Chapter 3 : The Web of the Spider
(Ikkenshi)
I staggered back to my tent, a dancing girl on each arm, I did not know their names but that hardly mattered. Following me was the gorgeous Midori with her arm around another of those dancing girls. She was wearing a green kimono with patterns of water lily on it and the movement of her tiny feet wrapped in the white stocking was truly irritable. Amid the giggling of my lovely companions, I pulled back the blind that shielded the entrance and went inside. I new what those people out there was thinking. Many would shake their heads in disapproval; others would envy such privileges available only for the heir apparent. I gave a carefree laugh and let the blind fall behind us, shutting out their world from mine.
Once inside, the four girls, except Midori, began to remove their clothes. The giggling continued and even intensified as they began to caress each other's bodies. They were young and had beautiful bodies, their breasts firm and inviting. But all those had to wait. The night was still young and I could come back later to sample. I was walking straight now, sober and intent. Those outside would be taken back in utter surprise had they been able to see me now. True, I was no warrior with the fighting prowess of the arrogant Katsuo. But I was no fool because I knew my chance of continuous survival depended on who could play a higher hand in this game of truth and hiding, life and death. Midori was also walking very erect beside me. Her sense of sight and hearing in full alert now. If there is any eavesdropping or unwelcome guest within a radius of a mile, she could undoubtedly feel it. There was none apparently. If there were the slightest intrusion even by the most innocent, her dirk would have found its mark.
We walked to the backside of the tent, leaving the other four girls in mock erotica behind us as a screen. At the right spot, we lifted a cover trapdoor. A tunnel appeared with stairs leading to some underground chamber. The spot had been chosen to erect this tent so that this trap-door would be right in the front of the back end. Midori took the lead and walked down, so that if there was an ambush, she could make a resistance for me to retreat. But the measure proved to be over-cautious.
He was already there. At first sight under the dim candlelight, his powdered face was more like a ghost than a man. But ghost he was not. He wore the tall cap of a court official, and a dress corresponding to the 4th Grade in the Imperial court. His eyebrows were shaven clean and another pair drawn several inches above the original position. His lips were of pink, like a woman. In one hand, he was holding a paper fan, his other hand was let dropping to one side as if he was too tired to lift it up. But I knew better than its appearance. That hand could be very fast. Being the second highest sword master of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, Sanjo Ichiro could draw and cut a man into halves in split second!
I sat down before him, careful to keep a safe distance though that would offer little consolation if he indeed decided to get rid of me. There was no danger of that of course as my demise would hardly fit his purpose.
Midori sat to our left. Without my knowing when, she had stripped off her kimono and put on the nearly mandatory black uniform of a female ninja.
"Ah...Satomi-sama, finally you came." Sanjo Ichiro's lips parted into some kind of smile.
"Yes, Sanjo-sama. I can see you have been waiting here for some time."
"Never mid, Satomi-sama." he dismissed my apology with a wave of his hand holding the fan. It was done with an almost effortless grace. "How went the plan?"
I nodded. "Everything was as you expected. The Lord had announced the intended marriage of Hitomi to Uesugi and I could see Katsuo's face turned dark at hearing the news."
"I heard the bride-to-be is very pretty. Is she not?"
"Indeed. She was fondly called the Yamabuki of Satomi."
"Ah...yes, the lovely yellowish flower that adorned the hillside in spring..."Sanjo Ichiro closed his eyes as if contemplating the floral beauty. When I was aware he had reopened his eyes and looked at me with that mysterious smile, something was already placed on the mat before me. And I had not noticed when and how he did it.
It was a bamboo box, tied with a purple ribbon.
"You are so fortunate, Satomi-sama. His Majesty had heard of your name and your fine taste in poetry and songs. It was a gift from him."
"The Emperor?" I was shocked.
"Of course," the smile never left his face. "Are you going to open it?"
My hands trembled as I bowed and took the ribbon, slowing untying the knot and lifted the cover. A scroll was inside. I bowed again and lifted the scroll with both hands.
Slowly, I unrolled it. Tears came out of my eyes. Yes, I was so privileged. It was a poem written by the Divine Emperor.
