White Serpent Castle Read Free Page B

I’m afraid that I was the cause of this unseemly outbreak. I was seeking employment at this castle, and there was a question of my qualifications. A demonstration was needed.”
    In provoking the fight, he had accomplished his purpose and could afford to be magnanimous. Now he wanted to save the men of the castle from blame, and a low murmur of relief from the men showed that they were aware of this.
    The envoy’s brows rose. “This riot, then, was merely to demonstrate your fitness?”
    â€œI’m afraid that in our enthusiasm, some of us got carried away a little,” apologized Zenta.
    The envoy’s chief retainer, who had been standing beside his master, now stepped forward. “If this man was just a ronin looking for a job,” he said to the chamberlain, “why did you say that you expected him? You also ordered your men to arrest him. Don’t deny it. I saw the whole thing.”
    The chamberlain stared helplessly, and turned to the tall samurai next to him for inspiration. “We thought . . . that is . . . Jihei said he got news that . . .”
    Jihei interrupted smoothly. “We have been getting reports of a notorious bandit who has been harassing this region. When these strangers appeared, it was only wise to take them into custody and check their identities.”
    â€œYes, yes,” agreed the chamberlain. “We were preparing a welcome for a terrible bandit!”
    â€œAnd a very hearty welcome it was, too,” said Zenta. “Do you go to all this trouble for every stranger who comes?”
    The envoy was not ready to release his stern glance from the chamberlain. “Did the strangers draw their swords to resist? Was that how the fight started?”
    Jihei stepped forward and answered for his master. “No, the officer who was escorting them lost his head and drew his sword first. Of course, he will answer for it.”
    â€œAre you perfectly satisfied now that these strangers are not the notorious bandits?” pursued the envoy.
    A flash of pure hatred escaped from Jihei, but it was immediately suppressed. “Yes, my lord envoy. I am positive that they are not the bandits. This man is Konishi Zenta, just as he claimed. His particular style of fighting with two swords is very well known.”
    Zenta was convinced that Jihei and the chamberlain had not entirely given up their doubts about his identity. But in the envoy’s hearing they couldn’t very well say that they suspected him or Matsuzo of being Lord Okudaira’s older son, since the envoy might seriously consider this son as a desirable candidate for the succession.
    The envoy examined Zenta intently. “So you came to this castle to enter the chamberlain’s service?”
    â€œI was hoping to enter the service of Lord Okudaira’s successor, whoever he turns out to be,” replied Zenta. He looked calmly back at the searching eyes of the envoy. “Naturally I will wait for your decision on the question of succession.”
    After a moment the envoy said thoughtfully, “I may want to have a talk with you later.”
    He turned to the chamberlain and looked at him bleakly. “What has happened here this afternoon is no credit to the man in command of the castle. A report of this incident will certainly go back to my master the daimyo.” With a contemptuous glance around, he signaled to his retinue and swept out of the courtyard.
    The chamberlain scowled at the haughty back of the envoy and then turned to frown at his men. “What’s the matter, you loiterers?” he barked. “Isn’t there any work to do?”
    Slowly the crowd dispersed, some of the men helping disabled friends to rise. More than one man looked at Zenta, who stood adjusting his swords in his sash. A limping samurai approached him respectfully. “We need you here, sir, to give us some lessons in swordsmanship.”
    Another man gingerly touched a painful lump