“I think I have an idea,” Kaoru suddenly said, “but it will mean withdrawing the siege troops a little.”

“That can be arranged. Go on.”

“My grandmother is a miko, a medium who foretells the future by going to sleep and letting the gods speak through her. You know what I mean?”

Akitada nodded, but his heart sank. Hitomaro’s madwoman from the outcast village. He had little respect for such practices, and in this case their lives would depend on Kaoru’s senile grandmother.

Kaoru saw his expression and said, “My grandmother is well known at the manor. She used to serve as a lady’s maid there many years ago when she was a young girl, and she still has friends among the servants.”

“Surely Uesugi will not admit her at the present time.”

“On the contrary. He will welcome her because he is superstitious. If Takesuke withdraws and she shows up, he will ask for a prediction about his chances.”

“Ah.” Akitada considered it, then shook his head. “No, I cannot permit it. It would put your grandmother into extreme danger.”

“She won’t stay long. Besides, they will be afraid to harm her.”

“But how will she be able to create a disturbance, yet leave before the alarm is given?”

“She will have help. She will only tell Uesugi his future and leave a message with one of the servants. Koreburo will take care of everything else. He could set a small fire perhaps?”

Akitada considered the drawing again and nodded slowly. “Yes, it might work. A small conflagration with much smoke, easily put out. Just here, I think. Where the southern gallery makes a turn.” He pointed, then looked up. “Did you say Koreburo? Isn’t that the old man who used to play go with Hideo?”

Kaoru nodded. “He will be eager to help. He blames Makio and Kaibara for Hideo’s death.”

“Does he indeed? He did not say so to me.”

Kaoru shrugged. “He’s a strange old fellow, but he could have picked up something from the other servants. In any case, he can be trusted.”

Akitada gave the other man a long look, then nodded. “Very well. I will give detailed instructions to Takesuke before we meet. Meanwhile, you can make your arrangements.”

Kaoru rose and bowed. “You honor me with your confidence, sir. Allow me.” He stepped to the shutters and threw them open, letting in a gust of cold air. There was a full moon, fitfully revealed by dark clouds, but in the east the darkness grew faintly lighter. “It will be dawn in an hour. If I leave for my village immediately and carry my grandmother part of the way to Takata on my horse, Koreburo should be ready before the noon rice. Shall we meet below the manor at the start of the hour of the horse?”

“Yes.” Akitada came and looked at the driving clouds. “When will the great snow start? I have been expecting it for weeks.”

“Perhaps today, perhaps later.” Kaoru spoke with the indifference of a local man. “The snows will come in their own time.” He smiled suddenly. “It will still be possible to send the news to the capital that we have taken Takata.”

Akitada raised his brows but said only, “We will need a signal from inside the manor.”

“When all is ready, Koreburo will give the cry of the snow goose. If that is all, sir, I shall be on my way.”

After Kaoru had gone, Akitada stood for a few more moments at the open shutters. The idea of war was foreign to him. This day would decide life or death for many. Uesugi, Takesuke, and Kaoru, perhaps even the fate of an emperor along with that of an old servant who risked his life for the memory of a dead friend. His own also, and that of Tamako and their unborn child. There were no more choices, no options of escape. He had accepted this charge and offered up the lives of his family and his friends along with his own. Tamako’s warning about the letter to the capital came to his mind. Uesugi was not his only worry. Did any man have the right to gamble with the lives of others?

He sighed, hating this harsh northern land with its superstitions, its violence, its people’s predilection for secrets and plots.

There was a scratching at the door. He called, “Enter!” and closed the shutters. Oyoshi came in hesitantly.

“Do I disturb you, sir?”

“No. You are very welcome.” Afraid that his fears and self-doubts were written large on his face, Akitada was effusive, inviting Oyoshi to sit and pouring him a cup of tea.

Oyoshi looked strained, but Akitada’s fussing seemed to reassure him. “I have waited anxiously to speak to you since we found Mrs. Omeya’s body,” he said after a sip of tea. “You have been very busy, and this has been my first opportunity. How are things going, sir?”

“I will leave for Takata later today,” said Akitada, “to settle the Uesugi matter.”

“Oh, dear. Forgive me. I have chosen a bad time. Let me be brief then. I wish to resign my office as your coroner.”

“But why?” Akitada’s heart sank. He had expected something, but he pretended surprised shock.

Oyoshi smiled a little. “There is no need to spare my feelings, sir. Even before Mrs. Omeya’s death, I felt that you regretted my appointment. I made a foolish mistake with the mutilated body, and that certainly proved me incompetent. Since then, I’m afraid, there have been more serious suspicions. I won’t embarrass you or myself by asking what they are, but I wanted to tell you that I will leave as soon as you have found a replacement.”

Akitada sighed. “My friend,” he said, “and I hope I may still call you that—I have made many mistakes since I arrived. Perhaps some of my mistakes have cost lives and will cost more. Not the least of my mistakes was to doubt you. I should have known that a man who would risk his life to perform an illegal exhumation at my request would not at the same time plot against me.” He bowed to Oyoshi. “I apologize humbly for my foolishness.”

The doctor became so agitated that he spilled his tea. “Oh, no,” he cried. “Please don’t. You were quite right to suspect everyone, and who more than myself? What could you know about me, who had hidden his past from everyone? What should you think when I gave the wrong testimony in court? Why should you trust me when I was so conveniently on the premises when Mrs. Omeya was killed? You did quite right and have behaved with the greatest justice and patience towards me.”

“You will stay then?”

Oyoshi did not answer right away. He put down his teacup and wiped his fingers. “There is another thing. I killed someone,” he said softly. “I had a very bad moment when Tora said something about murderous doctors and looked at me in a very knowing way. May I tell you about it?”

Akitada said quickly, “There is no need. I am quite satisfied.”