“There have been poisonings, kidnappings, attacks, and an explosion connected with the Black Lotus,” Sano said. He described what Reiko and Hirata had learned. “Sentiment against the Black Lotus is widespread. The public attacked some priests and nuns this morning. To prevent further violence, the sect’s activities should be halted and the members confined at least until I can find out what they’re planning.”
The shogun waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Enemies of the Black Lotus are spreading false rumors that have, ahh, incited violence.” Again he spoke in that artificial tone. Then he gave an irritated sigh and signaled to an attendant, who handed him a sword. “Your persistence in denouncing the Black Lotus grows tiresome. You are spoiling my exercise.”
Aware that he trod a hazardous path between the shogun’s esteem and disfavor, Sano said, “My apologies, Your Excellency. I only wish to serve you. And unless I’m granted control over the Black Lotus, I may not be able to solve the mystery of the fire and murders at the temple as you’ve ordered me to do. “ Sano saw his path edging the brink of peril. Even a hint that he might fail in his work could turn Tokugawa Tsunayoshi against him, yet he had to demonstrate that what seemed like insubordination was really his commitment to duty. “I believe that a thorough investigation of the Black Lotus will reveal facts that we ignore at the risk of endangering society.”
Holding the sword out before him, the shogun squatted; his knees creaked. “I, ahh, had the impression that you’d already identified the culprit. Haven’t you arrested that girl?”
News had reached him fast; again Sano perceived the hand of the Black Lotus at work. The shogun usually forgot things told him, and the fact that he’d retained this information attested to the sect’s ability to plant notions in his weak mind.
“Yes, I have,” Sano admitted.
“Then your work is done,” the shogun said. He performed awkward lunges with his sword. “Arrange the girl’s, ahh, trial as soon as possible. Stay away from the temple and its residents.”
Without access to the temple, Sano would never learn the truth about the sect. With the Black Lotus protected from official scrutiny, he feared more murders, worsening unrest. Desperate, Sano sought a way to change the shogun’s mind.
“Some of the sect members are needed to testify at the trial,” he said. “Abbess Junketsu-in, Dr. Miwa, and Priest Kumashiro are important character witnesses, and two orphan girls have placed Haru at the crime scene. The law allows Haru the right to face her accusers.”
“Then I revoke her right.” Stabbing the air, Tsunayoshi tripped. “You may present the, ahh, testimony yourself. I shall order Magistrate Ueda to convict Haru and condemn her to death. Her execution will silence the, ahh, rumors against the Black Lotus and calm the public.”
“But it won’t stop whatever schemes the Black Lotus has set in motion.” Throwing aside caution, Sano dropped to his knees before the shogun. If only he’d heeded Reiko’s concerns earlier, he might have persuaded Tsunayoshi to act before the sect got to him. “Please, I beg you to reconsider and shut down the Black Lotus before it’s too late!”
“The only schemes are in your, ahh, imagination,” the shogun said peevishly. “I will hear no more of your slander. Stay away from the Black Lotus, or you shall be sorry.”
He slashed a sudden, horizontal cut at Sano. The blade whistled so close over Sano’s head that he felt the air current across his scalp. The attendants gasped, and Sano froze. He knew the shogun had meant to miss him, but Tsunayoshi was such an inept swordsman that he might have injured or killed Sano by accident. The tacit threat terrified Sano.
“Go now,” ordered the shogun. “Vex me no more.”
25
If you should be thrown into a pit of fire,
The Bodhisattva of Infinite Power will change the fire to water.
If you are pursued by evil men,
The Bodhisattva will defend you.
– FROM THE BLACK LOTUS SUTRA
Three novice monks knelt in a row in Dr. Miwa’s secret underground chamber. “Praise the glory of the Black Lotus,” they chanted in rapid, breathless unison. Their young faces wore beatific expressions; their glazed eyes reflected images of High Priest Anraku, who stood before them.
“Your service shall be rewarded with the enlightenment you crave,” Anraku said. With a radiant smile, he laid his hand upon the head of each monk in turn. They gasped in delight and chanted faster.
Across the room, Dr. Miwa watched from beside the workbench that held the lamps, stove, dishware, utensils, and jars of herbs and potions for his experiments. He could almost feel the spiritually charged touch of Anraku’s hand and craved its blessing for himself. Somehow, Anraku always looked more real to Dr. Miwa than did anyone else. His luminosity eclipsed Kumashiro and Junketsu-in, who hovered like dim shadows on either side of him. Now, as Anraku turned toward him, Dr. Miwa trembled with the dread and gladness that his master’s attention always inspired.
“So you have finally developed the right formula?” Anraku asked.
“Yes, I believe that one of these potions will achieve the effects you desire.” Dr. Miwa pointed to three ceramic bottles on the workbench. Sweat broke out on him, and his breath whistled through his teeth. He saw revulsion on Kumashiro’s and Junketsu-in’s faces, and he despised his uncontrollable nervous tics. His hands fumbled, assembling three cups. “I shall test the potions now.”
“The formula must work,” Anraku said, his voice hard with determination. “My vision has shown me that three signs will herald the day of our destiny. Two of the signs have already come to pass. The first was the sacrifice of burnt human offerings-the fire and deaths at the cottage. The second sign was the onset of persecution against the Black Lotus faith today. The third sign will be the siege of the temple.” Anraku extended his arms, welcoming the event. His single eye shone. “Our time draws near.”
The novices chanted louder. Junketsu-in gazed at Anraku with reverent bliss. Kumashiro stood silent and stern, his hand on his sword. Dr. Miwa tried to open his senses to the divine truths that Anraku perceived. He heard pulsing bellows, the ringing axes from tunnels under excavation; he smelled rancid steam from adjoining rooms of his chamber. But supernatural awareness evaded him. He must rely on Anraku for knowledge.
“We must be ready for battle.” Anraku leveled a fierce stare upon Dr. Miwa. “Your success is crucial to our fate.”
Dr. Miwa quaked under the pressure to perform well. Most Black Lotus members believed that Anraku foretold the future, and that what he prophesied would happen as a natural result of cosmic forces in action. But his highest officials knew he didn’t trust in the cosmos to do what it should. He depended on the efforts of mortals to ensure the desired outcome of enlightenment, power, and glory for himself and the sect.
“I promise I won’t fail you,” Dr. Miwa mumbled.
With shaking hands he poured a few drops of dark, murky liquid from the first bottle into a cup. He filled the cup with water, stirred the mixture, then carried it to the novice monks. Still chanting, they lifted eager faces to him. Dr. Miwa held the cup to the mouth of a novice, a skinny boy of fourteen whose wide eyes burned with faith. The boy gulped the draft.
“Praise the glory of the Black Lotus,” he said, grimacing at the bitter taste. He and his comrades had been trained to do whatever Anraku expected, at whatever cost to themselves.
Anraku, Junketsu-in, Kumashiro, and Miwa waited silently for the potion to take effect. Dr. Miwa clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his palms. In his mind echoed a desperate prayer: Please let it work this time! He could not survive another failure in a life notable for failure.