“Is that what made you talk to me instead of calling the guards that night in the private quarters?” he said.

“No!”

“Then why did you talk to me?”

“It isn’t any of your business!” said Takeko.

Her icy tone put Jimmu into a silence that lasted all the way back to Mitsukage Castle.

Jimmu and Takeko reached the castle late in the afternoon, the dipping sun casting long shadows in front of them. Before they came in sight of the castle, Jimmu had insisted on dismounting and leading the horse by its bridle, saying that it would be disrespectful for him to be seen sharing a mount with Lord Ankan’s daughter. They passed through the castle’s outer gates and crossed the bridge over the moat, the horse’s hoofs clattering on the wooden boards.

As they waited for the main gate to be opened, Jimmu glanced upward and saw a startled face gazing at him from the gatehouse—it was Sadamichi.

Jimmu instantly recalled what Kanji had told him about the money Sadamichi had lost gambling, and remembered how curious Sadamichi had been about Takeko’s comings and goings.

It was Sadamichi! He’s the one who betrayed us to the Takeda, thought Jimmu.

As soon as the gate had opened wide enough, Jimmu slipped inside the castle. Silently he unsheathed his sword and began the ascent up to the gatehouse where Sadamichi was waiting.

8

MITSUKAGE CASTLE ISE PROVINCE

AUTUMN 1572

On his way up the stairs to the gatehouse, Jimmu set aside his outrage at what Sadamichi had done. Instead, he focused on the revulsion he felt, so that his mind would stay clear and cool.

Another guard, who was on duty with Sadamichi, scowled when Jimmu entered the room.

“What d’you mean by busting in here with a drawn sword?” he snapped.

“Stay out of this,” Jimmu warned, fixing his gaze on Sadamichi.

Sadamichi’s face was gray with fear. His lips writhed into a false smile.

“Eh, Jimmu!” he blustered. “Was that you I saw with Lady Takeko just now? Where’s the rest of the party?”

Jimmu was not deceived by Sadamichi’s show of cheer iness.

“How long have you been taking money from the Takeda?” he asked quietly. “What price did they pay for the information about Lady Takeko’s visit to Zato—five pieces of gold? Ten?”

“What money?” demanded Sadamichi. He turned to the other guard. “I haven’t got a clue what he’s raving about. Me, a spy in the pay of the Takeda? Did you ever hear such rubbish? The boy must be drunk, or crazy!”

Jimmu noticed Sadamichi’s right hand creep a fraction nearer to the sword at his waist.

“What was their plan—to capture Lady Takeko and then kill the guards to leave no witnesses?” Jimmu said. “You’ve acted dishonorably, Sadamichi. You betrayed your comrades to the enemy.”

Sadamichi could tell that there was no further point in lying to Jimmu, but if he could distract the boy, he might be able to kill him, and then make his escape.