Beyond the Gate of Worlds

  “For decades the Japanese have traded with the Northern countries, not with us,” seconded Meliwa. “What is their reason for changing their habits and coming to us?”

  “If they are coming to us,” Ouninu said. “They may not be seeking us at all. They may wish to go through the Teeth of the Gods, to deal with the False Inca and the Flatlands.”

  “Then why stay near the coast?” asked Pallatu. “If they wanted to do that, they would not have made us aware they are coming.”

  “How do they know we know?” Dyami countered. “They have no kites to watch for them; that much we have learned from them. They call our kites a marvel.” “If they know of them at all,” said Ilatha patiently,

  ‘they know that we can see them coming. Just as we can announce storms from far off. ’ ’ He folded his arms and waited for the other men in the side chamber of the Great Ocean Hall. “We must assume they are certain we have seen them, and therefore expect to come into our ports."

  Dyami stared down at the polished table as if divining the will of the High Gods in its whorled surface. “The departure for the lands of the Maoris will be delayed, but not for long. It is getting into the storm season and we can’t send our ships into such danger. I will notify the True Inca and the Crane clan, so that a new and more auspicious time may be found. We’ll want to learn what the Japanese have to say before we undertake to cross the Western Ocean. ” He touched his enormous pectoral, fingering the four cabochon emeralds there. “We must wait a short while.”

  Half a dozen royal funicular cars arrived in Algoma half a day ahead of the Japanese ships. Sathale gave orders for his pavilion to be erected at the head of the quay, with the rest of the court pavilions behind him to show respect for the foreigners.

  Akando suggested that the Four High Priests be moved to the rear of the court to avoid slighting the religion of the Japanese.

  Sathale smiled as he looked at his Fourth High Priest. “There are times you cannot forget you were bom a Raven,” he said. “Very well, I’ll give that order. But you know that Pathoain won’t like it.”

  “He’ll like it even less if the Japanese don’t answer questions, ’ * said Akando. He nodded toward the ocean, shading his eyes with his hands. “Those who venture on the waters have reason to trust their gods. It isn’t right for those of us who stay on land to insult their trust.” He looked back toward the True Inca. “I would like to make another recommendation, High Sathale. When you meet with the Japanese, include the Spiders who are going to ride the kites to the lands of the Maoris, the boys as well as their father. These Japanese have recently crossed the Western Ocean, and they may have new information that will make the journey easier. ’ ’

  “The Japanese cross far to the north of us. They deal with the Hawaiians, as well as . . . others. What can they add of use to our sailors?”

  “Who knows? That is one of the reasons to include the Spiders. They may have questions of their own, and it would be best if they are able to ask them. It may be that they have heard things on their travels. Perhaps a volcano has erupted in Hawaii, or in Borneo. That would change the rivers of the ocean, wouldn’t it? And as the guides for our ships, the Spiders would need to know of it.” Akando bowed to the True Inca. “The High Gods guide you, Sathale.”

  Both Japanese ships carried extensive sails and both had two auxiliary paddle wheels just forward of the rudders . They were clearly merchant ships, big-bellied and brightly painted, with plain sails showing no noble mon. The captains brought five bolts of brocade silk ashore— one for the True Inca, one for each of the Four High Priests—as soon as they tied up.

  Girusa, the aged leader of the Llama clan, had been summoned to serve as translator, for he spoke four languages of those to the north. Assuming the Japanese merchants knew the language of the those to the north, they could be understood. He stood at the side of the True Inca, white hair pulled back and clubbed in bands of bright ribbons. As the Japanese dropped to their knees and bowed, Girusa addressed them in a tongue that ordinarily was as forbidden to be spoken in the land of the True Inca as the name of its country was forbidden to be spoken—the language of Mexico. “Good travelers,” he said, more nervous of the True Inca than of the foreigners, unaware that the True Inca understood every word, “you are welcome in this place, to every house and clan. The True Inca, Monarch of the Spine of the World and the Western Ocean, bids you greet him as his honored guests.”

