Earth-Thunder

by Patrick Tilley

  Mishiko stepped down from the dais and knelt beside Kamakura. ‘Courage, Captain,’ she whispered. ‘What you are about to learn will strengthen your resolve to protect my brother’s honour.’ She addressed Cadillac. ‘We are ready.’

  On being given the signal, Roz took control of their minds and made the Herald appear before them. By the time he faded from view, Captain Kamakura was left in no doubt that Ieyasu and his aides had plotted Toshiro’s death and poisoned the Shogun’s mind in order to achieve their objective: the discrediting of the College of Heralds and its takeover by the Office of the Lord Chamberlain.

  Before falling under Roz’s spell, Kamakura had already pledged himself to aid Mishiko. Now, as his spirit returned to his body – or so he believed – he was prepared to offer her strange allies the same unquestioning assistance, for in a final twist to the seance, Roz had relinquished her control of Mishiko and concentrated on the samurai, ending his mind-trip with a scene filled with light and majesty in which the Shogun rewarded Kamakura’s loyal endeavours by arranging for his daughters to be married to the scions of various well-connected families.

  For this honest, long-serving soldier, it was the realisation of his most cherished dream. It was also the cruellest of deceptions, for if Cadillac’s plan succeeded, Yoritomo would not live long enough to reward anyone, and the Captain and his family might soon suffer a similar fate.…

  Mishiko resumed her seat on the dais, between the two spirit-witches.

  Now fully aware of the task which lay ahead, Kamakura applied his mind to the practical problems that faced them. Mishiko and her party could not remain concealed in her apartments all day. Apart from needing a hot bath, they would need a supply of food, fuel and water. There was also the basic but unavoidable problem of sanitation. The chamberpots in the wooden cabinets would have to be emptied if they were not to stink the place out.

  None of these things could be done without risking discovery. Mishiko and Cadillac were forced to agree. It would be dangerous to remain. What did the Captain propose?

  ‘Mi’lady, if I may be so bold, I suggest you leave the castle by the way you came. I will meet you and your servants at a pre-arranged spot with a few trusted men, and convey you to my humble abode which as you know is situated beyond the Palace walls.

  ‘Once you are installed in as much comfort as can be provided I will send my men with one of yours to collect your three children and the rest of your retinue from the farm. They too will shelter in my house for the rest of today and overnight, then tomorrow you and your companions can re-enter the Palace. I shall meet you here, by which time I hope to have found a way to conduct you to the Shogun’s apartments without being stopped by men loyal to the Lord Chamberlain.’

  ‘I already know of a way, Captain. All you have to do is meet us here – leaving us enough time to be in position when the Shogun reaches his apartments.’

  Kamakura bowed. ‘I shall not fail you, mi’lady.’

  Cadillac leaned forward. ‘There is one more task which has to be completed before dawn tomorrow. We need to make contact with Secretary Ichiwara during the hours of darkness. Do you know this man?’

  ‘Yes, I do, uhh … sire.’ Kamakura wasn’t quite sure how you were supposed to address a spirit-witch.

  ‘Good. By nightfall, we shall require a plan showing where his bed-chamber is situated within the palace, together with details of when he sleeps and whether or not he sleeps alone. If his servants are lodged nearby, we also need to know their names and how many there are, and whether the corridors leading to his quarters from Lady Mishiko’s apartments are patrolled by guards around the hour of midnight.’

  ‘And if his door is locked, I imagine you will require a key,’ concluded Kamakura.

  ‘That is correct, captain. We have power over natural objects, but locks, being man-made, do not readily respond to magic spells.’

  When it was their turn to enjoy the facilities of Kamakura’s bath-house, Mishiko ensured that Cadillac and Roz were left to relax in complete privacy. Having his back scrubbed by naked body-slaves was something Cadillac had enjoyed during his previous stay in Ne-Issan, but that was one of the minor details of life under the Iron Masters he had omitted to mention to Roz. The way he told it, the long months had been spent in unremitting hard work in an atmosphere of constant danger made even more hazardous by Steve’s double-dealing.

