The Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai (52 page)

VI. Journeying

Tenth day of the Fifth Month

After I receive invitations to the Imperial Palace for
bagaku
, banquets and archery contests, Akio brings the orders to me in my apartments. Only a select few deliver them to me, and Tokikazu only rarely. Another precaution. Michimori’s hand or Akio’s?

The order is to prepare for travel.

I am to accompany Michimori. This is not the hurried travel of before because there are thousands of people to be directed, fed and sheltered. I say silent prayers that the weather might remain cool. The new commander-in-chief, Michimori, rides as I have seen him before, runners coming and going, whispering into his ears, always the hub of a great wheel.

After conferring with his captains, Michimori gestures to me and I stride to Thunderbolt, his well-known mount. How imposing he is – his full armour, with its gold, black and red silk threads, and his helmet with its crescent moon shining like a brazier in a moonless night. My stomach squeezes in delight looking at him.

I will be riding beside him on Dragon Cloud. Much has changed since I was the little girl Proprietor Chiba had flogged and who had seen the dragon-like cloud and the white pheasant, which allowed me to be samurai. I allow my eyes to flicker a smile at my husband. I wear my new armour with the new helmet and face guard he has had made. My helmet is like his, but without the crescent moon.

Michimori’s brows are set low. ‘The runner believes Hare is joining his nephew, Rat,’ he reports, ‘and combining their troops. I am going to Mount Hiei to seek the monks’ support there for the Go-Shi – Fox, but especially for us.’

His eyebrows lift.

‘Yes, I will go with you.’ Our souls seem to touch, although this is no pleasure jaunt.

‘Look over there.’ Michimori points to a man sitting on a hill near our troops, besieged by servants. ‘Drake has decided to take the day for meditation and music while we face pressure to ride north.’ He glowers at the hill, then canters to make arrangements with his captains.

Twelfth day of the Fifth Month

At Mount Hiei, Michimori emphasises to the abbot and the head monks our alignment with the emperor. He tells the story again:

‘When the righteous emperor had been seized by the Minamoto, Kiyomori freed him by dressing him in ladies’ kimonos, pretending to be a lady-in-waiting, thus saving his life.’

‘I am not hopeful, my lord.’ I say afterwards. ‘The abbot with whom you spoke, his eyes were as unpolished mirrors.’

Sixteenth day of the Fifth Month

The weather is colder at this higher elevation. I am pleased to have brought all the clothing I did. Thank the Gods, I am not frail like Emi but hardy, more like Michimori.

We intercept the rest of our troops near Kuchiki Castle in Wakasa and deliver the small number of
s
ō
hei
from Mount Hiei. The white scarves over their heads and their black gauze robes over skirts add different shapes and colours to our multitude. Most of our troops wear their usual square
do-maru
armour. When they first arrived, I examined each one’s nose with one hand on my dagger, the other on my sword. My heart drummed up to my throat.

Twentieth day of the Fifth Month

Michimori allows me to accompany him while he recruits in Echizen. He and Tokikazu tell tales of Tiger’s Four Heavenly Kings. Each story is more unbelievable than the last, but I enjoy them: they distract me from my empty and uneasy stomach.

We see no one. The villagers have fled, probably to higher ground where our full army cannot go. We find only a little rice – drought and famine are here in the west. I am grateful for the small portions. Recently recruited men complain but those close to Michimori do not mention it, particularly when they see we are as hollow in the cheeks as themselves.

Twenty-fifth day of the Fifth Month

I finally see Michimori’s beautiful Echizen Province. The evergreens have survived the drought and cover the slopes in varied greens.

Tokikazu says, ‘Unlike other governors, Michimori did not stay in the capital. He had frequent outings here.’ He winks at me. ‘When his underlings least expected it, he or his messengers appeared to ensure all was performed according to his wishes. He knows the
sh
ō
en
proprietors, the Chief Priests and abbots at most major shrines and temples.’

