How wise of my ancestor to confine the Emperor and these overdressed sycophants to Kyoto, and to build his own capital at Yedo, far from their seductions and twisted manipulations--and how wise to forbid a Shogun coming into this honeyed trap.

I should leave. How can I without Nobusada?

The Court had all but excluded him. So had Nobusada. Twice the youth had cancelled a meeting at the last moment because of a chill. The doctor had officially confirmed the chill but his eyes agreed it was an excuse. "But the Lord Shogun's health does worry me, Lord Yoshi. His constitution is not strong and his manliness leaves much to be desired."

"Is it the fault of the Princess?"' "No, no Sire. She is vigorous and her yin ample and succulent enough to satisfy the most particular yang."

Yoshi had questioned the doctor carefully.

Nobusada had never been a swordsman or hunter or outdoor person like his father and brothers, preferring the easier sports of falconry and archery, or, more often poetry competitions and calligraphy. But there was nothing wrong with that.

"His father is still as tough as an old saddle and his family known for longevity. You have no cause for alarm, Doctor. Give him one of your potions, get him to eat more fish, less polished rice, and less of the exotics the Princess enjoys."

She had been present at the only interview he had had with his ward a few days ago. It had gone badly. Nobusada had refused to consider returning to Yedo, refused even to discuss a possible date, refused his advice in every other matter, taunting him with Ogama: "The Choshu control the streets, Ogama's men are stamping out the vile shishi, Cousin. I'm not even safe surrounded by our warriors, I am only safe here under the Emperor's protection!"

"That is a myth. You are only safe in Yedo Castle."

"So sorry, Lord Yoshi," the Princess said sweetly and silkily, "but it is so damp in Yedo, the weather is not to compare with Kyoto and my husband's cough needs protection."

"That is right, Yazu-chan, and I like it here, Cousin, for the first time in my life I am free, not confined in that awful castle! Here I am free to roam and sing and play and feel safe, we are safe. I may stay forever! Why not? Yedo is a stinking, slimy place, to rule from here would be grand."

Yoshi had tried to reason with them but to no avail. Then Nobusada had blurted out, "What I need most of all, until I am of age, not long now, Cousin, what I need is a strong leader, a tairo. Nori Anjo would be perfect."

"He would be very bad for you and the Shogunate," he had said and patiently explained again but it had made no difference.

"Unwise to ma--"' "I do not agree, Cousin, Anjo listens to me, to me, which you never do. I said I wanted to bow before the Divine, my brother-in-law, he agreed and I am here, you were opposed! He listens to me! To me! To me, the Shogun! And don't forget anyone is better than you. You will never be tairo, never!"

And he had left the two of them, never believing --despite Nobusada's derisive, infuriating laughter in his wake--that Tairo Anjo would ever become a fact.

But now it is a fact, he thought gloomily, conscious of the Lord Chancellor Wakura watching him. "I will leave Kyoto in the next few days," he said, coming to a sudden decision.

"But you have been here hardly any time, Sire,"

Wakura said, quietly congratulating himself.

"Surely our welcome has not been so terrible?"

"No, not terrible. So, what other distressing pieces of information have you for me?"

"None, Sire. So sorry I related something that displeased you." Wakura rang a bell.

At once a painted pageboy came in with tea and a plate of dates, his teeth also dyed black.

"Thank you, Omi." The boy smiled back at him and left. "The dates are the sweetest I've ever tasted. From Satsuma."

They were large, honeyed and sun-dried.

Yoshi's eyes narrowed. He took one, no coincidence they were from Satsuma. "They are excellent."

"Yes, they are. A pity the daimyo Sanjiro is not as sweet as the food and fruit his soldier farmers grow. Curious that samurai in Satsuma can be either without loss of caste."

Yoshi chose another. "Curious? Just their ancient custom. A bad custom. Better that men should be samurai or farmers, one or the other, according to the Legacy."

"Ah yes, the Legacy. But then Shogun Toranaga allowed that family to retain their fief and their heads after Sekigahara though they fought against him. Perhaps he liked their dates too.

Interesting, neh?"

"Perhaps he was satisfied that they put their heads to the dirt in front of him, humbly gave him power over Satsuma, humbly swore perpetual allegiance and, even more humbly, thanked him when he gave Satsuma to them as fief."

"He was a wise ruler, very wise. But now the Satsuma under Sanjiro are not so humble."

"That is also true of others," Yoshi said thinly.

"As I said, we live in strange times."

Wakura took time to select another date.

"The rumor is he prepares his legions for war, and fief for war."

"Satsuma is always on a war footing.

Another ancient custom. You must tell me the name of your supplier, of dates," Yoshi said.

"We could use a supplier, in Yedo."

"Gladly," Wakura told him, knowing he would never pass over his network of spies, never.

"Some wise advisors suggest this time Sanjiro really will bring war to the mainland."

"War against whom, Lord Chancellor?"

"I presume those he considers enemies."

"And who are they?" Yoshi asked patiently, wanting to bring Wakura into the open.

"It is rumored the Shogunate, so sorry." "He would be so sorry if he did try war against the law of the land, Lord Chancellor. These wise counselors you mentioned, perhaps they should quickly counsel him not to be so stupid. Counselors can also be stupid, neh?"

"I agree." Wakura smiled with his mouth.

"I agree that Sanjiro is militant, but he is not stupid. Ogama of Choshu the same.

And Yodo of Tosa. All the Outside Lords are militant and maneuvering, always have been--like some misguided, overly ambitious Court officials."

"Even if that were true, what could a few courtiers do against the great Shogunate, Sire, when the entire court possesses no armies, no lands, and no koku, all of whom depend on Shogunate largess for stipends?"

Yoshi smiled with equal mirthlessness. "They spread discontent amongst ambitious daimyos ... Oh yes, that reminds me," he said, deciding Wakura had gone too far and needed the whip, "perhaps, in this marvelous enclave you may not know it yet, but this year and next there will be famine throughout Nippon, even in my Kwanto. It is rumored the Court stipend will be cut, this year and next, I believe by half." He was glad to see Wakura's eyes almost cross. "So sorry."

"Yes, so sorry, it would be sorry, a sorry day. Times are hard enough now." Wakura fought back his impulse to shout and threaten, trying to estimate Yoshi's power to initiate and force through such a cut. He is not alone in wanting that, daimyos are always complaining, and of course the Council of Elders would agree. But Tairo Anjo would overrule them, why else is he there but to do our bidding. Ogama? That arrogant dog, would approve the cut, so would Sanjiro, and all the others! Anjo had better overrule them!

Wakura put on his best smile. "The Prince Advisor asks if you would give him your views in a memorial on Satsuma, Choshu and Tosa, particularly the danger Satsuma poses, and how in the future the Court could help the Shogunate--and avoid misunderstandings."

"I would be glad to." Yoshi said brightening.

This would be a wonderful opportunity.

"Lastly, I'm honored to tell you the Divine has invited you as His personal guest, Shogun Nobusada, some daimyos and those of Tosa, Choshu, and Satsuma to the Festival of the Winter Solstice. The Tosa and Satsuma invitations have already gone, yours and the Lord Ogama's will be presented with due ceremony tomorrow but I wanted the pleasure of telling you."