The waters grew tranquil and the gates to the next lock began to open. The barges moved forward, towed by teams of oxen, and the process was repeated.
At last Komawara’s barge passed under the narrow bridge that spanned the gap from the Butto lands to their placements on the Hajiwara fief. The walls of the Denji Gorge opened up around them as they slipped into the Lake of the Seven Masters, named for the giant sculptures of Botahara, carved into the cliff. Two of them could be seen now—a Sitting Botahara, and the Perfect Master in Meditation.
Komawara wondered what Brother Shuyun could tell him about the massive figures, for their history was clouded by rumor and time. The images were said to have been carved in the two hundred years after the passing of Botahara by a secretive sect that later fell during the Inter-temple Wars. This was before the Emperor, Chonso-sa, fought the Botahist Sects into submission and forbade them ever to bear arms again.
Strange, Komawara thought, followers of the Perfect Master who warred across the Empire when their own dogma forbade the taking of life except in the most extreme cases of self-defense. No doubt, they justified it somehow though the historians believed it was merely a struggle for power, nothing more, even as this ill-considered feud was a struggle for supremacy.
Crewmen took up their positions now, and started the boat forward with long sweeps of their oars. The seven rih to the anchorage near the lake’s northern end went by quickly, though by the time Komawara’s boat arrived the sun had traveled far enough that they moored in the shade of the western cliff.
An image of Botahara that was considered heretical dominated the section of the cliff above the anchorage. It depicted the Perfect Master in a state of conjugal bliss with his young wife, though the faces of the figures had been erased more than a thousand years before. What remained had the oddest effect—two anonymous bodies of cold stone entwined in the most intimate embrace, yet where the faces should have been, showing signs of their ecstasy, were two utterly blank sections of gray wall. It was as though the act of love itself had been rendered impersonal, an act of the body not participated in by the mind. Somehow, it seemed to Lord Komawara this was more obscene than any “erotic” drawings he had ever seen. The act of love without humanity. He shook his head, yet he did not look away.
* * *
Not far from the barge bearing Lord Komawara of Seh, Initiate Brother Shuyun stood on the deck of a similar barge looking up at the same image. To him the stone relief represented something quite different. It spoke of a schism in the Botahist Brotherhood over basic doctrine. The sculpture had, before its erasure, depicted the Lord of all Wisdom, in the act of love, with the rays of Enlightenment shining out from his face—Botahara enjoying the pleasures of the flesh after his Enlightenment. This was heresy of the worst kind!
In this very valley, in ancient times, a sect who believed themselves followers of the Perfect Master, had practiced their doctrine of the Eightfold Path, believing that enjoyment of the flesh was the eighth way to Enlightenment.
The Botahist histories told how overzealous followers of the True Path had destroyed the Heretical Sect in a great siege. This act had brought the Brotherhood into open conflict with the Emperor, Chonso-sa, who didn’t realize that it was not the Brotherhood, but a group of their followers, who had destroyed the sect of the Eightfold Path.
We have survived many times of hardship, Shuyun thought, yet Botahara had taught that the True Path was fraught with difficulties and deceptions.
All this, Shuyun had been taught; it was only now, after the words of Acolyte Tesseko, that it occurred to him that these teachings might not be inspired and divine truth. It was only now that he considered the possibility that there might be an element of self-interest in the purposes of his own Order.
Once given information, the mind that solved the Soto Problem could not easily be deflected. The Lord Botahara had sought the truth above all things, and for this He had known the displeasure of the religious leaders of His time. As a follower of the teachings of the Enlightened One, Shuyun wondered if he could do less if that was what the truth required of him.
He stared up at the figures above him, locked in an embrace no Brother could know, and the thoughts this image brought to his mind stirred him in a manner he had always before resisted with all the discipline he had been taught. But now these thoughts would not leave him in peace.