‘Michimori will find more recruits?’ My body heats: I have not seen Tokikazu for a time, but I keep my voice neutral. I force my eyes away from his striking face and think of others.

‘Yes, hopefully.’

Michimori’s knowledge, I pray, will be useful.

Third day of the Sixth Month

We ride northwards to Hiuchi, another mountain castle. According to the men scuttling back and forth to Michimori, it holds a strong Minamoto force. It is an ominous fortress, with huge hills in front and behind. Two rivers and a lake block its only entrance. The water glistens in the summer light, but is impassable without boats, of which we have none.

Sixth day of the Sixth Month

The commanders spend several days considering their options for crossing the lake, including poetry and other gratuitous activities from Drake and others. Misuki calls them ‘as useful as the feathers of a goose’. At night Michimori and I rest briefly with our heads together. I am frustrated as to how we can proceed, but his fingers soothe my face.

‘You will see, my valiant warrior, how the seeds I sowed while governor will bear fruit.’

I gaze at him in the darkness with sadness and hope.

‘I have friends who have pledged loyalty throughout this province, not only warriors but priests. I trust the Gods and the Buddha to protect and guide us, just as I was guided to you.’ He begins to touch me and our tent becomes warmer. He brings delight to me, and then I drift into sleep.

A short time later, Misuki and Mokuhasa awaken us. They bring a message from Michimori’s friend, Abbot Master Saimei.

The abbot master’s letter reveals all. The lake is no lake! The Minamoto dammed a mountain stream to create it. Abbot Master Saimei suggests logs be broken or cut. Then the water will subside.

A secret friend comes

Buddha’s mercy gives us aid

The lake disappears

Blessed Goddess of Mercy!

Swiftly we will vanquish foes

In the middle of the night Tokikazu, Akio and I lead a party of fifteen selected archers to protect the men who will swim to remove the logs. No birds, no frogs or crickets, probably because the lake is so new. The thick silence makes our footsteps echo. I hear my heart and practise breathing to quiet its din.

With a stern look at Tokikazu, Akio places himself between us. I am protected and, in the armour my husband gave me, I do my part. The Taira leaders forbade Michimori to go on this mission. He is too valuable to lose. I agree, but the scent of Tokikazu’s incense kneads my underbelly.

The eighteen of us hold together in the darkness, shoulder to shoulder, arrows pointing from the arc we form, listening, waiting, discerning between splashing of our swimmers and any noise from the enemy.

The quiet hours trickle sluggishly past under the moonlight. I suggest we change places, around our arc. Each of us will better maintain our attention. Tokikazu whispers, ‘Yes.’ Akio places himself between us at each exchange.

Finally, the surge of flowing water. Success.

Tomorrow, battle.

Tenth day of the Sixth Month

Michimori and the other commanders are victorious at Hiuchi. My fights are successful, without difficulty, almost without effort. Not even a scratch on my boot. The entire castle and the Minamoto who remain surrender today. The enemies who did not retreat are secured.

‘Too easy,’ Michimori says that night. ‘Much too easy.’

I agree, and gloom descends. I do not sleep well.

We march north again to Kaga Province where the enemy is.

VII. The Trap

Sixteenth day of the Sixth Month

Over meagre rations and a small fire the commanders meet after our victory at Ataka.

Drake says, ‘Now that we have two solid victories, no men are leaving the ranks.’

‘They did well for themselves,’ adds Large Cicada.

Kingfisher glances around. ‘We have them on the run.’ He makes a fist in the air and nods at the others. ‘We should follow them north to where we can subdue them.’

I see his huge head bobbing even from my vantage-point behind a makeshift
kich
ō
.

Michimori rises from the circle. ‘The Minamoto are not so straightforward. Did not anyone think the retreat a little abrupt? Too soon?’ Michimori’s darkened eyes glare against the fire.

‘That is because we so cleverly mastered their strategy at Hiuchi,’ Large Cicada retorts.

Others utter mild curses in agreement.

