting for us outside were staring. When the fit had passed, he lowered his voice again. “Whatever you may feel about me or my family, I think I like you, Lord Yamada. As we both sail now into troubled waters, try not to die.”

  “For the sake of the future emperor and all of our futures, you do the same.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “After all this time, yet another ghost,” Kenji muttered. “Are we to spend the rest of our lives chasing one angry ghost or another?”

  I was thinking of the spirit of Princess Teiko. “Other than the ones chasing us? That is in the hands of fate and karma, Master Kenji. Not ours. Not as long as both they and we have unfinished business.”

  “If you’re referring to Princess Teiko, she didn’t appear angry to me.”

  “No, but she does want something. Since I’m no longer certain what that ‘something’ is, we may be facing her anger after all.”

  We spent the night at an inn within the Grand Shrine complex. The next morning, accompanied by our escort, we set out for Saiku to take our leave of the high priestess. From there I hoped to reach the Suzuka Pass before nightfall, though I knew this hope was probably optimistic. Kenji had been in a sour mood since I’d related to him as much of my conversation with Yorinobu as I felt prudent. I hadn’t named the man I’d met with, of course, except to Kenji. The fewer people who knew of the acting saidaijin’s involvement, the better for everyone.

  “I don’t suppose we have any leeway as to exorcism?”

  “Wards may be in order but no exorcism, Master Kenji. Not until we know why the ghost is there. Patience.”

  He frowned. “Rubbish. At a time like this, Prince Kanemore first sent us to Ise just to gain a client—which neither of us wanted or needed? I’m not a simpleton, Yamada-sama. There is far more going on here.”

  “Of course there is.”

  “But you’re not going to tell me,” he said.

  I twitched the reins to avoid a hole in the road. “I suspect there will come a time when you know as much or more than I do. That is unavoidable, but until that day comes, you’re better off not knowing. I fear you’re simply going to have to trust me for now.”

  “It would be a long way from the first time,” he said. “And not always to the best conclusion.”

  True enough, but I ignored his comment and simply let him sulk. Kenji’s mood lingered for a while, but by the time we approached Saiku and the Bamboo Palace, a little of his old cheer was returning. “Do you think I will be allowed in this time? I would like to meet this priestess.”

  “I have no doubt of that,” I said, “though I do not know how likely it is that either of us will see her today. She has other duties, and this is just a courtesy call.”

  “So was our first time at the Bamboo Palace,” he said. “You still haven’t told me everything about that meeting, either.”

  “There was nothing more to tell.”

  Which wasn’t entirely true, nor did I think he believed me, yet there were aspects to my meeting with Princess Tagako which I hadn’t fully grasped myself, and expressing my confusion in Kenji’s presence would be to invite unwarranted speculation. I let him imagine what he would. It seemed the least dangerous course.

  We arrived at Saiku in good time only to find the place in what I could only describe as highly organized turmoil. Servants were scurrying about like ants. I noted wagons being loaded with clothing chests and cooking supplies and all manner of things. On the same hill where we had camped that first day at Saiku, there was another encampment displaying the Minamoto colors.

  Morofusa scowled. “With your permission, I will go speak to them.”

  “By all means.”

  Morofusa soon returned, accompanied by an older bushi I didn’t recognize. They both kneeled. “Yamada-sama,” Morofusa said, “this is Minamoto no Akimasa. He is the shōshō of twenty bushi from the Capital sent to join with our group.”

  I frowned. “Join with us? For what reason?”

  Akimasa held up a sealed scroll and presented it to me. “At Prince Kanemore’s request, Yamada-sama. Together we will have the honor of escorting Princess Tagako on her return to the Capital.”

  “You seem surprised,” Princess Tagako said.

  Despite the bustle around us, this meeting with the high priestess of the Grand Shrine was much more formal than the first. Princess Tagako spoke from her dais behind a kicho of silk mesh that allowed us to just see her outline. I could only imagine Kenji’s disappointment, as so far he had held his tongue and was the very model of decorum.

  “I have heard no news,” I said. “Does this mean . . . ?”

  “I received word just this morning that Emperor Go-Reizei has left this world six days ago,” she said. “His funeral rites have already begun.”

  I hesitated to ask. “Is . . . is there any news on the succession?”

