“Miko-san, is this a palanquin?” he asked with some surprise.
“Yes, it is. It’s a rather nice one, don’t you think?” He saw her eyes flash on the other side of the window.
Toshi had never been inside one of the elegant traveling contrivances in his life. Sure, he’d seen them before, the wood box supported by two long poles that extended over the front and back. The passenger would ride in comfort inside it as two to four men lifted the palanquin and carried them to their destination. He would have been more excited if the reason for having to use one wasn’t so glum.
“Why don’t you try and rest, Toshi-chan? It would be safer if you didn’t sleep during the day.” The geisha’s bells rang in the palanquin’s all-encompassing darkness. “I will sing you to sleep if you like.”
“That would be wonderful, Miko-san. I have missed your songs very much.”
He saw a flash of blue beyond the small window as she broke into song. He let himself be lulled to sleep by her sweet voice and the even movements of the palanquin.
Hours later, a soft touch brought him awake. As he rubbed his eyes, he realized the palanquin had stopped moving. Straightening up as best he could in the small compartment, he grabbed hold of his basket as Miko opened the door the rest of the way.
Darkness reigned outside, but seemed bright when compared to that residing inside the palanquin. He stumbled out and tried to stretch his stiffened muscles.
“Greetings, Mitsuo-san.” He looked up at hearing Miko’s voice to find two points of white light bobbing toward them.
“Asaka-sama wished you to know this is where we’ll be stopping for the day,” Mitsuo said. “There is a stream not far from here to the east. There are a number of clefts in the rocks there that can be used as hiding places, if necessary. But, best of all, there’s a small clearing by the stream amply suited for sword practice.”
Toshi nodded, not in the least bit surprised by the last. “I will remember, Mitsuo-san.”
“But, Toshi-kun,” Miko added, “remember to bathe as well, especially after practice.”
He tried hard not to blush, remembering his less than ideal state. “I will remember that as well, Miko-san.”
A hand squeezed his shoulder as soft laughter drifted into his ear. One of these days he would learn not to be so easily embarrassed by her. Somehow, though, he doubted it would be soon.
“Be very careful, Toshi-chan. We’ll return as soon as night permits.”
He felt something placed in his hands as Mitsuo and Miko took their leave. He bowed in their general direction. When his head rose back up, they were gone. He looked around—everyone else had disappeared as well.
Unable to see in the darkness, he decided to sit. Feeling around the package given to him, he was eventually able to figure out it was food. He hunted in his basket for his water container and ate as he waited for the sunrise.
As soon as it became light enough to see, Toshi got up, grabbed his basket and made his way east.
Listening intently, he hadn’t gone far before he heard the sound of rushing water. He cautiously made his way toward it, keeping an eye out for the stream.
When he found it, he eagerly put the basket down, stripped and bathed. Once he was done, he turned his attentions to his hair, rubbing at his dirty scalp. Black ink bled from his hair as he kept it submerged in the cold water.
When he’d finished, he grabbed his clothes and blankets and washed them as well. After that, he tried to redye his faded hair.
As the sun rose higher, he spread his clothes and blankets over the rocks to dry. Though not too enthusiasticly, he grabbed his boken and went looking for the small clearing Mitsuo had told him about and then worked through his exercises. He practiced off and on all day, pushing himself as he knew Mitsuo would have had him do if he’d been there. It kept his thoughts from drifting to his deeds over the last few days.
As the day came to a close, he bathed again and then lounged in the cool water for a while. He dressed and put away his things before the light totally disappeared.
Taking out some food from his basket, he climbed up on a large rock and waited for night to fully fall.
He realized he was eagerly awaiting the return of the others.
The moon rose early in the summer sky and gleamed brightly off the stream’s gurgling water. Though he could hear nothing but the normal sounds of the night, he tensed as he saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. Ready to run if necessary, he reached down for his boken. He sighed in relief as when he spotted familiar pairs of lights floating toward the stream. Carefully, he descended from his perch to greet them.
Without being asked, he headed to the palanquin they brought into the moonlit clearing. As soon as he’d gotten inside, four of the men lifted it by its poles and followed the others into the night.
Chapter 28
Over the next four days, Toshi stayed awake during the daylight hours and practiced with his boken, sleeping when he traveled in the palanquin at night. Though he was sure they were making faster progress than he would have on his own, it didn’t occur to him to wonder what lay at the end of the journey. His days were lonely, but he got by. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to make the same mistakes he’d made before. He always looked forward to the time he shared with Miko before he would try to fall asleep.
There’d been no more trouble. As far as he could tell, no one was chasing them. He prayed it would continue to stay that way.
“Toshi-kun.” The geisha’s voice sounded subdued.
“Yes, Miko-san?” They hadn’t been traveling long; but, unlike the days before, she had been unusually silent.
“Asaka-sama believes we will reach the outskirts of Narashi sometime tonight.”
“Already?” He sat up too fast and banged his head against the wooden ceiling of the palanquin. “Ow!”
“Are you all right, Toshi-kun?” Miko asked worriedly.
As he reached up to rub his injured head, he noticed the geisha’s intense eyes staring at him through the small window of the palanquin.