  The captains raised their heads. “Arigato, ” said the older. “Our thanks to you for so unexpected an honor. Humble merchants do not seek to dine at the tables of kings.” He touched the bolts of silk. “This is the most insignificant gift to show our good faith.”

  When Girusa had translated this, Sathale rose and said, “Tell them that we have prepared rooms for them in the Great Ocean Hall. The invitation is extended to all their men as well. Their ships will be guarded by the Whale and Raven clans, so that no harm will come to them or their merchandise.”

  This time it took Girusa a little longer to explain, and the Japanese captains seemed to be uncertain about the hospitality being offered them.

  “Say to them that they come at a propitious time,” Sathale said. “Tell them that we have been advised that messengers from far away can assist us; we honor our High Gods by showing hospitality to them.”

  “They are w lling, or so they say, ” Girusa reported shortly. “They do not wish to give insult to our gods.” “Fine,” said Sathale. “Tell them we will dine at sundown in the Great Ocean Hall. They will be my table companions, above the Crane clan. And warn the

  Rats to cook their best.” With that he turned away and went back into his pavilion, signaling to his Crane guards to come with him.

  It took Girusa a while to explain to the Japanese the significance of the True Inca’s invitation. When at last they grasped the magnitude of the honor extended to them, they expressed amazement, though their eyes were apprehensive.

  “Tell your ruler,” said the older captain, “that we seek an audience with him perhaps more private that the banquet he is planning. We have news for him, if he wishes to have it. * ’ He was kept from revealing more by his younger associate, who stopped him, speaking in their own tongue, and quickly, as though Girusa might figure out their meaning if he spoke more slowly. At last the older captain addressed the Llama leader once more. “We are grateful for the guards for our ships, but we would prefer our crews remain aboard, for the engines of these vessels need careful tending.” “Upon my honor,” said Girusa, and carried these messages to Sathale.

  By the time the True Inca donned his gold-scaled cloak and jeweled chemise for the banquet, he had met twice with the Four High Priests and once with Meliwa and Ilatha. “Well,” he told his First Wife as he put his Sun clan ring on his thumb, “I suppose I’d best practice smiling for them. Girusa says they are very polite.” His First Wife, who was from the Fox clan, reached out and took his hand. “You have your court to smile. You need not if you would prefer not to.”

  Sathale shook his head. “If I want to learn from them, I’ll have to persuade them to speak.” He laced his fingers with hers. “In Machu Picchu I could allow you to attend, but here . . .”

  She sighed. “Yes. But you’ll tell me later what happened . ’ ’

  “I will,” he promised her. He pulled his hand free of hers, letting the tips of his fingers graze her cheek and brow before moving away.

  Pausing in the hall, he waited for his Crane guards to fall in two steps behind him. Then, properly escorted, he went to the chamber of the First High Priest, where Pathoain was waiting with the gold crown of the True Inca.

  Sathale looked sourly at the crown and touched his forehead. “Be sure someone keeps a cup of pansy-and-willow tea ready for me all evening There’s plenty of weight there.”

  “I have ordered it.” Pathoain indicated the golden ball at the crest of the crown. “The orb of the Sun clan, True Inca.”

  Sathale made the traditional gesture of r
espect. “The False Inca wears one like this, but with jewels as well. I am told he has to practice walkine with weights on his head.”

  The First High Priest was not amused. “He forfeited the right to the Sun clan when his grandfather left the mountains for the plains and forests he rules now. He may have conquered the Flatlands and the jungles, and count himself ruler of all between the foothills and the Eastern Ocean, but he is no longer part of the Sun clan— nor was his father before him. ’ ’ Pathoain went to pick up the crown, admitting as he did, “But you are right; it is heavy.”

  Once the crown was properly in place, Sathale clapped his hands twice. “If the Rats have done their job properly, it is time to eat.”