* * *
Lord Shonto was not concerned with questions of history or doctrine as he regarded the stone lovers, it was the Hajiwara soldiers who stood in the openings cut into the granite relief that begged his attention. He clapped his hands and a guard immediately knelt before him. “I wish to speak to my Spiritual Advisor,” the lord said. The guard bowed and was gone.
Shonto could see soldiers in the livery of his House being sculled ashore to the gravel bar behind which the ships had anchored. It was one of the few places in the gorge where men could actually land, the cliffs rose so abruptly from the surface of the lake. Beyond the gravel bar and the scrub brush that clung to it, the cliffs climbed up, fifty times the height of a man, solid and unscalable, yet Shonto still felt it prudent that the beach be in his control and not a base for spies or Hajiwara treachery. He would receive a report from the shore party as soon as they had secured the area. He looked up again and saw two Hajiwara men, in a dark granite window, pointing down at the beach. Yes, Shonto thought, they will see everything we do…by daylight. That cannot be helped. We will thank the gods for the darkness.
Shuyun mounted the steps to the quarter deck and the guards bowed him through to Lord Shonto. He knelt before his liege-lord, bowed his double bow, and waited. Shonto regarded the young man kneeling before him. “So, we have come through the first obstacle,” he said, ignoring all formality.
“It is as your advisors believed. The Butto, no matter what their designs, would have to let us pass into Denji Gorge—it is the only way they could be sure you would not escape.”
“Then you do agree that this is, indeed, a trap, and we will not be allowed to pass unscathed.”
“I do, Sire,” Shuyun answered evenly.
Shonto turned and looked up at the stone figures. “Tell me of these windows that look out from the bodies of the Faceless Lovers.”
The monk did not answer right away, but gazed up at the cliff face as though the answer would be written there. “Several of the images carved here were also fanes for the followers of the Eightfold Path. Behind the figures lie tunnels and chambers for both worship and for living. It was an effective way to defend themselves from their enemies. The windows we see are just that, openings to allow the entry of light and air. During festivals, the figures would be decorated with cloth of purple and gold which would be hung in place from the windows. Sometimes there were narrow ledges that could also be used for this purpose, though it has been so long it is doubtful that more than a trace of them remains.”
“Huh.” Lord Shonto rubbed his chin absentmindedly. “Where are the entrances?”
“Commonly there was only one.” Shuyun pointed to the cliff top. “There are stairs down the face of the wall. They are narrow and enter a door equally narrow. High above the door is an opening large enough to pour boiling liquids from. It was an entrance easily defended.”
Shonto considered this for a moment. “How did they draw their water?”
“A shaft was sunk below the level of the surface of the lake and then joined to the water. There has been much speculation about how this was done, but to this day it remains one of the secrets of the sect. To the best of my knowledge, they had no other source of water so it was crucial that this supply not be cut.”
“They were thorough.”
“It was a time of danger, Sire.”
Shonto nodded. “It has not changed a great deal. Thank you for this information. I shall gather the council after dark. We would be pleased if you would join us, Brother Shuyun.”
The Botahist Brother bowed and backed away, leaving the lord surrounded b
y his guards…alone.
Nineteen
LAMPS SWUNG FROM bronze chains, moving almost imperceptibly as the ship rocked on the quiet waters. Shonto’s nine senior generals sat in orderly rows before a dais in a chamber below decks. To the left of the dais sat Brother Shuyun, to the right, Kamu and Lord Komawara.
No one spoke as they waited; indeed, no one moved. They stared straight ahead at the silk cushion, armrest, and sword-stand that had been placed on the dais. The sound of water lapping the ship’s planking came in through an open port and the lamps flickered in a slight draft. All were left with their private thoughts, their search for solutions to their situation.
A screen to the right of the dais slid open without warning and two of Shonto’s personal guards stepped into the room, knelt, and touched their heads to the floor. The members of the council did the same, remaining thus until their lord had entered and seated himself. A guard hurried to place Shonto’s sword in its stand.