  As always, Roz had refused to let him blacken the character of the person she still regarded as her kin-brother. This continued support for someone whom – she had assured him – she no longer loved was a constant source of annoyance. But since Roz wasn’t frightened to stand up to him, he took care to avoid heated arguments wherever possible, contenting himself with taking the odd sidelong swipe at Steve’s character and credibility when a suitable opportunity occurred.

  Captain Kamakura had been cautioned not to reveal they were witches. As far as his family and Mishiko’s retinue were concerned, they were still high-class courtesans hiding their identity, in the time-honoured manner, behind the white-masks that signalled their calling. And if they wished to bathe without assistance, then that was their right.

  It was fortunate they could rely on their hosts’ discretion. Had anyone entered the steam-filled room and caught sight of their long-dog features and multi-coloured skins it could have ruined everything. In an emergency, Roz could mask their appearance, but it was not something she could do continuously. The mental effort was less debilitating than the act of summoning, but it was still exhausting.

  As they wallowed neck-deep in the hot tub, Cadillac related the cryptic conversation about the Shogun’s visitors, picked up by the bug they had placed in Ieyasu’s room. ‘From what Ichiwara said they’re obviously outlanders – and they don’t like fresh air. What does that suggest to you?’

  Trackers. Who else would fit that description?’

  ‘Exactly. Two emissaries from the Federation. What are they up to?’

  ‘Well, they haven’t come all this way to wish everyone a happy New Year!’ said Roz. ‘It must be to negotiate some kind of a deal. The outfit Steve works for is already supplying radio equipment to Ieyasu’s spy network –’

  ‘Yeah, but the Shogun doesn’t know about that. This has to be something else. Something bigger maybe.’

  ‘So what? If Mishiko does her stuff, there won’t be anyone for them to do a deal with!’

  ‘You’re missing the point. It would be useful to know what the Federation is after. If the Shogun and Ieyasu – supposedly the most powerful men in Ne-Issan – have travelled here to meet with them, these guys aren’t going to be talking about doing a trade in cotton socks. This has got to be high level stuff – which means that the Federation will have sent a couple of heavyweights to represent them. Right?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose they would. But I still don’t see –’

  Cadillac could not contain his excitement. ‘Isn’t it obvious?! If we could capture them and get them out of here, we could trade them for Clearwater and her child!’

  Roz fixed him with a wide-eyed stare. ‘On top of taking out the Shogun and Ieyasu? You must be out of your mind!’

  ‘On the contrary. It’s the best idea I’ve had yet.’

  ‘Not from where I’m standing. If – and it’s a BIG “if” – we manage to do what we came to do, we’re going to have our work cut out just getting away without adding any further complications!’

  ‘What do you mean?!’

  ‘What I mean is you’ve got everything plotted beautifully up to the point when Ieyasu and Yoritomo are stopped in their tracks, but I’m still waiting to hear about our escape plan!’

  ‘I’m working on it.’

  ‘I hope you are!’

  ‘I am! But this could be a golden opportunity to grab a couple of hostages. Why rely on Brickman when we can set up a deal ourselves?!’

  ‘Caddy! I’ve already told you! We’ve got enough on our plate as it is. These emissaries you’re so excited about may no
t be as important as you think. We don’t know why they’re coming here and we’re not going to have time to find out. Steve is still our best bet as far as Clearwater is concerned, so quit bad-mouthing him – otherwise you and I are going to fall out. Okay?’

  ‘Okay, okay. I’m not going to push you on this –’

  ‘You’d better not!’

  ‘Just bear it in mind.’

  ‘Right! That’s it!’ Roz slapped two handfuls of water into his face, grabbed hold of his hair, and held him under.

  As Cadillac and Roz struggled playfully, neither of them had any idea that Steve was one of the emissaries the Federation had selected. And because the mind-bridge linking her to Steve remained blocked, Roz was unaffected by his physical condition. Which at that moment was something to be thankful for.

  The steam-powered junk Steve and Fran had boarded off Cape Fear was still two hundred miles south of Aron-Giren. After a second day and night of pitching and rolling in rough seas, Fran lay, drained of colour, on her mattress bed, unable to stand on her feet without assistance. Faced with the grim prospect of another day trapped in a wooden box that heaved sickeningly in all directions, death seemed to offer a welcome release.

