Read Online Concubine's Tattoo by Laura Joh Rowland - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Laura Joh Rowland
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everyone despised him, as long as they obeyed his orders. Shichisaburo's pretense aroused Yanagisawa; power was the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Now Chamberlain Yanagisawa reluctantly deferred his pleasure. "I need your help with a very important matter, Shichisaburo," he said, sitting upright.
The young actor's eyes brimmed with happiness, and Yanagisawa could almost believe he truly felt flattered by the request, which was actually an order. "I'll do anything for you, master."
"This is a matter of utmost secrecy, and you must promise to tell no one about it," Yanagisawa warned.
"Oh, I promise, I promise!" Sincerity radiated from the boy. "You can trust me. Just wait and see. Pleasing you means more to me than anything else in the world."
Yet Yanagisawa knew that it was not devotion but the threat of punishment that held Shichisaburo in thrall to him. Should the actor disobey, he would be stripped of his status as star of the Tokugawa theater troupe, banished from the castle, and put to work in some squalid highway brothel. The chamberlain smiled. Everyone will do my bidding and fear my anger...
Bending close, Chamberlain Yanagisawa whispered to Shichisaburo. Inhaling the boy's fresh, youthful scent, Yanagisawa felt his manhood lift within his loincloth. He finished conveying his orders, then let his tongue trace the delicate whorl of Shichisaburo's ear. The actor giggled and turned to Yanagisawa in delighted admiration.
"How clever you are to think of such a wonderful plan! I'll do exactly as you say. And when we're done, Sosakan Sano will never trouble you again."
From above the enclosure came a flutter of wings. On impulse, Chamberlain Yanagisawa fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed upward, scanning the cobalt sky, the black filigree border of trees. Against the moon's luminescent silver disc hovered a dark shape. Yanagisawa released the arrow to invisible flight. A screech pierced the evening calm. Into the enclosure plummeted an owl, the arrow stuck in its breast. Its own prey-a tiny blind mole-was still gripped in the sharp talons.
Shichisaburo clapped his hands gleefully. "A perfect shot, master!"
Chamberlain Yanagisawa laughed. "By attacking one, I also claim the other." The symbolism was as perfect as his aim, the shot an auspicious omen for his scheme. Triumph fed Yanagisawa's desire. Dropping the bow, he extended his hand to Shichisaburo. "But enough of business. Come here."
The young actor's eyes faithfully mirrored Yanagisawa's need. "Yes, master."
The wind's hushed breath stirred the forest; the rising moon swelled. On the silk walls of the enclosure, two shadows fused into one.
6
When Sano arrived at his residence after the long, tiring ride from Edo Jail, Hirata came out through the gate to meet him. "The shogun's mother has agreed to speak with us before her evening prayers. The otoshiyori-chief lady palace official-will answer questions, but she has to make her night tour of inspection around the Large Interior soon."
Sano cast a longing look at his mansion, which held the promise of food, a hot bath, and the company of his new bride. With what peaceful, feminine pursuits had she occupied the time since their wedding? Sano pictured her sewing, writing poetry, or perhaps playing the samisen- an oasis of calm amid violent death and palace intrigue. He yearned to enter that oasis, to become acquainted with Reiko at last. But night was rapidly descending upon the castle and Sano couldn't keep Lady Keisho-in and her otoshiyori waiting, or delay informing the shogun that there would be no epidemic because Lady Harume had been murdered.
Leaving his horse with the guards, Sano said to Hirata, "We'd better hurry."
Through stone-walled passages they ascended the hill, past patrol guards carrying flaming torches. Out of cautious habit they didn't speak until they'd cleared the last security checkpoint and were approaching the palace, whose many-gabled tile roof gleamed in the moonlight. Torches flared against
Now Chamberlain Yanagisawa reluctantly deferred his pleasure. "I need your help with a very important matter, Shichisaburo," he said, sitting upright.
The young actor's eyes brimmed with happiness, and Yanagisawa could almost believe he truly felt flattered by the request, which was actually an order. "I'll do anything for you, master."
"This is a matter of utmost secrecy, and you must promise to tell no one about it," Yanagisawa warned.
"Oh, I promise, I promise!" Sincerity radiated from the boy. "You can trust me. Just wait and see. Pleasing you means more to me than anything else in the world."
Yet Yanagisawa knew that it was not devotion but the threat of punishment that held Shichisaburo in thrall to him. Should the actor disobey, he would be stripped of his status as star of the Tokugawa theater troupe, banished from the castle, and put to work in some squalid highway brothel. The chamberlain smiled. Everyone will do my bidding and fear my anger...
Bending close, Chamberlain Yanagisawa whispered to Shichisaburo. Inhaling the boy's fresh, youthful scent, Yanagisawa felt his manhood lift within his loincloth. He finished conveying his orders, then let his tongue trace the delicate whorl of Shichisaburo's ear. The actor giggled and turned to Yanagisawa in delighted admiration.
"How clever you are to think of such a wonderful plan! I'll do exactly as you say. And when we're done, Sosakan Sano will never trouble you again."
From above the enclosure came a flutter of wings. On impulse, Chamberlain Yanagisawa fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed upward, scanning the cobalt sky, the black filigree border of trees. Against the moon's luminescent silver disc hovered a dark shape. Yanagisawa released the arrow to invisible flight. A screech pierced the evening calm. Into the enclosure plummeted an owl, the arrow stuck in its breast. Its own prey-a tiny blind mole-was still gripped in the sharp talons.
Shichisaburo clapped his hands gleefully. "A perfect shot, master!"
Chamberlain Yanagisawa laughed. "By attacking one, I also claim the other." The symbolism was as perfect as his aim, the shot an auspicious omen for his scheme. Triumph fed Yanagisawa's desire. Dropping the bow, he extended his hand to Shichisaburo. "But enough of business. Come here."
The young actor's eyes faithfully mirrored Yanagisawa's need. "Yes, master."
The wind's hushed breath stirred the forest; the rising moon swelled. On the silk walls of the enclosure, two shadows fused into one.
6
When Sano arrived at his residence after the long, tiring ride from Edo Jail, Hirata came out through the gate to meet him. "The shogun's mother has agreed to speak with us before her evening prayers. The otoshiyori-chief lady palace official-will answer questions, but she has to make her night tour of inspection around the Large Interior soon."
Sano cast a longing look at his mansion, which held the promise of food, a hot bath, and the company of his new bride. With what peaceful, feminine pursuits had she occupied the time since their wedding? Sano pictured her sewing, writing poetry, or perhaps playing the samisen- an oasis of calm amid violent death and palace intrigue. He yearned to enter that oasis, to become acquainted with Reiko at last. But night was rapidly descending upon the castle and Sano couldn't keep Lady Keisho-in and her otoshiyori waiting, or delay informing the shogun that there would be no epidemic because Lady Harume had been murdered.
Leaving his horse with the guards, Sano said to Hirata, "We'd better hurry."
Through stone-walled passages they ascended the hill, past patrol guards carrying flaming torches. Out of cautious habit they didn't speak until they'd cleared the last security checkpoint and were approaching the palace, whose many-gabled tile roof gleamed in the moonlight. Torches flared against
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