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"Thank you, Anjin-san." She translated and Buntaro bowed and thanked him for the compliment.

"Sake!" Blackthorne ordered.

They drank more. Much more. Buntaro quaffed his carelessly now, the wine taking him. Blackthorne watched him covertly then let his attention wander away as he wondered how the man had managed to line up and fire the arrows with such incredible accuracy. It's impossible, he thought, yet I saw him do it. Wonder what Vinck and Baccus and the rest are doing right now. Toranaga had told him the crew were now settled in Yedo, near Erasmus. Christ Jesus, I'd like to see them and get back aboard.

He glanced across at Mariko, who was saying something to her husband. Buntaro listened, then to Blackthorne's surprise, he saw the samurai's face become contorted with loathing. Before he could avert his eyes Buntaro had looked at him.

"Nan desu ka?" Buntaro's words sounded almost like an accusation. "Nani-mo, Buntaro-san." Nothing. Blackthorne offered everyone sake, hoping to cover his lapse. Again the women accepted, but just sipped their wine sparingly. Buntaro finished his cup at once, his mood ugly. Then he harangued Mariko lengthily.

In spite of himself, Blackthorne spoke out. "What's the matter with him? What's he saying?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Anjin-san. My husband was asking about you, about your wife and consorts. And about your children. And about what happened since we left Osaka. He-" She stopped, changing her mind, and added in a different voice, "He's most interested in you and your views."

"I'm interested in him and his views, Mariko-san. How did you meet, you and he? When were you married? Did-" Buntaro overrode him with a flurry of impatient Japanese.

At once Mariko translated what had been said. Buntaro reached over and sloshed two teacups full of sake, offered one to Blackthorne and waved at the women to take the others.

"He - my husband says sometimes sake cups are too small." Mariko poured the other teacups full. She sipped one,  Fujiko the other.

There was another, more bellicose harangue and Mariko's smile froze on her face, Fujiko's also.

"Iye, dozo gomen nasal, Buntaro-sama," Mariko began.

"Ima!" Buntaro ordered.

Nervously Fujiko started to talk but Buntaro shut her up with one look.

"Gomen nasai," Fujiko whispered in apology. "Dozo, gomen nasai. "

"What did he say, Mariko-san?"

She appeared not to hear Blackthorne. "Dozo gomen nasal, Buntaro-sama watashi-" Her husband's face reddened. "IMA!"

"So sorry, Anjin-san, but my husband orders me to tell - to answer your questions - to tell you about myself. I told him that I did not think that family matters should be discussed so late at night, but he orders it. Please be patient." She took a large sip of the sake. Then another. The strands of hair that were loose over her ears waved in the slight current made by Fujiko's fan. She drained the cup and put it down. "My maiden name is Akechi. I am the daughter of General Lord Akechi Jinsai, the assassin. My father treacherously assassinated his liege lord, the Dictator Lord Goroda. " "God in heaven! Why'd he do that?"

"Whatever the reason, Anjin-san, it is insufficient. My father committed the worst crime in our world. My blood's tainted, as is the blood of my son."

"Then why-" He stopped.

"Yes, Anjin-san?"

"I was only going to say that I understand what that means . . . to kill a liege lord. I'm surprised that you were left alive."

"My husband honored me-" Again Buntaro viciously interrupted her and she apologized and explained what Blackthorne had asked. Contemptuously Buntaro waved her on.

"My husband honored me by sending me away," she continued in the same gentle way. "I begged to be allowed to commit seppuku but he denied me that privilege. It was . . . I must explain, seppuku is his privilege to give, or Lord Toranaga's. I still humbly ask it once a year on the anniversary of the day of the treachery. But in his wisdom, my husband has always refused me." Her smile was lovely. "My husband honors me every day, every moment, Anjin-san. If I were he I would not be able to even talk to such a . . . befouled person."

"That's why - that's why you're the last of your line?" he asked, remembering what she had said about a catastrophe on the march from Osaka Castle.