‘I am not so sure,’ Michimori says. ‘My scouts report that many of their force did not engage us at all. When I spoke with my men, they saw foot soldiers rushing back to Ataka but wearing samurai clothing.’

A few mumble in agreement, but do not agree to travel home.

‘This is important!’ Michimori pursues the issue with fingers splayed taut on his thigh. ‘If you will not consider returning, at least divide our forces to march to Kurikara. It is too dangerous a place with what the Minamoto know of us.’

Kingfisher speaks again: ‘Regardless of their information, the division of our troops is a prudent idea.’

I hear grunts of assent.

So it is decided. Michimori, since he is more familiar with the land, will go with Kingfisher to the north with a third of our soldiers.

Twentieth day of the Sixth Month

Michimori cannot sleep, which is unusual for him. I attempt to soothe him with music, but it brings him no comfort. Finally, early in the morning or late at night, I cannot say, he speaks to me.

‘My sense of foreboding does not go away,’ he murmurs. His fists grab the quilts.

I have no reply. I say little to him when he is like this.

He sits and continues talking while stroking my hair. ‘We have been travelling too long. We lack the element of surprise. The enemy knows where we are. With the battles we have won, the last one too quickly, they must know our full strength.’

He gazes up and is silent again, so I venture a reply, ‘Perhaps with this plan to divide, we may have some measure of surprise. What else can we do?’

‘Right! What else is to be done?’ His muscles tighten like those of a cat ready to spring. ‘The others will not listen. I say go back, or seem to go back, then turn and attack suddenly. They are sure of their plan, and I am duty-bound to it, not mine.’ He runs his hands through his hair and grunts. He speaks mostly to himself, not to me.

I know of no story strong enough to match his agitation. Therefore I lie down beside him and give some physical comfort. I stroke his neck and back. Finally he sleeps a little.

My husband says less and less to me now that is not essential. I know he carries the burdens of war and the growing distance between us saddens me. I have not told him about the child.

I called Misuki to me before I retired with Michimori. Now we squat near a flowing runnel from one of the many rivers so that our voices cannot carry.

‘I want to talk to you about this.’ I pat my middle.

Misuki wears a grin.

‘I need your help. I am always watched, and time is short. I ask you to obtain herbs, like the ones we drank at the Village, but those used for the aftermath, rather than for prevention.’

Her grin vanishes.

‘You understand what I am asking?’

‘Yes.’ She places her hand on mine and rubs it. ‘You have not talked with the father?’

‘No. We are at war, Michimori insists on my presence, and I shall need to travel.’ I rest my hand on my belly. ‘If this interferes with my husband’s requirements then it is an honourable course of action to avoid it. You know it is only a month. Therefore, I am considering taking the herbs.’

‘Not decided, then?’

‘No, my sweet. Not decided yet.’ I embrace her. ‘But please find them for me.’

‘I will, my lady . . . my friend.’

We put our heads together and ponder the stream’s coursing.

Twenty-second day of the Sixth Month

The smaller force takes to the north through Noto, crosses to the central part of the Kurikara Pass and arrives at the eastern side of Mount Tonami. Through the mists the white flags of Rat fly on a hill below. Kingfisher agrees to rest with the advantage of elevation, especially since the Minamoto force appears to be considerable.

The samurai water and tend their horses, then rest, or most do.

Michimori maintains his qualms, and even Tokikazu cannot mollify him.

I stay away from them and rest next to Akio, who recites
sutra
s to me, probably content that I am at a distance from Tokikazu.

Twenty-third day of the Sixth Month

Today, at last, the enemy engages in a formal, civilised battle.

First the whistling-gourd arrows, followed by an exchange of sharp-pointed arrows.

Individual combats in small groups follow, and next our larger samurai, but not, thank the Goddess of Mercy, our commanders or Tokikazu. Mokuhasa and Sadakokai do well for themselves. Misuki may have permanently imprinted her fingers on my upper arms, watching. The last of the preliminaries include a selected one hundred men to engage in individual combat, from which the Taira, again, emerge triumphant.