Heaven's Net Is Wide Lian Hearn (leveled readers .TXT) 📖

rigid and old-fashioned. His sons, who had been so outspoken and lively in Hagi and on the journey, became silent, speaking only to agree with their father or to repeat to him some tenet they had learned from Ichiro or Endo.

Lord Irie said very little, and drank, sparingly, his attention mainly on Shigeru and his needs. There was another guest present: an Otori vassal from the south of the Middle Country, Noguchi Masayoshi. During the evening’s conversation it transpired that Noguchi would accompany Kitano’s sons to Inuyama. Neither of the lords revealed much more about this plan, and the boys hid their surprise. Nothing had been said about it in Hagi, and Shigeru was sure his father had not known about it.

“At Inuyama my sons will learn the art of real warfare,” Kitano said. “Iida Sadamu is gaining the reputation of being the greatest warrior of his generation.” He drank and glanced from under his heavy eyebrows at Irie. “Such knowledge can only benefit the clan.”

“Presumably Lord Otori has been informed,” Irie said, though he must have known the contrary.

“Letters have been sent,” Kitano said, a vague note creeping into his voice. Shigeru read his evasiveness and suspected he could not be trusted. He wondered about Noguchi Masayoshi too. Noguchi was in his early thirties, the eldest son of an Otori vassal family whose southern domain included the port of Hofu. It was in the South that the Otori were most vulnerable-less protected by the mountains, the South lay between the ambitious Iida family in Inuyama and the rich lands of the Seishuu in the West. It would be hard for Kitano to resist the Tohan if his sons were in Inuyama. They might as well be hostages. Shigeru felt anger beginning to simmer in his belly. If the man was not a traitor, he was a fool. Was it up to him to forbid expressly such a rash decision? If he advised against it, and Kitano disobeyed him, it would bring out into the open divisions that could only lead to strife within the clan-maybe even to civil war. He had been surrounded all his life by loyalty; it underpinned the whole structure of the warrior class-the Otori prided themselves on the unswerving loyalty that bound all the ranks to one another and to the head of their clan. He had been aware of his father’s weaknesses but had not realized how these were viewed by men such as Kitano and Noguchi, who had their own ambitions.

He tried to find an opportunity to speak to Irie about his misgivings. It was not easy, for they were always accompanied by Kitano or his retainers. Before they retired, he said he would like to walk outside for a while, to enjoy the night air and the waxing moon, and asked Irie to accompany him. They were led from the castle to the battlements, huge stone walls that rose from the moat where the moon’s silver disc was reflected in the black still water. Occasionally there was a splash as a fish surfaced or a water rat dived. Guards were stationed at each right-angled turn of the walls and above the bridge that led from the castle to the town, but they were relaxed. Tsuwano had been at peace for years; there was no threat of invasion or attack. The idle chat of the guards, the tranquil night, the moon above the sleeping town did not allay Shigeru’s fears. He duly admired the moon and the battlements, but there was no way of seeking his teacher’s advice discreetly. When they retired, Shigeru told the servants to leave them alone. He sent Irie to make sure no one lingered outside to eavesdrop-no maids, servants, or guards. He remembered his father’s words… If Kitano were in contact with the Tohan, might he not use the same spies from the Tribe?

When Irie returned and he felt safe, he said quietly, “Should I prevent them from going to Inuyama?”

“I believe you should,” Irie replied, equally softly. “And strongly. There must be no doubt about your wishes. I do not believe Kitano will defy you openly. If there is any treachery smoldering, we will contain it early. You must speak to him in the morning.”

“Should I have spoken at once?”

“You were right to ask advice first,” Irie responded. “It is usually better to proceed slowly and with patience. But there are times when one has to act decisively. Wisdom is knowing which course to pursue and when.”

“My instincts were to forbid it at once,” Shigeru murmured. “I must confess, I was astonished.”

“I was too,” Irie said. “I am sure your father does not know.”

Shigeru slept restlessly and woke angry with Kitano, with the boys he had thought were friends, and with himself for not acting immediately.

His anger grew when his request to speak to Lord Kitano was delayed. By the time the lord’s arrival was announced, he felt insulted and deceived. He cut short the customary courtesies by saying abruptly, “Your sons must not go to Inuyama. It cannot be in the best interest of the clan.”

He saw Kitano’s eyes harden and realized the temper of the man he was dealing with-ambitious, strong-willed, deceitful.

“Forgive me, Lord Shigeru, they have already left.”

“Then send horsemen after them and bring them back.”

“They set out last night with Lord Noguchi,” Kitano said blandly. “Since the rains will commence any day now, it was thought…”

“You sent them out because you knew I would forbid it,” Shigeru said angrily. “How dare you spy on me?”

‘’What can Lord Shigeru be talking about? There was no spying. It was a longstanding arrangement, to take advantage of the waxing moon. If your lordship had objections, you should have made them known last night.”

“I will not forget this,” Shigeru said, fighting to master his rage.

“You are young, Lord Shigeru, and-forgive me-inexperienced. You are yet to learn the art of statecraft.”

His rage exploded. “Better to be young and inexperienced than old and treacherous! And why has Noguchi gone