  Steve, the nursemaid, comforter and macho mariner, was now feeling pretty wretched himself. His earlier feigned nonchalance had gone, along with all pretence at having a cast-iron stomach. The merest smell of food made him feel sick, and he had now reached the point where it was proving difficult to hold even a glass of water down.

  All either of them could think of was that longed-for moment when they set foot on solid ground. Neither had any inkling they were soon to be swept into even more dangerous waters.…

  Since the Shogun and the Lord Chamberlain had not yet arrived at the Palace, Kamakura’s duties as the senior Captain of the Palace Guard were not particularly onerous. Apart from a meeting with Tokimasa, the Resident Steward, and Ichiwara, he was able to delegate inspections and guard-mounting ceremonies to his junior officers, giving him most of the day to attend to the needs of Lady Mishiko.

  When night fell, he suggested that it would be wiser if she remained in his house with her children and retinue, leaving him to enter the Palace with the two spirit-witches via the secret tunnel. He had obtained the required information about Secretary Ichiwara, and as an officer privileged to bear arms in the presence of the Shogun, he had unchallenged access to all parts of the Palace.

  If he were seen, no one would think to question his presence, and if by chance they did, he could say he was making a last-minute check on the security arrangements. If Lady Mishiko, on the other hand, ran into a member of Lord Ieyasu’s staff or one of his place-men, then the vital element of surprise would be lost.

  Mishiko agreed without hesitation. Cadillac also voiced his approval. It was a good move – always provided they didn’t lose their way going through the tunnel. Asking for ink, writing brush and paper, Mishiko quickly prepared an annotated route map and handed over the key.

  Once again, the conversation left Roz on the sidelines, but when she saw Mishiko prepare the map and give Kamakura the key, it all became clear. As soon as they were aboard the covered cart, with Kamakura seated up front with one of Mishiko’s guards as driver, the rumbling clatter of the wheels allowed Cadillac to explain everything in detail. By the time they reached the drop-off point for the mausoleum, Roz knew what she had to do. The final scenario would have to wait until she got inside Ichiwara’s head.

  Recruiting Kamakura onto their team proved to be their biggest stroke of luck so far. It was obvious from the purposeful way he walked that he knew his way around the Palace, but he hadn’t known about the secret tunnels. He had long suspected their existence, but actually seeing them, and the maze of run-offs, had come as a big surprise.

  Once they were out of Mishiko’s apartments, it didn’t take long to reach the area occupied by senior administrators. They encountered several guards on the way, but only one or two at a time. Roz dealt with them all in turn, taking control of Kamakura’s mind on each occasion. Cadillac had already warned the Captain that they would change their appearance if danger threatened, but he was still staggered by the speed and power of their witchcraft. Every time they sighted a guard, he turned to find that the white-masked figures behind him had been magically transformed into splendidly-dressed, high-ranking noblemen.

  It was little wonder that the guards dropped to their knees and kept their eyes on the floor until they had swept by.

  On reaching Secretary Ichiwara’s quarters, Kamakura gave them whispered directions on how to get to the bedroom, then remained on guard in the corridor while they went in. Cadillac and Roz tip-toed across the floor past Ichiwara’s sleeping man-servant, grimacing at every heart-stopping creak as one of the ancient floor-timbers flexed under their weight.

  The servant stirred, muttered something, then rolled over onto his back. His sleeping face with its half-open mouth slowly sagged towards them. His nose twitched. A hand appeared from under the heavy quilted coverlet to rub the troublesome organ, then vanished.

  Motioning Roz not to move, Cadillac caught Kamakura’s eye and gestured towards the servant. Seeing their predicament, the samurai entered, moved soundlessly to the far side of the servant’s floorbed and delivered a carefully-aimed punch just below the right ear. The sleeping body went completely limp.

  Ichiwara opened his eyes to find his mother gently shaking him by the shoulder. Seeing her came as a shock because another part of Ichiwara’s mind knew she had been dead for over ten years, having died after catching pneumonia at the age of sixty-nine. But here she was, with the lines etched in her face by the inexorable passage of time magically wiped away.

