Poison River

by Josh Reynolds

  “More of a rescue, really,” Shin said. “She was quite cheerful about the whole ordeal. But that is, perhaps, a story for another time.”

  She took a sip of tea. “Is this about the shipment?”

  “Tangentially.”

  “My father said they had found the culprit.”

  “Possibly.”

  “And that he was the one who stole our rice.”

  “Almost certainly.”

  “And yet you continue to investigate.”

  Shin shrugged. “I have a duty and I must see it through. If that means I must risk the anger of men like Iuchi Shichiro, then such is my burden.”

  “Very noble.”

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  “How unlike the man you are reputed to be.” Konomi looked at his cup. “You have not touched your tea.”

  Shin dutifully picked up his tea and tasted it. It was unfamiliar and spicy. Konomi smiled slightly. “Do you like it?”

  Shin licked his lips. “It is… unusual. Foreign?”

  “In a sense. It is my own blend.” She looked at him over the rim of her cup. “My mother taught me the art. It takes patience to do it right.”

  “I am sure.”

  “Why did you wish to speak to me?”

  “I had heard you were engaged to be married. But the engagement is now… on hold. Is that true?”

  “I’m sure my father could have told you that.”

  “Your father did not wish to speak of it at all.”

  “And you believe I will?” Konomi paused. “What does the one thing have to do with the other, my lord?”

  “It might speak as to the reason your father lied to me last night.”

  Konomi set her cup down. “That is a grave accusation.”

  “Nor is it one I make lightly. He has had a watch on the merchant, Saiga, for weeks he claimed. Yet none of Saiga’s visitors were known to him.”

  “And you believe this not to be the case.”

  Shin nodded. “I do. I believe your father knows something.”

  “And why does my engagement matter?”

  “A conflict between the Lion and the Unicorn would damage the governor’s reputation. It might even see him recalled. Fair dues for having interfered in your engagement, as some speculate.”

  Konomi was silent for a moment. “And how many lives would be lost to achieve such a spiteful end?” She shook her head. “I am not so vain as all that, and my father is no fool. What is done is done, and there is nothing more to it than that.”

  “What did happen between you three?” Shin asked. It was a discourteous question – rude, in fact. But sometimes rudeness got more answers than politesse.

  “It is none of your concern,” she said, sharply. It was the first flair of true emotion he’d seen from her, and he seized on it.

  “How many engagements does this make now? Four – or five?”

  Beneath her mask of powder, her face flushed. He’d struck a nerve. “You are being rude,” she said.

  “Yes. Forgive me.” Shin paused. “I have a number of failed engagements myself. Not the marrying sort, really – a fact which no doubt brings eternal shame to my family. Some people are simply not meant to be married.”

  “Some people have not found the right person yet,” Konomi said. She looked away. Shin set down his cup.

  “Is Tonbo Kuma the right person?”

  “For someone, certainly.”

  “But not you.”

  She sighed. “No. Not me.”

  “Your father does not agree.”

  “He is a traditionalist at heart. He wishes to make a strong alliance, and all of my brothers are already married or betrothed. That leaves me. An alliance with the Dragonfly would ensure the Unicorn could maintain their hold on this city, in the face of future aggression from the Lion.”

  “And what does Tonbo Kuma think of this?”

  “Kuma thinks first and only of their clan.” She smiled slightly. “There is only a little room for something – someone – in that heart of theirs, and I am not the one it is waiting for.”

  “Then who?” Shin asked, though he thought he already knew the answer. It would explain a great many things, if it were true. But, if it were not, saying it aloud would lead to great embarrassment for everyone concerned.

  She picked up her tea and took a sip. “That is not for me to say.”

  “Is your father aware of this?”

  She frowned. “If he is, he has dismissed it as no more than a blade of grass to be trampled beneath his hooves. He has made overtures to the Tonbo family directly, and to the Dragon as well, to see if they can convince Kuma to move forward with the engagement. He has even harangued the governor on occasion.”

  “And what was Tetsua’s reply?”

  She smiled. “Icy, I am told.”

  Shin peered into his cup, thinking it through. “If your father knew something that might encourage both Kuma and Tetsua to accede to his view, would he use it?”

  “My father holds his honor tight, but only so that he might better use it as a club.”

  Shin nodded. “So I gathered. Thank you, my lady. You have given me much to think on.” He made to rise, but she stopped him.

  “My father means well, my lord. He sees only the clan, first and foremost.”

  “I fear that is the problem, my lady. Nor he is the only one to do so.” He rose and bowed. “Thank you again. You have been most helpful.”

  “You will tell me how it turns out, my lord?” she called, as he departed. “I am most interested to know the end of this story.”

  “As am I, my lady. As am I.”

  •••

  “Where do you think you are going?” Kasami said. Lun turned, her good eye narrowing in obvious consternation. The woman was moving quietly down the steps from the guest room upstairs, heading for the garden. Kasami stood above her, at the top of the steps. At first, she had thought it was Kitano attempting to sneak out again. The gambler was hiding from her somewhere, hoping to avoid another beating.