  “The Rats have been cooking all day. There is fish and pig and sheep all prepared, as well as berries and vegetable stews and five kinds of beans.” Pathoain went through the door ahead of Sathale, then waited while the True Inca took his place with his Crane guards behind him. “Are you ready, True Inca?”

  “Yes,” said Sathale. “Let’s get on with it.”

  Besides the lavish dishes brought in profusion to the eighty-eight men in the Great Ocean Hall, musicians from the Songbird clan and dancing acrobats from the Rabbit clan performed throughout the evening for the enjoyment of the diners. Members of the Rat and Fox clans served the meal, the Foxes limiting their service to those of the highest nobility and the two guests.

  As the last dish finally arrived, Sathale turned his attention to the Japanese captains. “I am a fortunate host to have you as my guests. It has been more than fifteen years since we entertained anyone from Japan. I am curious how this comes about, with so many years gone by.”

  The younger captain, an angular man with a scraggle of moustache on his upper lip, leaned forward and lifted his cup of honeyed wine. “It was a very unfortunate thing, and not of our doing, the breaking off of dealings with you people of Peru. We were not part of the negotiations, of course, and our opinions were not sought. The Russians were in charge of that. Had we known more of your country and your people, we would have tried to change the treaties, or limit them, so that we might have been here from the start of our trade with this part of the world.”

  “Then this has changed?” asked Dyami. “Why is that?"

  “Well, you see,” said the older captain, more awkward than the younger, “Russia is not as it was. There have been three czars in the last year. One was killed in ... an accident while traveling. His rail train was destroyed when a bridge collapsed. His nephew Evgeny succeeded him, and was murdered before he had completely moved himself into the Kremlin, and the assassins were never identified, though an exhaustive search was made to learn who they were and who had paid them. His brother Iliya succeeded him, and he was shot while leading his troops against the Chinese and Tartars. Now there is a new czar, Grigori V, but everyone assumes he cannot reign long: he is over fifty and has done nothing but manage his country estates and knows very little of politics. The world is changing.”

  Girusa had trouble expressing some of the words and phrases, but after a few short conferences with the Japanese, he was able to render a good account of what the two captains had said.

  “So the Russians have lost their hold on China, have they?” Sathale said.“What does that do to them in the west, with the False Inca of the Green Banner and the men of Urop, I wonder?” His voice was distant and speculative. The Japanese would be paying close attention to his tone because they could not understand his words. “And what of the Chinese and Japanese, now that they are not under Russian rule? Will they want to reassert their rightful places in the world? How does it seem to you?”

  These questions were relayed to the Japanese, who spoke together in some consternation. Finally the younger answered. “When we left our country, there was unrest, to be sure. The people were calling on the Mikado to be rid of the Russians and to reestablish our country without Russian patronage. The Chinese have been more assertive, for they have troops at the border and are prepared to fight the Russians. In fact, there have been a number of skirmishes already. Some of the powerful lords of Canton and Shanghai have attempted to close their cities to Russians and to unite their provinces against them.” He cleared his throat. “We are merchants, and we do not like to be caught in the wars of nobles.”

  “No,” agreed Sathale. “And yet, a good merchant cannot ignore the realities of the marketplace, can he?” Again the two Japanese conferred before offering their reply. “No,” said the elder. “In peace we trade silks, in war we trade dried meat and copper.” He stared down at the wide sash he wore around his waist. “My companion and I do not see the situation in the same way. I have been a merchant all my life; he did not come to it until he was over twenty, and has practiced the merchant’s life for only twelve years. He designed ships instead of sailing them before, until the Russians put their own men into those positions, and Yukio Shi-gemaro”—he indicated his younger companion—“was forced to choose another trade.”

  “And the Maoris—what have you heard of them? We are preparing to send a delegation to them.”

  “We saw your three ships. What can I say to you? No one troubles much with the Maoris, not with a possible uprising in China,” said Yukio Shigemaro.