  This was the face he remembered leaning over his bed during his childhood years, a face filled with love, accompanied by gentle hands that caressed his brow. And he knew he was not really awake, for he often dreamt of returning home and discovering his parents – who he had seen cremated – were still living there. And they would explain their absence by saying they had just been away. But this dream was so real! He could feel her hand on his shoulder. But what was she doing in the palace?

  ‘Ichi! Ichi! Wake up! There is an important message from Lord Ieyasu!’

  ‘Message? What does it say?’

  ‘I don’t know! Your father says it’s something to do with Lady Mishiko! Quick! You must go and fetch it! There is no time to lose!’

  ‘But Mother – !’

  ‘Don’t argue! Your father and I will come with you.’

  Ichiwara felt himself being lifted out of bed and set on his feet. Message … important … he had to get the message. A lantern appeared in his hand.

  Roz and Cadillac helped Ichiwara don a long robe, then stayed within arm’s length as he gathered up a set of keys and walked out of his bed-chamber and past the unconscious man-servant. Ichiwara’s eyes were open, but he was on auto-pilot. It was the first time Roz had taken control of someone’s mind while they were asleep but it seemed to be working.

  ‘Good boy, Ichi!’ whispered Cadillac. ‘Your mother and I are right behind you.’

  Kamakura joined them as they tailed the secretary along the corridor. If there was a hidden radio transmitter then, reasoned Cadillac, it would be hidden within easy reach of Ieyasu’s base of operations within the Palace. And so it proved.

  After climbing a couple of flights of back stairs, the semi-conscious Ichiwara used one of his keys to unlock a heavy door and led them into what looked like a records office.

  There were several rows of low writing tables, and the wall spaces between the narrow windows were lined with racks of pigeonholes and shelves, all stuffed with sheaves of documents. Some of the rectangular compartments were fitted with doors.

  Ichiwara, whose dark blank eyes gave no sign of registering his surroundings, shut and locked the outside door, then crossed the room and used a smaller key to open one of the sealed compartments at eye-level. It was empty. He shut the door and wit
hdrew the key.

  ‘There is no message,’ he murmured.

  ‘There is! There is!’ whispered Cadillac with a touch of desperation. ‘So be a good boy and find it before we all get into trouble.’

  Ichiwara gave a long-suffering sigh, then bent down, reached under one of the lower shelves and pressed something. As he heard the oiled click, Cadillac waved frantically to Roz and Kamakura to take cover. They dropped out of sight among the lines of writing tables. He followed them to the floor and got a line of sight on Ichiwara as a door-sized section of shelving swung outwards on concealed hinges.

  Behind it was a wall made of dressed, mortared stone. Or what looked like stone. Ichiwara used the key to rap several times on a particular stone. The beats and pauses were obviously a form of code. For a moment or two nothing happened, then the exposed slab of stonework hinged inwards, revealing a hidden chamber illuminated from within.

  Cadillac caught a brief glimpse of a bald operator in a black, short-sleeved tunic over a bare chest. Behind him, he saw part of a shelf and the right-hand edge of a neat stack of radio equipment. He clenched his fists exultantly and only just managed to stop himself from drumming them on the floor.

  Sweet Sky Mother! They’d got him!

  He strained to hear the muttered conversation between Ichiwara and the radio operator.

  ‘There is no message, sir. You’ve been dreaming. Go back to bed. If anything urgent comes through I’ll drop a ball down the tube.’

  ‘You’re sure.…’ Ichiwara’s voice was slurred.

  ‘Absolutely, sir. Now go back to bed.’

  The radio-operator turned Ichiwara around, propelled him gently back in the direction of the locked outer door and pulled the shelf-section shut behind him. Ichiwara blundered against the line of writing tables close to where Roz and Kamakura were hiding. Amazingly, the blow to his shins failed to wake him up. Roz got to her feet and renewed the image of his mother in Ichiwara’s mind.

  Ichiwara allowed himself to be led to the door where Cadillac joined them. He had never seen anyone sleepwalk before, and he couldn’t get over the fact that Ichiwara could find his way from A to B, select the right key to unlock the door and do all the other things he had done without being fully conscious. It was quite amazing. The three of them followed Ichiwara back along the deserted corridors to his quarters. The servant hadn’t moved.