  “I am leaving,” Lun said. “The sooner I get out of this city, the better.”

  “Lord Shin has specified that you are to stay here until he returns.”

  “Lord Shin can shove it up his–”

  Kasami thumbed her katana a few inches from its sheath. Lun fell silent, though it was clearly something of a struggle. “You will not leave.”

  “Give me one good reason.”

  “You are injured. And those hunting you are still loose. If you leave, you will be dead in a matter of hours.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I do.” Kasami began to descend. Lun backed away. Kasami stopped. She looked down at the woman, studying her with a warrior’s eye. Lun was hurt, but not badly. She had regained much of her strength in the past day. She decided to try a different approach. “I saw the tattoo earlier. You are of the Crane.”

  “I am not,” Lun said, harshly. “Not any more.”

  Kasami frowned. The statement angered her for some reason. Obligation to a clan was not something so easily thrown off. “And who decided that? You?”

  Lun grimaced and looked away. Kasami nodded. “Were you an ashigaru? A line soldier?” She stopped again. “No – a marine, perhaps?” Lun had the look of a marine. Kasami had fought beside them once or twice, against pirates. They’d been good soldiers – rough, but brave.

  “What does it matter?”

  “A good soldier follows orders.”

  “I’m not a soldier any more. I’m my own woman.” Lun bared her teeth and for a moment, Kasami was tempted to let her go. She had courage, of sorts. Not true courage, but a sort of animal valor that was admirable in its way. But Shin would be disappointed if she did that. So instead, she continued to descend.

 
“What you are, or are not, is of no concern to me. All that matters is that you are here when Lord Shin returns. You can be so of your own free will, or I can force you.”

  Lun hesitated. Kasami could tell that she was planning on running. She tensed, ready to pursue, when she heard someone cough politely. She looked past Lun to see Shin standing in the garden, looking up at them, a half-smile on his face.

  “You look happy. Why do you look happy?” she asked, with no small amount of suspicion. “What did she say?”

  “Let us say that she confirmed a suspicion of mine.” He looked at Lun. “And how are you today, Captain? Up and out of bed, I see.”

  “I want to leave.”

  “Is our hospitality wanting?”

  Lun hesitated. “No, my lord. But…”

  “You are injured, your crew dispersed, your ship sitting in a berth in Willow Quay, under guard,” Kasami began. Lun’s eye widened.

  “Under guard? By who?”

  “Lord Shin hired a handful of bored ronin to make sure no one tampered with it. And if you think they’ll let you on board without a bribe, your brains are more rattled than I thought.” Kasami paused. “You have nowhere to go. So why not stay here for the time being?”

  Lun frowned and scratched at her empty eye socket. “I can take care of myself.”

  Kasami laughed. “Yes, you’ve done a fine job of that so far.”

  Lun narrowed her eye, but knew better than to respond. She had some sense, at least. Kasami looked at Shin.

  “That said, as much as it pains me, I agree with her. If the matter is settled…” She trailed off as she saw the look on Shin’s face. “It’s not settled, is it?”

  “Not for me, no. Whoever sent those shinobi to kill Lun, to kill Saiga, and our missing actress as well, is still out there. As are their pet killers. I believe they will not stop until all perceived threats to their anonymity are dealt with. I suspect that includes us, now, given that ambush.” Shin smiled. “You should be happy – I know you’ve been longing for a chance to test your skills against worthy opponents.”

  “Shinobi are hardly worthy opponents,” Kasami said, but he was right. The thought did bring with it a sort of rough satisfaction. Here was a foe she understood and that her training had prepared her for. She tapped the hilt of her sword as she looked around, beginning her mental calculations. The house could be fortified, in a sense, though it would take some effort. The servants would complain, but then they always did. “We should move to a more defensible location – a smaller house, outside the city perhaps…”

  “No. We are right where we need to be, I think.” Shin started up the steps, his hands folded into his sleeves. “Show Ito up as soon as he gets here. Oh, and–”

  Kasami shook her head. “I know, I know. Tea.”

  Lun snickered and Kasami looked at her. Lun fell silent.

  Shin paused and looked down. “I was going to say make sure we are not disturbed, but yes, tea would be nice.” He smiled and continued up to the receiving room. Kasami growled softly and slammed her sword back into its sheath.

  “This is why I deserted,” Lun said, behind her.

  Despite herself, Kasami nodded.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Go and Paper

  “Have you taken up Go, my lord?” Ito asked with a hint of eagerness as he entered the receiving room and took in the board set up in front of Shin. “A most excellent diversion. I enjoy it myself on occasion.”

  “I have taken a liking to it of late, yes,” Shin said, agreeably. He’d set the board up earlier, and had been studying it when the merchant arrived. “Though, I fear that I did not invite you here to play, Master Ito.”

  Ito’s face fell. “Oh? Then why am I here, if I might ask?”

  Shin produced the documents he’d taken from Saiga’s office. Ito was taken aback when Shin laid them before him. The merchant seemed nervous, but eager to please. “What is this, my lord?” he asked, looking at them with curiosity.

  “Something I hope you might be able to help me with, Ito. Do you recognize these?”

