Yamada Monogatori: The Emperor in Shadow by Richard Parks Read Free Book Online Page A

consideration, who talked to me as if I were an equal. After your departure, Princess Teiko took me into her household for a few years before my appointment here, and those were some of my happiest memories at court. Lord Yamada, I may have been young then, but I was not blind. I knew how she felt about you and what it did to her to send you away . . . yes, I did find out about that and more besides.”
    I must have looked as stunned as I felt, for Tagako hastened to add, “Please do not concern yourself, Lord Yamada. I am not your enemy, nor one to Teiko-hime’s memory.”
    We were on very dangerous ground now, but Tagako was in control of the direction of the conversation and I knew there was nothing I could or should do, if I wanted to understand the saiō ’s true intent.
    “Then you grieved for Princess Teiko as I did,” I said.
    She looked thoughtful. “I wonder if it was the same. Only you can name your own loss, but as for me, I lost my best and truest friend.”
    I hesitated. “Somehow I do not think you invited me here to discuss old wounds.”
    “No, that part was my own whim, and I accept your blame for any pain I may have caused you, though I regret I may not yet be done inflicting it. There are other things to discuss.”
    I didn’t ask what she’d meant about causing more pain, since I was certain I’d find out soon enough. “What ‘other things’ are those, Tagako-hime?”
    “Well, you must be wondering why you are in Ise at all.”
    I hoped I wasn’t letting the shock I felt show on my face. “Is it so uncommon to make this pilgrimage on a journey to the Capital?”
    “On the contrary—it is very common. However, that is not why you are here, is it? I think Lady Kuzunoha’s instructions from the crown prince’s uncle were very specific. I was expecting you.”
    I thought very carefully before I answered. “May I ask how you knew this?”
    “On her way to Kamakura, Lady Kuzunoha first made a visit to me. It must seem strange to you that I know so much of your current concerns, but as Teiko was a friend to me, so was her brother Kanemore. They made my time at court less of a burden. I have answered your question and ask you to please consider that I am telling you the truth. If you will answer mine, I promise to extend you the same courtesy.”
    I suppressed a smile. “I’ve wondered about little else,” I said. “Lady Kuzunoha told me to travel here but not why.”
    “I can help somewhat in that regard—Prince Kanemore did send you here for a reason . . . well, two reasons, really.”
    By this time I was not as surprised as perhaps I would have been if she had mentioned it at the beginning of our conversation. “I do not suppose you would share with me what those reasons are?”
    “Prince Kanemore wants you to meet with a gentleman from the Capital, and that is all I can say. Once you have met him, you will understand why. He will wait for you at the Naikū Shrine tomorrow evening,” she said, naming one of the two main sub-shrines under the jurisdiction of the Grand Shrine complex. There were, of course, others, though the Naikū was considered the most important, as it was dedicated to the worship of the sun goddess, Amaterasu, the primary deity of the royal family and the reason the shrine complex was built in the first place.
    “What about the other reason?” I asked.
    There was that same sad smile, and again she didn’t bother to hide it before she turned her face away from me. “I’m afraid that one will have to wait until after you have had your meeting and possibly for a few days more. I’m sorry, but I have no control over the timing, as I must also apologize for being such a poor hostess.”
    Tagako signaled to one of her attendants, who brought wine and rice cakes and set the refreshments in front of me before withdrawing. Princess Tagako was not so alienated from custom that she would lower herself to eat or drink in the presence of a man; the tray was for