His expression showed no sign of anger or hatred, and his voice was calm as he said, “There is a misunderstanding between us, which I am anxious to clear away. At Hamamatsu you accused me of forging documents and causing your father’s death. That accusation is unjustified. It was Lord Kensu who produced forged papers to try and convince the Emperor that I was a traitor, hoping that he would be given Mitsukage Castle as a reward. His Imperial Majesty saw through the deception. Lord Kensu was to be beheaded publicly, but I pleaded for leniency. He was allowed to return home and die with dignity, by his own hand.”

Lord Ankan reached inside his left sleeve and brought out a thick scroll.

“Here is an account of the trial, written by an imperial scribe,” he said. “It includes the Emperor’s proclamation of my innocence, and your father’s guilt. I will leave it here for you to read.”

The truth that Jimmu had once believed was rapidly vanishing, but he clung desperately to a final scrap.

“But I was told—” he began.

“You were told lies,” said Lord Ankan. “Who lied about me?”

“Nichiren,” Jimmu mumbled.

Lord Ankan started. “Araki Nichiren?”

“Yes.”

Lord Ankan laughed bitterly.

“That explains much!” he exclaimed. “Araki Nichiren is my half brother. My father did not marry his mother, and refused to acknowledge him as a member of the Choju family. Nichiren has hated me all his life. I knew he was a servant of Lord Kensu’s, but he disappeared after his master’s death. Do you know where he is?”

“Dead,” said Jimmu. “I burned his body and scattered the ashes, but his voice is still alive in my mind.”

Lord Ankan frowned deeply at this.

“Pardon me for asking, My Lord,” Jimmu went on, “but what sort of man was my father?”

Lord Ankan stroked his beard and spoke slowly, choosing his words with care.

“Shimomura Kensu was arrogant, self-centered, and hasty—as most young men are,” he said. “He was impatient for wealth and power, and his ambition led him astray, but don’t be too quick to condemn him. He did not live long enough to learn wisdom. The young frequently make mistakes. Your father paid dearly for his.”

“And now I should be made to pay for mine!” declared Jimmu.

Lord Ankan gazed straight into Jimmu’s eyes.

“It is plain to me that you were exploited by a deceitful man, who warped you to his own ends, but I cannot overlook your attempt on my life,” he said. “If witnesses had been present, I would have no choice but to condemn you to death.”

“My life is yours, to do with as you please, My Lord,” Jimmu said humbly.

Lord Ankan grunted.

“At the moment, it pleases me that you should recover your health, and then continue your samurai training until I have decided on a suitable punishment for you,” he said.

Jimmu was astounded.