White Serpent Castle Read Online Free PDF Page A

to make sure that you have everything you desire.”
    â€œThat is most gracious of Lady Tama,” said Zenta politely.
    Ume’s small bright eyes stared hard at the ronin. Then she broke out into an ingratiating smile. “Serving Lady Tama can be very pleasant as well as profitable. She has many attendants who are beautiful and accomplished.”
    Zenta looked amused. “What an irresistible prospect! But at the moment, all you have to do is offer me food. I don’t remember when my last meal was.”
    â€œI have already ordered food to be brought to you,” said Ume impatiently. “What my lady wants to know is whether you will enter her service, instead of the chamberlain’s.”
    Zenta’s face showed surprise. “In what way can a ronin like me serve your lady? As Jihei said just now, it is not Lady Tama’s business to hire samurai for the castle.”
    â€œHave you sworn allegiance to the chamberlain then?” demanded the old woman.
    â€œI believe I will put off my allegiance until the envoy gives his decision on the succession.” “My lady says that the envoy’s decision depends largely on who is in actual command here,” said Ume. “Our daimyo wants most of all a warrior as commander of this castle, and he is likely to accept anyone who is strong enough to seize control here, provided he has a legitimate claim.”
    This time Zenta’s surprise looked more genuine. “Your mistress has the mind of a strategist! It’s a pity that the daimyo can’t appoint a woman, because Lady Tama appears well qualified to succeed her father.”
    Ignoring this remark, Ume continued. “With the help of your sword, we should be able to take the control away from the chamberlain and win the support of his men.”
    Matsuzo listened openmouthed with astonishment. Lady Tama sounded like a formidable girl. If the chamberlain succeeded in forcing her into marriage, he would find life quite harrowing, aside from any additional attentions he might receive from the White Serpent Ghost.
    Even Zenta sat up upon hearing the old woman’s words. “I have a few objections to your ambitious plan,” he said. “First, Jihei seems like a very competent officer, and I don’t think his men will come running to me just because of my showy footwork in the courtyard. Secondly, you have not mentioned Lord Okudaira’s younger son. I have heard that he is the designated heir.”
    â€œDesignated heir indeed!” sneered Ume. “Lord Yoshiteru is only nine years old. He is hardly the seasoned warrior that the envoy wants for his master.”
    â€œYoshiteru will have military advisors, and his mother can guide him in other matters,” said Zenta. “Situations like this are not unknown in the history of our country.”
    â€œHis mother, Lady Kaede, is Lord Okudaira’s second wife, and a noblewoman from Miyako,” said Ume. “Women like that are soft, not like Lady Tama, who has been brought up in the military tradition. No, what we need is an heir who is of age.”
    After a rather tense silence, Matsuzo spoke first. “You are referring to the older son, Shigeteru, aren’t you? Lady Tama wants to see him as lord of this castle?”
    Before Ume could answer, Zenta said, “You may be one of the few people here who has seen Shigeteru. The chamberlain sent away most of the older retainers, but you have been here from the time of Lord Okudaira’s first wife, haven’t you?”
    Ume nodded. “Yes, but since my service was in the women’s quarters, I caught only a few glimpses of Lord Shigeteru. Poor lad, he had not quite finished growing when he left, and the hair over his forehead was still cut short in the style of early youth. Of course I won’t recognize him if I see him now.”
    In spite of her denial, she sounded curiously smug and satisfied. Suddenly Matsuzo was convinced