The Scarlet Kimono (Choc Lit) (11 page)

More contrary winds and two storms later, the English ships arrived in the Canary Islands at last. They were a week behind schedule, which put Rydon in a fouler mood than usual, but at least the four ships had managed to arrive more or less all at the same time. That was a minor miracle in itself.

‘A curse on you! Move yourselves. We haven’t got all day you lazy, good for nothing, scum of the earth.’

His voice could be heard all over the ship, shouting commands and imprecations, and Hannah kept well out of his way, as always. Having overheard her father’s remarks about speed being essential for this journey, she could understand Rydon’s frustration. Still, she didn’t think it fair of him to take it out on the crew. They weren’t responsible for the weather after all.

In fact, the weeks she had spent on board his ship had opened Hannah’s eyes in more ways than one. She had quickly come to realise that the man she’d been attracted to didn’t exist. He was just a role Rydon played for the benefit of people he wanted to impress. The actual man, the one she was seeing now, wasn’t anything like the one in her silly daydreams.

The real man was unbearable.

I really was a gudgeon, like Kate said
, she thought to herself. She had been so naive to take the captain at face value, although in her defence she probably wasn’t the only one. Even so, she couldn’t help but be grateful that she’d seen his true colours. Her infatuation with him was well and truly at an end and it was a relief.

The town of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria, the middle island in this group, was a bustling port. ‘The great Christopher Columbus hisself stopped ‘ere on ‘is way to the Americas,’ Hannah heard someone say. She would have given her right arm to have been allowed ashore to explore, especially after she had spotted the most wonderful sandy beaches along the coastline. Not to mention numerous market stalls and shops. But she didn’t dare leave the ship, in case she ran into Jacob, and she had no money. When the other crew members were paid, she received nothing and she didn’t dare ask. She assumed it was part of her punishment for stowing away.

She did debate whether to seek out Jacob, but she was afraid he might put her on a ship back to England all alone. Or even worse, feel obliged to go with her, thereby ruining the venture for the Marston family. Neither possibility appealed in the slightest, and she finally opted to stay hidden away.

She heard Rydon bark a command at Hoji-
san
and when he replied, ‘
Hai
, captain-
sama
,’ Rydon added irritably, ‘Stop with that infernal nonsense. You’ve been with us long enough to learn to speak like a normal person.’

Hannah saw that Hoji was frowning as he returned to the cook room and guessed Rydon had hurt his feelings. She touched his shoulder. ‘I like your language, Hoji-
san
. It sounds lovely. I wish I could speak it.’

Hoji’s expression brightened. ‘I teach you now,
neh
? Good idea if going to my country. Come, we sit on deck. Wind feels nice on skin.’

Most of the crew had gone ashore and Hannah knew they wouldn’t be returning until they absolutely had to. Hoji led the way along the empty deck to the forecastle where they found a place to sit in the shade. The breeze was indeed very welcome and Hannah turned her face towards it, revelling in the soft caress. ‘So where do we start?’ she asked Hoji with a smile.

He pointed to himself and said, ‘
Watashi wa
– I.’ Then he pointed at Hannah. ‘
Anata wa
– you. Say after, please.’

Hannah did as she was told, and their lesson progressed with much laughter as she struggled with the unusual pronunciation of Hoji’s language. It was like nothing she had ever heard before, but she had a good ear for imitating accents and soon pleased her teacher by her efforts.

‘Good, very good. We do words every day, soon learn to speak.’

Hannah laughed. ‘I don’t know about that. I’m sure it would take me years to learn it all. How long did it take you to learn English?’

‘I sail with captain one year now. Still not speak good.’

‘Yes, you do. I understand you and that is all that matters surely, to make oneself understood?’

‘Maybe. Better if you learn
nihon-go
, my language, then we talk more.’

