In the main hall of the summer residence, to the sound of musical accompaniment a small party was taking place. Three men, two older and one in his prime, were being hosted by the lord of the Kurokawa.

“Well said, Gempei! Well said!” Lord Kurokawa laughed, having just been impressed by the wit of the youngest of the three- a hawk faced samurai with a large nose and small eyes.

“Thank you, Lord Kurokawa.” Gempei smiled, raising his cup of sake to their host. “A toast to this fine meal you have prepared for us! I have rarely had venison so tender!”

In the nearby line of servants, Masato fidgeted around nervously. He had been fearful at first, then impressed, for he had rarely gotten to see a meeting between lords in the Inuyama castle, and now finally he was somewhat bored and just wanted to find a way to get away. The problem was that every time he thought about moving, it earned him a harsh look from that devil of a woman in charge! What could he do?

“No, Gempei. It is too much. I do not deserve such praise.” Said the lord modestly. “It is you who have rendered us a great service. With a single stroke we will be rid of two enemies at our doorstep.”

Suddenly Masato was no longer bored. He was interested. Very interested.

The samurai shook his head. “It is merely a small service. Lord Inuyama has been foolish in his quest for allies, and Lord Sugura is equally foolish. I merely enticed Sugura to capture Inuyama for us, and then once Inuyama is out of the way, dealing with Sugura will be child’s play. Inuyama thinks his ally will help him defeat us, but we have turned his ally against him.”

The men toasted and laughed again as Masato struggled to breathe. His lord was walking into a trap! He had to find a way to escape, to tell Jiro!

But, before Masato could make any attempt to leave, there was a sudden commotion at the end of the hall, and the door was thrust open. A young man around Masato’s age in a fine yellow-lined red silk kimono rushed in and threw himself down in a bow before the lord and his assembled guests.

“My lord, I must speak with you!”

The three guests looked at the teenager with surprised curiosity, but Kurokawa was merely annoyed.

“Ahh, young Masahiro.” He said, recognising the teen. “I didn’t summon you, boy. Leave us.”

“I will be happy to, my lord.” The lad said quickly. “But first, I must tell you that the Inuyama are planning a rebellion!”

Kurokawa raised an eyebrow at that. “Indeed?”

“Yes, my lord. They will declare their independence soon. Please, let me say now that I wish to stand with the Kurokawa. I believe you are far wiser than my father, and will accept any use you have for me.”

Masato gasped, this was even worse than he could have feared. Lord Inuyama’s own firstborn had turned against his father!

As Kurokawa considered his reply, Gempei looked the young man over. “This is Inuyama’s son? He’s a well spoken lad.”

“He is.” Agreed the lord of the Kurokawa. “I will consider your words, boy. However, before we discuss this further- tell me how you came to this knowledge here in my home?

Masahiro produced a sheet of paper, which he offered before him with both hands, his own head still bowed in respect.  “A messenger brought this letter, my lord. One of my father’s samurai- he waits with my younger brother.”

“Ahh, it seems we have a guest then.” Kurokawa smiled. “We should greet him properly. Send some men to get him and I will show him the hospitality I believe he deserves.”

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