  “Who can say?” added Hisoka Hyogo, the older captain. “The Maoris are ambitious people and their islands stretch a long way. What is true for one is not always true for another, and I have not been to their islands, not even the Great West Island, for over a year, so anything I know is not current, and probably useless.” He made a philosophical gesture. “In other times I might have trusted myself to guess, but now . . . no.”

  The Four High Priests were divided once again. It was almost dawn and the two Japanese captains had gone back to their ships; the True Inca and the Four High Priests had withdrawn to a council room for what was supposed to be a short discussion. Now the night was almost done and there was no better consensus than when they had begun.

  “Until we know what has happened with the Maoris, I say that it is wise to delay,” Pathoain reiterated. ‘ ‘ What if we arrive to discover that there is a war? What can we do then?”

  “And what if they are seeking new alliances? What if they are as eager for those alliances as we say we are? If we do not act quickly, we lose the opportunity to be the first to treat with them; such a position can provide us many opportunities. Once that advantage is gone, we cannot reclaim it.” Akando sat back from the table, his arms folded, his face showing none of the emotion that was in his voice. “If we wish to be there at the most auspicious time, ahead of the country to the north or Hawaii, this is the best time for us to depart, before the storms come.”

  “And if we delay,” added Dyami, “who knows what arrangements the False Inca may make? He has already opened his country to men of the False Inca of the Green Banner, and we know that recently more of the ships of the False Inca of the Green Banner have been seen in the ports of the country to the north. That bodes ill: if the False Inca were to treat with Mexico—” Everyone at the table was shocked, for Dyami had spoken the unspeakable name. “What is the matter with you?” Pathoain demanded, his priestly reserve vanishing. “How can you insult the True Inca—”

  “I’d rather insult him than see him risk losing his crown and country to Helaoku and his foreign allies,” Bemosetu said. “So far, no one has admitted that could be possible, though we all know—or we ought to know—that it could happen. We need allies now. We need access to arms and more money. If the Maoris will have us, as we had better hope they will, we ought to begin our negotiations at once, before the turmoil across the oceans reaches our shores. ’ ’

  Sathale looked over at Bemosetu with interest, for the Third High Priest had been silent for most of the night. “Go on; what makes you say this?”

  Bemosetu sighed. “No matter what happens in Russia, there will be some unrest there and in the client countries. Judging by what the Japanese said, their country is near to breaking with Russia
—I know those were not their words, ” he went on, forestalling the ob-jections of the others, “but it was what they were telling us. If China and Japan and Korea break away from Russia, Russia will have to take action westward into Urop or risk having the men of Urop come to them. The False Inca of the Green Banner cannot allow that, not in countries that he still controls. So the False Inca of the Green Banner will have to solidify his hold on his lands or risk losing them. Not only might he have trouble with Urop, but with China as well, for Ind is caught between the False Inca of the Green Banner and the Chinese; he will need a reliable source of supplies, and since he cannot be certain of either Urop or Ind . . . He will have to deal with the False Inca or the country to the north. ’ ’

  “You were a Badger, weren’t you?” Akando asked Bemosetu, in an undervoice roughened by lack of sleep.

  “Badgers do no statecraft. Where did you learn all this? ’ ’

  “I have read all the reports from our messengers and I have gathered information from foreigners,” Bemosetu said stiffly. “Ravens are not the only ones who know about war.”

  Akando shook his head. “Oh, lower your bristles! In my own manner, I’m giving you a compliment.” He looked at Sathale. “He’s making sense, True Inca. We cannot ignore what has happened in Russia. One way or another, it will reach our shores and our mountains. If we are not ready for it, we will be overwhelmed.” Then, staring directly at Pathoain: “I say what I have maintained all evening. If we are to be successful, we must authorize those ships to leave as soon as the Cranes will permit it. If it were my decision. I would tell them to put to sea by this time tomorrow. ’ ’

  The senior Rat clan servant interrupted the meeting by arriving with yet another urn of coffee and a tray of fruit. He offered obeisance to the five men and departed without speaking.