The generals raised themselves back to their waiting position, but Shonto did not speak. Instead he seemed to be lost in thought, unaware of the others around him. For an hour he remained so, and during this time none of his staff moved. No one cleared his throat or shifted to become more comfortable. The lamps continued to sway, the water lapped the hull.
At last, Shonto turned to his steward. “Report our situation at the Butto locks.”
Kamu gave a brief bow. “All of your troops and staff have locked through, Sire. The last of the barges bearing them come up the lake now. On the craft remaining, perhaps thirty boats, there is no one of importance to our purpose.” Kamu paused to gather his thoughts. “The Butto still do not know if you have passed through their hands or not, though by now they must suspect you have. The large number of people in our fleet and the use of doubles have caused them great difficulty.
“Our information about the Butto has proven accurate—the father is old and no longer takes part in the ruling of his fief. Of the two sons, the younger is strong while the older is weak. There is no split in the Butto staff, though. All support the younger brother, which shows that there is wisdom among them. It is said, and I believe truthfully, that the older son is dissatisfied with his position. But it does not seem that he would be vulnerable to Hajiwara intrigue against his brother—he shares all of the Butto hatred for the Hajiwara House.
“The Butto give no indication of their true purpose in regard to you, Sire, but it is as you suspected—whatever their designs for the Shonto, their true hatred is for the Hajiwara, and, therefore, that is the key to their cooperation.”
Shonto nodded and again silence settled in the room. “General Hojo Masakado, what has happened in your dealings with the Hajiwara?”
The general, a man of Shonto’s age, though prematurely gray, bowed to his lord. “I have today requested that the Imperial Representative for the Province of Seh be allowed to pass into the upper section of the Grand Canal. The Hajiwara say they are willing to comply but, because of the special conditions which exist here at this time, they wish to confer personally with Lord Shonto. They insist that this meeting take place on their land, as is their right in this situation. I have told them that Lord Shonto is temporarily unwell and under the care of Brother Shuyun. The Hajiwara representative expressed concern and retired to report this to his lord. We have not yet received an answer from them.
“All evidence supports our information that this Hajiwara lord is not the man his father was, Sire. Though it is said he leads men well in battle, he constantly ignores his advisors and in the areas of state he is very weak.
“Reports from our spies say that every person passing through the Hajiwara locks is seen by two scholars who have met Lord Shonto in person. All craft are being searched in a most thorough manner—they do not seem sure that Lord Shonto has not secretly left his flotilla. This would seem to indicate that they have no spies close to our center.”
Shonto shook his head. “So, they dare not make a mistake. To let the Lord of the Shonto escape while they fall upon innocent passengers on an Imperial waterway.” He shook his head again. “This would be fatal. The Emperor would risk open war with the Great Houses, and this he fears.”
“It does seem to be so, Sire,” General Hojo said. “The Emperor has chosen wisely. There would be few others in all of Wa foolish enough to move openly against the Shonto. Does not Hajiwara realize what this will mean? Can he not see that the Emperor will be forced to act against him?”
Shonto shrugged. “The Emperor can be a most convincing man when he wishes to be. I’m sure this Hajiwara has ignored the counsel of his advisors and listened to the wisdom of his own desires.”
“Pardon me, Sire.” Bowing low, another general addressed his lord. “I feel it may be dangerous to assume the Emperor, and no other, has contrived this situation.”
Shonto stared at the man stonily. “Who, then?”
The general shook his head. “Anyone who is jealous of the Shonto.”
“If I fall to the plot of another House, the Son of Heaven will have no choice but to destroy that House—it would be the only way he could disassociate himself from their action. He fears to be seen as the predator, falling upon those he hates. He knows this would lead to his downfall. The Great Houses have never allowed such an Emperor to stay upon the Throne. History tells us that. So I ask you, who, other than a fool, would attack us knowing that the Son of Heaven, despite any secret agreements, would be forced to eliminate them?”
