description, they recognize no master but their own superiors. It’s despicable. But be careful. By all accounts those sohei are vicious.”
Tora grinned. “They don’t scare me, sir. Though I did notice something. One of those bastards had a weird tattoo on the back of his right hand. A circle with a triangle inside it. Doesn’t that mean he’s a convicted criminal?”
“I don’t know what strange practices the warrior monks may have. But you’re right. Some provincial governors still encourage tattooing repeat criminals. Besides this sort of thing is frequently done to members of a gang of highway robbers.”
“How can the monks take in convicts?”
“No doubt the man claimed that Buddha has saved him from a life of crime. Or perhaps he’s only a lay-monk. Many of the sohei are simply hired thugs. Anyway, be careful. Oh, and before I forget it, when you have the time, ride home to make sure all is well. And tell the children that they will attend the great shrine festival later this month. That will cheer them up.”
Tora’s smile broadened. “Will do, sir. Umm, suppose I leave late, spend the night, and return early tomorrow? That way I’ll be available to you during the day.”
Akitada suppressed a smile. “Excellent idea.”
∞
The exercise had certainly done nothing for Akitada’s self confidence, and he was determined to stay out of Lady Yukiko’s way. After washing at the well, he changed into formal clothes and joined Kosehira on his ride to the tribunal.
He had a vague notion of paying a visit to the Masuda mansion to see how the young heir was getting along, but Kunyoshi was eager to show him what they had found in their search of the provincial archives. Since the papers related to dubious transfers of land from private owners to Enryaku-ji, Akitada sat down and started to go through them. The illegalities had been hidden rather cleverly, he found, and congratulated Kunyoshi on noticing that all was not as it should be.
In the end, however, there was not enough evidence to put pressure on the temple, and Akitada decided to put the documents aside until they could build a bigger case.
It was nearly midday when he got up and stretched. The unaccustomed morning practice had made him sore again, though he thought this a better soreness than the back pain from his ride to Otsu. He had just decided to eat in town and then climb up to the Masuda place, when Kosehira put his head in the door.
“Akitada! Am I glad you’re still here. I need a favor.”
“Gladly. What can I do?”
“Come, I’ll tell you on the way.” Kosehira noted belatedly that everyone had risen and was bowing to him. He said, “Oh, forgive me, gentlemen. Please don’t interrupt your work. I hope I see you all well this morning. Can you spare Lord Sugawara?”
They straightened and smiled, and Kunyoshi, always the spokesman, assured the governor that his lordship had permission to leave.”
Akitada chuckled when they were outside, but Kosehira looked distracted. “Listen,” he said. “Chief Takechi has sent a messenger. Something is wrong about that judge’s death. I can’t possibly leave. I have to meet with the prime minister’s secretary to account for the fact that I have given no support to Onjo-ji in their case against Enryaku-ji. As you may guess, the prime minister and his immediate family are supporters of Onjo-ji.”
“But surely you cannot be expected to act for one or the other before my delegation has sifted through the documents and the Ministry of Justice has decided on guilt or innocence?”
“Naturally, but that doesn’t mean the prime minister can’t try to muddy the waters.”
“Of course I’ll go to talk to Takechi, but you need merely tell this secretary that your hands are tied until the official investigation is complete.”
Kosehira sighed. “You’re too logical, Akitada. I must find some other method.”
Amused, Akitada went to have a horse saddled. It struck him for the
Tora grinned. “They don’t scare me, sir. Though I did notice something. One of those bastards had a weird tattoo on the back of his right hand. A circle with a triangle inside it. Doesn’t that mean he’s a convicted criminal?”
“I don’t know what strange practices the warrior monks may have. But you’re right. Some provincial governors still encourage tattooing repeat criminals. Besides this sort of thing is frequently done to members of a gang of highway robbers.”
“How can the monks take in convicts?”
“No doubt the man claimed that Buddha has saved him from a life of crime. Or perhaps he’s only a lay-monk. Many of the sohei are simply hired thugs. Anyway, be careful. Oh, and before I forget it, when you have the time, ride home to make sure all is well. And tell the children that they will attend the great shrine festival later this month. That will cheer them up.”
Tora’s smile broadened. “Will do, sir. Umm, suppose I leave late, spend the night, and return early tomorrow? That way I’ll be available to you during the day.”
Akitada suppressed a smile. “Excellent idea.”
∞
The exercise had certainly done nothing for Akitada’s self confidence, and he was determined to stay out of Lady Yukiko’s way. After washing at the well, he changed into formal clothes and joined Kosehira on his ride to the tribunal.
He had a vague notion of paying a visit to the Masuda mansion to see how the young heir was getting along, but Kunyoshi was eager to show him what they had found in their search of the provincial archives. Since the papers related to dubious transfers of land from private owners to Enryaku-ji, Akitada sat down and started to go through them. The illegalities had been hidden rather cleverly, he found, and congratulated Kunyoshi on noticing that all was not as it should be.
In the end, however, there was not enough evidence to put pressure on the temple, and Akitada decided to put the documents aside until they could build a bigger case.
It was nearly midday when he got up and stretched. The unaccustomed morning practice had made him sore again, though he thought this a better soreness than the back pain from his ride to Otsu. He had just decided to eat in town and then climb up to the Masuda place, when Kosehira put his head in the door.
“Akitada! Am I glad you’re still here. I need a favor.”
“Gladly. What can I do?”
“Come, I’ll tell you on the way.” Kosehira noted belatedly that everyone had risen and was bowing to him. He said, “Oh, forgive me, gentlemen. Please don’t interrupt your work. I hope I see you all well this morning. Can you spare Lord Sugawara?”
They straightened and smiled, and Kunyoshi, always the spokesman, assured the governor that his lordship had permission to leave.”
Akitada chuckled when they were outside, but Kosehira looked distracted. “Listen,” he said. “Chief Takechi has sent a messenger. Something is wrong about that judge’s death. I can’t possibly leave. I have to meet with the prime minister’s secretary to account for the fact that I have given no support to Onjo-ji in their case against Enryaku-ji. As you may guess, the prime minister and his immediate family are supporters of Onjo-ji.”
“But surely you cannot be expected to act for one or the other before my delegation has sifted through the documents and the Ministry of Justice has decided on guilt or innocence?”
“Naturally, but that doesn’t mean the prime minister can’t try to muddy the waters.”
“Of course I’ll go to talk to Takechi, but you need merely tell this secretary that your hands are tied until the official investigation is complete.”
Kosehira sighed. “You’re too logical, Akitada. I must find some other method.”
Amused, Akitada went to have a horse saddled. It struck him for the
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