Free Yamada Monogatori: The Emperor in Shadow by Richard Parks Page A

either.”
    “There was nothing more to tell.”
    Which wasn’t entirely true, nor did I think he believed me, yet there were aspects to my meeting with Princess Tagako which I hadn’t fully grasped myself, and expressing my confusion in Kenji’s presence would be to invite unwarranted speculation. I let him imagine what he would. It seemed the least dangerous course.
    We arrived at Saiku in good time only to find the place in what I could only describe as highly organized turmoil. Servants were scurrying about like ants. I noted wagons being loaded with clothing chests and cooking supplies and all manner of things. On the same hill where we had camped that first day at Saiku, there was another encampment displaying the Minamoto colors.
    Morofusa scowled. “With your permission, I will go speak to them.”
    “By all means.”
    Morofusa soon returned, accompanied by an older bushi I didn’t recognize. They both kneeled. “Yamada-sama,” Morofusa said, “this is Minamoto no Akimasa. He is the shōshō of twenty bushi from the Capital sent to join with our group.”
    I frowned. “Join with us? For what reason?”
    Akimasa held up a sealed scroll and presented it to me. “At Prince Kanemore’s request, Yamada-sama. Together we will have the honor of escorting Princess Tagako on her return to the Capital.”
    “You seem surprised,” Princess Tagako said.
    Despite the bustle around us, this meeting with the high priestess of the Grand Shrine was much more formal than the first. Princess Tagako spoke from her dais behind a kicho of silk mesh that allowed us to just see her outline. I could only imagine Kenji’s disappointment, as so far he had held his tongue and was the very model of decorum.
    “I have heard no news,” I said. “Does this mean . . . ?”
    “I received word just this morning that Emperor Go-Reizei has left this world six days ago,” she said. “His funeral rites have already begun.”
    I hesitated to ask. “Is . . . is there any news on the succession?”
    “The formal enthronement, as I understand it, has not yet taken place, but that is ceremonial only. Takahito is now Emperor Go-Sanjo, and in that capacity has officially summoned me back to Kyoto.”
    My first thought was not happiness for either Takahito or Kanemore, both of whom had long looked forward to this day for their own reasons. Nor even grief for the late emperor, who was, in my estimation, a decent man. For the moment, all I could think of was Princess Teiko.
    Your son is emperor, Highness. It is what we both wanted. Are you at rest now?
    Kenji spoke up then. “It is the custom for the new emperor to appoint another saiō upon his ascension, is it not?”
    “Indeed, Master Kenji. My appointment has lasted for almost eighteen years, but it ends with the passing of his late majesty. Now my duty is to bid goodbye to the life I have known here and return to the Capital to make way for my replacement. There is a series of traditional rituals I must perform during my return, but when the last of them is done, I will no longer be high priestess of the Grand Shrine. I am informed that Imperial Princess Toshiko has already completed her purification period. She will depart for Saiku once the funeral rites for Emperor Go-Reizei are concluded.”
    I knew this ritual purification took about a year. It was clear the crown prince or those closest to him had understood that the late emperor’s health had been failing for some time.
    “Takahito’s daughter is only twelve, which I believe is about the same age you were upon your appointment as saiō. You know the great responsibility thrust upon her now.”
    “I do. But strangely enough, I never found it burdensome,” she said. “And it was a life of serenity away from the court. Most of my predecessors, I think, were eager to leave this place. I will miss it.”
    “We are honored to be traveling with you,” I said.
    I still wasn’t certain if I should be more triumphant or