The general was unable to answer.
Shuyun bowed quickly. “A House that thinks they can eliminate the Shonto and, in the same action, turn the Great Houses against the Emperor.”
Surprise showed on Shonto’s face as he turned to his Spiritual Advisor. He nodded, almost a slight bow. “Ah. This is truth, Brother, but neither the Hajiwara nor the Butto could rally the Great Houses around them—they have not the strength. The Emperor would have them.”
“I agree, Lord Shonto, but they may act as agents for another House, yeh? Their rewards would be great.”
“Who would be so daring?”
“The Tora,” offered General Hojo. “They feel they have as great a claim to the Throne as the Yamaku.”
“The Senji, perhaps. The Minikama.”
“The Sadaku,” offered another.
“The Black Tiger,” Kamu said, and his face twisted as though he had known a sudden premonition.
“Jaku Katta could never sit on the Dragon Throne.” Shonto protested. “It is not possible, he has not the blood….” Shonto stopped in mid-sentence and turned to a guard. “Prepare our fastest boat to return to the capital. Immediately! Call for my secretary. No. Bring me brush and paper.”
Kamu bowed again. “Lord Shonto, such an action will only alert our enemies. ‘While they do not suspect that we know their secret design, we are strong,’” he added, quoting the gii master, Soto.
“But Lady Nishima must know,” Shonto protested. “If what you say is true, she is in grave danger. Jaku must not use her to seize the Throne. In all probability he will fail, and Lady Nishima will pay for that failure.” A daughter of the blood, Shonto thought, a great prize for the bold man. He cursed himself now for keeping his true thoughts concerning the incident in the garden from Lady Nishima. It was overly cautious of him.
“But Sire,” Lord Komawara said, speaking for the first time, “you must fall before Jaku could act and, for the moment, that cannot happen.”
“What Lord Komawara says is wisdom, Sire,” Shuyun said quietly. “Lady Nishima’s safety can be assured most effectively by Lord Shonto escaping from this situation.”
Shonto nodded. “But if I fall, Jaku will raise my allies against his own Emperor.” The lord closed his eyes. “Jaku, who it appears so recently saved my life—for which my allies, not to mention my own daughter, are no doubt grateful. I have underestimated him entirely.” Shonto banged his fist on his armrest. “Is this truly possible?”
“It appears very possible, Sire,”
Kamu said evenly. “And even if it is someone other than Jaku Katta who moves the pieces, the game would seem to be the same.”
“Then I bow to your counsel,” Shonto said, nodding to the assembled group. “I will send an encoded message by the Imperial carriers, addressed to a friend. It will reach Lady Nishima in less than three days. I will not fall before then.” He searched the faces before him. “But now we must find a way to extract ourselves from this situation.” Shonto looked around the room as though the walls were the cliffs of Denji Gorge. He waited, but no one spoke.
Kamu’s quote from the gii master took Shonto back to the house by the lake, back to the peace and the quiet conversation.
“We must draw them from their keep,” Shonto said, quietly. “We must offer them a sacrifice.”
“Sire?” Kamu leaned forward.
“It is obvious. Our forces are small, while their positions are strong. To draw them from their castles we must offer them a sacrifice they cannot refuse.”
“But what?” Kamu asked.
“Each other,” Shuyun said with finality.
Shonto smiled for the first time since entering the room. “Of course.” He gripped his armrest. “We shall offer to deliver the Hajiwara to their mortal enemies, the Butto. And we shall offer to deliver the Butto into the hands of the Hajiwara. Each House may also believe that they will gain an advantage over the Shonto, who are trapped and helpless at the bottom of Denji Gorge. Thus, they eliminate their rivals and capture the Shonto for those for whom they act as agents—if that is indeed their game.
“Two things become apparent. Our offers must be flawless and entirely believable. And we must find a way out of the gorge. Shuyun, how were the Sects in these temples taken?”
The Initiate Brother Duology Page 27