“I hadn’t meant to startle you so,” she said.
“No, I should have expected it. We had to reach Narashi sooner or later.” A wave of dread swept through him. “I—I don’t know if I can do what will be required.”
“Why do you say such things, Toshi-chan?” she asked. “You’re quite capable.”
He looked out, wishing he could see her face, not sure if he should tell her of his misgivings.
“Though I’m close,” he said quietly, “I’m not yet a man, Miko-san. I’m a boy, a peasant boy. I won’t be taken seriously. No one believed me at Kyuiji. Not when I showed them the writ, not even when I told them who I needed to see or who had sent me. They didn’t believe me at all.”
He frowned as the geisha’s laughter filled his ears.
“Oh, Toshi-kun, you’re such a delight. Of course those samurai didn’t believe you.”
He said nothing, caught offguard by her words.
“People believe what they see and are swayed in their decisions by it. The samurai who took you saw before them a boy in peasant garb, so, of course, they assumed you could be nothing but that. Why would a real samurai dress like a peasant?”
“But, Miko-san—”
“The writ you have from Lord Asano is very powerful,” she continued. “The samurai would assume anyone with it would strut their importance to the world, not hide it. What had they to fear? For us, it isn’t that simple, but their preconceptions wouldn’t let them see that.
“You had problems in Kyuiji, but you won’t in Narashi,” she said confidently. “In Narashi, you will be dressed for the part. You will walk right up to the castle gates and demand entry with the power of the writ. You will scoff indignantly if they hesitate, take it as an insult. The writ is your key. They will read it, they will look at you and you will fit their preconceptions. They’ll allow you in.”
He stared at her with disbelief, but said nothing.
“If you say so, Miko-san.” He didn’t feel all that sure.
“I do say so, and by tomorrow you’ll be finding this out for yourself.”
He nodded, his dread of the future not decreasing in the least.
The group traveled through the night.
“Toshi-kun, it’s time to make you ready,” Miko told him.
“We’re there?” He felt his voice rise and clamped his mouth shut.
“We’ve been here for some time, Toshi-kun,” Miko said. “Asaka-sama, however, thought it best to let you sleep as long as possible.”
He heard the palanquin door slide open and felt Miko reach for his arm. Grabbing his basket, he scooted over to join her. Staring into the surrounding darkness, he found the others spread out in a large circle around him. His stomach twisted in a knot.
“Toshi-chan, please remove the things from your pack,” she bade him gently.
He opened the basket and started to empty it. Once he’d removed the kettle, Miko reached inside to help him.
“Now, take off your clothes so I can dress you. We’re about to begin your transformation,” she said.
Glad for the darkness, he undressed. He noticed Mitsuo’s eyes as the latter came forward and put something down on the ground nearby. He heard the tearing of paper as Miko knelt to retrieve what he’d brought.
The geisha handed Toshi something soft and then helped him put it on. Though he couldn’t see it, he assumed it was an inner kimono. Miko then gave him the outer kimono he’d been carrying in his basket all along. The two layers of clothing felt strange to him, but he said nothing. Miko deftly tied a sash on the lower part of his waist and then had him put on a kami shimo , a samurai’s baggy pants and stiff-shouldered overcoat reserved for formal occasions.
Miko placed both the bamboo tube holding the writ and his moneybag between his inner and outer kimono. She slipped the sheathed wakizashi through the sash close to his left hip.
“Turn around, Toshi-kun.”
Doing so, he felt her undo his ponytail. She combed his hair thoroughly and then retied it before asking him to lift his left foot. Miko slipped a tabi sock on it and then an expensive sandal. She did the same to his right foot.
“You do make quite a striking figure when properly dressed, Toshi-kun,” she said. “Doesn’t he, Mitsuo-san?”
Toshi didn’t dare look at her, feeling them all staring at him. His cheeks grew hot.
“Hmph. Just so,” Mitsuo replied.
A touch fell on his arm and pulled to lead him to the left. “Come on, Toshi-kun, we don’t have much time. We must show you off to Asaka-sama before the sun forces us to leave.”
The thought of both facing his lord dressed like this and the fact he’d soon be left on his own almost made Toshi ill. Miko guided him past the ring of men and a short distance beyond that.
“Our young ward is ready, Asaka-sama,” Miko declared. “Does he not strike a handsome figure?”
He held his breath, amazed she would speak so informally to Asaka. The samurai’s glowing green stare roamed over him.
“Yes, this is acceptable.”
He dared breathe again.
“On this day, perhaps the hardest of tasks shall begin for you,” Asaka stated. “From the moment you enter the city, your every word, your every action shall prove to be a reflection upon the Asaka family.
Its very honor will rest in your hands.”
Toshi swallowed hard, never having expected the additional and heavy responsibility.
“You’ve done well in all that’s been placed in your way. But you must remain on guard, for, while you’ll be going into our lord’s castle, you will not necessarily be safe there. Though I have no proof, it has been my belief for some time our betrayal originated from within those walls. You must take great care and trust no one. Is this understood?”