  “The formal enthronement, as I understand it, has not yet taken place, but that is ceremonial only. Takahito is now Emperor Go-Sanjo, and in that capacity has officially summoned me back to Kyoto.”

  My first thought was not happiness for either Takahito or Kanemore, both of whom had long looked forward to this day for their own reasons. Nor even grief for the late emperor, who was, in my estimation, a decent man. For the moment, all I could think of was Princess Teiko.

  Your son is emperor, Highness. It is what we both wanted. Are you at rest now?

  Kenji spoke up then. “It is the custom for the new emperor to appoint another saiō upon his ascension, is it not?”

  “Indeed, Master Kenji. My appointment has lasted for almost eighteen years, but it ends with the passing of his late majesty. Now my duty is to bid goodbye to the life I have known here and return to the Capital to make way for my replacement. There is a series of traditional rituals I must perform during my return, but when the last of them is done, I will no longer be high priestess of the Grand Shrine. I am informed that Imperial Princess Toshiko has already completed her purification period. She will depart for Saiku once the funeral rites for Emperor Go-Reizei are concluded.”

  I knew this ritual purification took about a year. It was clear the crown prince or those closest to him had understood that the late emperor’s health had been failing for some time.

  “Takahito’s daughter is only twelve, which I believe is about the same age you were upon your appointment as saiō. You know the great responsibility thrust upon her now.”

  “I do. But strangely enough, I never found it burdensome,” she said. “And it was a life of serenity away from the court. Most of my predecessors, I think, were eager to leave this place. I will miss it.”

  “We are honored to be traveling with you,” I said.

  I still wasn’t certain if I should be more triumphant or worried at the news that Takahito was now emperor. Lord Yorinobu had made it quite clear that the Fujiwara were by no means done interfering. Somehow, despite everything, I had expected to be in the Capital before affairs proceeded this far, though if anyone had asked me what possible role I could have played in the events in the Capital of the last several weeks and to what purpose, I could not have answered them. Now, thanks to Lord Yorinobu, I did have a purpose, but Prince Kanemore’s request meant that again my return to the Capital would be delayed. The saiō’s procession back to the Capital was one of tradition, not expedient haste. By my estimation our arrival in Kyoto was more than a week away, yet I k
new that even the Fujiwara wouldn’t attempt to force an abdication of a sitting emperor in less than a week. Knowing this did not reassure me whatsoever.

  “I will be ready to depart at first light tomorrow,” Tagako said. “Until then, I must bid you gentlemen good day. There is much yet to do.”

  “We are at your disposal,” I said, and we took our leave.

  Morofusa had arranged our campsite to combine with that of the Minamoto from the Capital. On our way back to the hill, Kenji was the first to speak.

  “I must say this—I really hate veils. Was she as beautiful as she sounded?”

  “Even more so, you old lecher. Not that this is of concern to either of us. I only wish we could hurry our return.”

  Kenji grinned. “No chance of that. I spoke to Akimasa earlier and discovered our new route. Remember that fishing village on the Kushida River where we stayed before arriving at Saiku? First we return there where Princess Tagako must perform a purifying ritual similar to the one she performed after her appointment. Then we travel west from Ise across the Kii Peninsula then turn north to the old capital at Nara, avoiding the Suzuka Pass altogether. Yet from Nara, only a day away from Kyoto, mind, we divert southeast to Osaka Bay for another ritual. Then we travel back to the village we stayed the night before, stay another day, and then return to Nara. In Nara we also wait another day before returning, finally, to the Capital.”

  I almost groaned. If anything, I had underestimated the time it would take. Yet Prince Kanemore had known that as well. So far as I could tell, there was no reason for Kenji and me to be a part of Tagako’s escort, and yet we were. It almost seemed as if, having sent Lady Kuzunoha to inform me of the seriousness of the situation, Prince Kanemore had then deliberately delayed my return. Granted, if I were to meet with Lord Yorinobu in a fashion that would arouse no suspicion, the Grand Shrine at Ise was perfect. That much had made sense to me. This did not.

  One day, I hope I will have the opportunity to ask him about this.

  For now, there was nothing for it but to perform our duties as required. I checked the position of the sun, noting there was no more than an hour or two of daylight left.