They left the Canary Islands after a week and the long, sunny days dragged on. Hannah began to feel as if she was in a never-ending dream. She longed to feel solid, unmoving ground under her feet once more and to rid herself of the salt which clung to everything. In order not to think about it, she concentrated on her Japanese lessons with Hoji. Also, whenever she began to feel dejected, he was always there to cheer her up with tales of his adventures. He seemed to be able to read her like an open book and, more often than not, anticipated her moods.

‘Tired of ocean?’ he asked one day, and Hannah had to smile at his perspicacity. ‘You want to see my country, you have to stay on ship for long time.’

‘I know, I know, I’m sorry. Perseverance was never one of my stronger traits. Don’t you ever get tired of this? Endless sunshine, monotonous diet, water everywhere.’

He smiled and shrugged as usual. ‘Is my fate. One day journey will be finished. Patience is very important. Give
wa
inside you, harmony.’

‘I wish I could see it that way. Now, please, teach me some more of your language. It takes my mind off things.’ She was learning fast and they had little conversations each day about the tasks they were performing and the objects around them. Hoji was pleased with her progress and spoke to her in Japanese whenever possible.

‘It’s kind of you to take the trouble to teach me,’ Hannah said.

‘Is nice for me to speak own language. For a long time, only English. Terrible for my ears,’ Hoji replied with a smile.

Hannah knew he was joking, but realised there must be a measure of truth in his words as well. She was glad she was able to repay him in this way for all he had done for her. He was a true friend.

Chapter Sixteen

On board the
Sea Sprite
, August 1611

They put in again at the southerly Cape Verde Islands, then sailed closer to the west coast of Africa, stopping a few times to replenish their food and freshwater supplies. This was not an easy feat, since Portuguese merchant adventurers controlled most of the best harbours and had built coastal forts to stop anyone from dropping anchor. Instead, the English ships were forced to make landfall in remote places, which meant more delays they could ill afford.

‘Ahh, this weather is unbearable,’ Hannah complained. It was hot and humid in the extreme now, and she wasn’t the only one to suffer from the heat. The ship’s crew followed the natives’ example and shed most of their clothing. Their bodies became tanned and in some cases burned, but naturally Hannah couldn’t do the same.

‘It’s so unfair,’ she muttered.

‘You must think about cold, then not feel so hot,’ Hoji advised, but Hannah didn’t find that this worked at all. No matter how many blizzards she tried to imagine, the perspiration continued to pour off her and she cursed the fate that had made her female.

They set course for the Straits of Magellan at last, striking out across the Atlantic Ocean. A brief stop at an island called Ascension proved fairly fruitless. It was barren and dusty, and it was only after a long search that they were lucky enough to find a source of fresh water. For the next three months they saw nothing but the sea in every direction.

There were several storms during the crossing, but none were fierce enough to threaten them and by the grace of God, the four ships managed to stay together. The gales did, however, blow them off course. Then, as if to tease them, the weather changed abruptly and they were delayed again for more than a week by a complete lack of wind.

‘Damn it all to hell!’ Rydon could be heard yelling out his frustration at this state of affairs and for once Hannah sympathised with him. Being becalmed was the one thing every captain dreaded, since there was absolutely nothing you could do about it. Fortunately, the wind returned and they continued on, although at what seemed like a snail’s pace.

The South American coast came into view at last towards the middle of February. A huge cheer went up from the crew, but it soon became apparent that they were much further off course than they had thought. Rydon was heard shouting again, this time at the hapless Mr Walker.

‘You’re the pilot. In God’s name, how could you get it so wrong?’

‘I didn’t. We’re by the coast of the Americas, aren’t we?’ Mr Walker defended himself. ‘I never said we’d go directly to the Straits of Magellan.’

‘You damn well did …’

The argument went on for some time, but even Rydon soon realised it was pointless.

‘So what is this place?’ Hannah whispered to Hoji, as they stuck their heads out of the hatch to watch the strange shore line.

‘I don’t know. I find out.’

Hoji came back to report that no one knew for certain, but either way they would have to try and make landfall to obtain fresh food and water. ‘This country owned by enemy, so we going at night,’ he added.