"My life is indebted to the Imperial Majesty forever!" I bowed deep in gratitude.
"Ho ho ho..." Sanjo Ichiro chuckled as he used the fan to half cover his blackened teeth.
"His Majesty would be well pleased."
"How could I serve His Majesty in return for his favor?"
Sanjo's smile suddenly vanished. His eyes became icy cold and his whole self seemed to have changed into a totally different person.
With both hands, he took out another scroll and unrolled it.
"The Imperial Edict!" he still used a small voice but now it carried the weight of a heavy mountain commanding immediate obedience.
Both Midroi and I bowed low.
"Satomi Ikkenshi is now made 5th Rank of Imperial Court Order and under his Imperial Majesty's instruction, was to ensure war to break out between the Hojo and the Satomi and draw the might of the Uesugi Army onto Odarwara, to destroy the evil Hojo clan who had not been obeying Imperial Edict for the past decade."
"Hai!" I bowed and took the secret Edict with both hands, then passing it to the safe keeping of Midori.
"But Sanjo-sama, we might not be able to stand off the Hojo on our own. And besides, Uesugi might not intervene. In that case..."
"Ho-ho-ho..." Sanjo became his jester self again. "Do you think so? My dear Satomi-sama, his Imperial Majesty would never abandon you to your doom. The Hojo might take Sakurakijo. Strong as its walls may be, it can be taken by a siege or by using treachery. But to take the main Castle of Takiyama would be a different matter. The Hojo would not have that power, not with the Uesugi threatening their flank. And as for the Uesugi, his Majesty has already sent messenger to announce a secret imperial edict to order the Uesugi to attack."
"And they will obey?" I asked. Imperial Edict, though once powerful, was only a shadow of its former self now as warlords commanding huge armies could choose to obey or ignore an edict without the backing for force.
"But of course, my Satomi-sama." Sanjo mused and played with his fan. "The Uesugi hated the Hojo for a long time, disputing their right to rule the Kanto area...and what is more, his Majesty had promised the Uesugi control of all Kanto area, including the Hojo fief once the Hojo clan was destroyed."
I grew pensive. What good would it do if we had a hostile clan at our doorstep instead of two? We would no longer be able to play one against another.
He sensed my thoughts immediately.
"Trust the Court, my Satomi-sama...the Uesugi would no sooner enjoy the fruit of victory than the might of the Takeda clan will be falling upon them. Then, they would fight to exhaustion...and this will give us time..."
"Time?"
"Yes, time....while they lock themselves in deadly fight. The Imperial court would summon enough loyal samurai and ronin and crush the lesser warlords near Kyoto... By the time they realized what had happened, we will march on them and you, Satomi-sama will hit from behind! Then, we will revive the golden days when the Emperor and the court will once rule!"
Now I saw the plan. It was a master stroke. Hitomi would be the first bait. The Hojo would be insulted and launched an attack. Uesugi, being the groom-to-be, would intervene in any case. Then, another imperial edict will incite the Takeda to battle the Uesugi, typical of Kyoto-style double dressing.
"And what would happen to the Satomi clan when this is completed?"
"All of Kanto area will be under your rule, of course." he chuckled.” At the very least, you could be rid of your hated half-brother."
That, at least, I believed in.
"And I had brought you some help." Sanjo waved his fan and several candles lighted up behind him. Five young girls, all in ninja uniform were kneeling in formation.
"The spider-team from Kaho" he introduced without even looking back. "They will be at your command." The girls bowed.
I glanced at Midori. To my surprise, she was bowing to Sanjo too. Then I understood, she was also one of them!
My hairs stood on ends.
I turned my face back but Sanjo was already gone. And the space behind him was again dark.
"Satomi-sama let us go back to the tent. We have unfinished pleasure waiting." Midori was again her obedient maid again.
I recoiled back.
"Have no fear, Ikkenshi-sama. I was ordered by Sanjo-sama to serve you, and that includes all kinds of service and I will not harm you, not until and unless he changes his order." her smile was captivating, though of a type not unlike the famed spider species that would kill the male partner once intercourse was over. Meekly I followed her up, my heart beating so fast that I could not distinguish whether it was out of expectation or of fear.