Laura Rowland - The Iris Fan

One of Lord Mori’s guards brought in Reiko and Akiko. Their faces were rosy from the cold. “Your wife and daughter took Lord Mori’s dog for a walk.” Annoyed by the whims of females, he said, “You’d better keep them in from now on,” and left.

Sano’s fear turned to anger at Reiko, then surprise as he noticed how animated, young, and bright-eyed she looked. He hadn’t seen her look like that in years. Her beauty was stunning. “You went outside and you took Akiko? Don’t you know it’s dangerous out there?”

Akiko ran off to avoid an argument between her parents. The flush on Reiko’s face darkened: She was still furious at Sano, and the nature of her fury had changed. No longer frantic, helpless, and wild, it was like fire blasting in a kiln. She said to her father, “Tell my husband that it’s not any safer in here than it is outside.”

Unhappily caught in the middle of the war between his daughter and son-in-law, Magistrate Ueda repeated Reiko’s words. Sano, upset because Reiko wouldn’t speak directly to him, afraid that the next time she left it would be permanent, said, “Never mind. She’s right.”

“Ask him what happened with Lord Ienobu,” Reiko said, unappeased.

Magistrate Ueda asked. “He tried to bribe Yanagisawa and Yoshisato into backing down,” Sano said. “It didn’t work. They exchanged threats and insults. I tried to negotiate a truce, but I was unsuccessful.”

Reiko and Magistrate Ueda looked disappointed but resigned. “So there will be a war?” Reiko said, not looking at Sano.

“Yes.”

“Starting when?” Magistrate Ueda asked. “Who’s going to make the first move?”

“It’s anybody’s guess.” Sano went along with the pretense of communicating through Magistrate Ueda. “My wife didn’t really go out to walk a dog. Ask her what she was doing.”

Reiko described how the dog had attacked her and Akiko had saved her. “It gave me an idea.” She explained that the dog had tracked the scent of the shogun’s blood to an ash heap in Nihonbashi. “He found the bloodstained socks.”

Sano didn’t know whether to be more impressed with Akiko’s talents or Reiko’s ingenuity. He was surprised that the socks had somehow made their way out of the castle. “Ueda- san , ask your daughter to let me see them. And ask her why she looks so upset.”

“Because my honorable husband isn’t going to like this part.” Reiko took the wadded, dirty socks from under her sash and handed them to Magistrate Ueda; he handed them to Sano. “Look inside the ankles.”

Sano saw tiny characters embroidered in pale gray thread: Tomoe. He crumpled the socks in his fist.

“I take it that they incriminate someone other than Lord Ienobu?” Magistrate Ueda said.

“Yes. Lord Yoshimune’s cousin, the concubine.”

They all sat in glum silence, wishing the evidence proved that Lord Ienobu had conspired to assassinate the shogun, for then the shogun would disown him and put him to death and the war would be nipped in the bud.

“But the socks are still an important clue,” Reiko announced to the air. “It could solve the crime.”

“And the shogun wants the crime solved.” Duty was duty for Sano, even though the expected outcome-Tomoe and Lord Yoshimune put to death for the crime; Lord Ienobu off the hook-wasn’t to his liking. “I’ll have to pursue it.”

“Pursue what?” Yoshisato said from the doorway.

Sano, Reiko, and Magistrate Ueda tensed. A chill penetrated the warm room. Even though Yoshisato was ostensibly their ally, it was as if the enemy had just breached their sanctuary. “What are you doing here?” Sano said, angry at Yoshisato for throwing away the chance of peace with Lord Ienobu.

“Yanagisawa- san asked me to deliver a message. The wedding is still on. It will take place tonight, at the hour of the dog.”

Reiko’s breath made a soft, angry hissing sound. Sano said, “Yanagisawa- san virtually has my whole family hostage.” And he was sitting on Sano’s secret about Dr. Ito. “Isn’t that a good enough guarantee of my loyalty?”

Yoshisato shrugged, as if to say, you know Yanagisawa . He backtracked to the question he’d asked. “What are you going to pursue?” When Sano hesitated, Yoshisato said, “You leave the estate, you walk straight into the army’s hands. I’ll give you an escort, but only if you tell me what you’re up to.”

Sano realized that he couldn’t expect to get anywhere safely by himself. He told Yoshisato about Reiko and Akiko and the dog, then showed him Tomoe’s bloodstained socks.

Yoshisato thoughtfully stroked his chin. “I see.” Sano had an odd feeling that Yoshisato saw more than just the fact that the socks were evidence against the wrong person. “You should have a talk with Tomoe and Lord Yoshimune.” As he departed, he said, “I owe you something for putting up with Yanagisawa- san . Some of our troops will be waiting for you at the gate.”

Sano had an even odder feeling that Yoshisato’s motive was different from what he’d said, but Sano was in no position to quibble.

“Well!” Reiko said. “He’s much better than I expected. I do believe he really wants to find out who stabbed the shogun even if it’s not Lord Ienobu.”

She felt Yoshisato’s power of attraction, Sano thought. He found himself jealous because Reiko admired another man and she hadn’t admired Sano for a long time. “Don’t be too sure about that.” He rose as he cautioned himself as well as Reiko, “He’s still Yanagisawa’s son.”

* * *

Accompanied by two hundred soldiers borrowed from Lord Mori, Sano rode to Lord Yoshimune’s estate. The army troops didn’t try to arrest him. Sano figured that Lord Ienobu didn’t want them starting a fight that would begin the war before he was ready.

There were no army troops outside Lord Yoshimune’s estate. Yoshimune numbered among the daimyo who hadn’t taken sides in the power struggle. The gate sentries quickly obtained permission for Sano to enter. They made him go in alone, but they didn’t confiscate his swords or frisk him. That constituted a friendly reception these days.

Inside the mansion, Sano found Lord Yoshimune and Tomoe seated in the reception chamber. Musicians played flute, samisen, and drum while the young daimyo and his beautiful cousin sang a romantic song to each other. The duo exchanged fond smiles and soulful looks as they finished their song. Whatever doubt Sano had had that they were lovers was gone now. The daimyo saw Sano standing in the doorway, smiled, and said, “Greetings. Please come in.”

He didn’t seem embarrassed to be caught in an intimate moment. Nor did he seem to think he had anything to fear, Sano thought as he knelt near the group. Either Lord Yoshimune had no idea why Sano was here or he was supremely self-confident. But fear widened Tomoe’s limpid eyes.

“Have you eaten? May I offer you refreshments?” Lord Yoshimune gestured toward a spread of sliced raw fish and pickled vegetables.

“No, thank you,” Sano said politely.

Cunning sharpened Lord Yoshimune’s good humor. “Of course this isn’t a social call. It wouldn’t be, while we’re on the brink of a war.” He’d evidently heard what had happened at the council. “If you’re here to ask me to join Yanagisawa’s faction, my answer is no. I shall remain neutral.”

“I understand.” Sano understood that Lord Yoshimune was content to let Yanagisawa and Lord Ienobu fight it out by themselves. Then, whoever won wouldn’t punish him; he would keep his fief, his wealth, and his life. “That’s not why I’m here.”

Disconcerted, Lord Yoshimune said, “Well,” then dismissed the musicians. Tomoe rose to follow them out of the room.