"Yes." Very stupid in one way, Toranaga thought, not in another. "Well, thank you, Kiri-san. Again I'm delighted you're safe. We'll stay here tonight. Now, please excuse me. Send for Yabu-san and when he arrives, bring cha and sake and then leave us alone."

"Yes, Sire. May I ask my question now?"

"The same question?"

"Yes, Sire. Why did Ishido let us go?"

"The answer is, Kiri-chan, I don't know. He made a mistake."

She bowed and went away contentedly.

It was almost the middle of the night before Yabu left. Toranaga bowed him away as an equal and thanked him again for everything.

He had invited him to the secret Council of War tomorrow, had confirmed him as General of the Musket Regiment, and confirmed his Overlordship of Totomi and Suruga in writing - once they were conquered and secured.

"Now the regiment's absolutely vital, Yabu-san. You're to be solely responsible for its strategy and training. Omi-san can be liaison between us. Use the Anjin-san's knowledge - anything. Neh?"

"Yes, that will be perfect, Sire. May I humbly thank you."

"You did me a great service bringing my ladies, my son, and the Anjin-san back safely. Terrible about the ship - karma. Perhaps another one will arrive soon. Good night, my friend."

Toranaga sipped his cha. He was feeling very tired now.

"Naga-san?"

"Sire?"

"Where's the Anjin-san?"

"By the wreck with some of his vassals."

"What's he doing there?"

"Just staring at it. " Naga became uneasy under his father's piercing gaze. "So sorry, shouldn't he be there, Sire?"

"What? Oh no, it doesn't matter. Where's Tsukku-san?"

"In one of the guest houses, Sire."

"Have you told him you want to become Christian next year?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Good. Fetch him."

In moments Toranaga saw the tall, lean priest approach under the flares - his taut face deeply lined, his black tonsured hair without a fleck of gray - and he was reminded suddenly of Yokose. "Patience is very important, Tsukku-san. Neh?"

"Yes, always. But why did you say that, Sire?"

"Oh, I was thinking about Yokose. How everything was very different then, such a little time ago."

"Ah, yes. God moves in curious ways, yes, Sire. I'm so very pleased you're still within your own borders."

"You wanted to see me?" Toranaga asked, fanning himself, secretly envying the priest his flat stomach and his gift of tongues.

"Only to apologize for what happened."

"What did the Anjin-san say?"

"Many angry words - and accusations that I'd burned his ship."

"Did you?"

"No, Sire."

"Who did?"

"It was an Act of God. The storm came and the ship was burned."

"It wasn't an Act of God. You say you didn't help it, you or any priest, or any Christian?"

"Oh, I helped, Sire. I prayed. We all did. Before God, I believe that ship was an instrument of the Devil - I've said so to you many times. I know it wasn't your opinion and again I ask your forgiveness for opposing you on this. But perhaps this Act of God helped and did not hinder."

"Oh? How?"

"The Father-Visitor's no longer distracted, Sire. Now he can concentrate on Lords Kiyama and Onoshi."

Toranaga said bluntly, "I've heard all this before, Tsukku-san. What practical help can the chief Christian priest give me?"

"Sire, put your trust in-" Alvito caught himself, then said sincerely, "Please excuse me, Sire, but I feel with all my heart that if you put your trust in God, He will help you."

"I do, but more in Toranaga. Meanwhile I hear Ishido, Kiyama, Onoshi, and Zataki have gathered their legions. Ishido will have three or four hundred thousand men in the field against me."

"The Father-Visitor's implementing his agreement with you, Sire. At Yokose I reported failure, now I think there's hope."

"I can't use hope against swords."

"Yes, but God can win against any odds."

"Yes. If God exists he can win against any odds." Then Toranaga's voice edged even more. "What hope are you referring to?"

"I don't know, actually, Sire. But isn't Ishido coming against you? Out of Osaka Castle? Isn't that another Act of God?"

"No. But you understand the importance of that decision?"

"Oh yes, very clearly. I'm sure the Father-Visitor understands that also."

"You say this is his work?"

"Oh, no, Sire. But it is happening."

"Perhaps Ishido will change his mind and make Lord Kiyama commander-in-chief and skulk at Osaka and leave Kiyama and the Heir opposing me?"

"I can't answer that, Sire. But if Ishido leaves Osaka it will be a miracle. Neh?"

"Are you seriously claiming this to be another Act of your Christian God?"

"No. But it could be. I believe nothing happens without His knowledge."

"Even after we're dead we still may never know about God." Then Toranaga added abruptly, "I hear the Father-Visitor's left Osaka," and was pleased to see a shadow cross the Tsukku-san's face. The news had come the day they'd left Mishima.

"Yes," the priest was saying, his apprehension increasing. "He's gone to Nagasaki, Sire."

"To conduct a special burial for Toda Mariko-sama?"

"Yes. Ah, Sire, you know so much. We're all clay on the potter's wheel you spin."

"That's not true. And I don't like idle flattery. Have you forgotten?"

"No, Sire, please excuse me. It wasn't meant to be." Alvito became even more on guard, almost wilting. "You're opposed to the service, Sire?"

"It doesn't matter to me. She was a very special person and her example merits honor."

"Yes, Sire. Thank you. The Father-Visitor will be very pleased. But he thinks it matters quite a lot."

"Of course. Because she was my vassal and a Christian her example won't go unnoticed - by other Christians. Or by those considering conversion. Neh?"

"I would say it will not go unnoticed. Why should it? On the contrary she merits great praise for her self-sacrifice."

"In giving her life that others might live?" Toranaga asked cryptically, not mentioning seppuku or suicide.

"Yes." Toranaga smiled to himself, noticing that Tsukku-san had never once mentioned the other girl, Kiyama Achiko, her bravery or death or burial, also with great pomp and ceremony. He hardened his voice. "And you know of no one who ordered or assisted in the sabotage of my ship?"

"No, Sire. Other than by prayer."

"I hear your church building in Yedo is going well."

"Yes, Sire. Again thank you."

"Well, Tsukku-san, I hope the labors of the High Priest of the Christians will bear fruit soon. I need more than hope and I've a very long memory. Now, please, I require your services as interpreter."

Instantly he sensed the priest's antagonism. "You have nothing to fear."

"Oh, Sire, I'm not afraid of him, please excuse me, I just don't want to be near him."

Toranaga got up. "I require you to respect the Anjin-san. His bravery is unquestioned and he saved the Mariko-sama's life many times. Also he's understandably almost berserk at the moment - the loss of his ship, neh?"

"Yes, yes, so sorry."

Toranaga led the way toward the shore, guards with flares lighting their way. "When do I have your High Priest's report on the gunrunning incident?"

"As soon as he gets all the information from Macao."

"Please ask him to speed his inquiries."

"Yes, Sire."

"Who were the Christian daimyos concerned?"

"I don't know, so sorry, or even if any were involved."

"A pity you don't know, Tsukku-san. That would save me a lot of time. There are more than a few daimyos who would be interested to know the truth of that."

Ah, Tsukku-san, Toranaga thought, but you do know and I could press you into a corner now and, while you would twist and thrash around like a cornered snake, at length I'd order you to swear by your Christian God, and then if you did you would have to say: "Kiyama, Onoshi, and probably Harima." But the time's not ready. Yet. Nor ready for you to know I believe you Christians had nothing to do with the sabotage. Nor did Kiyama, or Harima, or even Onoshi. In fact, I'm sure. But it still wasn't an Act of God. It was an Act of Toranaga.