fully counted out. He decided against a visit to the bathhouse to

get some relief for his itching body. If he did not catch Wada

tonight, his chances would rapidly disappear.

Turtle made his appearance late in the day, about the

time when appetizing smells wafted from Oyoshi’s cooking

pots. Since Tora planned to visit every low dive in town and

thought his fine new uniform too good for what might happen,

he was changing into a plain dark robe when Turtle appeared

in his door.

“Where have you been?” Tora demanded. “I thought you

were going to be my servant.”

“Sorry, master. I was working for you all morning. Had to

advance my own money to get some information.”

Tora looked at him suspiciously. “What information?”

“Nobody has seen Master Wada anywhere.”

Tora grabbed Turtle by the neck and shook him. “You

crook,” he cried. “You think I’ll pay for that kind of news? You’re fired.” He pushed the small man away in disgust.

“No, no. Wait. There’s more. Today he sent a message to old

Motoko.”

“Who’s old Motoko?”

“She keeps whores and makes assignations.”

“Ah.” Tora felt a thrill of satisfaction. “So the bastard is at it

again. Do you know what he plans to do?”

Turtle shook his head regretfully. “Motoko won’t talk to me.

We’re competition.”

“Well, I was going to look for him tonight anyway. I’ll stop

by the Golden Phoenix again. Maybe this new girl is as big a fool

as Little Flower.”

“I can find out for you,” wheedled Turtle.

I s l a n d o f E x i l e s

311

“Can you? Good. Do it.”

Turtle’s face fell. “You mean now? Before I eat? And aren’t

you going to pay me what you owe?”

“If you’re quick about it, there’ll be some food left. What do

I owe you?”

Turtle mentioned a reasonable amount, and Tora paid.

Turtle looked at the coppers in his hand thoughtfully and said,

“You know, sometimes it costs more. For example, the Golden

Phoenix is very expensive.”

Tora snapped, “I don’t expect you to go there as a paying

customer. If you have any brains, you should be able to

ask one of the waiters or servants if the Willow Cottage is still

available.”

Before leaving his room, Tora gave his half armor, the hel-

met, and the long sword a longing glance, but he settled for his

short sword, tucked out of sight under the loose jacket.

As before, he sat down to dinner with Oyoshi’s family. Turtle

was not back, but his sister had laid a cushion for him. There

was, however, another guest tonight. Little Flower, dressed more

modestly and without paint on her face, knelt next to Oyoshi,

ostensibly to help with the children.

Tora saw her with a slight panic, but approved of her ap-

pearance and told her so. She blushed and smiled shyly. He was

struck by how much she resembled the young women with

whom he usually flirted and he smiled at her.

“You look very handsome also,” she murmured, encouraged

by his compliment. “Why are you not wearing your uniform

tonight?”

Her question reminded Tora of his failed efforts with Wada

and he became glum again. “I don’t know what I’ll get into

tonight,” he said grimly. “Better not ruin the uniform. Some

people have no respect for an honest military man.”

Instantly she looked alarmed. “What are you going to do?”

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Tora was touched by her concern, but thought it best to

sound manly and determined. “I’m going to get that bastard

Wada tonight. If I have to, I’ll fight him, his constables, and the local guard to find my master.”

“Oh, no! You’ll get yourself killed,” she moaned, turning

quite pale.

“Well,” he snapped, hurt by her lack of confidence, “since

you’re in no shape to set the bastard up for me, I’ll have to get

him any way I can.”

Little Flower gave a small sob and ran from the room.

Oyoshi said reprovingly, “You shouldn’t tease her so. She’s

fallen in love with you.”

Tora stared at her. “She hardly knows me. Why would she do

a stupid thing like that?”

“Oh, you men!” Oyoshi refilled his bowl with large chunks

of some excellent grilled fish and topped this off with stewed

eggplant and mushrooms. “Little Flower has never met a man

like you before.” She gave him an appraising look as she passed

the food across. “She says you’re as handsome as Genji, as strong

and brave as Fudo, and as loving and kind as the goddess

Kannon herself.”

“Nonsense.” Tora blushed and turned his attention to his

food and to joking with Oyoshi’s children.

Turtle returned, out of breath and with an anxious eye to

the leftovers. He announced, “Nobody’s reserved the Golden

Phoenix’s cottage tonight or tomorrow night.” He snatched the

bowl his sister had filled from her hand and fell to.

“I hope you had the brains to ask if Wada ever comes as a

regular customer,” Tora growled.

“Never,” mumbled Turtle through a mouthful of food. “The

food’s no good and the charge too high. He eats and drinks in

the Crane Grove or at Tomoe’s restaurant.”

I s l a n d o f E x i l e s

313

“Hmm. We’ll start with them first. You can come along as

soon as you’ve stuffed your belly.” He stretched and readjusted

the sword under his sash.

Turtle’s eyes widened. He lowered his bowl, his face

shocked. “You’re going to make trouble. Somebody’s going to

get hurt. I think I’ll stay home.”

Tora gave him a look of disgust. “Nonsense. I may need you.

But you can wait outside for me. Just be there when I come out.”

They left soon after. It was almost dark and the wind still

blew sharp from the sea, signaling the end of summer. The

streets were nearly empty. People had gone home to eat their

rice, or to one of the wine shops whose lights winked invitingly

up and down the main street of Mano.

When they did not find Wada at either of the establishments

Turtle had mentioned, Tora began a systematic search of all the

restaurants and low dives, looking grimmer by the minute.

He did not see Wada but had another kind of success. In

one crowded wine shop, a burly guest rose when he heard

Tora’s question and walked over. “Who wants to know where

the lieutenant is?” he demanded in a belligerent tone.

Tora’s hopes lifted marginally. “The name’s Akaishi. Who

are you?”

“Ikugoro. Sergeant of constables. So what’s your business

with the lieutenant?”

“I have a few questions. Maybe you’ll do.” Tora gestured

with his thumb toward a quiet corner.

The other man’s small eyes narrowed even further. “What

makes you think I’ll talk to you?”

Tora looked around. He did not want to pay for wine for one

of Wada’s thugs, but a brawl would get him nowhere and cause

people to get hurt. The three men Ikugoro had been sitting

with were watching. Inspiration came to his assistance. He dug

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his faked dispatch with its official seals from his sash and held

it before Ikugoro’s face. The light was bad and he didn’t think

the sergeant could read in any case. “I shouldn’t be showing

you this,” he said in a low voice, “but since you’re his second

in command, I’ll let you in on a little secret. As you see”—he

pointed to the first line of writing—“I’m an inspector for the

imperial police in the capital. It’s my duty to visit different

provinces to check up on our appointees.” Looking around

in case someone was listening, he quickly put his document

away again.

Ikugoro’s face had fallen almost comically. “B-but what do