∞
Tora had not returned.
Akitada sought out Kosehira. His friend was more optimistic about Tora’s presumed capture by Enryaku-ji’s sohei.
“One thing,” he said, “They can’t keep him. He’s your man. Those brutes didn’t know that when they attacked him. We’ll get him back.”
“I hope we’re not too late.” Akitada was beginning to get a sick feeling about the whole affair. The new murder in Otsu had not helped. He suppressed his fears quickly and told Kosehira about Chief Takechi’s find, the figurine of Jizo found with both bodies, and their suspicion that someone was murdering old men for some perverted reason of his own.
Kosehira was shocked by the idea. “Oh, come,” he said, clearly trying to regain his good humor, “two old men don’t prove anything. Old men die. You said yourself that the coroner wasn’t sure it was murder. And those carved Jizos are all over the place.”
He had a point. But all the same …
“I wonder,” Akitada said, “could we check if there have been any other cases either here or elsewhere. Can you find out?”
“For the province, yes. Maybe even for the capital. But this is a big country. And how many police officers would have taken the notice Takechi and you did?”
“I know, but you could try? And could we check back to Tokuno’s service as a jailer here in the tribunal?”
“Probably. Our archives are in good shape. Very well, Akitada. I’ll do my best.”
Akitada took his leave to spend some time with the officials working with the temple documents. They had made progress, but so far the verdict seemed to be that both temples had engaged in dubious practices against each other.
Akitada praised their work, made some suggestions, and left.
To his relief, Saburo was waiting for him. “Well?” Akitada asked.
“His horse is still in the main stable. The monk in charge claimed it belonged to them. I recognized it and told him if they didn’t release it, I’d have the provincial guard there. He just bowed and said I must do as I wished.”
Akitada said angrily, “They aren’t afraid of us. Well, we shall see about that.” He glanced outside. It was getting late and soon would be dark. “Another night for Tora, I’m afraid. But early tomorrow I shall pay a visit to the abbot. Thank you, Saburo. You did well.”
Chapter Fifteen
Abbot Gyomei
The next day broke dark and wet. A strong wind from the lake drove sheets of rain across Otsu, and it was impossible to see the temple on Hiei. The mountain range crouched like a black monster above Otsu.
Akitada ate his rice gruel and then dressed in his second best robe. No point in ruining his best one in this rain. Then he and Saburo climbed into the saddle, covered with straw rain coats, shoe covers, and wide hats. Kosehira had ordered a contingent of the provincial guard for their retinue. They wore their ordinary armor and tried to put on stern faces.
While the straw raincoat protected Akitada from the worst of the wind, it was a nuisance keeping his floppy hat on. Eventually he removed it and rode bareheaded.
Anger and worry made him keep up a good pace, and they reached the main gate of the temple by midmorning. The rain had changed into a fine, watery spray that obscured details as if veils had been drawn across the entire mountain. All around them, this wet fog shrouded trees, roofs, and galleries. Except for one solitary monk they had passed on the road, they were the only visitors. This, too, made the temple grounds feel like another world, some place not altogether human and somehow threatening to trespassers.
Akitada bit his lip. Nonsense, he thought. It was threatening enough without becoming supernatural. The monks had snatched Tora who, more than likely, had trespassed where he was not wanted.
Two young monks detached themselves from the shelter of the great gate and ran toward them.
“Welcome to Enryaku-ji!” they chorused. One carried an oiled paper umbrella which he now opened. Smiling up at Akitada, he said, “Allow me to guide you, sir. Soncho here will take your horse and show your people the way.”
Akitada looked down at him. “I’m Sugawara Akitada and have come to speak to the Grand Abbot later. At the moment, I wish to inspect your stables.”
They looked at each other in consternation. “The stables?” asked the first monk after a moment. “Your lordship wishes to see the stables?”
“You heard me,” Akitada snapped. “Lead the way.”
They both came with them to a lesser gate and another, smaller, compound. There were service buildings here: kitchens, stables, and overnight accommodations for pilgrims. At the stables, Akitada and Saburo dismounted and went inside. The stables were large but in this weather, there were few horses stabled. Tora’s mount was not among them. The monks had followed and were now in conversation with some stable hands.
Looking nervous, Saburo said in a low voice, “They moved it. I must have attracted their notice when I asked questions about it.”
“You’re safe with me,” Akitada said. “They can’t do anything to you. But stay with the others and wait.”
He was very angry, and next spoke brusquely to the monk who had greeted him. “I’ve seen what I came to see. Now take me to Gyomei.”
The monk was apologetic “I regret, but the Seal of the Law is not available. Will the Master of the Law do?”
With an effort, Akitada recalled his visitor at the tribunal. “Prior Kanshin? Yes. I’ll speak to him. My men will wait here.”
He was taken into the temple grounds. The place was eerie in its emptiness. The fog hung over the entire compound, obscuring the world and muffling sounds except for their steps in the gravel and the dripping of rainwater from the eaves. Akitada shuddered. He doubted he would be able to find his way out of this strange place. Suddenly he wished he had taken his retinue along. Or at least Saburo.
They reached a small hall that seemed to back against the forest behind it. The monk walked up the steps to a veranda and opened a door, standing aside for Akitada to enter. Akitada stepped into a plain room with a dais along one wall and a few cushions placed along its length. Behind him the door closed.
He swung around and saw that he was alone. The irrational thought that they had taken him prisoner also crossed his mind. He went back and tried the door. It opened onto the foggy world outside. He closed it again, feeling foolish.
“Master of the Law, Seal of the Law,” he muttered under his breath. “Silly titles. We’d all be better off if Buddha had never come to our islands.”
But that, too, was silly. He started pacing. Where was Tora? How dare they take him and steal his horse? He’d see about that.
The skirt of his silk robe slapped against his legs and he became aware that it was soaked. In fact, his collar was wet also, as was his hair. So much for straw raincoats and hats. He dabbed at his head and remembered the court hat in his sleeve. Tying it back on without a mirror irritated him further.
Why this long wait? His rank and current position demanded a good deal more respect than this. How long should he wait before sending for the men of the provincial guard and making a search of the monastery for the elusive Gyomei?
Eventually, he went to the dais and perched on its edge. His thought went to Kosehira who must have had a most frustrating administration, given Enryaku-ji and Onjo-ji encroached on his territory. From Kosehira, his thoughts went to his daughter. He found he could not be angry at Yukiko. Perhaps his anger had been mostly with himself for desiring her. He had simply transferred it, blaming her bad manners for his own discomfiture. Why could he not treat her like the charming child she was, a lovable child, to be sure, but not beddable.
But again he felt the warmth of desire rise to his face and was ashamed.