"Good," Sir William said, satisfied, stifling a yawn, "could we please have their names now, verbally, and then in correct characters on the paper that we will exchange within three days to confirm our formal agreements."
Back and forth, minor details changed, then finally: "Sir William, he says you'll have the paper in a week, the interpreter will give you their names and the meeting is ended." As each Elder was introduced the man nodded briefly and impassively: "Lord Adachi of Mito, Lord Zukumura of Gai, Lord Yoshi of Hisamatsu..." Tyrer was delighted to see that Shifty Eyes, last in the line, was sweating, his hands and feet squirming and his bow had nowhere near the imperiousness of the others: "Lord Kii of Zukoshi."
"Please give them our thanks. As previously agreed, I will now order royal salutes."
"Lord Yoshi says, unfortunately one of their members is missing. As previously agreed, unanimous approval of the roju is necessary to grant the firing of any cannon."
Abruptly Sir William's bonhomie fell away. All Ministers were shocked. "What about our agreements?" he asked sharply. "Do they require unanimous approval too?"
Back and forth amid much tension and muttered caution amongst the Ministers. Then Johann said awkwardly, "Lord Yoshi says that this gathering has the Shogun's authority and the President's to accept credentials, to listen and recommend.
They will unanimously recommend the settlement.
As previously agreed, approval for firing cannon needs unanimous approval of all Elders so regretfully this body cannot allow it."
The silence became unhealthy as Sir William and all of them realized the trap they had fallen into. No option this time, he thought, his stomach twisting. "Captain Pallidar!"
"Yessir?" Pallidar came from the back, heart suddenly grinding, knowing along with everyone else facing the roju that Sir William had no option now but to give the order to fire the salutes, whatever the cost, or the same excuse would surely be used to negate their settlement.
As he saluted perfectly, "Yessir?" Seratard broke in with his smoothest and most diplomatic voice: "Sir William, I feel sure that the agreement is bona fide, will be implemented, and you can accept it. I recommend you do this, we all do, eh gentlemen?" he said to general relief at the face-saver, "and also recommend under the circumstances we forgo the salutes. You agree, Sir William, on our behalf?"
Sir William hesitated grimly.
To further astonishment, Seratard added grandly, "Andr`e, tell them on behalf of France I will go surety for the first installment."
Before Sir William could say anything, Andr`e was bowing: "My Master say, Honored Lords, he happy roju give paper in a week, agree lend Satsuma first money in seventy day. Say also France, as Nippon friend, honored give personal bond to British Minister against first payment. Also he honored greet all or one of roju any time personally, in ship or any place. Humbly thank you, Honored Lords."
With narrowed eyes, Yoshi said, "Thank your Master. The meeting is ended."
A samurai officer called out, "Kerei!"
--salute--and every samurai bowed, holding that position as the roju got to their feet and bowed back with measured politeness. Sir William and the others had little option but to follow suit as Yoshi led the way to an unseen door beside the dais and were quickly gone. At once the samurai straightened and resumed their staring, suspicious hostility.
"Very satisfactory, Sir William,"
Seratard said expansively in French, taking his arm, wanting to distract him again. "Well done."
"Your Masters in the Elysee will be very peed off with you when we ask for ten thousand in gold,"
Sir William said, a little piqued but not entirely--except for the firing of the cannon he had made a giant step forward. "Peed or not it was a grand gesture, Henri, however expensive."
Seratard laughed. "Twenty guineas says they'll pay."
"Done! Will you dine with us at the Legation?"
They began walking out, careless of the arrogant, bellicose stares.
"Thank you no. As we've concluded our business I think I'll start back for Yokohama now instead of tomorrow, there's time enough and the sea's calm. Why wait for Pearl, join us aboard my flagship, we can dine en route, eh?"
"Thanks but I'll wait till tomorrow. I want to make sure all our lads are back safely on our transports."
Behind them, unnoticed in the throng, Tyrer had waited for Andr`e who had knelt to adjust a shoe buckle, who then, not realizing Tyrer was watching, began a whispered conversation with the Japanese interpreter. The man hesitated then nodded and bowed. "Domo."
Andr`e turned, saw Phillip scrutinizing him. For a split second he was nonplussed, then smiled as he joined him. "Well, Phillip, that went very well, didn't it? I thought you were excellent, and we certainly made the points."
"I wasn't and you saved the day. And my face, for which many thanks." Tyrer frowned, unsettled, following the procession. "Even so, though you brilliantly solved the impasse, what you said in English and what was said in Japanese was different, wasn't it?"
"Not that different, mon ami, not enough to matter."
"I don't think Sir William would agree."
"Perhaps perhaps not. Perhaps you were mistaken."
Andr`e forced a laugh. "It's never wise to agitate a Minister, eh? A closed mouth catches no nasties."
"Most times, yes. What did you say to that interpreter?"
"I thanked him. Mon Dieu, my bladder's killing me--how's yours?"
"Same," Tyrer agreed, sure that Andr`e was lying about the interpreter. But then why shouldn't he? he was thinking with his newfound point of view.
Andr`e is enemy, if not enemy, the opposition, and every nuance was to benefit and ingratiate Seratard, France and Andr`e. Fair enough.
What would he ask for secretly? To pass on a message, yes, but what? What secret message? What would I ask for secretly?
"You asked for a private meeting with Lord Yoshi, eh?" he said, gambling. "For you and Monsieur Seratard."
Andr`e Poncin's expression did not change but Tyrer noticed his right hand on his ceremonial sword became white-knuckled.
"Phillip," he said thinly, "I've been a good friend to you since you arrived, helping you begin Japanese, introducing you around, eh? I haven't interfered with your private samurai-- Nakama, eh, though I've heard, secretly, he's got other names. Haven't..."
"What other names?" Tyrer asked, suddenly nervous and not knowing why. "What do you know about him?"
Andr`e went on as though Tyrer had not spoken: "Haven't tried to question him or you about him though I did warn you about Japanese, all of them, time enough for you to tell me about him if you want to, as a friend. Remember we're on the same side, Phillip, we're servants not masters, we're friends, we're in Japan where gai-jin really have to help each other--like I did introducing you to Raiko who led to Fujiko, eh? Nice girl Fujiko. Best to have a little Gallic realism, Phillip, best keep private information private, best beware of your Nakama and remember what I've said a dozen times: In Japan there are only Japanese solutions."
Near sunset the same day, Yoshi hurried along a somber, drafty stone corridor in the castle keep. Now he wore his characteristic kimono with two swords, a cowled riding cloak over them. Every twenty paces were flickering oil torches, set into iron brackets beside bowman emplacements that also served as windows. Outside the air was cool. Ahead was a circular staircase. It led to his private stables below.
He ran down the steps.
"Halt! Who... ah, so sorry, Lord!"
The sentry bowed.
Yoshi nodded and went on. Throughout the castle soldiers, stablemen, servants were preparing for bed or for night duties, following the universal, worldwide custom of bedding down at nightfall.
Only the well-to-do had light by night, to see, to read or to play.
"Halt! Ah, so sorry Lord." This sentry bowed, and the next, and the next.