The more the two men considered the ramifications, the more they could see the spikes of the limitless traps ahead. Ogama said hoarsely, "The festivities would go on for weeks or more--we would be obliged to give banquets to the Court and to each other. Slow poisons could be introduced."

Yoshi shuddered. All of his life he had carried a deep fear of being poisoned. A favorite uncle had died in great pain, the doctor saying "natural causes," but the uncle had been a barb in the side of a hostile Bakufu and his death a great convenience. Perhaps poisoning perhaps not. The death of the previous Shogun the year Perry returned, one day healthy the next dead, again so convenient to the Tairo Ii who hated him, wanting a puppet--Nobusada--in his place.

Rumors, never proof, but poison was an ancient art in Nippon, and China. The more Yoshi reasoned with himself--if death by poisoning was his karma--the more he made sure his cooks were trustworthy and took care where he ate. But that did not remove the panic that possessed him now and then.

Abruptly Ogama bunched a fist and smashed it into the palm of his other hand. "Anjo tairo!

I cannot believe it."

"Nor I." When Yoshi had sent the messenger to arrange this secret meeting he had been thinking how ironic it was that now he and Ogama really had to work together if they were to survive. No longer could they survive alone.

At the moment.

"How do we stop this happening? I can see they could tempt me." Ogama spat on the tatami in disgust.

"They can tempt anyone, Ogama-dono."

"They are like wolf kamis, I can understand that.

We are trapped. If the Divine invites us, His befouled minions will destroy us. Let us round up those you spoke of, or... I'll send for Basuhiro, his mind is like a serpent's!"

"We are only trapped if we accept the invitation tomorrow. I propose we both leave Kyoto tonight, secretly. If we are not here ... eh?" Ogama's sudden smile was seraphic but it evaporated as quickly. Yoshi understood why, and said, "Such a move requires great trust between us."

"Yes, yes it would. What do you propose to, to guard against any mistakes?"

"I cannot cover all alternatives but this is temporary: we both slip out of Kyoto tonight, agreeing to stay away for at least twenty days.

I will go at once to Yedo and deal with, or neutralize Anjo, and stay there until that is done. General Akeda will be in charge as usual who will say that I had to return suddenly to Dragon's Tooth, a sickness in the family, but I am expected back quickly. You go to Fushimi and spend the night there. At sunset tomorrow, after the invitation has failed to reach you--because no one, not even Basuhiro knows where you are, eh?"

"Too dangerous not to tell him, but go on."

"I leave that to you but at sunset tomorrow you deliver a message to Prince Fujitaka inviting him to a private meeting the next morning, say at the Monoyama ruins"--a favorite sightseeing place for Kyoto people.

"When you see him you express astonishment at the "Invitation" and regret not being there to accept it.

Meanwhile he had better ensure no more invitations arrive until you return. "When will that be?"' You are not sure. The gai-jin have threatened to land at Osaka imminently. You must visit there and make plans.

Meanwhile make it clear to him that there better not be any more sudden Imperial Invitations--however much you humbly appreciate them--until you decide you will accept them."

Ogama grunted. He stared at the tatami lost in thought. Then he said, "What about Sanjiro, and Yodo of Tosa? They will be arriving, in ceremonial force, but still force."

"Tell Fujitaka to make sure their invitations are postponed--he should suggest to the Divine this solstice has bad omens attached to it."

"A good suggestion! But if they will not be put off?"

"Fujitaka will make sure they are."

"If it is that easy, why not stay, even with the Invitations? I just tell Fujitaka to make the suggestion about the bad omens. The Festival is cancelled, eh? This supposes Fujitaka has the power to suggest or unsuggest."

"With Wakura he can. I believe Kyoto deviousness is in the air we breathe--we would be snared." This was the best he could do. It did not suit his purpose for Ogama to be here alone, and there were still the Gates to solve.

"I could stay at Fujimi, or Osaka for twenty days," Ogama said slowly. "I could not return to Choshu, that would leave my Kyoto ... that would leave me open to attack."

"From whom? Not me--we are allies. Hiro will not be here, or Sanjiro. You could journey to Choshu if you wished. Basuhiro could be trusted to hold your position here."

"No vassal could be trusted that much," Ogama said sourly. "What about the shishi?"

"Basuhiro and my Akeda will continue to crush them--our Bakufu spies will continue to seek them out."

Ogama scowled. "The more I think about this the less I like it. Too many dangers, Yoshi-dono. Fujitaka is sure to tell me your invitation was not delivered either."

"You will be surprised, I suggest you can say my excuse about an illness must be a cover and that I must be rushing to Yedo to see what I can do to prevent the gai-jin from putting their threat to come to Kyoto into effect--and to ensure they quit Yokohama." His face hardened. "They will not."

Ogama said roughly, "Then we will make them."

"In due time, Ogama-dono."

Yoshi became even harder. "Everything I forecast has happened. Believe me, the gai-jin will not be forced out. Not yet."

"Then when?"

"Soon. This problem must be left for the moment.

First of importance is to protect ourselves. Two asks: We must leave together and return together.

We stay secret allies until formally, person to person and alone, we decide otherwise." Ogama laughed but said nothing.

"Last, while I am gone, our agreement over the Gates stays in place."

"Your mind jumps around like a cat with thorns in its pads." Ogama cleared his throat and shifted his knees more comfortably. "Perhaps I agree, perhaps not. This is too important to decide at once. I must talk with Basuhiro."

"No. Talk to me. I can give better advice because I know more and, importantly, in this your interests are mine--and I am not a vassal who has to seek petty favors."

"Only big ones. Like the Gates."

Yoshi laughed. "That is a little one compared to some you will grant me, and I will grant you, when you're tairo."

"Then give me one now while I'm not: Sanjiro's head."

Yoshi looked at him, hiding his surprise.

He had not forgotten what Inejin, his innkeeper spy on the road to Dragon's Tooth, had told him about Ogama and "Crimson Sky."

Inejin spoke of how, with Sanjiro in support, or neutral, Ogama would prevail against the Shogunate with the historic tactic so favored by daimyos, a sneak attack.

"Would you settle for his balls?" Yoshi asked and laid out the plan he had been refining for months.

Ogama began to laugh.

The column of guards that had been relieved trudged homewards, four men abreast, Yoshi still disguised as a foot soldier amongst them. Although they had been warned in advance to treat him as such, they were finding it difficult not to sneak a glance, or apologize when coming too close. One of the soldiers was a shishi informer named Wataki. He had had no opportunity to warn of this unique opportunity for an ambush.

Yoshi was tired but content. At length Ogama had agreed to everything so now he could leave Kyoto with the Gates safe in Shogunate hands and the Shogunate safe.

For a time--enough time, he thought. My gamble is great, and my scheme filled with holes that will worry Ogama if he sees them. It does not matter, surely he plans to betray me anyway. Never mind, it was the best I could do, and should be workable. Impossible for me to accept the Invitation.