“Hai, Asaka-sama.” A trickle of fear crawled up Toshi’s spine as he thought perhaps he understood too well.
“You will give the kettle to Lord Asano,” the samurai said. “Under no circumstances is it to be given to anyone but him.”
Toshi swallowed hard. “Hai.”
“You must request a private audience with Lord Asano. This may prove difficult. You will have to be persistent.”
He nodded, though he didn’t quite understand.
“Never let the writ out of your sight. You must keep it with you at all times. The writ will give you some immunity from those who might be scheming within the castle. And, as long as you have it, they can’t make you leave. Finally, the writ will help you prove to our lord you were truly sent by me.”
He shifted uneasily, the scope of what lay ahead of him growing to even larger proportions than he had imagined before.
“Do you understand all this, Toshiro?”
“Y—yes, Asaka-sama.”
“Good. Then we’ll move on. You shall be dropped off within the city proper. If you follow the road there, you will soon see where Lord Asano’s castle lies.”
“Hai.” He bowed before allowing himself to be led back to the palanquin. Before getting in, Miko had him pick up the kettle, leaving the backpack and his other unnecessary possessions behind. He climbed inside the palanquin.
As soon as he had settled, the palanquin rose and began moving forward.
“I wonder if I’ll ever get him to relax in front of others,” Miko mused out loud. “He takes things much too seriously. It makes him come across so stiffly.”
Toshi made no comment.
“You’ll be able to do what’s necessary, Toshi-kun. I have faith in you. I know you can do it. Just make sure to always maintain the proper frame of mind,” she said. “Remember you’re an important messenger for a great lord. Act like one. Get into the role. Think of yourself as playing the great Musashi in a large play. Look at your wakizashi as a reminder. It is a symbol of your new status. Let it guide you. Always remember, samurai are men and have the same passions as others.”
His grip on the kettle turned his knuckles white. “I will try, Miko-san.”
“I know you will, Toshi-kun. That’s why I have such confidence in you. Many would have given up long before now,” she said. “You will succeed.”
He sighed deeply. “Yes, Miko-san.”
Not much time had gone by before the palanquin stopped and settled on the ground. Miko opened the door, and he got out. He turned to look upon the city holding his destiny, but couldn’t see much through the all-encompassing darkness.
“Toshi-kun, take these,” Miko said.
He looked toward her as she placed what felt like silk in his hands. “What are they?”
“ Furoshiki. One is for the kettle, so you can wrap it and keep it hidden from prying eyes. The other is a bundle of spare clothing.”
Thinking both a good idea, he quickly wrapped the kettle with the cloth after tucking his other bundle under his arm. When he was through, he discovered he was closely surrounded by his companions.
“There is one more thing, Toshi-kun,” Miko said. “Since you are now to be samurai, we must give you a different name to carry. Chizuson would give away too easily that you’re not of samurai rank, since it states your occupation.”
He nodded, not having thought of that.
“So, for the duration of this part of your mission, let yourself be known as Kazete Toshiro. Don’t you think it will do?”
“I guess so, Miko-san.” He had no idea how to tell.
“It is here we must leave you, Toshi-kun. Remember the things I told you. Remember who you are now,” Miko said.
“I will, Miko-san.”
He tensed as a strong hand abruptly fell on his shoulder from behind.
“Though the first part you must do alone, we’ll try our best to join with you again.”
He shivered in odd delight and fear, having recognized Asaka’s voice.
�
��Keep your wits about you and always remember you’re representing the Asaka clan in every deed.”
“Hai, Asaka-sama.”
“Good luck, Chizuson-san.”
Surprised at the samurai’s remark, Toshi took a deep breath, wondering what he should say, only to realize they were already gone. He was alone.
Reminding himself they’d promised to join him when they could, he faced the city that would either bring salvation to his companions or an end to his own life.
Chapter 29
Toshi strolled down the wide street as the city of Narashi awakened around him. People ignored him as he walked past, too busy with the rituals of opening their shops and restaurants. The strong scent of cooking rice and fish began to permeate the air, reminding him he’d yet to have breakfast.
Disregarding his awakening hunger, he stared only straight ahead, not letting himself be distracted by all the activity around him, and tried to look fierce as he’d seen samurai do. The kettle felt heavy in his hand.
He passed a couple of samurai, and it took all his will not to cringe and shy away from them as they passed each other. They paid him no attention as they strolled by.
A steep hill soon rose before him, the way paved with worn, flat stones split into long tiers. Merchants along the road shouted at him from their colorful stores, trying hard to draw his attention to their wares, making it sound like his life couldn’t be complete without some new cups, melons or wine. He felt a pang inside him as the activity reminded him of home.
Lord Asano’s castle grew like a mountain before him. Its white, multi-storied towers reached grandly toward the sky. Its dark, angled roof beckoned him ever closer.
As he reached the top of the long hill, he noticed the huge stone wall surrounding the castle grounds. He stared at what he could see of the buildings beyond it, their white, magnificent walls gleaming in the sun.
Excitement mixed with nervousness as he forced himself to go on and try to find the castle’s main gate.
Gloria Oliver Page 23