It took several forays before they had the necessary victuals. They also fought a skirmish with some of the natives, who caught them in the act of taking what was needed. They didn’t seem to take kindly to this, even though Jacob made sure to leave coins enough to pay for the goods.

In the end, it took them two months before they eventually reached the Straits of Magellan.

The rugged coastline of this lonely place stretched for miles in either direction, looking inhospitable and cold. There were sheer-sided cliffs, deep fjords and a myriad tiny islets, many of which were teeming with wildlife. Whenever she ventured up on deck, Hannah saw large herds of seals and sea lions and a multitude of different types of birds.

The landscape seemed to have been sculpted by wind and ice and snow-capped mountains brooded in the distance. Hannah shivered. It was freezing and her clothing didn’t feel adequate in such low temperatures.

‘I sincerely hope we’re not staying here for long,’ she said to Hoji, but once again the fates conspired against them.

Winter was setting in and with thick ice forming, it was impossible to continue safely through the Straits. Instead, they were forced to shelter in a fjord until spring. It was an utter disaster, considering the fact that they were in a hurry, but they had no choice. No matter how much they railed against fate, they were stuck.

Northern Japan, July 1612

‘Yanagihara-
san
, you were sure my wife was recovering, but then as soon as you were taken ill and couldn’t look after her, she became suddenly worse. What happened, do you think?’

Several months had passed and although the old man had long since recovered from his own illness, Taro had put off summoning him. He’d thought perhaps it was better to let sleeping dogs lie, but in the end he’d decided he had to try and find out the truth. They were now walking slowly on one of the paths in the castle garden, Yanagihara shuffling along with surprising agility. As always, he took his time before he answered.

‘I don’t suppose we’ll ever know,’ Yanagihara finally said. He didn’t sound as sure as he normally did, however, and Taro sensed that he was holding something back. In fact, this non-committal answer made him even more suspicious than he’d been before.

‘That’s all?’ he prodded. ‘You’re telling me you had no visions, no theories as to what was wrong with her?’

Yanagihara shook his head. ‘I didn’t say that, my lord, but sometimes it is best not to know the reasons.’

Taro stifled a sigh. Such enigmatic answers didn’t satisfy him. He gritted his teeth and tried again.

‘I wish you would tell me more,’ he said, frowning at Yanagihara. ‘I need to make decisions about the future, but this is holding me back. It weighs heavily on my mind and there are endless questions whirling around inside me. I can’t think clearly.’

‘If you search your mind, I believe you will find the answer is already there. You know full well who took over the care of the Lady Hasuko. I left precise instructions and she was on the mend. If she didn’t thrive, there can be only one reason.’

‘You’re saying it was Lady Reiko’s fault? She didn’t follow your instructions and give her sister the required medication? Or … she made her worse, poisoned her even?’

‘We have no way of knowing, but it’s feasible. They were alone for the most part.’

‘I must have her questioned then.’ Taro clenched his fists. Reiko was far from stupid. If she hadn’t cared for Hasuko properly, she must have known the possible consequences. Would she have murdered her own sister? And if so, why?

Yanagihara shook his head. ‘No, my lord, don’t. You have no proof of any wrong-doing. Have patience, I beg you. All will be resolved.’

‘You can’t be serious! She may be dangerous to others if this is true.’

‘No, my lord, there is no immediate danger to anyone. I would know. Believe me, it’s best to leave things alone for now. If you don’t, you’ll be meddling with fate.’

Taro wanted to shout out loud, but he trusted Yanagihara. The old man had never been wrong before.

‘Very well, but you will let me know the moment you sense anything untoward, agreed?’

‘Of course, Kumashiro-
sama
. You know I will.’

Taro took a deep breath. He must stop brooding about what couldn’t be changed. Hasuko was gone, that was all there was to it. He didn’t mourn her, not really, so what did it matter how she’d died? Long before the birth of their son he had tired of her strange behaviour and realised his marriage would never be what he had once hoped. Now he had to live in the present.

