Would he claim the imperial throne of Mikuma when this was done, or would he work with Sakuraichi-san?

He is not a tractable man. Working with him may prove to be a hindrance to my ambitions…

The aging general stretched out his limbs in the onsen, his vision of the waters reflecting the clearing skies obscured by the hot mists.

Footsteps approached from behind. Nori did not stir to see who it was. He didn’t have to in his own camp.

“My lord?” It was one of his many aides. “My lord,” the man continued, “word has come that Emperor Kurosawa is sending forces into the harbor.”

“Mmm,” Nori noised. “Then it is time.”

Without delay he got up out of the water. His aide brought him a cloth to dry himself. As soon as he dawned fresh robes and his waraji sandals he walked back to his command tent where his generals were waiting.

They bowed as he entered. It was too hot in the tent after his bath. “My lord,” one of the generals said with another bow of respect. “It is as you said it would be.”

He noised satisfactorily. “We press our attack here.” He pointed at the base of the Western Temple as well as further north within the harbor.

“Should we not send ships if Kurosawa escapes?”

“No ships,” Hukama replied. “For our plans to work, the emperor needs a way of escape—and not simply a false pretense, but a real possibility.” His generals said nothing, so he continued. “They know it’s a trap. They believe they can outwit us. We mustn’t let them.”

“Hai!” his generals cried. They turned, gave their commanders their orders. In little time the battle would begin, and the Nori Hukama’s forces would make a very real push to capture the Western Temple.

The old man looked about, then to his aide he asked, “Where is my pupil?”

“I will find him, my lord.”

Nori nodded, already knowing that he would not be found. I’m displeased with you, Ujiwara-kun.