“As many as it is your pleasure to put, your lordship.”
“I have heard of one Nagai Naokatsu who was also at the battle; what has become of him?”
This was a bolt from the blue! The four veterans, brave men though they were, looked from one to the other in consternation and dismay, quite at a loss how to reply. That which their lord had warned them against had befallen in the very first hour. Terumasa seeing, and it must be confessed, enjoying, their discomfiture, pressed for his answer.
“What has become of Nagai? Where is he now?” he repeated, impatiently.
Another exchange of glances. Not one of them dared to take upon himself the onus of the answer.
“Have you suddenly lost your hearing, sirs? I ask again, What has become of Nagai?”
It was plain that Terumasa was losing his temper.
“Begging your lordship’s pardon,” faltered Sakai Saemon, behind whom the others were gradually insinuating themselves as they pushed him forward to fulfil his usual office of spokesman, “I believe he is in good health, and still in our lord’s service.”
“Still in your lord’s service? I am glad of that; it removes a great weight from my mind. It is to see this same Nagai, the murderer of my father, that I have covered so many miles. You will oblige me by bringing him before me without delay.”
“My lord, I venture to suggest that you send for him after your interview with Lord Tokugawa.”