“A private matter.”

Kambei grunted.

“I know when to make myself scarce!” he said to Jimmu. “If you need me, I’ll be down by the gatehouse.”

When Kambei was out of earshot, the maidservant said, “Lady Takeko wishes to see you. She is waiting by the pool in the garden near the archery hall.”

“But I can’t leave my post!” retorted Jimmu.

The maidservant’s shoulders sagged.

“Then My Lady will be vexed, and she will take her anger out on me,” she said.

Jimmu thought for a moment before saying, “All right. Tell Lady Takeko that I’ll come.”

The maidservant melted back into the night, and Jimmu went to find Kambei.

“What did that pretty girl want?” Kambei said, with a knowing wink.

Jimmu pretended to be embarrassed.

“Um, could you do me a favor, Kambei?” he said. “Can you manage on your own for a while? I have some, er, important business to attend to.”

Kambei threw a mock punch at Jimmu’s shoulder.

“Go on then, you young dog!” he chuckled. “And I’d leave your spear with me, if I were you. I don’t think you’ll be needing it.”

Jimmu had thought long and hard about his conversation with Captain Muraki. It was clear now that the captain had been warning him that further contact with Lady Takeko might lead to his dismissal from the castle, which would ruin his plans. This present summons would provide him with the perfect opportunity to point out the difference in their social standing, and shame Lady Takeko into leaving him alone. All the same, by meeting her, he knew he was going against the captain’s advice.

The garden near the archery hall was lit by moonlight. Ornamental boulders appeared silvery, evergreen trees and shrubs were gray. Takeko was standing at the edge of a pool that was spanned by a delicate bridge. She was holding a scarlet shawl around the shoulders of her white shift.

As Jimmu drew near, Takeko turned and gazed at him. Jimmu felt as if someone had struck him in the stomach. Takeko was far lovelier than he remembered, so lovely that he almost forgot what he had intended to say. With an effort, he pulled himself together and bowed formally.

“You sent for me, My Lady?” he said.

“Yes,” Takeko replied haughtily. “I’m bored, and I thought that talking to you might distract me.” Her manner suddenly changed, and she sighed. “The truth is, I’m lonely,” she confessed. “Most of my maids are older than I am, and those that aren’t are stupid. All they do is giggle, and talk about lip-paint and boys.”

Jimmu knew that he ought to protest about being dragged away from guard duty simply in order to chat, but all he could think to say was, “And lip-paint and boys don’t interest you?”

“I’m terrified that they might one day,” Takeko said with a shudder. “Imagine a life small enough for such things to seem important! At Zato, it was exciting. There were arrows, and shouting, and blood, and death.”