As Sano marveled at how much Hirata had accomplished, he watched the judges receive the news. Takeda’s concentration never wavered from Hirata. The others barely hid their disapproval of their superior’s weakness. And weakness it was, Sano knew from personal experience. Bushido, the foundation of a samurai’s strength, was also his greatest vulnerability. Chamberlain Yanagisawa had used Sano’s sense of honor against him, perpetuating schemes he couldn’t thwart without violating its rigid code of conduct. Supreme Judge Takeda was harsh and unjust, but a display of loyalty moved him to bend the rules and open his mind. Sano’s hopes burgeoned while Hirata continued.

“I disguised myself as an itinerant laborer and found work at the Half Moon Pleasure House. From the staff I learned that Iishino, Yoriki Ota, and Governor Nagai all attended a party there the night Peony was murdered. I also found a teahouse proprietor who says Abbot Liu Yun regularly sneaks into the quarter disguised as a Japanese merchant. He was there that night, too.”

“Honorable Judge, before you condemn my master, I beg you to conduct your own investigation of these men. Among them you’ll find the real traitors.”

Hirata bowed. Supreme Judge Takeda seemed lost in thought. Sano waited in an agony of suspense as the relentless war drums echoed the thudding of his heart.

Then Takeda said to the guards, “Bring Sōsakan Sano here.”

The guards dragged Sano to the dais. The tight shackles had numbed his hands and feet, but he forgot physical discomfort as he knelt beside Hirata. The supreme judge’s gaze bore into them. A steely vise of fear squeezed Sano’s lungs; he felt Hirata’s anxiety, too. With the discipline of his samurai training, he maintained a stoic facade while they awaited Supreme Judge Takeda’s decision.

“Sōsakan Sano, your retainer’s statement supports your claims, and his devotion speaks well of your character and his. Therefore, I grant you the chance to prove yourselves innocent.”

The shock of reprieve overwhelmed Sano in a tidal wave of sensation: dizziness; ringing in his ears; a sudden loosening of tense muscles and release of trapped breath. He wanted to jump up and shout in joyous relief; he wanted to lie down and weep with gratitude. But honor and protocol required dignity.

“Thank you, Honorable Judge,” Sano said quietly.