  “They look like customs documents, my lord.”

  “So they do. Tell me what you think of them.”

  Ito peered closely at the papers and sat back after a moment. “I hesitate to say this, my lord, but it appears this individual was involved in the acquisition and disposal of stolen cargo.”

  “How can you tell it was stolen?”

  Ito tapped the document before him. “These cargoes are very specific – too specific. They match items missing from certain manifests.” He frowned. “We – the local merchants, I mean – keep track of such things. We try to inform one another when something turns up where it shouldn’t.”

  “So Saiga was definitely involved, then.” Shin paused. “Why was he allowed to continue? Surely the authorities would be aware of his connections…”

  “Someone was protecting him.” Ito looked at Shin. “Someone powerful.”

  “A member of one of the Great Clans,” Shin said. “But which one?”

  “That’s harder to determine,” Ito said, apologetically. “A man like Saiga might well have more than one master. He was a very useful sort of fellow, loathe as I am to admit it.” He studied the documents for several moments, then grunted. “I recognize the markings. They’re used by the customs agents of the Dragonfly. Very peculiar, those fellows. They have their own system for these sorts of documents.”

  “But you can read it?”

  “Of course,” Ito said, absently. Then, as if realizing what he’d admitted, he hurried to add, “Most of us can, though we pretend otherwise. The Dragonfly enjoy their secrets, and it costs nothing to let them have a few.”

  Shin nodded. “Can you tell which customs agent might have written these?”

  “I recognize the markings, yes. Tonbo Enji. Stiff fellow. Stickler for the rules. We all know him, and dread him.”

  “Is he so intimidating then?”

  “Only if you find boredom intimidating,” Ito said. “As I said, he’s a stiff sort of fellow. No sense of humor and – well – somewhat touchy on the subject of status.”

  “Ah. An emperor in miniature.”

  Ito shook his head. “Not quite that bad, but – yes.” He frowned again. “Not the sort I can imagine having dealings with a man like Saiga, frankly.”

  “And yet here is the proof. Conspiracy makes for strange bedfellows.” Shin considered the documents. A thought occurred to him. “Could Saiga have blackmailed this Enji into giving him the documents?”

  Ito considered the idea. “It’s always possible my lord, but…”

  “But?” Shin encouraged.

  “Enji is not the sort to be easily blackmailed.” Ito hesitated. “He’s… well, he’s boring, as I said.”

  “Boring?”

  “No vices, my lord. He doesn’t drink to excess, he does not like to gamble and has never been seen in the company of a prostitute. More, he has no wife or children to dishonor. He is a lonely man – an island of stolidity.”

  Shin could not help but show a bit of his amusement. “You sound as if you have investigated this for yourself.”

  Ito bowed his head. “I might have had an encounter or two with him over the years, my lord. And it is always best to know who is checking your cargo.”

  “Could Saiga have found something out that even you didn’t know?”

  “I don’t see how, my lord. Unless he… listens to different gossip. Then, maybe. But I think it unlikely.” Ito shook his head. “As I said, he is not the sort I could see associating with a man like Saiga – not without good reason.”

  Shin chewed this over. “I think I may pay a visit to this Tonbo Enji tomorrow and see what he has to say for himself.”

  “You will need permission, my lord. The Dragonfly are peculiar about such things.” I
to paused. “I could put in the request for you. I am somewhat familiar with those channels.”

  “I have no doubt you are,” Shin said. “Please do so, by all means. The sooner I speak to him, the better.”

  Ito cleared his throat. “And if I might be so bold, my lord – I would advise caution in your dealings with the Dragonfly, and the Tonbo especially. They are not called the ‘gatekeepers to the Dragon’ for nothing.”

  “Wise advice, Ito.” Shin placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head. “You have my solemn word, I will be on my best behavior.”

  Ito smiled. “I expect nothing less, my lord.” At Shin’s nod, he rose to his feet. “If you require my expertise again, please do not hesitate to call upon me, my lord. I am, as ever, at your disposal.” He bowed low and saw himself out.

  Shin picked up his biwa and plucked at the strings as he turned his attentions back to the Go board. He’d often found that playing a game against himself helped him to think when his mind was otherwise too cluttered to function properly.

  He imagined the two sets of stones were the Lion and the Unicorn, arrayed against one another, as in Azuma’s history lesson. Of course, for history to repeat itself, a third faction would have to intervene, breaking the stalemate.

  He set the biwa aside and began to move the stones idly, first one and then another, not really seeing them. Instead, he saw the city – its wharfs and warehouses, its theaters and alleyways. He saw how easily it could become a battlefield again. Perhaps it had never truly ceased being one.

  He paused, his finger atop a stone.

  That was it. That was the answer.

  “What are you smiling about?” Kasami asked, as she slid the door shut behind her.

  “Every crime has a signature. Including this one. I thought it clumsy at first, but it’s not. There is a sort of rough precision to it, when viewed from a distance. Not like the stroke of a sword, but like the calculation of weight and cost. They observed the currents of trade and chose a target based on certain criteria…”

  “The stolen rice, you mean?”