A present that unfortunately still included the Lady Reiko.

The infuriating woman had insisted on staying in his household to look after her nephew. Or so she said. Taro suspected that with her sister dead, Reiko hoped he would now marry her instead. It would make sense to most people, he knew that, since she was of the same family and therefore brought the same things to a marriage as her sister before her. If he took her as his wife, he would cement the ties with her father and the man had even hinted he’d be prepared to pay out a second dowry, although a smaller one.

But the plain truth was that he didn’t want her. Especially not if his suspicions had any foundation.

‘Please, my lord, let me stay here and care for my little nephew,’ she had begged. ‘Who better to look after him when he has no mother?’

It was a reasonable request, and yet Taro had to force himself not to deny it on the spot. He couldn’t forget her behaviour while her sister was still alive and he would never believe she did anything other than for her own gain.

Yanagihara smiled at him now. ‘Don’t torture yourself further at present, my lord. You have made the right decision for the moment. As for what the future will bring, that’s in the hands of the gods. Take your time and think matters over, don’t rush into anything. That is my advice to you.’

‘Very well. Thank you,
Sensei
.’

‘You’re very welcome. Now tell me about the little one. Does he thrive?’

Taro smiled for the first time that afternoon. ‘Indeed he does. You must come and meet him. I hope you will see nothing but good in his future.’

His little son was his greatest joy at the moment. He spent at least an hour of each day with Ichiro and delighted in watching his progress. Others might think he was too indulgent, but he couldn’t seem to tear himself away. His pride in his son knew no bounds.

‘Tomorrow. I will come tomorrow, but for now, I must rest. If you’ll excuse me?’

Yanagihara bowed and walked off, his walking stick clacking against the paving stones. Taro’s thoughts returned once more to Lady Reiko. He would allow her to stay for now, because it would be good for Ichiro to have a female relative around, but he would make sure she was watched at all times.

There must be no more opportunities for her to meddle.

On board the
Sea Sprite
, April–September 1612

The southern winter lasted six months and there were many times during that long wait when Hannah wondered yet again if she had been quite sane to come on this journey.

‘This is a godforsaken place and the weather is atrocious,’ she commented on an almost daily basis to Hoji, who only shook his head at her and repeated his mantra.

‘Patience, Harry-
san
, patience.’

The entire crew spent most of the time huddled below deck, only venturing out in teams to search for food and fuel for their makeshift braziers. Strong winds and vicious seas raged most of the time and food was scarce, apart from fish. When the men grew desperate for a change in their diet, they resorted to eating penguins. At first Hannah objected to this, as the strange creatures fascinated her with their tiny, useless wings and waddling walk, but hunger dulled her sensibilities. Soon she was eating them just like everyone else. Some were the size of a goose and could feed quite a few people.

‘Please, dear God, help us!’ These words were often heard from men who otherwise didn’t spend much time thinking about religious matters. Finally, at the end of September, the weather improved and they were able to leave the harbour where they’d sheltered.

As the ships sailed out into the Straits, dolphins swam past, jumping and playing, delighting everyone with their antics.

‘It must be a good omen,’ someone said, and Hannah fervently hoped the man was right.

On board the
Sea Sprite
, March 1613

‘Your rutter must be wrong, Walker. If we don’t find land soon we’re all going to die. God’s teeth, barely a third of the crew are still standing!’

‘I was told the Japans are definitely between latitudes thirty and forty, so we should be close to our goal. If I may say so, the information came from a reliable source,’ Mr Walker replied grumpily.

The pilot was once again on the receiving end of Rydon’s bad temper and their exchange echoed round the deck. Hannah and Hoji exchanged glances, but there was nothing anyone could do. They had made their way up the west coast of South America at first, going ashore whenever possible to forage for food and water. Once they set off west across the Pacific Ocean, however, there was nowhere to stop until they reached the Japans. The actual crossing had now lasted over four months and everyone was fed up.