Jokoin hurried away, fully determined never to return; the ghost of Hideyori already betokened a reality at every turn in the road, and from the moorland hard by arose the whisperings and the wailings of a repentant sister—Esyos voice rang ominously in her ears.
Yodogima, contrary to expectations, brightened at the thought of sending Hideyori into the enemys camp. He had shown himself the man to foil Ieyasus contemplated espionage at its inception: what greater capacity might be discovered if brought face to face with a man whose extremity had induced so flagrant a mouthing.
Tell Ieyasu that Hideyori shall attend with pleasure, not his marriage revel, but more the witless unmaking of as pampered a braggadocio as an humbler memory of Hideyoshi and Nobunaga combined might have fairly conduced. Tell him that he would eat the rice-cake these two worthies made; but in the doing he shall choke for lack of throat. Let him know that Yodogima lives, and so long as there is a Taira alive justice shall be done: no mans religion is to be the occasion of his persecution, my sisters may do as their God tells them to do, and Hideyori must reign.
I couldnt remember to say all that, at once, and I had rather remain here, sighed Jokoin, her great opened-up eyes dancing at the prospect.
Sitting there unconscious of another obligation, Yodogima considered also her resources. Though remembering well the countenance of Kuroda, and Fukushimas measured words, on that memorable morning, she could but believe them true to their trust. To her way of thinking, no more probable course had conformed to an aim attainable; the life she lived breathed, at every stride, of action, inviolable; their traditions known so well, Buddhas precepts, and Christs faith all cried in her ears, do, do, do; a constant struggle had made her what she was—the face of Shin Hachiman (statue of Hideyoshi, the new War God) looked down from its pedestal at Kyoto, imploring her to stay the hand of Ieyasu: how becomingly could a faithful wife, and a mother, have concluded otherwise?
Then Hideyori may pronounce it, at the banquet table; he is my son, and the worthy mouthpiece of a nobler purpose than feasting.
CHAPTER XXIX
They had gathered in sumptuous splendor, round the laden trays, with Ieyasu in place and Hideyori at his left, as became an honored guest. Kitagira was there, too; he had been discovered hiding at Ibaraki, and in consideration of Hideyoris presence was allowed or compelled to witness the shoguns placing of his own valuation.