Lady Samurai

Chapter 7

The small rowing boat was waiting for her at the dock. She knew it was Norton's idea and she felt grateful for his concern. He was the only one who cared for her whereabouts.

Once on the ship, she collected her earthly possessions. There were not so many of them after all: a couple of changes of clothes, a rifle and her notebook. Sadly, she had neglected it in the recent months, but hoped to catch up on her memoirs during their stay in Kanagawa. There would be absolutely nothing to do until the Shōgun's negotiators arrive. And even after that the talks will be long-winded and excruciatingly boring.

Before she went back ashore, she stopped to see Norton. "Captain, thank you for the transport you left for me." She smiled with gratitude.

"Oh, I thought you might need it." He dismissed her thanks with a wave. "How was the inn?"

"Looks quite adequate for all our needs. The servants are already preparing everything. When will you be going down there?"

"Hm... There is a small disagreement regarding our accommodation. Commander Morrison thinks we should stay on board."

"Really?" It was incredulous. "Why?"

"He seems to be overly concerned with our safety and the position of the whole party if we were to surrender ourselves into their hands."

"But nothing will threaten us there!" She exclaimed. "It would be against their code of honour to attack us."

"I am inclined to agree with you, my dear. But he is a hot-headed military man. I am certainly looking forward to some luxuries we can't get hold of on board."

"Luxuries?" She smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

"Good food, bath and bed that doesn't rock. Nothing more sinister than that, My Lady." He bowed, emulating a Japanese custom. "I watched you talking just now to one of them on the dock. Who was it?"

"I had noticed him before, among the people of Lord Matsuda. Initially I took him to be just another samurai. But it appears that he is also a Lord. Certainly rich and powerful."

"During the meeting I observed he was looking at you. Very intense fellow. Is he friendly?"

She burst out laughing. "I am sorry!" She tried to placate him, seeing his face fall. "But you shouldn't attribute to me any divine powers. I don't hold all the answers. I have a little knowledge about the Japanese, but I have never claimed to know everything that is to be known. I have never even met a Lord before... And this one certainly seems to be a bit of a character."

"What I meant was, is he dangerous?"

"All Japanese are deadly dangerous!" She stressed, to make him understand. "Offend them and they won't think twice before splitting you in half! But remember that they are as curious of us as we are of them. They will be undoubtedly insisting on finding out where I learned their language. As you know, Sakoku banned foreigners from entering Japan on the pain of death. So he would be wondering who harboured me for so long, defying the official law."

"Well, if you show them the same reticence you employed with us, they have no chance." She acknowledged that statement with a curt nod. Although she was pretty sure that behind the complement there was also a bit of resentment.

"Well, I am going back anyway." She declared. "What about you and the rest of the gentlemen?"

"Let's go and find out. I would definitely prefer to go ashore in your company."

They found the others in the mess, where they were having lunch.

"The rooms are ready and I am going back on land. What are your plans?" She didn't even try to sound polite.