Lord Takeda was riding a little ahead of his men, deep in thought. He was still worried about Anna. Each memory of her stabbed him with sadness. How he missed her. Her voice, her warm smile, her defiance. How he yearned to embrace her again and feel her heartbeat next to his...
These last two days without her had been insufferable.
What he took initially for a simple infatuation, turned out to be something more. Something stronger. He suddenly realised that he needed to see her every day and to enjoy her company. He just wanted to be with her.
A deep sigh escaped him.
But he knew well that it was quite impossible. She couldn't stay here. It was too dangerous.
What if something happened to her on the way to her adoptive parents? With a start he realised that he didn't even know the location of the village where she grew up... Why hadn't he asked?!
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a shout from a guard. "A horseman!"
Indeed, a lonely horseman was approaching fast from the west. He was expertly frisked before being allowed to stand in front of the Lord.
"Takeda-Sama." He bowed very low. "I carry a letter from His Highness the Emperor."
Nabutada collected the letter and inspected it carefully. It bore the unmistakable Imperial seal. He handed it to his Lord and stepped back. Lord Takeda broke the seal and read the letter. His brow furrowed.
He read it again.
It was an official invitation to the Imperial Court in KyÅto. The type of invitation that couldn't be disregarded, no matter how inconvenient.
He felt exasperation. He wanted to go home. He missed the severe beauty of the mountains and... the peace of mind. He was also hoping to meet his son, who he hadn't seen for a long time now. Besides, he really disliked the Imperial Court with its intrigues, nepotism and superficiality.
But later he thought there must have been something more behind this invitation. Perhaps the Emperor had heard about Gai-Jin? And about his own involvement?... And was now seeking explanations?
Either way, Lord Takeda had no choice, but to obey. With a dose of foreboding, he ordered a change of direction and they turned south, towards KyÅto.
His unexpected arrival in the Western Capital plunged the servants of his official residence into a frenzy of activity. They were hurriedly replenishing the food stores, airing the rooms and preparing the Lord's clothes.
Takeda was indifferent to all that. He was so tired on his arrival that he longed only for a bath and a massage. Stretched on a low table he allowed Jiro, his personal masseuse, to prod him and knit his sore muscles.
"My Lord is very tense." Jiro commented with a crooked smile. "Shall I send a girl to your rooms?"
"No!" The Lord tensed even more.
"Perhaps a boy?" Jiro asked with a sly grin. He knew he was safe teasing his master like this. They shared a special kind of relationship, forged during many years when Lord Takeda had often considered the advice from a man who had also advised his father. "Maybe a girl and a boy?" Jiro chuckled.
"Jiro, be quiet." The Lord murmured. "Or I will be forced to take your tongue in order to improve the service." Despite the verbal threat, Takeda's voice was calm and indicated that he didn't take his words seriously. "Why are you here anyway?"
"My Lord, my only care is for your comfort." Jiro didn't stop his ministrations for one moment. "As per your permission, I visited my family. But then I've heard about the Gai-Jin and thought it would be prudent to learn what people are saying... Is there something that troubles you, My Lord?"
"Many things..." Lord Takeda sighed. "But it's not any of your business. Now I need you to be silent."
Jiro pondered on that for a moment and continued in his mocking tone. "I've heard many rumours about Gai-Jin." He distinctly felt his Lord tense again under his fingers. "And about Kitsune, the witch-woman."
"What?!" Takeda sat up suddenly and stared at the old man.
"They say she is as beautiful as a goddess, with golden hair and striking eyes. They say she can bewitch a man and force him to do her bidding."
"Nonsense!" Lord Takeda was angry now.
"That's what they are saying." Jiro shrugged. "But what can the ignorant peasants know?" He smiled mischievously, dismissing it. "Let me finish your massage, My Lord. You need to rest."
Takeda lay down again, but his mind was spinning. It would be dangerous for her, if she was to be named as a witch... Peasant nonsense, of course, but nevertheless, it could provide another pretext for SaitÅ and his men. He sighed deeply, now worried about her even more.
After a simple meal he sent away all his attendants and retired. He really needed sleep.
*
The next day, dressed in his finest robes, Lord Takeda arrived at the Imperial Castle with a ceremonial visit. He was greeted with all the honours due to his position and promptly taken to the Emperor's rooms.
After his obeisances to TennÅ, enthroned on his official seat, Takamikura, the 'Chrysanthemum Throne', the Lord was invited for a tea ceremony. According to the custom, he was silent, waiting to be spoken to.
Emperor KÅmei was a young man in his early twenties. He had a rather long and narrow face, but his intelligent eyes and full lips gave this face the appearance of decisiveness and strength. He became a master of concealing his true emotions since he had ascended to the throne, aged only fifteen. And now he gazed impassively at Lord Takeda, not giving away any of his thoughts.
Eventually, the Emperor rose from his seat. "It would be a crime to stay indoors on a day such as this." He announced. "Takeda-Sama, let us walk and enjoy the garden."
"Hai, Your Highness." He bowed.
They walked slowly. TennÅ at the front, Takeda a few steps behind and the rest of the Imperial escort in tow.
"Lord Takeda, we are hurt by your plans to go straight to your domain, depriving us of your valued company."
"Your Highness." Takeda bowed again. "I would have never presumed to be of any use here. I could not take the valuable time of My Lord... I wished simply to return home."
"Ah, but you stayed for a time in Kanagawa."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Have you met Gai-Jin?"
"Hai."
"And what is your opinion?"
"Your Highness, Gai-Jin are fools, without manners, patience or culture."
"Yet, you spent some time in their company."
These were not questions. They were statements, showing clearly that the Emperor knew everything.
"Your Highness, only because one of them saved my life."
"Ah, I was told about it. Unforgivable! I expect that the culprits were punished?"
"Only those who were captured, Your Highness. All were executed as common criminals."
"Hm..." The Emperor walked for a while in silence. "And now, tell me about the woman." He suddenly turned to Takeda. It was so unexpected, that the Lord flinched. "You must have realised that you wouldn't be able to hide this relationship."
"It wasn't my intention to hide anything, Your Highness." He assured. "I just didn't consider my... adventure to be of interest to anybody."
"Everything to do with Gai-Jin is now of interest... Ah, I see that we must rest this subject for now. Our pleasant stroll has come to an end." The Emperor observed his ministers approaching. "I hope we will see you now more often and we will have more opportunities to talk."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Takeda bowed low.
On his way home he considered the Emperor's remarks. He had been speaking the truth before: he wasn't going to hide or deny his affair with Anna, but he definitely didn't expect the Emperor himself to take personal interest in this matter. It had nothing to do with politics!...
But he remembered words once said by his old Sensei: ' In Japan, everything is connected with politics.'