Jimmu, now reconciled to his hidden purpose, bowed his head so that Captain Muraki would not catch his dark smile. Choju Ankan was not the only one capable of practicing deception.

“His Lordship’s generous praise humbles me,” Jimmu said.

A sudden clamor of drums and wailing conches caused him to look up.

“What does it mean?” he asked.

Captain Muraki’s face was impassive.

“It’s the signal to retreat,” he said. “Order your men to fall back, then fetch your horse and fall back yourself.”

“Fall back to where?” asked Jimmu.

“Hamamatsu, if need be,” replied the captain. “The Takeda army has the upper hand.”

The snow stopped, but the wind still blew keenly. Jimmu rode south across a nightmare landscape that gleamed white and ghostly in the gathering dusk. Retreating soldiers resembled lines of foraging ants.

Jimmu tried to imagine what Lord Ankan was feeling.

Is he shamed by the defeat, or is he angry? he thought. Maybe he’s already scheming to turn the situation to his advantage. Will he betray Tokugawa Ieyasu, as he betrayed my father?

The question helped him to concentrate on the hatred that Nichiren had nurtured in him.

Jimmu found Captain Muraki and Lord Ankan in company with Lord Ieyasu and several generals. The Tokugawa standard had been raised on the crest of the slope that ran down to Hamamatsu, and troops were rallying to it, though there were few of them as yet.

Lord Ieyasu was ill at ease, and his horse mirrored his mood. The animal kept jerking its head and stamping its hoofs.

“Where is General Tadakatsu?” Lord Ieyasu demanded.

“When I last saw him, he and his men were completely surrounded by Takeda cavalry,” said one of the generals.

Lord Ieyasu stretched his mouth into a grim line, reined in his mount, and stretched out his battle fan.

“We must gather our troops without delay!” he cried. “I will lead a charge into the enemy ranks, cut my way through to General Tadakatsu, and perish fighting by his side.”

The generals glanced at one another in alarm, but Lord Ankan was the only one who dared to speak up. He unfastened his mask so that his voice could be heard clearly, and said, “No one questions your valor, but this is a moment to apply wisdom, My Lord. You have suffered a defeat, but you can avoid a massacre. There are not enough men here to mount a successful charge. If you are killed, Hamamatsu will fall, and the Takeda will gain control of the entire Totomi province. I respectfully submit that it is your duty to return to the fortress.”

The generals grunted and nodded to indicate their agreement.

“I will remain with these troops, and fight a rearguard action,” continued Lord Ankan. “That should give you the time to reach Hamamatsu and begin organizing its defense.”

Jimmu was dumbfounded. Lord Ankan had spoken like a brave man who was willing to die for his ally.