He had been careless.

They had something to hide!

Tora quickly mingled with the pilgrims, seeking out the heaviest concentration of people and moving with them, joining new groups, but always staying as close as possible to the Kaidan-in. A short time later, he got his chance. Across the way, in front of the pagoda, an outcry went up. Someone had fallen or fainted. Immediately, people started to drift in that direction, and with them went the watchers.

When Tora saw that the monk next to the secret path had joined them, he slipped past the side of the building and jogged away from the crowds and into the woods. He saw no one. The path turned sharply left and then ascended toward the mountain ridge behind the temple complex. After a while, Tora slowed and steadied his breathing. No sense in alerting any other posted watchers. He proceeded more slowly and cautiously, especially when he neared the summit. But again he was quite safe. And then the path took a final turn, and Tora saw a complex of buildings before him. In contrast to the temple below, these were very plain. The wood was unpainted and had darkened from the weather. The roofs of the halls were covered with bark. Some of the buildings were more than one story tall and had wooden roofs weighted down with rocks like the row houses of the poor and the warehouses of merchants. The whole thing had a utilitarian look about it, but it was walled all around, and the walls rested on rock and had watchtowers, and the gate he saw from where he was looked heavily reinforced.

It was closed.

And it was getting dark and chilly. Soon he would not be able to see much anyway. Regretfully, he turned back. The light faded rapidly, and when the forest closed in on him again, he realized he had been foolish to take this path so late in the day. It was nearly dark under the trees. There were rock outcroppings and loose stones underfoot, and haste was of the essence. Soon he could do little more than descend the steep inclines by slipping, sliding, and catching himself by grasping tree branches. He had given up long since any effort to avoid noise or to listen for it.

That was how it happened.

He was wondering if he was still on the same path or if he had somehow left it to flounder about in the forest on a mountain side that might at any moment propel him into a gorge, when a hand seized his shoulder from behind. Before he could react someone kicked his legs out from under him. He fell heavily, and a large, heavy body fell on top of him.

Chapter Thirteen

Searching for Tora

On their return from the fair, the children reported gleefully to their father, showing off their kites and beads, and sticky faces and fingers. Kosehira laughed, eyed Akitada and Yukiko with some interest when they remained quiet, and then packed his family off to their home and baths. Akitada he begged to remain a little longer.

They went to Kosehira’s study, where Kosehira gestured for Akitada to sit and offered him wine. Akitada accepted, though he would have preferred water. His mouth was uncomfortably dry.

He drank, then asked,” What’s on your mind, brother?”

Kosehira fidgeted. “I’m very grateful you looked after my family.” He gave Akitada another one of his searching glances. “Hmm. I hope the children weren’t too much of a nuisance. I know I’ve spoiled them.”

“Not at all. They were delightful. I enjoyed the afternoon very much.”

That got him another sharp glance. “Yukiko helped look after them, I hope.”

“Oh, yes. I told you, they were no trouble.”

“She’s old enough to have some sense,” Kosehira said. “Mature for her age. Don’t you think so?”

“She is charming, Kosehira, and will make some deserving young man very happy.” Akitada had become embarrassed during this interrogation and asked, “But wasn’t there something else you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes, of course. It’s just that I’m very fond of her. Fond of you, too.” Kosehira now looked rather red himself and emptied his cup. “As to the other matter …” He paused.

Akitada wondered at this “other.” It sounded as if both Yukiko and the other matter had been on Kosehira’s mind when he brought Akitada back here. He waited.

“Chief Takechi came to see me a short while ago. There’s been another death, it seems. He was anxious that you should be told.”

Akitada’s thoughts flew to the unfortunate couple who had kept house for Judge Nakano. Had there been some sort of quarrel? “What happened?”

“Another old man has died. Takechi says it looks like Nakano’s death. Only this one was some poor fellow who earned a few coppers sweeping streets.”

“Strange. I’d better have word with him.” Akitada rose.

“Tomorrow is soon enough. It’s been a long day.” Kosehira stretched. “You wouldn’t believe the number of petitions I had to read today. On second thought, maybe you would.”

“I’ll be glad to take some work off your hands while I’m here, Kosehira. You only have to ask.”

Kosehira chuckled. “Thanks. It may come to that. But let’s go home for today. I want a bath, some wine, and a good meal, and then bed.”

That sounded wonderful and Akitada said so.

∞

But it was not an altogether restful evening after all. When they reached Kosehira’s house, it became clear that Tora had not returned from the capital. After his initial irritation, Akitada worried. He worried enough to propose that he should get back on his horse and ride home to find out what had happened to Tora.

Kosehira objected. “He’s just decided to spend another day and night with that pretty wife of his. You don’t need him, so what does it matter?”

“I don’t know. He promised to be back this morning.” Akitada remembered that Tora had been angry with him when he left, and what he had been angry about. “I don’t like this at all. I think he had some wild idea of rescuing a man from the sohei on Mount Hiei.”

This required explanations which effectively spoiled Kosehira’s good mood. “You’re sure that he meant to be back in Otsu this morning?”

Akitada nodded. “By midday at the latest. I think he returned, found me gone to the fair, and decided to pay a visit to Enryaku-ji.”

Kosehira was instantly relieved. “Oh, that makes sense. He’ll be back shortly then. Let’s go have that bath.”

Akitada was by no means reassured, but he decided not to panic just yet. They had a relaxing bath and excellent hot supper on trays in Kosehira’s room with some of Kosehira’s good wine.

They talked about the sohei, whom Kosehira deplored as much as Akitada. When Akitada shared Tora’s story, Kosehira made up his mind to send a message to the abbot, demanding explanations and proof that Kinzaburo was indeed one of the temple’s peasants.

He said glumly, “Nothing will come of it, of course. They’ll have the proof. But at least they will be warned that I’m keeping an eye on their hired thugs.”

“I think I’ll send a protest of my own. They did, after all, attack Tora. I’ll demand they turn the attacker over to the local police for public brawling.”

They smiled at each other, satisfied for the moment.

Refilling their cups, Kosehira returned to a more delicate subject.

“Speaking of your household, brother,” Kosehira said, a little diffidently, “how are you managing it? I mean, it must be very difficult with the lovely Tamako gone. I recall, you always insisted that one wife was all you ever wanted. As you saw, I have three kind and cheerful ladies. They take all cares for my children and the household affairs off my shoulders.”

Akitada grimaced. “I know. I’ve been envious of your happy family. I miss Tamako every day. I’m sure the children do, too, though they seem content enough. But the wives of two of my retainers are good women. Especially Hanae, Tora’s wife.”